Rediffusion Y&R gets a vice chairman and chief creative officer in Sam Ahmed

Rediffusion Y&R has announced the appointment of Sam Ahmed as vice chairman and chief creative officer, to be based in Mumbai. Having spent 14 years at Y&R, Dubai, Ahmed has also been a consultant for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s Executive Office on several Dubai projects including DIFC and Burj Khalifa.

Diwan Arun Nanda, chairman and managing director, Rediffusion Y&R, said, “It is good to have a person of Sam’s credentials lead the creative team at Rediffusion. He is one of the world’s most awarded creative people. We searched the globe for such a creative talent. Sam is empowered to lead our team to achieve great creative heights with work that helps strengthen our clients’ brands even further.”

On his shift to India, Ahmed, said, “One of the reasons I left advertising is that the focus had shifted: it had become more about making money and less about ideas. I have always believed that only great ideas make a lot of money for your clients and your agency and when the chairman of a legendary agency offers you the challenge to make Rediffusion the number one creative agency in India, you don’t ask too many questions, except, 'Where do I sign?'. I have some of the most amazing brands at Rediffusion to work with and I am really excited.”

Ahmed  joined the advertising and communications industry at the age of 21. He has won over 200 awards including ones at Cannes Lions, One Show, Clio, New York Festival, and Epica. He became creative director of Y&R, Dubai, at the age of 28.

Three years later, he was made partner and regional executive creative director of Y&R Brands for the region.