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Diwan Arun Nanda makes way for Mahesh Chauhan

Chauhan, who replaces Diwan Arun Nanda as group CEO, has been with Rediffusion DY&R for the last six years and was president of the agency for the last two years

Rediffusion DY&R has announced that Mahesh Chauhan has been promoted as group CEO, Rediffusion. Chauhan has been president of Rediffusion DY&R for the last two years. He takes over from Diwan Arun Nanda and his mandate will be to look after group companies such as TME, Wunderman, Showdiff, Rediffusion Public Relations, OAP-Touchpoint, as well as Rediffusion DY&R.

Nanda will continue to be the chairman and will have Everest Brand Solutions and Sudler & Hennesey directly under him.

Diwan Arun Nanda makes way for Mahesh Chauhan
Diwan Arun Nanda
Diwan Arun Nanda makes way for Mahesh Chauhan
Mahesh Chauhan
Chauhan has around 16 years of experience and has worked in agencies such as O&M, Leo Burnett and Rediffusion. He started as a trainee in O&M Mumbai and worked there for two years. He then moved to Rediffusion DY&R Bengaluru as an account supervisor and spent another two years there. Next, he was with Leo Burnett Mumbai for two years as account director, before moving to O&M Mumbai again as account director and then as regional business director. His second stint at O&M lasted four years. He then joined Rediffusion DY&R Mumbai again in 2002 as vice-president.

Chauhan tells afaqs!, “I have just been doing my work and, after spending 25 years, Arun felt this was the right time to pull back. He saw something in me and decided to hand over the responsibilities to me.”

In an official communiqué, Nanda says, “My journey at Rediffusion DY&R began along with Ajit Balakrishnan in 1973, when we started the agency to show the world that there was much more to advertising than writing smart slogans and drawing pictures. Now, I believe the time has come for me to step aside and hand over the reins to Mahesh, who has the passion, vision and drive to take the company to the next level.”

Over the years, Chauhan has worked on brands such as Cadbury, HUL, Shell, Annapurna, Tata Motors, Castrol and Amaron.

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