Celebrating Prasanth Kumar: From media planning to leading India’s largest media network

As Prasanth Kumar, CEO of WPP Media South Asia, celebrates his birthday on 12 January, the media and advertising industry recognises the remarkable achievements of a leader who has redefined agency excellence in the region through innovation and strategic vision.

Affectionately known as 'PK' among industry peers, Kumar oversees WPP Media's operations across India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, leading one of the world's most dynamic and fastest-growing media markets. Under his stewardship, India has emerged as the only market among WPP's top five to register positive growth.

Kumar's leadership has been particularly crucial during 2025, a transformative year that saw the rebranding of GroupM to WPP Media as part of a global realignment. The move positioned WPP Media as an AI-powered media investment organization, with Kumar continuing to lead the India and Sri Lanka operations under the new structure.

The transition wasn't merely cosmetic. Kumar spearheaded the formation of a new Executive Committee and WPP Media Leadership Council in July 2025, bringing together leaders like Ajay Gupte, Amin Lakhani, Navin Khemka, and Priti Murthy as Presidents - Client Solutions. This restructuring has enabled deeper integration, enhanced performance, and embedded AI-enabled solutions through WPP Open across the region.

Kumar's association with the organization spans over two decades, beginning in 2004 when he joined Maxus Bangalore. His deep understanding of the media landscape and innovative approach have earned him widespread recognition as one of India's most influential media leaders.

Before ascending to the CEO role in 2019, Kumar served as Chief Operating Officer, where he drove operational excellence across OpCos, Trading, and Specialized Units. His focus on client delight and partnership fortification set new benchmarks for the industry.

Kumar's tenure as CEO of Mindshare South Asia remains a defining chapter in his career. Under his stewardship, Mindshare achieved market-leading status and became synonymous with creative excellence and business growth. The agency set a record for the most new business wins by a single market globally and earned recognition as the second-best agency worldwide in the prestigious Gunn Report.

His leadership produced groundbreaking work, including Hindustan Unilever's acclaimed '6 Pack Band' campaign, which won the Glass Lion Grand Prix at Cannes and the WARC Grand Prix. During his time at Mindshare, the agency averaged over 250 external awards annually, cementing its reputation as India's most awarded media agency.

Kumar also led the GroupM Central Trading Group across South Asia before his Mindshare stint, championing pioneering partnerships in both digital and traditional media that transformed how agencies approach media buying and planning.

An MBA graduate from Madras University, Kumar's academic background provided the foundation for his strategic thinking and business acumen. Before joining the organization, he honed his skills at several prominent companies, including PepsiCo, The Hindu, The Media Edge, and McCann Erickson, gaining diverse experience across different facets of advertising and media.

Beyond his corporate achievements, Kumar plays a significant role in shaping industry standards and practices. He currently serves as President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India for 2024-25, having previously served as Vice President from 2020-22. His commitment to industry development reflects his belief in collaborative growth and knowledge sharing.

His contributions have earned him numerous accolades. Most recently, Kumar was honored with the 'Network Head of the Year' award at the e4m Media Ace Awards 2025 in November. His earlier recognitions include Media Ace Agency Head of the Year in 2018, Campaign Media Leader in 2019, and e4m Influencer recognition in 2022 and 2023. Notably, he became the first Indian to win the APAC Media Planner of the Year award, a testament to his pioneering work in the field.

His strategic vision has not only driven business growth but also fostered a culture of innovation and excellence. Kumar's philosophy is grounded in focus and accountability. As he puts it, focusing on what's within control while avoiding distractions from external factors has been key to navigating restructuring, rebranding, and leadership transitions.

Kumar's vision for WPP Media is organized around four key pillars: collaboration, data and technology with AI at the core, innovation, and people. He has emphasized that India's ambition is to climb from being the fifth-largest market for WPP globally to potentially the third, though he stresses the focus remains on incremental and responsible growth rather than rankings alone.

Known for his approachable leadership style and passion for mentoring young talent, Kumar balances his professional commitments with personal interests including tennis, badminton and music. His people-first approach has been instrumental in building high-performing teams across the organization, and WPP Media South Asia is in the final stages of appointing a Chief People Officer to further strengthen this culture.

As Prasanth Kumar celebrates another year, the industry recognizes not just his business achievements but his role in elevating Indian media planning and buying to global standards. His journey from a media planner to leading South Asia's largest media investment group exemplifies dedication, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.