MxMIndia

Author: Our Staff

  • Close to 70 series and movies across languages and genres

    Prime Video upcoming slate features a diverse range of new series

    Prime Video unveiled close to 70 series and movies, with most of them premiering on the service over the next two years at its second Prime Video Presents India showcase on Tuesday. Notes a communique: “With 40 Original series and movies, and 29 of some of India’s biggest and most anticipated movies, the new slate promises to bring the best of Indian entertainment to delight and engage customers.”

    Said Sushant Sreeram, Country Director, Prime Video, India: “At Prime Video, it has been our focus to super-serve Indian customers with the best of entertainment across formats. From clutter-breaking Original series and movies, direct-to-service premieres to post-theatrical launches of some of the biggest hits across languages, our goal is to be the first choice of entertainment for every customer. Our content broke new grounds in 2023, helping India remain a front runner, across international locales, in new customer adoption and Prime member engagement. We are humbled by the love we have received from our customers, and want every story on our service to be someone’s favourite show or movie. In sync with this, we are thrilled to unveil our biggest, most diverse slate till date, and are certain that our upcoming series and movies will continue to enthrall audiences, not just in India but around the world.”

    Added Aparna Purohit, Head of Originals, India and Southeast Asia, Prime Video: “At Prime Video, it has been our ongoing mission to be a global showcase for diverse, authentic and rooted Indian stories, that can transcend linguistic and geographical borders,” “In just 2023, our content was watched in over 210 countries and territories, in any given week, and trended in the top 10 on Prime Video worldwide for 43 of the last 52 weeks. It has been gratifying to witness the national and global impact of our shows and movies, and this fuels us to further champion Indian content on the global stage. As the home for storytellers and talent, we are also excited to partner with some of the most prolific names in Indian entertainment, and empower dynamic, new voices, to create stories that are fresh, powerful, inspiring and entertaining. We are confident that our upcoming slate of series and movies will pave the way for even more compelling narratives from India to emerge.”

  • In Mumbai

    Emvies to be held on March 22

    The Advertising Club is gearing up to host the latest edition of the Emvies. With a total of 1892 entries received, Emvies 2024 will take place on Friday, March 22, 2024, in Mumbai.

    Of 1892 entries received, 471 were shortlisted. The final round of judging was evaluated by seasoned marketing professionals and select creative directors. Emerging as a gold standard amongst media awards, the Emvies 2024 has over the years grown in scale and strength.

    Said Rana Barua, Group CEO of Havas India, South East, and North Asia, and President of The Advertising Club: “At The Advertising Club, we take immense pride in promoting excellence in the field of Advertising, Media, and Marketing and the Emvies is a testament to our continuous effort. I’d like to express my gratitude to the jury for giving their precious time, and to the media agencies and brands for demonstrating strong ideas to foster growth of the Advertising, Media, and Marketing industry.”

    Added Punitha Arumugam, Chairperson Emvies Committee: “The increase in the number of entries for Emvies 2024 underlines the industry’s unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries. We are delighted to recognize the dedication and strategic brilliance reflected in these entries. It has always been our endeavour to celebrate groundbreaking media campaigns that have significantly contributed towards building resonance for brands.”

  • To become largest player in the Indian local language market

    Warner Music partners JetSynthesys’s Global Music Junction

    Warner Music India has expanded its partnership with Global Music Junction (GMJ), the music and entertainment subsidiary of JetSynthesys.  The companies struck a distribution deal in 2021, but this new agreement sees Warner Music make a strategic investment in GMJ, giving it a seat on the Board.  The move, notes a communique, will establish Warner Music India to become the largest player in the central Indian music market.

    Says Alfonso Perez Soto, President, Emerging Markets, Warner Music: “This is a significant milestone in the expansion of our presence across India.  Working with the amazing team at GMJ last year not only strengthened our partnership but enabled us to better support artists from the central regions of India, bringing them the best artistic support that any company can provide, and helping them connect with fans across the country and around the world.  India is one of the most exciting music markets in the world and with GMJ as a partner we’re right at the heart of it.”

    Added Rajan Navani, CEO and founder of JetSynthesys: “Our journey with Warner Music has been remarkable, highlighted by some successful collaborations. The indigenous languages in which we operate, such as the Bhojpuri, Haryanvi, Oriya, Kannada and Gujarati language markets in India, have seen incredible growth in the recent past. Warner Music’s investment in Global Music Junction and its continued collaboration with us will fast track the increasing expansion of India’s regional music industry. With our combined collective vision and understanding of audience preferences, we aim to strengthen the ecosystem by meeting the growing fan demand in the music and entertainment space. We are looking forward to more successful outcomes from our longstanding collaboration.”

