Meet the top guns running India’s OOH show

The Out of Home (OOH) industry is taking on new dimensions as a dynamic and innovative space for brands to connect with audiences in the physical world.

And behind this evolution are visionary leaders who have redefined the game of OOH, leveraging technology, creativity and strategy to make the medium more impactful than ever.

As we explore this sector in detail over the next few weeks, we bring to you some stalwarts of the Indian OOH industry.

Vikram Sakhuja has been associated with Madison for nearly a decade now. He has 28 years of experience in working across categories – advertisers (P&G, Coca-Cola), broadcasting (Star TV), agency (GroupM), and across media, brand marketing and marketing research verticals.

Sakhuja joined P&G in 1988 and for over 8 years he held leadership spots in Marketing Research and Media. He then joined Coca-Cola where for over 5 years he went on to manage the brand marketing portfolio. Post that, Sakhuja spent a year with Star TV Network (Newscorp) setting up their marketing department as EVP Marketing.

Since 2002, he has been with the WPP group. He was first Managing Director of Mindshare South Asia, and later CEO of GroupM South Asia for 6 years. He then took on the global role of WW CEO Maxus for two years.

Vinkoo Chakraborty, President, Rapport, IPG Media

Vinkoo Chakraborty has two decades of experience in media with the major focus being on new business development, management of large blue chip accounts, strategic planning, and creating a winning culture and passionate teams.

She has been associated with IPG media for more than 8 years,

Prior to this, she was with Madison and was responsible for integrated media planning and strategy for different verticals of Madison OOH (Retail, Activations, Outdoors & Rural).

Vinkoo Chakraborty has also held leadership roles at Kinetic Worldwide, JCDecaux, Hindustan Times among other places. Being passionate about technology, she has enabled several technology-led industry-first practices.

Alok Jalan, MD, Laqshya Media

With two decades of leadership in the Media & Advertising industry, Alok Jalan is among the stalwarts who has revolutionised the OOH ecosystem, and continues to spearhead strong and ethical practices at Laqshya. He has been the firm’s MD for the last 17 years. Jalan was earlier with the agency from 1999 to 2007 as Director.

From 2010 to 2016, he was the Managing Director of Right Angle Media, which holds advertising rights to all bus shelters across the city of Dubai. They are being used by blue chip advertisers to promote brands in an innovative manner.

He began his career in 1992 as the Proprietor of Anoop Synthetic and learnt valuable lessons in entrepreneurship.

Imtiyaz Vilatra, CEO, Posterscope India, Dentsu

Dentsu India elevated Imtiyaz Vilatra to Chief Executive Officer of Posterscope India recently in December 2024 and reports to Anita Kotwani, CEO, Media – South Asia, dentsu.

With extensive experience spanning over 25 years, Vilatra is known for a focus on innovative and impactful OOH campaigns.

Vilatra’s career in advertising spans over two decades, marked by leadership roles and entrepreneurial success. He began as a Business Director at Ogilvy & Mather, serving for nearly 12 years.

In 2009, he co-founded and became Managing Partner at Milestone Brandcom, shaping it into a leading OOH agency. In 2021, he joined Posterscope India as Country Head and was elevated to Managing Director in 2022, leading innovative, data-driven OOH solutions.

Lekshumanan Annamalai, Business Head, Coral Media

With over two decades of experience, Annamalai’s career began at Rediffusion Brand Solutions in 2001 as a Senior Account Executive.

He moved to Hakuhodo Percept in 2002 as an Account Manager, managing key accounts for two years.

In 2004, Lekshumanan Annamalai became Branch Head at Serve & Volley, overseeing regional operations for three years. Transitioning to Reliance Broadcast Network in 2007, he served as Sales Manager for three years. Since 2010, he has been Business Head at Coral Media, driving growth and innovation in Bangalore’s competitive market.

Narayanaswami Shekhar is a business leader with 30+ years of experience in Business & Strategy, Corporate Governance, Corporate Finance, Business Process Re-engineering, People Management, Investor Relations, Advisory Services, Mergers & Acquisitions, Supply Chain and Revenue Growth Management.

As the CEO of Times OOH Group since June 2024, he is committed to driving revenue growth and profitability with a strong emphasis on empathy and purpose.

Joining Times OOH in 2008, he climbed the ranks to become CEO, leveraging his expertise to drive growth and innovation. Under his leadership, Times OOH has expanded its footprint across India, integrating advanced technology into its offerings.

He has worked with brands like Airtel, Coca-Cola India, Timex. Narayanaswami Shekhar began his career as Assistant Manager of Tata Motors in December 1989.

Dipankar Chatterjee, CEO, Signpost India

Dipankar Chatterjee is a distinguished turnaround specialist, recognised for his exemplary achievements within the advertising industry. With a career spanning several prominent organizations, including Mid-Day, Posterscope India, Portland Outdoors (a GroupM Company), and JCDecaux India, he has consistently demonstrated his expertise in revitalizing businesses, steering them toward sustained success.

