JWT has announced two key elevations at Contract Advertising, which handles clients having interests conflicting with those of its own clients.
Appoints him global business director on Unilever, assigns chairman’s role to Ravi Deshpande
MUMBAI: JWT has announced two key elevations at Contract Advertising, which handles clients having interests conflicting with those of its own clients. The agency, owned by WPP, holds majority stake in Contract.
As per the changes announced, Jagdip Bakshi, CEO, Contract Advertising, has been promoted as global business director on Unilever, one of the agency’s biggest clients.
On the other hand, Ravi Deshpande, the agency’s chief creative officer, has been given additional responsibilities as chairman.
Bakshi has been working on Unilever for around 10 years now, including two years during which he was based out of London. When he assumes office in September, Bakshi will lead client relationship management activities, apart from ensuring advertising solutions across product categories.
The post was being chaired by Stefano Zunino, CEO of JWT Brazil. But, he was unable to move to London.
Bakshi said, “They (JWT) needed somebody who knows Unilever and the network well. Unilever’s confidence in Indian talent is already high. Two Indians — Harish Manvani and Manvinder Singh (Vindi) Banga — are part of Unilever’s central and top management.”
Michael Maedel, president, JWT said, “This appointment is a significant example of the growing importance of Indian advertising talent on the global stage.”
Bakshi, who also dons the hat of Goafest chairman, has worked closely with Unilever for over 10 years, in important markets, handling brands like Brooke Bond, Lipton and Lux.
His promotion leaves the post of CEO vacant, but Maedel said a replacement has been identified and will be announced soon.
Contract’s creative function is currently shared by five executive creative directors in Mumbai — Raghu Bhat, Manish Bhatt, Raj Nair, Mangesh Rane, Nishad Ramachandran — and Nima D Namchu in Delhi. It has a brand consultancy division — Core — supervised by Rohit Srivastava, head of planning. It also has a specialist design cell — Design Sutra — and Deshpande said this division is being scaled up.
c_arcopol@dnaindia.net
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