Selonica Nalawansa returns to Leo Burnett to lead Publicis Sri Lanka

Renowned advertising and management professional Selonica Nalawansa recently returned to Leo Burnett Sri Lanka to take up the leadership role at Publicis Solutions Sri Lanka. Selonica was appointed as the Director of the local office of Publicis World wide,she will beresponsible for leading the group’s Publicis team.

Publicis Worldwide is a successful European agency network which has a strong presence across the globe and is a pioneering member of the Publicis Groupe, the fourth largest communications company in the world. The Publicis Group is committed to accompanying its clients through their business transformations, offering a full range of services and expertise across digital, technology, consulting, planning and buying platforms and much more. Present in 108 countries, the Groupe employs a dynamic team of more than 77,000 professionals with a wealth of experience. Renowned for creating contagious ideas that change conversations, the Publicis Group delivers solutions that transcend standard requirements to make a lasting and poignant impact. 

In her new leadership role, Selonica has taken over the management ofsome of the agency’s leading local and global brands such as Nestle Lanka, Sri Lanka Telecom, CIC, Akzo Nobel. She is known throughout the local and regional marketing communications industry for possessing an uncompromising ‘can do’ spirit, and has exhibited the strength required to move mountains when it is needed the most. Armed with her MBA from the Edith Cowen University, Australia, Selonica is a modern, 21st century professional,who is competent at managing integrated communication campaigns with the precision and grace that few can match. Always calm and collected in even the most stressful or difficult of situations, Selonica has a knack for effectively solving any challenge from the most complex problem to the smallest problem. She is known for her ability to overcome any obstacle that is put in her way, in order to successfully deliver excellence to her clients to achieve the goals that have been outlined.

Commenting on Selonica’s appointment, Ranil de Silva – Managing Director, Leo Burnett Group in Sri Lanka said: “Selonica has built an exemplary career at Leo Burnett Sri Lanka. I am delighted to welcome her back to the agency.I wish her every success in her new role at the helm of Publicis Sri Lanka.  Selonica’s resolve and capabilities are well-known throughout the industry.I would like to congratulate Firzan Mulafer, the former Director of Publicis Sri Lanka on his appointment to our office in Viatnam. I am very confident he will meet with exceptional success and wave the flag sky high for Sri Lanka.

Selonica previously completed an 11-year tenure with Leo Burnett and has been instrumental in helping many of the agency’s top tier clients, reach beyond their targets and achieve monumental success.Away from the office, when she’s not solving a crisis or delivering an innovative creative solution for one of the country’s biggest brands, she is a proud, hands-on mom. Throughout her career, Selonica has represented the agency at several international festivals and awards shows and has even won the global company’s most prestigious accolade, the Star Reacher award.This award is given to individuals that exudethe same commitment that Leo Burnett himself demonstrated, in his quest to reach for the stars.

This year Leo Burnett Sri Lanka celebrated its 17th anniversary in Sri Lanka. Over the years, the agency has built many powerful brands and meaningful partnerships with its clients, whilst delivering gratifying results and gaining industry recognition in Sri Lanka, the region and globally. The company handles a diverse portfolio of clients; it is one of the world’s largest agency networks and is a member of the Publicis Group, the world’s fourth largest communications company.