Delna Sethna quits L&K Saatchi & Saatchi

Kartik Smetacek and Rohit Malkani elevated to joint national creative directors.

L&K Saatchi & Saatchi announced that Delna Sethna, chief creative officer, has decided to move on to pursue other interests after spending five years at the agency.

Delna Sethna

Anil Nair

Kartik Smetacek

Rohit Malkani

The agency has also rolled out a new creative organisational structure which will be led by Kartik Smetacek and Rohit Malkani who have been elevated to joint national creative directors, with immediate effect. While Smetacek will be responsible for the creative teams in Mumbai, Malkani will be managing creative teams in Delhi and Kolkata with some key projects in Mumbai.

Speaking on the occasion, Anil Nair, CEO and managing partner, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, says in a press statement, "It is always a sad moment to say goodbye to someone who has been an integral part of our growth story over the last five years. I'd like to thank her (Sethna) for being an exceptional leader and paving the way for path-breaking work along with her team. I wish Delna the very best for her future endeavours."

Commenting on the newly-appointed joint national creative directors, Nair states, "Smetacek and Malkani have played a critical role in shaping L&K S&S' creative product. They have been an integral part of the leadership team for many years now. It was quite natural to look within and choose them to take on this larger mandate. I am absolutely certain that both of them will surpass everyone's expectations in raising the creative bar further."

With over 18 years of experience, Smetacek has worked across a host of agencies including Publicis Ambience, ideas@work, Draft FCB, and the last four years at L&K Saatchi & Saatchi.

Malkani started his advertising career in the account planning department at Rediffusion DY&R, Delhi; after a brief one-year stint he moved to the creative side. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, his repertoire includes agencies like JWT, Planetasia.com, Publicis Ambience, Bates, Grey Worldwide, and Publicis Singapore.

Speaking on his new role, Smetacek says, "I'm excited and terrified in equal measure. The mandate Anil (Nair) discussed with me is a big step up both in terms of role and responsibility. But having been here for four years now, I know the opportunity and potential that is waiting to be tapped. It's up to us to make it happen."

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Commenting on his elevation, Malkani says, "I am stoked that Anil (Nair) has entrusted Smetacek and me with this new responsibility. There's no better time to be at the helm of things here at L&K Saatchi & Saatchi. There is a new energy and momentum and with the Power of One firmly in place, 2019 promises to be a fantastic ride."