MUMBAI: DDB Mudra Group has handed over the responsibility of heading Tribal DDB India operations to Venkat Mallik. He will also continue to lead RAPP India.

Mallik comes in with nearly 20 years of experience. He joined RAPP in 2009 as their president India. Prior to this, he worked with companies like JWT, Leo Burnett, Euro RSCG and Unilever.

Mudra Group CEO & MD Madhukar Kamath said, “With around a 100 million Internet users, digital advertising is acquiring mainstream proportions and it is important to create a leadership structure for Tribal DDB which understands both digital and mainstream brand marketing communications well. With his background in advertising, brand marketing, online gaming and data and digital communication, Venkat brings a combination of skills needed to build Tribal DDB, as well as RAPP at this juncture.”

Mallik‘s brand experience spans 50 different brands and categories, including leading brands from companies like Unilever, SmithKline Beecham, ITC, Indian Oil, Ultratech, Sara Lee, Van Melle, CavinKare, Standard Chartered Bank, HDFC, Tata Communications and HP.

On his new role, Mallik said, “It’s exciting to have the mandate to grow RAPP and Tribal DDB, both of which are leading global new age agencies. We are looking to scale up both agencies quickly while leveraging synergies between them.”

Tribal DDB India has a client list that include Idea Cellular, Star TV, McDonald’s, Tourism Australia and Emirates. RAPP handles clients like Hewlett Packard, Standard Chartered Bank, Johnson & Johnson and Tata Communications.