The Indian AdGeek

Step into the world of advertising excellence as The Indian AdGeek welcomes Kunal Jeswani, CEO of Ogilvy ASEAN, for a truly unfiltered and insightful episode. In this engaging conversation, we embark on a journey through the heart and hustle of client servicing, creative leadership, and business evolution in today’s dynamic advertising landscape.

• An Origin Story: Discover how Kunal’s love affair with advertising began and the pivotal moments that shaped his career in one of India’s most celebrated creative agencies.

• The Evolving Role of a Creative CEO: Gain firsthand insights on how the job of a creative agency CEO has transformed over the years, and why adaptability, empathy, and relentless curiosity are more vital than ever.

• Leading Across Borders: Explore the challenges and rewards of driving creative innovation across diverse markets like India and ASEAN. Learn how Kunal nurtures a culture of excellence and fosters cross-border collaboration within large and varied teams.

• Leadership Real Talk: Unpack the most common misconceptions about leading a creative agency, sprinkled with candid anecdotes on tackling team challenges and learning from mistakes.

• Tales from the Client Side: Hear memorable stories of client relationships that illustrate how breakthrough creativity drives business impact—and what true client partnership looks like.

• Navigating Agency Life: Delve into the process (and sometimes the lack thereof!) from new business development that thrives on word of mouth to the ever-present battle against scope creep and the strategies for maintaining profitability without sacrificing passion.

• Pricing for Value: Get a rare behind-the-scenes look at how an agency ensures its pricing stays aligned with value, effort, and evolving industry standards.

• The Future Beckons: Kunal weighs in on how AI and digital platforms are reimagining the industry, as well as what still sets human creativity apart in an age of automation.

• Trends & Advice: Discover the trends lighting up the Indian and ASEAN markets—beyond AI—and get golden advice for young professionals aspiring to creative leadership.

Whether you’re a seasoned ad geek or just starting your journey in the industry, this episode offers a masterclass on juggling creativity, clients, and commercial success—all with Kunal Jeswani’s signature wit and candor.

Vishal - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vis⁠hal1mehra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Get ready for a masterclass in modern brand building as we sit down with Samit Malkani, Head of Brand, Social & Events Marketing for Southeast Asia at Google.

Samit traces his journey from crafting iconic TV ads to pioneering digital-first campaigns, sharing the pivotal moments—including the viral sensation “Kolaveri Di”—that shaped his approach to storytelling. He unpacks the principles behind building brand love and trust across diverse markets, reveals how he blends human insight, data, and technology to drive creativity, and offers candid advice for marketers balancing short-term wins with long-term brand value. From the future of social media and AI in marketing to hiring creative talent and outcome-based pricing, this episode is packed with actionable insights and fresh perspectives from one of the industry’s most innovative leaders

Samit - @Samit

Vishal - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vis⁠hal1mehra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Gautam Reghunath, the co-founder & CEO of Talented, joins me to detail his journey in the world of advertising. We discuss how Talented is challenging industry norms and reshaping the agency experience. We dive into the company’s unique approach to talent, sharing insights on attracting and retaining top creative minds, what he looks for when hiring, and the importance of fostering an environment where designers and strategists actively participate in the thinking process.

We also speak about Talented's business model, unpacking how performance-based pricing sets it apart and why clients appreciate the agency’s approach.

Looking ahead, we explore the future of agency models, AI’s impact on creativity, and whether social media will continue to dominate brand strategies five years from now. Gautam also shares his leadership style, advice for young creatives, and the most important lessons he’s learned as an agency leader.

Whether you’re an advertising professional, a brand strategist, or simply fascinated by how creativity and business intersect, this episode is packed with valuable insights and bold perspectives, worthy of the podcast’s debut.

Gautam - @gautxm

Vishal - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vis⁠hal1mehra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to the very first episode of The Indian AdGeek—a podcast for anyone who’s ever rewound a VCR just to catch that one jingle, doodled imaginary brands in their school notebooks, or wondered why a catchy headline makes the cash register ring.

Hosted by Vishal Mehra (lifelong advertising geek, and also The Indian AvGeek), this intro episode is a peek into the gloriously messy, endlessly fascinating world where creativity meets commerce.

Get your ad geek on. The circus is just getting started!