Subhash Pinnapola takes leadership of Leo Burnett Colombo’s Creative Team

Leo Burnett Colombo announced the appointment of Subhash Pinnapola as the leader of its Creative Team. The appointment recognises the commitment and the passion of this true-blue Burnetter towards the company and to creative excellence.

Subhash is currently the Executive Creative Director of Sri Lanka’s most awarded ad agency. Subhash’s journey at Leo Burnett began nine years ago when he came on board as a Creative Director and was later elevated to Senior Creative Director and then Executive Creative Director (ECD). His ideas have helped many local and international brands grow to positions of market leadership.

Commenting on Subhash’s new responsibility, Leo Burnett Solutions Incorporated Managing Director Ranil de Silva stated: “I am delighted to have Subhash as a partner, as we embark on a critical path in this company’s journey. We now have to keep up our winning performances and grow. Both these challenges require a talented creative leader and I know Subhash has got what it takes to make it happen. My team and I look forward to continue to work with Subhash to make a meaningful difference for the clients and their brands which we manage and nurture.”

Subhash has a unique understanding of the local ethos through the intimate knowledge he has of the Sri Lankan consumer. This rare skill has proven to be an invaluable asset that has aided Subhashto win numerous accolades. The most recent of these tributes was to be named as runner-up as South Asia’sBest Creative Director and to be rated as Sri Lanka’s No. 1 Creative Director by Campaign Asia, the region’s most respected trade publication.

Subhash also has the rare honour of being the first Sri Lankan to serve on an international jury of an awards festival. Moreover his work has won him metals at Adfest, Spikes, Cannes Lions, Appies, Goa Fest and other festivals. Another significant achievement was the inclusion of his commercial for the Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society in the Gunn Report as one of the 100 Best Ideas of 2011; this was the first Sri Lankan ad to be thus featured in this prestigious review.

Mark Tutssel, Leo Burnett network’s Chief Creative Officer, stated: “Subhash is an eternal student of human behaviour. He has a natural gift for creativity and his proven track record at the world’s top creative shows is testimony to his prolific talent.”

K.V. Sridhar (Pops), Chief Creative Officer for Leo Burnett India Sub-Continent, stated: “Subhash has been creating some inspiring work in the Sri Lankan market in the last couple of years and his film making skills are exemplary and world class. His work reflects a deeper understanding of human nature and values, after leading his team to win a Cannes Lion he stands tall as an inspiring creative leader in the country today.”

As one of the most awarded local admen, Subhash’s work has raised the bar of Sri Lankan advertising, pushing it into the international limelight, and getting the country noticed by twittering juries. Subhash’s work also scored Leo Burnett, Colombo, its first ever GPC 7+ and GPC 8 Ball. This year, under Subhash’s stewardship as Executive Creative Director, the agency also won the most prestigious accolade of being named by Campaign Asia as South Asia’s Creative Agency of the Year at the Agency of the Year Awards in 2012.

Speaking of his appointment Subhash stated: “I have had the privilege of developing my career here at LBSI. Ranil de Silva has been a mentor to me and is an inspiration for the Sri Lankan advertising industry. I am honoured and proud to take up this position under his leadership.

Leo Burnett has an ambitious vision for 2013. It’s a challenge which I look forward to delivering upon in the New Year to further drive the standards of the marketing communications industry in Sri Lanka.”

Subhash will lead the agency’s strong 25 member Creative Team in the coming years to not only gain recognition for the work of Leo Burnett but to also bring recognition for the advertising industry of Sri Lanka. He is undoubtedly an icon in Sri Lanka’s ad industry and a torchbearer for Leo Burnett Sri Lanka as well as the industry at large.