MUMBAI: Sam Balsara’s Madison World has roped in Vikram Sakhuja as Madison Media and Madison OOH CEO and board member. Sakhuja will also have an equity stake in the company.

An old hand at GroupM, Sakhuja was most recently global strategic development officer at the WPP agency. At Madison, he will be responsible for the media and OOH business of Madison World and will report to Balsara.

The current Madison Media Group CEO Gautam Kiyawat has, for personal reasons, decided to relocate to Singapore.

Balsara said, “I would like to place on record Gautam’s substantial contribution to Madison Media in the three years that he has been with us, especially in the area of growing our people and working as a team. I thank Gautam for his contribution and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”

On Sakhuja’s appointment, Balsara said, “I am delighted to have Vikram come on board and partner us in Madison. I know Vikram as a true blue professional, over the last 20 years, first as a client, then a media partner and finally as a formidable competitor.  I am confident that he will be able to contribute significantly to our clients’ business growth and success, by providing the right strategic direction, given his vast and rich experience.”

Added Sakhuja, “I am truly excited at the prospect of returning home to India and in an entrepreneurial capacity. It is also a privilege to now partner a person who initiated me into media in my client days. Media has never been more exciting, and I look forward to further strengthening an already iconic agency brand.”