Dear HTA / JWT

I am filled with a sense of nostalgia and gratitude that has left me teary eyed, as I reflect on the wonder days of working with HTA and JWT. It's been a while since I left, but the memories and experiences keep me rich till date.

Mention of #HTA and #JWT evokes a rush of emotions, and I can't help but reminisce about the incredible journey we shared together. Those were the days when I was a member of a family, a tight-knit team of creative minds, dreamers, and doers. Together, we turned ideas into reality and transformed the impossible into the extraordinary.

I'll never forget the maddening atmosphere in our office. It was a place where every third desk was playing different music, loudly! It was always coffee, chai, sandwiches and heaped plate of noodles on every other desk. It was a place of arguments and laughter at the same time. It was a place of Pool competitions and beer with music evenings. It was a place of pranks and jokes, of brotherhood & sisterhood. It was a place to be! Innovation and creativity thrived, and where we pushed the boundaries of our imagination, or someone kicked it out of us! Whether we were brainstorming ideas for a new campaign or working tirelessly to meet a tight deadline, the passion and dedication that each one of us brought to the table was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

But what truly made those days extraordinary were the people. The bonds we formed, the friendships we nurtured – they were the foundation of our success. I remember the countless late nights, not just working, but laughing, sharing stories, and building lasting relationships. Some of those relationships extended beyond the office, and I am grateful for the friendships that continue to enrich my life. And all this revolved around the shared dream of great ideas and shining work. It was always about the work!

The collaboration and mentorship I received at HTA and JWT were invaluable. The 'critique nudge' I received from my colleagues, and the wisdom of our leaders, played a pivotal role in shaping my career. I am who I am today because of the opportunities and the nudge that I got from everyone to better things!

As I look back, I realize that those were the wonder days, not just in terms of career growth and professional achievements but also in terms of personal growth and the deep sense of purpose I found in my work. I remember the moments when our ideas came to life, the pride we felt when our campaigns touched people's lives, and the sense of accomplishment that came with every success. It was a time of wonder, of magic, and of endless possibilities. And it was a time where I learned to be empathetic towards the client’s needs! This was by far the best lesson I learnt and remains, forever shaping the way I approach my work, relationships, and life in general.

Now, Wunderman Thompson (JWT) is merging with VMLY&R, and I hope it is going to usher in a new era of creative brilliance. Wishing you guys the very best for your new adventure. May you find as much joy and wonder in your endeavors as we did during our time. Remember to spread the learnings and gently nudge the guys there into creating absolutely amazing work!

With deep admiration and warmest regards

Debu

Many thanx to- Ivan Arthur, Mike Khanna, Ramakrishna (Ramki) Desiraju Tarun Rai Senthil Kumar Hital Pandya Suranjan Das Sita, Aggi, Orko Basu Bobby Pawar Samarth Shrivastava Varun Channa Nandita Chalam Babita Baruah Jacob Attokaren Vistasp Hodiwala Rudra Sen Sanjeev Roy Ramesh Srivats Nazarius Manoharan Prabhakar Mundkur Karan Amin Ramnik Chhabra Hamsini Shivakumar Malini Chandrasekar Varun Mehta Purushottam Joshi Bhaskar Rao Parag More Craig Davis Ashok Vidyasagar Ferzad Variyava Bruce Matchett