CHEIL SWA USHERS IN AI ERA WITH KUMAR AWANISH AS COO

Cheil South West Asia has appointed Kumar Awanish as Chief Operating Officer, expanding his remit from Chief Growth Officer. Based in Gurugram, he will lead operational strategy and drive the agency’s AI-first transformation. CEO Sungkyoon Kim said the move marks a new chapter in technology-led creativity and integrated marketing.  

Cheil South West Asia (SWA) has signalled a bold new chapter in its journey by elevating Kumar Awanish to Chief Operating Officer, expanding his responsibilities from his earlier role as Chief Growth Officer. The appointment reflects the agency’s ambition to strengthen operational coordination and accelerate its transformation into an AI-first organisation.  

Awanish will report directly to President and Chief Executive Officer Sungkyoon Kim and be based at the group’s Gurugram headquarters. His mandate is clear: to shape the next phase of Cheil SWA’s growth by embedding artificial intelligence across operations, integrating technology, data and creativity to deliver holistic marketing solutions.  

Announcing the move, Kim described the appointment as pivotal. “Cheil SWA is ushering a new phase of advertising transformation led by AI. Kumar Awanish has the right skill set and experience to lead the group into this dynamic journey,” he said, adding that Awanish’s passion and enthusiasm would be instrumental in driving change.  

With more than two decades of experience across advertising, marketing and digital ecosystems, Awanish brings a wealth of expertise. At Cheil India, he spearheaded growth initiatives, building direct-to-consumer and commerce capabilities while expanding media operations. His career spans leadership roles at Airtel, Snapdeal, Times Internet, GroupM and Oppo, giving him a panoramic view of the industry’s evolution.  

Reflecting on his new role, Awanish emphasised the importance of AI literacy across all functions and agencies. “We are on a mission to double down on AI capabilities and combine advanced technology with human creativity to deliver integrated outcomes for clients,” he said.  

The elevation underscores Cheil SWA’s determination to position itself at the forefront of marketing innovation in South Asia. For Awanish, it marks not just a new role but a renewed commitment to shaping the agency’s future in an era where artificial intelligence is set to redefine the creative and operational landscape.