dentsu's Aalap Desai to launch his own independent agency

After being associated with Dentsu for the past five years, Aalap Desai, Chief Creative Officer, dentsu Creative, has decided to call it a day at the network.

Confirming the development to BestMediaInfo.com, he stated that he would be moving on from dentsu by the end of this month to start his own independent agency.

Desai said, “I wanted to explore something new and there is no better time than the present. Our clients’ asks are transforming right now and there can definitely be different and new ways to address those briefs. Exploring that with the right team who knows and understands the situation and the new ask is very important. I'm sure there is a lot of magic left to be created there.”

He also went on to emphasise that while he shares no bad blood with dentsu, he is grateful for the support and encouragement received by Harsha Razdan, CEO, South Asia, Dentsu, who took the CCO’s exit quite gracefully.

Amit Wadhwa, CEO, dentsu Creative India also said, “We live in an ever-changing world, and Aalap is excited to start a new chapter. We wish him the best of luck in all his upcoming endeavours and look forward to celebrating his successes in the future.”

Desai joined dentsu Webchutney in June 2018 as a Senior Creative Director and Head of Copy, Mumbai, and was later elevated to the role of Executive Creative Director and Co-Head of Creative, Mumbai, in May 2019.

He then went on to become the National Creative Director at Dentsu McGarryBowen in March 2020. Post which, he was appointed as CCO, Isobar India in May 2021, and then later on his role was extended to Taproot Dentsu in March 2022. However, it was post the dentsu rebranding that happened in June of last year, that he became the Chief Creative Officer, dentsu Creative.

Prior to Dentsu, he was also associated with Hotstar, Leo Burnett, JWT, DDB Mudra Group, Ogilvy and Mather and Publicis.

Info@BestMediaInfo.com