Mahesh Gharat, Azazul Haque to head Ogilvy Bengaluru's creative team as ECDs

Ogilvy & Mather has elevated Mahesh Gharat and Azazul Haque to head the creative team of the agency's Bengaluru office as executive creative directors. The duo were group creative directors at the Mumbai office prior.  They take over from Steve Haugh, who was heading the office since Joono Simon left the agency. Haugh has relocated to Ogilvy Indonesia.

 

Poran Malani, president, Ogilvy South, said, "Azaz and Mahesh, though highly experienced, are young at heart and their energy is highly infectious. It takes something special to excite an already charged up team, and Azaz and Mahesh have done exactly that."

 

Rajiv Rao, national creative director, Ogilvy India, said, "Mahesh and Azaz are one of the rare breed of copy-art teams that's hard to find today. They have lots of things in common including a crazy passion for clothes, shoes, and of course, advertising. They are fantastic team players and excellent captains. Ogilvy Bengaluru, with some of the best brands in the country, is the perfect place for them to lead, inspire and make a huge impact."

 

In a prepared statement on their new responsibility, the duo said they were looking forward to the ‘challenge and excitement’ of working on some of the office, including Titan, Lenovo, Amazon, Bingo, Yippee Noodles, Fortune Oil, Allen Solly, IBM and MTR. 

 

Piyush Pandey, executive chairman and creative director, Ogilvy South Asia, added, "I am delighted that Azaz and Mahesh have taken the creative leadership role in Bangalore. Bangalore is a key office for Ogilvy & Mather India with leading existing clients and lots of potential ones. Both Azaz and Mahesh understand the traditional Indian consumer and the emerging one. I look forward to some exciting and effective work from our Bengaluru office."