In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, where attention spans are fleeting and competition for visibility is fierce, the role of media planning has never been more critical. Media planning is no longer just about ad placements or budget allocations—it has become a strategic cornerstone for businesses seeking to connect meaningfully with their target audiences.
Behind every successful campaign lies the expertise of Digital Agency strategists who blend creativity with data-driven insights to craft impactful narratives. These individuals are the architects of engagement, leveraging emerging technologies, evolving consumer behaviours, and innovative platforms to drive growth and brand recognition.
India, with its dynamic digital ecosystem, is home to a burgeoning community of media planning pioneers. From redefining customer journeys to optimizing ROI across multi-channel platforms, these experts are at the forefront of shaping the future of marketing.
In this list, we celebrate India’s Top 40 Digital Agency Strategy Experts, professionals who have redefined the art and science of media planning. Whether it’s harnessing AI to predict trends, using real-time analytics for personalization, or navigating the complexities of omnichannel marketing, these innovators have consistently delivered exceptional results.
Let’s dive in and get inspired by their stories, expertise, and visions for the future of digital strategy.
Dharini Desai, Havas Media Network: Dharini is the Head of Digital Media of Havas Media Network, media experience agency. She is a seasoned media professional with over 15 years of experience in media planning, buying, and strategy. Dharini is known for driving impactful campaigns, leveraging data-driven insights, and fostering meaningful connections between brands and consumers.
Vivek Shaw, Motivator – Group M: Vivek is in Motivator – Group M serving as Client Partner. He has 14 years of extensive experience spanning digital marketing, media planning and buying, content marketing, and client servicing. Vivek combines insights with actionable guidance, empowering individuals and organizations to excel. He has closely worked with Samsung, Airtel, Gionee, NIIT, Havells, GroupON, Micromax, American Express, Singapore Airlines, Zee Learn, and Jaypee Greens.
Shilpa Sudakaran, Interactive Avenues: Shilpa is a business lead with 15+ years of experience in media planning, end to end strategy & integrated planning and currently she is leading businesses for a few top brands at IPG. Shilpa’s strengths include Integrated Digital Planning & Strategy, ability to lead multiple businesses, spearhead a strong 30+ member team, quick technology adoption, strong understanding of consumer journeys and media patterns.
Renu Singh, DentsuX: Renu started her career in 2005 with Instructional Designing/Content writing and gradually she moved to Digital advertising, planning, and marketing. Renu has been working with Digital agencies for almost 15 years now and accumulating cross-vertical experiences. She is rooted in the trust of collaboration, cross-functional, networking, learning, sharing the thoughts, and team working.
Ashima Gandhi, Dentsu: Ashima Gandhi is a seasoned marketing professional at Dentsu, specializing in driving Digital Marketing, Google Analytics, Marketing Strategy, Search Engine Marketing (SEM) and Social Media Marketing. With a strong background in digital marketing and innovative storytelling, she has consistently delivered results that elevate brands and resonate with audiences.
Gunjan Saini, Havas India: As a Digital Marketing professional, Gunjan has 2 years 7 months of experience in the industry, She has developed a deep understanding of the ever-evolving landscape of digital media. With a strong background in media planning, she has a keen eye for identifying opportunities and optimizing campaigns for maximum impact. Gunjan has also worked with a variety of clients, from small businesses to multinational corporations.
Premal Mistry, Havas Media Network: Premal has 10 years of experience in: E-commerce and digital marketing, a Proven Track Record in achieving Sales, Google PLA, Google SEO, Google Analytics, and Social Media Marketing expert (Meta) and so on. He is leading Digital Marketing, Media planning, and implementing Performance/ Leadgen campaign, Awareness Campaigns, Marketing automation, and Data Automation for Tata Motors as a client.
Richa Sharma, iProspect: Richa is a seasoned marketing professional and a key leader at iProspect, specializing in driving digital transformation and innovative marketing strategies. With over a decade of experience in Consumer Insights , Data Science, Consumer & Business Analytics, Richa has been instrumental in delivering impactful results for global and Indian brands. She excels at blending creativity with technology to craft effective solutions that empower businesses in the dynamic digital landscape.
