Thayalan Bartlett Named Among APAC’s Future-Building Communications Leaders by Campaign Asia-Pacific
Only Sri Lankan recognised on Campaign Asia-Pacific’s 50 Over Fifty 2026 list, celebrating experienced leaders actively shaping the future of marketing, media and communications.
Thayalan Bartlett, Executive Chairman of MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka, has been recognised in Campaign Asia-Pacific’s inaugural 50 Over Fifty 2026 list, becoming the only Sri Lankan named among a select group of senior marketing, media and communications professionals from across the region.
Campaign Asia-Pacific’s 50 Over Fifty highlights experienced industry figures whose continued impact, entrepreneurial drive, mentorship and governance are shaping the next era of the communications industry.
The 2026 list features 37 individuals across 11 Asia-Pacific markets, with Thayalan’s inclusion placing him alongside some of the region’s most respected figures, including Lulu Raghavan, President, APAC, Landor; Gabor Koska, Executive Vice President, Head of Data x Intelligence APAC, Edelman; Geoff Clarke, Managing Director – Business Transformation, Omnicom Media Australia; Nick Seckold, Regional Vice President, Microsoft Advertising; and Amanda Palenski, Managing Director, PHD Media.
Over more than three decades, Thayalan has played a defining role in Sri Lanka’s marketing communications industry, with leadership across creative, media, strategy, digital and integrated business transformation.
As Executive Chairman of MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka, he has helped evolve the agency into a multi-vertical communications group built around creativity, commercial discipline, data, technology and human insight.
His leadership has also been significant through periods of national and industry volatility, including the pandemic, Sri Lanka’s sovereign debt crisis and wider economic disruption.
Campaign Asia-Pacific’s profile highlights his role in keeping MullenLowe Sri Lanka growing through turbulence, while building institutions, teams and capabilities designed for long-term strength.
Thayalan has also remained committed to mentoring emerging leadership and building cultures grounded in accountability, ambition and entrepreneurial thinking.
His recognition comes at a time when artificial intelligence, shifting consumer behaviour and platform disruption are redefining the communications landscape, reinforcing the value of experienced leadership with the ability to adapt, guide and build for the future.
Created to challenge the industry’s long-standing fixation on youth, the Campaign Asia-Pacific 50 Over Fifty initiative celebrates leaders who continue to shape the future of marketing, communications and creativity beyond the age of fifty, recognising individuals whose experience, resilience and continued innovation are redefining leadership in a rapidly evolving industry.
For the full list, visit campaign50over50.com/#winners.
About Campaign Asia-Pacific
Campaign Asia-Pacific provides insights and intelligence into the ideas, work and personalities shaping the region’s marketing communications industry.
Serving senior marketing and communications professionals, it explores the trends, innovations and transformative work redefining brand experiences across channels, while fostering open, informed dialogue that educates and inspires the industry.
