L&K Saatchi & Saatchi promotes Kartik Smetacek and Rohit Malkani as Chief Creative Officers

L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, a part of Publicis Groupe India, has elevated Kartik Smetacek and Rohit Malkani, its Joint National Creative Directors, to the roles of Chief Creative Officers. The duo will continue reporting to Paritosh Srivastava, CEO, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi and Publicis Worldwide India. As Chief Creative Officers, both Smetacek and Malkani will guide L&K Saatchi & Saatchi’s creative vision, drawing from their understanding of the evolving media landscape.

Smetacek and Malkani joined L&K Saatchi & Saatchi in 2014 and 2016, respectively, as Executive Creative Directors and were later promoted to Joint National Creative Directors in 2019.

Under their leadership, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi bagged the Number 2 Creative Agency at Abby’s 2023 and received recognition at award shows such as Spikes Asia, AdFest Asia, D&AD, One Show and Kyoorious. They also led notable agency campaigns, including Zepto’s ‘Delivery at Bumrah Speed’, Reliance Digital’s ‘Technology se Rishta Jodo’, Greenpanel’s- ‘Earthquake’, Flite’s- ‘Sar Utha, Kadam Badha’, JioMart’s- ‘Shopping Aisa, India Jaisa’, Cashify’s ‘Refurbished Smartphone’, and Vicks’ ‘Vicks Khol, India Bol’ this year.

This move signifies the agency’s commitment to world-class creativity for brand-building through modern, purpose-led work.

Paritosh Srivastava, CEO, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi and Publicis Worldwide India said, “Kartik and Rohit have been true partners to me in every way over the last few years. They have been integral members of our leadership team, aligned with the vision for our agency and its product in the country. They have contributed significantly to the agency’s evolution. The last few years at the agency have been marked by creative renaissance and strong business growth. Now, as we embark into the next phase of our journey, with bigger goals and ambition, the nucleus of powerful leadership at L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, with Kartik & Rohit as CCOs and Snehasis as CSO, will play an even more significant role.”

“Over the last few years, we’ve been on a journey of transformation as an agency, especially when it comes to our product. This elevation for Rohit and myself further underlines that commitment. Our internal creative excellence programme ‘Go One Better’ is backed by the entire agency, across departments, and the outcomes are evident. Needless to add, our mission is only half achieved, and I look forward to the many milestones ahead,” says Smetacek.

Malkani added: “This is as much a massive honour as it is a responsibility. It’s been an amazing 7 years at L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, without much of an itch! But the journey to build a legacy has just started. With Paritosh and the rest of the leadership team we’ve carved a path for the agency, driven by Revenue, Respect and Results. There’s a great momentum so far and Kartik and I can’t wait to take things to the next level.”