Santosh Padhi (Paddy), CCO and Ayesha Ghosh, President move on from W + K India

In early 2022, Wieden+Kennedy (W+K) welcomed creative leaders Santosh Padhi and Ayesha Ghosh, who opened the agency’s Mumbai office and oversaw the company’s operations across both Mumbai and Delhi. Under their leadership, W+K India secured major clients and delivered noteworthy campaigns for brands such as Jio 5G, Hero Vida, Jindal Steel, Jockey, and Casio G-Shock. However, as of late 2024, W+K is scaling back its presence in India, closing the Mumbai office and reducing its workforce in Delhi to focus on global shared services. 

Paddy and Ayesha have announced their resignations but will stay on through the end of the year to assist with the transition. Reflecting on his journey with W+K, Paddy expressed pride in their accomplishments and gratitude for the autonomy the global team afforded them. “I came into the W+K family with lots of excitement as I always followed their amazing work during my Taproot days. We managed to get some of the biggest brands in the nation… Not only me but we all really enjoyed the freedom the global team gave us on every front,” Paddy said. He hinted at his desire to seek new challenges beyond W+K, saying, “Like most senior creative individuals, even my heart is calling for something beyond this.” 

Ayesha, who was instrumental in setting up the Mumbai office and bolstering the Delhi team, shared similar sentiments. She reflected on her experience, saying, “The last 2.5 years have been quite exhilarating… delivering good results and adapting the unique W+K culture to India.” She also expressed gratitude for the passionate team that helped bring their vision to life, and mentioned that she looks forward to spending more time with family and exploring new opportunities. 

As W+K winds down its operations in India, the agency released a statement acknowledging the contributions of Paddy, Ayesha, and the entire team in Mumbai and Delhi. “We are grateful to Paddy and Ayesha for their efforts during these past two and a half years as they set up an office in Mumbai and brought in new energy and clients. We wish them all the best as they move on from the agency and take their talents into the world,” read the statement. 

Moving forward, W+K will not be rehiring to replace Paddy and Ayesha, and Delhi employees will report to the global leadership team, focusing on non-advertising services. The decision to scale back in India is part of a broader strategic re-evaluation of W+K’s global presence, as the agency focuses on markets aligned with its evolving client base and future goals. While W+K is reducing its footprint in India, the agency has not ruled out the possibility of ramping up operations in the country again in the future.