L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, part of Publicis Groupe India, has appointed Balakrishna Gajelli as its executive creative director. As per the agency, Gajelli will be based in the agency’s Mumbai office and report to Kartik Smetacek, chief creative officer at L&K Saatchi & Saatchi.
With over 17 years of experience encompassing art, design, branding and creative direction in advertising, Gajelli has crafted creative communications for brands such as P&G, VISA, Bumble, Johnson’s Baby, Pillsbury, Amul, Tata Salt, Tata Indicom, Idea Mobile, ITC Foods, Crompton, among others.
Talking about the appointment, Kartik Smetacek, chief creative officer, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, said, “This will be the second time I’m working with Bala. He’s a solid thinker, a talented designer and a trustworthy individual. In recent years, he’s also gained a lot of experience with non-traditional work, working on some of India’s most awarded campaigns. It’s fantastic to have him be part of our team.”
Gajelli’s contributions and expertise in the advertising and marketing field earned him a place among top five creative directors globally in The Big Won report for 2016. Previously, he has worked with FCB Ulka, BBDO India and Leo Burnett India.
“I have great respect for L&K Saatchi & Saatchi’s creative, authentic and brand centric approach so I am thrilled to be part of this organisation. It’s great to work with Kartik again, and the agency’s vibrant culture and uplifting environment are plus points. I eagerly anticipate leveraging the insights gained from my previous stints and experiences to craft meaningful and innovative advertising and marketing solutions for our clients,” Gajelli added.