Group M reshuffle sends Nair to top

Nair --who launched MindShare's operations in India as its South Asia CEO in 2002 and led the company's win of Media's Agency Office of the Year prize that same year -- takes over from Mark Austin, who has been named MEC chairman for EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa). "After more than eight years developing our business in Asia-Pacific, I feel it's time for a new challenge and the opportunity to move into the EMEA role is the opportunity of a lifetime," said Austin, who as CEO played a crucial role in uniting The Media Edge and CIA under the global merger agreement triggered by WPP's purchase of Tempus in 2001. "We have made great progress over the past 24 months. Now is a good time to hand over to new management, who will bring fresh energy and passion to our clients, people and the business overall and take us to the next stage of success," added Austin. As part of the change, Nair will also take over Group M India responsibilities, while the Group M South Asia chairmanship will go to Ashutosh Srivastava, currently managing director, MindShare India. Nair leaves behind a group of successful companies in India, including MEC, MindShare, Fulcrum and Maxus, which employ 375 staff and together constitute leaders in the Indian marketplace. Srivastava will report to MindShare regional chairman John Steadman, and will be replaced by Vikram Sakhhujam, who is currently managing director of Fulcrum (agency-of-record for Unilever India). According to Steadman, the changes will take place towards the end of the year.