Neeraj Bassi has returned to Ogilvy as the head of Ogilvy Consulting in India.
Based in Gurugram, he will also head strategic planning for Ogilvy India's North operations.
Operating globally, Ogilvy Consulting is now launching in India. It looks to help clients solve three business problems - growth and innovation, business design, and digital transformation.
Bassi left Ogilvy in 2015. He was president - strategic planning in the agency's Gurugram office.
His last stint was with Cheil X, where he was chief growth officer.
Prem Narayan, chief strategy officer, Ogilvy India, said, "'Neeraj is back in Ogilvy'. That's a feeling that many of us in Ogilvy have been wishing for quite some time. I have always admired Neeraj. He is one of the finest strategic minds in the country. His rich experience across consulting, advertising and driving growth make him one of the rare few who excel at intersecting consumer x culture x brand x business x modern media landscape to deliver business impact and transformation."
He added, "There couldn't have been anyone better to lead and launch the Ogilvy Consulting practice and drive excellence of the strategic planning function for Ogilvy India (North), Neeraj will make us sharper, stronger and sweeter.”
Bassi said, “I am really excited to lead the Ogilvy Consulting practice in India. Globally we are getting good traction in this space and I am looking forward to offering independent, unbiased advice for full funnel management of marquee brands – right from fuelling desire to demand conversion at point of sale. Ogilvy Consulting would address the issue of distributed brand narrative that is happening because of domain experts working in their silos. Championing the cause of one brand, one narrative, Ogilvy Consulting will help clients integrate the domains at a strategic level. It’s a homecoming for me and coming home is always special.”
Bassi has also had stints with Publicis, Havas and McCann.