Yaap Digital has announced the appointment of Raj Nayak as its chairperson and managing director, following the untimely demise of its founder, chairperson and managing director, Atul Hegde, on 7 July 2026. 

As the agency enters its next phase, the board has unanimously appointed Nayak to lead the organisation.

Nayak’s appointment represents more than a leadership transition. It is a commitment to preserve the values, culture and purpose that Hegde championed while carrying forward the vision of a friend, a founder and a leader whose passion continues to inspire the organisation.

Having known Hegde for nearly 25 years and served as a member of the company's advisory board over the last two years, Nayak has been closely involved with the company's strategic evolution and shares the vision on which it was built. 

In a career spanning over three decades, Nayak has worked with organisations such as Star TV, NDTV Media and Viacom18, among others. He has also served in prominent leadership positions, including as president of The Advertising Club and the International Advertising Association (IAA) India Chapter, and as a board member of the Media Research Users Council (MRUC) and the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF).