BBDO Sri Lanka has begun a new chapter following the transition of MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka into the BBDO network, strengthening its connection to Omnicom’s global creative ecosystem.
BBDO Sri Lanka builds on award-winning creative and business effectiveness
The transition follows Omnicom’s global integration after completing its acquisition of IPG in December 2025, bringing the established Sri Lankan agency into the BBDO Worldwide network as an Omnicom affiliate. While the identity has changed, the agency said its people, client relationships, capabilities and understanding of the local market will continue to form the foundation of its operations.
The move positions BBDO Sri Lanka within one of the world’s recognised creative networks while allowing the local operation to build on a track record centred on creativity, strategic thinking and measurable business effectiveness. The agency said the transition represents an evolution rather than a complete reset, with its existing strengths carried forward under the BBDO name.
That track record includes eight Effie Agency of the Year titles in Sri Lanka over the past decade and five Campaign South Asia Agency of the Year awards. The agency has also secured positions among the Top 20 Most Effective Agency Offices in the Asia-Pacific region and the Global Top 100 on the Effie Index for two consecutive years.
The scale of the operation is reflected in its current workforce and client base. More than 100 people work across 111 brands and 33 categories, partnering with 43 leading corporates. Those relationships and the accumulated experience of its teams are expected to remain central as the business moves into its next phase as BBDO Sri Lanka.
Executive Chairman Thayalan Bartlett described the transition as a continuation of what the agency has built rather than a new starting point. He highlighted the importance of its people, client partnerships and commitment to effectiveness, while pointing to BBDO’s global platform as an opportunity to expand the agency’s creative ambitions.
For the Sri Lankan operation, the change also creates closer links with Omnicom’s international ecosystem. This could provide greater opportunities for local talent and capabilities to connect with international teams, markets and creative projects, while enabling ideas developed in Sri Lanka to reach a broader audience.
BBDO Worldwide Global President and CEO Nancy Reyes welcomed the agency into the network, highlighting its history, talent and demonstrated ability to produce work that contributes to business performance. She also pointed to BBDO’s long-standing focus on ideas that extend beyond individual campaigns and create lasting value for clients.
The transition comes at a time when advertising agencies are increasingly expected to operate across a wider range of disciplines. BBDO Sri Lanka said it will continue bringing together strategy, creative, public relations, media, activation, technology and digital capabilities, maintaining an integrated approach for clients.
That combination of local expertise and international connectivity is expected to be an important part of the agency’s positioning under the new identity. For clients operating in Sri Lanka, the agency will continue to draw on its knowledge of local consumers, businesses and market dynamics while gaining access to the broader creative community associated with BBDO.
For the agency itself, the shift from MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka to BBDO Sri Lanka represents a significant branding and network change, but one designed to preserve the foundations established over years of operation. Its awards, client relationships and effectiveness credentials provide the platform on which the new identity will be built.
The agency’s next phase will therefore be defined by how effectively it combines that established Sri Lankan track record with BBDO’s international creative network. With more than 100 employees, a broad portfolio spanning 33 categories and relationships with 43 leading corporates, BBDO Sri Lanka enters the new chapter with an established operating base and a clear emphasis on creative work that delivers measurable business impact.