MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka appoints top aviation professional Lakshika Gunatilake to head LowePublic

The MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka (MLG), the largest multidisciplinary brand communications group has appointed Lakshika Gunatilake, as the head of its Public Relations arm – LowePublic. Ms. Gunatilake joins the group after serving at Sri Lankan Airlines for the past 23 years. Her last position prior to taking up the role with MLG being – SriLankan Airline’s Digital Communications and Social Media Manager where she oversaw the deployment and strategizing of Digital Marketing and Social Media Communication and Social PR programs across local and international markets.

 Gunatilake brings a wealth of experience having served in a range of dynamic roles in the airline such as, but not limited to, Advertising, Procurement, and Passenger Operations. She has been tasked to oversee the rapid growth and expansion of LowePublic over the next 3 years and bring it on par with all of the group’s other 9 business verticals.

 The above appointment at MullenLowe is strategic in nature as the group capitalises on significant shifts in its business to meet the transitionary phase of the industry in which tech is rapidly evolving to influence choice, and build reputation for brands and companies.

 Commenting on the appointment, Thayalan Bartlett Executive Chairman of The MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka said, we are delighted to welcome Lakshika at a defining moment of the industry and our own business. We believe that her vast experience dealing with overseas markets in a challenging industry such as aviation will be immensely useful as we sharpen our offering across a wide spectrum of clients. Our focus and thrust as a group has largely been on digital and tech in the last 24 months. With Lakshika on board we look forward to accelerating this transformation for LowePublic.

The MullenLowe Group (MLG) is Sri Lanka’s largest marketing communications group. The company, which until recently was owned by the US-based Interpublic Group (IPG), transitioned to local ownership and is a full member affiliate of MullenLowe Worlwide and part of a network of 95 global offices across 65 markets. MullenLowe Worldwide employs 6400+ people around the world, with the Sri Lanka office staffing 100 employees, and serving clients with diverse business interests in the Sri Lankan market. The Sri Lanka office is well represented across categories covering FMCG, Banking & Finance, Insurance, Leisure, Mobile & Broadband, Fintech, Enterprise Solutions, Milk based foods, Beauty & Personal and Home Care, Carbonated, Energy and Fresh Drinks, Packaged Foods & Biscuits and Sanitary Pads to name a few. This extensive portfolio comes together to dominate 80% of the top 10 and 50% of the top 20 advertised categories in the country. The group is supported by 9 independent strategic business verticals – MullenLowe, LoweLintas, LoweTech, LoweDigital, LoweMedia, LowePublic, LoweActive, LoweGo and Fever. By the sheer representation of diverse industries through these independent verticals, the Group draws on a vast amount of cross category knowledge making it the most influential brand communications group operating in the country.