Creative changes galore at JWT

Agnello Dias wasn’t kidding when he said 2006 would be a year in which JWT’s creativity would be taken to new heights. The agency’s vice-president and executive creative director has already started taking steps in that direction.

To begin with, Dias has brought in new talent, among them two from Leo Burnett – Kainaz Billimoria, who was creative director there, and Tanuja Dias, creative consultant. Both of them will retain the same designations at JWT.

Hetal Ajmera, art director, Everest Brand Solutions, has been brought in as senior art director, JWT, Mumbai. She has worked on brands such as Parle, LIC, Radio City and Indiainfoline, during her stint at Everest.

All three are expected to join JWT in March 2006. Agnello Dias explains, “We heard through the industry grapevine that all these three people were on the lookout for a change, and had started discussing their prospects with several agencies. So we thought, that since we wish to expand the team, why not bring these three aboard? Besides, some of the work that they have done, especially Billimoria on Tata Salt and McDonald’s, is rather amazing.”

Billimoria comments on her decision to move to JWT: “I was looking for a change after having spent five years at Burnett. JWT is the perfect platform for me because it is at a significant turning point.”

“From the look of it, it’s only going to get better,” she says optimistically.

Apart from Leo Burnett, Billimoria has worked for FCB-Ulka on brands such as Amul, Castrol, Fiat and Godrej Storewell. “But one of my most significant achievements so far is a TVC I conceived of while at Leo Burnett, called Save the Tiger,” she says.

The TVC showed a school play in action, with kids dressed as animals. A man gets up from the crowd and shoots a kid dressed as a tiger. The super runs: ‘Over half the tigers killed are cubs. As innocent as yours.’

The film was a finalist at the Cannes and Clio Awards.

Tanuja Dias says that the primary reason for her shift to JWT is her colleague, Billimoria. “We work very well as a team,” says Dias. “Her decision to move to JWT influenced mine greatly.”

The duo worked together on several campaigns at Burnett, among them McDonald’s What Your Bahaana Is?. Other brands they’ve worked on are Complan, Tata Salt, Times Now and Bajaj Waves.

Tanuja Dias has also worked with McCann-Erickson on brands such as L’Oreal, Maybelline and UTI Bank.

It is interesting to note that over the past six months or so, three people have moved from Burnett to JWT, the first being Agnello Dias himself.

© 2006 agencyfaqs!