Mahima Bhanukumar joins Dentsu Commn. as national media head

When agencyfaqs! reported the launch of Dentsu Communications in India in October, Sandeep Goyal, chairman, had mentioned that the agency's media operations would be launched in the New Year. Things are on schedule it appears. From January 1, 2004, Dentsu Communications' fully operational media division at the Bangalore office will start media releases of Toyota. Heading the division is Mahima Bhanukumar, who joined the agency recently as national media head. For the record, Ruchira Raina, who was till recently a senior member of the marketing team at TVS, is the vice-president of Dentsu's first office at Bangalore.

Talking about her appointment, Bhanukumar says, "I am looking forward to my assignment at Dentsu and the opportunity it will provide me to work on more global brands for the Indian market." Bhanukumar, who has more than a decade's experience in media, brings with her extensive experience in strategic planning, providing creative media solutions and implementation strengths. "She has experience that covers a huge portfolio of brands that has made her an expert across all media and communication channels," adds Goyal.

Bhanukumar, started her advertising career at O&M, Bangalore, where she worked on brands such as Titan and Brook Bond Lipton Beverages of HLL. After six years at O&M she joined JWT (then HTA), Chennai, to handle a large repertoire of clients such as Pond's, Citibank and Parry's Confectionery. She was awarded the JWT International award for media innovation for developing the concept of the Pond's Women's Day.

She was also involved in the twin launches of Ford Escort and Ford IKON when Ford Motors set up operations in Chennai.

From Chennai, Bhanukumar moved to Mumbai to head Media Vision (a unit of JWT), where she handled accounts such as Bajaj Auto and Parle. She has also worked briefly for Initiative Media, Indonesia, to work on the Unilever business. She then moved

to Initiative Media, Taiwan, as joint managing director. © 2003 agencyfaqs!