Cadell returns to industry to lead Lowe India

The Kuala Lumpur-based Leo Burnett long-timer moves to Mumbai to begin his new job on Monday after a year away from advertising considering his options.

Cadell has been courted for a number of regional agency positions since he left Arc in January 2007, including the role left by Kim Walker, the former Asia-Pacific president of M&C Saatchi.

As a non-Indian head of a large Indian agency, Cadell takes on a job where few have succeeded.
He said: “The size of the operation and the opportunities it provides in a market that is largely unknown to expat managers was too good to miss.”

Before leaving Arc in January 2007, Cadell spent two years launching the Publicis Groupe network in 13 markets to become the second-largest marketing services offering in the region. He was also CEO of Leo Burnett Malaysia.

As part of the Lowe India’s management overhaul, national creative director and part-time filmmaker R Balakrishnan - who is entering his 14th year with Lowe - has been promoted to chairman and chief creative officer.

In another move, president and COO Pranesh Misra, who has spent 30 years within the group in Indonesia as well as India, takes on the additional and newly created role of global director of marketing accountability.

Meanwhile, Prem Mehta will continue as chairman of the Lintas Group with a brief to grow the business and build partnerships with fellow Interpublic Group companies in India.

Stephen Gatfield, CEO of Lowe Worldwide and EVP of IPG, said: “Lowe has enjoyed tremendous success in the Indian marketplace over many years. The new leadership team is equipped to continue this momentum as we enter into an era of explosive growth.”

The management changes come a month after the promotion of Ashish Bhasin to regional director of integrated marketing and EVP.

Cadell will work also alongside chief strategy officer Brent Gosling and newly-named chief talent officer Fali Vakeel.