Mumbai: Wieden+Kennedy has announced a significant restructuring of its operations in India, winding down its Mumbai office by the end of 2024 and reducing its workforce in Delhi. The Delhi office will retain a limited number of employees who will support critical shared services and global business operations, though advertising services will not be included in this transition.
Current management team members, Santosh Padhi and Ayesha Ghosh, have resigned but will remain with the agency until year-end to facilitate a smooth transition. Moving forward, remaining employees in Delhi will report directly to global leadership, with no plans to appoint new local leaders.
In a statement, Wieden+Kennedy expressed gratitude to Padhi, Ghosh, and all employees in both Mumbai and Delhi, acknowledging their hard work and dedication. “It is never easy to say goodbye to valued colleagues, and we are committed to supporting departing staff during this transition.”
The agency emphasized that it will not be pursuing new client opportunities in Delhi or Mumbai for the foreseeable future. This decision aligns with Wieden+Kennedy’s global growth strategy, focusing on markets that better meet current client needs. The agency plans to reassess its presence in India, leaving the door open for potential future opportunities.
Sources indicate that the agency is expected to discontinue most of its advertising services, with a few exceptions in select verticals, resulting in the layoffs of over 40 employees. Wieden+Kennedy declined to disclose the number of employees who will be laid off.
