Rajesh Mahtani
Chief business development officer and head of media strategy, APAC
Publicis Groupe
Singapore
Rajesh Mahtani grew up in Hong Kong, studied in the US, and now lives in Singapore. He finished university with ambitions of being a journalist, and that passion for storytelling, persuasion, and structure has never left him.
Mahtani entered the industry in 1996 when the role of ‘media strategist’ barely existed in parts of Asia. By the early 2010s, he gravitated towards business development, leading the Southeast Asia growth function as a one-person team. In 2016, he was asked to expand the discipline across 14 APAC markets. Rather than impose a one-size-fits-all model, he focused on building common strategic frameworks that markets could adapt, own, and sustain.
The results have been extraordinary. Between Q1 2024 and Q1 2026, Publicis APAC achieved a net new business gain more than triple that of its closest competitor. Over seven years, the cumulative performance landed at the top of the COMvergence new business balance ranking in 2025. Major wins include Mars, Kenvue, Abbott, and Magnum.
Mahtani codified institutional knowledge through The Growth Playbook, capturing years of pitch learning into practical guidance that markets of all sizes can access — democratising expertise and raising standards across the region.
Across 14 APAC markets, he coaches teams by sharpening strategic logic, stress-testing narratives, and helping younger leaders find their voice in front of clients. Colleagues reference his ability to steady nerves, reframe problems, and restore focus when the stakes are high.
To Quote: “Rajesh has been pivotal to our success. He has repositioned media strategy as a core engine of business growth, while leading with kindness and empathy. He has shaped a generation of leaders who will carry these standards forward.” - Jane Lin-Baden, Asia Pacific CEO of Publicis Groupe.