Shweta Agarwal, #ARM Worldwide: Shweta Agarwal is a marketing professional and Senior Manager at #ARM Worldwide, bringing over 6 years of expertise in digital marketing, brand strategy, and business growth. Known for her innovative campaigns and impactful storytelling, she has played a pivotal role in driving success for leading brands across various industries.
Satwik Kanodia, #ARM Worldwide: Satwik has seven years of experience in digital marketing and business development. He has directed global marketing strategies across diverse sectors, managing 800 million INR budgets. Satwik has also led initiatives in brand strategy, paid media, social media, and brand communications, resulting in a 1.4X revenue increase, surpassing 2 billion INR.
Abhishek Kela, iProspect: Abhishek is a marketing professional with around 12 years of experience in Digital Business Management, Client relationships, management, Planning & Media Buying, Strategy, and Brand building. He is currently working with iProspect-Dentsu as a Vice President of Digital. Abhishek has handled clients like Motorola, Hero Motocorp, Honda 2 Wheelers India, BJP, Snap Deal, TOEFL, HP, Kent, Samsung, and Aircel.
Kushal Khaitan, iProspect: Kushal Khaitan is a dynamic marketing professional with extensive experience in performance marketing, growth strategies, and digital transformation. At iProspect, he specializes in driving impactful campaigns, leveraging data-driven insights, and delivering measurable business results.
Divyesh Gulrani, Publicis Groupe India: Divyesh leads Publicis’s central trading team such as APEX, overseeing account managers, media planning, partnerships, trading team, and media operations. He has developed strategic partnerships to enhance media buying capabilities and drive revenue growth. Divyesh has also implemented innovative biddable media strategies resulting in a 20% increase in ROI.
Saprem Gadekar, Pivot Roots: Saprem is a digital marketer with a profound passion for his marketing profession and a diverse range of his personal interests that fuel his creativity and drive for continuous growth. With 7 years of experience in the field, Saprem has come a long way from being a novice to becoming a leader in digital marketing, overseeing strategies for some of the largest brands.
Siddharth Vyas, Pivot Roots: Siddharth is the group head at Pivot Roots and has 8+years of experience in Sales & Marketing for Media & Entertainment having strong interpersonal skills, leading Projects/Processes towards completion. In Pivot Roots, Siddharth devises Media strategies for assigned accounts, contributes in the business pitches, curates branding & performance plans for assigned accounts and business pitches and Drives account excellence by achieving business KPIs.
Shantanu Dhule, Ethinos: Shantanu is the director at Ethinos, a leading digital marketing agency headquartered in Mumbai, with a strong presence across multiple locations in India and even in Australia. He has experience in Search Engine Marketing with a demonstrated history of working in the marketing and advertising industry. Shantanu is skilled in Google Ads, Google Analytics, Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads, and Quora Ads.
Tanvi Kanani, Ethinos: Tanvi has a passion for crafting compelling content strategies, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives. Her approach is marked by a blend of strategic foresight and hands-on execution, ensuring that content initiatives drive brand visibility, engagement, and revenue growth. Her key strengths are Strategic Planning, Cross-Functional Leadership, Data-Driven Decision Making, Creative Problem Solving and Continuous Learning.
Tomalika Banerjee, Network Advertising: Tomalika Banerjee is an accomplished marketing professional at Network Advertising, known for developing effective brand strategies and implementing innovative advertising approaches. With a strong history of driving impactful campaigns, she is dedicated to blending creativity and analytics to enhance brand presence and audience connection.
Ravindra Singh, Efficacy Worldwide: Ravindra is senior Vice President at Efficacy Worldwide, a full-fledged ad agency company with over 100+ years of collective experience. His expertise lies in Media Planning & Communication, Consumer Psychographic and Brand Insights. Ravindra has an understanding of integrated marketing communication strategies like Budgeting, Communication Platform, Media solution and execution involving all mass media. He has been building brand visibility by providing innovative media solutions and is a strategic media planner.
Bharat Singh, EssenceMediacom India: Bharat, a dynamic professional with over eight years of expertise in digital planning, buying, and tech innovation, has built his career driving digital-first initiatives at organizations that view digital as the core engine of growth. His focus on business analysis and product management has positioned him at the forefront of transformative digital strategies.
