Ipsos India, the global market research and consulting firm, has roped in Garima Mall and Pooja Doshi as Executive Directors effective immediately.
While Mall’s remit includes servicing Market Strategy & Understanding (MSU) and Brand Health Tracking (BHT) Clients in Mumbai and Bengaluru, Doshi will be focusing on servicing key CPG accounts apart from driving business development.
Amit Adarkar
Said Amit Adarkar, CEO, Ipsos India on the development: “Our Client First approach ensures that despite being among the top 3 MR firms in India and around the world, we provide our clients with small agency kind of attentiveness and counsel. “Accessibility of senior staff to clients is extremely critical. It also sends a tacit message that your work is our priority too.”
Vivek Gupta
Added Vivek Gupta, MD (Research) who is responsible for Mumbai and Bengaluru business said: “Both Mall and Doshi come with rich experience and sectoral expertise. Our endeavor is to provide our clients access to specialists as opposed to generalists, thus further strengthening our servicing capabilities in these focused geographies.”
Mall moves from Kantar and has previously worked with Nielsen and GFK Mode and Doshi has moved from BASES NielsenIQ, where she served as Director – Commercial Lead. Both Mall and Doshi will report to Gupta.
Bikano, a snack and packaged food manufacturing company, has launched a new TVC to strengthen their brand position. The ad is about the difference between any plain bhujia and Bikano’s Bhujia.
Said Manish Aggarwal, Director, Bikano, Bikanervala Foods Pvt Ltd: “Bhujia is one of the most loved snacks and therefore has a high consumption pattern. It is crispy, crunchy & tasty that is something desired by every customer.Bhujia is not just a snack; for Indians, it is a food mood, a winner on the leaderboard of Indian namkeen. And at Bikano, we understand and appreciate that fact, hence we only use the finest quality of ingredients to produce the world-famous Bikano Bhujia, andthe same goes for all our products. Our Bhujia TVC reiterates why Bikano is a preferred brand in the category.”
iCubesWire, the digital marketing agency, conducted a survey among 250 marketers and social media influencers in February 2022. As Covid put a major challenge for offline marketing activities across India, brands turned to social media to amplify their messages.
Said Sahil Chopra, CEO, iCubesWire: “Social media influencers in India have seen major growth in the past 2 years with many of them being now considered in mainstream marketing push by several brands. This growth is expected to continue, especially in sectors such as aviation, travel, hospitality, mobile, technology, and consumer durables etc.”
It was the official International Women’s Day yesterday. The 8th of March. Another day and another round of conclaves, purpose-led brand associations, events, and hype. Another day when inspirational anecdotes featuring women achievers were circulated and celebrated. Women exploitation, empowerment, POSH, Glass Ceiling breakers were the focus of discussions. And then, life returned to abnormal. Because what one desires should be normal and what exists, what one is trying to change the abnormal. I am not sure if I got that right. May be it is the other way round.
Advertising is always ahead of the curve, reflecting aspiration and desire. Brands try to mirror evolution of women and changed status on and around women’s day. A life full of unconstrained new social flexibility and age-old constraints.
The purpose-led intent of the brand and its advertising fails to nudge a behaviour change or change the life of women. But, this focused women’s day advertising and brand associations bringing attention and focus to inequalities, non-inclusive, exploitation, unjust norms, and expectations must not stop. They are the reality check and a good reminder.
Socially we have come a long way, and we collectively accept the new emerging scenario and challenges. However, when we look deep, we remain the same in more ways.
NOTHING CHANGED.
Trust me, other than for the minuscule population, women’s day is like that dinner in a marriage or the political rally full of promises. In a short time, every evidence of the celebration is removed, and the promises are forgotten.
Everyone tries to exploit the opportunity. In Mumbai, a sizeable residential society and the Municipal corporation representative celebrated Women’s Day last week. The corporator is also a woman. Speeches happened; examples of achievements were shared. And at the end, women were given a branded Tawa and pan as a gift. PR opportunity over. It tells how much nothing has changed.
On TV, debates and conclave on women’s interests happened. Newspapers devoted pages, and FM will bring stories to life. Digital will have its moment marketing, and that’s it. Most probably, at most debates, it will be a male-dominated panel. Or perhaps not.
Even today, sharing household jobs and load still sounds like ‘Share Her Load’, and we know we have not moved further.
WE HAVE BEEN OVER-AMBITIOUS.
I think somewhere, we have missed a trick. We are trying to move too fast. We want tectonic impact without grassroot changes and acceptance of role, responsibility, and contribution resulting from gender inequality. And we have moved to discuss women’s role in Climate control. We have missed the basic need to nudge behavioural change in terms of Gender respect, gender equality and inclusiveness.
