Harsh Kapadia

How it all came about…

From a childhood captivated by commercials to leading creative transformation on a global scale, Harsh Kapadia’s journey in advertising is a testament to passion, innovation, and cultural agility. Now Chief Creative Officer at Grey Worldwide India, Harsh brings over two decades of experience spanning four continents—Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America—where he has shaped some of the world’s most iconic brands.

Born with an innate love for storytelling, Harsh’s fascination with advertising began early. According to his family, everything paused when the commercials came on—mealtime, playtime, any time. That unwavering curiosity led him to collaborate with top agencies across Mumbai, Melbourne, London, and New York, crafting award-winning campaigns for global powerhouses like Google, Kraft, United States Postal Service, Reckitt, Motorola, Lego, New Balance, Diageo, Australian Government and Ford.

Harsh’s creative leadership has been recognized on the world stage, earning accolades from Cannes Lions, D&AD, One Show, Clios, Spikes Asia, AWARD and Adfest to name a few. His impact extends beyond winning awards—he has served as a jury member for Cannes Lions, D&AD, ADC, and the New York Festival on various occasions and as Jury President for D&AD Impact. His contributions to the industry have also earned him personal recognition from Former First Lady of the United States of America - Michelle Obama, and Business Insider has named him a rising star of Madison Avenue for his transformative influence on modern advertising.

At the heart of Harsh’s team building approach is his philosophy of “Cultural MacGyverism”—the belief that the most powerful ideas emerge from a deep understanding of diverse cultures, fueled by curiosity and a seamless fusion of creativity, data, and technology. His work not only drives business growth but also shapes culture, proving that bold ideas have the power to transcend advertising and leave a lasting impact.