VML India Names Kiran Ramamurthy as Chief Executive Officer

VML India has announced a leadership transition effective December 1, 2026, with Kiran Ramamurthy set to take over as chief executive officer (CEO), succeeding Babita Baruah, who will move into a senior regional leadership role as head of the Ford business.

Baruah brings more than three decades of industry experience, including two decades managing leading brands such as The Coca-Cola Company, Unilever, Nestlé and Kellogg’s. Before leading VML India, she was based in Bangkok, where she served as regional client lead for the Ford International Market Group and executive director at VMLY&R Thailand.

Under Baruah’s leadership, VML India has delivered strong business performance and earned major creative accolades, including recognition at Cannes Lions and the Effies. In her new role, she will focus on developing the Ford business for VML across the region.

Ramamurthy, who currently serves as CEO of Grey 82.5, brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across advertising, design, technology and content production. Throughout his career, he has partnered with Indian and global brands including Unilever, Amazon, Toyota, IBM, Coca-Cola, ITC, De Beers and Tata Consumer Products.

He also pioneered centralised marketing services in India through the Lenovo Marketing Hub and led transformation and growth at 82.5, overseeing the integration of Grey and 82.5.

Commenting on the appointments, Hephzibah Pathak, CEO of WPP Creative India, said the leadership changes reflected the network’s commitment to developing talent while maintaining continuity for clients.

“The leadership transitions reflect our commitment to nurturing exceptional talent across our network while maintaining absolute continuity and momentum for our clients. VML enters this next chapter in a position of strength, backed by strong operational and creative achievements over the past year.

“Babita has done a tremendous job steering VML India, and her elevation to lead the Ford business regionally is a well-deserved recognition of her international leadership. In Kiran, VML gains a dynamic leader whose diverse experience, operational acumen, and creative hunger make him exceptionally well-suited to drive the agency’s vision. I look forward to Kiran’s dynamic leadership to take the agency into its next chapter while celebrating Babita’s continued impact across the region.”

The transition brings Ramamurthy’s experience across advertising and business transformation to VML India, while Baruah’s move will extend her leadership responsibilities across the Ford business in the region. Both appointments take effect on December 1, 2026.