Rajeev Sharma moves on from Leo Burnett

Rajeev Sharma has resigned as national planning director of Leo Burnett. After having spent 23 years at the agency, he now wants to explore new avenues.

During his time at Leo Burnett, Sharma spearheaded strategy for many brands including McDonald's, Godrej Consumer Products, Bajaj Auto, Heinz, Complan, Glucon D, Thums Up, Maaza, Minute Maid, Limca, Reebok, Ariel, Ezee, Cinthol, Bajaj Electricals, HDFC Life, HDFC Bank, Anchor, Sony Entertainment Television, Tata Capital, Dabur, Pillsbury, and Iodex. He is also credited with having brought Leo Burnett's best global practices to India.

Commenting on the development, Sharma says, "After 23 years, it is time for me to bid a fond farewell to a fabulous organisation, amazing colleagues, and equally amazing clients. I am proud of what the agency stands for, for what it has achieved, and what it is in the process of becoming. The momentum we have gained recently will give us the scale and the capability to play a big role in the transformation the industry is going through. As I prepare for the next chapter of my life, I shall watch with great satisfaction, the success Leo Burnett is sure to notch up in the future."

Expressing his views on Sharma's departure, Saurabh Varma, chief executive officer, South Asia, Leo Burnett, adds, "Sharma set up Leo Burnett's planning function from scratch and since then has led a robust team that has grown many brands in complex market scenarios, in the process winning many awards. Under his leadership, we produced some iconic and culturally-rooted campaigns by approaching consumers through a human lens. I thank him whole-heartedly and wish him the very best for his future endeavours."

Sharma, who joined Leo Burnett in 1994 as vice-president, was initially based in the agency's Delhi office, and after three years, moved to Mumbai to lead the agency's planning function as national planning director.