S Yesudas

S Yesudas

Managing Director, Indian sub-continent, Vizeum Media (Aegis Media Group)

Yesudas spent 20 years in the field of Media. His last assignment was with R K SWAMY BBDO. He was chosen for the position of COO for the company's media wing, Media Direction in Feb 2006. Within a short span, he engaged himself in activities of providing “Impact” to clients’ communication through various methods, in addition to tangible business contributions to the group. Among the achievements, few those worth mentioning are successful re launch of Media Direction and helping the organisation get a place in the media specialists’ map; huge new business gains; successful launch of Digital wing, Digital Direction; launch of Hansa Media Services (conflict brand) and Radio Direction (Radio specialisation) ; talent induction/development and development of systems/tools, processes. The Group within the first year itself received accolades in the form of industry awards in India as well as abroad, recognition of international agencies such as RECMA and R3. Media Direction during his stint was No.1 on client satisfaction in India as per an independent R3 study. Media Direction also represented India at the Cannes 08 under the young Lions category. Yesudas got promoted to the position of CEO of the Media Group of R K SWAMY BBDO in the first year itself. The Group’s bottom line rose 250% in 2 years.

Prior to this he was with Initiative (IPG Group) in India . Joined the company in August 1995 and served them in various capacities before being chosen to launch Insight, a media agency from the group, to fulfil his vision about media specialists’ ability to lead the communication process. He ran Insight successfully as its Executive VP, in addition to launching a media consulting wing, Media Futures, a digital cell, Digital Initiatives and partnered with an ooh operator to launch a jv, Aaren Initiative. During his 7 year stint in India with the group, he added immense value to communication plans of various brands, ranging from FMCG to durables and became a respected Industry leader. During his leadership the group revenue also grew multi-folds.

This followed his international moves. First of which took him to Nairobi to run Initiative in the East African Region as its Regional Director with a combined responsibility for Draft Worldwide as its Managing Director. He brought in significant changes in the audience measurement system and developed alternative channel of communication in the region, well appreciated internally and externally. His contribution to the agency also includes various new business, mainly Coca-Cola in 14 more Countries of Africa with a hub in Nairobi. That followed an assignment in Indonesia as the Business Advisor (Director) for Initiative. In this assignment he was tasked with managing the relationship of existing clients and growing the company’s business. Not only did he manage the relationship with existing clients well, but made them the agency’s ambassadors too. The relationship with Coke in Jakarta helped initiative Jakarta get the business of Nestle waters during his stint. Other businesses were also added during his leadership. In addition, he built a model of mutually beneficial relationship with media owners.

He was chosen for the current position to launch, establish and nurture Vizeum (Aegis Media Group) – www.vizeum.com- in the Indian sub-continent in June 2009. Within the first year, the company could boast of a senior leadership, where people from other large media agencies joined him to fulfil his dream that media specialists could lead the communication process and clients to support the same. Vizeum India already has 3 well established offices and a client base of 42, as of Mar 2013, won either through heavily contested pitches or through invitations. Vizeum is well written about. The editor of an industry journal in the new year update termed Vizeum as the most successful agency in the country. The company, featuring in client satisfaction as well new business gains chart in a leading position, already delivered a profit in the first year of its operation itself as well as industry recognition in the form of Emvie Award (the most prestigious media award); Campaign Agency of the Year; Golden Mikes 3 metals + Agency of the Year , a short list at Festival of Media , Asia and a win at GoaFest, Media Abbys. As a fitting tribute to the leadership, came the announcement of a Board seat for Yesudas within a year.

What makes him different is his ability to spot the right opportunities and take every workable idea to logical conclusion. He is a constant thinker. He believes in the people power and hence nurtured and developed various front running managers throughout his career.

Yesudas began in career in media in 1991, In India with daCunha Associates. His career journey also includes a stint at Trikaya Grey.. He is passionate about writing and teaching. Many of his articles have appeared in leading publications. He is often quoted in media. He occasionally teaches as well at various Management Institutes.

Business India, India’s premier Business Magazine, had predicted him to be a front runner in 1995 itself. He was shortlisted as one of the 3 managers across Asia Pacific for Business Development Person of the year award by Media, HK, in 2003. He has been a jury member at the Indian Ad Club for the media effectiveness award since 2003 and Outdoor Association’s outdoor awards since 2005. He sat on the media committee of Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Media forum of AAA of I as well the joint IBF-AAAI Body. He is a visiting faculty at B schools. He is also a member of the International Advertising Association and life member of the Ad Club.