VML, a leading international creative transformation agency, has appointed Kalpesh Patankar as India’s new Group Chief Creative Officer. With his pioneering creativity and almost two decades of experience in the advertising sector, Patankar is likely to be instrumental in driving VML’s creative presence in the Indian market.
Kalpesh Patanakar: A Creative Force
Kalpesh Patankar, or “Kal” as he is known to the industry, comes with a stellar portfolio of award-winning campaigns and a history of turning agencies into creative machines. Before VML, Patankar was the Chief Creative Officer of Leo Burnett Dubai, where he helped win key pieces of business and create recall-worthy campaigns for global brands including Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Harvey Nichols, Land Rover, and Colgate.
His leadership at Leo Burnett Dubai and VMLY&R Dubai was marked by a series of high-profile accolades, including the coveted “MEA Agency of the Decade” title at the Cannes Lions and multiple “Agency of the Year” awards at Dubai Lynx and MENA Effies. Patankar’s ability to blend creativity with business acumen has earned him industry-wide recognition and made him a sought-after leader in the advertising world.
Patankar’s return to India comes after nearly 20 years of working in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. His global perspective and rich experience are anticipated to significantly bolster VML’s creative strategy and execution in India. He will be based in VML’s Mumbai office, collaborating closely with Debbi Vandeven, VML’s Global CCO, and Babita Baruah, CEO of VML India. Additionally, he will work alongside Paul Nagy, APAC CCO, to enhance VML’s creative stature across the Asia-Pacific region.
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Strategic Vision and Leadership
Famous for his philosophy of “Do good and put it out there,” Patankar’s style perfectly aligns with VML’s vision of harnessing creativity to power impactful brand stories. His experience in storytelling brands and creating high-performing teams is bound to redefine the creative trajectory of VML India.
Commenting on the appointment, Debbi Vandeven, Global CCO of VML, expressed optimism about Patankar’s potential to transform VML India’s creative capabilities. “Kal’s exceptional brand-building skills and his mastery of the creative craft are unmatched. Under his leadership, we expect our creative efforts in India to scale new heights,” she stated.
Echoing similar sentiments, Babita Baruah, CEO of VML India, emphasized that Patankar’s leadership would be instrumental in shaping VML’s creative strategy in the region. “Kal’s ability to harmonize creativity with business objectives makes him the ideal leader to spearhead our creative vision in India,” Baruah remarked.
Innovative Campaigns and Global Recognition
During his professional lifespan, Patankar has always been recognized for challenging norms and reinventing the rules of standard advertising practices. His campaigns have always found a perfect balance between business success and creativity, which has earned him a position as a Jury President on leading award platforms like Cannes Lions, D&AD, Andys, and ADFEST.
From reimagining brand stories to driving business outcomes, campaigns by Patankar have been analyzed and lauded worldwide. They have not just won many accolades but also raised the benchmarks in the field of advertising about effectiveness and creativity.
Expressing his excitement about the new role, Patankar said, “India’s advertising landscape is evolving rapidly, and I am thrilled to return at such a dynamic time. I look forward to collaborating with the talented teams at VML to craft campaigns that not only resonate with audiences but also drive tangible business outcomes for our clients.”
Looking Ahead
With VML seeking to expand its base in India, the appointment of Patankar is seen as a move to enhance the creative leadership of the agency. His experience with the Indian market and global acumen are set to drive creative, culturally relevant campaigns for VML’s clients.
With Patankar at the head, VML India is ready to usher in a new age of creative brilliance and strategic brand creation. His emphasis on fusing creativity with business strategy will probably raise new standards in the Indian advertising scene.
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