Ajay Gupte: The visionary behind Wavemaker’s rise and WPP Media’s strategic shift

Ajay Gupte, a media veteran with more than 25 years of experience across India, Africa and Southeast Asia, stepped down from his role as President – Client Solutions at WPP Media today, bringing to a close a long and influential chapter in his professional journey.

Gupte’s career is defined by leadership in media strategy, client solutions and digital transformation. He began his career in sales and marketing, holding roles at TVS Motor Company, where he gained early experience in market strategy and consumer engagement. He then moved into media agency work, rising to Business Head at Maxus Global’s Delhi office, where he managed major client portfolios before his long tenure with Wavemaker and WPP Media began.

Gupte’s early career included roles that spanned sales, marketing, and media management. Before entering the world of global media agencies, he worked in various capacities in sales and marketing with TVS Motor Company, gaining firsthand experience in market strategy and consumer engagement. He later held leadership positions with media agencies such as Maxus Global in India, where he served as General Manager and handled major accounts including Nokia and Hero.

In 2011, Gupte joined Wavemaker Indonesia as Managing Director, marking the start of a journey that would shape his reputation as a strategic leader in media. In Indonesia, he led the agency’s growth and helped expand its client base, building operations in a competitive landscape. His success there led to his relocation to South Asia, where his impact would be even greater.

Gupte’s next major role came in 2019 when he joined Wavemaker India as Chief Operating Officer (COO) – South Asia. Within a short period, he was elevated to Chief Executive Officer, South Asia in January 2020, a promotion that placed him at the helm of one of the region’s most dynamic media agencies during a time of significant industry change.

Under his leadership, Wavemaker expanded its offerings well beyond traditional media planning and buying. Gupte was instrumental in pushing the agency toward embracing data-driven strategies, integrated planning and the use of advanced technologies to deliver measurable impact for clients. He championed the adoption of tools like Wavemaker’s global planning platform, Architect, and integrated artificial intelligence into key aspects of media planning, enabling more personalised and efficient audience engagement.

His strategic vision helped Wavemaker develop into a full-service media partner capable of navigating the evolving needs of major brands. During Gupte’s tenure, the agency strengthened its market position and gained industry recognition for its work, winning key mandates and helping clients adapt to rapid shifts in consumer behaviour and media consumption. Industry peers often cited his ability to blend creative thinking with analytical rigour as a core driver behind the agency’s success.

In 2025, WPP initiated a major realignment of its media operations globally. This restructure led to GroupM being rebranded as WPP Media, with a new leadership model designed to foster greater integration across its agencies in South Asia. As part of this, Gupte was appointed President – Client Solutions for South Asia, a role in which he guided strategic client engagement across the region, working alongside other senior leaders to drive growth, innovation and data-led outcomes for the WPP Media network.