Debanjan Dhar

Since Collective Creative Labs’ inception, I have spearheaded the creative vision that transformed a startup agency into an industry heavyweight. My work is defined by a blend of viral appeal and strategic depth, from writing the IMPACT Hall of Fame (2025) recognized Rakesh Masala campaign starring Hrithik Roshan, to earning a Silver Effie India 2025 for the ITC Swasthya Bengal CSR initiative. Over the past three years, I’ve led a high-performing team to win and scale marquee accounts including Ferrero Rocher, TATA Sons, Zebronics, and Bajaj Chetak, Rakesh Masala, Vimal Oils, Imperial Blue, etc.

• Led creative strategy for diverse projects across various media platforms.
• Collaborated with artists and teams to develop innovative marketing campaigns.
• Oversaw visual direction and branding for multiple client initiatives.

During an intensive year-long tenure at Justdial, I spearheaded a large-scale content strategy and led a team of 16 writers. I oversaw the research and production of editorial content across every business category on the platform, directly driving a significant increase in SEO rankings and organic discoverability for the company.

• Edited and proofread diverse content for clarity and consistency.
• Collaborated with writers to enhance content quality and style.
• Managed editorial calendar to ensure timely delivery of articles.

Following CodeChef’s acquisition by Unacademy, I led the marketing and content strategy to solidify the platform’s authority within the global developer community. By spearheading a multidisciplinary creative team, I architected a robust ecosystem of editorial content, video series, and high-impact social campaigns. This strategic overhaul culminated in a record-breaking 75,000 registrations for CodeChef’s flagship contest, SnackDown—an unprecedented milestone for the platform.

• Led creative brainstorming sessions to generate innovative learning content.
• Developed engaging visual designs for online courses and promotional materials.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align creative concepts with educational goals.

In the early days of the agency, I led a lean, high-impact team of six from a co-working space, transforming a "flexi-desk" operation into a revenue-generating creative shop. As Creative Head, I provided end-to-end brand solutions—overseeing everything from B2B communication strategies and product packaging to high-engagement social media campaigns. My focus was on delivering big-agency results with a boutique, hands-on approach.

• Developed innovative marketing strategies to enhance brand visibility and engagement.
• Led creative brainstorming sessions to generate fresh ideas for campaigns and projects.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive messaging across platforms.

In 2016, MTV India faced a critical challenge: reclaiming its status as a cultural tastemaker for a new digital generation. I was brought on to overhaul the brand’s social editorial strategy, replacing "spam-heavy" tactics with high-value listicles, video content, and deep-reach editorial. Within a year, MTV’s organic engagement rivaled digital giants like Buzzfeed and ScoopWhoop. Following this digital resurrection, my focus shifted to high-stakes marketing for flagship IPs including Roadies, Splitsvilla, and MTV Unplugged. By creating high-octane promos and teasers, I bridged the gap between social engagement and linear/OTT viewership. Beyond MTV, I provided creative oversight for the entire Viacom18 Youth & English Cluster, including Vh1, Comedy Central, and Colors.

• Developed engaging scripts for television shows and promotional content.
• Collaborated with production teams to ensure creative alignment and vision.
• Edited and refined written material for clarity and impact.

I began my career at the forefront of India’s digital revolution as an early member of the Storypick, writers' room. In the "wild west" of new media, I mastered the art of virality. authoring flash fiction, long-form features, and listicles that defined the era’s internet culture. My work didn't just garner traction; it helped shape the storytelling language of the modern Indian web.

• Developed engaging scripts for MTV India’s television shows and digital content.
• Collaborated with producers to brainstorm creative concepts and storylines.
• Researched trends to ensure content relevance and audience engagement.

Managed end-to-end onboarding for electronic musicians on the Social Mob app, overseeing talent acquisition and collaboration with legal teams for international licensing contracts.

• Crafted engaging content for various multimedia platforms at Padath Infotainment.
• Developed original scripts and storylines for video productions and podcasts.
• Collaborated with designers to create visually appealing promotional materials.