Pratik Thakar appointed for innovation and strategy role by Grey, Greater China

Grey Group is poised for fast-track growth with another senior executive appointment. Since roping in iconic leader, TH Peng,  who assumed office on 12 March as Chairman and CEO of Grey Group – Greater China, the agency has announced a new key hire, the appointment of Pratik Thakar as Executive VP/ Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer for Greater China. This latest move signals Grey Group's ambition for this critical market and its emphasis on strategic thinking and innovation in creating famously effective work. 

Thakar's appointment  adds another level of strategic  strength to Grey's Greater China operation. Grey, known for its innovative, creative and effective integrated branding solutions, has a  roster of blue chip clients  that  include  Proctor & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline, Sony, Volkswagen Seat, Tencent, Diageo, Eli Lilly, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Cerebos, and 3M, to name a few.

TH Peng said, "I’ve seen Pratik connecting dots in new ways. He knows how to engage CMOs with business solutions and inspire a creative person with powerful ideas. He can seamlessly connect a brand story with an engagement idea or digital content. He is a multifaceted strategist."

Thakar is a McCann Worldgroup veteran. He has worked with TH Peng since 2007 and is highly regarded for his new business performance, integrated creative strategies and strong advocacy for branded content led innovation handling major accounts like Microsoft, L'Oreal Group, Shanghai GM, MasterCard, Nestle, Bank of China, Coca-Cola and Haier. A recipient of the H.K. McCann Global Award for Strategic Leadership and founder of McCann Social Discovery, Thakar is a strong believer of cognitive anthropology and societal trends in emerging media landscape.

Before moving to China, Thakar was Deputy Managing Director and Chief Strategy Officer at McCann Worldgroup Malaysia. His 18 years of industry experience covers stints in India, South East Asia and Greater China for Saatchi & Saatchi, DDB Mudra and Lowe Lintas. He has also won multiple global awards including Cannes Lion, One Show, D&AD, AME, EFFIE and CLIO. He has also been on the jury panel for the prestigious Jay Chait Awards for Strategic Excellence (American Association of Advertising Agencies) and AME Awards for Advertising Marketing Effectiveness (New York Festivals). Thakar joins Grey in April 2012.