Monica Bhatia is Senior Vice President, Client Partner, APAC at Essence, a global data and measurement-driven media agency which is part of GroupM.

At Essence, Monica leads the agency’s Google media business to promote its consumer and B2B products in APAC. She oversees Essence’s integrated offering for Google, and thrives using media, creativity, and technology to create breakthrough work​. ​A believer in true partnerships, she strives to nurture a strong and collaborative relationship with the client across the region.

Prior to Essence, Monica was Regional Digital Director, APAC at Maxus, where she built its digital product proposition across 14 markets in the region. Clients she worked with include L’Oreal, Jetstar, and Unicharm. With over 15 years in the industry, she has holistic multicultural marketing experience from the brand as well as creative and media agency sides at L’Oreal, Godrej Group, Dabur, Lowe, and Maxus.

Monica is a strong advocate for women in leadership and actively champions this topic through initiatives in the workplace, and across industry platforms and publications. A citizen of the world, she has lived and worked in India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Nepal, and Singapore.