Prasoon Joshi has taken charge of the unified Omnicom Advertising Group in India, marking one of the most significant leadership developments to follow the Omnicom–Interpublic Group (IPG) merger.
The consolidation has been described as one of the largest in the global advertising sector and has triggered restructuring across several creative networks, with India positioned as a critical market for the merged entity.
The development has, as per media reports, come at a time when the combined organisation has begun rationalising its creative agencies, a process that may include consolidation, workforce alignment and revised mandates. Within this context, Joshi’s credibility and long-standing industry influence have been viewed as stabilising factors for the group’s India operations.
Joshi’s career has spanned advertising, cinema and cultural writing. Beginning his journey at Ogilvy & Mather (now known as Ogilvy) before moving to McCann, he has created several campaigns that have blended cultural insight with mass resonance.
He has already built deep creative and strategic equity through his roles as CEO and Chief Creative Officer of McCann Worldgroup India and as Chair of the McCann Asia-Pacific region. Over the years, he has shaped notable advertising narratives, strengthened McCann’s cultural standing and earned the trust of clients, regulators and industry bodies. His appointment has been seen as a signal that experience and continuity will anchor the creative direction of the merged entity in India.
His relationships with global and local brands, as well as with government stakeholders, have also been expected to play a role in how the new structure is implemented in the Indian market.
Read more: When Advertising Giants Collide: Inside Omnicom’s Acquisition Of IPG
Parallel to his advertising work, he has built a recognised presence in Indian cinema as a poet and lyricist, earning honours such as the Padma Shri and multiple National Film Awards.
As he has prepared to lead Omnicom Advertising Group India at a pivotal moment, industry observers have expected him to shape both the creative and strategic agenda of the merged Omnicom–IPG entity in the country.
