Experience, Wisdom, Goodwill: Why Raj Nayak as the leader is good for YAAP & the ecosystem

Last week, I and we, all lost Atul Hegde at a very young age. Atul and YAAP seemed like they had entered the best phase of their lives with YAAP listing on the bourses and doing well, and the business going from strength to strength.

God had different plans. Last Tuesday, on 7th July, Atul went away unexpectedly leaving his family, his wife, his parents and his partners mourning an untimely and unexpected loss.

YAAP has a great set of leaders as shareholders and investors.

Atul's partners are Sudhir Menon and Subodh Menon, and as co-promoters and investors they bring in this seasoned experience of building a large industrial chemicals company.

YAAP has many other senior leaders who are very dynamic and capable. They have been instrumental in building Yaap and are currently managing its various businesses.

Manan Kapur, who is Founding Partner at YAAP, has been the entrepreneurial driver with his 360-degree skills of getting business, servicing it, leading teams and all that is needed to build a business. Manan is young and being young is an advantage in this ecosystem. He also brought in government business, and manages the largest offices of YAAP. 

A Senior Partner at YAAP, he plays a key role in driving the company’s growth, leading integrated marketing initiatives and delivering innovative, technology-led solutions for clients. He is passionate about digital transformation and works closely with brands to create impactful campaigns. 

YAAP has great senior leadership that is entrepreneurial; others include Anjan Roy, Anup Kumar and Nishant Radia. All are leaders, entrepreneurial, have clear roles and have contributed to YAAP's growth. 

Anjan Roy is also a Senior Partner at YAAP. He has been associated with the company since August 2016. Based in Gurugram, he plays a key role in shaping the company's strategic direction and driving growth. Roy works closely with brands. His focus is on brand strategy, marketing consultancy, content creation and business development, helping organisations stay relevant in an increasingly digital-first landscape.

Rohan Bhansali is the Co-Founder of GOZOOP Group. An entrepreneur with a background in investment banking at JPMorgan, he identified the potential of the digital ecosystem early and founded Raastudios, a web application development company, in 2008. Following GOZOOP's acquisition of Raastudios in 2010, he played a pivotal role in expanding the group's footprint across international markets, including Dubai, Singapore and New York, while leading strategic acquisitions such as Red Digital and iThink Infotech. Under his leadership, GOZOOP has grown into a global marketing partner for leading brands including Dell, Asian Paints, Mashreq Bank, Viacom, Pidilite and Mahindra Lifespaces.

Nishant Radia is the Head of Platforms at YAAP, where he leads the company's platforms and products charter and all the tech at YAAP. He is also the Founder of Vidooly, a video analytics and influencer intelligence platform. Radia brings extensive expertise in product innovation, AI, data intelligence and the creator economy. At YAAP, he is responsible for building proprietary technology, data intelligence frameworks and owned platforms across influencer marketing, content intelligence, brand performance analytics and creator ecosystems. He also spearheads the company's newly launched Tech Hub in Noida, focused on product engineering, AI-led innovation, data science and platform development.

Anup Kumar is a Senior Partner at YAAP and a member of the company's core leadership team. Since joining the organisation in 2017, he has played a key role in scaling YAAP from an agile content startup into India's first independent digital agency network to be listed on the NSE Emerge. He has been instrumental in driving the group's media, technology and business growth strategies while helping integrate capabilities across the network to deliver scalable, data-driven marketing solutions.

Over the years, Kumar has contributed to the expansion of YAAP. He has also supported the integration of strategic acquisitions, including Oplifi, Crayons Communications and GOZOOP Group, strengthening the company's presence across India and international markets. His focus on combining creativity, technology and data has helped position YAAP as a technology-led, integrated marketing partner for brands seeking measurable business outcomes.

Sudhir Menon is a promoter and Non-Executive Director on the Board of YAAP Digital. He contributes to the company's strategic direction, governance framework and long-term business planning, while providing independent oversight without being involved in the day-to-day management of operations.

