Ashvin Anamalai and Dan Iskandar launch new boutique agency in Malaysia

Ashvin Anamalai and Dan Iskandar have launched a new PR agency called DNA Creative Communications. The boutique communications agency was started by Anamalai and Iskandar after Anamalai’s departure from Be Strategic. The agency provides an array of services, ranging from digital design, branding, marketing strategy, performance marketing and public relations services to event management. It also aims to help brands find their purpose and voice with audiences.

Anamalai will be taking on responsibilities for the agency’s business growth and expansion as well as building client relationships and strategic planning on large-scale client projects. Iskandar on the other hand, will be handling the creative side of things.

Before embarking on creating his own agency, Anamalai was previously the chief strategist at Be Strategic, a creative communications agency from which he departed last year.

Anamalai carries with him nearly 20 years in regional sales, marketing and communications. Prior to Be Strategic, he was the head of sales and marketing for FAL Food and Beverages in the ASEAN region from 2015 to 2017, before which he was the director of account management and business development at Ellipses Malaysia from 2014 to 2015. He was promoted to the role of director after being a manager in the same role from 2009 to 2013.

Both Anamalai (pictured right) and Iskandar (pictured left) have walked hand in hand over the past seven years of their careers. With over 14 years of experience, Iskandar has built an impressive portfolio through his tenure.

Prior to joining Anamalai in this new venture, Iskandar was previously a creative strategist at Be Strategic from 2017 to 2022, before which he was the marketing manager at FAL Food and Beverages from 2015 to 2017. He moved to FAL from Ellipses Malaysia where he was a copywriter from 2014 to 2015.

Iskandar’s most recent recognition for his creative capabilities is his gold haul as best strategist at the 2022 A+M agency of the year awards. Over the past 10 years, he has also worked with and led creative and strategic teams across traditional and digital platforms with brands such as Nestle, Guinness Anchor, Nandos, Naza KIA and U Mobile, among others. Iskandar started his career as a copywriter at Grey.

Anamalai said that DNACC was formed with the intention of bringing together an immense powerhouse of talents in the hopes of making an undeniable impact in the local advertising and marketing industry. “We strive to show that there is a space for Malaysian-owned agencies to not only compete, but to also score big against the bigger boys,” Anamalai explained.

Iskandar’s hope for DNACC is to provide breakthrough solutions while paying close attention to client needs. “Our goal is to live the details and make a difference for each and every client,” said Iskandar. “With DNACC, I’m able to further explore what I love doing the most: collaborating with a dynamic team, establishing trusted client relationships, and immersing myself in work that makes a measurable difference,” he added.

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