Rohit Shaw, Bharat Media & Entertainment Group: Rohit, a seasoned marketing professional with over 14 years of experience, has worked across diverse industries and product categories, managing media portfolios ranging from ₹100 crore to ₹500 crore. Known for his adaptability and strategic acumen, he brings a blend of agility and persuasive expertise to the table. Rohit seeks opportunities to drive organizational growth through impactful marketing strategies and a steadfast commitment to excellence.
Rohit Parkar, Interactive Avenues: Rohit is an experienced and accomplished digital media planner with an extensive background in the marketing and advertising industry. Known for his proficiency in fostering collaboration and demonstrating strong leadership skills, he has consistently excelled in delivering strategic solutions and impactful campaigns in a highly competitive landscape.
Siddesh Dhumal, Madison World: Siddhesh Dhumal, a professional marketing strategist, is an integral part of Madison World, one of India’s leading advertising and media agencies. With over a decade of experience, he specializes in crafting innovative campaigns that drive brand growth and engagement. His leadership and strategic vision continue to elevate Madison World’s standing in the competitive marketing landscape.
Riya Patil, Motivator – Group M: Riya is a dynamic digital marketing professional with five years of expertise in media planning, buying, and strategy. She excels in streamlining digital media operations, from planning and execution to reporting and insights. With a strong proficiency in analytics tools like Google Analytics, Similar Web, and ComScore, Riya leverages data-driven insights to optimize campaign performance. Her experience extends to managing biddable platforms, including Google Ads (Search, Display, Shopping, Discovery) and social media channels like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, driving measurable results and achieving critical KPIs with precision.
Sheehan DMello, DentsuX: Sheehan is an experienced marketing professional with a strong background in strategic media planning and brand communications. At Dentsu X, he leverages his expertise to drive impactful campaigns, ensuring brands connect meaningfully with their audiences. With a proven track record in the advertising industry, Sheehan continues to innovate at the intersection of creativity and strategy, delivering measurable results for clients.
Srushti Rochwani, Madison World: With over 12 years of experience in the digital marketing industry, Srushti is a versatile professional with a comprehensive 360-degree understanding of mobile and internet advertising technologies. Her expertise spans advanced programmatic strategies and diverse roles across leading ad networks like Adomantra, renowned digital agencies such as Group M, IPG, and Innocean, as well as digital publishing giants like CarDekho. Her journey also includes significant contributions in the BFSI sector with HDFC Bank, showcasing her adaptability and depth in the digital ecosystem.
Abhinav Kashyap Ojha, Havas India: Abhinav is a dynamic marketing professional driving impactful brand campaigns at Havas India. With a keen eye for strategy and innovation, he excels in Microsoft Word, DoubleClick, Marketing, Ad Serving, and Microsoft Excel that resonate with diverse audiences. Abhinav’s expertise lies in blending creativity with data-driven insights to deliver measurable results, making him a key player in today’s competitive advertising landscape.
Gitika Polen, Mirum India: A VML Company: Gitika is a dynamic leader in the digital marketing landscape, currently serving as Senior Manager in Media Planning and Buying at Mirum India, a VML company. With extensive expertise in digital strategy, client management, and innovative solutions, she has played a pivotal role in shaping successful campaigns for prominent brands.
Maya Nair, Dentsu | Amplifi: Maya, a former qualitative market researcher, transitioned into the consulting sphere as a marketing specialist. Her expertise spans crafting and executing marketing SOPs, optimizing marketing and media costs, selecting and managing agencies and partners, conducting media planning reviews, and driving real-time campaign optimizations. With a strong foundation in TV and digital platforms, Maya has honed her skills to deliver strategic and impactful solutions.
Milan Nakrani, Mirum India: A VML Company: With over 13 years of expertise in digital marketing, Milan serves as the Assistant General Manager – Media at Mirum India, a WPP company. He leads a dynamic team of media planners and buyers, crafting innovative strategies and executing impactful online campaigns for diverse industries. Skilled in customer acquisition, multi-channel marketing, social media, display advertising, mobile app promotions, and more, Milan’s versatile approach ensures clients achieve measurable success across platforms.
Saurabh Gupta, Mirum India: A VML Company: Saurabh, Media Group Head at Mirum India, a VML Company, is a seasoned digital marketing leader with extensive experience in media strategy, planning, and execution. Renowned for driving impactful campaigns, Saurabh specializes in crafting data-driven solutions that deliver measurable results for clients across industries, cementing his reputation as a key player in the digital advertising space.
