Kunal Roy Joins VML India as Managing Partner + Shekhar Khanna Named CSO

Why It Matters

These appointments bolster VML India's capability to offer end‑to‑end, data‑driven marketing services, positioning the agency to capture expanding ad spend in India's fast‑growing market.

Key Takeaways

• Kunal Roy appointed Managing Partner – West & Growth Lead.
• Shekhar Khanna becomes VML India's Chief Strategy Officer.
• Roy brings 20+ years agency leadership across Asia.
• Khanna integrates strategy, AI, media for unified brand solutions.
• Appointments signal VML India's growth-focused expansion in India.

Pulse Analysis

The Indian advertising ecosystem is entering a phase of rapid digital acceleration, with programmatic spend projected to exceed $12 billion this year, according to industry forecasts. Agencies that can fuse creative storytelling with data analytics are winning larger shares of brand budgets, especially as multinational clients demand consistent experiences across online and offline touchpoints. VML India, part of the WPP network, has been scaling its capabilities to meet this demand, but the competitive landscape—populated by global firms and agile local boutiques—requires a clear growth strategy and leadership that can orchestrate cross‑functional teams.

Kunal Roy’s appointment arrives at a pivotal moment. With more than 20 years steering agencies such as Dentsu Creative Malaysia and Publicis Groupe Malaysia to multiple Effie Agency of the Year honors, Roy has a track record of consolidating fragmented creative units into cohesive powerhouses. His experience spanning consumer giants like McDonald’s and Samsung equips him to navigate complex brand portfolios and to embed the ‘Modern Marketing’ framework that balances commerce, culture, and technology. As Managing Partner – West & Growth Lead, Roy will oversee the Mumbai hub, accelerating client acquisition and expanding VML’s footprint beyond traditional metro markets.

Shekhar Khanna complements Roy’s commercial focus with a deep strategic pedigree that blends research, digital, and AI‑driven activation. Having led planning functions across Mumbai, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing and Shanghai, Khanna champions a full‑stack approach where data, media, and creative converge into a single insight engine. His vision for a unified planning unit, supported by national planning director Shubhrojyoti Roy, aims to reduce client friction and improve campaign ROI through automation and real‑time analytics. Together, the duo positions VML India to deliver integrated, growth‑centric solutions that resonate with both domestic brands and global advertisers seeking scale in the sub‑continent.