MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka has appointed Harendra Uyanage as Chief Creative Officer, recognising his two-decade career in transformative brand storytelling and creative leadership. Widely celebrated for his Effie-winning campaigns and mentorship, Uyanage will drive integrated creativity across categories, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s place in the global advertising landscape while nurturing the next generation of talent.
MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka yesterday announced the appointment of Harendra Uyanage as Chief Creative Officer (CCO), a move that underscores the agency’s commitment to strengthening its creative leadership and shaping culture-led, business-driving brand thinking across diverse categories. The appointment marks a significant milestone for both Uyanage and the agency, reflecting a career defined by strategic creativity, filmmaking excellence, and a relentless drive to redefine how brands—both legacy and emerging—engage with contemporary audiences.
Over more than two decades, Uyanage has built a reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s most decorated creative leaders. His work has spanned personal care, home care, beauty, healthcare, financial services, telecommunications, and retail, consistently delivering campaigns that balance cultural relevance with commercial impact. His leadership has been instrumental in steering MullenLowe’s creative reputation locally and regionally, contributing to multiple Effie wins across categories, including Gold and Silver accolades in recent years. Under his direction, several brand revivals have transformed into long-term business success stories, reinforcing the value of insight-led creativity and disciplined storytelling.
MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka Executive Chairman Thayalan Bartlett paid tribute to Uyanage’s journey, describing it as one that exemplifies perseverance, humility, and uncompromising creative conviction. “From a paste-up artist to the C-suite and boardroom of Sri Lanka’s largest brand communications company, Harendra’s journey exemplifies perseverance, humility, and uncompromising creative conviction. At a time when integrity in our industry is under increasing scrutiny, he has been central to building MullenLowe Sri Lanka’s creative reputation on deep rooted values and inspiring a generation of talent. As Chief Creative Officer, he will continue to set high standards for our work, our people, and for creativity,” Bartlett said.
Beyond his campaign work, Uyanage has played a pivotal role in shaping industry standards. He has served as a mentor and jury member at leading local and regional award platforms, reflecting his commitment to developing young creative talent. His leadership philosophy is built on the belief that sustainable creative excellence is achieved not only by nurturing ideas but also by nurturing people. This approach has helped cultivate a new generation of Sri Lankan creatives who are equipped to compete on the global stage.
Uyanage’s career has also been marked by landmark recognition. He was the first-ever recipient of the Next Generation Leader Scholarship, an industry initiative that identifies future-facing leadership and provides exposure to global creative benchmarks. The scholarship reinforced his standing as a leader capable of carrying Sri Lankan creativity onto the world stage, while simultaneously strengthening the industry at home.
Speaking on his appointment, Uyanage emphasised the responsibility and purpose that comes with the role. “This role carries both responsibility and purpose. Creativity has the power to influence culture, shift behaviour, and build brands that matter. I look forward to continuing this journey with the team at MullenLowe, mentoring the next generation, and ensuring Sri Lanka is recognised not just for participation, but for leadership in the global creative landscape,” he said.
As Chief Creative Officer, Uyanage will lead MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka’s creative vision, focusing on integrated storytelling, craft excellence, and talent development across the Group’s diverse client portfolio. His appointment signals a renewed emphasis on creativity as a driver of both cultural and commercial success, aligning with the agency’s broader mission to deliver end-to-end brand solutions that combine global knowledge with local insight.
MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka is the country’s largest integrated brand communications company, operating eight independent strategic business verticals spanning Mainstream, Digital, Activations, MarTech, Media, and Public Relations. With a team of 110 staff, the agency serves 43 of Sri Lanka’s top corporates and manages 111 brands across 33 categories. Its portfolio includes 80% of the top 10 and 50% of the top 20 most advertised categories in the country, giving it unparalleled cross-category knowledge. Ranked among the world’s top 100 agencies and Asia Pacific’s top 20, MullenLowe Sri Lanka has been recognised as Effie Agency of the Year and has consistently led local awards for over a decade.
The agency operates as a full member affiliate of MullenLowe Worldwide, which recently merged with Omnicom, combining unmatched global expertise with local insight. This merger positions MullenLowe Sri Lanka to deliver even more comprehensive brand solutions, leveraging international best practices while staying rooted in Sri Lankan culture and consumer behaviour.
Uyanage’s appointment comes at a time when the advertising industry is undergoing rapid transformation, with brands increasingly seeking to balance creativity with accountability and cultural resonance. His track record of delivering campaigns that achieve both creative distinction and measurable business outcomes makes him uniquely positioned to lead MullenLowe Sri Lanka into its next chapter.
For Sri Lanka’s advertising industry, his elevation to Chief Creative Officer is more than just an internal appointment—it is a statement of intent. It signals the country’s growing confidence in its creative talent and its ambition to be recognised not merely as a participant but as a leader in the global creative landscape. With Uyanage at the helm, MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka is poised to continue shaping narratives that matter, building brands that endure, and inspiring a new generation of creative professionals.
In an industry where reputations are built on both ideas and integrity, Harendra Uyanage’s journey stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, vision, and values. His appointment as Chief Creative Officer is not only a recognition of past achievements but also a commitment to a future where Sri Lankan creativity takes its rightful place on the world stage.
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