MxMIndia

Author: Our Staff

  • Introduced a series of products and programmes to empower

    WPP packages comms business under Burson

    WPP has launched Burson as a global communications agency.  All of this means a new brand identity and client and talent offerings.

    Said Corey duBrowa, Global CEO, Burson: “Businesses and organizations are operating in a constant state of complexity and uncertainty, marked by rapid advancements in technology, economic volatility, wide-ranging activism, and social and geopolitical turbulence. A strong reputation grounded in action, communicated clearly and creatively, and deployed as capital across stakeholders will enable clients to succeed in this environment. Reputation is a company’s most valuable asset for enhancing perception and growing performance, preference, valuation and return.”

    So what’s new? Notes a communique: “Burson is introducing a new framework and consulting methodology to assess and actively manage “reputation capital” across four pillars: Company actions, communications, social narratives and stakeholder beliefs. Underpinning this work is the Burson Innovation Portfolio, a body of AI-enabled tools that, when paired with human intelligence, enables faster, better insights; precision audience targeting; and culturally relevant creative. These solutions – core components of the PR Studio of WPP Open, WPP’s AI-powered marketing operating system – include five suites that serve a continuum of client needs:”

    Said AnnaMaria DeSalva, Global Chairman, Burson: “In today’s complex operating environment, business leaders are converting pervasive risks into opportunities for innovation and value creation,” “The Burson Innovation Portfolio, which draws on the technology strengths of our combined agencies and WPP, reflects our promise to combine artificial and human intelligence in ways that help our clients succeed at the intersection of risk, creativity and reinvention. Leading companies are already leveraging these solutions to build and protect reputation in highly material situations. We are committed to both our clients and our employees that Burson will be an engine for their growth and for the enablement of the transformations that the world needs now.”

    While Burson will be the mother ship, a few existing agencies will be there as well:

    Axicom for tech brands and brands with a tech story, Burson Buchanan, the financial communications and capital markets advisory firm, GCI Health, the full-service global healthcare agency inspired by people and Hill & Knowlton, an agency that was earlier called IPAN.

    Said duBrowa:  “A powerful differentiator across the Burson Group is the considerable number of former chief communications officers and senior client advisers among our ranks who have hands-on experience managing the issues and opportunities that clients face every day. AnnaMaria and I both had long careers in-house, and we know the enormous value this perspective brings to clients. Our team of seasoned counselors – with their access to industry-leading, AI-first technologies and creative firepower – is unrivaled in the marketplace.”

    The communique we’ve received is silent on Burson in India. But we guess it be a bit of the same, for now.

  • Expands its operations

    Chalo, Mumbai, says Cheil

    Cheil is expanding its operations with the launch of its new Cheil X office in Mumbai. The Mumbai office heralds the beginning of a new chapter for Cheil, as the agency looks to expand its business activities beyond Samsung operations through its specialised agency Cheil X. As is known, Cheil India was setup exclusively to manage the Samsung business in India. Cheil X, on the other hand, works as an independent full-service agency under the Cheil SWA group to manage the fast growing new client mandates in India.

    Said Taihai Kim, Global COO, Cheil Worldwide: “India is one of the key markets for Cheil Worldwide, and this new office demonstrates our commitment and aspirations for the country. With this office, we want to make a play for the best creative work that can come our way since Mumbai has an unequivocal reputation as the advertising capital of India.”

    Added Limseob Chung, President and CEO, Cheil SWA added: “We’re thrilled to unveil our brand new office in Mumbai, a city with a rich legacy of advertising. The new office of Cheil X will act as a strategic hub for our clients and offer a wide range of services like creative, media, digital, influencer marketing, content production, technology, retail, and brand experiences all integrated together, making it an ideal hub for creating gold standard campaigns.”

  • To guide investors toward informed and profitable trading decisions

    StoxBox launches new brand campaign

    StoxBox, brokers and a subsidiary of BP Wealth, has launched a brand campaign, “Brokerage Par Bandh Karo Kharch, Pay Only for Research.”

    Said Vamsi Krishna, CEO of StoxBox: “Through our new campaign, we are directly addressing the concerns of investors who are struggling with unnecessary fees and unreliable information. Our goal is to empower them with top-notch research that leads to informed investment decisions and long-term financial success. At StoxBox, we are committed to helping our clients achieve their financial goals by providing the tools and insights they need to invest wisely.”

