YouTube has appointed Gunjan Soni as the Country Managing Director for India. With over two decades of leadership experience spanning business, technology, marketing, and e-commerce, Soni is set to lead YouTube’s growth and innovation efforts in India.
Gautam Anand, VP, YouTube APAC, stated, “YouTube’s journey in India continues to be vibrant and dynamic, representing a country filled with immense creative energy and potential. I amn excited to welcome Gunjan, a seasoned leader to guide our next phase of growth. Gunjan’s deep understanding of the creator economy and India’s video commerce landscape, combined with her leadership, will enable us to accelerate creator growth, unlock new opportunities, engage users, and contribute meaningfully to India’s digital journey.”
Soni joins YouTube from ZALORA, where she served as Group CEO for six years based in Singapore. During her tenure, she was instrumental in introducing new categories and business models, fostering innovation, and enhancing user experience through personalization and a successful loyalty program. Soni also possesses significant Indian media and marketing experience, having worked as EVP at Star India and CMO at Myntra.
Prior to that, she was a Partner at McKinsey in the Consumer and Marketing practice. She serves on the board of CBRE Group, a Fortune 500 company.
“I am both humbled and thrilled to join this dynamic team and lead a platform that has long supported the powerhouse of talent that is the Indian creator economy,” said Gunjan Soni.
“Witnessing how YouTube empowers creators and connects communities across India is truly inspiring. I’m particularly excited about building on this foundation, fostering innovation, and further enhancing the platform’s role in helping creators unlock new storytelling opportunities and reach audiences globally. I am excited to work with and support our incredible partners across the ecosystem,” she added.