#e4mExclusive:  Ajit Varghese to join Madison as Partner and CEO

In a major homecoming move, industry veteran Ajit Varghese is rejoining Madison World, marking a full-circle moment in a career that began at the agency more than two decades ago. He has joined as Partner and Group CEO, Madison Media & OOH.

Varghese, over his three-decade experience in Media in India and abroad brings a unique blend of creative strategy and commercial acumen. He is a pass out of Xavier’s Institute of Management, Bhubaneshwar. He started his early career in media planning at Madison Media, where he was COO of Madison Media Infinity for 7 years, followed by 13 years at Group M, where he was Managing Director, South Asia at Maxus, CEO Asia Pacific at Maxus and Global President of Wavemaker based in London.

He was also the Chief Commercial Officer at ShareChat and more recently the Head of Revenue – Entertainment & International at JioStar, the joint venture between Reliance and Disney. At JioStar, he was a key voice shaping the future of TV media, Digital, Connected TV, Branded content, and driving brand growth narratives and immersive consumer experiences on the platforms.

Says Sam Balsara, “I am delighted to have Ajit join us back. Ajit has all the credentials to steer an agency like Madison into the future; substantial media agency experience at Madison and Group M, both in India and abroad, then with a digital publisher and finally with Jio Star.  Ajit, like Vikram will join us as Partner and CEO with a stake in the business”

Says Ajit Varghese, “Coming back to Madison feels like returning home — but with a fresh purpose and a bigger mission. This is where my media journey began, and it’s where I now hope to help write its next big chapter. The world of media is transforming at lightning speed, and Madison is uniquely poised to lead with its client-first thinking, independent spirit, and deep talent. I’m thrilled to partner with Sam and the entire team to shape the next phase, stay future-ready and platform-powered Madison that delivers innovation, agility, and measurable business outcomes for brands. The ambition is clear: make Madison the most impactful and future-facing agency in the region.”

With his return to Madison, Varghese brings deep cross-sector expertise that spans agencies, broadcasters, and tech platforms. His re-entry signals Madison’s intent to further scale with experienced leadership in an evolving media landscape.