MUMBAI: WPP‘s Rediffusion-Y&R has brought on globally awarded creative talent Komal Bedi Sohal as national creative director in India.

Prior to joining Rediffusion, Sohal spent the last 11 years abroad, with her last assignment being executive creative director for Lowe Middle East and North Africa, based in Dubai. She now moves to India to be based in Rediffusion’s head office in Mumbai.

Sohal’s advertising career spans 19 years, during which she produced award-winning work for global brands such as Harvey Nichols, Land Rover, LG, Citibank, Colgate, Virgin Atlantic, Axe deodorants, and Microsoft Xbox.She is ranked number 2 in ‘The Top Art Directors in the World’ by The Big Won Creative Ranking 2011 and has been in the top 10 for the past five years.

Her stash of international awards includes the Grand prix, gold, silver, bronze, and finalists at Cannes, One Show, The ANDYS, Art Director’s Club, Clio, Dubai Lynx, Mena Cristal Awards, London International Awards, New York Festivals, EPICA, and Loeries. Her work has been featured in the annual publications of D&AD, Communication Arts, and Luerzer’s Archive.

Rediffusion-Y&R chief creative officer and vice-chairman Sam Ahmed said, “Komal and I have worked together for several years. She is a fierce and compassionate leader. The craft and finesse she brings into her work is incomparable and world class. She is a school of art direction. It’s almost impossible to find such talent and I’m happy that she’s moving her life to India to join us. This will be good for our industry at large as we can all learn from her craft and execution skills.”

Sohal said about her new role, “It’s homecoming in more ways than one. Both the city and the agency have a special place in my heart, and I am eager to get started right away. We are going to create ideas that are impactful and iconic, executed beautifully.”