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Weekend Unwind with: BBH ECD Priya Gurnani
Mumbai: With another weekend upon us, it is time to unwind with the latest Q&A edition of Indiantelevision.com’s Weekend Unwind — a series of informal chats that peek into the minds of corporate executives through a fun lens in an attempt to get to know the person behind the title a little better.
In this week’s session, BBH India’s recently elevated executive creative director Priya Gurnani poured out her thoughts.
With over 15 years of experience, Gurnani specialises in building creative communication that is at the intersection of brands, culture, and consumer behavior. In the past, she has worked with Ogilvy, Leo Burnett, McCann Worldwide, and Contract Advertising.
In her advertising career, Gurnani has created culture-defining work for brands like Stayfree, Yatra.com, Heineken, Kingfisher Ultra, Amstel, and Zee5. Most recently, she conceptualised and wrote the lyrics to a rap song for Zing’s “Apni Vibe Apni Tribe” campaign. In 2009, she was amongst the winners of the Cannes Young Lions.
So, without further ado, here it goes…
· Your mantra for life
To have fun while pursuing my dreams. Because if you aren’t enjoying what you are doing, you are just wasting your precious time.
· A book you are currently reading / plan to read
I love to read new perspectives on humankind and human psychology. Currently reading “Homo Deus” by Yuval Noah Harari.
· Your fitness mantra, especially during the pandemic
Strong believer of “Yoga se hi hoga.” Post-covid I had a really tough time coming to a complete recovery. Yoga is what healed me and kept me going through the difficult health issues.
· Your comfort food
Anything that my mum cooks.
· When the chips are down a quote/philosophy that keeps you going
In an actors’ round table, Tom Hanks mentioned how he always reminds himself, “This too shall pass.” This phrase, he said, is particularly important when you are at the peak of success, as it helps keep you grounded. I keep these words close by in good times and bad.
· Your guilty pleasure
Watching mindless reality TV, especially “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”
· When was the last time you tried something new?
Last week. I love experimenting with food. Bought these Chinese glass noodles to try.
· A life lesson you learnt the hard way
I am not that important in the bigger scheme of things, and the world doesn’t revolve around me.
· What gets you excited about life?
Travelling to different countries and experiencing new cultures and cuisines really fills my happiness cup.
· What’s on top of your bucket list?
Travel to New York and watch Broadway.
· If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Why so serious? Live a little.
· One thing you would most like to change about the world
I propose “Free movement for all.” I want a world without borders, or passports, to be precise. A world where there are no immigrants and refugees, just people migrating at will like birds.
· An activity that keeps you motivated / charged during tough times
Painting has seen me through my highs and lows. I am no M. F. Hussain, but expressing my artistic self without judgement and freely is very liberating.
· What lifts your spirits when life gets you down?
It changes from time to time. Sometimes it’s cooking, sometimes taking a dance class, at times listening to Badshah’s songs, and sometimes just chit-chatting with a friend about a show we both watch.
· Your go-to stress buster
I can always bank on a good workout to bust that stress.
AD Agencies
Omnicom Advertising names Ellie Brocklehurst chief growth and marketing officer for Asia
The former TBWA Asia marketing chief returns from maternity leave with an ambitious mandate to make Omnicom the most sought-after network in the region.
NEW YORK: Ellie Brocklehurst is back, and she is not easing herself in gently. Omnicom Advertising has appointed Brocklehurst as chief growth and marketing officer for Asia, a role that puts her in charge of growth and marketing initiatives across the network’s three flagship agencies: BBDO, McCann and TBWA. Her brief is to sharpen existing capabilities while identifying new avenues for expansion across the region.
Brocklehurst brings a career that has moved steadily upward through some of the industry’s most recognisable names. She began at Source Music before moving through Exposure Public Relations and Marketing, Taurus Marketing and LEWIS Global Communications. She then joined BBDO Worldwide as communications manager for the Asia group, rising to regional communications director for Asia. At Wunderman Thompson, she served as head of marketing and PR for APAC before being elevated to APAC growth marketing lead, where she worked closely with local management teams on client expansion strategies, new business acquisition and brand building. Most recently, she served as chief marketing officer at TBWA\Asia.
Brocklehurst, who is returning from maternity leave, was characteristically direct about what she intends to do with the opportunity. “Transitioning back from my final maternity leave is a significant personal milestone,” she said. “While it’s the end of one era at home, it marks the beginning of an ambitious new one professionally.” She left little doubt about the scale of her ambition. “I’m stepping into this role with a clear mission: to make Omnicom Advertising the most awarded, revered, and sought-after agency network in Asia.”
In a region where agency networks are jostling hard for creative dominance and client loyalty, that is a target worth watching. Brocklehurst has spent two decades learning exactly how this game is played. Now she gets to set the rules.
