MAM
L&K Saatchi & Saatchi elevates Rohit Malkani and Kartik Smetacek to chief creative officers
Mumbai: L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, a part of Publicis Groupe India, has elevated Kartik Smetacek and Rohit Malkani, its joint national creative directors, to the roles of chief creative officers (CCOs). The duo will continue reporting to L&K Saatchi & Saatchi and Publicis Worldwide India CEO Paritosh Srivastava.
This move signifies the agency’s commitment to world-class creativity for brand-building through modern, purpose-led work.
As chief creative officers, both Kartik and Rohit will guide L&K Saatchi & Saatchi’s creative vision, drawing from their understanding of the evolving media landscape.
Kartik and Rohit joined L&K Saatchi & Saatchi in 2014 and 2016, respectively, as executive creative directors and were later promoted to joint national creative directors in 2019.
Under their leadership, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi bagged the Number 2 Creative Agency at Abby’s 2023 and received recognition at award shows such as Spikes Asia, AdFest Asia, D&AD, One Show and Kyoorious. They also led notable agency campaigns, including Zepto’s ‘Delivery at Bumrah Speed’, Reliance Digital’s ‘Technology se Rishta Jodo’, Greenpanel’s- ‘Earthquake’, Flite’s- ‘Sar Utha, Kadam Badha’, JioMart’s- ‘Shopping Aisa, India Jaisa’, Cashify’s ‘Refurbished Smartphone’, and Vicks’ ‘Vicks Khol, India Bol’ this year.
Commenting on Rohit and Kartik’s new role, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi and Publicis Worldwide India CEO Paritosh Srivastava said, “Kartik and Rohit have been true partners to me in every way over the last few years. They have been integral members of our leadership team, aligned with the vision for our agency and its product in the country. They have contributed significantly to the agency’s evolution. The last few years at the agency have been marked by creative renaissance and strong business growth. Now, as we embark into the next phase of our journey, with bigger goals and ambition, the nucleus of powerful leadership at L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, with Kartik & Rohit as CCOs and Snehasis as CSO, will play an even more significant role.”
“Over the last few years, we’ve been on a journey of transformation as an agency, especially when it comes to our product. This elevation for Rohit and myself further underlines that commitment. Our internal creative excellence programme ‘Go One Better’ is backed by the entire agency, across departments, and the outcomes are evident. Needless to add, our mission is only half achieved, and I look forward to the many milestones ahead,” said L&K Saatchi & Saatchi chief creative officer Kartik Smetacek.
L&K Saatchi & Saatchi chief creative officer Rohit Malkani added, “This is as much a massive honour as it is a responsibility. It’s been an amazing seven years at L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, without much of an itch! But the journey to build a legacy has just started. With Paritosh and the rest of the leadership team, we’ve carved a path for the agency, driven by Revenue, Respect and Results. There’s a great momentum so far and Kartik and I can’t wait to take things to the next level.”
MAM
BLR Airport Launches ‘Connections’ Service to Ease Transit Travel
New initiative targets smoother transfers as Bengaluru hub traffic rises 30 per cent.
MUMBAI: Missed connections may be a traveller’s nightmare but Bengaluru is trying to make them a thing of the past. Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has rolled out ‘Connections by BLR’, a new transfer programme designed to take the friction out of connecting journeys. Built around three pillars ease, efficiency and experience,the initiative aims to simplify what is often the most stressful leg of air travel.
The move comes as transfer traffic at BLR Airport climbs sharply, up more than 30 per cent year-on-year. Transfers currently account for around 15 per cent of total passenger traffic and are projected to touch 20 per cent by 2026, signalling a clear shift in how the airport is positioning itself within airline networks.
At its core, the programme focuses on making navigation intuitive and downtime more comfortable. Dedicated transfer desks have been set up across terminals, supported by colour-coded wayfinding blue and yellow signage designed for quick recognition. Inter-terminal movement is being streamlined through complimentary shuttle services with predictable wait times, while designated transfer zones aim to reduce passenger confusion.
Beyond logistics, the airport is leaning into experience. Travellers in transit now have access to a wider choice of lounges, curated retail and food and beverage options, as well as sleeping pods for short stays. For longer layovers, transit hotels in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 offer boutique in-terminal accommodation, an increasingly sought-after feature as global travel patterns evolve.
The timing is strategic. BLR Airport now connects to 114 passenger destinations 80 domestic and 34 international with key routes spanning Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune domestically, and Singapore, London Heathrow, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur internationally. Recent additions such as Hindon, Bidar and Silchar within India, alongside Dammam, Hanoi and Riyadh overseas, are further expanding its reach.
Infrastructure is also catching up with ambition. Developments including the West Cross Taxiway, Terminal 1 refurbishment and Terminal 2 expansion are laying the groundwork for higher capacity and smoother operations critical for any airport aiming to become a serious transfer hub.
Bangalore International Airport Limited chief operating officer Girish Nair framed the initiative as both a response to demand and a forward-looking play. He pointed to the growing depth of the airport’s network and the opportunity to build a more reliable transfer ecosystem that benefits both passengers and airline partners.
In an era where travel is as much about transitions as destinations, BLR Airport is betting that a seamless connection might just be the journey’s most important upgrade.
