VJ Anand on leaving BBDO: ‘There came a point when I needed to move abroad’
The executive creative director of BBDO Malaysia has announced his intention to leave the agency and start a new life in Indonesia.
VJ Anand has spent the past two years with the agency, after leaving sister Omnicom shop TBWA at the end of 2015.
Anand told Mumbrella he intends to leave Malaysia this year and move to Indonesia in the hope of joining the local start-up scene. Anand confirmed he has not signed up for a new role as of yet.
Speaking to this site about his departure, Anand said: “BBDO is an amazing network that focuses on really great creative work. But there comes a point where I need to move abroad and expand my expertise through global experience.
“Throughout my career, I’ve always loved to challenge myself and do something new, and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead.”
Anand’s advertising career began in Malaysia in 2002 as media designer for Ogilvy, TBWA, RiverOrchid in Thailand and later BBDO Proximity, where he was associate creative director of digital for three years.
After leaving Proxmity in 2012, Anand took a number of creative director roles at Cheil Worldwide, Creative Juice and TBWA KL, the latter where he was promoted to Group ECD.
Speaking about his proudest moments at BBDO, Anand added: “To name a few, first would be how we changed the way one of our biggest clients Fonterra advertises; it was innovative for the category and was truly effective.
“Also one of my favourites is the ‘Let’s Get Real’ platform we created for Libresse, helping the client reach the number one spot in their category. Our Visa film – ‘Magic Beep’ – had a lot of heart and charm… Malaysia is an amazing place to do fun and radical work. Clients are smart, open and I will miss that a lot.”
BBDO Malaysia general manager Farrah Harith-McPherson added: “We are supportive of VJ pursuing a new opportunity outside of Malaysia, and we wish him the best of luck with the new role. It has been a great 18 months for BBDO Malaysia and we thank VJ for the role he played in our success.”
A replacement will be announced in the coming weeks.
Moving from malaysia to indonesia is considered ‘moving abroad’?
LOL.
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