Grey Chennai bolsters team with Vijai Ambalavanan

Ambalavanan, called Amby within the fraternity, has been a part of the industry for more than a decade and comes with experience in diverse categories

C Vijai Ambalavanan has been appointed as the new head of Grey's Chennai office. Ambalavanan aka Amby comes from Leo Burnett India's Chennai outfit. He will report to Vijay Jacob, who is vice-president and head of South at the agency.

Prior to this appointment, Christabelle Howie was the head of Grey's Chennai office. She has moved on to start a venture of her own in the field of education.

Grey Chennai bolsters team with Vijai Ambalavanan

Amby has over 11 years of advertising and marketing experience and has worked across categories in various agencies, such as Leo Burnett, Bates 141, TBWA and G3. He has worked on several brand launches, including Uninor in South India, Chik Satin premium shampoo, the re-launch of Indica hair colour, Cavin's Milk and 25 new products of Watanmal in Africa. He has also handled brands such as Nyle and Meera Shampoo, Cavin's Maa Juice among other CavinKare brands, Henkel India's brands, Nutrine Éclairs and Team packaged drinking water.

Welcoming Amby who joined barely a week ago, Jacob says, "Amby brings us a special mix of leadership skills and brand thinking. Chennai is an important market for us. I am looking forward to working with Amby in increasing Grey's presence in Chennai."

Jacob says that after a series of additions in the creative and servicing teams, the team is complete, now that Amby has also come aboard. The head of the South offices is now bullish on expanding business in the region.

Commenting on his new role, Amby says, "It always feels good when you return home after a long trip; and that's how I exactly feel to be part of Grey. It's a new team of like-minded people, hungry for success. Aggressive passion and pride will be our mantra and with Grey's unique brand philosophy of being 'Famously Effective since 1917', our focus will be to add value to our client's business."

In South India, Grey Group's clients include Britannia, 3M, Deccan 360, ITC Foods, RmkV Wedding Silks, CavinKare and United Spirits Limited.

Recently, Amit Akali and Malvika Mehra joined the Grey team as co-national creative directors.

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