The Art of Leadership

It has been a year of big wins for JWT under the dynamic leadership of TAMARA INGRAM, CEO, JWT Worldwide. From record wins at Cannes to increased focus on workplace diversity, JWT has built a trajectory that most agencies can’t yet dream of. One of its great successes has been its India operations on the watch of TARUN RAI, CEO, JWT South Asia. With 20 per cent increase in business, it has added 140 new clients, opening a diverse range of possibilities for new business partnerships and collaborations. In conversation with BW Businessworld’s RUHAIL AMIN, Ingram and Rai talk about the agency’s future focus.

- Ruhail Amin, Ingram and Rai

THE CHANGING TIMES

One of the biggest challenges for advertising leaders is the changing times and preparing for it, especially when everything is constantly evolving with new technological innovations. Sharing her strategy for this ever changing market dynamics, Ingram says, “Our priority at JWT is to continue to grow the company. We are going to focus on three things: creativity, diversity in talent, and diversification of our capability. If we can do all that we can grow our business and make it relevant for our future. I am going to do that through training our talent, having new talent, and of course, acquisitions too are part of that strategy.”

BRIGHT SPOTS

One of the biggest success stories for JWT has been its India operations. The India unit has forged new partnerships that have paved the way for JWT in the subcontinent.

“This year has been fantastic as all the leadership positions have been filled up; we have a strong team now. There is commendable creative output. In terms of business performance, there has been a topline growth of 20 per cent since January 2016, and we have got 140 new clients in this calendar year. Attrition is down, and by the end of the year, we hope to increase our numbers further,” adds Rai.

Ingram describes the role of JWT India in these words, “It has delivered beyond my expectations. It has been a fantastic performance with 20 per cent growth, which is much faster than the economy, which is one way of judging it. We have also made extraordinary strides in our digital work and our creative work, but of course, we always have more to do.”

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