At Signpost India, where he has been for over a decade, he propelled the company to become the fastest-growing media group in the industry.

Mukesh Gupta, Chairman, Graphisads

Mukesh Gupta is a seasoned advertising professional with nearly five decades of experience. He began his journey in 1976 with Rashtriya Advertising, and later took over Graphisads Pvt Ltd in 1997. Under his leadership, the company evolved into a premier 360-degree advertising agency, offering in-house expertise across print, electronic, outdoor, digital media, events, and exhibitions, providing comprehensive marketing solutions.

In addition to his corporate achievements, Gupta has been serving as the Chairman of the Media, Entertainment, Arts, and Culture Committee at the PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry since 2014. He has also held the position of General Secretary for the Indian Outdoor Advertising Association (North India Chapter) since 2018, contributing significantly to the growth and development of the advertising industry.

Dr. Yogesh Lakhani, CMD, Bright Outdoor

Dr. Yogesh Lakhani, Chairman and Managing Director of Bright Outdoor Media Ltd., is a stalwart in the advertising industry with over four decades of experience.

In 1980, he embarked on a journey to build what has now become an empire catering to over 8,000 brands. By 1991, Dr. Lakhani began acquiring sites on a sub-letting basis, marking a pivotal step in his entrepreneurial journey. The following year, he gained hoarding monopolies at key locations, including Kandivali, Borivali, and Andheri Railway Stations, and installed his first hoarding at Malad Marve Road. In 1992, he established his first office in Borivali, laying the foundation for future growth. By 1995, he had developed around 200 railway hoardings and expanded into roadside advertising.

Dr. Lakhani's contributions have been recognized globally, including receiving an Honorary Doctorate from Sorbonne University, a testament to his exceptional achievements in the industry.

Pramod Bhandula, Executive Chairman, JCDecaux

Pramod Bhandula is a prominent leader in the out-of-home (OOH) advertising industry with over four decades of experience.

As Executive Chairman of JCDecaux India since 2006, he has been instrumental in establishing the company as a market leader, introducing innovative and sustainable advertising solutions.

During his tenure as Managing Director (2006-2019), he spearheaded JCDecaux’s successful expansion in India, transforming the urban advertising landscape. Previously, as COO at Selvel Vantage for 26 years, he played a key role in shaping the Indian OOH industry. Known for his strategic vision, leadership, and expertise in media management, Bhandula has made significant contributions to the growth of the advertising sector in India.

Jayesh Yagnik, CEO, MOMS Outdoor

Jayesh Yagnik's journey with MOMS Outdoor Media Solutions spans an impressive 22 years, showcasing his commitment and steady rise through the ranks. Starting as an Assistant Manager in Client Servicing in January 2003, he demonstrated a keen understanding of client needs and strategic campaign execution.

Over the next few years, Yagnik progressed to managerial roles, including Manager, Senior Manager, and Account Management Head for the West region, each role allowing him to hone his leadership and operational skills.

In November 2015, he was appointed Chief Operating Officer, a role in which he strategically expanded MOMS’ market presence and enhanced its service offerings. Finally, in January 2020, he ascended to the position of Chief Executive Officer, leading the company into its next phase of growth with a focus on innovation.

Dipankar Sanyal, CEO, Platinum Communications

In 2015, Dipankar Sanyal took on the role of Chief Executive Officer at Platinum Communications. As CEO, he has led the company to new heights, focusing on blending creative, data-driven, and sustainable solutions for clients.

In 2011, he joined MOMS Outdoor Media Solutions as Chief Operating Officer. Over the next four years, he played a pivotal role in driving the organization’s growth and operational efficiency.

Starting his journey as an Associate Media Director at Zenith Media from 2001 to 2003, Sanyal honed his skills in media strategy and campaign planning.

Amit Bhagwan Wadhwani, Chairman, Buffering Agency

Amit Bhagwan Wadhwani is a seasoned media and tech entrepreneur with over a decade of experience spanning real estate, cinema, sports, and politics. He is the Chairman of the Board at Buffering Agency, mediatech and chartered aircraft services company leveraging data analytics and technology to amplify the impact of brands and influencers.

Under his leadership since December 2019, Buffering Agency has garnered the backing of venture capitalists like Arvog, driving innovation in audience engagement. 

Wadhwani is also the Co-Founder of Street Smart, an auto-tech platform launched in 2020, which integrates automobile after-sales services into a seamless digital ecosystem for customers. 

Previously, he co-founded SEMSI (Sai Estate Management & Skills Institute), a management institute, and led Sai Estate Consultants Chembur Pvt Ltd., where he amassed 16 years of real estate expertise.

Raminder Singh, MD, Greenline OOH Media

(This list is not based on any ranking.)