Mumbai, Aug 31, 1999: Anil Bhatia, general manager of HTA's Mumbai office died of a heart attack on Saturday, the 28th of August. He was 45 years old.

 

In a career spanning two decades, Bhatia led the growth of the flagship office of the country's largest advertising agency.

 

In 1985, when he took over the agency's billing was over Rs 10 crores. Under his stewardship, the agency grew from strength to strength. Today, Mumbai office turnover is poised to exceed Rs 350 crores.

 

Bhatia's achievement goes beyond numbers. He has been a key contributor to the lateral growth and development of Hindustan Thompson. He helped to create and shape new divisions and professional cells, including HTA Direct which is today's leading direct marketing agency. Bhatia helped guide and direct the formation and growth of Fulcrum, the special Levers media buying unit, and was actively involved in the creation of HTA Interactive.

 

A star of the 1976 batch of post-graduates of the IIM Ahmedabad, Anil Bhatia joined HTA as an AccountExecutive in 1978. Since then his own personal development and his contribution to the company's growth has been significant.

 

Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.