    Said Jay Mehta, Managing Director of Warner Music India: “Our partnership continues to have a significant presence in the places in the Indian market which are growing most rapidly, and so enables us to be the fastest music company in our expansion.  GMJ is a leading player in five language markets in central India and works with some of the biggest names in Indian music and show business.  This is a critical moment in our expansion across the country as we seek to position Warner Music India as the number one choice for all discerning artists and labels.”

  • Presents Gentlemen's Edit 2.0

    John Jacobs eyewear unveils campaign film

    John Jacobs, the eyewear brand by Lenskart, has unveiled a new campaign film to bring back Gentlemen’s Edit 2.0, featuring the journeys of actor Arjun Mathur and entrepreneur Varun Duggirala.

    Commenting on the campaign’s launch, Apeksha Gupta, CEO of John Jacobs said: “Gentlemen’s Edit 2.0 isn’t just about eyewear; it’s a tale of success intertwined with the essence of a true gentleman. Joined by Arjun Mathur and Varun Duggirala, we redefine modern elegance, weaving enduring values—integrity, kindness, and authenticity–into our narrative.”

  • The event was conceptualised and designed by Initiative India

    Big FM & Centuary Mattresses host Qoolest Sleep Concert

    Centuary Mattresses hosted the Qoolest Sleep Concert on World Sleep Day, March 15, 2024. The event, conceptualised and designed by Initiative India in collaboration with Big FM, aimed to raise awareness about the importance of sound sleep for overall well-being and provide attendees with an immersive sleep experience.

    Said Vijay Kumar Mikkilineni, GM Marketing, Centuary Mattresses, said: “We are thrilled to present the largest Qoolest Sleep Concert in India. This unique event aims to educate people about the paramount importance of sleep for our overall well-being. By integrating music, relaxation, and expert insights, we aim to highlight the crucial role quality sleep plays in our lives and nurture healthier lifestyles across the nation.”

    Added Dhirendra Singh, EVP and Mumbai Head, Initiative India: “Centuary Mattresses’ Qoolest Sleep Concert isn’t just an event; it’s a strategic masterpiece. By tapping into the trend of sleep deprivation, we, along with BIG FM, crafted a narrative that resonates deeply with consumers. This initiative positions Centuary Mattresses as a brand that understands and cares about the well-being of its audience, forging an emotional connection that transcends transactional relationships. It’s a testament to Initiative’s commitment to delivering impactful campaigns that resonate beyond traditional advertising, leaving a lasting impression on consumers and elevating Centuary Mattresses’ brand stature in the market.”

  • Crafted by VML India

    Vivo launches ‘Be the Pro’ Campaign

    Vivo, the smartphone brand, introduced its latest campaign, ‘Be the Pro’, for the all-new Vivo V30 Series. It is crafted by VML India.

    Commenting on the campaign, Geetaj Channana, Head Corporate Strategy, Vivo India, said:  “The idea is based on an interesting insight – who says everyday moments of life can’t be memorable. You can find delight in the daily, and surprises in the routine when you see it like a Pro. Vivo is committed to placing consumer orientation at the core. With our latest launch, we aim to empower users to elevate their everyday moments into Pro moments. Our collaboration with ZEISS reflects this commitment, allowing users to effortlessly capture portraits like a professional. The campaign film perfectly encapsulates our brand ethos of creating technology that brings joy to our consumers.”

    Added Sundeep Sehgal, Senior Vice President & ECD at VML, Delhi: “When you see magic in everyday life, find joy in every moment, and feel warmth in the ordinary, you make every day delightful, and you become a Pro. Our latest film celebrates the idea of ‘Be the Pro’ with an emotional story, showcasing how everyday moments become delightful and memorable.”

  • Over the next two years, Shah Rukh Khan will feature in digital, print, and TV campaigns for bp and Castrol, showcasing their wide range of products

    SRK joins Castrol India as official brand ambassador

    Castrol, BP Group’s lubricant brand, has got Shah Rukh Khan, as its brand ambassador. Over the next two years, Shah Rukh Khan will feature in digital, print, and TV campaigns for bp and Castrol, showcasing their wide range of products.

    Said Sashi Mukundan, President of BP India and Senior Vice President of the BP group: “The association with Shah Rukh Khan reflects our dedication to innovation and excellence in the automotive industry. This move embodies our shared values of performance, reliability, and sustainability. We are proud to be a part of this endeavour, as we shape the future of mobility together.”

