Jayanto Banerjee moves on; Vaasu Gavarasana to take over as EVP, Bates 141 Delhi

Gavarasana will replace Jayanto Banerjee, who has decided to move on

Jayanto Banerjee, executive vice-president, Bates 141 Delhi, has decided to move on. Vaasu Gavarasana will take over as the new EVP, assuming office on November 30.

Gavarasana is a Singaporean expat who has spent most of his career with IPG agencies such as McCann and Lintas. Also, he has been a dotcom entrepreneur running a website named Udrool.com for the last two years. However, as the venture was struck by the recent recession, he shifted his focus to India.

Jayanto Banerjee moves on; Vaasu Gavarasana to take over as EVP, Bates 141 Delhi

"What attracted me to Bates 141 Delhi is its fresh management team. I was enthused by the leadership of Sandeep Pathak and Sonal Dabral right at the first meeting. Also, the agency footprints and my experience match each other as both go back to the Asia Pacific region. As I take charge of the agency, my first priority will be to understand people, clients, markets and the challenges. I would like to be a good coach to my people and a good consultant to my clients," says Gavarasana.

The senior management accepts that a lot of thinking has been put together to choose a branch head for its strategic Delhi branch. Sandeep Pathak, group chief executive officer, India, says, "It's a senior level role and Delhi is a very important market for us. So, we needed to invest in the right candidate who can bring Delhi back to its earlier glory. Vaasu has rich experience, both national and international, and a huge portfolio of clients which will be of great help to our agency.

"Furthermore, we see a great leader, coach and mentor in him. Growth and consolidation will be his sole responsibilities."

On the other hand, Banerjee accepts that his resignation has been purely due to personal commitments. "I'm leaving with a heavy heart as I have to leave my assignments midway. Looking at my career graph, one would understand that I'm not very fond of 'hop, skip and jump'. It has always been substantial stays with my past organisations – Lintas and Euro RSCG. I had similar plans for Bates 141 Delhi as well. However, the sudden turn of events and personal commitments has made me change my mind," says Banerjee, who has taken up an assignment as the agency head for a Dubai based company.

Banerjee started his career with Lintas and has worked for Euro RSCG for 13 years. He joined Bates 141 Delhi as the executive vice-president in October 2008. Talking to afaqs! about his year-long stay at Bates 141 Delhi, Banerjee says, "Last year has not been good in terms of business. With the slowdown in the economy, there has been lower business and higher client pressure on margin and fees.

"However, my one point agenda throughout has been 'growth'. I believe my biggest achievement here has been to get the agency to sail through the tough times and get new business. We picked up Nirulas, Max Bupa, Medicare, Global School, Oxyaction and a couple of brands from Dabur during the past year."

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