Uday Parkar moves from McCann to Adfactors

Uday Parkar, executive creative director, McCann-Erickson, and Veynz Nayre, creative consultant, IB&W, have left their respective agencies to join Adfactors Advertising as joint national creative directors.

In fact, Parkar will now don three hats. Apart from his role at Adfactors, he will work as a consultant with Wavelength Communications and also manage Breathing Space, a venture that specialises in logo designing, which was started by Parkar himself three years ago.

On being quizzed about his move to Adfactors, Parkar says, “Adfactors has always kept a low profile – few people know that it is a Rs 100 crore agency in terms of billings. It was ranked at No. 17 in the Campaign Brief Asia rankings this year.”

“The only issue is that it services financial clients mainly and was on the lookout for people who can help improve its creativity in mainstream spheres as well,” he adds. “I personally love to take up challenges and that’s why I took up this job.”

Besides, says Parkar, he has known the Adfactors’ chairman, Madan Behl, for over 12 years, which adds to the comfort level. “While I have learnt a lot about TVCs and ad films from Prasoon Joshi, I had to move on. It’s almost like starting my career again!” he says.

Parkar started his career in 1989 at JWT (then HTA), after which he moved to FCB Ulka and, later, Everest Brand Solutions (then Everest Advertising). After a brief stint at Mudra, Parkar returned to Everest, where he spent a total of five years. At Everest, he chanced upon Nayre and they worked together on Honda City, Jain Irrigation and the ‘Matheran Bachao’ calendar for the Matheran Bachao Samiti. The calendar went on to bag a bronze at the Clio Awards in 1998 and a gold at the New York Festivals; it was also a finalist at the London International.

From Everest, Parkar moved to Ambience Publicis, where he worked on Bisleri (the ‘Play Safe’ campaign featuring Dino Morea), KamaSutra (the ‘What’s on Your Mind?’ film), Water Kingdom, Hit, Westside, HDFC Mutual Funds, ‘Sanctuary’ magazine and several brands from the Marico portfolio, such as Parachute and Hair & Care.

He moved on to McCann, where he handled Tata Indicom (the ‘Do More, Live More’ campaign), Pears Junior, Big Babol, Stayfree and Reebok, among others. He also played a role in clinching the Britannia pitch.

Parkar, who has always been on the art side of things, has received 12 Abbys, 26 CAGs, 14 A&M awards and seven AAAI awards.

© 2006 agencyfaqs!