In the throes of restructuring, JWT dropped to fourth place, behind McCann Erickson in third. Leo Burnett, last year in third place, fell to fifth position. Meanwhile, Grey Worldwide moved up four places to take the sixth place.
Dentsu debuted in 19th position in its first year in business, while more established agencies such as TBWA failed to make it into the top 20.
Dentsu debuted in 19th position in its first year in business, while more established agencies such as TBWA failed to make it into the top 20.
Among media independents, home-grown hero Madison beat GroupM for the first time. Starcom, Lodestar and Initiative Media rounded out the top five media agencies.
Madison founder Sam Balsara was the only media personality in the top 20 most influential people in advertising. Ogilvy chairman and national creative director Piyush Pandey topped the list, followed by Prasoon Joshi, regional creative director, South and Southeast Asia, McCann Erickson.
The report is based on a survey of senior and middle-level executives at marketing companies and ad agencies, with a small component of students at business schools that offer an advertising specialisation.