Happy Birthday, Jasmin Sohrabji: The leader who built OMD India from the ground up

Few leaders have left as profound a mark on India's media and advertising landscape as Jasmin Sohrabji. Over a career spanning more than three decades, she has earned a reputation as a builder, strategist and mentor, helping shape the growth of some of the industry's most influential media businesses.

Interestingly, Sohrabji's journey into advertising was never part of the plan. Trained in economics and business management, she began her professional life as a researcher. A chance suggestion from a friend introduced her to the world of media planning—an opportunity she has often described as "the best accident" of her life.

Before joining Omnicom Media Group, Sohrabji spent 16 years at MediaCom, where she developed her expertise in media strategy and leadership. However, the defining chapter of her career began in 2007 when she was tasked with launching OMD India from scratch.

At a time when the Indian media agency landscape was dominated by established networks, Sohrabji embraced the challenge of building a new agency from the ground up. Under her leadership, OMD India rapidly expanded its footprint across Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai, growing into one of the country's fastest-growing media networks. By 2017, the agency had expanded to more than 550 employees and over $650 million in billings, establishing itself as a formidable force in the market.

Her tenure was marked not only by business growth but also by a strong roster of marquee clients. Brands including Intel, HP, Apple, SC Johnson, Henkel, Renault-Nissan, Ferrero and Sony Entertainment Network became part of OMD India's expanding portfolio, helping cement the agency's reputation for strategic excellence.

As the media landscape evolved, Sohrabji was among the leaders who recognised the growing importance of digital transformation. She championed the integration of specialist capabilities such as Annalect, Fuse, Accuen and Airwave, ensuring that data, technology and digital innovation became core pillars of Omnicom Media Group's offering in India. Under her stewardship, OMD reportedly delivered consistent 25–27% year-on-year digital growth, reflecting her belief that digital should be embedded within the business rather than treated as a separate discipline.

Her influence extended beyond OMD. Sohrabji played a key role in building PHD India into a creative, digital-first agency and helped strengthen Omnicom Media Group's overall presence in the country. During her tenure, PHD India gained recognition for globally acclaimed work, including Hindustan Unilever's Kan Khajura Tesan, one of the most celebrated examples of innovation-led marketing from India.

Recognising her success in India, Omnicom Media Group expanded her responsibilities in 2013, elevating her to CEO, Southeast Asia and India. In this role, she oversaw operations across key markets including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines, while continuing to guide the India business.

Beyond the boardroom, Sohrabji has also earned recognition on the global stage. In 2015, she served as a juror at Cannes Lions, joining an elite group of industry leaders tasked with evaluating some of the world's most celebrated marketing work. Reflecting on the experience, she highlighted the importance of simplicity, universal relevance and measurable business impact, reinforcing her long-held belief that effectiveness must sit alongside creativity.