Navin Khemka named President – Client Solutions at WPP Media South Asia 

WPP has formalised its transition from GroupM to WPP Media South Asia—unveiling a new leadership structure to steer this strategic shift. At the heart of this evolution is Navin Khemka, who has been named President, Client Solutions, as part of the newly constituted Executive Committee (ExCo). 

This appointment not only underscores Khemka’s formidable influence within WPP's media ecosystem but also marks a pivotal moment in his journey—cementing his role as one of the key architects of South Asia’s media transformation alongside leaders like Priti Murthy, Ajay Gupte, and Amin Lakhani.

With over 25 years of experience, Khemka has built a reputation as a visionary who has consistently delivered innovation, scale, and brand-first thinking across India’s dynamic marketing landscape. Currently CEO, South Asia at EssenceMediacom, he continues to redefine what it means to be a media partner in a world driven by data, disruption, and purposeful storytelling.

While at Carat, he played a pivotal role in launching Airtel's national campaign, during his term at Mindshare he steered PepsiCo’s media investments—launching Pepsi Blue during the World Cup and driving brand associations with cricket, music, and film. By the time he joined Cheil Communications, Khemka was ready to push boundaries. There, he set up Samsung’s first full-service integrated media agency in India and launched cultural brand milestones like the Samsung IIFA Awards and major sports sponsorships.

At ZenithOptimedia, Khemka handled clients like Honda Cars, HTC, and McVities. Then came Wavemaker, where he helped bring on board high-growth digital-first brands like Paytm, Lenskart, and Policybazaar, orchestrated the Paytm-BCCI partnership, and helped launch Vistara, all while managing legacy accounts such as Hero MotoCorp and Pernod Ricard.

In 2018, Khemka took charge of MediaCom South Asia, leading it through a transformative period of people-first integration, culminating in the merger that formed EssenceMediacom. His mantra has always been simple yet powerful: “What’s best for the brand is best for you.” He’s consistently turned this belief into action—spotting consumer shifts early, translating insights into ROI-driven strategies, and fostering a culture of innovation across teams.

Khemka’s approach to media leadership goes beyond campaign execution—he thinks like an entrepreneur, acts like a founder, and leads with the conviction that every brand deserves a big idea. 

Khemka’s journey began after completing the commerce degree at St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, and a postgraduate diploma in Communication Management from MICA, Ahmedabad. He entered the industry through Mudra Communications, where he launched McDonald's in India through a then-unconventional local cable strategy. His strategic instincts were soon on display again with impactful campaigns for Samsung, Mitsubishi Lancer, and Dabur Hajmola—demonstrating an early knack for turning media into measurable business impact.

Today, as President, Client Solutions at WPP Media South Asia,  Khemka stands at the cusp of a new era in media leadership—one where AI, integration, and agility define success. But even as the tools evolve, his core strength remains unchanged: an unrelenting focus on building brands that matter.