Gunjan Soni Appointed as YouTube India's New Country Managing Director

YouTube has announced the appointment of Gunjan Soni as the Country Managing Director for India, marking a strategic move to enhance its growth in one of its largest and fastest-growing markets. Soni, an accomplished leader with a strong background in business, technology, marketing, and e-commerce, brings over two decades of experience to her new role.

Extensive Experience Across Business, Technology, and E-Commerce

Before joining YouTube, Gunjan Soni served as the Group CEO at ZALORA, a leading fashion e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia, where she led operations for six years based out of Singapore. Her impressive career also includes leadership positions such as EVP at Star India, Chief Marketing Officer at Myntra, and Partner at McKinsey & Company’s Consumer and Marketing practice.
Additionally, Soni contributes to the global business community as a board member at CBRE Group, a Fortune 500 company, showcasing her diverse and international experience across industries.

Gautam Anand Highlights Soni’s Expertise

Welcoming Gunjan Soni to her new role, Gautam Anand, YouTube’s Vice President for the Asia-Pacific region, emphasized the significance of her experience. He stated that Soni’s deep understanding of the creator economy and video commerce landscape in India would be instrumental in strengthening YouTube’s mission to drive creator growth and enhance user engagement across the country.
“Gunjan’s leadership will help unlock new opportunities and contribute meaningfully to India's digital journey,” Anand noted, underlining the crucial role she will play as YouTube looks to solidify its dominance in India.

Gunjan Soni Shares Her Vision for YouTube India

Expressing excitement over her new position, Gunjan Soni said,

"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."

She added that watching how YouTube empowers creators and connects communities across India has been a source of inspiration. Soni highlighted her vision to build on YouTube’s strong foundation, foster innovation, and enhance storytelling opportunities for Indian creators, helping them connect with audiences not only across India but also globally.
She also expressed her eagerness to work closely with YouTube’s partners across the ecosystem to further fuel growth and innovation.

YouTube’s Growing Impact in India

Owned by Alphabet Inc., YouTube holds a dominant position in India’s digital space, serving millions of content creators and an even larger base of viewers. India is among YouTube’s most important markets, both in terms of user numbers and the vibrant diversity of its creator community.
With digital consumption rising across urban and rural areas, YouTube plays a pivotal role in shaping content creation, entertainment, education, and even commerce in India.

Strategic Timing for Leadership Expansion

Gunjan Soni’s appointment comes at a time when India’s creator economy is witnessing rapid growth. With new formats like Shorts, Live Streams, and e-commerce integrations gaining traction, YouTube is strategically investing in leadership to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive environment.
Soni’s leadership is expected to further strengthen YouTube’s support for Indian creators, helping them build sustainable careers and contribute to India's growing digital economy.

Conclusion

Gunjan Soni’s entry as YouTube India’s new Country Managing Director marks a fresh chapter for the platform’s ambitious plans in the region. With her vast experience and strategic leadership, YouTube aims to deepen its connections with the creator community, foster innovation, and continue playing a central role in India’s digital evolution.