Mumbai: VML India has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Kunal Roy as Managing Partner – West & Growth Lead, India, and Shekhar Khanna as Chief Strategy Officer, reinforcing its focus on growth-led, integrated solutions and continued expansion in the Indian market.
Kunal Roy brings over two decades of experience across Asia in building brands, businesses, and agencies. Prior to joining VML India, he served as CEO of Dentsu Creative in Malaysia, where he led the integration of six companies into a unified creative entity. Earlier, as Group Chief Strategy Officer at Publicis Groupe Malaysia, he guided the organisation to three consecutive Effie Agency of the Year wins. Over his career, Roy has worked with leading global brands including McDonald’s, Samsung, HSBC, Mondelez, Unilever, Nestlé, Adidas, Estée Lauder, and Abbott.
At VML India, Roy will lead the Mumbai office and drive growth in close partnership with CEO Babita Baruah.
Shekhar Khanna joins as Chief Strategy Officer, bringing 20 years of experience across the APAC region. With a background spanning research, digital, creative, activation, and media, Khanna is known for driving integrated strategies that combine creativity, media, data, and technology. His appointment further strengthens VML India’s strategic planning capabilities alongside National Planning Director and BX Lead Shubhrojyoti Roy.
Welcoming the appointments, Babita Baruah said, “Kunal and Shekhar join us at an exciting moment for VML India as we expand our capabilities and sharpen our focus on growth-led solutions. Their leadership will play a key role in shaping the next chapter of our journey and delivering even greater value for our clients.”
“VML India is at an exciting point of inflection and I am thrilled to come on board at this time,” said Kunal Roy, Managing Partner – West & Growth Lead, VML India. “Growth today is about creating value in a way that has real business impact. By bringing together creativity, commerce and customer experience I’m eager to create lasting & meaningful value with our teams, for our clients.”
Shekhar Khanna, Chief Strategy Officer, VML India, added, “In a world where brands are navigating constant change, strategy has to do more than simplify — it has to connect. The real opportunity is to integrate creativity, media, data and culture into unified thinking system that drives real impact. I’m excited to build that with teams and clients in India.”
The appointments underscore VML India’s commitment to delivering future-ready solutions by integrating creativity, strategy, commerce, and technology, as the agency continues to accelerate growth and deepen client partnerships across the country.
