Mindshare APAC chief digital officer Sanchit Sanga leaves GroupM after 15 years
Longtime Mindshare executive Sanchit Sanga has left the GroupM media agency, having been with the holding company for more than 15 years – Mumbrella has learnt.
The Mindshare chief digital officer for Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa initially told this website he was currently working out his notice period and would be “taking on new challenges in this ever changing digital world”. However, he later admitted he had actually left with immediate effect last week.
He had first said: “Yes I am serving my notice period. I have put in my papers after a long stint with this truly amazing team. I’ve had a sensational run at Mindshare.
“Mindshare gave me freedom and support to build a world-leading digital outfit. We are a dominant force with a truly differentiated offering and some of the best digital talent running it. I am truly grateful to the Mindshare leadership and the team for the faith bestowed in me over years.”
But an internal email seen by Mumbrella – from the Asia-Pacific chief executive officer Amrita Randhawa – suggested otherwise:
Presented with the evidence, Sanga pivoted towards a different message. “I resigned and they accepted my resignation, and happily released me with immediate effect as my current role was conflicting with my new opportunities.
“I am still under my cooling off period and that’s what I meant. I don’t know why this is being misread into something else,” he said.
Sanga previously sat on industry bodies the Interactive Advertising Bureau Singapore and the Mobile Marketing Association.
A former investment banker who got bored with the “predictability and monotony”, he changed career and started with GroupM back in 2003 – as national director of digital media, in India, before later moving to Singapore.
He then became Mindshare digital performance marketing partner in Singapore in 2012, later rising up the ranks.
On his LinkedIn profile, Sanga labelled himself as “a self-professed stalker of Google’s business” who “loves fast moving data sources”.
He speaks English, Hindi and Lao, and has a post-graduate diploma in management, marketing and international business from the Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies in Pune, Maharashtra, in India.
Neither Mindshare nor WPP was available for comment on Sanga’s departure, despite Mumbrella repeatedly asking for a response.
at spinning this [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. Shame on you.
Reply[Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]
ReplySanchit is the [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] of Media. Instead of publishing his [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines].
ReplyHuh, nice try. Spinning what?
Reply…is weird, and there must be [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. Now why do people tend to leave jobs very quickly and without ceremony?
Reply[Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]? What are you implying here?
ReplyWhy so many edited under mumbrellas community guideline?
ReplyHi there
Simply because people are not meeting the community guidelines: https://www.mumbrella.asia/community-guidelines
I know it can be frustrating for those commenting, but the guidelines are there for a reason.
If your comments meet them, then there will be no redactions from us. I hope that clarifies things for you.
ReplyIt was [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. All this silence from Mindshare is unbelievable. Finally, the [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] has happened.
ReplyLeaving “with immediate effect” after 15 years in very senior roles? No notice period?
Not unheard of, but definitely worth [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines].
ReplyShame to see you go Sanchit, it was always a pleasure to work with you, few words that remind me of you
[Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]
ReplyYou created a whole industry and a massive following Sanchit. Am sure you’ll continue to shine the light for the rest of us wherever you go next.
ReplyYou were my God, my mentor and will remain so for as long as I am in this industry. Thanks for teaching me everything I know! Wish you luck always
ReplySad day for Mindshare. Sanchit is a boon to any company. Wishing him all the best.
ReplyYour achievements in the last decade in the Asian digital advertising industry can never be underestimated. You have always been Mindshare digital in my eyes. You were a massive part of creating an industry. Thank you for being a great friend, giving me guidance, and believing in me. Good luck in everything.
Reply*eye roll*
ReplyMy bet is he is starting his own agency. Makes so much sense. Smart, Super connected. Sky is the limit…
Replyif you have someone who is an integral part of the senior leadership, and who would be deeply involved in client annual planning exercises, of course you would ensure they’re away from the business in this key period. I don’t know why this article is insinuating otherwise, but it’s absolutely standard practice to put someone on gardening leave with immediate effect if they’re senior and are going to do anything remotely competitive. Stephen Lee going to OMD from MEC a few years back is an obvious example of being placed on immediate and extended leave.
ReplyWhen you are an integral part of senior leadership for 15 years and choose to leave this is an open discussion and includes succession planning and handover to provide a seamless transition for the team and clients.
Something is rotten if this was a surprise for either side resulting in anything being effective immediately.
ReplyBuilding an industry is empowering those around you and not [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. Most senior digital people have a [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] that is less than glowing and GroupM had to face facts after finally having leadership who listened.
There is no longer a place for [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] in business.
ReplySanchit is a Digital Guru, a true leader. Mindshare has lost its gem but Sanchit will rule wherever he goes.
ReplyClearly, there is more to this than is being revealed by both sides. Let facts prevail.
ReplyReading more than you should? It’s simple. People want to make a story out of nothing. Move on, He is a legend.
ReplyJust because you don’t know what the truth is doesn’t mean something didn’t happen. And your opinion is not equivalent to the reality for others.
ReplyBut neither do you know, Fact Check-er. Hence maybe nothing happened. Of course unless you say you know something that Fact doesn’t.
ReplyWhich is why I commented. The truth won’t make it through the community guidelines but hopefully a more in depth investigation by Mumbrella will shine the spotlight.
ReplyThe rumours have been [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]?
ReplyWhat do you mean rumours have been….??? Let’s stop it! Leave the guy.
ReplyVoicing your opinion about someone’s sudden exit doesn’t mean there has to be something controversial. Stop gossiping and start contributing to the industry like Sanchit did! He’ll shine regardless.
ReplyI agree
In fact, you could say: [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]
ReplyYour positive experience doesn’t over rule others negative experience. You say “gossip” and others will contest facts – many of whom contribute a lot to the industry. Let’s see how this plays out.
ReplyAgree. He’s indeed a legend when it comes to [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]!
Reply[Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. Let’s see if this comment is edited too.
ReplyOnce again everyone, can I just draw your attention to the community guidelines: https://www.mumbrella.asia/community-guidelines
Please try to stay within them otherwise your comments will, indeed, be moderated. If you have something you want to talk about with Mumbrella that falls outside the guidelines – on this or any other story – then you can contact me directly at dean@mumbrella.asia or on +65 9296 4242.
Thanks all.
Reply[Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines].
ReplyAny news on where is he now? His Linked In still says Mindshare.
ReplyMumbrella, why is reality edited? Investigate more and let truth prevail.
ReplyHave your say