MUMBAI — Creative agency VML India has announced two major leadership appointments to bolster its national team and drive integrated growth solutions. Kunal Roy joins as Managing Partner – West & Growth Lead, India, while Shekhar Khanna has been named Chief Strategy Officer.
Both leaders will work closely with CEO Babita Baruah to sharpen the agency’s focus on merging creativity, commerce, and technology.
Meet the New Leaders:
-
Kunal Roy (Managing Partner – West & Growth Lead):
-
Background: Over 20 years of experience across Asia, previously serving as CEO of Dentsu Creative Malaysia.
-
Track Record: Successfully integrated six companies into a unified entity at Dentsu and led Publicis Groupe Malaysia to three consecutive Effie Agency of the Year wins.
-
Role: He will head the Mumbai office and lead the “Modern Marketing” agenda to drive national growth.
-
-
Shekhar Khanna (Chief Strategy Officer):
-
Background: 20 years of integrated strategy experience across Mumbai, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, and Shanghai.
-
Expertise: A “full-stack strategist” who combines data, AI, and automation with creative thinking.
-
Role: He will lead the strategic planning unit alongside National Planning Director Shubhrojyoti Roy, focusing on driving business impact through unified thinking systems.
-
Strategic Vision:
CEO Babita Baruah noted that these appointments come at a “point of inflection” for the agency. The move underscores VML India’s commitment to delivering future-ready solutions that connect brand experience (BX), customer experience (CX), and commerce to unlock growth in an uncertain market.