NO SHIFT.
In 2021, MTV said: ‘There is more to a girl’s Life than Shaadi ‘. Facebook featured a woman football coach to make a statement. Ijazat Hai by OkCupid reminded you that women still need permission for everything she does! Most try to establish that running and maintaining a home is not her and not only her responsibility.
In 2022, the 121st Women’s Day celebration is no different.
We are still in the same area and area. The brands are trying to establish and talk of a similar thing. Designing a world without a glass ceiling and barriers. We still work with contrived expectations. Prega News harps how women can carry both worlds. The world she is expected to- her home and the world of her job responsibilities.
Wow skincare demonstrates the power with #SheMakesUs. Kalyan jewellers push for I am more than enough and tries trending #BreakTheBias. Hera uses International women’s day as a cover to launch and even includes a hashtag #NoMoreCompromise in the creative; such initiatives undermine the efforts of other well-intending brands.
Greenlam Industries, in a very contrived way, try encouraging gender equality. Still, it is not her right.. #CanDare, #Impossible, and such Hashtags appear and disappear like the celeste bodies.
MISSING CHAPTER.
A special mention to Whisper for ‘Keep Girls in School’. This initiative will go a long way and will have a considerable impact. We need more dedication from brands- ‘Missing Chapter’ is a move in the right direction. And yes, I wait to see the wall paintings that the brand wants to use to raise awareness about mensuration.
WE HAVE BEEN STUPID.
We have always kept high expectations from purpose-led advertising. Yes, the right communication is known to trigger behaviour change and nudge society toward the right direction, but they are rare and few. A significant societal change requires working at an individual level.
THERE IS HOPE.
It will be wrong to say that all efforts are wasted, and no change has happened. The new generation is far smarter, more cued for their acceptance and rights. I do think the tsunami of change is just ahead, and the process will only get accelerated. Till then, let’s raise a toast to the new generation of aware women and wish that things do change.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Forget the buzz associated with International Women’s Day, and forget its existence. Go, celebrate the women in your life. Whosoever is important in your life. Your grandmother, mother, sister, wife, daughter, daughter-in-law, friends and relatives.
Start afresh. Start small.
Listen to their ambitions, desires, barriers, and complaints. And make some positive contribution to their life. Start treating them as equal. Allow them to express be inclusive in education, social interaction and freedom and flexibility. Give them the freedom to be listened to and act.
Hmmm. Well, you may well say that the Exit polls are clear in their verdict, right? But then they aren’t always correct. So let’s hear it from Dr Bhaskar Das in Das ka Dum dated March 9. Read on…
If you wish to access the archives, please go to the Das Ka Dum tab on the website’s top navigation bar.
Q. The results of the UP elections will be known tomorrow. Given that UP is by the most important state, do you see the election result also impact the mood of the A&M industry?
A. State elections do not generally impact the mood of the A&M industry unless the results change the Centre’s approach to the overall business policies and a coincidental change in geopolitical and socio-economic environment of the country. I am not underestimating the impact of the result on the political discourse in the country, but I don’t foresee any tremor on our business landscape.
The Indus Valley, a direct-to-consumer kitchenware startup, has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Khalid Kamal Rumi, as Chief Marketing Officer of the company.
Commenting on the appointment, Jagadeesh Kumar, CEO, The Indus Valley, said: “In a post-pandemic world, we couldn’t be more grateful for the support our patronizing customers have shown us. But, with so much support, also comes great responsibility, towards fulfilling our mission to disrupt the fragmented, heavily commoditized, and innovation stagnated kitchenware industry, with our healthy cookware range. This is why, we’re very pleased to have Khalid onboard, as he leads the brand onward while staying focused and driven to deliver success at scale.”
Taproot Dentsu has launched a new campaign for Urban Company AC servicing.
Notes a communique: “The campaign creates awareness of the new-age AC servicing technique of using a unique ‘foam jet technology’ that cleans ACs two times better than the regular servicing,“ adding: “The film’s slice-of-life storytelling format aims to question the well-entrenched behaviour of relying on the local technician and encourages consumers to choose Urban Company AC servicing instead.
Grapes, marketing and digital agency, has announced the appointment of Shradha Agarwal as Chief Executive Officer. She will be based out of the agency’s headquarters in Delhi and will manage the overall business and operations of the company. Agarwal takes the baton from Himanshu Arya, who will move to a more strategic role within Grapes.
