MSL India appoints Kanika Bains as VP & Head, People & Culture

MSL India, part of Publicis Groupe, has appointed Kanika Bains as VP & Head, People & Culture, adding an experienced talent and HR professional to its leadership team.

Kanika shared her move as a new chapter in her career, noting that after spending most of her professional journey in talent and HR, she remains focused on understanding people, culture and the dynamics that connect the two.

Her new remit will see her lead the people agenda for MSL India, with a focus on the organisation's talent and culture priorities.

Bringing a career in talent and HR

Kanika has spent most of her career working across talent and human resources, building experience around people-related functions and workplace culture.

That background provides a foundation for her new role at MSL India, where the people function operates within a fast-moving communications and public relations environment.

For agencies, attracting, developing and retaining talent is closely connected to the ability to build strong teams and deliver for clients. People and culture leadership therefore plays an important role in shaping the employee experience alongside broader business priorities.

Leading the people agenda at MSL India

Kanika's LinkedIn profile identifies her remit as leading the people agenda for MSL India.

Her role brings together the people, talent and culture elements that support the agency's workforce, from employee experience and talent development to building an environment where people can grow and feel a sense of belonging.

MSL India has also welcomed Nikita Bhagat as Associate Director, Human Resources, as part of the agency's Talent team.

The appointments add further focus to MSL India's people function as the organisation continues to develop its talent and culture agenda.

Building a culture where talent thrives

In welcoming Kanika and Nikita, MSL India highlighted their fresh perspectives and passion for culture, connecting their arrival with the agency's ambition to build a workplace where talent can thrive and belonging can grow.

That places culture alongside talent as a central part of the people agenda.

For Kanika, the opportunity brings her long-standing HR and talent experience into an agency environment where collaboration, creativity and people development are closely connected.

People and culture in the communications industry

The communications and public relations industry depends heavily on people and expertise.

Teams bring together strategic thinking, creativity, media relationships, client management and specialist knowledge, making talent an important part of an agency's ability to serve its clients.

People and culture leaders therefore have a role that extends beyond traditional HR operations, helping organisations create the conditions for employees to develop, collaborate and build longer-term careers.

Kanika's new role places her within that broader intersection of talent, culture and organisational development.

A new chapter with Publicis Groupe

Joining MSL India also brings Kanika into the wider Publicis Groupe network, one of the world's major communications and marketing groups.

MSL is Publicis Groupe's global public relations and integrated communications network, with teams working across markets and sectors.

For Kanika, the move represents an opportunity to bring her experience in talent and HR into a global communications environment while leading the people agenda for MSL India.

Building the next phase of MSL India’s people agenda

Kanika's appointment comes alongside MSL India's continued focus on its people and culture environment.

With her experience in talent and HR, she will lead the people agenda at a time when agencies continue to think carefully about how they attract talent, create meaningful employee experiences and build workplaces where people can develop.

Her arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter at MSL India, with people and culture at the centre of her new remit.

About MSL India

MSL India is a public relations and integrated communications agency within the global MSL network, part of Publicis Groupe. The agency works with organisations across corporate communications, brand reputation, public affairs, digital and integrated communications.