In the dynamic media realm, innovation is the driving force behind staying competitive and relevant. Today, we honour 30 visionaries who are in charge of media evolution. These individuals have reshaped the digital landscape, from pioneering new technologies to adapting to changing trends. Join us as we explore their contributions and expertise in shaping the future of media.

1. Shitij Jain (Head of Media, Apple India): Shitij, based in Gurugram, India, brings over 14 years of experience and drives strategic media initiatives at Apple, elevating brand visibility and engagement. Renowned for his ability to craft strategic marketing roadmaps aligned with broader business objectives, Jain has spearheaded impactful initiatives at Apple, including setting up media inspiration sessions and unlocking Apple India’s first-ever active product integration on media.

2. Loveleen G. (Head of Media, PhonePe): Based in Bengaluru, Loveleen G. is a digitally-led integrated media and communications leader with over 20 years of experience. Her proficiency in managing global brand strategies and driving digital transformation projects has been instrumental in the success of organizations like PhonePe and Emami Ltd.

3. Rohan Ekbote (Head of Media & PR, Croma, A Tata enterprise): Based in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Rohan Ekbote brings over 17 years of experience in media strategy, planning, and advertising. His strategic insights drive impactful communication strategies at Croma, ensuring its prominence in the retail industry.

4. Pramod Patil (Vice President & Head of Media, Kotak Mahindra Bank): Pramod Patil, based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, boasts 16 years of diverse experience in media, with a keen focus on strategic planning and implementation. His expertise lies in efficiently managing media strategies for offline and online channels, ensuring optimal results for Kotak Mahindra Bank and its subsidiary companies.

5. Vineet Nair (Head of Media, Amazon): Vineet, based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, orchestrates strategic media planning at Amazon, leveraging over 14 years of experience. His visionary leadership and innovative campaigns, such as Prime Day and Great Indian Festival, drive scalable growth and consumer engagement.

6. Anupam Tripathi (Head of Media, Lenskart.com): Anupam, based in Gurgaon, Haryana, India, has a decade of marketing and media experience and spearheads media initiatives at Lenskart.com. He is renowned for his data-driven approach and innovative campaigns. Passionate about managing ATL, BTL, and digital media across various categories, he optimizes brand visibility and market share, driving business growth.

7. Tejash Chheda (Head of Media and Content, Reckitt): In Gurugram, Haryana, India, Tejash Chheda is recognized for his expertise in media strategy and content. With previous roles at Nestlé and Star TV Network, Chheda brings a wealth of experience to his current position at Reckitt, where he continues to drive impactful media and content strategies.

8. Ankit Desai (Head – Media, Digital Marketing and Brand PR, Marico Limited): Ankit Desai, based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, brings over two decades of expertise in marketing budget management and strategic marketing. Currently heading media, digital marketing, and brand PR at Marico Limited, his leadership drives strategic marketing initiatives globally.

9. Jatin Punamiya (Head of Media, Digital & Audience Data, L’Oreal India): Jatin Punamiya, hailing from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, leads media and audience data transformation at L’Oreal India. With over 12 years of experience, he champions e-commerce, digital marketing, and social media strategies, driving remarkable brand growth.

10. Nivedita Sarkar (Media Head and Brand Head, HDFC Bank): Based in Mumbai, India, Nivedita Sarkar is a creative and value-driven marketer with a track record of leading award-winning marketing campaigns. Specializing in digital marketing, branding, and advertising, her acumen lies in liaising with key decision-makers and top management to drive impactful marketing strategies.

11. Jignesh Shah (Head—Media and Fortune Brand, Adani Wilmar Limited): Based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, Jignesh Shah spearheads media strategies and brand development at Adani Wilmar Limited. With a rich background in brand management and category development, his leadership fosters growth and innovation in the food industry.

12. Varun Acharya (Head of Media, H&M): Varun Acharya, situated in Delhi, India, orchestrates H&M’s media strategies, leveraging over 11 years of experience. His leadership at Maruti Suzuki India Limited and Maxus Global reflects a profound understanding of media planning, brand management, and market research.

13.  Jaikishin Chhaproo (Head Media & Brand PR, ITC Limited): With a rich background spanning various industries, Jaikishin Chhaproo leads media and brand PR at ITC Limited in Mumbai. His extensive experience includes heading media mandates for renowned brands like Nokia MENA and Hindustan Unilever Limited, showcasing his prowess in negotiating strategic partnerships and implementing effective brand strategies.

14. Tapan Kumar (Head of Content & Media Strategy, BYJU’S): Based in Bengaluru, India, Tapan Kumar pioneers content and media strategy at BYJU’S. With over a decade of expertise, he crafts educational experiences that resonate across demographics, driving engagement and growth in the education sector. Kumar’s strategic approach to content development and distribution has propelled BYJU to the forefront of the ed-tech industry, making quality education accessible to learners worldwide.

15. Akash Jain (Head of Media – Associate Director, Flipkart): Akash Jain, based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, brings over a decade of experience in digital media. Leading brand media at Flipkart, he pioneers initiatives driving diversity, mobile-first approaches, and social-driven economies. Notable projects include leading digital media for India’s Biggest Retail Event and building AI-driven media personalization engines.

16. Nakul Khanna (Head of Digital Media Paid – Deputy Vice President, Angel One): Positioned in Gurugram, Haryana, Nakul Khanna boasts extensive digital marketing and performance strategies expertise. Notable achievements include launching Disney+ in international markets, establishing in-house performance marketing teams, and driving substantial revenue growth through strategic paid and organic efforts.

