After spending over two decades in the creative and digital advertising business, Manesh Swamy has launched FirstAI Consultancy Pvt Ltd.
As the co-founder of the company, Swamy, who moved on from LS Digital as MD and Chief Creative Officer in May this year, said this company will combine AI-powered speed with craft and help brands think faster and smarter.
“After 20+ years in the creative space, I was contemplating should I keep refreshing the system (read: changing jobs)…or you hit Ctrl Alt Create (read: do your own thing). (Yes, shameless plug for my new Insta page)
“Six months ago, I chose the latter and jumped into the entrepreneurial journey with equal parts excitement and mild, healthy fear. Along with a few very close friends, I’ve been co-building First AI Consultancy Put. Ltd. At First AI, AI doesn’t just mean Artificial Intelligence. For us, it stands for: Artistic Imagination. Analytical Implementation. Audience Interaction. And an always-on Innovation mindset,” he said.
He further said, that backed by 100+ years of collective leadership experience, “we blend deep craft with AI-powered speed, working as a consultancy, a product studio, and a creative partner, all rolled into one.”
“What’s been truly validating is seeing multiple brands already come on board. Deep gratitude for the trust placed in us. it’s fuel for the journey ahead. Our mission is simple (and slightly ambitious): Help brands think smarter, create faster, and grow bigger through intelligent ideas that actually move the needle. The journey has just begun. And if you ever find yourself thinking, we need a crazy creative solution, but smarter, faster, and future-proof, you already know whom to call,” he said.
During his tenure at LS Digital, Manesh played a pivotal role in shaping the agency’s creative vision and culture. Rising through key leadership roles — from Senior Vice President to Chief Creative Officer & SVP, and finally to Managing Director & CCO — he was instrumental in building and nurturing cross-functional creative teams across design, social, UI/UX, strategy, and more.
Under his leadership, LS Digital’s creative teams delivered award-winning campaigns for marquee brands including HDFC Life, Canon, Tata Motors Finance, Bajaj Allianz, PepsiCo, Intel, Singapore Tourism, and many others.