AAAI Sets Up Media Council, Appoints Kartik Sharma as Chair
The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) has formed a Media Council led by Kartik Sharma, CEO of Omnicom Media India, as part of its 2026–27 plan to enhance industry involvement and bolster the representation of media agencies.
The Council is intended to serve as a forum for organizations within major media networks, independent companies, and local markets to discuss shared issues and pinpoint chances to enhance India’s media and advertising landscape.
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The key focus areas will encompass audience research and assessment, transparency and responsibility, changing media trading practices, talent growth, and the increasing impact of technology on media planning and purchasing. The Council aims to encourage stronger collaboration among agencies, advertisers, media owners, research institutions, and other industry participants.
The agenda will prominently feature knowledge sharing and collaboration across the industry, focusing on assisting agencies in adapting to shifting audience behaviors, new platforms, and changing client expectations.
Outlining his vision for the Council, Kartik Sharma, Chair, AAAI Media Council, says, “Congratulations to the new Board. It’s encouraging to see a mix of experience, entrepreneurial ambition and diverse perspectives come together. I’m grateful to AAAI for the opportunity to lead its Media Council and look forward to working with the next generation of leaders, whose fresh perspectives and ambition will be critical to advancing the Council’s mandate and building a stronger, more future-ready media ecosystem for Indian advertising.”
He added that the Council would prioritise building capabilities and creating platforms for industry dialogue. “We will focus on bringing world-class learning systems to India through local and global knowledge partnerships, creating a flagship annual platform for industry-wide collaboration and the exchange of ideas — bringing together some of the best minds across the ecosystem, and developing thought leadership and practical playbooks on emerging areas such as CTV and cross-screen measurement.”
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Sharma, who has over three decades of experience spanning media strategy, communication planning, behavioural economics, analytics and technology, has held key positions at TAM Media Research and the Indian Readership Survey. He serves on the AAAI Board and BARC’s Disciplinary Committee and is a member of the Board of Governors of the Media Research Users Council India (MRUCI). His industry recognitions include the IAA Media Influencer of the Year 2026 and e4m Influencer of the Year 2025.
Commenting on the Council’s broader role, Dr Sandeep Goyal, President, AAAI (2026–27), says, “Let this media council be the industry’s adda and its university: where advertising’s best minds in media debate bold ideas, challenge old rules, and pass on hard-won wisdom to the next generation of storytellers and brand-shapers.”
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The establishment of the Media Council reflects AAAI’s initiative to develop a more organized platform for expert involvement, allowing media agencies to jointly tackle industry-wide challenges while enhancing knowledge, skills, and innovative practices for the field.