  • Reflects the voice of younger generation

    Jockey launches campaign with Wieden+Kennedy

    Wieden+Kennedy India has launched Jockey’s ad campaign that premiered during the T20 World Cup. The core insight behind the campaign titled  ‘Freedom or Nothing’, represents the concept of freedom and how it is perceived in all  aspects of life by the younger generation.

    Said Nihal Rajan, CMO, Jockey India: “Our objective was to appeal to the interests and  passions of a young audience, thereby fostering affinity and love for brand Jockey. We found  an alignment with the concept of freedom presented in Wieden’s creative vision, as it  harmoniously reflects our brand ethos. Our campaign ‘Freedom or Nothing’ is a true  reflection of the emotions and values that today’s generation connects with.”

    Added Yogesh Rijhwani, ECD, Wieden+Kennedy, Mumbai: “Both millennials and Gen Z value  work-life balance and personal freedom. With the ‘Freedom or Nothing’ campaign, we aim to  authentically represent what freedom means to today’s younger individuals. To represent  this campaign, we found a classic track from the 90s that takes on a fresh, new meaning in  this context, reflecting the shared values of today’s youth.”

  • To lead the marketing and digital initiatives

    Harish Narayanan Joins HDFC AMC as CMO and CDO

    Harish Narayanan has joins HDFC Asset Management Company Limited (AMC) as Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Digital Officer. He will lead the company’s marketing and digital initiatives, driving its mission to be the wealth creator for every Indian.

    Narayanan brings over 17 years of experience across various sectors in multiple senior leadership roles. At Upstox, he served as Chief Growth Officer, leading marketing, partnerships, and growth. At Myntra, he was the Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Monetisation & Partnerships, where he developed key marketing strategies.

    Added a communique: “His career also includes nearly 12 years at Google’s YouTube marketing team and Procter & Gamble’s brand management team in Singapore, where he earned multiple awards.”

  • As National Sales Director, Digital Sales

    ABP Network appoints Samvrit Bhattacharya

    Samvrit Bhattacharya
    Samvrit Bhattacharya

    ABP Network has appointed Samvrit Bhattacharya as the National Sales Director for Digital Sales. His focus will be on scaling revenue, delivering impactful solutions to clients, and driving innovations in the ABP Network’s digital sales sector. Based in Noida, he will be reporting directly to Rupali Fernandes, CRO at ABP Network.

    Speaking on the appointment, Fernandes, a warm welcome to Samvrit as he embarks on this new journey with us. We are excited to have him on board and look forward to his contributions towards our continued success. Under his leadership, I am confident our digital business will soar to new heights.”

  • To connect with target audience

    Etude ropes in Palak Tiwari as its Brand Ambassador

    Etude, a Korean beauty brand, has roped in actor Palak Tiwari as its Brand Ambassador.

    Said Paul Lee, Managing Director and Country Head of Amorepacific India: “Etude is doing exceptionally well in the Indian market. Etude, a popular K-beauty brand, particularly resonates with Gen Z due to its youthful, vibrant, and cute packaging. Welcoming Palak Tiwari as Etude’s Brand Ambassador reflects our commitment to connecting with our target audience. Palak’s youthful energy and relatable persona make her a perfect fit for representing Etude’s Gen Z-centric image in India. We believe her endorsement will further enhance the brand’s appeal and visibility among Indian consumers, especially the younger demographic.”

    Added Mini Sood Banerjee, Marketing Head & Assistant Director at Amorepacific India: “Etude’s decision to choose an Indian Brand Ambassador reflects our commitment to connecting with the diverse Indian consumer base. We are incredibly excited to have Palak Tiwari join the Etude family as our brand ambassador in India. We can’t wait to see Palak Tiwari bring Etude’s fun and creative spirit to life.”

  • To lead the newly opened Mumbai office

    Cheil X hires Anurag Tandon as CGO

    Anurag Tandon
    Anurag Tandon

    Cheil X hires Anurag Tandon as Chief Growth Officer (CGO). He will lead the newly opened Mumbai office in addition to the growth charter.

    Tandon has worked in the past with DDB Mudra West, and WT, Mumbai where he was responsible for managing the P&L, key Client relationships and topline growth. His other stints include Ogilvy and Leo Burnett.  Cheil X is an independent full-service agency under the Cheil SWA group to manage the fast growing new client mandates in India.

    Added Sanjeev Jasani, COO, Cheil SWA: “We are thrilled to welcome Anurag as he takes over the reins of our Mumbai office. Anurag is a well-known name in the industry with a reputation for delivering benchmark worthy work for clients across a wide range of industries. He is a valuable asset to the organization and we look forward to working with him.”

