Navin Khemka appointed as CEO for EssenceMediacom South Asia

GroupM India has elevated Navin Khemka as the CEO of EssenceMediacom South Asia. Sonali Malaviya will serve as the Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer of the newly formed agency. In April, it was announced that Essence and MediaCom would be merging to create EssenceMediacom.

Navin and Sonali will drive the integration of the digital and data-driven DNA of Essence with MediaCom's multichannel, audience planning, and strategic media expertise, facilitating client growth globally through an agile response to an ever-evolving media landscape.

GroupM South Asia CEO Prasanth Kumar said, “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."


EssenceMediacom APAC CEO Rupert McPetrie said “The appointment of Navin as CEO and Sonali as Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer for EssenceMediacom South Asia provides us with very strong leadership and direction as we build our new agency of the future and transform the work we do for our clients. Both have a great track record, both have a firm belief in putting people first, and together will bring new growth to our client's businesses.”

Both Navin and Sonali will be based out of Gurgaon. Navin will report to Prasanth Kumar and Rupert McPetrie, while Sonali will report to Navin. Both will continue to be a part of GroupM South Asia Exco.