Subodh Menon is the other promoter and Non-Executive Director of YAAP Digital. As a member of the Board, he supports the company's governance, business strategy and key decision-making processes, drawing on his industry experience to guide the organisation's long-term growth.

YAAP also acquired Gozoop earlier this year. Ahmed Aftab Naqvi sold his agency as he wanted to focus on acquisitions and investing. He also wanted to learn while working with Atul, and was involved actively in new acquisitions. Ahmed was also shortlisting companies for YAAP to invest in.

There is also Rohan Bhansali, who is Goozop’s co-founder.

Following Atul Hegde's passing, his prayer meeting was attended by Shonima, Atul's wife, whom he had met during their time at an advertising agency. Also present was Shonima's father. As a former advertising and media agency professional herself, Shonima brings relevant industry experience and is a natural custodian of Atul's legacy.

While I could not attend the prayer meeting in person, I was very much present in my thoughts and remembrance of Atul. I was informed that Shonima's father announced that she would take on Atul Hegde's role in leading YAAP.

As one of the company's significant shareholders, Shonima has made a thoughtful decision by entrusting the operational leadership to the right team alongside Sudhir and Subodh, who are among the largest shareholders in YAAP. Rather than attempting to replicate Atul's executive role, she has chosen to contribute as a major shareholder, Board member and strategic leader, focusing on guiding the company's long-term growth through sound governance and strategic decision-making.

However, three days later, YAAP announced that Raj Nayak who has been an advisor to YAAP and a friend of Atul Hegde, will be the Chairman and MD. The press release carried Sudhir Menon’s quote on appointing Raj Nayak as the CMD.

Raj Nayak in his truly empathic and genuine style humbly said that no one can replace Atul and that he is stepping in to support the leadership team.

I genuinely believe appointing Raj Nayak is the best decision, and Sudhir and Shonima and the leaders at YAAP, and the shareholders have made the best decision.

YAAP is a listed entity whose best is yet to come. It had made a strong showing in the last quarter and its share price had risen. Atul had aggressive plans, and I have some idea of this from what Atul would discuss with me. 

YAAP needed to assure shareholders and the market with a message that there would be continuity. Raj Nayak represents continuity as he was involved on the advisory board for the last 3-plus years, and knew Atul and his plans for YAAP closely.

Raj Nayak would also be acceptable to all younger leaders at YAAP, as Raj ji is well respected within the company and the industry. Raj is Chairman and MD, and the company is still run by the existing partners and leaders, with Manan Kapur being the most visible and competent and Atul’s de facto number 2. 

Raj also has great relationships and can bring business. 

Raj can mentor all with his super powers.

Raj has affinity to the company beyond money and titles.

Raj is doing this for his friend.

In due course, another leader or someone else - there are at least three more leaders - that could take on the mantle.

Today the average age of a human in India is rising. Founders and CEO s are working till 70, 75 years of age.

Raj ji is in his early sixties and has a drive and knowledge of this ecosystem.

This is also a message to my younger founder friends who have listed entities and approach me with requests to get them advisors and drivers of business, and when I have recommended older people who are 54-55 year olds they have felt that they can be advisors and not drivers. I have a contradictory view, with the wisdom of the young founders and drive that they naturally bring in starting, growing, listing and nurturing their company they need experienced hands to build teams, nurture teams, groom other leaders and bring wisdom, experience, maturity and empathy to leadership of these technology led companies.

Raj Nayak leading Yaap is a testament to that. Since Raj Nayak was appointed CMD, YAAP’s stock has gone up and hit the upper circuit. The market has given a thumbs up to Raj Nayak's leadership, statesmanship, and ability. Raj Nayak is entrepreneurial and that is what will make Atul's vision happen. 

I am sure Raj will mentor, guide and coach leaders like Manan to take on the future.

Raj will also bring external relationships to create value for YAAP.

YAAP doing well augurs for all digital agencies listing on the bourses. Yaap’s success is ours, and our industry’s success.