Havas India has recently announced the appointment of John Thangaraj as the Chief Strategy Officer of Havas Creative Network India. Thangaraj brings with him a wealth of experience spanning over 22 years as a versatile marketing communications strategist across various domains.
In his new role, Thangaraj will oversee strategic operations encompassing several key branches within the Havas network, including Havas Worldwide India (creative), Havas CX India (customer experience), Conran Design Mumbai (brand design), Ekino (technology), and Havas People India (employer branding).
Stationed in Gurugram and reporting directly to Rana Barua, Group CEO of Havas India, South East Asia, and North Asia (Japan & South Korea), Thangaraj will collaborate closely with Havas Village India leaders to foster integration and drive growth.
Reflecting on the strategic significance of this appointment, Rana Barua remarked, “Havas Creative Network India has gained tremendous scale and size over the last six years. One of the agencies that has seen unprecedented growth, new leaders, and tremendous business traction is Havas Worldwide India and therefore John will work closely with Anupama Ramaswamy and Kundan Joshee to further drive the growth of the agency.”
Thangaraj expressed his enthusiasm for joining the Havas India team, highlighting the vast potential for collaboration and innovation within the Havas Village framework. He stated, “I couldn’t be more excited to be embarking on this journey with Rana and the rest of the Havas India team. As the saying goes, it takes a village. And the Havas Village remains one of the most deeply and seamlessly integrated creative networks in the world.”
Thangaraj’s professional journey is marked by significant achievements across diverse sectors. Commencing his career in public relations in 2002, he transitioned to marketing and advertising roles, notably managing the launch and promotion of the Adidas Originals brand in India during his tenure at Adidas.
Subsequently, he held strategic planning positions at renowned agencies such as Rediffusion Y&R and MullenLowe Lintas Group, where he worked with prestigious brands including Bacardi, Danone, Tata Steel, Hindustan Times, Nestle, and HCL Technologies.
Thangaraj’s expertise further expanded during his tenure at Mindshare, where he led strategic initiatives for prominent clients such as Pepsico, Lufthansa, and GlaxoSmithKline. Most recently, at FCB Group India, he contributed significantly to campaigns for major brands including Google, Uber, Bata, Pernod Ricard, and Vistara.
With his extensive experience and strategic acumen, John Thangaraj is poised to play a pivotal role in driving Havas Creative Network India’s growth trajectory and reinforcing its position as a leading force in the industry.