Cheil X, part of the Cheil SWA Group, has appointed Ritesh Rao as head of operations for its Mumbai office and elevated Kanika as head of the Delhi office, where she was previously vice-president.
The leadership moves come at a time when the agency has seen strong momentum over the past few months, with multiple new business wins and expanded mandates.
In his role, Rao will be responsible for driving business expansion and operational excellence for Cheil X in Mumbai. With over two decades of experience, Rao has worked across integrated marketing, growth strategy, brand transformation, and client leadership roles. Most recently, he was CEO of 26FIVE Global Lab, and has previously held leadership position at Creativeland Asia. His other stints include roles at Isobar, and Lowe Lintas. His work spans brands across FMCG, media, automotive, technology, and consumer services.
Speaking about his appointment, Rao said, “Creativity is the heart of advertising, and creative transformation is about ensuring that the heart beats stronger across every department, platform, format, and consumer touchpoint. I’m excited to join Cheil X at a time when creativity, technology, and culture are converging faster than ever. The agency’s ambition and integrated thinking create a strong opportunity to build work that is both impactful and meaningful for the brands we partner with.”
Kanika, who joined Cheil X in 2023, said: “As India’s leading integrated marketing agency, Cheil’s biggest strength lies in our ability to deliver tech-first solutions across the entire marketing funnel—under one roof. From brand strategy and creative to commerce, experience, and performance, our integrated model enables seamless collaboration and end-to-end problem solving. This is increasingly critical for brands navigating complex business challenges in today’s fast-evolving market.”
