GREY 82.5 NAMES SHOUVIK ROY AS CEO IN LEADERSHIP TRANSITION

Grey 82.5 has announced the appointment of Shouvik Roy as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 December 2026. Roy succeeds Kiran Ramamurthy, who will move to VML India as CEO. The transition comes as Grey 82.5 looks to build on the momentum generated following the successful integration of Grey and 82.5.

Grey 82.5 has unveiled a major leadership transition, naming veteran brand strategist and entrepreneur Shouvik Roy as its next Chief Executive Officer. Roy will assume the role on 1 December 2026, succeeding Kiran Ramamurthy, who is set to become CEO of VML India.

The announcement marks a significant milestone for the agency as it seeks to build on the progress achieved since the merger of Grey and 82.5. The company said Ramamurthy and Roy will work closely together over the coming months to ensure a smooth and seamless transition across client relationships, business operations and agency teams.

Ramamurthy leaves Grey 82.5 after a tenure characterised by transformation and strong business momentum. Under his leadership, the agency strengthened its market position and navigated the integration of Grey and 82.5, laying what the company described as a strong foundation for future growth.

Roy arrives with nearly three decades of experience spanning brand strategy, marketing transformation and business building. Most recently, he served as President and Head of Ogilvy Delhi, where he worked with more than a dozen of the world’s top 100 brands, helping drive strategic growth and brand development across categories.

Beyond his corporate leadership credentials, Roy has also built a reputation as an entrepreneur. He co-founded an acclaimed advertising and design agency and played a key role in creating the iconic Paperboat brand, widely regarded as one of India’s most distinctive consumer success stories. He later contributed to the growth of G.O.A.T Brand Labs, further strengthening his credentials in brand creation and business development.

Industry observers are likely to view Roy’s blend of strategic expertise and entrepreneurial experience as a strong fit for Grey 82.5’s positioning as an agile, challenger-minded agency. His appointment signals a continued focus on innovation, creativity and business growth at a time when marketing and communications firms are increasingly expected to deliver integrated solutions for clients.

Commenting on the appointment, VR Rajesh, CEO of The Ogilvy Group India, praised both the outgoing and incoming leaders. He credited Ramamurthy with playing a pivotal role in steering the agency through a period of integration and growth, while expressing confidence that Roy would help drive the next phase of its evolution.

“Grey 82.5 enters this next phase on the back of tremendous momentum, built on a strong foundation following the successful integration of Grey and 82.5,” Rajesh said. He added that Roy embodies the agency’s challenger ethos through a combination of deep strategic expertise, entrepreneurial thinking and a proven ability to build brands that resonate with consumers.

Grey 82.5 operates as part of The Ogilvy Group, a portfolio of agency brands that retain their own identities and client relationships while benefiting from the broader group’s collective capabilities and expertise.

With a carefully planned handover now under way, the agency is positioning itself for continuity as well as fresh ambition. As Ramamurthy prepares to take on a new challenge at VML India, Roy will be tasked with carrying forward Grey 82.5’s recent momentum while shaping its next chapter of growth and creative excellence.