Subhash Kamath

Subhash Kamath

Consultant, Former CEO BBH & Publicis India, Ex-Chairman Ad Standards Council India

Subhash has been in the business of building brands for 38 years, seventeen of which have been as CEO of multinational agencies.

Over those many years, he has worked in renowned creative agencies in India like Ogilvy, Trikaya Grey, Ambience Publicis and Bates 141. He was one of the founding Managing Partners at BBH India in 2009 and till Sept 2022, served as the CEO for ​two agencies, ​BBH ​India ​& Publicis Worldwide, India.

Today, he mentors, consults, trains and advises different organizations on leadership and brand strategies. He has worked closely with various global ​and Indian ​clients and brands like Unilever, P&G, Marico, Dabur, ​Johnnie Walker, ​​Ambuja Cement, Nokia, Virgin Mobile, Audi and Red Bull amongst many others.

He’s passionate about brand strategy and creativity and loves to involve himself deeply in his client’s businesses, believing that true creative thinking is designed to solve business problems.

Subhash also served on the board of ASCI (The Advertising Standards Council of India) for 13 years and as the Chairman for two consecutive years from 2020-2022. He continues to serve on the ASCI Board of governors as special adviser and represents the board on the apex council of ASCI Academy.

Subhash frequently does guest lectures on branding and communication at reputed universities like IIM Ahmedabad, Ashoka University, Flame University and ISB&M.

Apart from brands, Subhash is passionate about music, cooking food and single malts. He is a lead singer & rhythm guitarist in a classic rock & blues band called ‘Wanted Yesterday’ and is currently writing and producing his own songs.

3:20 pm - 3:50 pm

Make Creativity Great Again

Creativity was once marketing’s greatest competitive advantage. Today, it is often constrained by process, platforms, and the pursuit of predictability. As brands compete in a sea of sameness, the ability to think differently has never mattered more. This session explores how leaders can restore creativity to its rightful place at the centre of growth, protect brave ideas, and build brands that people notice, remember, and choose.