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Karthik Sekhar

@karthiksekhar

Creative Director at Heavy Digital, using generative AI to create films and visual stories while cutting production costs by over 60%.

India

Message

At JWT Chennai, I steered the creative work for Times of India’s “A Day in the Life of Chennai,” which won India’s first Cannes Gold Film Lions. The film also won the Lotus Roots Grand Prix at ADFEST and was featured in Luerzer’s Archive World’s Top 100 Films of the Year.

At Heavy Digital, I shape creative work across films, content, branding, and generative AI-led experiences. I direct and produce films and content, and use generative AI workflows for visualisation and storytelling; this work has reduced production costs by over 60% and cut post-production to under three hours.

I co-developed Perfumish Fragrance from inception, working on product curation, branding, and e-commerce integration. My current work also moves between AI-generated cinema, fashion-inspired visual storytelling, and speculative imagery.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Founder & Director

Current

Heavy Digital

Apr 2019 - Present (7 years 7 months)

Shaping Heavy's creative product across films, content, branding, and generative AI-led experiences. Directing and producing films and content, co-developing Perfumish Fragrance, and leading brand identity for Zenaway Stays.

Generative AI Midjourney Kling Flux Seedance Stable Diffusion LoRAs ControlNet Prompt Engineering Film Direction Brand Identity Ecommerce

Group Creative Director

BBH India

Sep 2016 - Dec 2017 (1 year 3 months)

Led pitches and developed creative products for 2GO activewear and the Zee5 launch, covering visual identity, films, and communications. Delivered brand strategies via BBH Content and Entertainment.

Creative Direction Brand Strategy Visual Identity Film Communication Skills

Executive Creative Director

ITSA

Sep 2015 - Jul 2016 (10 months)

Led and developed integrated campaigns with a strong focus on digital brand awareness. Led the social media campaign for HCL's partnership with Manchester United and re-engineered Kulzy.com.

Integrated Campaigns Brand Awareness Social Media Brand Identity UX Design Site Architecture

Independent Creative Director, Photographer & Filmmaker

Self Employed

Sep 2012 - Aug 2015 (2 years 11 months)

Collaborated on feature film projects with award-winning directors and production designers. Provided photography, creative direction, and brand identity design for Aish Scarves, and spearheaded the relaunch of JFW Magazine.

Photography Creative Direction Brand Identity Film Production Collaboration Editorial Design

Senior Creative Director

JWT Chennai

Jul 2008 - Aug 2012 (4 years 1 month)

Recruited to reshape JWT's creative product and steer the agency into an award-winning powerhouse. Steered JWT to win India's first 2 Gold Film Lions at Cannes for Times of India's 'A Day in the Life of Chennai'.

Creative Direction Film Advertising Brand Strategy Award Winning Campaigns

Creative Consultant

Why Axis / Salt Communications / Lowe BLR

Sep 2006 - Jun 2008 (1 year 9 months)

Creative lead for the IPL Chennai Super Kings' team launch and next 3 seasons, creating team identity, mascot, campaign, merchandise, and venue branding. As pitch consultant, secured Central Mall and Brand Factory accounts for Lowe.

Creative Direction Brand Identity Campaign Development Social Media Pitch Consulting

Sr. Art Director

JWT Bangalore

Jun 2004 - Aug 2006 (2 years 2 months)

Led creative development, production, and execution for Levi's. Specialized in brand building and developing new brand architectures for international clients.

Art Direction Brand Building Creative Development Production Execution

Art Director

JWT Chennai

Apr 2002 - May 2004 (2 years 1 month)

Handled brands including Ford Ikon, Mondeo, and Endeavour across print, TV, and online. First member to establish digital capabilities for the Ford account at JWT India.

Art Direction Print TV Online Digital Capabilities

Graphic Designer

Rubecon Chennai

Jul 2000 - Mar 2002 (1 year 8 months)

Established the agency's first digital wing, expanding capabilities across multimedia, digital illustration, animation, web design, and HTML coding. Developed creatives spanning product design, packaging, and visual merchandising.

Graphic Design Digital Illustration Animation Web Design HTML Packaging Visual Merchandising

Art Intern

HTA Chennai

Dec 1999 - Mar 2000 (3 months)

Developed the Reynolds Jetter packaging design, winning Best Package Design at the Chennai Ad Club Awards, while gaining foundational experience in advertising, print, and art direction.

Packaging Design Advertising Print Art Direction