For Udara, digital marketing is about more than campaign metrics, it’s about building the professional capability and digital infrastructure that helps local brands compete on a global stage. A strategic leader with over 15 years of experience across marketing, communications, and ICT for development, Udara has spent his career driving impactful brand and growth strategies both in Sri Lanka and across the region. Currently serving as the Regional VP of Client Success at Roar AdX, he manages a diverse portfolio of local and global brands, ensuring that technical complexity is translated into measurable business success. As a visiting lecturer at the University of Kelaniya, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and APIDM, Udara is a central figure in shaping the future of the country's digital workforce.
Udara’s career is defined by leadership at the intersection of media and technology. At Roar AdX (2020–Present), he heads the client success operations, guiding teams to optimize complex digital opportunities and supporting sales growth through advanced relationship management. Prior to this, he spent six years as the Manager of Paid Media at Ogilvy Digital (2014–2020), where he led the paid media and social teams, controlled large-scale budgets, and developed overarching strategies for some of the region’s most prominent brands. His versatile background also includes specialized work as an Independent Consultant for UNICEF Sri Lanka, applying digital strategy to the vital sector of international development.
Udara holds the distinction of being the first Meta Lead Trainer in Sri Lanka, a testament to his deep technical authority. His creative and strategic prowess was recognized on the global stage as a Cannes Young Lions Winner in 2017. Furthermore, he serves as the Honorary Secretary of the Digital Marketing Association of Sri Lanka (DMASL) for the 2024–2026 term, playing a key role in setting industry standards and fostering a collaborative digital ecosystem across the nation.
Udara holds an MBA from the University of Bedfordshire (2023) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM, 2015). His technical credentials are among the most robust in the industry, featuring Meta Blueprint certifications in Media Buying, Media Planning, and Creative Strategy, alongside a TikTok Green Belt certification. This combination of executive leadership and platform mastery allows him to navigate the digital space with both bird’s-eye strategy and ground-level precision.
"I’m driven by the belief that digital skills can open doors, empower voices, and create meaningful opportunities, especially in fast-growing markets like Sri Lanka. "
My goal is to create a learning space that is practical, inspiring, and human, where every learner leaves not just more skilled, but more curious, confident, and ready to lead in the digital space.
Publications
Udara’s work is underpinned by a profound commitment to Sri Lanka’s digital maturity and global competitiveness. He views his role as a trainer as a way to contribute to the country’s future, bringing a grounded, human-centric approach to everything from multi-million dollar ad spends to undergraduate lectures. Beyond the data, Udara is a seeker of new perspectives and experiences. An avid traveler and sea lover, he finds balance in snorkeling and exploring the beauty beneath the waves, a reflection of the same curiosity he brings to the digital landscape. This passion for exploration extends to the kitchen, where he enjoys experimenting with diverse flavors and cuisines. Whether he is navigating a coral reef or perfecting a new recipe, Udara is driven by the same philosophy: a focus on precision, a respect for depth, and a passion for discovering what lies beneath the surface.