BBDO India makes two senior level appointments

Sandeep Sawant and Hemant Shingry have been elevated as executive creative directors for Mumbai.

BBDO India has promoted Sandeep Sawant and Hemant Shingry as executive creative directors for Mumbai. Sawant was earlier creative director and head of art, while Shingry was senior creative director.

Commenting on the appointments, Josy Paul, chairman and chief creative officer, BBDO India, says, "Hemant and Sandeep are the best in the industry. They've risen from within our organisation with work that represents the bleeding edge of communication. They are proof that it takes an elastic mind and a future embracing attitude to create action-oriented ideas that connect brands with ever-changing consumers and fast-moving media." He adds, "They understand what it means to collaborate and partner with diverse groups and talent to trigger and grow brand movements."

Shingry has worked on integrated campaigns for brands such as Visa, Whisper and Ariel, which won him accolades at Cannes, One Show, D&AD, Spikes Asia, DMA Echo Asia, Effies, AMEs and Appies - the latest being a Grand Prix and a Gold in the Glass Lion category at Cannes and maximum metals at Spikes Asia.

"Before I joined BBDO, I was on the verge of quitting advertising. We tend to create too many rules for ourselves. You've got to keep reframing. That's the only way to stay relevant and excited. There is a fear of making mistakes, but there is also a chance to spot gold (or a Grand Prix) and Josy always encourages you to take that chance," says Shingry.

Sawant has been with BBDO India since inception. He has developed award-winning work for Gillette, Whisper, Ariel, Johnson's Baby, Visa, White Collar Hippies and Awaaz Foundation. Some of the awards he has won include Cannes Lions, One Show, D&AD, Spikes Asia, Effies, AMEs, DMA Echo Asia and Appies; most recent of these being the Grand Prix and a Gold Lion at Cannes and awards at Spikes Asia.

Speaking about his stint at BBDO, Sawant says, "I have the great opportunity to work closely with Josy Paul and Raj Deepak Das with whom I have done some of my favourite work. BBDO's motto of 'Acts, Not Ads' has taught me that advertising is not just restricted to the agency alone, but is open to any person with an action-oriented idea - as this works across all mediums. My work at BBDO has brought me recognition, which I will always treasure. My hunger is increasing day by day and my passion to create transformational work has grown stronger."

BBDO India is part of the BBDO Group Worldwide. The agency claims to be the only one in India, Asia and the world to have won three inaugural awards at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity - for PR, Creative Effectiveness and Glass Lion categories - and also the first agency in the world to win the inaugural Grand Prix in the Glass Lions category.