17. Santosh Sanas (Head of Media Marketing, Reliance Retail): Based in Mumbai, India, Santosh Sanas is a seasoned professional with a knack for media negotiations and marketing strategies. With a track record of handling media spends worth crores, Santosh has played pivotal roles in driving impactful campaigns for Future Group and Reliance Retail. His expertise consolidates media marketing strategies and delivers desired results on big occasions.

18. Sonal Raj (Head of Brand & Media, Ample): Based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, Sonal Raj offers over 16 years of experience in marketing leadership roles. With a proven track record at BYJU and Unilever, she drives brand strategies, category management, and innovative marketing campaigns, contributing to the growth and success of leading organizations.

19. Gazal Bajaj (Head—Media Management, Nestlé): Hailing from Gurgaon, Haryana, Gazal Bajaj has over 17 years of experience in integrated media planning and strategic market communication. As the Head of Media Management at Nestlé, she specializes in developing audience-forward amplification models and implementing 360-degree digital marketing programs. Her expertise lies in driving national marketing programs focused on business ROI.

20. Vishant Pachisia (Head – Media & Digital, NIVEA INDIA): Operating from Mumbai, Maharashtra, Vishant Pachisia brings over a decade of expertise in digital marketing. With a rich background spanning Unilever and FoxyMoron, he excels in building transformative digital strategies. Notable achievements include driving digital mandates for leading skincare brands and spearheading innovative campaigns across diverse platforms.

21. Gaurav Soni (Head of Media, Perfetti Van Melle): Based in Gurugram, Haryana, Gaurav boasts over 14 years of expertise in media, branding, and marketing strategy. His dynamic approach to media planning and execution fosters brand resonance and market leadership, exemplifying excellence in cross-category brand management.

22. Suman Pal (Head of Media, Analytics, Partnership, Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting): Based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, Suman Pal leads with a results-driven approach, ensuring seamless collaboration and delivering integrated marketing initiatives. With over a decade of experience, Pal specializes in ROI-driven communication plans. He has received numerous accolades for his exemplary work, including prestigious awards like the Inkspell and Big Bang Awards.

23. Supreeth T (Head – Media & Performance Strategy, OnePlus): Supreeth T, hailing from Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, brings over a decade of experience crafting media and brand strategies for premium brands. Currently leading the media strategy and performance marketing team at OnePlus, Supreeth is passionate about fostering high-performance teams and mentoring talent to drive excellence in marketing strategy.

24. Ammar Millwala (Head—Integrated Media, Aditya Birla Capital): Ammar Millwala, a strategic leader based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, has 15 years of experience in integrated media and brand marketing. His focus on driving media investment efficiencies and campaign effectiveness has led to notable achievements. Ammar’s innovative media solutions have earned recognition for excellence in the industry.

25. Taranjeet Kaur (VP & Head Of Media Digital Marketing Brand PR, Tata Consumer Products): Taranjeet Kaur, currently leading media, digital marketing, and brand PR for Tata Consumer Products in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, has garnered 19 years of experience across FMCG, financial institutions, and market research. Recognized for her excellence in digital strategy, Kaur has been honoured with prestigious awards such as Impact Digital Power 100 and Cannes Media Lions.

26. Ankur Srivastav(Head of Media and Digital Brand Management, Baazi Games): Ankur Srivastav has been appointed Head of Media at Baazi Games, bringing 17 years of experience in media services. Known for his strategic media planning and effective budget management, Srivastav aims to enhance Baazi Games’ media presence. His previous roles at Domino’s, Usha International, and Snapdeal highlight his expertise in digital campaigns and cross-functional collaboration.

27. Chinmay Shirsat (Head of Media Planning and User Acquisition, Tinder): Chinmay, who operates from Mumbai, India, is a digital marketing expert with a decade-long track record in performance marketing and media planning. Currently leading user acquisition for Tinder, Chinmay excels at driving business growth through innovative digital marketing strategies. His specialities include paid social, programmatic advertising, and search marketing.

28. Varman M (Head of Media & Digital Marketing, Zydus Wellness): With over 15 years of experience in media planning and investment strategy, Varman M, hailing from Bengaluru, India, brings unparalleled expertise. From FMCG to e-commerce, Varman has developed data-driven media strategies for various industries. At Zydus Wellness, he excels in leading offline and digital media initiatives, driving integrated media planning and investment strategies.

29. Deepa Aggarwal (Head of Media, MANKIND PHARMA LTD): Hailing from South Delhi, Deepa Aggarwal leads media strategy and execution at Mankind Pharma. With over eight years of experience and a background in renowned agencies like iProspect and Mindshare, she excels in delivering impactful media campaigns across diverse categories, leveraging data and creativity to maximize ROI.

30. Anoo Bhuyan (Head of Media Labs, The Whole Truth Foods): Based in Delhi, India, Anoo Bhuyan boasts a decade-long journey in journalism and communications. With a rich background spanning legacy media to startups, Anoo excels in producing high-quality editorial content and crafting impactful communications strategies. Currently leading Media Labs at The Whole Truth, Anoo’s expertise lies in communications strategy, editorial content production, and building partnerships across various media platforms.

As we commend the achievements of these innovators, we recognize the challenges ahead. Adapting to emerging technologies and evolving consumer preferences will be key. Yet, with their examples as guidance, we approach the future with confidence, poised to meet new challenges head-on and drive media evolution forward.

Disclaimer: The selection process for candidates in this news article involves rigorous evaluation by researchers, considering parameters such as industry influence, online reputation, experience, contributions, education, accolades, and followership. However, subjective criteria may lead to outcome variations, and assessments may not capture every aspect of candidates’ profiles. Selection as winners does not imply endorsement or guaranteeing future performance. Feedback is welcomed for process enhancement as we continuously strive to improve our evaluation methods.