Malvika Mehra, national creative director, Grey Worldwide, has put in her papers at the agency. Mehra confirmed the development to Campaign India and informed that her last day at the agency will be 31 May 2015. Mehra was also part of the global creative council for Grey Worldwide.
Mehra said, "I was thinking about this since December, but put in my papers only in mid-March. I've got some great learnings and opportunities during my time at Grey, but I'm just looking for some 'me' time right now. I am leaving on a high and as I look back on the five years here, I can walk out a very satisfied, proud mama knowing that I have built a strong second line in creative and have no doubt that they will take Grey to the next level."
She added, "Head hunters have been calling incessantly there are some 'plum offers' on the table, but I want to just take my time," she said, when asked about the next assignment.
Surmising her journey at Grey, Mehra said, "I remember the rush of winning the Reliance telecom business with the awesome teams here within the first 90 days of joining Grey with Amit (Akali) in 2010. Dell, Honda Brio, Killer jeans and Grey India's first ever Cannes gold for Duracell followed. After 10 years of a creative partnership, taking on a solo NCD role last year was admittedly daunting but it has been the most awesome, god sent, steepest learning and confidence curve of my career and I wouldn’t exchange it for anything else! Flying solo and bagging a second Cannes gold last year, winning pitches like the Indian Army, Fiat Punto Evo, pushing the envelope on ‘government businesses’ like Swachch Bharat ('Clap of shame' and 'Own your area') and anti female foeticide initiatives (Handcuffs), along with what we recently did for Gillette (The best a fan can get) are indeed projects am proud of."
"After 21 years of working non-stop, I think I owe myself a break. Also take some time out to perhaps look at adventures outside of advertising. We are a self-obsessed industry and I would really like to see where I personally stand without the three alphabets 'NCD' next to my name. For a bit at least. I want to wish my rock star team at Grey all the best and will he hoping that they bag a third Gold this year at Cannes. If that happens, I'll be cheering the loudest," surmised Mehra.
Sunil Lulla, chairman and managing director, Grey Group India, said, "Transitions are a part of life. We wish her all the best and success in life. We are looking at replacements but are yet to finalise one."
