MUMBAI: M&C Saatchi India, the Indian arm of the UK-based independent advertising agency said that its India chairman and MD, Kamal Oberoi, has called it a day to pursue other professional and academic interests.

Speaking to Indiantelevision.com Oberoi said, “The agency has been firmly established now. We have a very good management in place. M&C Saatchi India is doing well and I thought its time to move to the next level and this the right time.”

Denying revealing his next destination Oberoi stated, “It can be academics and I might leave advertising as well. Nothing has been decided as yet.”

Oberoi founded M&C Saatchi’s India operations in October 2005. Before that he was the president of J Walter Thompson (JWT) for 21 years.

Oberoi added, “It has been great challenging and rewarding experience. I am grateful for support from all colleagues and for clients for reposing their faith in us. The company is poised for next stage of growth."

M&C Saatchi Asia CEO Chris Jaques said, “Thanks to Kamal, M&C Saatchi is privileged to have a blue-chip client list and a first-class management team – one that is ready to take the company into the next phase of its exciting development. I would like to thank Kamal for his determination, his professionalism – and for his friendship. I wish him well in this new phase of his life, and I thank him for his extraordinary contribution to M&C Saatchi.”