J Walter Thompson sees churn at the deck again as south chief Himanshu Saxena quits

KOLKATA: Top advertising agency J Walter Thompson India, which restructured its senior management just four months ago, is going through a churn yet again following the exit of Himanshu Saxena as its South India head. Saxena — who was elevated to the role of senior vice-president and managing partner at JWT South from being president at JWT Colombo in August last year — has joined McCann Erickson Mumbai as executive vice-president and general manager. Joy Chauhan, who replaced Saxena in Colombo, has now been placed as head of JWT South, and the agency is scouting for a Colombo head.

“This continuous restructuring takes a toll on the business,” said a top official in JWT. “In August we had informed the clients about the management change and we have to do it again now. Business development also takes a backseat,” the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Colvyn Harris, CEO of JWT South Asia, did not respond to an email sent by ETuntil the time of going to press. In August, after the previous reshuffle, Harris had told ET that all the new senior leaders have been with the company for several years “and are also the safest xhoice from the client’s perspective.

Saxena, who has nearly 22 years of experience across advertising, branding, market research and marketing functions, had joined JWT in 2011 from McCann Erickson. He has also worked with Sterling Holiday, Grey, Reliance Energy and IMRB.

Prasoon Joshi, Chairman Asia Pacific &CEO of McCann Worldgroup India, said, “For Himanshu (Saxena) it is like homecoming.” He said Saxena will work closely with Govind Pandey, president at McCann Erickson Advertising