Leo Burnett bids farewell to Managing Director and legend Ranil de Silva: Arosha Perera takes over
View(s):Leo Burnett Sri Lanka’s iconic leader and world-renowned advertising professional Ranil de Silva, will step down from his role after serving as the agency’s Managing Director for the last 18 years.
From left: Jude Benedict – Director Broadcast and Photography Production, Kumudini Gomes – Head of People and Culture, Selonica Perumal – Director, Publicis, Murtaza A. Tajbhoy – Chief Strategy Officer, Arosha Perera – Chief Executive Officer, Lalindra Nanayakkara – Executive Creative Director, Wasim Akram – Director, Arc, Caryll Van Dort – Group Director, Samantha Wijesundara – Finance Director, MSL Sri Lanka, Mehnaz Ilhamdeen – Head of Operations and Neeraj Karambelkar – Digital Director.
After 36 years of making his mark as a mover and shaker in Sri Lanka’s marketing communications industry and taking Leo Burnett to unprecedented heights, Ranil will step down from his role and responsibilities of managing the Sri Lankan office of the Publicis Groupe. Ranil will pass on the baton of the agency’s leadership of Leo Burnett to its CEO Arosha Perera, who along with a seasoned leadership team will take over the management of Leo Burnett Sri Lanka and the other brands within the Groupe, the company said in a media release.
Mr. Perera has been actively engaged at the company for the last few years and has prepared himself for this new role. He will take over the leadership of the Leo Burnett agency with effect from 1st January 2018. Leo Burnett’s South Asia management team will also play a key role in ensuring a smooth and efficient transition as the new local leadership team takes over the day-to-day operations of the agency.
“In what has been an incredible innings and a career filled with a multitude of milestones, powerful ideas and life-changing accomplishments as well as countless global awards, Ranil has helped to not only build Leo Burnett Sri Lanka into the most awarded agency in the country, but he has also played a pivotal role in ensuring the development of Sri Lanka’s advertising industry at large. His zest to showcase the creative potential of Sri Lankans on the global map, has helped Leo Burnett and the country to make history at some of the world’s most prestigious international award shows, whilst shining a light on the young talent in the industry,” the release said.
Ranil started his career at JWT and progressed professionally, taking up a posting in Jakarta Indonesia and returning to Sri Lanka to lead the agency at the age of 32, after which he was called to serve in a regional role based in Singapore. He began his journey at Leo Burnett in the spirit of the agency’s founder himself – by reaching for the stars.
Commenting on his achievements and journey to date, Ranil de Silva – Managing Director, Leo Burnett Sri Lanka said: “I have had the privilege to lead a talented team of the country’s best advertising professionals. These are the people who have made each day I have spent in this industry worth its while, by being the people they’ve grown to be. I believe the best people in this industry reside at No.379, R A De Mel Mawatha. And when I look outside the walls of 379, I am equally impressed. The individuals who are playing critical roles in the industry are people who have grown up with us.”
Ranil De Silva – Managing Director, 'Leo Burnett Sri Lanka
Commenting on Ranil’s contribution to the agency network and industry Saurabh Varma, Chief Executive Officer South Asia Leo Burnett Group said: “Ranil has added immense value to Leo Burnett Worldwide’s network over the years, helping us to not only bring home metals but to strengthen our reputation as a world-class communications agency in the region and beyond. He has achieved tremendous success and consistent agency growth, strategically positioning Leo Burnett Sri Lanka as a leading office within the global network.”