For Shalendra Mendis, digital advertising is an evolving frontier that requires a complete reimagining of conventional industry models. As the Founder and Managing Partner of The Hackvertising Network, Shalendra leads a global collective of specialty agencies—including Ad Hoc, White Label, and View-Thru Media—dedicated to solving critical industry challenges through specialized, high-impact solutions. With over 14 years of experience, including a decade-long tenure where he became the youngest-ever Vice President in the GroupM South Asia region, Shalendra is recognized as one of the most influential figures in the digital industry. He currently serves as the Vice President of the Digital Marketing Association of Sri Lanka (DMASL), where he continues to act as a foundational architect of the nation’s digital landscape.
Shalendra’s professional journey began at a London-based digital video agency, a specialized start that established his video-first approach to digital strategy. Upon returning to Sri Lanka, he led GroupM, the country’s largest digital agency, overseeing a powerhouse of 50+ professionals and driving strategies for global giants like Unilever, Red Bull, Uber, Nokia, and Dell. He played a pivotal role in accelerating Unilever’s digital transformation from 2015 to 2017 and has since successfully transitioned into the entrepreneurial space. Today, his network delivers innovative solutions for an expansive portfolio of brands including Pizza Hut, Denza, Revello, Sera, APITT, and P&S, proving that specialized agility is the new benchmark for success.
Shalendra’s career is defined by historic achievements, most notably winning a Global Gold at the Festival of Media Awards in Rome for the "Spoiler-Mite" campaign, where his team triumphed over Amazon’s Alexa UK in the "Best Use of Digital Media" category—the most significant global achievement in Sri Lankan digital marketing history. Under his leadership, GroupM cemented its status as the country’s most awarded agency, securing a record three Golds and three Silvers at Campaign Asia’s "Digital Agency of the Year" awards. His personal accolades include the Grand Prix at SLIM DIGIS 2019, multiple Effie Awards, and the distinction of being the only South Asian selected as a Mindshare Young Lion to represent the region at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
His strategic edge is grounded in a strong international foundation, holding a BBA in Marketing & Management (2010) from Edith Cowan University, Australia. As a founding EXCO member and Vice President of the DMASL, he combines global standards with over a decade of regional market leadership. Shalendra is a frequent speaker and thought leader, appearing in industry forums and via his publication "From The Cubicle" to discuss the future of the agency model and the intersection of decentralization and future tech.
"Believe being a trainer has the potential to even change the world!"
Publications
Shalendra brings an eclectic energy to his training sessions, often drawing parallels between historical shifts and modern digital disruptions. As a self-proclaimed Bitcoin Evangelist and history lover, his training philosophy is built on the idea that learning should never be abstract or disconnected from reality. He moves his students away from rigid templates and toward independent, strategic judgment, empowering a new generation of marketers to break the rules effectively and lead with clarity.