  • Featuring a series of videos and reels featuring WPL cricketers

    Santoor by Wipro & Interactive Avenues launch campaign

    Santoor, the flagship brand of Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting, has launched its campaign “Young Soch Diaries,” celebrating the limitless spirit of modern women in association with their digital agency, Interactive Avenues, and JioCinema.

    https://www.jiocinema.com/sports/cricket/young-soch-diaries-ft-harmanpreet/3928339

    Said S Prasanna Rai, Chief Marketing Officer & Head – Ecommerce Business, Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting: “The spirit of today’s women cricketers, their accomplishments, resilience, the way they challenge stereotypes and pursue their dreams without limitations is what resonates with Santoor’s philosophy of, ‘Skin ho ya soch, always stay young’. We hope that the campaign inspires women to embrace their unique identity and explore their limitless potential.”

    Added Aparna Tadikonda, EVP – South, Interactive Avenues: “By spotlighting our women cricketers’ journeys, we wanted to help Santoor position itself as a forward-thinking, inclusive brand that celebrates the fusion of strength and beauty. We’re thrilled with the positive response #YoungSoch is receiving across social media.”

  • For an initiative named ‘One Nation 100% Nutrition’

    Supradyn & NDTV initiate campaign against micronutrient deficiency

    Supradyn, from Bayer’s Consumer Health Division, has joined forces with NDTV, for an initiative named ‘One Nation 100% Nutrition’.

    Sandeep Verma
    Sandeep Verma

    Said Sandeep Verma, Country Head, India, Bayer Consumer Health Division: “We are thrilled to embark on this journey and bring attention to the critical issue of micronutrient deficiency. The #SupradynHealthPledge is not just a campaign; it’s a movement towards better health and vitality for everyone. We believe that by encouraging people to adopt a holistic approach to nutrition, we can contribute towards moving every single Indian towards the goal of 100% nutrition.”

    Added Dr Ishi Khosla, Founder and Clinical Nutritionist, Centre for Dietary Counselling: “In India, 50 to 60% of women and children suffer from anemia, often linked to micronutrient deficiencies and inflammation—a starting point for many diseases. A key solution lies in a good diet, essential for overall health. Mental well-being is also vital, as it contributes to a healthy gut. A straightforward strategy involves simple lifestyle changes and necessary supplements to address these health issues.”

    Said Gaurav Dewani, Head – Special Projects, NDTV: “We at NDTV are proud to partner with Supradyn, a pioneering force in addressing the critical issue of micronutrient deficiency. Together, we are committed to bridging the gap in nutrition accessibility, ensuring individuals receive up to 100% of their required micronutrients. Through this collaboration, we aim to empower our viewers with the knowledge and resources necessary to lead healthier, more vibrant lives. Our shared dedication to holistic well-being underscores our mission to make a meaningful impact on India’s health and nutrition landscape.”

  • A content & influencer marketing agency

    Ykone agency acquires Barcode

    Olivier Billon and Rahul Khanna

    Ykone, the influencer marketing agency, has announced the acquisition of 70% of the Indian agency Barcode, a content and influencer marketing agency.

    Said Olivier Billon, Founder and CEO of Ykone: “The acquisition of Barcode Agency is a significant step for Ykone and its international expansion. Ykone YKONE already had a presence in India with an office in Bangalore since 2017. With the addition of Barcode’s operations in India, Ykone ‘s reach in the country and the broader Asia-Pacific region expands even further.”

    Added Rahul Khanna, Barcode’s CEO, added: “We express our heartfelt appreciation to our customers and collaborators in India. This acquisition empowers us to provide worldwide services to our Indianclientele while simultaneously promoting India’s unique narrative globally. We are very proud to join forces Ykone ‘s talented teams. My ambition with Olivier is to achieve worldwide supremacy in the field of Influencer Marketing. We are happy to introduce CAMPAYGN to the Indian market. This innovative tool shall help fill the gap of Indian customers planning their content & social commerce strategy with Barcode and Ykone.”

  • To deliver growth solutions to clients

    Dentsu & Arthur D. Little ink partnership

    Dentsu India has embarked on an industry-first strategic partnership with the global strategy consulting firm Arthur D. Little (ADL), aiming to deliver end-to-end solutions to enable growth for their clients. The partnership will be led by Narayan Devanathan, President & Chief Strategy Officer, South Asia, dentsu, and Amit Dakshini, President & Sector Lead (Automotive & Mobility), ADL.

