Malvika Mehra bids adieu to Dentsu India

Malvika Mehra, CCO of Dentsu India, has decided to move on from the agency. After a year with the network, she departs to pursue opportunities in and outside the world of advertising.

July is her last working month with Dentsu India, which will soon announce a senior creative leadership.

In a career spanning more than two decades, Mehra has successfully partnered with clients in building famous brands across agencies such as Ogilvy and Grey, her independent venture Tomorrow Creative Lab and most recently Dentsu India. 

“I’d like to thank DAN and Simi for the opportunity and while it’s been undoubtedly an exciting one year here, I have decided to move on,” Mehra said, confirming the development.

She joined the network in April 2019 after running her venture Tomorrow Creative Lab.

Appointing her last year, the agency has launched her venture as Dentsu India Tomorrow Lab, which will go back with her and not remain with the network.

“The world as we know it has changed drastically in the last few months. And with that, so has the brand landscape, be it the business itself or the communication needs around it. As creative folk, I think there can’t be a better time than now to embrace this change and perhaps relook at our roles in helping clients bring alive these brand engagements with a fresher, more relevant lens. With that in mind, I’m exploring some opportunities both, in and outside advertising, across digital and OTT platforms, design, content and maybe even sitting across the table with the client herself. Who knows! A lot of conversations are admittedly on. You know there’s that famous Chinese saying, ‘May you live in interesting times’. Well, here they are. And am excited about what unfolds for me. And yes, am taking Tomorrow Creative Lab along with me. Shall keep you posted,” Mehra said.

Mehra was listed among 'Top 20 Creative Directors in India’ in the past and has been a juror at Cannes thrice (for print, film and most recently for design in 2019). She has also served on other juries, including Clio, Spikes Asia and Kyoorius (in association with One Show). She was awarded the Cannes Gold Lion twice and D&AD Pencil once.

She believes that the best work comes from agencies with firm bedrock of a thriving creative culture. “In the past year here, that’s been my focus and whilst cultures are not built overnight, despite my short stint here, I’d like to believe that we did cover some distance there. Whether it’s been attracting good talent, winning pitches across our four offices — Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai and Kochi — or just better work on the table.”

“Am happy that I’m leaving behind a strong second line in creative with Krishna Mani leading our South operations,” Mehra said.

Under her leadership, the agency has won some robust businesses even despite the lockdown. Flying Machine (F-Lite, The Split), Ashiana Housing (Eve-Teasing), Pigeon Cookware, TVS Motors, Toyota, ITC Fabelle (Skater seal) are few recent wins.

“We are finally in a people’s business and what’s been most gratifying for me here is the strong client relationships I’ve managed to build with some of these clients and some of the folks at Dentsu India in a short time. If the farewell notes that I got from some of the kids across account management, HR, film and creative are any indication, I’d like to believe, and I’ve probably done something right. Am leaving a happy mamma,” Mehra said.

Simi Sabhaney

“Malvika decided to move on because she wanted to explore newer avenues like content, digital and OTT platforms and she will be leaving by the middle of this month. We wish Malvika the very best for her future endeavours,” said Simi Sabhaney, CEO, Dentsu India.

Sabhaney said, "Yes, Tomorrow Creative Lab was her baby and will move back with her and there is no implication of this movement on any of our clients.” 

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