B Sridhar exits media industry after three-decade career

B Sridhar, executive vice president – media at Innocean Worldwide Communications, has exited the media industry following a career spanning more than three decades. Over the years, Sridhar built an extensive body of work across media planning, strategy, investments and consulting, contributing to the growth of several agencies and high-profile brand mandates.

Sridhar’s career included associations with leading agency networks such as Mudra Communications, GroupM, Initiative and Innocean India. His professional journey reflects long-term leadership roles across global and Indian agencies, where he worked closely with both clients and internal teams to shape media strategy and execution.

A significant part of Sridhar’s career was spent at Innocean, where he completed two stints spanning a combined period of 17 years. During this time, he played a central role in managing and leading media responsibilities for Hyundai and later for Kia. His involvement extended beyond operational delivery, contributing to integrated media thinking aligned with broader brand and business objectives.

Across his wider career, Sridhar handled media mandates for several large and diverse brands including Samsung, Nestlé, Pepsi Foods and Microsoft. His work cut across categories such as automotive, FMCG, technology and consumer electronics, giving him exposure to both mass and premium segments. These roles required a balance of strategic planning, media investments and performance-led decision-making in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

Sridhar’s agency experience also included tenures at McCann Erickson, Lintas Media Group and Maxus. At Lintas Media Group, he served as business director, overseeing client relationships and media delivery. He later moved to Initiative Media as strategy and insight lead, where his focus expanded to consumer understanding, data-led planning and insight-driven solutions. At Innocean, prior to his most recent role, he held the position of group director – media services, further strengthening his leadership credentials.

Most recently, Sridhar served as EVP – media at Innocean Worldwide Communications, where he was responsible for guiding media strategy across key accounts and supporting the agency’s media operations. His role involved aligning media thinking with creative and brand strategy, reflecting the increasing convergence of disciplines within agency structures.

Following his exit from corporate life, Sridhar plans to focus on personal pursuits. He intends to spend more time as a business quiz master, an area he has been actively involved in alongside his professional career. In addition, he plans to explore motivational speaking, drawing parallels between long-distance running, discipline and management. This next phase reflects a shift from corporate leadership to knowledge sharing and personal development.

Sridhar’s departure marks the close of a long and varied chapter in Indian media and agency leadership, defined by consistency, client stewardship and cross-functional experience.