The CCO of today and tomorrow isn’t defined by title or volume — but by their ability to lead quietly, nurture fiercely, and unlock the best in others. Creative leadership is about making space — for voices, for risks, for wonder.
Moderator: Rohit Ohri, Founder, OHRIGINAL
Bobby Pawar – Poet, storyteller, consultant, and man of leisure
Sonal Dabral – Creative Consultant, Film Director, Founder, Tribha
Senthil Kumar – Chief Creative Officer, VML India
Lulu Raghavan – President, APAC, Landor
Rohit Ohri (Opening Remarks):
“Creative leadership isn’t what it used to be. The Chief Creative Officer is no longer just the loudest person in the room with the boldest idea. Today’s CCO is a shepherd — nurturing diverse talent, enabling collaboration, and fostering environments where ideas flourish. Leadership is about guiding from behind, shielding teams, and creating safe creative spaces. The future lies in openness, not ownership.”
Bobby Pawar:
“The CCO is the right brain of the agency — the instigator-in-chief. But somewhere along the way, creativity has suffered.”
Agencies, in chasing tech and consulting opportunities, have diluted the creative core.
“The role has become overloaded — CCOs today are doing too much, wearing too many hats. It leads to burnout.”
For creativity to thrive, the CCO must be empowered and surrounded by strong officers.
“Without creativity at the center, everything else crumbles.”
His message? “If you’re not in an agency where the CCO is central, you’re in the wrong one.”
Sonal Dabral:
“The CCO today is not just the creative head, but the custodian of a brand’s unified vision.”
It’s no longer about just ads — the CCO now drives brand value, business growth, and innovation.
“The modern CCO must be a Chief Culture Officer too — attracting talent, building leadership, and inspiring creative teams.”
Clients today want real, unfiltered, strategic conversations with their creative leads.
“AI is great for insights, but human creativity and cultural instinct are irreplaceable.”
The path forward? “Adapt, evolve, trust young talent — and always stay creatively aligned.”
Senthil Kumar:
“Creativity isn’t dying — it’s evolving. The role of the CCO is to nurture it.”
From leading big ideas to curating and amplifying them, the CCO today must build, scout, and empower talent.
“We have to connect creative dots in new ways to solve problems and blow minds.”
At the heart of it all? “The idea. That remains the center of the universe — everything else must orbit it.”
Senthil sees the CCO as a playing captain: “You lead, you coach, and you perform.”
Lulu Raghavan:
“Agencies lost their creative soul chasing revenue and transformation labels.”
The CCO’s role has been pushed to the margins — that must change.
“We need creative leaders who fight for ideas, not approvals.”
She notes a shift: “Influencer-creators are pushing the boundaries. Creativity is evolving, and we must embrace that evolution.”
CCOs should be empowered, fearless, and central to agency vision.
Her rallying cry? “Creative leadership must be the supreme role in any agency.”
Rohit Ohri (Closing Thoughts):
“The CCO of today and tomorrow isn’t defined by title or volume — but by their ability to lead quietly, nurture fiercely, and unlock the best in others. Creative leadership is about making space — for voices, for risks, for wonder.”
