Uditvanu Das Promoted to VP at Havas Play

Uditvanu Das has been promoted to Vice President at Havas Play, a significant career milestone just over a year after he joined the agency as Associate Vice President in June 2025. This rapid advancement speaks volumes about his unique blend of media savvy and an innate understanding of the sports industry.

A Career Focused on Sports Commercials

Das’s professional journey spans diverse experiences, initially focusing on digital advertising and media sales. He built his foundational skills at companies such as Yahoo, DDB Mudra, UTV, and Rediffusion Y&R.

His passion then led him into the sports sector, where he developed a digital sales team for Walt Disney India. He further refined his commercial acumen at agencies including Skarma, BriefKase, and Sooperfly, even conceptualizing native content for platforms like NBA.com India.

Driving Growth in Major Sports Ventures

A pivotal period in Das’s career involved his work at Procam International. There, he managed marketing and business development for major running events, notably the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K and TCS World 10K, securing vital sponsor partnerships.

He then spent two years as General Manager of Partnerships at Rajasthan Royals. In this role, Das oversaw commercial operations for both the IPL franchise and the Barbados Royals, successfully expanding sponsorship activations beyond traditional media visibility.

Securing Partnerships for Elite Athletes

Before his tenure at Havas Play, Das contributed significantly to athlete management at JSW Sports. He was instrumental in forging commercial partnerships for top Indian Olympic athletes.

These crucial deals included securing brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Omega for javelin gold medalist Neeraj Chopra. He also facilitated partnerships for steeplechaser Avinash Sable with Deloitte and long jumper Sreeshankar Murali with Toyota.

His prior work at Burman Sports involved leading sales and business development, where he notably helped facilitate Bigbasket’s partnership with Royal Challengers Bangalore.

What This Means for the Future

Das’s comprehensive background, covering event management, franchise cricket, and individual athlete endorsements, positions him as a key expert for Havas Play. He is well-equipped to navigate India’s growing sports sponsorship market, leveraging his decade-long experience and extensive network.

Uditvanu Das himself attributed his rapid success and career progression to the unwavering support from Rana Barua, Mohit Joshi, and Tabassum Modi. His promotion signals a bright outlook for the agency’s continued expansion in the dynamic sports sector.