Mumbai: Dentsu has elevated Surjo Dutt as the Chief Executive Officer of Dentsu Creative Webchutney, expanding his current responsibilities as Chief Creative Officer. He will continue to report to Amit Wadhwa, CEO South, Dentsu Creative and Media Brands.
The appointment comes at a time when the global advertising and marketing industry is witnessing rapid transformation driven by artificial intelligence, automation and data-led decision-making. Dentsu said the move reinforces its belief that human imagination, strengthened by technology, remains central to driving business growth and creative impact.
As part of its broader growth strategy, the network is bringing its media, data, technology, CXM and commerce capabilities into closer alignment, with creativity positioned as the unifying force across its operations.
Dentsu Creative Webchutney, one of India’s most awarded creative agencies, will continue to anchor the network’s creative ambitions in India alongside Dentsu Creative Isobar and Dentsu Creative PR. The agency’s direction is also aligned with Dentsu Creative’s global proposition of “Transformative Creativity,” which drives the network’s work across more than 145 countries.
In his expanded role, Surjo Dutt will lead the agency’s next phase of creative and commercial growth, with a focus on strengthening client partnerships, building culturally resonant work and future-proofing the agency’s creative product in an AI-driven ecosystem. He will also play a key role in talent development and positioning the agency as one of the network’s most creatively ambitious offerings in India.
The leadership transition also marks a new role for outgoing CEO Indrajeet Mookherjee, who will now serve as President – Integrated Client Management for South clients at dentsu.
Commenting on the appointment, Harsha Razdan, CEO, South Asia, dentsu said, “The most powerful ideas are born from curiosity – from people who are never satisfied with what already exists. That spirit has always lived inside Dentsu Creative Webchutney. Technology, including AI, will give us new speed, new scale and new possibilities. But imagination, empathy and original thought will always remain deeply human qualities. The ideas that truly touch people and stay with them come from the heart and mind of human beings. Surjo’s role now is to nurture that spirit further and help the agency reach new heights by bringing together the power of human imagination and artificial intelligence.”
Amit Wadhwa added, “A creative person helming our largest creative agency in India says everything about where we stand. Surjo brings rare instinct, range and craft, and a leadership style that draws the best out of people. As we enter the next phase of growth, creativity is firmly at the centre of how we plan to win.”
Speaking on his elevation, Surjo Dutt commented, “The kind of openness, optimism, and kindness I have found at Dentsu Creative Webchutney in my 3 years here has been truly humbling. With over 70 brands across every category conceivable and more than 400 people across multiple geographies, Dentsu Creative Webchutney is a powerhouse of creativity and human potential that I am privileged to be a part of. The only way I know to lead is with love, empathy and laughter and I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and wading right in to our next amazing chapter.”
According to dentsu, the announcement marks the beginning of a broader narrative around its creativity-led growth strategy in India, with the network expected to spotlight more work, talent and innovation initiatives in the coming months.
