Publicis Media India Launches Spark Foundry; Appoints Niti Kumar as CEO

Publicis Media India has launched Spark Foundry India, a new agency brand built to deliver full-funnel media solutions powered by AI, data, and performance-led creativity. The move expands the network’s media portfolio at a time when Indian advertisers are demanding integrated models that unify brand building, conversion, and commerce.

Spark Foundry India positions itself as a future-facing media agency designed for a marketplace where discovery, intent, and purchase increasingly blend into one continuous journey. Its operating model is centered around AI-informed planning, outcome-based media investments, cross-channel optimisation, and commerce-led growth.

Leading this new agency is Niti Kumar, formerly Chief Growth Officer at Publicis Media India. Known for her sharp strategic clarity and deep client relationships, Niti brings a reputation for building teams that operate with rigor, speed, and measurable impact. As CEO, she will be responsible for shaping Spark Foundry India’s market presence, client partnerships, talent culture, and innovation roadmap.

Her appointment aligns with Publicis Media’s ambition to create specialised agency brands that can deliver both scale and precision—two attributes clients increasingly expect in the AI era.

Alongside this, Ravi Bhaya has been appointed Chief Growth Officer, Publicis Media India, reinforcing the network’s commitment to accelerated business expansion. Meanwhile, Jai Lala and Rathi Gangappa continue to lead Zenith and Starcom, respectively, with expanded mandates that strengthen Connected CRM and Connected Influence under Publicis Connected Media.

All four leaders report to Lalatendu Das, CEO of Publicis Media South Asia, who called the launch “a pivotal step toward deeper integration, innovation, and high-performance media.” He emphasised that the leadership team will help unlock “new opportunities for growth in India’s ever-evolving media ecosystem.”

Anupriya Acharya, CEO of Publicis Groupe South Asia, highlighted India’s significance as a global growth engine for the Groupe. “Publicis Media has delivered strong double-digit growth over the past decade. India is now a strategic hub for innovation and transformative media solutions,” she said.

With Spark Foundry India, Publicis is creating a media agency designed for a future defined by AI intelligence, retail media expansion, closed-loop attribution, and full-funnel convergence.

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