MAM
Leo Burnett ropes in Pranav Sharma as ECD
MUMBAI: Leo Burnett India has appointed Pranav Harihar Sharma as Executive Creative Director. Pranav will report to Rajdeepak Das, Chief Creative Officer of Leo Burnett, South Asia.
Sharma will be based in the Mumbai office. His last stint was at Rediffusion Y&R where he was the Executive Creative Director for West and North.
In a career spanning over 18 years, Sharma has worked across several agencies such as DDB Mudra, J. Walter Thompson, Linen Lintas and Grey Worldwide, in addition to three stints at Rediffusion Y&R.
Apart from his experience as a creative in advertising agencies, Pranav is also a well-known ad and short filmmaker. He was given the script and screenplay credits of the Dabur Vatika film – Brave and Beautiful when he handled the brand’s creative business at Linen Lintas. The campaign went on to receive multiple awards in advertising festivals across the country.
Speaking about this new role at Leo Burnett India, Sharma says, “I have always admired the kind of work Leo Burnett India has been behind. It is an agency known for its innovation and effectiveness, and that is exactly the sort of culture I want to be a part of. My role here is to extend the legacy handed over to me and churn out effective work in the space of ‘content’, a key word in today’s advertising industry. I look forward to my new innings.”
Das adds, “Pranav is a passionate and creative person who
combines strategic advertising thinking with brilliant filmmaking skills. His understanding of the Indian consumer runs deep, making him the kind of talent that is coveted in our industry. I have great expectations from him at Leo Burnett, and I’m confident he will easily fulfil them all.”
Brands
JK Maxx Paints ropes in Akshay Kumar to boost brand visibility push
Actor’s trust-led appeal set to strengthen connect in décor market
MUMBAI: JK Maxx Paints has signed Akshay Kumar as its brand ambassador, as the company looks to scale up visibility and deepen its connect with consumers in India’s competitive decorative paints market.
The move is part of a broader strategy to position the brand around trust and performance, qualities closely associated with Kumar’s public persona. With a strong connect among Indian households, the actor is expected to help the company strike a more relatable chord with home owners.
Welcoming the partnership, JK Maxx Paints business head white cement and paints Nitish Chopra said, “This partnership marks an important milestone in our journey to scale JK Maxx Paints as a strong, future-ready brand. As we expand our presence across markets, our focus remains on building deeper consumer trust and delivering high-performance solutions. Akshay Kumar’s credibility and widespread appeal make him a powerful partner in amplifying our brand story and strengthening our connect with consumers across India.”
Echoing the sentiment, Akshay Kumar highlighted the brand’s legacy and familiarity among Indian consumers. “Some associations just feel right from the heart. This is one of them. JK Maxx Paints carries a legacy that people already believe in. When a name like JK WallMaxx Wall Putty is so deeply woven into homes, it’s not just familiarity, it’s a sense of comfort and trust,” he said.
Launched in 2023 and backed by the legacy of JK WallMaxx Wall Putty from JK White Cement, the paints business has been steadily expanding its footprint. The company operates a manufacturing facility in Rajasthan and an R and D centre in Navi Mumbai, offering a wide portfolio across interior and exterior paints, textures and waterproofing solutions.
The new partnership will roll out through a multi-platform campaign spanning television, digital, print, outdoor and retail channels.
With a trusted face now fronting its colours, JK Maxx Paints is clearly aiming to paint a bigger picture in India’s home décor market.
