Swati Bhattacharya

Swati Bhattacharya takes emotional storytelling to a level where brands can break free from the constraints of media, formats and platforms, to speak to consumers through ideas that can make an impact on their lives. Start with the consumer, she says, as the only reason that brands exist is because they serve a human need. Her ideas reflect the deep conviction that it is the “responsibility of brands to inspire people to create the kind of world they deserve.”

Under Swati’s leadership, FCB India has won more than 160 awards including a Glass Lion, Gold Lions, Gold Clios, a D&AD Yellow Pencil and 3 Spikes Grand Prix. Her work has transformed FCB Ulka’s creative reputation, making it the number one most awarded Indian agency, and making her the fifth most awarded creative director in Asia (Campaign Brief Asia ranking 2021). She was the Cannes See It Be It ambassador in 2019/2020.

Acknowledging that women have historically faced challenges from a socio-cultural expectation point of view, she advocates a “culture of generosity” that allows women employees an opportunity to balance work and life in a way that enriches both, instead of one suffering at the hand of the other. Especially true for mothers of young children, she believes that the time spent with their families or children actually adds to the experience of life in a way that results in better creativity at work and richer stories for the brands.