Kalpesh Patankar

Based in Mumbai

Kalpesh Patankar is the Group Chief Creative Officer at VML India, where he leads the agency’s creative vision. With nearly two decades of experience, he has worked across markets in India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, shaping campaigns and building creative teams.

Patankar began his career at Saatchi & Saatchi Mumbai, before moving on to McCann Erickson Malaysia and Ogilvy Singapore, building early experience across India and Southeast Asia.

Over the years, he has held leadership roles across global agencies, including VMLY&R Dubai and Leo Burnett Dubai. His career has included stints in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, where he worked on campaigns that gained international recognition. Under his leadership, agencies such as VMLY&R Dubai achieved multiple industry recognitions, including MEA Agency of the Decade at Cannes Lions 2020. He has also been named among Adweek’s Top 10 Global Agency Leaders.

His work includes campaigns for global brands such as Coca-Cola, Harvey Nichols, Land Rover, McDonald’s, and Colgate.

In addition to his agency work, Patankar has served on juries at major global award shows, including Cannes Lions, D&AD, the ANDY Awards, and ADFEST.

Social Media Handles:

Linkedin: Kalpesh Patankar

Instagram: @clickkal