Hires & Promotions: L&K Saatchi & Saatchi , Ficci

L&K Saatchi & Saatchi names Balakrishna Gajelli as ECD

L&K Saatchi & Saatchi has appointed Balakrishna Gajelli as its Executive Creative Director. He 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 & creative direction in advertising, Gajelli has crafted creative communications for renowned brands such as P&G, Visa, Bumble, Johnson's Baby, Pillsbury, Amul, Tata Salt, Tata Indicom, Idea Mobile, ITC Foods, Crompton, and many others.

Gajelli has previously worked with FCB Ulka, BBDO India and Leo Burnett India. Commenting on his appointment, Kartik Smetacek, Chief Creative Officer, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi says, “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 adds, “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’m enthusiastic about becoming a valued member of this team and family, contributing to an exhilarating new phase for L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, and nurturing my professional development. 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."

Arjun Nohwar joins Ficci Media & Entertainment Committee as co-chair

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has appointed Arjun Nohwar as the co-chair of the FICCI Media & Entertainment Board. Currently General Manager for India & South Asia for Warner Bros. Discovery, Nohwar oversees the business in the region, leading operations across a diverse portfolio of global brands and networks in kids, entertainment, sports, and infotainment genres. This includes iconic brands such as Discovery, Animal Planet, Eurosport, Cartoon Network, POGO, Discovery Kids, DC, and the discovery+ streaming service.

Elaborating on his vision for the industry, Nohwar comments, “Accepting the mantle of Co-Chair at FICCI's Media & Entertainment committee is an honour for me and I look forward to engaging with industry leaders, government stakeholders, and policymakers. Together, with a shared commitment, we aspire to build synergies that not only guide our industry towards unparalleled growth but also solidify its standing as a global leader. In this endeavour, I look forward to working closely with Kevin Vaz (Chair) and Sandhya Devanathan (Co-Chair), leveraging our collective expertise to chart a visionary course for the industry. FICCI's steadfast dedication to fostering collaboration and shaping progressive policies is laudable and I am particularly excited about the prospect of contributing to the dynamic evolution of the Indian Media & Entertainment landscape.”

Nohwar has a robust background of working across technology and consumer-facing sectors. He has worked at Uber, Tata Sons, several Tata companies as a TAS Manager, and at the Planning Commission of India. Before his role at Warner Bros. Discovery, Nohwar was the APAC Regional GM for Uber’s SaaS business. Nohwar is on the Advisory Board of AMBA, a social enterprise that works to provide economic independence to the intellectually challenged, he routinely advises startups and lectures at educational institutes.