Prasanth Kumar, CEO, South Asia of GroupM becomes the recipient of the prestigious exchange4media Influencer of the Year 2022 award. It was the sixth edition of the award that honours visionaries who have demonstrated transformational leadership qualities and achievements over the years.
One of the tallest leaders in the industry today, Prasanth Kumar, or PK as he is fondly called by industry colleagues, has over 25 years of experience. Known for his vision, determination, willingness to take risks, and above all, his humility, he is a true inspiration for all in the industry. A GroupM veteran, Kumar has served the company in several senior roles. Under his leadership as the CEO of South Asia, a role he took up in 2019, the company has only excelled, growing leaps and bounds. With him at the helm, the agency has won some of the biggest business accounts, as well as awards & accolades, including the Network of the Year title at e4m Media Ace Awards. Under his guidance, GroupM, for the second year running, led the industry in new business wins and retention (COMvergence’s Global New Business Barometer FY 2022 report). Leading from the front, Kumar has also rolled out new initiatives at GroupM, such as Finecast and Geo Granularity, to name a few.
PK, who prior to GroupM was associated with Mindshare as its CEO for South Asia, has left an outstanding legacy there as well. He oversaw Mindshare’s rapid expansion, bringing it to a market-leading position and winning numerous global awards. PK ensured that Mindshare India set a record for the highest number of new business wins by a single market and created a tradition of external accolades, including a Glass Lion at Cannes and a Grand Prix at WARC. Here is an excerpt from Kumar’s acceptance speech.
"Right now, it’s a bundle of emotions to have my family, friends, colleagues together, and the only one who is not here is my dog. I’m actually truly overwhelmed by the kind words and the heartfelt recognition that you have bestowed upon me this evening.
Being a leader means embracing responsibilities and accountability, actively participating in shaping the ecosystem. Our collective achievements are a result of the harmonious interplay of every element within our ecosystem. While we all play significant roles within our respective organizations, being an observer and a contributor demands giving our best to propel the industry forward in the right direction. It is imperative that we embody and reflect the values we have learned, practising selflessness and dedication. So that together we can elevate the industry to new heights. Also, I have understood that we are not alone, but rather a part of the relay where we receive the baton and pass on to others. The people, our colleagues, the wider industry are the gems we run alongside, making the journey a truly wonderful experience. I firmly believe that vision, determination and the willingness to take risks are indispensable qualities for any leader. Throughout my journey I have endlessly strived to embody these qualities, knowing deep within that there is always more ground to cover. I’m eager to celebrate even bigger achievements and milestones that we collectively build in the coming days.
Today I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to numerous individuals who have played a pivotal role in my journey. To every client who has interested me with their projects, business and allowed me to collaborate closely with them, I extend my sincere thanks. Your support and the opportunities provided to me have been invaluable. My drive to excel remains unwavering. To my partners, I’m incomplete without you, our collaborations, our countless learning experiences and unforgettable moments. The win-win proposition that I’ve discovered through our partnerships is a precious learning. I’m grateful to each of you. I also extend my gratitude to the various industry bodies I’ve had the privilege to work with, as well as my colleagues within our industry who’ve constantly offered their guidance and support, always striving for the best. I have cherished our collaborations and the way we have collectively contributed in shaping the industry.
As I look back on my journey, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude, thanks to my bosses, mentors, colleagues, and friends who have guided and supported me along the way. Your wisdom, belief, abilities, and unwavering support have been instrumental in my personal and professional growth. Tonight, I am fortunate to have some of them here. Srini, I must mention you specifically at this moment, you are somebody who took me into the organisation almost 20 years back. Your constant push for excellence has brought out the best in me. Many thanks, and I’m truly grateful for your presence in my life. To all my bosses, including Mark, Ashu, Vikram, Sam, Lakshmi, Divya, Srinivas, Llyod, and Partha - each one of them have been like a coach at different phases of my life. And each of them has played a critical role in shaping me into the person I am today.
To my colleagues at GroupM and my leadership team that made me walk taller every moment, I extend my deepest thanks for your unwavering commitment and exceptional support throughout this journey. Together we have not only won prestigious business accounts and industry awards, but more importantly, we have built lasting relationships and made a meaningful impact in our industry. It is your hard work, creativity and collaboration that propelled us to new heights and enabled us to achieve remarkable success.
I would be remiss if I didn’t express my heartfelt gratitude to my family. Seema, my wife, we have celebrated our careers and our marriage for almost the same number of years. You have been my strongest pillar. And I thank you for being by my side every moment. To my children, Nakul and Dev, thank you for being an integral part of my life. Although I must explain to my second one what does the award mean. He thinks its the YouTube Influencer Award, but I’ll have to tell him. Of course Sophie, my dog. I had friends messaging me and asking me not to forget Sophie. To my father, whom I affectionately call papoose. Thank you for everything that you’ve done in my life. To my brothers and their families who’ve always been a source of inspiration. And I’m grateful for their entire support right from my birth. To my eldest brother, his constant push to dream and be a better professional. Finally, to my closest friend, my childhood friend, a constant source of encouragement. It’s very easy to fly off in an industry such as this, but we catch up every six months and he grounds me back again.
Thank you each and every one of you. This award is not just a testament to my individual efforts, but also a celebration of the collective achievements of the teams that I have been fortunate to be a part of. It serves as a reminder for the incredible potential within an industry. Let us continue to push boundaries, shape the future and create a lasting impact together. Once again, thank you for this incredible honour. I’m deeply humbled and grateful. Thank you so much.”
