Kartik Iyer retires from dentsu India

Kartik Iyer, Chief Operating Officer of dentsu India, retired from the organisation on August 14, bringing the curtains down on an association spanning close to two decades with the advertising network.

His retirement marks the conclusion of a distinguished professional career of more than three decades across media, advertising and agency leadership. Coinciding closely with his birthday, the development provides an occasion to reflect on a journey defined by longevity, adaptability and institution-building.

Iyer began his career as a management trainee at Lowe Lintas in 1991. After serving in leadership roles across the industry, including as Director of Media Services at Active International India, he joined Carat Media Services India as Managing Director in August 2008.

He led Carat’s India operations for more than 11 years, establishing himself as a prominent figure in the country’s media agency ecosystem. In January 2020, Iyer was elevated to the position of President, Media Brands at dentsu India. He subsequently took charge as Chief Operating Officer in 2021, joining the company’s market leadership team and assuming responsibility for driving operational excellence and implementing its evolving business model in India.

During his long tenure with dentsu, Iyer led several key businesses and agencies, including Carat, Amplifi and Vizeum. He worked with brands such as General Motors, Philips, Muthoot, Adidas, Microsoft, Mastercard, Mattel, Total and SCA, among others. He also played an important role in launching brands such as LG and Compaq in India.

As COO, Iyer worked across dentsu’s various businesses, collaborating with client teams as well as regional and global leadership. His mandate included supporting the network’s transformation and ensuring that its operating model responded effectively to the requirements of the Indian market.

Iyer’s career unfolded alongside a fundamental transformation of the advertising business—from an industry led largely by traditional media to one increasingly shaped by digital platforms, data, technology and integrated consumer experiences. His ability to navigate these shifts while holding several senior leadership positions became a defining feature of his journey.

The tenure gave him extensive institutional knowledge and allowed him to contribute to the growth of multiple agencies, client relationships and professional teams within the network.

With his retirement on August 14, Iyer leaves behind a legacy built over more than three decades—one marked by consistency, media expertise and sustained leadership across changing phases of the advertising industry.