Hendra Lesmono set to leave creative chairman role at Bates CHI&Partners Jakarta

Hendra Lesmono, Creative Chairman at Bates CHI&Partners Jakarta is moving on, after a 15 year stint with the agency. As one of the founding members of David, which subsequently merged with Bates CHI, Lesmono has spent the better part of his career in shaping Bates CHI&Partners as one of the influential agency brands in Indonesia.

He has been instrumental in the manifold growth and creative reputation of Bates CHI&Partners over the last decade or so. Under Lesmono’s watch, Bates CHI&Partners has won many accolades both at the local and International award shows – Citra Pariwara, Spikes, The One Show and Cannes Lions. And the agency today is one of the country’s leading communication companies with 60 people and over 20 clients including Sampoerna, Unilever, BMW, Ultra Jaya, Santos Jaya Abadi among many others.

A true testimony to Hendra’s contribution to Bates CHI&Partners is the enduring partnership with Sampoerna. Some of the celebrated campaigns done for Sampoerna, campaigns that became part of popular culture, bear Lesmono’s indelible stamp.

Commenting on this development, David Mayo, Regional CEO Bates CHI&Partners said, “I have met plenty of people over the past 30 years in this industry but few like Hendra. A man of deep thought, few words and great integrity. Over the past 5 years, in particular on our Bates CHI Journey together, he has been something of a Totem to me and the senior management team and his legacy is one of the most recognized agencies in South East Asia. What an achievement!”

Lesmono said, “Come to think of it, at Bates I don’t actually have friends. I have one big family! This place has given me nothing but great experiences. I worked with some of the best talent around and very fortunate to work with some of the best clients in the industry. Leaving this nest is never easy but I think it’s time to make myself uncomfortable again and embrace the beauty of learning and stay relevant once again”

Speaking of Lesmono’s departure, B Ramanathan, CEO Bates CHI Jakarta said, “Hendra has made invaluable contributions to the development and growth of this agency, more importantly built a very strong people-first culture. I have thoroughly enjoyed his partnership and wish him the very best as he charters a new path”.