Kainaz Karmakar

Based in Mumbai

Kainaz Karmakar is the Chief Creative Officer at Ogilvy—India's largest and most awarded integrated communications agency.

After graduating from Jai Hind in 1998, Kainaz began her professional journey in 1999, as a Copywriter at FCB Ulka. She then expanded her roles to Creative Director and Senior Creative Director at agencies Leo Burnett and JWT, before moving to Ogilvy, where she has now been working for over 15 years.

Kainaz has many huge milestones under her name that are recognised globally. In 2018, Savlon 'Healthy Hands' campaign won India's first Grand Prix for Creative Effectiveness at Cannes Lions, and was later featured (Chalk Sticks) as the 'Iconic Work of the Decade' by the Cannes Creativity Report of the Decade, 2020. Among 40+ other awards that she has won are Cannes, One Show, D&AD, and Spikes.

Rightfully describing her work as "brave", Kainaz does not shy away from bold storytelling, paying attention to every little detail of Indian culture, and weaving it into a beautiful and timeless narrative. Not only does she highlight and beautify culture but also effectively challenges it through her creative flair.

Some more of her notable work includes HUL 'Shower', Dove #StopTheBeautyTest, Imperial Blue 'Men Will be Men', Red Label 'India's Favourite Social Network, and more recently, Clinic Plus 'Beti Ban Ke Aana' and Colgate 'Indianis Dentris'. Her brand portfolio also includes Fiat, Bajaj, McDonald’s, Heinz, Brookebond, ICICI Lombard, Cadbury, and Amazon.

At the Good Ads Matter Awards, India '25, her work for Adani Group, 'Pehle Pankha Aayega, Phir Bijli Aayegi' won four Golds and a silver, and her work for Cadbury, 'New Neighbour' won another two Golds and a Silver.

Additionally, Kainaz has been in the list of 50 Most Impactful Women in Advertising and Marketing 2022, and has been featured in Forbes India's #Fpower22 Self-Made Women of India.

She has served as a jury member for several renowned award shows, such as Spikes, One Show Asia, One Show, D&AD, Clio, Cannes, and ADC.

Social Media Handles:

- LinkedIn - Kainaz Karmakar

- Instagram - @spalifekainaz