GroupM Names Navin Khemka As CEO Of EssenceMediacom

The agency has also promoted Sonali Malaviya to Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer

GroupM India has promoted Navin Khemka to CEO and Sonali Malaviya to Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer for EssenceMediacom South Asia, after GroupM's announcement of a global merger of Essence and MediaCom to become EssenceMediacom earlier this year. In order to support client growth globally through an agile reaction to a constantly changing media landscape, both will advance the merger of MediaCom's multichannel, audience planning and strategic media skills with Essence's digital and data-driven DNA.

Prasanth Kumar, CEO - GroupM South Asia says, “Both Navin and Sonali are inspirational leaders and under their leadership for MediaCom and Essence, they have been consistent in their efforts for the transformation of agency businesses. With both agencies coming together we all are very excited and confident that we will continue to strengthen our client relationships and continue to focus on our people and capabilities. I congratulate both Navin and Sonali on their new roles and I am certain that this will be a formidable force in bringing some of the best work for our clients.”

Khemka has over 25 years of experience working on the most prestigious brands across networks. When Maxus and MEC merged to establish Wavemaker in his prior roles at GroupM, Navin was a key member of the Mindshare team and actively engaged in the process to ensure a smooth transition of employees, cultures, and clients. Over the last four years, MediaCom has reached unprecedented heights under his guidance.

Sonali Malaviya, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer - EssenceMediacom South Asia tells, “Clients today expect media to be at the frontline of transformation - delivering rapid, scalable business change in an era of new possibilities. Every day platforms evolve, creators emerge and communities are formed. A flywheel of change is being powered at the intersection of consumers, content, and technology. I am looking forward to partnering with our highly talented teams and driving that change & achieving growth and transformation in a way that serves our consumers and clients - it is the best time to work in media.”  

Malaviya has more than 20 years of management and media expertise in a variety of markets and industries, including top positions at Mindshare, PHD and MediaCom. In 2018, she rejoined the GroupM family and assumed the role of Senior Vice President, Client Services, overseeing the company's Google business in India and Southeast Asia. Sonali was promoted to MD of Essence India in 2021.

Both Navin Khemka and Sonali Malaviya will be based in Gurgaon. Malaviya will report to Navin Khemka while Khemka will report to Prasanth Kumar, CEO of GroupM South Asia, and Rupert McPetrie, CEO of EssenceMediacom APAC. They both will stay on the GroupM South Asia Exco.

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