MUMBAI: In the breakneck world of auto branding, one man just took a U-turn—with flair. Bishwajeet Samal, the marketing maestro with nearly two decades of strategy-fuelled acceleration across global marquees, has returned to Indian turf as the new head of marketing & PR at Volkswagen India. And let’s just say—he’s not parking gently.

Announced in April 2025, this move marks Samal’s homecoming after a four year stint at the Wolfsburg HQ where he drove Volkswagen’s global media engine like a high-performance ID.7 on the Autobahn. His resume reads like a greatest hits of automotive communication: global brand campaigns, electric vehicle launches, joint business deals with digital behemoths like Google and Meta, and a knack for turning media chaos into KPI gold.

Before swapping currywurst for curry once again, Samal held the role of global lead – campaigns & media management at Volkswagen, where he handled 360-degree integrated campaigns for icons like the Tiguan, Golf, and the all-new Tayron. He also led global media strategy, orchestrated agency pitches, and advised regional markets from Europe to India and Russia. Now he’s back to do what he does best—shift Indian brand narratives into top gear.

"I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as head of marketing & PR at Volkswagen India!" Samal shared on Linkedin, with all the calm of a man who has helmed marketing for the world’s second-largest car manufacturer.

This isn’t his first lap around the VW India circuit. From 2018 to 2020, he already wore the marketing crown, implementing brand transformations and ROI-rich strategies while juggling PR, CRM, digital, and retail like a marketing octopus. Even before that, he held key regional media roles and was instrumental in Volkswagen’s brand entry into the Indian market.

Samal's return to the Indian division comes at a pivotal moment. As Volkswagen looks to redefine its market strategy in a fiercely competitive automotive landscape, having a globe-trotting strategist at the helm could be the turbocharged push the brand needs.

From spearheading the company’s IPL campaigns in its early India innings to commanding boardroom tables in Wolfsburg, Samal has driven both reach and relevance. Now he’s back on native soil—helmet off, sleeves rolled—and ready to hit the gas.