Mumbai: Wieden+Kennedy (W+K) on Tuesday announced the appointment of Santosh 'Paddy' Padhi as chief creative officer (CCO) for India. W+K has been established in Delhi since 2007. 

"The hire also means an expansion for the independent creative agency into Mumbai, where Paddy will build out the shop’s second India location," said the company in a statement. 

In this new role, Padhi will build out a leadership, talent and client roster for the expanded India shop. Dean Wei, who has been the executive creative director leading W+K Delhi since 2019, is leaving the agency later this year to return to London. 

“W+K have always raised the creative product of our industry for the last 3-4 decades, they were one of my inspirations when Taproot was set up," Padhi said. "In a business like ours you are as good as the kind of people you have on board—there are some wonderful minds in Delhi and I’m once again fortunate to hand pick some more wonderful people to join us and expand our presence into Mumbai.” 

Padhi started his advertising career 25 years ago after graduating from art school in Mumbai. He founded Taproot in 2009, and the agency quickly became one of India’s most prominent creative agencies, picking up critical acclaim, accolades and awards.

Earning over 200 international awards (including two dozen Cannes Lions, and multiple Golds and Grand Prix titles from different award shows) and over 300 local awards, Padhi is one of the most awarded creatives in India.

“Paddy is a transformative creative leader with an impressive track record building creative companies and brands, and making work that is really centered in culture," stated Wieden+Kennedy global chief creative officer Karl Lieberman. "We feel lucky to have him join us at a time when we really want to connect further to the creative people and culture in India. We are excited about the future of Wieden+Kennedy in India.”