Assembly names Aruna Natarajan chief client officer

Natarajan to oversee account stewardship, governance and growth across North America as Assembly scales media partnerships

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Assembly, the global media agency within the Stagwell network, has appointed Aruna Natarajan as Chief Client Officer, North America. Based in New York, Natarajan will report to Jill Kelly, CEO of Assembly North America, and focus on deepening executive relationships, aligning teams to client business priorities, and reinforcing consistent partnership standards across the region.

Why it matters

As marketers push for faster, more technology-connected delivery across channels and audiences, Assembly is strengthening its senior client leadership to match the pace and complexity of modern client partnerships. Natarajan's appointment is part of Assembly's efforts to scale its media partnerships and client portfolio across North America.

The details

In her new role, Natarajan will oversee the full client lifecycle, including account stewardship, client governance, and the operational excellence that supports retention and organic growth. She will work closely with Global Chief Client Officer Andrea Timmerman. Natarajan joins from WPP Media, where she served as Chief Operating Officer and previously Chief Client Officer, leading large global portfolios and working with senior marketers through transformation and growth.

  • Natarajan was appointed as Chief Client Officer, North America on March 4, 2026.

The players

Aruna Natarajan

The newly appointed Chief Client Officer, North America at Assembly, a global media agency within the Stagwell network.

Jill Kelly

The CEO of Assembly North America, to whom Natarajan will report.

Andrea Timmerman

The Global Chief Client Officer at Assembly, with whom Natarajan will work closely.

Assembly

A global omnichannel media agency within the Stagwell network, famous for making brands perform.

Stagwell

The network that Assembly is a part of.

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What they’re saying

“Aruna is a standout client leader with the experience to match the scale and ambition of this moment for Assembly in North America. As we continue to grow, her leadership will help us deepen executive partnerships and continue to raise the bar on what clients expect from us as their media and technology partner.”

— Jill Kelly, CEO of Assembly North America (stocktitan.net)

“The opportunity at Assembly is to continue to elevate client leadership as a practice into true business partnership with clients. That means building trust, developing a deep understanding of their businesses, and identifying how media can unlock growth for their brands. I'm excited to help establish and scale this client leadership practice alongside Jill and the Assembly team.”

— Aruna Natarajan, Chief Client Officer, North America at Assembly (stocktitan.net)

What’s next

Natarajan will focus on deepening executive relationships, sharpening how teams align to client business priorities, and reinforcing consistent partnership standards across North America in her new role as Chief Client Officer.

The takeaway

Assembly's appointment of Aruna Natarajan as Chief Client Officer, North America is part of the agency's efforts to strengthen its senior client leadership and scale its media partnerships and client portfolio across the region as marketers demand faster, more technology-driven solutions.