VML India has appointed Kiran Ramamurthy, currently CEO, Grey 82.5, as its new CEO, succeeding Babita Baruah, who will move to a regional leadership role as head - Ford business. 

Baruah took on the CEO role at VML in 2024, after a stint as executive director. She was handling the Ford business from Bangkok prior, as the brand's operations in India closed down in 2021.

Both transitions will take effect on 1 December 2026.

Hephzibah Pathak, CEO, WPP Creative India, said, “The leadership transitions reflect our commitment to nurturing exceptional talent across our network while maintaining absolute continuity and momentum for our clients. VML enters this next chapter in a position of strength, backed by strong operational and creative achievements over the past year. Babita has done a tremendous job steering VML India, and her elevation to lead the Ford business regionally is a well-deserved recognition of her international leadership. In Kiran, VML gains a dynamic leader whose diverse experience, operational acumen, and creative hunger make him exceptionally well-suited to drive the agency's vision. I look forward to Kiran’s dynamic leadership to take the agency into its next chapter while celebrating Babita’s continued impact across the region.”

In a career spanning over 30 years, Ramamurthy has also worked with Ogilvy, Leo Burnett and MediaMonks, among others.