Mumbai: IPG Mediabrands, a global media and marketing agency, has announced the appointment of Kumar Kanagasabapathy as its Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. Based in Singapore, Kanagasabapathy will report directly to Leigh Terry, CEO of IPG Mediabrands APAC, and will oversee the agency’s strategic initiatives across the dynamic and rapidly evolving APAC market.
Kanagasabapathy, who brings over 20 years of experience leading cross-functional teams and driving strategic innovation, previously served as Global Chief Strategy Officer at Rufus, an IPG Mediabrands network agency. There, he played a key role in crafting the strategic framework for the global Amazon business, further solidifying his expertise in driving data-driven insights and creative solutions.
On his appointment, Kumar Kanagasabapathy shared on his LinkedIn handle: “After two incredible decades in the US, my family and I are gearing up for a new chapter. This Lunar New Year, we’re packing our bags and relocating to Singapore. I’m excited to step into the role of APAC CSO for IPG Mediabrands, a new adventure that promises fresh challenges, growth, and collaboration with brilliant minds across the region. The amazing teams at Initiative and Rufus have shaped me in countless ways, and I’m deeply grateful to the many people who have been my anchors and mentors.”
Kanagasabapathy’s extensive career includes leadership roles at several renowned global agencies. He was a Senior Partner and Strategy Lead for adidas at MediaCom, VP of Strategy at Horizon Media, and Partner and Director of Communications Planning at Maxus. He has worked with major global brands such as Target, NBCUniversal, and Disney, combining creative flair with data-driven strategies to develop impactful and innovative solutions.
Kanagasabapathy’s appointment follows the agency’s recent hiring of James Hawkins as Chief Client Officer, further strengthening IPG Mediabrands’ leadership team and commitment to delivering exceptional, data-driven strategies for its clients.
