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Tag: Rita Verma

  • To champion the group’s vision, and nurture future-ready teams

    Omnicom Media appoints Rita Verma as its Chief Talent Officer

    Rita Verma
    Rita Verma

    Omnicom Media Group has appoints Rita Verma as the organisation’s new Chief Talent Officer. She succeeds Anju Kurien – who has retired from her position after 13 years of service, during which she was instrumental in accelerating OMG’s strategic footprint in the market.

    In her role, Verma is tasked with solidifying OMG India’s people-centric ethos, championing the group’s vision, and nurturing future-ready teams to advance the growth trajectory.

    Speaking of the appointment, Kartik Sharma, Group CEO – Omnicom Media Group India, said: “Talent is our defining edge when it comes to propelling our collective success and that of our clients. With Rita steering our talent practice, we look forward to fortifying our commitment to our people-centric approach and driving transformations to progress further on our future-fit agenda.”

  • DDB Mudra Group has announced the elevation of Vanaja Pillai as the company’s Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Impact

    Vanaja Pillai to head diversity, inclusion & impact at DDB Mudra

     

     

    Vanaja Pillai
    Vanaja Pillai

    In her expanded role, Pillai will work closely with CEO and MD Aditya Kanthy and HR head Rita Verma on initiatives to grow a diverse and inclusive workplace, including talent acquisition, retention, training and outreach to talent in underrepresented communities.

     

    Said Kanthy: “If we don’t change, we’re done. To compete in our times, we need to take a critical view of every aspect of our business. Our approach to talent and culture included. There is much to do in this area, and Vanaja is just the right person to lead us to success. Besides being a stellar leader, having run operating roles in the agency business with flair and distinction, Vanaja has over the last two years built one of the industry’s best run diversity programs – the Phyllis India Project. This work with the Group’s effort as a global network to bring in diverse voices to help shape workplace culture and brand communication of the future.”

     

    On the appointment Nikki Lamba, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, DDB Worldwide said: “Vanaja’s work on the Phyllis India program has been applauded across DDB’s borders and is a brilliant example of senior leadership driving actionable change in advancing DEI within the DDB family. We are excited about her taking on this larger mandate and bringing DEI to the heart of our business, people and product strategies in India. There is a lot of good work happening already in parts of the DDB network that India will surely build off and gain from.”

     

    Speaking on her deeper role, Pillai added: “It has been an exhilarating journey, from the intent of creating an India chapter for the Phyllis Project, to having the first batch graduate last week. The bar has been set high for every challenge we pick up from hereon. Over the next year we will focus on a select set of DEI goals and approach them with the same rigour and passion that made the Phyllis India Project what it is today. From an overall talent perspective, the pandemic made us even more aware of the need for constantly focusing on people and their growth. We hope to make some of our talent programs world-class this year.”

     

  • To nurture and empower a community of women leaders in the company

    DDB Mudra launches gender equity in leadership project

    By Our Staff

     

    In a bid to create a more gender-balanced company, the DDB Mudra Group has launched ‘The Phyllis India Project’, a year-long mentorship programmed to enable and encourage women to thrive in leadership roles and drive professional growth.

     

    Said Aditya Kanthy, CEO & MD, DDB Mudra Group: “Gender gaps influence the society, culture, economy and the way in which we shape our world for the next generation. Supporting the advancement of women and non-binary individuals by addressing the challenges they face is a global priority for the Group, and we in India have taken it very seriously. It’s inspiring to watch the participants of the Phyllis program grow personally and professionally, take on new roles, and steer the company towards a future with unbound potential. Leaders like Mehak Jaini who now heads Strategy at 22feet Tribal WW, and Sharon Misra who is now leading Exxon Mobil’s business, are great examples of how the program enables and empowers women to lead the biggest businesses in the market. Our notable alumni from this global programme include Shagun Seda, Marketing Director at Netflix, and Sonal Jhuj who leads Global Brand Strategy at Lego Global.”

     

    Added Rita Verma, Executive Vice President and Head-HR, DDB Mudra Group. “At DDB, we know that better product and cultures emerge from diverse and inclusive teams. That’s why initiatives like The Phyllis Project are at the heart of our people strategy. We hope to learn and strengthen our current efforts from the UNWEP network, which is yet another step in making a deeper, meaningful impact. This impact drives culture, company policies, business, and gender parity at work and at home.”