
Bhasin was formerly CEO of Universal McCann in Singapore and Malaysia. He left the IPG media agency in March 2009 after five and a half years with the company.
Bhasin replaces Morten Blomfeldt who is relocating overseas and will be reporting to Julian Tan, CEO of 701Search.
On the appointment, Tan said: "I'm confident that Gaurav will do well in his new role, given his strong marketing and agency background, as well as his dynamic and energetic leadership.
701Search is a joint venture between SPH and Norwegian media group Schibsted ASA. It is a new media company specialising in online classifieds services for the Asia-Pacific region.
Incorporated in September 2006, the company currently operates online classifieds in Malaysia (mudah.my), Philippines (ayosdito.ph) and Indonesia (berniaga.com).