Ajay Gupte named as Indonesia lead for merged MEC-Maxus entity

Managing director of MEC Indonesia, Ajay Gupte (pictured right), has been appointed as the managing director of "NewCo", the combined MEC-Maxus entity. His role will be effective in January 2018 following the launch of "NewCo". Meanwhile, Maxus Indonesia MD Partha Kabi (pictured left) will take on the MD role at MediaCom Indonesia, a role which will be effective 1 October 2017.Prior to the appointment Gupte was MD of MEC Indonesia since 2011. According to a press statement, the agency grew six-fold under his leadership. Before MEC, Gupte was director at mediaReach OMD and has held stints at OnMobile Global and Maxus Global in India where he was general manager. According to the agency, he boasts around two decades of marketing experience.Kabi joined Maxus Indonesia as its MD in 2011. Under his leadership, Maxus Indonesia saw multiple new business wins, developed a wide portfolio of new and innovative products and services, according the press statement. Before Maxus, Kabi was MD of ZenithOptimedia in Jakarta from 2007 to 2011 and general manager – media at Draft FCB Indonesia from 2002 to 2007.According to Mark Heap, CEO Mediacom APAC, Kabi’s appointment is also coupled with the promotion of Akshay Sharma to general manager. Prior to the promotion, Sharma was business director at MediaCom Indonesia.“We’re investing in an even stronger leadership team because we still see enormous potential for further growth in one of the world’s most exciting markets.  I’m really excited to welcome Kabi and look forward to working with him," Heap said.“Under Gupte’s leadership, I am confident that we have the right team in place to truly blend the best of MEC and Maxus and make NewCo Indonesia a formidable future-facing agency,” Tim Castree, CEO of MEC and NewCo said.“Partha has been a key member of our leadership team in Indonesia for the past 6 years. I am delighted that we will continue to benefit from his experience whilst at the same time providing him with a fresh challenge to get his teeth into,“ Ed Thesiger, CEO GroupM Indonesia and Vietnam added.