Bharat Avalani at 60: Celebrating a life of storytelling, leadership and connection

Bharat Avalani is the Founder and CEO of Connecting the Dots and the Global Partner of Anecdote, one of the world’s largest business storytelling enterprises

by e4m Staff
Published: Jun 14, 2025 9:54 AM | 4 min read

Bharat Avalani, a seasoned marketing professional with over two decades of experience at Unilever, is globally recognized as a thought leader in business storytelling and strategic communication. The Founder and CEO of Connecting the Dots and the Global Partner of Anecdote, one of the world’s largest business storytelling enterprises, celebrates his 60th birthday today. Based in Kuala Lumpur, Bharat works with leaders and organizations around the world to transform workplace communication, foster authentic leadership, and drive meaningful engagement through story-based approaches.

A passionate advocate for the power of storytelling in business, Bharat teaches leaders how to use narrative techniques to inspire, connect, and deliver outcomes. His work centers on restoring humanity to the workplace, helping individuals communicate with authenticity and purpose. Known to many as a "memory collector" and storyteller, Bharat views every journey and photograph as a story waiting to be told—emotive, engaging, and impactful.

Bharat is a sought-after keynote speaker, consultant, and trainer, delivering programs that resonate across industries and cultures. He is an NLP Certified Master Trainer, an HRD Corp Malaysia Accredited Trainer, and adjunct faculty at the Asia School of Business in collaboration with the MIT Sloan School of Management.

In his current leadership roles, he serves as Secretary General of the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA) and Global Vice President for Continuous Professional Development on the Global Board of the International Advertising Association (IAA), headquartered in New York.

His contributions to the marketing and advertising industry have been widely recognized. At the 30th AdAsia Congress in Bali, he was honored with AFAA’s Special Award for his efforts in advancing the influence of advertising and marketing across the region. Since 2013, he has impacted over 230 professionals in 11 countries through the AFAA Fasttrack Program.

Bharat’s authenticity, generosity, and emotional intelligence have left a deep impression on industry veterans. As Ramesh Narayan, former AFAA leader and industry stalwart, puts it: “One of the nicest things I have gained because of my association with AFAA is the friendship of Bharat Avalani. I could call him a storyteller par excellence, a collector of memories, a person who is perfectly at ease speaking on any large stage, and a delightful raconteur at any intimate party.

Bharat is someone who has learned the difficult art of saying even bitter truths in such a smooth manner that the person listening to him will never get hurt—a practice that is invaluable in Committee meetings.

I recall Bharat asked me to write a few lines about the retiring Chairman of AFAA, Pradeep Guha, and he presented it to him at KL. At that time, I just felt it was a lovely gesture from Bharat.

Many years later, it became the script of a little film that was made and shown at the Olive Crown Awards after Pradeep passed.
But it is Bharat who is thoughtful about such things, and it makes me feel very nice to be able to call him my friend.”

Echoing this sentiment is Raymond So, who shares a bond with Bharat that has spanned nearly two decades, shares, “It feels like just yesterday, yet almost two decades have passed since I first shook hands with Bharat at the Asian Advertising Congress. Even in that bustling, competitive environment, he stood out—not through loudness, but through a proactive warmth.

Bharat possesses a rare gift for genuinely reaching out, connecting with people effortlessly, and making you feel like a valued friend from the very first moment.
Beyond his Unilever-honed professional acumen, what truly defines him is his profound commitment to friendship. He is a master weaver of global connections, remembering not just names but stories, moments, and the very essence of people he meets.
His legacy also includes the inspiring Fastrack Program for AFAA. Bharat doesn’t just train future leaders—he nurtures them, follows their journeys, visits them when he travels, and stays invested in their growth.
Through it all, he remains a calm, steady gentleman who builds enduring relationships on trust and authenticity. I feel immensely fortunate to call him my friend, and as he celebrates his 60th birthday, I look forward to many more decades of his friendship, wisdom, and warmth.”

Bharat Avalani is not just a marketer or facilitator. He is a connector of people, a builder of trust, and above all, a humanist who uses the power of stories to make work—and life—more meaningful for everyone he encounters.