    Narayan Devanathan
    Narayan Devanathan

    Commenting on the alliance, Narayan Devanathan said: “What happens when customer-centricity and creativity meet the consulting mindset? You get the opportunity to create unprecedented value for clients and their customers while creating new futures. And that’s precisely what the alliance between Dentsu and ADL will create for businesses everywhere – by creating a custom range of demand chain solutions. As businesses look to create sustainable futures for themselves, it’s critical that they are able to map and size demand in new ways and then nurture and fulfil that demand in engaging ways. Our clients look to us to solve their business problems – either by ourselves or in partnership with other experts. The Dentsu + ADL alliance is us walking the talk on this promise to our clients to truly be their partners.”

    Amit Dakshini
    Amit Dakshini

    Added ADL’s Amit Dakshini: “The timing aligns perfectly with the industry’s evolution towards increased software and connected content in modern vehicles, especially with the influx of global brands in India. True market leaders will distinguish themselves by finely targeting demand, crafting unique customer experiences, and fostering strong brand associations across physical and online channels. Partnering with a global leader like Dentsu empowers us to deliver end-to-end, outcome-driven solutions for accelerated sales growth, personalised customer experiences, and market leadership. We envision this partnership supporting Indian brands in establishing a robust global presence.”

    Harsha Razdan
    Harsha Razdan

    Said Harsha Razdan, CEO South Asia, Dentsu: “We are incredibly excited about expanding our offerings to clients. Dentsu’s commitment lies in adopting a holistic, customer-centric approach towards clients’ growth. Facilitating further brand transformation requires collaboration with industry-leading providers, and the partnership with ADL epitomizes this principle. Together, we are forging a truly synergistic offering poised to drive growth for both our clients and organizations. ADL commands a well-established reputation in its domain and introducing a complementary range of services will round off the circle of value-driven solutions for clients.”

     

    Satya Easwaran
    Satya Easwaran

    One final quote. From Satya Easwaran, Partner and Country Head, Arthur D Little India: “We are extremely thrilled with this one-of-its-kind strategic partnership in the industry. Our alliance with dentsu will pave the way for us to nurture and build long-term associations with clients while driving clear business outcomes. Starting with the Automotive & Mobility space, we plan to take this relationship further across multiple sectors including Consumer & FMCG, Energy, Technology, and BFSI.”

  • A new global offering dedicated to brand and design

    Havas launches Conran Design Group network

    Left Top Anti Clockwise Ludwig Duran, Rana Barua, Anaïs Guillemané Mootoosamy, Thom Newton, Lee Hoddy
    Left Top Anti Clockwise Ludwig Duran, Rana Barua, Anaïs Guillemané Mootoosamy, Thom Newton, Lee Hoddy

    Havas has announced the launch of the Conran Design Group network, a new global offering dedicated to brand and design, based on the long-standing expertise and talent at Conran Design Group, and W, Havas’ leading creative branding agency in France, which will be renamed W Conran Design.

    With studios in London, Paris, Mumbai and New York, the network’s team of 250 strategists and creatives will use their expertise in brand strategy, brand design, experience design and communications and engagement to inspire progress for clients and empower brands to make a meaningful impact.

    The network launch also marks the release of Conran Design Group’s new proprietary study, Citizen Brands, an evidence-based brand and design framework that identifies which brands are achieving balanced growth.

    The study finds that the top 20 ‘citizen brands’ – those able to meet the needs of both individual and society – earned £8bn more in revenues on average yearly than their lowest-performing counterparts. They also achieved equity price increases that are on average five times higher than those of the lowest performers.

    Said Yannick Bolloré, Chairman and CEO, Havas: “Conran Design Group is uniquely equipped to lead this new network with more than 60 years of experience in strategic brand and design, a holistic approach, and the benefit of global scale with a local touch. W is the natural partner to support the success of this initiative in France with its 25-year track record of helping companies transform to remain at the heart of the conversation and make a positive contribution to society.”

    Added Thom Newton, Global CEO, Conran Design Group: “We’ve entered the era of expectation inflation – and brands are under huge pressure to deliver growth and good.This will only intensify amid ongoing uncertainty and heighted economic and environmental pressures. Brand leaders will be expected to take an even more active role in how their brands meet and balance these pressures. Our study shows that all companies across all sectors need to find a way to achieve balanced growth, critical in an increasingly unbalanced world. But rather than prioritising growth alone – growth at any cost – the focus should be on progress, progress that’s both balanced and sustainable. Our new global network, supported and informed by the Citizen Brands framework, will help brands achieve that.”