Essence-MediaCom Merger: Naveen Khemka appointed as CEO of Essence-Mediacom, Sonali Malviya also gets an important position in the group.

Earlier this year, GroupM announced the global merger of Essence and Mediacom. Now GroupM India has announced the appointment of Naveen Khemka as CEO of Essence-Mediacom and Sonali Malviya as Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer.

Naveen and Sonali will drive Essence-Mediacom’s multichannel, audience planning and strategic media expertise. He will be instrumental in driving the integration of Essence’s digital and data-driven DNA, helping drive the company’s client growth globally.

GroupM CEO Prashant Kumar said on the appointment – ​​both inspirational leaders

Commenting on the announcement, Prashant Kumar, CEO, GroupM South Asia, said, “Both Naveen and Sonali are inspirational leaders. During their tenures at Mediacom and Essence, they have continuously strived to drive the agency’s businesses to new heights.  We are all very excited about the coming together of the two agencies. We are confident that we will continue to strengthen our client relationships and focus on our people and capabilities. I congratulate both Naveen and Sonali for their new roles. I am confident that this will provide a great working experience to our customers.”

CEO of Essence-Mediacom APAC said – this appointment will provide strong leadership to the company

Rupert McPetrie, CEO, Essence-Mediacom APAC, said, “The appointment of Naveen as CEO and Sonali as Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer for Essence-Mediacom South Asia will provide us with very strong leadership and direction. We want to transform the agency into the agency of the future for clients by transforming our operations. Both have a great track record, both are firm believers in putting people first. Together they will take our customers’ businesses to new heights.”

Naveen Khemka has over 25 years of work experience

Naveen Khemka, CEO, EssenceMediacom South Asia, said, “I am excited to lead the agency following the merger of Essence and Mediacom. With our best-in-class data and digital-based solutions, I am confident that we will Will be able to adapt to the future and offer new services. Thank you to all our customers for their continued trust and partnership. Our customers can now look forward to the innovations from Essence-Mediacom that are essential to succeed in the new era.”

Naveen has over 25 years of experience in the world of networking, having worked with leading brands. In his previous role at GroupM, Naveen was part of the Mindshare team. He also played an active role in the merger of Maxus and MEC to form Wavemaker. He ensured a seamless transition of cultures and clients. In the last four years, under his leadership, Mediacom has scaled new heights.

Sonali Malviya also has 20 years of media and management experience

Sonali Malviya, appointed as Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Essence-Mediacom South Asia, said, “Clients today expect media to be at the forefront of change, and drive scalable business transformation rapidly in a new era of possibilities This is also the goal. Currently, platforms evolve every day, creators emerge, and communities form. All this continues to change and is driven by consumers, content and technology. I look forward to partnering with our highly talented teams to drive and grow those changes. This will ensure better service to consumers and customers. This is the best time to be working in the media.”

Sonali has over 20 years of management and media experience across industries and markets. She has held various senior roles at Mindshare, PHD and Mediacom. She came back to the GroupM family in the year 2018. She previously served as the Senior Vice President (Customer Services) of Google’s Agency Business in India and South East Asia. Sonali was promoted as the MD of Essence India in 2021.

Both Naveen and Sonali will operate from the office in Gurgaon.

Both Naveen and Sonali will operate out of their Gurgaon offices. Naveen will report to Prashant Kumar, CEO, GroupM South Asia and Rupert McPtree, CEO, Essence-Mediacom APAC, while Sonali will report to Naveen. Both will continue to be part of GroupM South Asia Exco.

Essence and Mediacom are adapting themselves from the consumer point of view in the fast-evolving media landscape. In the year 2022, it was announced that Essence and MediaCom would be merged to form the newly formed Essence-MediaCom. The company has around 400 employees and a huge customer base. The merger is to be finalized by January 2023.