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
Dish TV shareholders approve three independent directors
99.49 per cent vote of confidence strengthens board as company expands into connected TV, e-commerce and OTT.
MUMBAI: Dish TV has just been served a near-perfect vote of confidence and the shareholders have dished it out in style. Shareholders of the DTH operator have approved the appointment of three new Independent Directors with an overwhelming 99.49 per cent approval. The three appointees are Mr Arun Kumar Kapoor, Ms Heena Naishadh Bhatt and Mr Ashok Anant Paranjpe.
The strong mandate reflects continued investor faith in the company’s strategy, disciplined execution and long-term value creation. It comes as Dish TV focuses on stabilising its core DTH business while actively scaling new verticals connected TV platform VZY, B2B e-commerce ShopZop, and OTT service Watcho to build a more diversified and resilient growth trajectory.
Dish TV India Limited, CEO & executive director Manoj Dhobhal said, “We are encouraged by the shareholders’ approval of the appointment of the Independent Directors and sincerely thank them for their continued trust and confidence. The Board is already benefiting from the Directors’ collective experience, which will further sharpen strategic focus and support disciplined execution.”
With a fresh, strengthened board in place, Dish TV is well positioned to navigate the evolving media landscape. In a sector where every percentage point matters, a 99.49 per cent thumbs-up is the kind of ringing endorsement that suggests the company’s recipe for the future is already tasting right.
