Havas Media Network India names Anand Kumar as President - South

Havas Media Network India, the specialised media agency conglomerate of Havas India, has announced the appointment of Anand Kumar as President - South, Havas Media India to spearhead the operations in the southern markets. 

Anand will be based out of Bengaluru and report to Uday Mohan, Managing Director, Havas Media India, and will work closely with the core leadership team of the agency.

Anand comes with an invaluable experience of two decades spanning diverse markets and esteemed agencies. In his most recent role, Anand spearheaded a media consultancy, catering specifically to Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) clients. Prior to this, he held a decade-old stint with GroupM at various senior roles.

Armed with a wealth of experience, Anand’s experience comes from multiple categories and specialised media domains he has worked over the years, including FMCG (Dabur, Wrigley’s, Amway), Automobile (Hero MotoCorp, Suzuki, Yamaha, Hyundai), Lifestyle (Antonio Puig, Clarks, ITC Apparel, Flipkart Fashion, Myntra), Telecom & Durables (Samsung, Panasonic, Sony, MTS) D2C & Tech (Flipkart, PhonePe, Vedantu, Wakefit, Rapido).

Over the past several years, Havas Media India’s southern operation has garnered substantial growth, marked by impressive client growth and retention such as Swiggy, and the acquisition of marquee brands including PUMA, Ola, Quickr, Joyalukkas, V-Guard, among others. This expansion has established the South as a vibrant centre, solidifying Havas Media’s standing as the preferred partner for emerging brands and unicorns in India.

Welcoming Anand onboard, Uday Mohan, Managing Director, Havas Media India, said, “We are now poised to embark on our next phase of growth, as we stay committed to making a meaningful difference in the industry. Our robust operations in the south, offer immense potential for marketers and as we continue to grow our business, Anand’s rich expertise will prove to be a huge leverage for us in the region. His addition to the team aligns perfectly with our commitment to staying at the forefront of media innovation.”

Talking about his new role, Anand said, “It is an exciting opportunity to be a part of a resurgent Havas. The remarkable growth trajectory witnessed by Havas Media Network India in recent years is truly commendable. I am particularly impressed by the agency's refusal to get complacent. Its visionary approach towards expansion, transformation, and the distinct proposition of Meaningful Brands is truly inspiring. I eagerly anticipate collaborating with a dedicated team that has earned the trust of some of the most esteemed brands in the nation and partner with some great marketing minds.” 

Mohit Joshi, CEO, Havas Media Network India, remarked on the appointment, "At Havas Media Network India, our team has grown to over 1000 members, reflecting our expanding presence both in terms of capabilities, talent pool and client base nationwide. Our operations in Bengaluru serve as a hub for numerous key and successful client relationships in the region. We are deeply ingrained in the southern market, leveraging our diverse competences via teams at PivotRoots, Havas Media India, and Centre of Excellence. As our network expands rapidly, we prioritize leaders who possess a profound understanding of the industry landscape. Anand's appointment reflects our commitment to enhancing omnichannel planning capabilities and ensuring seamless workflows from client briefs to tangible business outcomes, particularly within the pivotal South market."