Schbang, one of India’s largest independent Creative, Media, and Technology Transformation agency, has undergone a strategic leadership transition wherein one of its founders- Akshay Gurnani who has also been serving the role of CEO at the agency for the past one decade has decided to part ways from Schbang to launch his next venture.
With Gurnani’s exit in place, two of Schbang’s other co-founders- Harshil Karia and Sohil Karia have acquired the shares of Akshay Gurnani, marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey and this consolidation of leadership reinforcing the agency’s commitment to delivering excellence and innovation while accelerating its global ambitions.
Since its inception in 2015, Schbang has consistently raised the bar in the marketing and advertising industry, combining creativity, data-driven strategies, and technology-driven solutions to deliver transformative results.
Over the years, Schbang has established itself as a trusted partner to industry-leading brands such as Pidilite, Jio, Castrol, L’Oréal Group, Tata Communications and many more.
That said, in 2015, Gurnani along with his fellow co-founders, established Schbang with the vision of redefining the marketing landscape and providing cutting-edge solutions to clients.
With unwavering dedication and an unrelenting commitment to excellence, he helped in steering the company through numerous challenges, propelling it to become one of the most sought-after creative agencies globally. With a team of over 1,100 employees across Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, London and Amsterdam, they service over 200 brands across geographies.
During his time at Schbang, he was also the recipient of numerous 30 Under 30 Awards, also being named among India’s Top 50 Content Marketing Professionals.
With a strong background in digital marketing across creative, media, technology and AI, Akshay has played a key role in digitally establishing and transforming businesses for numerous Fortune 500 brands in India.
When approached for a comment, Gurnani stated that, “The last 10 years have been incredibly enriching, both in the relationships I’ve built with clients & team members and in the learning I’ve gathered along the way. I’m immensely proud of the body of work I’ve created and the scale the agency has reached today. However, it’s now time for me to take on a new challenge, one that allows me to focus on driving business effectiveness for brands and agencies on a hyper-growth trajectory in India & UAE.”
He added, “As business landscapes evolve and consumer behaviors shift, client needs are changing rapidly. My focus is on eliminating redundancies and prioritizing services that deliver business value. Digital transformation isn’t just about technology—it requires a deep understanding of a client’s business and a partnership-driven approach to drive meaningful change. Having spent countless hours understanding client businesses, I’ve identified key inflection points where inefficiencies arise. Client success for me would entail going beyond vanity metrics, diving deeper into their digital transformation journey to help them achieve sharper outcomes, powered by the right human resources, media and technology.”
A Unified Vision for the Future
Harshil Karia, who has helmed Schbang since its inception, will continue to lead the company as its Founder, driving its mission of combining Indian creativity and MarTech excellence for global audiences. Sohil Karia will continue to strengthen Schbang’s offerings as Co-Founder and Chief of Digital Transformation.
“We’re immensely proud of how far Schbang has come and are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Harshil Karia. “Our focus now is on building a lasting legacy, driving transformative solutions for our clients, and establishing Schbang as a global challenger from India for the World.”
“Our leadership consolidation is not just about continuity—it’s about growth, ambition, and building a company that sets new benchmarks in the industry,” added Sohil Karia. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering excellence in creativity, media, and technology while driving meaningful results for our clients.”
Reflecting on his journey, Akshay Gurnani shared, “It has been an incredible journey to witness Schbang grow from a startup to a global force in marketing and to reflect on what I have been able to achieve professionally over the last 10 years. I am immensely grateful for the meaningful relationships I have built with the team and clients over the years, as well as the business impact we have created. I am excited to embark on a new entrepreneurial journey. I am certain that Schbang will continue to grow and reach new milestones under the leadership of Harshil Karia and Sohil Karia.”
Expanding Leadership and Global Footprints
Schbang’s growth is supported by an expanding and experienced leadership team. New leaders include Umma Saini (Chief Creative Officer), Jitto George (Head of Brand Solutions and Schbang Motion Pictures), Dipshika Ravi (National Creative Director), Aditya Menon (Vice President, Strategic Management), Mukund Raina (EVP & Business Head, Schbang Delhi), Suketu Gohel (Senior Creative Director, Art), Amit Panhale (Vice President, Brand Solutions), and Eric Abraham (Associate Vice President, Brand Solutions). They join Schbang’s established leadership structure, which comprises over 35 experienced professionals across creative, media, and technology functions, ensuring that Schbang remains at the forefront of industry innovation.
On the international front, Schbang’s UK operations are spearheaded by Viren Chhabria (Head of Business Development) and Sarah Coles (Creative Director). The company’s acquisition of Addikt, now addiktSchbang, has further solidified its European presence under the leadership of Barry Schwarz and Koen Van Ovoorde. These developments exemplify Schbang’s vision of taking Indian ingenuity to the global stage while adopting the best international practices.
The Road Ahead
As Schbang embarks on this exciting new chapter, it remains true to its mission: delivering integrated solutions that drive business outcomes and set new standards in the industry. With a solid leadership foundation, a talented team of over 1,200 professionals, and an ambitious roadmap, Schbang is ready to shape the future of advertising and marketing on a global scale.
