Ruder Finn Elevates Tejas Totade to Global Technology and Data & AI Leadership

Ruder Finn, a leading independent global communications and integrated marketing agency, has promoted Tejas Totade to Global Chief Technology Officer and Chief Data & AI Officer. The newly created leadership position brings the agency’s technology, data and artificial intelligence functions under a unified strategic direction.

In his expanded role, Totade will oversee the integration of these disciplines across the agency’s global operations and client work. He will focus on widening access to technology tools and training across regions while building the architecture supporting Ruder Finn’s AI capabilities. He has also built a global analytics and engineering team comprising several dozen specialists across the agency’s offices.

The appointment formalises work Totade has led across markets over the past year, including the development of AI strategy and adoption programmes.

Ruder Finn Strengthens Global Technology and AI Capabilities

The move reflects the growing convergence of technology, data and AI within the communications industry. Under Totade’s leadership, Ruder Finn aims to strengthen its global capabilities and help teams translate emerging technologies into measurable business outcomes for clients.

Commenting on his expanded responsibilities, Totade said the greatest opportunity lies in bringing technology, data and AI together to address real business challenges.

“This role enables us to create that shared vision globally and help our teams and clients translate the enormous potential of AI into measurable value,” Totade said.

Kathy Bloomgarden, CEO of Ruder Finn, highlighted Totade’s contribution to building the agency’s technology capabilities and the importance of integrating technology, data and AI.

“Ruder Finn has always believed that technology should expand what communicators are able to accomplish, and Tejas has been central to building that capability within our agency,” Bloomgarden said. She added that the agency is committed to bringing advanced AI capabilities to clients under Totade’s leadership.

AI-Led Innovation Gains Momentum in the Middle East

In the Middle East, the appointment formalises a transformation already underway at Ruder Finn Atteline, the group’s MENA agency with offices in Dubai and Riyadh. Technology and AI have evolved from support functions into key areas of investment for the regional business.

The agency’s Tech Lab, the regional practice of rf.TechLab, initially focused on data and measurement capabilities. It has since expanded to develop AI-led services for clients across the Middle East and North Africa.

These services include search, competitive and discovery intelligence, AI Visibility and generative engine optimisation (GEO). The work also involves tracking and shaping how brands, leaders and institutions are represented when audiences use large language models to seek information instead of relying on traditional search engines, in both Arabic and English.

The practice is delivered by Ruder Finn Atteline’s Center of Excellence (CoE) team, working closely with the agency’s global technology, data and AI team in the US.

Tejas Totade’s 16-Year Journey at Ruder Finn

Totade has spent more than 16 years at Ruder Finn, building the agency’s technology, data and AI capabilities. He joined the company as a senior developer and established rf.TechLab, Ruder Finn’s emerging-technology incubator, in 2018.

Today, he leads an international team spanning engineering, analytics and digital development. He also co-leads the agency’s AI-powered creative studio, rf.Studio53, and oversees research and insights capabilities that combine proprietary methodologies with enterprise analytics tools.

His industry recognition includes PRWeek’s “40 Under 40”, PRovoke Media’s Data Professional of the Year award and recognition as one of PRNEWS’ People of the Year in the Agency Innovators category.

With Totade’s expanded global mandate, Ruder Finn aims to further integrate technology, data and AI into its operations and client services, strengthening its approach to innovation across markets.