Cheil South West Asia (SWA) has appointed Jitender Dabas as the new CEO of Cheil X. The agency operates as an independent unit under the Cheil India SWA Group, handling a wide range of clients beyond Samsung.
This strategic move signals Cheil X’s intent to scale, diversify, and lead with deeper creative and digital capabilities.
A Leader with Strategy in His DNA
Jitender steps into the role with over two decades of experience. Most recently, he led McCann Worldgroup India as CEO and Chief Strategy Officer. He also served as Head of Effectiveness for APAC, where he helped shape campaigns that combined creativity with measurable results.
Throughout his career, Jitender has worked with global networks like WPP and IPG. He is an IIT Delhi alumnus, and widely recognized for his ability to blend strategy with insight-led storytelling. His work has won more than 100 awards across national and international stages. These include honors at Cannes Lions, WARC Awards, Effies, and the Jay Chiat Strategy Awards. He is also a recipient of the WPP Atticus Award.
Driving Growth Across Offices and Offerings
In his new role, Jitender will oversee operations across Delhi and Mumbai. He will also guide Cheil SWA’s specialist agencies across digital marketing, performance media, influencer campaigns, content production, tech innovation, and retail design.
“With our expanded portfolio—including Experience Commerce, CYLNDR, and newRx—this is the right moment to bring in a transformative leader,” said Carlos Limseob Chung, Managing Director of Cheil India and President of Cheil SWA. “Jitender brings clarity, experience, and vision at a time when our agency model is evolving rapidly.”
A Clear Shift in Direction
This appointment reflects more than a leadership change. It marks a shift toward a more agile, insight-driven agency approach. Under Jitender’s leadership, Cheil X plans to reimagine how it serves brands—especially in a market where digital storytelling and measurable results go hand in hand.
Cheil’s goal is clear: expand beyond legacy accounts and become a trusted partner for brands looking to grow through creativity, technology, and performance.
