Everest Brand Solutions ropes in Pooja Balani as GM, Mumbai

Balani has worked in agencies such as Grey Worldwide, Lowe Lintas, JWT, Contract, and M&C Saatchi in the past.

Pooja Balani has joined Everest Brand Solutions in the role of general manager, Mumbai office. Her advertising career spans Grey Worldwide, Lowe Lintas, JWT India, Contract Advertising and M&C Saatchi. Balani will report to Dhunji Wadia, the recently appointed president of Everest Brand Solutions.

Balani resumes work in advertising after a sabbatical of about 16 months. Prior to this, she was director, client services, at M&C Saatchi.

According to Wadia, "Pooja has tremendous expertise in managing organisational change, building brands, developing business, and ensuring profitability. Pooja played a key role in setting up the M&C Saatchi, Mumbai operations, from office design to staff recruitment across all levels, to implementation of standard operating procedures for smooth and effective working."

Balani, who brings with herself around 18 years of experience, has worked with Wadia before at JWT as well, and has the experience of working on a diverse set of businesses that include Jet Airways, Diamond Trading Company (DeBeers), Standard Chartered Bank, Kingfisher, Unilever Beverages, Acer, Bajaj Allianz Insurance, Shopper's Stop, Disney, Pfizer, Franklin Templeton, and Spice Telecom. She has also won the Effie Awards for her work on Asian Paints and Spice Telecom.

On her move to Everest, Balani says, "My partnership with Dhunji goes back to JWT where we created a motivated and energetic team. We both have a common approach when it comes to treating people, including our clients. With him at the helm, there's always action around. He brings about a fun culture at work, and is one of the chief reasons for my move."

Balani is well aware of the challenging times Everest Brand Solutions has been facing over the last few years. "There is a lot to be done here. Everest is a quiet, understated agency. Our agenda is to bring stability to existing businesses, and help the agency grow with new accounts," Balani tells afaqs!.

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