Kantar names new Indonesia MD to spearhead growth and transformation

Kantar, a global platform specialising in marketing data and analytics, has appointed Nadya Ardianti (pictured) as its new managing director for its Indonesian operations, marking a fresh chapter for the firm in one of Southeast Asia's most dynamic consumer markets.

Ardianti takes over from Suresh Subramanian, who was instrumental in accelerating Kantar's business growth and deepening client relationships across the archipelago. Subramanian steps down after over 18 years with the company to establish his own consulting firm.

Reporting directly to Cheong-Tai Leung, CEO for Kantar Asia Pacific, Ardianti told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE: "As the managing director of Kantar Indonesia, I lead the overall business strategy, commercial growth, client partnerships, and operational excellence across all practice areas."

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"My role is a blend of commercial and people leadership—driving transformation while nurturing a high-performing, purpose-led team. Our mission is clear: to be the most trusted partner for brands in understanding people and inspiring growth," she added.

As a Kantar veteran, Ardianti spent around a decade with the company, where she last served as chief client officer, before moving on to become Asia Pacific commercial lead at NielsenIQ.

Ardianti arrives with a sharp, immediate focus. "First, to deepen our impact with clients by helping them navigate a complex, fast-evolving landscape—through sharper insights and agile, forward-looking solutions. Second, to empower and energise our teams—creating the structure, systems, and culture that enable everyone to thrive and bring their best selves to work. And third, to modernise how we work—by investing in technology, fostering creativity, and driving collaboration across teams and disciplines."

Beyond internal transformation, Ardianti also intends for Kantar Indonesia to take a more active role in the public sphere. "I want Kantar to be a powerful voice in the industry—shaping conversations that matter to both brands and society. At the heart of our work is a simple belief: growing brands means grows the nation means grows Indonesia. This isn't just a business strategy—it's our purpose. It's how we give back to society by doing what we do best: advising brands by understanding people. At Kantar Indonesia, we're proud to champion this mission every single day."

Kantar, best known for helping brands make confident decisions through consumer insights, operates across a wide range of practice areas—from brand health and creative development to media, commerce, and customer experience. The firm has maintained a steady presence in Indonesia, a market known for its youthful demographics and digital-first behaviour, and sees strong opportunities for innovation-driven growth.

According to its website, Kantar partners with 96 of the world's 100 largest advertisers, offering a uniquely comprehensive view of consumer behaviour. The firm draws on a database of more than two billion profiles to study how people think, feel, and behave—both globally and within local contexts. In Indonesia alone, it has studied consumers for over 35 years.

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