Prajjal Saha
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Kamal Oberoi plans new venture after quitting JWT

Oberoi was once tipped to take over as JWT's CEO. Subsequently, there were talks of his becoming the chairman of Conquest, a new agency that JWT was planning to launch

Kamal Oberoi, former president of JWT India, is understood to be starting his own venture. It has been almost two months now since he quit JWT.

Rumours about his quiting JWT have been around as early as December 2004, when JWT announced the appointment of Colvyn Harris as CEO.

Oberoi told agencyfaqs!: “Yes, it's true that I am planning a new venture, but I will be only ready to talk about it after a few weeks.”

Oberoi had a 20-year stint at JWT. Just two-and-a-half years back, he had relocated to Mumbai as president, a new post specifically created for him.

Even though the then chief executive officer, Mike Khanna, got a two-year extension, many saw this move as a precursor to Oberoi being declared a successor to Khanna. However, in September 2004, when Khanna finally called it a day and Colvyn Harris, then Contract president, moved in to replace him. When this announcement was made, Oberoi was tipped to take over as the chairman of Conquest, a new agency that JWT was planning to launch in India.

Meanwhile, Syeda Imam, another old hand at JWT, has also moved back to Contract as a consultant. It was in January 2003, when Imam was appointed as the executive creative director of JWT India. She was also responsible for the creative function for all JWT agencies across India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Prior to the appointment, Imam was executive creative director at Contract Advertising.

JWT, it is believed, is now looking for a national creative director.

© 2005 agencyfaqs!

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