Sumit Kohli joins dentsu as Head of Investment — APAC

Introduction

In the high-stakes world of media investment, the people who control where billions of dollars flow across markets are among the most influential in the industry. Their moves matter — not just to agencies, but to every brand, platform, and publisher in the ecosystem.

Dentsu has just made one such move. The global media and communications network has appointed Sumit Kohli as Head of Investment — APAC, bringing on board one of the region's most experienced media investment leaders after a decade-long tenure at Publicis Media.

For Indian and Asia-Pacific marketers watching the agency landscape evolve, this appointment signals something larger than a routine hire. It reflects dentsu's deliberate push toward outcome-driven, client-first investment strategies at a time when media accountability has never been more critical.

The big announcement

Sumit Kohli has officially joined dentsu as Head of Investment — APAC, stepping into the role after more than ten years at Publicis Media, where he most recently served as Executive Director — Investment, Accountability and Partnerships, APAC.

Kohli announced the move via LinkedIn, clearly articulating his mandate: "I'm happy to share that I'm starting a new position as Head of Investment — APAC at dentsu! My focus will be on shaping more disciplined, client-first investment approaches — ensuring decisions are aligned to client priorities and drive more effective, meaningful outcomes."

In his new role, Kohli will be responsible for strengthening dentsu's investment strategy across the Asia-Pacific region, with a sharp emphasis on driving efficiency, accountability, and measurable client outcomes across media investments.

His career spans over 15 years in the industry, beginning in 2007 as a Media Planner at Percept. He has since held senior roles at MediaCom Singapore, VivaKi, MEC, and Publicis Media — building deep expertise across media buying, planning, trading, and strategy across multiple APAC markets. At Publicis Media, he also worked with global brands including Coca-Cola, Samsung, and Mars Wrigley, driving media efficiencies and ROI-led strategies across the region.

What this means for your brand

Kohli's appointment at dentsu is a signal worth decoding carefully — especially for brands and marketers operating in the APAC region.

First, it underscores a growing industry-wide demand for investment leaders who go beyond negotiating media rates. The modern Head of Investment must build transparency frameworks, accountability structures, and performance measurement systems that directly connect media spend to business outcomes. Kohli's track record across both trading and partnerships makes him precisely the kind of leader built for this expectation.

Second, this hire reflects dentsu's broader strategic intent. The network has been actively investing in talent and capabilities that strengthen its value proposition to clients — particularly in markets where fragmentation, digital complexity, and measurement challenges are intensifying. APAC, with its diverse media landscapes spanning India, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, and Australia, demands exactly the kind of cross-market investment expertise Kohli brings.

For Indian brands working with large agency networks, the broader implication is important. Demand more from your agency investment leads. The era of opaque media buying is giving way to one where every rupee, every dollar, must be justified against real business outcomes. Leaders like Kohli are being hired specifically to make that shift happen.

Expert take

Media investment accountability is no longer optional — it is a competitive differentiator. According to a 2025 WARC Media report, over 71% of APAC marketers now rank investment transparency and measurement as their top priority when evaluating agency partnerships, up significantly from previous years.

Kohli's background positions him squarely at the intersection of these demands. Having led investment, accountability, and partnerships simultaneously at Publicis Media — across one of the world's most complex and diverse regional markets — he enters dentsu with a rare combination of strategic perspective and on-ground execution experience.

His focus on disciplined, client-first investment approaches also aligns with a wider industry correction. Brands across APAC are pushing back against inflated reach metrics and demanding clearer connections between media investment and tangible growth. Agencies that build leadership capable of delivering this will win the next decade of client trust.

The brands.in perspective

Dentsu has not just hired a media investment head — it has made a statement about the kind of agency it wants to be. In a region as complex and fast-moving as APAC, disciplined investment leadership is a genuine competitive advantage. Kohli's decade at Publicis Media, combined with his early career foundation across multiple agency networks, gives dentsu a leader who understands both the architecture of media investment and the client expectations that must drive it. If dentsu executes on this hire well, it will not just retain clients — it will win new ones. Watch this space.

Key takeaways for marketers

• Sumit Kohli appointed Head of Investment — APAC at dentsu after 10-plus years at Publicis Media
• His mandate focuses on building disciplined, client-first, outcome-driven investment approaches across Asia-Pacific
• Kohli brings 15-plus years of expertise spanning media buying, trading, planning, and accountability frameworks
• His prior experience includes working with global brands like Coca-Cola, Samsung, and Mars Wrigley
• The appointment reflects dentsu's strategic push toward investment transparency and measurable client outcomes in APAC

Frequently asked questions

Who is Sumit Kohli and what is his new role at dentsu? Sumit Kohli is a media investment leader with over 15 years of APAC experience. He has joined dentsu as Head of Investment — APAC, where he will lead the network's investment strategy with a focus on client-first, outcome-driven media approaches.

Where did Sumit Kohli work before joining dentsu? Kohli spent over a decade at Publicis Media, most recently as Executive Director — Investment, Accountability and Partnerships, APAC. Earlier in his career he held roles at MediaCom Singapore, VivaKi, MEC, and Percept.

Why does this appointment matter for the APAC media industry? It signals a growing industry shift toward accountable, transparent media investment leadership. Agencies appointing leaders with deep expertise in measurement and client outcomes are better positioned to meet rising brand expectations across the Asia-Pacific region.

Stay ahead of the curve

The agency landscape across APAC is being reshaped — one strategic appointment at a time. The brands that understand these shifts early are the ones that negotiate smarter, partner better, and grow faster.

Are you tracking the talent moves quietly redefining media investment across Asia-Pacific? Follow brands.in for daily brand intelligence, marketing news, and the insights that keep you ahead of the curve. What do you think Kohli's appointment signals for the future of media accountability in APAC? Share your perspective in the comments below.