MAM
L&K Saatchi & Saatchi appoints Balakrishna Gajelli as executive creative director
Mumbai: L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, part of Publicis Groupe India, has appointed Balakrishna Gajelli as its executive creative director. He will be based in the agency’s Mumbai office and report to L&K Saatchi & Saatchi’s CCO Kartik Smetacek.
With over 17 years of experience encompassing art, design, branding & creative direction in advertising, Gajelli has crafted creative communications for renowned brands such as P&G, VISA, Bumble, Johnson’s Baby, Pillsbury, Amul, Tata Salt, Tata Indicom, Idea Mobile, ITC Foods, Crompton, and many others.
His outstanding contributions and wide-ranging expertise in the advertising and marketing field earned him a place among top 5 creative directors globally in The Big Won report for 2016. Additionally, he has been recognized as the #1 Hottest Creative in India by the Campaign Brief Asia Creative Ranking. Previously, Bala has worked with FCB Ulka, BBDO India and Leo Burnett India.
Commenting on his appointment, Smetaceki said, “This will be the second time I’m working with Bala. He’s a solid thinker, a talented designer and a trustworthy individual. In recent years, he’s also gained a lot of experience with non-traditional work, working on some on India’s most awarded campaigns. It’s fantastic to have him be part of our team.”
Gajelli added, “I have great respect for L&K Saatchi & Saatchi’s creative, authentic, and brand centric approach so I am thrilled to be part of this organisation. It’s great to work with Kartik again, and the agency’s vibrant culture and uplifting environment are plus points. I’m enthusiastic about becoming a valued member of this team and family, contributing to an exhilarating new phase for L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, and nurturing my professional development. I eagerly anticipate leveraging the insights gained from my previous stints and experiences to craft meaningful and innovative advertising and marketing solutions for our clients.”
Bala’s work has won the highest honours at Cannes Lions, Cannes Lions, D&AD, One Show, LIA, WARC, New York Festival, AdFest, SpikesAsia, APAC Effies & Abbys.
Brands
Axis Bank named Official Banking Partner of DP World PGTI
Partnership supports all tournaments this season to grow professional golf in India.
MUMBAI: Axis Bank just teed up a hole-in-one partnership because when a bank sponsors golf’s biggest swing in India, even the fairways feel more financially secure. Axis Bank has been appointed Official Banking Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (DP World PGTI), strengthening its commitment to sporting excellence and community engagement while backing the growth of professional golf across the country.
Under the partnership, Axis Bank will support all DP World PGTI tournaments this season, contributing to talent development, enhanced tournament experiences and wider fan engagement. The collaboration aligns the bank’s values of precision, discipline and trust with the Tour’s focus on performance and opportunity.
Axis Bank executive director Munish Sharda said, “We are pleased to partner with DP World PGTI as its Official Banking Partner. Golf embodies precision, discipline, and a pursuit of excellence qualities that strongly reflect who we are at Axis Bank. This association also strengthens our engagement with India’s growing premium customer segments, where the sport has a deep and enduring connect.”
Professional Golf Tour of India president Kapil Dev said, “We are extremely pleased to welcome Axis Bank as a Tour Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India. Partnerships of this stature play a vital role in strengthening the foundation of the Tour, enhancing opportunities for our players, and expanding the sport’s reach across the country.”
Professional Golf Tour of India CEO Amandeep Johl added, “Axis Bank’s strong legacy of excellence, innovation, and nationwide reach aligns perfectly with DP World PGTI’s goal to elevate professional golf in India and provide greater opportunities for our players.”
In a sport where every stroke counts and every partnership drives distance, Axis Bank isn’t just backing golfers, it’s investing in the fairway to future, turning India’s greens into a stage where precision meets passion and every drive has the power to inspire.
