#e4mExclusive:  Kiran Ramamurthy to lead newly integrated Grey 82.5

In a strategic move aimed at strengthening its creative and strategic capabilities in India, Ogilvy Group has integrated Grey and 82.5 Communications under a unified entity, Grey 82.5, creating one of the country's most formidable agency offerings within the Ogilvy India ecosystem.

As part of the leadership transition, Kiran Ramamurthy has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Grey 82.5. The creative mandate will be jointly led by industry veterans Anuraag Khandelwal and Mayur Varma as Joint Chief Creative Officers, while Rohitash Srivastava will oversee strategy and planning in the role of Chief Strategy Officer.

The integration marks a significant consolidation within WPP's India operations and reflects the group's broader efforts to build future-ready agency models that combine global expertise with local market understanding.

Grey brings with it the legacy and scale of a globally respected advertising network known for its "Famously Effective" philosophy and award-winning creative work across markets. 

On the other hand, 82.5 Communications has emerged as one of India's most successful homegrown challenger agencies, earning recognition for its strategic rigor, creative effectiveness, and long-standing relationships with some of the country's largest brands.

According to the company, the integration has been designed to unlock greater value by bringing together two distinct yet synergistic agency cultures. The merged entity will leverage Grey's global network capabilities alongside 82.5 Communications' deep understanding of the Indian consumer and market landscape.

The combined agency is expected to offer clients access to a broader talent pool, enhanced strategic capabilities, and a more diversified creative offering. By unifying teams and resources, WPP aims to create a stronger and more competitive proposition capable of addressing the evolving needs of brands in an increasingly fragmented media and consumer environment.

The move comes amid a broader wave of consolidation and restructuring across the advertising and marketing services industry, as holding companies seek to simplify operations, improve efficiencies, and create more integrated offerings for clients. 

Increasing demand for end-to-end solutions spanning creative, media, technology, commerce, and customer experience has prompted global networks to revisit traditional agency structures.

The integrated entity is expected to serve a diverse portfolio of clients across sectors, while continuing to focus on delivering effective creative solutions that drive business growth and brand relevance.

With a new leadership team in place and a unified operational structure, Grey 82.5 will now focus on building a next-generation agency model that combines strategic thinking, creative excellence, and measurable effectiveness—qualities that have individually defined both Grey and 82.5 Communications over the years.