Saurabh Varma

Saurabh Varma

CEO at Leo Burnett South Asia
Mumbaï, India

About me

Saurabh has 18 years of experience working on brands across categories.

Saurabh runs the Leo Group across South Asia looking after 7 offices across 4 countries. The Leo Group is one of the most dynamic and creative companies across the region comprising of Leo Burnett Advertising, Orchard Advertising, Leo Experience, ARC WW and Indigo Consulting. The Group employs more than a 1000 creators and innovators and is a home to some of the biggest brands, including, Amazon, Bajaj, Thums Up, Limca, Maaza, HDFC Bank, HDFC Life, Tata Capital, General Mills, OLX, P&G, McDonald's, Wipro, Jeep, HPCL, GSK, amongst others.

Saurabh's last job was as the Chief Strategy Officer for the Leo Burnett Group across Asia Pacific. The role saw him work on brands across 16 countries. During this period Saurabh won more than 60 awards including the Effie Gold, the Appies Gold, the Grand Prix for Direct Marketing, the most effective media campaign at Hall of Fame in 2009 and in 2010, 2 Gold Lions at Cannes, the Grand Prix at the ADFEST, the Viewers Choice Award (Mediacorp) in 2009 and in 2010 and many more. In 2010 Saurabh was awarded the 'Strategic Planner of the Year' at the 'Hall of Fame'. In 2013, Saurabh launched Leo Burnett Institute of Behaviour (LBIB), a Singapore based consulting, innovation and research division of Leo Burnett Group, Asia Pacific. During this period Saurabh also represented Leo Burnett Asia Pacific on the Global Planning Board and presided over the APAC Effectiveness Council. He also judged Effies, Spikes and AME during this period.

Positions

CEO
Publicis Communications, India
December 2016 - Present (8 years 1 month)
Chief Strategy Officer, Asia Pacific
Singapore, Singapore
August 2007 - November 2013 (6 years 3 months)
Director - Engagement Planning
The Greenhouse
July 2006 - July 2007 (1 year)
Sr. Account Planning Director
Bangalore, India
February 2003 - April 2006 (3 years 2 months)
Group Account Director
TBWA, Mumbai
September 1999 - December 2002 (3 years 3 months)
Group Account Manager
Euro RSCG
1998 - 2000 (2 years)

Education

Post Graduate Diploma in Communications

1995 - 1997 (2 years)

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