Prabhakar Mundkur

Armed with a post-graduate degree in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics with the University of Bombay, Prabhakar Mundkur kick started his career in Advertising. After multiple stints in various local agencies he joined JWT in 1982. A decade thereafter he launched a successful strategy planning department at JWT, Mumbai as AVP & Strategic Planning Director.

Prabhakar was promoted to Senior Vice President & General Manager and took charge of the JWT Bangalore office. Two years later he shifted countries to work in Kenya as Deputy Managing Director of Scanad Advertising, a local agency, where he held P&L responsibilities for Kenya and Uganda. Later he spearheaded the start up of JWT in Kenya. In 1996 he assumed the role of Director of Client Service and Strategic Planning at JWT Johannesburg, South Africa. Within a year he became Director in Charge – Unilever, Greater China, where he headed the Unilever account for Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mainland China. In 1999 he headed back to Mumbai as a Shareholder and Director at Euro RSCG. In addition to handling their Mumbai operations, he was also in charge of the Philips account for the India and Middle East region and was elected to the Global Advertising Council for Philips. He also spearheaded Euro RSCG’s diversification into Healthcare communication. In 2003 he joined Everest Integrated Communications as President.

In the 3 decades that Prabhakar has spent in advertising, he has handled practically every category across Africa and Asia. His portfolio has covered FMCG majors like Unilever, Kellogg’s, Lipton, Frito-Lay; Automotive brands like Ford, Toyota and Fiat; Service brands such as Citibank, Air France, Kenyan Airlines and Air India; Lifestyle brands like Nike; and Durables viz. Philips.

Prabhakar was awarded the Atticus Award for the best original writing in marketing communications by the WPP Group in 1996. He has taught management students at premier business schools including Jamnalal Bajaj, Sydenham, IIM–Bangalore, University of Witswatersrand in Johannesburg and local universities in Shanghai, China. He has also conducted a series of workshops across India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia entitled Jazzvertising where he used jazz as a metaphor for creative ideation.

Prabhakar also writes frequently on professional topics in India’s leading newspapers and internet sites. Outlookbusiness.com has published several of Prabhakar’s articles including an article titled ‘Inside the Chinese Mind’ published in 3 parts.

Prabhakar is an accomplished musician playing both the guitar and the piano. He has cut several records with Polydor and HMV, and has also given live performances across India, South Africa, Kenya, Dubai, Scotland and China.

He also shares a keen passion for social work and has served in an honorary capacity on the Board of Directors of Lovehumanity, an NGO dedicated to the cause of fighting child abuse in India.