Speaking on the appointment, Himanshu Arya, Founder, Grapes, said: “In 2015, Shradha joined me and we launched Grapes Digital, now Grapes, and since then there has been no looking back. She has been key to the agency’s success. While leading the strategic planning function at Grapes, she has also been instrumental in laying down goals and the approach to both business and culture. Today our 200+ Grapes family comprises agile, eager and passionate performers. With Shradha taking the lead, her dedication and commitment will take us closer to the target of becoming a 500+ member strong team that will deliver path breaking creative solutions to drive huge impact for our clients.”
Hmmm. We’ll reserve comment on the question. Let’s read what Dr Bhaskar Das says in Das ka Dum dated March 10. Read on…
If you wish to access the archives, please go to the Das Ka Dum tab on the website’s top navigation bar.
Q. A report last week spoke about two brothers who run a leading media company warring and heading for a split of the company. Now one may say that it’s regurgitation of old news, would you say these appear to be tough times for the behemoth?
A. Every business or every business house evolves with time. It is a good practice to reconfigure its business units to adjust to either external market forces or for optimising focus on connected business units. It is better than suffering from active inertia and not taking any step. It might appear to outsiders that the trigger is tough times, but I feel it’s not necessarily so. In fact, tough times don’t last, but tough companies/ people last. All decisions must be taken keeping in mind the interest of business, and not what is perceived by outsiders, who may not have any visibility of the operating imperatives.
On December 3, 2019, International Day of Persons with Disability, I penned down my nascent thoughts on what the media must do in terms of disability representation and inclusion. Little did I know that it was the germination of a fortnightly series on ‘Media and Disability’.
As I wrote the next couple of columns, issues and ideas surfaced. It seemed an obvious and an imperative move to carry on writing, challenging perceptions, questioning people (authorities), raising my voice for India’s largest invisible minority.
The intent was clear. Urge the media to change the societal perception (read misconception), by creating awareness, broadening the scope of imagination, normalising the discourse on disability and recognising the potential of persons with disability.
This is my 50th attempt at shifting the focus to a ‘person first’ narrative, consciously steering away from either a disparaging or a heroic portrayal. Hundred weeks. Fifty columns. Phew!
Although an enriching journey, I must confess it wasn’t easy. I had my fair share of vindicating, glorifying and swimming upstream moments. But it’s been fulfilling nonetheless. As I revisit my past writings, I can chart the growth of the ‘disability advocate’ in me. Exploring different aspects of inclusion, gaining varied perspectives, treading unchartered territory, acknowledging influences, I have learnt to observe, absorb and respect, before I discern, judge or dismiss.
Initially, the columns called out the media on misrepresentation, stereotyping and shallow coverage of a community that constitutes 15 per cent of the global population. As the series was building a case for inclusion of disability in the mainstream agenda, the Covid pandemic struck.
Locked down in their spaces, every citizen experienced isolation first-hand. Being cut off from ‘normal’ modes of functioning was no longer exclusive to the disabled folk. This seemed like a great opportunity for cultivating empathy in an otherwise indifferent world.
This also appeared to be a great context for introducing solutions. Moving from a preachy, finger pointing mode to a more constructive approach. In the post Covid era where virtual replaced the physical, it was time to appreciate the empowering ability of technology for persons with disabilities. Through the column, the need for accessibility in all spheres, especially digital, was explained and emphasized. And champions of change were celebrated.
Personally, I gained more than what I set out to achieve. I was able to align my sensitivity towards disability with my journalistic experiences, churning out a realistic ask. Seeking accessible content, dignified reportage, outlying stereotypes and building a diverse workforce.
As for the experience of curating content, identifying patterns and researching statistics, I enjoyed it all. Some pieces were obviously more memorable, for the responses and reactions they garnered.
