Grey area: Subhash Kamath, CEO, BBH and Publicis Worldwide

Starting today, Campaign India will run a multi-piece series featuring ex-Grey ad folk. Here, they reminisce about their time at Grey Group, their fondest memories and learnings, and share their thoughts on brand Grey ceasing to exist in a few months.

 

We kickstarted this series with Subhash Kamath, CEO, BBH and Publicis Worldwide. Excerpts from the interview:

 

In terms of professional growth, what did your time spent at Grey mean to you?

 

I spent 11 years at Trikaya Grey. (It became Grey only towards the end of my stint there.) I grew from a young senior account executive to an account director to a branch head to the executive vice president of the Mumbai office. It helped me grow as an advertising professional, from operations to account leadership to business leadership, championing creativity and people along the way. My time here meant a huge amount to me.

 

How did you feel upon knowing that Grey as a brand won’t exist after a few months or in a year?

 

I have mixed emotions, I’d say. In a way, it’s sad if a 100-year-old brand has lost its relevance. But I also accept that change is inevitable, especially in today’s digital world. I felt the same when we dropped ‘Trikaya’ to become Grey. I guess we all have to be future-focused now.

 

Which of Grey’s ethos did you carry with you to your subsequent workplaces?

 

It was very simply a passion for solving business problems through creativity and talent that Trikaya Grey stood for. Ravi Gupta had instilled it in all of us. It’s now an intrinsic part of me, wherever I go.

 

Could you share some of your fondest memories?

 

Too many fond memories to talk about! I could write an entire book on them. Catch me over a drink someday and I might tell you (wink!)