Mumbai: Havas India has announced the appointment of Prashanth Challapalli as the Chief Digital & Innovation Officer for Havas Creative Network India, a newly created role that signals the network’s focus on transformative, tech-enabled creativity. Based in Mumbai, Prashanth will report to Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas India, SEA & North Asia.
In his new role, Prashanth will be at the forefront of integrating emerging technologies with creativity, driving digital-first innovations, and shaping the future of brand storytelling. He will work closely with senior leaders including Sanchita Roy (Chief Strategy Officer, Havas Media India), Rohan Chincholi (Chief Digital Officer, Havas Media India), and other business heads across the network to ensure seamless adoption of Converged OS, Havas’ AI-driven operating system.
A veteran with over 25 years of experience across advertising, digital, entertainment, and consulting, Prashanth is widely regarded as a pioneer in digital transformation, content strategy, and brand innovation. As the Founder & CEO of Gravity Integrated, he led strategic consulting for marquee brands like Amazon Pay, Google, and Tata Motors. He has also held leadership positions at Publicis, Leo Burnett Orchard, and iContract, spearheading high-impact digital campaigns and building scalable business models.
Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas India, SEA, and North Asia, said, “Innovation is no longer an option; it is imperative. The creative industry is undergoing a seismic shift driven by technology, data, and consumer behaviour. Prashant will work closely with network leaders to drive the convergence of creative, media, and health, powered by data-driven innovation and technology, while seamlessly integrating storytelling to enhance impact.”
On his appointment, Prashanth Challapalli added, “We live in the ‘Attention Economy,’ where AI-driven content is reshaping brand narratives and business outcomes. While creativity remains key, innovation now extends beyond advertising. Havas’ integrated model fosters digital, media, culture, and creativity, with Converged, its AI-driven OS, further enhancing this synergy. I’m excited to join a network that pushes boundaries and sets new creative benchmarks, working with leadership to shape a fresh narrative for Havas, its brands, and its people.”
