VML, a global leader in creative transformation and brand marketing, has announced the appointment of Kalpesh Patankar as the Group Chief Creative Officer for India. With nearly two decades of experience in the advertising industry, Patankar, also known as Kal, brings his award-winning expertise and leadership to the agency. His return to India marks a significant milestone, as he aims to enhance VML’s creative reputation and business success in the region.
Patankar has been a part of many globally recognized advertising agencies, creating campaigns that have won prestigious awards. Before joining VML India, he served as Chief Creative Officer at Leo Burnett Dubai, where he played a key role in transforming the agency into a creative powerhouse. His leadership led to several honors, including MEA Agency of the Decade at Cannes Lions and multiple Agency of the Year awards at Dubai Lynx and MENA Effies.
His previous experience also includes serving as CCO at VMLY&R Dubai, making his return to VML a familiar and exciting transition. His creative work has been instrumental in delivering exceptional brand campaigns for leading global companies, earning him the title of Advertising Creative Person of the Year.
Bringing Global Expertise
With nearly 20 years of experience in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, Patankar has developed a global perspective on creative storytelling and brand marketing. His ability to build strong client relationships and develop high-performing creative teams makes him a valuable addition to VML India.
Returning to India, he sees an opportunity to elevate the creative industry by combining his international experience with the local market’s evolving trends. He believes in the power of creativity to transform businesses, and his goal is to push VML India’s creative vision to new heights.
The leadership at VML has welcomed Patankar’s arrival with enthusiasm. Debbi Vandeven, Global CCO of VML, expressed confidence that his expertise will enhance brand-building and creative execution in India. She believes his unique ability to blend creativity with human emotions will help brands connect with audiences in a meaningful way.
Babita Baruah, CEO of VML India, also highlighted that Patankar’s commitment to creative excellence aligns perfectly with VML’s philosophy. His vision for innovative advertising and his ability to build strong creative teams makes him the ideal leader to drive VML’s growth in India.
Vision for Future of Advertising
Patankar has a track record of challenging conventional ideas and pushing creative boundaries. He has led groundbreaking campaigns for some of the world’s most well-known brands, including Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Land Rover, Harvey Nichols, and Colgate. His work has been recognized globally and studied by advertising professionals and creative thinkers worldwide.
He has also served as Jury President at major industry awards such as Cannes Lions, D&AD, Andys, and ADFEST, further establishing his reputation as a creative leader in the advertising world.
Speaking about his new role, Patankar shared that he had been considering a return to India’s advertising industry for some time. He was waiting for the right opportunity, agency, and team, and he believes that VML India is the perfect place for this next chapter. He looks forward to collaborating with teams across India and the APAC region to create exceptional work for brands and businesses.
Patankar will be based in VML’s Mumbai office and will report to Debbi Vandeven, Global CCO of VML, and Babita Baruah, CEO of VML India. He will also work closely with Paul Nagy, APAC CCO, to enhance VML’s creative influence in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
With his strong leadership, global experience, and passion for creative storytelling, Kalpesh Patankar is set to drive VML India’s creative success and strengthen its reputation as a leading global advertising agency.
