Sonal Dabral back to India
One of Indian advertising’s most famous exports, Sonal Dabral, is coming home
By Ravi Balakrishnan, TNN |
MUMBAI: One of Indian advertising’s most famous exports, Sonal Dabral, is coming home. He moves from O&M Singapore, where he was chairman & ECD, for what might just be the most challenging assignment of his career. From October onwards, he will play the dual role of regional executive creative director, Asia Pacific, Bates and chairman, Bates David Enterprise, India. Speaking to ET, Mr Dabral said that for the first year, he will continue to operate out of Singapore but will spend a substantial amount of time in India.
Mr Dabral left India in 1999 to join O&M Malaysia after a very successful run at the agency’s Mumbai office. Along with Piyush Pandey, he is considered instrumental in turning what used to an also-ran into India’s most awarded agency. Mr Pandey had made it clear that Dabral could have the role of national creative director should he ever consider returning. Mr Dabral admits that O&M India was in his consideration set, and that he would’ve been working with people he has great respect and admiration for, particularly Piyush Pandey. But he says, “Me and Piyush talk over the phone every day. We discuss problems and ideas, and I thought that’s happening anyway.” He’s instead opted for an assignment that’s far more demanding. “Every time I’ve had an offer that provides a challenge and requires the use of passion, intelligence, experience and talent, I’ve succumbed,” he said.
Bates has gone through some turbulent times of late both in India and overseas. First on Mr Dabral’s agenda is bringing about an attitudinal change leavened by his years of experience and acquired wisdom. He said, “I’ll meet people, understand the problems and cascade down a certain attitude. Talent is present everywhere — it’s just a question of attitude and passion.” Mr Dabral was certain that he wanted to return though: “India has been on my mind. You live outside but miss the mitthi. Though I can work anywhere in the world now, my real roots are in the small towns of UP.”
Mr Dabral’s contemporaries are glad to have him back. Mr Pandey says he’s not disappointed at all by his protégé’s decision to pick Bates over O&M. “I’m happy since it’s a sister company. For him to make that brand shine would be a matter of joy for me,” Mr Pandey. Adds Prasoon Joshi, chairman, McCann Erickson India, “It’s great that talent is coming back; a reaffirmation of the fact that India is lucrative.”
Mr Dabral left India in 1999 to join O&M Malaysia after a very successful run at the agency’s Mumbai office. Along with Piyush Pandey, he is considered instrumental in turning what used to an also-ran into India’s most awarded agency. Mr Pandey had made it clear that Dabral could have the role of national creative director should he ever consider returning. Mr Dabral admits that O&M India was in his consideration set, and that he would’ve been working with people he has great respect and admiration for, particularly Piyush Pandey. But he says, “Me and Piyush talk over the phone every day. We discuss problems and ideas, and I thought that’s happening anyway.” He’s instead opted for an assignment that’s far more demanding. “Every time I’ve had an offer that provides a challenge and requires the use of passion, intelligence, experience and talent, I’ve succumbed,” he said.
Bates has gone through some turbulent times of late both in India and overseas. First on Mr Dabral’s agenda is bringing about an attitudinal change leavened by his years of experience and acquired wisdom. He said, “I’ll meet people, understand the problems and cascade down a certain attitude. Talent is present everywhere — it’s just a question of attitude and passion.” Mr Dabral was certain that he wanted to return though: “India has been on my mind. You live outside but miss the mitthi. Though I can work anywhere in the world now, my real roots are in the small towns of UP.”
Mr Dabral’s contemporaries are glad to have him back. Mr Pandey says he’s not disappointed at all by his protégé’s decision to pick Bates over O&M. “I’m happy since it’s a sister company. For him to make that brand shine would be a matter of joy for me,” Mr Pandey. Adds Prasoon Joshi, chairman, McCann Erickson India, “It’s great that talent is coming back; a reaffirmation of the fact that India is lucrative.”
Start a SIP with as low as ₹500 with ET Money App!
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
