Kalpesh Patankar, Publicis Groupe- Leo Burnett UAE

Leo Burnett - Chief Creative Officer Currently serving as the Chief Creative Officer at Leo Burnett UAE, MENA, Kalpesh Patankar spearheads the company's creative strategy, ensuring the brand's distinct identity is both shaped and sustained. He leads a diverse team of creative professionals, including designers, writers, and artists, collaborating across departments to align the creative vision with company goals. Based in Dubai, Patankar previously held the position of CCO for VMLY&R in MENA. He has pioneered acclaimed projects such as the "One Book for Peace," a campaign addressing prejudice and fostering dialogue between Christians and Muslims, and the "Dubai Font," the first Microsoft font crafted for Dubai city. In 2018, he was recognized as one of Adweek's Top 10 Global Agency Leaders. Patankar stands out as a prominent and celebrated creative force in the region, crafting notable campaigns for brands like Coca-Cola, Harvey Nichols, Land Rover, Colgate, EmiratesNBD, PUMA, and Pepsi, among others. Prior to MENA region, he drove creative efforts in Asia with Saatchi & Saatchi Mumbai and Ogilvy Singapore. He is an advertising enthusiast with a deep passion for marketing and the art of storytelling.