Thayalan Bartlett
Executive Chairman
MullenLowe Group
Sri Lanka
Thayalan Bartlett's leadership journey has been shaped by turbulence, transformation, and a sustained commitment to building institutions that endure. Beginning his career in advertising during a period of ethnic tension and political instability in Sri Lanka, he developed an early understanding of how volatility shapes markets, communities, and enterprise.
Over more than three decades, he has held senior leadership roles across international agency networks, culminating as executive chairman of MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka. Under his stewardship, the agency evolved from a traditional advertising structure into a commercially disciplined, multi-vertical organisation operating through independent profit centres — strengthening accountability and positioning the company for sustained growth in a volatile economy.
During the global pandemic, Sri Lanka's sovereign debt crisis, and political transition, Bartlett prioritised workforce continuity and organisational confidence. Post-pandemic, he delivered 27.7% revenue growth in 2024 on top of 19% growth the year prior, while earning consecutive Agency of the Year titles and regional recognition via the APAC Effie Index.
His impact extends beyond organisational boundaries. During the COVID-19 lockdown, he initiated the Marcom Collective, uniting fourteen industry sectors to advocate for the marketing communications sector's recovery. He has also championed sustainability-linked brand strategies and led the agency's integration of AI and martech capabilities.
Bartlett's leadership is anchored in the belief that institutions are built through people. He has invested in structured mentorship, senior leadership appointments, and capability-building programmes that ensure performance and people development advance together — leaving organisations stronger than he found them.
To Quote: “A sharp strategist, he earned deep client trust while delivering award-winning campaigns that fueled our status as the most-awarded agency. Beyond the work, his true forte was mentorship; he inspired teams to reach new heights through constant encouragement..." -Neelanie Goonetillake, Former Managing Director/President, J Walter Thompson Sri Lanka
