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McCann appoints Prasoon Joshi as regional CD, South & South East Asia

McCann India’s Prasoon Joshi has been promoted as McCann’s regional creative director for South Asia & South East Asia with immediate effect

In what is obviously a giant stride forward, Prasoon Joshi, national creative director & executive vice-president, McCann-Erickson India, has been promoted as the agency's regional creative director for South Asia & South East Asia. The appointment - which has come in the form of a letter from Max Gosling, regional director & Asia-Pacific head of McCann - is with immediate effect, and was announced at McCann's Mumbai office yesterday. Joshi, who will continue to be based out of India, will now have the additional responsibility of overseeing creative at McCann's offices in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

This latest development comes approximately two years after Joshi took charge as national creative director of McCann India. And Gosling, in his letter, cites Joshi's contribution in building the creative reputation of McCann in India as one of his biggest achievements. Gosling also mentions Joshi's work on accounts such as Coke, Nestle and Perfetti as noteworthy, and acknowledges his involvement with McCann's offices in China, Indonesia and Taiwan (for whom Joshi has been providing consultancy) over the past eight to nine months.

Joshi's promotion to the regional level is of considerable significance to India, as this is perhaps the first time that an Indian creative professional is occupying an office of such stature in a global agency network. "The news and its full implications still has to sink in," Joshi smiled, speaking to agencyfaqs! late last evening. "But I really think what has happened is good for India and Indian advertising. The fact that an Indian has made it to the regional creative director's post, and the fact that I have been able to negotiate a deal where I stay in India and India becomes something of a hub for the region spells good news for the industry here."

Joshi clarifies that he will continue fulfilling the role of leading McCann's creative in India. "They wanted me to move to Singapore, but I know there's lots to be done here as the country is still developing, so I have decided to stay on in India, at least for the next couple of years."

Spelling out his new responsibilities, Joshi reveals that he would be overseeing the work of all the office in the region. "My job would be to see that all the offices have the right sort of talent and are heading in the right direction as far as creative is concerned," he says. "I will also be taking special interest in those markets where the agency is not doing too well, and give those offices creative direction. It is a challenging job, one that I feel I shall enjoy doing."

© 2004 agencyfaqs!

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