DENTSU INDIA has appointed Rohit Potphode as managing partner for sports, gaming, esports & live experiences, to scale its sports and entertainment practice in India.
Reporting to dentsu Sports & Entertainment head of India, Yosuke Murai, Potphode will oversee sports consulting, sponsorship strategy, IP development, content creation, and fan-centric experiences, helping brands move beyond conventional sponsorships to create deeper cultural connections and tangible outcomes.
This appointment follows dentsu’s recent launch of its Sports & Entertainment Network in India, designed to provide integrated, culturally resonant solutions for brands across sports, esports, music, festivals, and live experiences. The network aims to combine dentsu’s global expertise with India’s vibrant audience landscape to fuel innovation, engagement, and brand growth.
With over two decades of experience in sports and entertainment, Potphode has been instrumental in building and managing several marquee properties, including the Indian Premier League, Indian Super League, Coke Studio, Lakmé Fashion Week, International Premier Tennis League, and the Global e-Cricket Premier League. His career spans leadership roles at IMG, Viacom, Disney’s A&E Network, Ten Sports, Nimbus Sport, Star, JetSynthesys, and Times Network.
Dentsu South Asia CEO, Harsha Razdan said, “Sports and entertainment unite people and shape culture. In India, the passion is electric. Stadiums roar, gamers compete like warriors, and fans live every moment intensely. Rohit’s expertise will turn this energy into experiences that play bigger, think bolder, and make every partnership count.”
Murai added, “India is a market where culture and commerce collide at unprecedented scale. With Rohit joining our team, we are positioned to harness this energy across sports, gaming, and live experiences. By blending Japan’s decades of expertise with India’s unique cultural landscape, we can create partnerships and experiences that don’t just reach audiences – they shape how they engage, connect, and consume content.”
Potphode commented, “Joining dentsu at this moment of expansion is truly exciting. India’s diverse culture and vibrant audiences provide the perfect canvas to innovate at the intersection of sports, gaming and live entertainment. I am excited to create experiences that engage deeply, inspire action and generate meaningful value for brands and partners, blending dentsu’s global scale with India’s cultural richness.”
