Sai Karthik Takes Charge as SVP & Head of Strategy at Ulka South

Ulka, part of BBDO Group India, has appointed Sai Karthik as Senior Vice President & Head of Strategy, South, strengthening the agency’s strategic leadership as it expands its footprint and capabilities in the region.

In his new role, Karthik will drive creative effectiveness and business growth across key regional accounts. He will report to Saad Khan, Chief Strategy Officer, Ulka.

Over 15 Years of Strategy Experience

Karthik brings more than 15 years of experience across network and independent agencies, with expertise spanning brand strategy, creative effectiveness and new business.

He joins Ulka from Talented, where he led award-winning campaigns including Urban Company’s Dignity of Labour, The Hindu’s Written by Journalists and Zee5’s Apni Bhasha, Apni Kahaniyan.

Prior to Talented, Karthik served as Senior Strategy Planning Director at 82.5 Communications, working across brands including Himalaya, Costa Coffee and Unibic.

His earlier career includes stints at McCann, Dentsu, M&C Saatchi and JWT, giving him experience across multiple agency environments and categories.

Focus on Strategic Growth in the South

Commenting on his appointment, Sai Karthik, SVP & Head of Strategy, South, Ulka, said the South is a crucial market for the agency and highlighted the leadership team’s vision for rebuilding and pushing strategic boundaries.

Karthik added that he sees a combination of experience and newness coming together across Ulka, alongside long-standing client relationships built on trust, empathy and care. He said he was looking forward to working at an agency that focuses on creating work that moves clients’ businesses forward.

Jitender (Jeetu) Dabas, CEO, BBDO Group India, said Ulka’s reputation for deep and enduring client partnerships is built on strong strategic thinking.

Dabas added that the group is building a strong strategy community under Saad Khan’s leadership and described Karthik as an important addition to that ambition. He highlighted Karthik’s curiosity, energy and ability to challenge conventional thinking as qualities that align with the agency’s strategy culture.

Strengthening Ulka’s Bengaluru Office

M Damodaran, President & Head of Office – Bengaluru, Ulka, welcomed Karthik to the Bengaluru office, highlighting his experience across traditional and new-age agencies.

Damodaran said Karthik brings a fresh perspective and contemporary approach that can add another dimension to Ulka’s strategic thinking.

Beyond his agency career, Karthik is also the founder of The Hidden Slide, an online community for strategists, researchers, thinkers and curious minds to exchange ideas, document the craft, challenge perspectives and discuss culture and brands.

Karthik’s appointment marks another step in Ulka’s efforts to strengthen its strategic capabilities in the South while combining its established client relationships with contemporary approaches to strategy and creative effectiveness.