Wunderman may be next destination for Rakhshin Patel

Patel, who headed RMG Connect in India as senior V-P and general manager, is one of the pioneers of relationship marketing in the country

Rakhshin Patel, senior vice-president and general manager, RMG Connect (JWT’s direct marketing and below the line arm), has put in her papers and is currently serving her notice period.

According to certain industry sources, some major changes are on the cards for the Indian DM (direct marketing) industry. Although no confirmation of the move could be obtained, it is being speculated that Patel may join Wunderman, Rediffusion’s DM arm. It is also learnt that Stephane Faggianelli, executive vice-president, Wunderman, Asia, was in India late last year, as a result of which it is being rumoured that plans are on to make Wunderman a fully independent entity in India. However, when contacted, Diwan Arun Nanda, chairman and managing director, Rediffusion DY&R, denied these speculations.

Rakhshin Patel

Patel was evasive when quizzed about her next destination. “I’m considering my options right now, but I am yet to decide,” she said. She also said that once her notice period is over, she plans to go on a vacation and will not join a new job till August, but she confirmed that her next job will be in the direct/integrated marketing space. However, when asked if a career prospect at Wunderman is on the cards, Patel told agencyfaqs!, “I am not joining Wunderman.”

Patel, who has spent 12 years of her 18-year career at RMG Connect (from the time it was known as Thompson Connect), feels she has done whatever she could at that organisation. “I have achieved what I set out to in these past 12 years,” she says. “RMG Connect is now on a solid footing both creatively and financially.” Having also secured 45 clients for the agency, Patel decided it was time to move on.

Prior to RMG Connect, Patel spent six years with Direct Response and Data Matics Direct. She is particularly known for her skills in innovative database development and management. She was instrumental in rebranding ThompsonConnect as RMG Connect in early 2005. She has also been a part of the executive committee of JWT, but her membership will now expire.

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