Priti Nair moves on from BBH; to start own outfit eventually

Nair has been with BBH India since its inception in 2008. After a brief break, she plans to start her own creative agency

Priti Nair, managing partner, BBH India, has decided to move on, after spending close to two years with the agency. She had been spearheading the creative function at BBH India since its inception in 2008.

Nair confirms her decision to move out, citing a mix of reasons. "BBH was a big learning experience for me. But after a point, we start questioning ourselves whether we are still enjoying what we do. BBH has a bunch of genuine people, but it is time for me to move on to the next thing."

Nair is presently involving herself in projects to help the visually impaired, and would continue with these activities for the next few months. After this brief break, Nair plans to return to advertising, by starting her own creative agency.

"Last year, so many agencies were started by creative guys, and each one seems to be doing rather well for itself!" she muses. "I have been toying with the idea for quite a while and I hope to give it shape soon."

As of now, Russell Barrett would look after the creative function at BBH India. "Russell shall take care of the day-to-day operations in the creative department, and we will start searching for a managing partner - creative, shortly," reveals Subhash Kamath, managing partner, BBH India.

When quizzed about Nair's exit, Kamath says, "Priti wants to take a long break before exploring other avenues. So, it is out of personal reasons that she is moving on. And we respect that."

Partha Sinha, managing partner, BBH India, adds, "Priti wants to figure things out and do something independently. However difficult it is, we have to accept it and move on. It is undoubtedly a sad affair, as she is a founder member in the core team of BBH India."

At BBH, Nair worked on several campaigns, notably Marico's Parachute Therapie '22 diaries' which she has fond memories of, as well as the recent Vaseline campaign. Besides these, Nair also worked on Surf as a brand globally at the BBH headquarters.

For the record, Nair exited Grey Worldwide and then joined BBH in 2008. She had joined Grey Worldwide in September 2007 from Lowe, with the clear intent to transform the agency's creative function after some management reshuffling and exits.

Nair started her career at DART Advertising in 1990 and then moved to Leo Burnett in 1991 (then Chaitra Leo Burnett), where she rapidly rose up the ranks to become creative director. Next, she moved to Lowe Lintas.

With her move to Grey, Nair ended her nine-year tryst with Lowe. She crafted famous, award- winning campaigns while at Lowe, for Surf Excel ('Daag Achhe Hain'), Greenply ('Janam Janam Ka Saathi') and Greenlam ('Dikhaane Ka Jee Kare'). She is also behind the famous 'Balbir Pasha' campaign for AIDS Awareness.

Nair has spent more than 17 years in the advertising industry. In this period, she has worked on brands such as Coca-Cola, Limca, Ariel and Complan at Leo Burnett; and Axe, Surf Excel and Greenply at Lowe.