  • The awards were for the Jindal Steel ’Steel of India’ ad

    W+K mulls legal action given no credit in Earlyman’s twin wins @ Cannes

    The Cannes Lions is said to be a celebration of creativity, but back home in India it led to much heartburn on Tuesday. Even after the dispute between Jindal Steel and Wieden + Kennedy was settled over the ‘Steel of India’ ad after a Delhi High Court intervention, Earlyman’s Films entry at Cannes Lions for the ‘Jindal Steel- The Steel of India’ film has led to a fresh dispute. Santosh ‘Paddy’ Padhi, W+K Chief Creative Officer and the prime force behind the agency, declined to comment on the issue, even as he rued the state of affairs.

    Earlyman bagged a Silver and a Bronze on Day 2 of the 2024 Cannes Lions. Which is good news. except that the credit for the idea/creator hasn’t gone to W+K. This is what Ayazppa KM, Earlyman Films co-founder has told The Economic Times: “We tried to push the boundaries of the way montage is viewed in India with experimental imagery and sound. We would like to commend Venkatesh Jindal, Kondurkar Studio and every member of the team for wholeheartedly supporting and sharing our vision.”

    It may be noted that Kyoorius Creative Awards had rejected the entry given the dispute on the credits. Said an industry senior who is familiar with the awarding process: “The entry couldn’t have gone to Cannes without the approval of Jindal Steel. Assuming that has been done, and due credit hasn’t been given to W+K, there is good reason for W+K to cry foul on this. These are the Cannes Lions after all, and the awards are meant to celebrate ideas and creativity.”

    Another industry person who is familiar with the development said that W+K must alert the Advertising Agencies Association of India and the Indian Society of Advertisers on it being the authorised apex bod of all ad agencies and advertisers respectively. “It is impossible for Cannes Lions or for that matter any awards body located elsewhere in the world to keep track of disputes on credits. It’s hence key that AAAI and ISA step in to clear the mess.”

  • An open-source repository of freely downloadable public logos and signages

    Bombay DC develops India Design System

    Bombay DC, the Mumbai-based boutique firm that uses design and technology to build digital platforms and create brand identities, has developed the India Design System, an open-source repository of freely downloadable public logos and signages.

    Said Ankur Rander, CEO of Bombay Design Centre: “We understand that signs in public spaces and government logos are a key representation of the country’s design capabilities and form a large part of any country’s aesthetic. Our vision with the India Design System is to standardize the usage and representation of these important symbols across the country in print, online and on the ground. This is a growing catalogue. The first set of identities that are available to download are common public & government program logos. As the project progresses, the plan is to launch new collections like school signages, hospital signages, road safety signages and so on.”

  • First Labs Opening in London, Amsterdam, Warsaw, Mumbai and Bengaluru

    Dentsu announces global expansion of Innovation Lab

    Dentsu has announced the global expansion of the network’s innovation proposition, Dentsu Lab. The first global labs will be opening in London, Amsterdam, Warsaw, Mumbai and Bengaluru, with further international Labs planned for 2025. With this news, Dentsu has also announced the elevation of Sven Huberts to the role of President, Global Innovation & Experience and President, Dentsu Lab. Huberts will lead Dentsu Lab in partnership with Naoki Tanaka, the lead for Dentsu Lab Tokyo, now also appointed Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu Lab.

    Said Huberts: “We are at an inflexion point of human creativity and technical sophistication where the opportunity for genuine innovation has never been so compelling. I couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with Naoki and our Lab leaders, to empower our growing global team of creators, partners and institutions with the most powerful technology and tools in the world to create experiences that truly touch hearts, impact business and, most importantly, move society forward.”

  • Also rolled out initiative to encourage individuals to curb water usage

    Big FM concludes campaign to combat water shortage

    Big FM has concluded its campaign ‘Jal Andolan – Desh Ne Thaani Not to Waste Paani’ to combat water wastage. The campaign was supported by celebrities like Manoj Bajpayee, Divya Dutta, Raghubir Yadav, Faisal Malik, Mini Mathur, Alka Yagnik and Anuradha Podwal, who came together to raise awareness on water conservation .

    Said Sunil Kumaran, COO of Big FM: “The need for water is perpetual for all. As demand rises and the population grows, conserving not only water but all natural resources has become crucial. Through ‘Jal Andolan,’ we aimed to further emphasise the importance of mindful water consumption and thereby the needs for its conservation. I would like to extend my gratitude towards all the dignitaries who supported this initiative; their influence is vital in fostering a healthier environment for those without access to fresh water.”