Ramanathan Balasubramanian moves to Bates CHI & Partners Jakarta as CEO

Bates CHI & Partners, a part of WPP's Ogilvy & Mather network, has announced the appointment of Ramanathan Balasubramanian as CEO of its Jakarta office. He moves from Mumbai, where he was managing partner of Ogilvy's Mumbai and Kolkata offices, in a move billed by Ogilvy India as a promotion in recognition of his work. 

 

Balasubramanian jointly headed the two offices with Kunal Jeswani, CEO, Ogilvy India and N Ramamoorthi, managing partner, Mumbai and Kolkata. Jeswani and Ramamoorthi will continue their mandates. 

 

Bates also announced the appointment of Hendra Lesmono as creative chairman, a newly created role.

 

David Mayo, regional CEO, Bates CHI & Partners, said, "Ram and Hendra are a unique combination. Ram has led the most successful creative agency office in India for three years and Hendra has led one of the most successful agencies in Indonesia. They are both at the top of their game and their combined dynamism and vitality will bring a new dimension to our successful Jakarta agency.”

 

Balasubramanian said, “I have had the opportunity to run diverse offices in India. And, with Indonesia poised to grow, Bates CHI & Partners is an undeniable opportunity for someone like me – its collaboration positioning is built for the new world order. Under David, Hendra and Graham Kelly’s leadership, work is shining, new business is coming in and the Jakarta agency continues to grow ahead of the pack. I couldn't have come in at a better time."

 

Graham Kelly, who joined the agency as 'guest chef' in March 2015, said,, "We have always been a creative agency in Jakarta and over the past 18 months we have focused on bringing in newer and younger talent to help drive our creative agenda. As creative chairman, Hendra will work alongside Ram to ensure that our growth plan is delivered through a creative lens – not unlike the way Ram has done at Ogilvy in Mumbai. It’s a proven strategy that we know will work in Indonesia.”
 

Lesmono said, “I am very proud of what we have achieved over time and being creative chairman of Bates CHI & Partners in Indonesia will allow me to champion the creative cause at an industry and national level whilst driving the fortunes of our agency and sharing that agenda.”