Sreejith CV, Interactive Avenues: Sreejith CV is a results-driven digital marketing professional and Senior Manager at Interactive Avenues, where he specializes in crafting tailored marketing strategies that deliver measurable impact. With a focus on client success and a strong grasp of performance marketing, he consistently helps brands achieve their business objectives in a competitive digital landscape.
Sarmita Mohapatra, Interactive Avenues: Sarmita, a seasoned Paid Media Strategist with over nine years of experience, is known for her diligence, passion, and visionary approach to driving brand success. She has spearheaded numerous end-to-end awareness and performance marketing projects, expertly crafting and executing strategies and campaigns that consistently help brands exceed their business and marketing goals.
Ankit Falwaria, Interpublic Group (IPG): Ankit, a seasoned professional at Interpublic Group (IPG), specializes in strategic planning and execution in the advertising and marketing space. With a keen understanding of consumer behavior and market trends, Ankit has consistently driven impactful campaigns that resonate with target audiences.
Samjith Nair, GroupM: Samjith brings extensive expertise in crafting profitable online campaigns across diverse industries. With a strong foundation in SEO, PPC, project coordination, and cutting-edge internet marketing tools, he combines deep knowledge of the digital marketing landscape with a strategic approach to website project management, consistently delivering impactful results.
Suraj KR, EssenceMediacom India: Suraj is a skilled professional with a proven track record of managing multiple projects and channels, consistently driving them to successful completion. With hands-on experience in overseeing digital marketing campaigns for medium to large business accounts across the APAC region, his expertise spans planning, optimization, reporting, and everything in between, ensuring effective results at every stage.
Nirav Mevcha, Lodestar UM: Nirav is a digital media leader managing a team of four, overseeing media strategy, planning, and buying for clients in sectors like FMCG, BFSI, technology, and education. He drives integrated campaigns to meet brand KPIs, conducts post-campaign analysis, and collaborates with cross-functional teams on pitches. His clientele includes Tata Capital, Amul, TCS, ITC Personal Care, IOCL, Tata Sons, Reserve Bank of India, and Monash University.
Nishant Jethi, MullenLowe Lintas Group: Nishant excels in delivering high-quality, consistent marketing services, overseeing strategy development and execution for clients. He ensures resource efficiency and supports teams to meet marketing goals. His portfolio includes top brands like Porsche, Lamborghini, Visit Victoria, Dr. Agarwal Eye Care, and more.
Madhur Shankar Das, Ogilvy: Madhur is a results-driven content marketing professional with over 11 years of experience spanning various lines of business. He has led digital brand and content strategies for major global brands, including Coca-Cola, RB, GSK, Google, and YouTube. Madhur is adept at crafting authentic brand narratives, boosting positive brand sentiment, and overseeing global social governance and program management initiatives.
Senthil Murugan, Tgthr: Senthil has over 15 years of work experience in Digital – He has worked in different LOB’s such as Digital/Online Marketing, Mobile Marketing, Social Media Media Marketing, and Business development.
He specializes in Digital Marketing (Strategy, Planning, Buying & implementation). His client works include Dell, Mars India, Shell Retail, and more; He is a team player and has successfully managed accounts and campaigns across various verticals and product portfolios..
In conclusion, the Top 40 Digital Agency strategy experts in India have been instrumental in shaping the future of marketing through their innovative use of data, technology, and creativity. Their ability to craft personalized, impactful campaigns has driven significant brand growth, setting new industry standards. These professionals continue to inspire the evolution of India’s digital marketing landscape, paving the way for future advancements in media planning and strategy.
-This article is the result of thorough research conducted by the IST Research & Editorial team, with valuable support from technology partners like MIQ and Varun Mohan- Revenue and Growth Head.”
About MIQ:
MIQ’s technology connects the entire programmatic data and media ecosystem in an independent way, making it flexible, agile, and quick to adapt to industry changes.”
Disclaimer
The selection process involves rigorous evaluation but is based on subjective criteria, which may lead to variations. Parameters include industry influence, reputation, experience, contributions, education, accolades, and followership. While comprehensive, assessments may not capture every aspect of a candidate’s profile. Selection does not imply endorsement or guaranteeing future performance. Feedback is welcomed for improvement.
