Hasta La Creative!

Sajesh Pudussery is an Art Director who started his career with Y&R, Dubai.
He currently works with FP7, Dubai.

I am from Kerala, where I did my schooling and then went to School of Arts, Thalassery (Kerala).
I love ideas, food and my wife. A lot.

Why are you into Advertising?
I’ve always loved art, beauty and scribbling.
I was doing textile design before joining Idiom in Bangalore as a graphic designer. They say the grass is always greener on the other side, but sometimes it really is greener on other side.
Soon after, I moved to Dubai and started my career as an Art Director at Y&R.

Did you attend school for fine art or design or Communications?
I went to School of Arts, Thalassery.
There were 200 people in the class.

Tell us about your recent campaign?
It’s the ‘Heroes Wanted’ campaign for the Lebanese Red Cross, featuring two red tapes forming the Red Cross logo to bring together the victims and the Red Cross personnel. All credit goes to my copy partner William Mathovani without who this ad would have never happened. It picked up two Silvers at the 2012 Dubai Lynx. Fingers crossed for Cannes.

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
My parents. They are the most honest, hard working people I’ve ever known in my life.

Who was the most influential personality on your career in Advertising?
Shahir Zag, Komal Bedi Sohal and Kalpesh Patankar. Everything I have learned, I learned from them. They were and still are a source of huge inspiration. To add to that list now is Fadi Yaish. I’ve seen a lot of FP7’s work from outside. And now working with the man himself is an amazing experience.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
Books, internet and life. Ideas can come from anywhere.

Tell us something about the Y&R environment.
Y&R is probably one of the best places to learn and get inspired.
They have one of the strongest creative departments in Dubai and the whole region. And an incredibly supportive management headed by Nadine Ghossoub.

Tell us about your 1st wbrief as an art director in the field of advertising.
My first ad released was for Gulf News. It was for their one-year anniversary
and was quite a simple ad. Nothing beats the joy of seeing your work getting released.

Do you think brands who’s advertising wins awards, do well in the market?
Obviously. Just look at Adidas, Harvey Nichols, Volkswagen etc. For more details, read ‘The Business Case for Creative Bravery’ by James Hurman.

What advice do you have for aspiring creative professionals?
Check your ego at the door.
Be open to criticism.
Slog when you have to.
Don’t get involved in politics.

Who would you like to take out for dinner?
My wife. It’s been a long time since I went home early.

What’s on your iPod?
16GB of my life.

Mac or PC?
Definitely Mac.