Saurabh Varma — Founder
With over 20 years of experience in building and partnering world-renowned brands, Saurabh decided to leave the corporate world in late 2019 to don the hat of an entrepreneur. He is now on a mission to create the largest communication start-up in the country. Prior to this, Saurabh used to lead all the agencies under the Publicis Communications gamut in South Asia including – Leo Burnett India, Leo Burnett Orchard, Publicis India, Publicis Beehive, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, MSLGROUP, Indigo Consulting, Publicis.Sapient, Digitas, Arc Worldwide and Prodigious. Saurabh was appointed as CEO of Leo Burnett Group India in November of 2013. In late 2014, he was elevated to the CEO of the Leo Burnett Group across South Asia. And just a year later in 2016, he rose further up the ranks, being named the CEO of Publicis Communications, South Asia. In addition to all his exhaustive duties, he also presides over the APAC Effectiveness Council and is part of Leo Burnett’s global HumanKind Counsel. Before taking over the South Asia reins, Saurabh's last outing was as the Chief Strategy Officer (Leo Burnett APAC), a stint that saw him work on brands across 16 countries. A multi-award winning ad man, he has also served as a jury member at prestigious awards such as Cannes Lions, Spikes Asia, and the AMEs, to name a few. Saurabh’s love for brands is nothing short of passion; it comes to life when he is trying to understand people’s behaviour and what fuels it. He loves his arguments just like his morning cup of tea, especially if they involve the future of agencies, teams and communities. He is an avid reader of myth, archetypes and fantasy. And if there is twist in the plot of the story, nothing like it!
Stackforce AI infers this person is a leader in MarTech with extensive experience in brand strategy and communication.
Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Experience: 26 yrs 9 mos
Career Highlights
- Over 20 years of experience in brand building.
- Former CEO of Publicis Communications, South Asia.
- Multi-award winning ad man and jury member at prestigious awards.
Work Experience
Wondrlab India
Founder and CEO (5 yrs 4 mos)
Publicis Communications, India
CEO (3 yrs)
The Leo Burnett Group, South Asia
CEO (3 yrs 1 mo)
Leo Burnett
Chief Strategy Officer, Asia Pacific (6 yrs 3 mos)
The Greenhouse (Starcom + Leo Burnett)
Director - Engagement Planning (1 yr)
Publicis Ambience, India
Sr. Account Planning Director (3 yrs 2 mos)
TBWA, Mumbai
Group Account Director (3 yrs 3 mos)
Euro RSCG
Group Account Manager (2 yrs)
Education
Post Graduate Diploma in Communications at MICA, Ahmedabad