Agnihotri to lead planning, IP development at McCann Malaysia

He moves from the multi-awarded McCann Healthcare SEA, where he was regional planning director.

Agnihotri’s diversified category experience includes banking and financial institutions, beverages, tourism, automotive and healthcare. He has worked on branding strategies, marketing innovation, and communications planning for over two decades, and has been with McCann for the last six years with stints at the agency’s India, China and Singapore offices.

Commenting that a number of KL staff have extended their careers at McCann network offices around the region, Tony Savarimuthu, CEO, McCann Worldgroup Malaysia, said he was particularly happy that an important talent such as Agnihotri has made Malaysia his destination in return.

“Milan has an excellent grasp of Asian brands and consumers, and communications planning across all channels. His passion and discipline for fresh and pioneering work and a meticulous work ethic is a value-added asset for the agency,” said Savarimuthu.

In his new role at McCann, Agnihorti will spearhead strategy planning, innovations and engagement planning on the agency’s key accounts. He will also be responsible for thought leadership initiatives at the agency. “He will be leading our efforts to create agency-owned intellectual properties and establish stronger collaborative partnerships with media owners and specialists, and our branded content, digital and mobile platform development partners,” said Savarimuthu.

Agnihorti, who worked extensively on the children, youth and young adults segments, will lead the latest McCann Social Discovery project on Millennials in Malaysia.

Agnihorti has a MBA in Marketing and a Doctorate in Communications. He is a regular speaker on branding and digital communications at various industry forums and world-renowned business schools like the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and IIM Khozikode.

McCann’s Malaysia has been a good source of talent for network offices around the region including McCann Indonesia managing director, Michelle Ong; Pratik Thakar, greater China EVP and chief planning officer; Natasha Sidhu, director of brand planning and engagement strategies, McCann Singapore; Clarence Koh, group brand director, McCann Jakarta; and the recently retired Peter Yap of Momentum, Singapore.