Sign up for afaqs! Newsletters
DDB Mudra appoints Xavi Bech de Careda as vice-president, planning in Delhi
De Careda joins Mudra after a stint as an independent consultant in Barcelona.
He joins the agency today and will report to Vandana Das, president, DDB Mudra Group, Delhi and Aditya Kanthy, senior vice-president, planning, DDB Mudra, Delhi and Mumbai.
On his new role, de Careda says, "After spending some months travelling in India, the thought of a professional challenge here seduced me, and following DDB Mudra Group's call, things have moved at a fast pace. As it is with brands and business here, I am convinced that a very fruitful relationship awaits me in India."
Armed with more than 15 years of experience, Xavi began his career in London as a food technology researcher in the research and development team of Unilever Research (UK). Later, he moved to the agency side, joining BBDH.
Before moving to Barcelona in 1997, he also had stints with BBH and McCann Healthcare in London. While in Barcelona, he worked with BBDO Tiempo, Rapp Collins and DDB Barcelona as a brand and communication strategist.
Through his career, de Careda has worked on brands such as Audi, Bayer, Panasonic, Volkswagen and Fujitsu Italy, among others. A man of many hats, he also lectures at business and design schools in Barcelona, besides presenting a radio show on advertising at a Barcelona radio station; he has also had a short stint as a film director in an advertising production house.
On the appointment, Madhukar Kamath, group chief executive officer and managing director, DDB Mudra Group, says, "Delhi is the growth market for the DDB Mudra Group. We have a large presence already and work with a varied client portfolio. Xavi, with his rich and diverse experience, will add to the base of talent that we have in the DDB Mudra Group in Delhi today."
"Xavi is an experienced DDB hand, knows the culture well and has an intuitive understanding of how we work. He is widely travelled and has a deep appreciation of the arts. He will add a unique flavour to the conversations we have at the agency and with our clients," adds Kanthy.