Churn in Leo Burnett: Pops, Nitesh Tewari set to move on

It is reliably learnt that KV Sridhar 'Pops', Chief Creative Officer, India and Sub-Continent, and Nitesh Tiwari, Chief Creative Officer, India, have put in their papers

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | March 28, 2014

File photo: (Left to Right) KV Sridhar aka Pops, Mark Tutssel and Nitesh Tiwari

Management changes at the top often tend to lead to a period of uneasiness and disruption of the status quo. And Leo Burnett India appears to be on the throes of such a phase. In October last year, Arvind Sharma quit the agency as Chairman and CEO of India Subcontinent, after a 30-year stint. He was replaced by Saurabh Varma as CEO of Leo Burnett India, brought in from the agency's APAC team where he was Regional Chief Strategy Officer.

It is now reliably learnt that KV Sridhar, popularly known as Pops, Chief Creative Officer, Leo Burnett India and Sub-Continent, has put in his papers. Pops has been a driver of creative talent and output at Leo Burnett India over his more than 20-year-long stint. He was elevated as Chief Creative Officer for India and Sub-continent in 2012 from his previous role as National Creative Director.

It is also leant from informed sources that Nitesh Tiwari, Leo Burnett India's Chief Creative Officer, has also put in his papers. Tiwari, who made his film directorial debut with Chillar Party, is now finishing his second film, Bhootnath Returns, starring Amitabh Bachchan.

Pops and Arvind Sharma had a partnership spanning almost 23 years during which time the agency made a big name as a creative force. With Sharma gone, and now Pops and Tiwari set to move on, Leo Burnett has its work cut out to maintain the high creative standards that the agency is known for.

A formal announcement about their departure and replacements is likely next month.

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