Sumita Vaid
Media

Rama Paul quits Universal McCann; to join Dabur

Paul is set to join the ranks of advertising professionals who have made a switchover to the marketing side. She joins Dabur India as group manager on October 1

Rama Paul has barely completed six months at Universal McCann as media director and she is ready to move on. As she clears her desk at her office in Delhi's Kalkaji, Paul is set to join the ranks of advertising professionals who have made a switchover to the marketing side. She joins Dabur India as group manager on October 1.

Paul seems only too eager to switch roles. "I wanted to be on the other side," she asserts, and not because her stint at Universal McCann was unfulfilling in any way. "Universal McCaan is rocking," she says, allaying fears that a recent spate of movements from the agency might have had something to do with her decision to quit. "People have left for various reasons, and not because something is wrong here," she clarifies.

Among those who have left the media agency in the recent past are Asha Sekhar, Radhika Bahri and Prasun Kumar. While Asha Sekhar and Radhika Bahri were media controllers, Prasun Kumar was in media services.

Chintamani Rao, president, Universal McCann, too seems unperturbed. "Yes, there are some people who have left the organisation in a short span, but I do not see their leaving as connected events." In fact, the agency is looking to recruit a whole host of people at various positions.

Universal McCann is evaluating candidates for both the Nestle and the non-Nestle businesses. "We have shortlisted some people at the senior level," informs Anamika Mehta, vice-president, Delhi operations.

On her part, Paul is looking forward to her new assignment. Her relationship with Dabur goes back to the days when she was working at Optimum Media Solutions. "I was working with Dabur during my stint at OMS; so I know the company. It is a four-and-a-half year relationship," she explains. Paul desisted from elaborating on her role at Dabur. "It is a little premature to talk about it now."

Paul began her advertising career in client servicing at Leo Burnett, Delhi, in 1991. After a year's stint, she moved to RKSwamy/BBDO and switched over to media, to join BBDO Media Direction. In 1996, Paul joined OMS, where she put in close to six years and quit as media controller. At Universal McCann, among many other brands, Paul has handled Goodyear, Motorola and General Motors. © 2003 agencyfaqs!

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