Sanjay Dev Jena appointed as senior partner, RK Swamy/BBDO

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent | Mumbai
Sanjay Dev Jena has been appointed as senior partner, RK Swamy/BBDO, to take care of the international business development efforts of the RK Swamy Hansa Group in the US and Europe.

Jena has joined the group from BBDO, Berlin, where he was international account director, looking after the global business of the Allianz Group in more than 40 countries.

His move is a homecoming for Jena aka Dee Jay, who started his career with RK Swamy/BBDO in 1990 and worked with the agency till 1996, before taking up various assignments in international markets. He set up Saatchi & Saatchi's operations in Tanzania, before moving to Europe as regional communications director for Greenpeace Mediterranean.

At Greenpeace Mediterranean, he was responsible for setting up communication departments in Turkey, Israel, Lebanon and Malta. His successful journey with the organisation ended in 2005 when he joined BBDO Berlin. Jena's responsibilities include new business development and creating brand building exercises for RK Swamy/BBDO in India.

Jena says, "For me, it is back to the future. 'Back' because I had spent the early years of my career with the agency; and 'Future' because the RK Swamy Hansa Group is among those Indian advertising and marketing services groups looking out beyond the country with a powerful vision."

Jena adds that the current role is different from what one has been used to so far - a bigger playing field and intensely challenging. "And working with Shekar is a pleasure. He is a man with a vision - a man who wakes up in Mumbai and smells the coffee in Brazil," adds Jena.

Shekar Swamy, group chief executive officer, RK Swamy Hansa Group, says, "Now, when we are looking to build our international business, Sanjay's global experience will complement the group's strength in international markets. He will work closely with our team in the USA and support their efforts."