Vishal Mehta returns to McCann Worldgroup as MD of Indonesia replacing Berndt Soderbom who steps down as president director mid-year

Vishal Mehta has been appointed managing director at McCann Worldgroup Indonesia. He was previously managing director GroupM ESP Indonesia and joins McCann effective mid April. Berndt Soderbom, current president director at McCann Worldgroup, will leave his role in July after completing a three-month handover with Mehta. On completion of this transition, Soderbom (pictured left) will remain in Indonesia and pursue other interests. He first moved to Indonesia in early nineties when he built his own business for over a decade. He joined McCann Indonesia in September 2011.

Mehta, who returns to the McCann Worldgroup network having previously worked for eight years from 2000 until 2008 across India, Malaysia and Singapore in various management positions, will be responsible for delivering against an ambitious growth plan and elevating the agency’s overall integrated offering.

During Mehta’s three-year tenure at GroupM ESP, the sports, activation and branded content division of GroupM, the organization enjoyed high growth. He spearheaded the launch of Liga Prima Indonesia (LPI), a domestic football league with the objective of bringing reform to Indonesian football. Forbes Indonesia declared the launch a success. Other key businesses included: TVS, P&G, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Tempo and Taisho. Before joining GroupM ESP in 2011, Mehta was managing director at Y&R Indonesia, during this time Y&R Indonesia won Indonesia’s first Cannes Lion.

Said Charles Cadell (left), president McCann Worldgroup Asia Pacific: “Vishal is an excellent fit for our Indonesian operation. Having worked and lived in Indonesia for five years, Vishal’s in-market knowledge and skill set will ensure our operation in Indonesia continues to perform well.”

On Berndt’s departure Cadell commented: “I’d like to thank Berndt for his ongoing passion and commitment to the network over the last two and a half years. Berndt joined us during a difficult time in Indonesia and under his leadership he has managed to attracted some fabulous people, increased our client portfolio and grown our business. We wish Berndt all the very best.”

McCann Worldgroup Indonesia manages some of Indonesia’s most respected brands, including leading local Telco provider SmartFren, as well as key international brands such as General Motors, Coca-Cola, Perfetti Van Melle, L’Oreal and Nestle. The agency was also named in the ‘Digital Agency of the Year’ line up in 4th position at the local award show, having never previously ranked at this show.