Mumbai: Madison World has strengthened its leadership team with five strategic appointments and expanded mandates across media, content, cinema, sponsorships and out-of-home (OOH), as the communications group looks to build specialist capabilities and drive its next phase of growth.
The appointments include Abhishek Bhattacharya as Vice President, Madison Media Ultra; Gazal Maheshwari as Vice President, Madison Media Infinity; Nilkant Sastri as Deputy General Manager – South, MOMS Outdoor Solutions; Abhay Sachar as Associate Vice President, Madison TurnT and Anugrah Madison; and Iman Raha as Vice President – Cinema & Sponsorships, Madison TurnT.
Abhishek Bhattacharya will lead a portfolio of key brands in Mumbai while also contributing to the growth of Madison Media Ultra through new business development and strategic partnerships. He brings more than 20 years of media experience, having worked with organisations including JioStar, Bloomberg TV India, Times Group, ABP Group and HT Media. He will report to Jolene Fernandes Solanki, COO, Madison Media Ultra.
Gazal Maheshwari joins Madison Media Infinity with more than 17 years of experience across client partnerships, business development and sales in television, sports and digital. Most recently with JioHotstar, she worked with leading FMCG and beverage businesses, following more than a decade at Star Sports, where she was associated with properties including the IPL, ICC Cricket World Cups, India Cricket, Pro Kabaddi League and ISL.
Nilkant Sastri has been appointed Deputy General Manager – South at MOMS Outdoor Solutions. With more than 16 years of experience across media, advertising, FMCG and retail, he will lead the South region, leveraging his expertise in business development, client leadership and media. His previous organisations include Times Group, Nestlé India, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, Essilor India and WPP.
Abhay joins as Associate Vice President at Madison TurnT and Anugrah Madison, where he will lead the West and South regions. With over 18 years of experience across media, experiential and content, he has worked with organisations including MTV, Times Group, RBNL, VICE Media Group and Mindshare Fulcrum. His expertise spans media & creative strategy, media innovations, branded content & creating IPs.
Iman Raha has been appointed Vice President – Cinema & Sponsorships at Madison TurnT, where he will lead the Cinema, Sponsorship and Non-Traditional Media business. With more than two decades of experience in media and entertainment, Raha has worked with organisations including Qube Cinema Technologies, Future Media and BIG Cinemas, with expertise spanning cinema, media, partnerships and business growth.
Commenting on the leadership expansion, Ajit Varghese, Partner and Group CEO, Madison Media & OOH, said, “Our business is evolving rapidly, and our leadership needs to evolve with it. Each of these leaders brings a distinct perspective, deep category of expertise and a strong understanding of what clients need today. From media and OOH to cinema, sponsorships and content, these appointments strengthen our specialist capabilities while allowing us to continue delivering integrated solutions. I am delighted to welcome them to the Madison family and look forward to the impact they will create.”
Abhishek Bhattacharya, Vice President, Madison Media Ultra, said, “Madison has always combined entrepreneurial thinking with a strong understanding of the market. I am excited to be part of its next phase of growth and look forward to working with teams and clients to build sharper, more effective media solutions that deliver tangible business impact.”
Gazal Maheshwari, Vice President, Madison Media Infinity, said, “Having experienced the media ecosystem from the publisher side, moving to the agency side gives me an opportunity to look at brands, media and partnerships through a much wider lens. Madison’s entrepreneurial culture and strong client relationships make this an exciting platform, and I look forward to bringing my experience to the organisation and building meaningful partnerships.”
Nilkant Sastri, Deputy General Manager, MOMS Outdoor, said, “The South market has immense potential, particularly as brands increasingly look at OOH as a medium that can deliver both scale and contextual relevance. MOMS has built a strong platform in the market, and I am excited to lead the South region and work with our teams and clients to identify new opportunities and create solutions that drive meaningful impact.”
Abhay Sachar, Associate Vice President, Madison TurnT and Anugrah Madison, said, “In a world where every brand seeks to build authentic connections, experiential marketing is no longer optional. No other medium offers a captive, undistracted audience while guiding them through the full conversion funnel in a single interaction. Madison Turnt and Anugrah have a proven legacy of delivering world-class, culturally rooted experiences that move brand metrics, positioning us perfectly to help brands cut through the noise and create moments that have a lasting impact.”
Iman Raha, Vice President – Cinema & Sponsorships, Madison Turnt, said, “Cinema and entertainment offer brands a powerful opportunity to build deeper connections with audiences. I am excited to join Madison and look forward to creating partnerships and experiences that are culturally relevant, commercially meaningful and deliver real value for brands in the ever-growing cinema industry since the pandemic.”
The leadership expansion comes as Madison continues to invest in talent, technology and specialist capabilities as part of its broader Madison 3.0 transformation. The agency said it remains focused on bringing together data, technology, creativity and market expertise to help brands navigate an increasingly fragmented media ecosystem.
Madison World offers services across media, including digital, television, print, radio, cinema, outdoor and activation, as well as PR, creative and sports. The group employs around 1,300 communication professionals across India and handles more than 500 clients, including Asian Paints, Titan, Pidilite, Jyothy Labs, CEAT, Blue Star, Samsonite, Axis Max Life Insurance, Joy Cosmetics, Parag Milk Foods, Polycab, Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors.
Madison World has been ranked the world’s third-largest independent media agency by RECMA 2025 and has won more than 300 awards over the past two years.
