Harsha Razdan: AI to Redefine Discovery, Commerce & Creativity by 2026

Storyboard•19-03-2026, 14:48

•Harsha Razdan, CEO of dentsu South Asia, predicts AI will quietly rewrite discovery, commerce, and creativity by 2026, moving beyond efficiency to become an invisible decision-making companion.
•Dentsu achieved strong double-digit growth in 2025, adding over 140 new clients and securing ₹500–600 crore in media wins through a consolidated top-client model and innovation ecosystem.
•2026 will see brands focusing on appearing within AI-mediated pathways, with accelerated production workflows and faster localization, emphasizing human judgment and cultural intelligence.
•Gaming, live events, and retail media are set to become core engagement engines, especially for Gen Z and Gen Alpha, with non-metro India driving cultural and consumption momentum.
•Razdan's professional resolution for 2026 is to deepen dentsu's 'AI-for-Growth' commitment, making AI a practical advantage for clients through integrated solutions and tangible outcomes.

✦