Vikram Sakhuja to join Madison Media group as Equity Partner and Group CEO

Vikram Sakhuja, group strategy officer of GroupM Worldwide, is all set to join the Madison Media Group as equity partner and group CEO. The OOH (out of home) division of Madison World will also come under his purview.

Sam Balsara, chairman and managing director, Madison World, says in an official communiqué, "I am delighted to have Vikram come on board and partner us in Madison. I know Vikram as a true blue professional, over the last 20 years, first as a client, then a media partner and finally as a formidable competitor. I am confident that he will be able to contribute significantly to our clients' business growth and success, by providing the right strategic direction, given his vast and rich experience."

About Kiyawat, Balsara adds, "I would like to place on record Gautam's substantial contribution to Madison Media in the three years that he has been with us, especially in the area of growing our people and working as a team. I thank Gautam for his contribution and wish him all the best in his future endeavours."

Sakhuja is an alumnus of IIT Delhi and IIM Calcutta, and has over 28 years of industry experience. Over the years, he has worked at leading companies like P&G, Coca-Cola and Star TV.

Roles he has held at GroupM include global strategic development officer GroupM (most recently), global CEO of Maxus, CEO of GroupM South Asia and Mindshare South Asia.

About this development, Sakhuja says, "I am truly excited at the prospect of returning home to India, in an entrepreneurial capacity. It is also a privilege to now partner a person who initiated me into media in my 'client days'. Media has never been more exciting, and I look forward to further strengthening an already iconic agency brand."

For the record, Madison Media Group's clientele includes brands like Godrej, Mondelez, ITC, Marico, McDonald's, Raymond, Piramal Healthcare, TVS, Levi's, Domino's, BhartiAxa, Max Life Insurance, Asian Paints, Pidilite, Tata Salt, Acer, Lafarge Cement, Crompton Greaves, Times Television Network, Indian Oil, Enamor Lingerie, Gowardhan Dairy, Viber, Lenskart, Metro Cash and Carry and Café Coffee Day, among several others.

The gross billing of Madison Media is about Rs. 3,000 crore.