In a strategic move to sharpen its competitive edge in India’s dynamic advertising landscape, Cheil X—an independent full-service agency under the Cheil South West Asia (SWA) Group—has announced key leadership elevations. Ritesh Rao joins as Head of Operations for the Mumbai office, while Kanika advances to Head of the Delhi office, up from her prior Vice President role. These changes, effective immediately, underscore the agency’s focus on seamless integration of creativity, technology, and operational excellence as brands grapple with an increasingly complex market.

Ritesh Rao: Driving Mumbai’s Growth Engine

Ritesh Rao steps into the Mumbai helm with over two decades of hands-on experience in integrated marketing, growth strategy, brand transformation, and client leadership. His most recent role was as CEO of 26FIVE Global Lab, where he spearheaded innovative initiatives across diverse sectors. Previously, Ritesh held influential positions at Creativeland Asia, Isobar, and Lowe Lintas, working with powerhouse brands in FMCG, media, automotive, technology, and consumer services.

Ritesh‘s vision aligns perfectly with Cheil X‘s ethos. “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,” he remarked. He joins at a pivotal moment when creativity, technology, and culture are converging rapidly. For Ritesh, this role offers a prime opportunity to deliver work that’s not only impactful but deeply meaningful for client partners. His proven ability to scale operations while fostering innovative cultures positions Mumbai for accelerated business expansion and flawless execution.

Kanika’s Promotion: Leading Delhi’s Integrated Powerhouse

Kanika‘s elevation to Head of the Delhi office caps a meteoric rise since joining Cheil X in 2023 as Vice President and Head of Operations. Her distinguished career includes stints at McCann Worldgroup, Ogilvy & Mather, and Fortis Healthcare, equipping her with multifaceted expertise in marketing operations, client management, and strategic growth.

In her expanded remit, Kanika will champion Cheil X‘s signature tech-first model, which spans the full marketing funnel—from brand strategy and creative development to commerce, experiential activations, and performance optimization. “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,” she stated. This integrated approach fosters collaboration and holistic problem-solving, essential for brands tackling multifaceted challenges in today’s fast-evolving environment. Under Kanika’s guidance, the Delhi team is set to deepen client relationships and drive measurable outcomes through unified strategies.

Cheil X’s Evolving Leadership Landscape

These appointments form part of a broader leadership refresh at Cheil X, reflecting its ambition to dominate as a full-funnel agency. Jitender (Jeetu) Dabas assumed the CEO role in April 2025, bringing McCann-honed expertise to unify creative, digital, media, influencer, tech, and performance capabilities. Ankit Singh joined as National Strategy Director mid-last year, while recent transitions signal a deliberate pivot toward agility and innovation.

Backed by Samsung’s global pedigree and tailored for India’s vibrant market, Cheil X excels in orchestrating multi-channel campaigns. From viral social engagements to e-commerce-driven conversions, the agency’s one-stop model addresses the fragmentation plaguing modern marketing. With Mumbai and Delhi as growth hubs, these hires amplify Cheil X’s capacity to capture rising ad spends in digital, experiential, and tech-infused realms.

Navigating the Advertising Horizon

India’s advertising sector stands at an inflection point, fueled by digital proliferation, AI advancements, data privacy mandates, and audience splintering. Agencies must evolve beyond siloed services to offer end-to-end orchestration. Cheil X’s integrated playbook—bolstered by Ritesh’s expansion savvy and Kanika’s operational prowess—meets this demand head-on.

Ritesh’s cross-industry playbook will likely fuel Mumbai’s incursions into high-stakes verticals like automotive and tech, where precision meets bold storytelling. Kanika, blending agency rigor with client-side empathy, ensures Delhi’s outputs prioritize ROI amid economic caution. Together, they embody the shift toward leaders who bridge creativity and commerce seamlessly.

Potential headwinds include talent wars, harmonizing global benchmarks with local insights, and quantifying impact in a metrics-obsessed era. Yet, Cheil X’s client roster and tech backbone provide sturdy footing.

Leadership Profiles: Lessons in Versatility

Ritesh Rao’s arc—from strategy architect to C-suite navigator—highlights the premium on adaptable marketers who transform data into compelling narratives. His FMCG-to-tech journey underscores the value of sectoral agility in crafting resonant campaigns.

Kanika’s blend of agency dynamism and healthcare operations infuses human-centered thinking into tech-heavy solutions, ensuring relevance in culturally diverse India.

For emerging talent, their paths offer timeless advice: Cultivate breadth, prioritize integration, and harness the creativity-technology nexus.

Conclusion: Poised for Market Leadership

Cheil X’s leadership elevations signal more than personnel shifts—they herald a phase of ambitious scaling and innovation. By entrusting Mumbai and Delhi to proven visionaries like Ritesh Rao and Kanika, the agency is fortifying its foundation for transformative client partnerships.

In an industry racing toward convergence, Cheil X emerges as a frontrunner, ready to amplify brand heartbeats across every touchpoint. Expect bolder ideas, tighter executions, and stronger results. For clients, professionals, and the ad ecosystem, this is a clarion call: Cheil X is engineered to lead the charge.