Mumbai, India – In a strategic move to bolster its creative capabilities, Cheil X, an independent full-service agency under the Cheil SWA group, has announced the appointment of Rajit Gupta as Vice President and Creative Head. Gupta will spearhead the creative direction and drive client success for the rapidly expanding new client mandates in India. He will report directly to Vikash Chemjong, Chief Creative Officer of Cheil India.
Gupta brings a wealth of experience to Cheil X, joining from McCann Worldgroup, where he served as Executive Creative Director. At McCann, Gupta led the creative execution for the G20 summit in India last year. With over 17 years in the advertising industry, Gupta has collaborated with top-tier brands and agencies globally, including J. Walter Thompson, Publicis, DDB Mudra, and Contract Advertising. His impressive portfolio features work for notable brands such as Air India, Incredible India, Coke, Pepsi, Volkswagen, Domino’s, Nestle Maggi, and Nescafe. His creative prowess has been recognized at numerous national and international award shows, earning him accolades including a grand prix.
Expressing his enthusiasm for Gupta’s appointment, Vikash Chemjong, CCO of Cheil India, stated: “Rajit brings a unique blend of skills to Cheil X. His deep understanding of brands, his exceptional design sense, his mastery of typography, and his extensive experience with some of the best agencies in the country make him an invaluable addition to our team. His track record of award-winning work speaks for itself. But beyond his professional accolades, it’s Rajit’s intangible qualities – his vibe, his edge, his mojo – that make him the perfect fit for Cheil X. We are fortunate to have him, and I am confident our clients will soon share in our excitement.”
Commenting on his new role, Gupta said: “’Why Cheil?’ That’s the question everyone asked me, even my dog Poppins. He wasn’t thrilled about his morning walk being moved from 10:00 am to 7:00 am. I tried to tell him that discipline is good for us, but he sensed there was more to it. He knew the only reason I’d leave a nine-year tenure was for a significant new challenge.
“I embraced the idea of transformation – a change in perspective, format, culture, and city. This new role at Cheil X represents a fresh start, an opportunity to evolve and create something better. Joining Cheil X in Mumbai feels like joining a start-up with the robust support of an established company. It combines the flexibility of a start-up environment with the stability and resources of a powerful firm. I am eager to create impactful work and drive success with the solid backing of Cheil X.”
Cheil X looks forward to the creative vision and leadership that Rajit Gupta will bring to the team, anticipating significant achievements and client satisfaction under his guidance.