Saatchi & Saatchi ropes in Vidhya Sankarnarayanan as strategy head, Mumbai

Saatchi & Saatchi India has appointed Vidhya Sankarnarayanan as strategy head, Mumbai. She comes in as vice-president, integrated brand strategy, Saatchi & Saatchi, Mumbai.

She will work closely with Sourabh Mishra, chief strategy officer, Saatchi & Saatchi, and play a key role in driving brand solutions and creating brand opportunities through multi-channel experiences, according to a statement from the agency.

In her previous assignment, she was as head of strategy for SapientNitro India, and was involved in establishing the global start up tech-agency's business in the country over the last two and a half years.

On her appointment, Sourabh Mishra, chief strategy officer, Saatchi & Saatchi, said, "Vidhya is one of the best account planners in the business today, is passionate about great ideas that can positively impact our clients' business and brings a very strong digital perspective. This combination of skills and attitude epitomises the way forward for Saatchi & Saatchi India".

Nisha Singhania, general manager, Saatchi & Saatchi, Mumbai, added "We are in the middle of a huge makeover at Saatchi India. We are about transformational ideas which are media-agnostic. Vidhya's consolidated experience of unearthing human truths along with her recent digital experience are just what we need at Saatchi because we believe we are in the ‘Age of Now’- which is all about participation, inspiring, interaction, return on involvement and creating movements. Vidhya is going to be one of the critical change agents for the new Saatchi."

At SapientNitro, key brands she headed India digital strategy for include Sprite, Fanta, Blenders Pride Fashion Tour, Chivas Regal and Taco Bell.

"This is a time when people, companies and brands in India are being revolutionised by technology and new media. The greatest imperative for Saatchi as a brand as well as for the brands we will shape in the future, is the opportunity to be agents of this revolution, as we will inevitably be products of it", added Sankarnarayanan.