VGC witnesses exodus of senior executives

The massive move involves names such as Anjan Roy, Nandu Narasimhan, Ranjeev Vij, Sandy Pinto, Saumya Chattopadhyay and Hanoz Mogrelia

Vyas Giannetti Creative (VGC) is witnessing a mass exodus from both its Delhi and Mumbai offices. Reliable sources confirm that three hands from the Delhi office – Anjan Roy, chief operating officer; Nandu Narasimhan, national creative director; and Ranjeev Vij, vice-president and branch head of Delhi office – have all put in their papers. Roy and Vij have denied the move; Narasimhan was not available for comment at the time of filing this report.

VGC witnesses exodus of senior executives

Anjan Roy

Sandy Pinto, branch head, and Saumya Chattopadhyay, director, strategic planning, are believed to have called it a day at the Mumbai branch. Hanoz Mogrelia, who was appointed executive creative director at the agency’s Mumbai branch less than a month ago, has returned to ex-agency Saatchi & Saatchi, where he has spent eight years. The Mumbai branch has also lost a number of junior staff.

Talking about why the mass exodus is happening, the sources point their finger at the top management of VGC. “Promises were not kept,” they say. “Senior executives were brought in to bring about changes in the agency, but it seems it hasn’t worked the way it was supposed to,” a source goes on to say.

Nandu Narasimhan

One may recall that a few days ago, a media report spoke about VGC selling stake. Does the exodus have anything to do with that? “Some people have definitely been affected by it and taken their decision accordingly,” says a source close to the development.

Anjan Roy had joined VGC from Euro RSCG, when the former’s Delhi office was put in place. He has been with the agency ever since, three years in all. Prior to that, he spent six years at Euro, where he served in the client servicing, strategic planning and media planning (MPG) roles. He has also worked with Mudra.

Nandu Narasimhan, who has spent only a few months at the agency, moved there from Saatchi & Saatchi, where he was creative director, North. With experience of 19 years, he has done two stints with Lowe and worked with agencies such as Everest Integrated Communications, TBWA, Contract and Grey.

Ranjeev Vij

Ranjeev Vij joined VGC in March 2007, moving from Rediffusion Delhi, where he was in charge of Airtel’s mobility services nationally. He spent four years there. He has also worked with RK Swamy BBDO, O&M and Bates 141 (then Bates David Enterprise).

Saumya Chattopadhyay joined VGC last year, moving from South Seas Film TV School and Productions, Auckland, New Zealand, where he was the international marketing manager for Asia. He has been in the advertising industry for 13 years and is currently director, strategic planning, at JWT Delhi. He has served at the Mumbai branches of Euro RSCG and O&M. He has also worked at Saatchi & Saatchi London for a brief period.

VGC is 11 years old. It was set up in 1997.

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