Tarun Rai announces retirement from Wunderman Thompson

After an illustrious three-decade long career in the advertising industry, Tarun Rai, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives at Wunderman Thompson APAC, has announced his retirement. Having joined the advertising agency as a young account executive in 1988, Rai quickly ascended the ranks within Wunderman Thompson. By 2002, he became a managing partner at JWT, the predecessor of Wunderman Thompson. Rai later ventured into media before returning to JWT as Group CEO for South Asia, where he spearheaded the agency’s growth by diversifying its capabilities and fostering stronger collaborations with clients, attracting renowned national and international brands.

Rai played a pivotal role in leading the merger between Wunderman and JWT, following which he assumed the position of Chairman and Group CEO for South Asia. He skillfully guided the organisation through the challenges posed by the pandemic. In early 2022, Rai took over as the Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and oversaw the operations across the APAC region. Ewen Sturgeon, CEO of International at Wunderman Thompson, expressed gratitude to Rai for his leadership and contributions to both the agency and the industry over the past three decades.

Rai, reflecting on his career, credited Wunderman Thompson for providing him with countless opportunities for growth. He expressed gratitude towards the leaders at Wunderman Thompson and WPP for their trust, and he acknowledged the exceptional teams and clients who played instrumental roles in building powerful brands. Tarun Rai’s retirement marks the end of an incredible journey characterised by excitement, fulfilment, and rewarding experiences in the dynamic world of advertising.