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
Amol Parashar invests in Nisaki Gin as strategic stakeholder
Actor shifts from endorsements to ownership with colour-changing craft gin
MUMBAI: Actor Amol Parashar has taken a spirited new turn off screen, investing in premium liquor label Nisaki Gin as a strategic stakeholder. The move marks a clear pivot from brand ambassador to brand believer, signalling a more hands-on chapter in how the actor engages with businesses.
Best known for his performances in the web series Tripling, the historical drama Sardar Udham, and the streaming title Gram Chikitsalay, Parashar has steadily built rapport with younger audiences. An IIT Delhi graduate, he pairs creative instinct with analytical rigour, and says he prefers partnerships rooted in conviction rather than mere visibility.
That thinking found a match in Nisaki Gin, a homegrown label that quite literally changes colour. The spirit shifts hues when mixed with tonic or citrus, turning every pour into a small spectacle. It is chemistry with character, and a conversation starter in a glass.
“Transformation has always been central to my journey as an actor,” Parashar said. “What drew me to Nisaki was the way it captures that spirit through its evolving hues and layered character. India’s premium spirits space is at an interesting inflection point, and I see this as a long term journey rooted in culture, quality and conviction.”
The brand is built around the philosophy ‘Love Every Hue’, celebrating nuance and layered experiences. In a market where identity and taste are increasingly fluid, the gin’s shifting shades mirror the evolving preferences of modern consumers.
Founder Sanchit Agarwal believes the partnership goes beyond capital. “Amol represents versatility and a strong connect with young audiences, which aligns well with how Nisaki is building its brand. His involvement brings not just investment, but insight as we grow across key markets,” he said.
India’s premium gin segment has gathered pace in recent years, buoyed by curious drinkers and the rise of craft labels. With Parashar now on board, Nisaki appears ready to raise a glass to its next phase, proving that sometimes the most interesting transformations happen off screen.
