MUMBAI, INDIA // Kalpesh Patankar serves as the Group Chief Creative Officer of VML India, a role he approaches with a singular philosophy: the only rule in creativity is that there isn’t one. His distinguished career stands as a testament to this belief, consistently breaking conventions and rewriting the playbook of advertising. From the outset, Patankar defied expectations. He secured his first agency role not with a polished portfolio, but purely on the strength of a few sketches, challenging the notion that a traditional entry was necessary. Similarly, he proved that impact wasn’t exclusive to large-scale film productions, making an outdoor billboard for Ariel the talk of the town in Indian advertising.

Rather than settling into a comfortable role once established, Kalpesh actively sought new challenges, starting afresh in Malaysia and Singapore to take his craft global. He then shattered the perception that world-class work originated solely from Europe or the U.S., by creating globally celebrated campaigns from the Middle East. His groundbreaking achievements culminated in his recognition among Adweek’s Top 10 Global Agency Leaders, dismantling the stereotype that creatives from Dubai couldn’t reach the pinnacle of the world stage. A leader of few words but many milestones, Kalpesh has consistently pushed creative boundaries across diverse markets. He has been repeatedly named among the “Creatives to Watch” and, under his leadership, Y&R Dubai was crowned Agency of the Year at Dubai Lynx for three consecutive years. His tenure also saw VMLY&R Dubai consistently ranked among the world’s top creative agencies, ultimately earning the prestigious MEA Agency of the Decade at Cannes Lions 2020. His impactful work includes the iconic work for Coca-Cola, alongside acclaimed campaigns for Harvey Nichols, Land Rover, McDonalds and Colgate, all of which continue to spark conversation and inspire globally.

Beyond his agency leadership, Kalpesh has played a pivotal role in shaping the industry as Jury President for esteemed events such as Cannes Lions, D&AD, ANDY Awards, and ADFEST. He has also lent his expertise as a judge for nearly every major global award show, including the One Club’s One-Show, Clio Awards, Loeries, and the London International Awards. As always, he continues to champion fearless creativity, cultural truth, and work that not only breaks the rules but actively forges new ones.