The cringeworthy display on television news channels, of Prime Minister Modi laying down the foundation stone of the Ayodhya Ram temple, riled me (and my TV production sensibility). The oversight of accessibility in a building that was yet to come up, led to a mince-no-words attack on the media and the powers that be. It led to some people, bhakts included, recognising the challenges a disabled, pregnant or a senior citizen could face visiting the site. (https://www.mxmindia.com/2020/08/ayodhya-ram-mandir-disabled-access/)
American polity and media also contributed to my arguments against othering. The piece on Invisible Disabilities, inspired from the American legal drama series, Boston Legal was received well. Persons living with chronic illnesses and invisible disabilities face greater rejection by society as their conditions are not apparent. Unfortunately, even today our understanding of disability and access is limited to ramps and wheelchairs. Young Marissa’s self-portrait titled ‘Happy Girl’ challenging her inability to smile in the conventional sense, remains a personal favourite. (https://www.mxmindia.com/2020/09/shruti-pushkarna-invisible-disabilities-missing-from-any-discourse-on-disability/)
US President Joe Biden’s swearing in ceremony was a trendsetter, presented with live captions, American Sign Language, audio description and other accessibility features on YouTube. The event featured speech and hearing impaired, 22-year-old poet laureate, Amanda Gorman flawlessly reciting her poem, ‘The Hill We Climb’. (https://www.mxmindia.com/2021/01/shruti-pushkarna-disabled-lives-matter-time-to-take-a-cue-from-america/)
Then there was the piece applauding the fervent speech delivered by the first visually impaired Pakistan diplomat at the 76th UN General Assembly. A strong advocate of global peace, Saima Saleem made history by reading out her speech in braille at the international convention. (https://www.mxmindia.com/2021/10/shruti-pushkarna-a-fervent-spokesperson-first-disabled-after-has-the-media-finally-got-it-right/)
Finally, there was the explosive performance by India’s Paralympians. The historical medal tally forced the average citizen and the media to nationally acknowledge Para sports. (https://www.mxmindia.com/2021/09/shruti-pushkarna-can-the-historic-paralympic-medal-tally-alter-our-perception-of-disability/)
The list goes on.
Striding towards a utopia where diversity is no longer scorned at, in the past two years I have learnt to redefine my own idea of ‘normal’. Looking forward to bringing you a sharper, riper view on disability inclusion as the column turns a quinquagenarian!
Shruti Pushkarna is a former journalist who now works as a programmes and media specialist for the inclusion of persons with disabilities. Shruti was part of the founding team of MxMIndia and now writes for MxMIndia every other Thursday. Her views here are personal. She can be reached via Twitter at @shrutipushkarna
Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K) has been awarded the integrated communications mandate for both OnMobile, mobile entertainment and ONMO, its D2C mobile cloud gaming platform in India.
Said Pallavi Nayak, Director Marketing & Communications, OnMobile Global & Head of Marketing, ONMO, said, “We are pleased to appoint Hill+Knowlton Strategies as our strategic communications partner in India. As we prepare to enter the Indian market with ONMO, we are confident H+K, with their in-depth experience and capabilities, are well-positioned to establish ONMO in India, while simultaneously communicating the strategic transformation that OnMobile is going through with its focus on mobile gamification.”
Commenting on the announcement, Abhishek Gulyani, CEO, Hill+Knowlton Strategies India, added: “Mobile entertainment and cloud gaming has seen a vertical take-off in India in the last two years. The combination of our experience in the sector globally and dynamic team locally positions H+K well to seize that opportunity and drive a purpose-led, integrated communication outreach for OnMobile and ONMO brands as leaders and disrupters in the Indian mobile entertainment industry.”
Ogilvy has created a new campaign for Project Nanhi Kali, which is jointly managed by the K.C. Mahindra Education Trust and Naandi Foundation.
Said Sheetal Mehta, Trustee & Executive Director, K.C. Mahindra Education Trust: “At Nanhi Kali, we believe that every girl should be in school. An educated girl lays the foundation of success not only for herself, but also for her family, her community, and the nation. Nanhi Kali has empowered over 500,000 girls in India with access to quality education. It is not just about the joy of learning, but more importantly instilling a sense of self-esteem and confidence in the girls.”
Added Kainaz Karmakar & Harshad Rajadhyaksha, Chief Creative Officers, Ogilvy India: “Even today, there are corners of India where the girl is deprived of education. As a result, her confidence and her self-worth take a huge beating. Nanhi Kali believes that education is not just a human right. It is a way for so many girls to feel human. The story, told through the eyes of a noble animal ‘Lajjo’, does just that. We want to make a special mention of our film director, Afshan Hussain, for telling the story so beautifully. And of Ms Ila Arun, for lending the perfect emotion to the ‘voice of Lajjo’.”
It was the official International Women’s Day yesterday. The 8th of March. Another day and another round of conclaves, purpose-led brand associations, events, and hype. Another day when inspirational anecdotes featuring women achievers were circulated and celebrated. Women exploitation, empowerment, POSH, Glass Ceiling breakers were the focus of discussions. And then, life returned to abnormal. Because what one desires should be normal and what exists, what one is trying to change the abnormal. I am not sure if I got that right. May be it is the other way round.
Hmmm. Well, you may well say that the Exit polls are clear in their verdict, right? But then they aren’t always correct. So let’s hear it from Dr Bhaskar Das in Das ka Dum dated March 9. Read on…
By Shruti Pushkarna