KV Sridhar

Based in Mumbai

KV Sridhar, also endearingly called 'Pops', is the Chief Creative Officer at Nihilent, and founder of HyperCollective, an agency now acquired by Nihilent, as well as Nativepur, an e-commerce platform dedicated to uplift local, homegrown brands.

Pops started his career in 1984, as a branch head at Ulka Advertising, from which he moved to JWT Bangalore as a creative director. For the next nine years that followed, he served as the Executive Creative Director at agencies like Chaitra Leo Burnett, and MullenLowe Lintas. In 2003, he took on the role of Chief Creative Officer for the first time, at Leo Burnett (India and Subcontinent)—and has continued upward on the path to this day. After his 11-year-long stint at the agency, he joined SapientNitro for two years, before starting his own venture, HyperCollective.

With over 40 years of experience in building strong brands, Pops' creative and entrepreneurial spirit has only grown more versatile. His keen interest in literature and art, in addition, adds to his remarkable forte in storytelling. His brand portfolio includes Coca-Cola, Thums Up, Limca, Maaza, Minute Maid, Fiat, GM, Samsung, and LG, to name just a few.

But Pops’ journey is anything but conventional. He began as a Bollywood billboard painter and went on to work as a medical representative, trained art teacher, movie set designer, and exhibited fine artist, before establishing himself in advertising. He was also one of the youngest art directors for a South Indian feature film at just 18. This eclectic background continues to fuel his multidisciplinary approach to creativity.

Recognised internationally, Pops has been inducted into Campaign Asia’s Hall of Fame as one of Asia’s most influential advertising and marketing leaders of the past 40 years. His creative excellence has earned him an extraordinary tally of 23 Cannes Lions, more than 100 international awards including D&AD, One Show, Clio, London International, AdFest, Spikes, and over 600 national awards. In 2010, he was honoured with the New York Festivals Creative Achievement Award. Beyond winning awards, he has also served as a juror at festivals such as Good Ads Matter Awards, Cannes Lions, D&AD, The One Show, London International Awards, New York Festivals, and AdFest.

Pops is also an author. His book The 30 Seconds Thrillers chronicles the making of some of India’s most memorable campaigns and advertisements, featuring behind-the-scenes insights from their creators. He frequently shares his thoughts on advertising, creativity, and culture through blogs, talks, and TEDx stages.

Widely regarded as a mentor and visionary, KV Sridhar has inspired generations of creative professionals. His belief in the power of ideas to solve real-world problems makes him not just an adman, but a cultural influencer and one of the true maestros of Indian advertising.

Social Media Handles:

- LinkedIn - Pops KV Sridhar

- Instagram - @kvpops