Publicis ropes in Bobby Pawar and Partha Sinha; Ambika Srivastava named director, marketing and new business India

Publicis Worldwide has roped in former JWT CCO Bobby Pawar as director and chief creative officer, and BBH India’s managing partner Partha Sinha as director and chief strategy officer, for South Asia.

Ashish Khazanchi, NCD, Publicis Ambience, is on his way out from the agency. At Publicis-owned BBH India, Sanjay Sharma, senior strategy director will take on Sinha’s responsibilties as head of planning.

Ambika Srivastava, former chairperson at Vivaki Exchange and ZenithOptimedia, has been named director, marketing and new business India.

All three will join the management board of Publicis India and report to Nakul Chopra CEO South Asia.

Speaking with Campaign India on roping in the Pawar-Sinha combination, Chopra said, “It is a very strong strategic creative combination. Our investment is rooted in the belief that the returns on this ‘2 +2’ will be 22.”

In a prepared statement on the new appointments, he said, “Each is arguably among the best in their specialisations. I am very confident that each of them will add greatly to the quality of our output, to the quality of Publicis management in India and most importantly to the value we can deliver to our clients.”

Jean-Yves Naouri, COO, Publicis Groupe and executive chairman, Publicis Worldwide, said, “India is central to the future success of our key clients and indeed to our own success. We are committed to making the required investments in this critical market, whether organic or through acquisitions. Following the recent acquisitions of iStrat and Marketgate, these hires confirm our ambitions to invest in top talent. I have no doubt that the new team will help meet our aspirations and those of our clients.”

Erik Vervroegen, global creative director, Publicis, said, “Bobby is just the kind of talent that we believe can take our creative product in India to the next level. I am very happy to have Partha join him as a partner. I look forward to working with this very potent team.”

Sinha will join the agency in end-August/early September. Pawar is expected to join prior.

Also read: The Bobby Pawar - Partha Sinha combine: Creative and planner come together at Publicis