MxMIndia

Author: Our Staff

  • Prasad to lead New Business Development and Marketing

    GroupM appoints Praseed Prasad as Chief Growth Officer

    Praseed Prasad
    Praseed Prasad

    GroupM India has announced the appointment of Praseed Prasad as Chief Growth Officer. In its newly created role, Prasad will lead GroupM’s growth, marketing and communications.

     

    In a homecoming of sorts, Prasad has held key roles within GroupM, including heading digital trading and overseeing digital investments for all GroupM clients. , returning back to GroupM, brings a wealth of experience to this position. This is prior to joining IceCream Labs in 2015. Earlier he has had stints at Flipkart, where he ran the Ad Agency Business and led Media and Partnerships, as well as at Google, where he managed Media Operations for EMEA markets and later ran the Google APAC Agency and Partner business.

     

    Said Prasanth Kumar, CEO – GroupM South Asia: “It is great to have Praseed back to GroupM as Chief Growth Officer. His extensive experience in understanding client needs, strategic initiatives, industry knowledge, and cross-functional collaboration positions will help us enhance our market growth. His track record underscores his ability to navigate complex ecosystems and deliver results. We anticipate that his leadership will directly benefit our clients and the brands we work with, driving innovation and enhancing performance.”

     

    Added Prasad: “I am delighted to return to GroupM where I grew during the early days of my career and spent more than a decade setting up new business units and functions. I look forward to strengthening opportunities for our clients and brands that will allow me to apply my experiences to help grow the GroupM business onwards and upwards. Am excited to collaborate with all the agency teams to help drive our clients’ business impact and deliver them exceptional growth.”

     

    Praseed will be based out of GroupM’s Bengaluru office and report into Prasanth Kumar.

  • Best organisation spearheading sustainable development

    IAA presented EarthDay 2024 award

    EarthDay.org, the largest environmental movement in the world, presented IAA India with an awards for excellence in sustainability. The India Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) was presented the prestigious award for Best Organisation Spearheading Sustainable Development .

    Dr Karuna Singh Regional Director EarthDay.org said that IAA efforts in spreading the message of sustainability were truly laudable.

    Said Avinash Pandey, President IAA: “The IAA in India is committed to creating and amplifying the green agenda for some 15 years now. It began with the setting up of the widely acclaimed IAA Olive Crown Awards supported by AFAA. This annual award salutes excellence in communicating sustainability and also honors corporates and individuals who have made a significant contribution to the environment. The awards have grown in stature and size year on year.”

    Ramesh Narayan, who was earlier felicitated by EarthDay.org as the individual who has done the most for sustainability in the marcom space, accepted the award along with Avinash Pandey.

  • In new film for Zee Sarthak

    L&K Saatchi & Saatchi challenges menstrual discrimination

    L&K Saatchi & Saatchi has unveiled a thought-provoking film to celebrate the ‘Naali Bindu’ (Red Dot) initiative by Zee Sarthak, the Odia general entertainment channel.

    Said Rohit Malkani, Chief Creative Officer, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi India: “Our association with Zee Sarthak and Nali Bindu is something we hold very dear. Every year, the entire team including our client puts on their thinking caps a month or so before Raja Parba to create a piece of communication that endears, cuts through and most importantly undoes a social knot. This year we are super proud of a creative output that not only seeks to highlight a social prejudice but revives a traditional art form as well.”

    Added Pratik Seal, Chief Channel Officer, Zee Sarthak: “As a channel deeply rooted in cultural contexts, we understand the importance of addressing and challenging regressive norms. Our Naali Bindu initiative is an effort to eradicate menstrual discrimination and promote dignity and respect for young girls. By using Rabana Chhaya, we not only bring attention to a critical issue but also honour a traditional art form, thus driving impact and cultural significance.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ctq762n4so0

  • Ad conceptualised by Havas Worldwide

    Veet unveils campaign with Triptii Dimri

    Ad conceptualised by Havas Worldwide Veet, the hair removal brand, has launched a new campaign with actor and brand ambassador Triptii Dimri.

    Commenting on the campaign, Kanika Kalra, Regional Marketing Director, Health & Nutrition, Reckitt South Asia said: “At Reckitt, we are dedicated to innovating our product portfolio to meet the evolving needs of young Indian women who demand the best global beauty solutions. With its advanced cool gel wax technology, Veet Wax Strips offers the best possible self-grooming solution, providing consumers a superior experience that’s even better than salon waxing. Veet Wax Strips are truly the better way to wax, and the latest campaign reaffirms our dedication to excellence.”

    Added Anupama Ramaswamy, Joint MD and Chief Creative Officer, Havas Worldwide India: “Everyone is obsessed about how celebrities look flawless every day, and with Triptii becoming a national sensation, we decided to address this question straight-up with a friendly banter between two friends. Ultimately, Triptii reveals that the secret behind her flawless skin is Veet Wax Strips. Not only is it conveniently available for everyone, but it also gives better results than a salon, hence making it her go-to for flawless results.”

  • Australia’s largest and most iconic race

    TCS signs title partnership with Sydney Marathon

    Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has partnered with the Sydney Marathon, Australia’s largest marathon. This is is the latest addition to a slew global running events sponsored by TCS, including four marathons in New York, London, Chicago and Boston, alongside marathons in Amsterdam, Mumbai, Singapore and Toronto. In total, TCS now sponsors 14 global running events with participation from over 600,000 runners.

    Said Abhinav Kumar, Chief Marketing Officer at TCS: “Our partnership with Sydney Marathon is aligned with TCS’ commitment to be a true transformation partner for our clients, our communities, and the ecosystems we live and work within. We are proud to partner with this iconic race, not only to support its rise as a major global race– but to help it set a new standard in sustainability and in the way, technology can enhance marathons for participants and fans alike.”

  • … to grow the firm’s bottom line across fundamentals and sentiment

    One Source bags Appstrail Technology mandate

    Integrated marketing consultancy One Source has announced that it has won the corporate communication mandate for Appstrail Technology, a digital transformation firm focused on accelerating complex and lengthy transformation journeys of businesses.  For One Source, this mandate will be spearheaded by the Lead Counsel on the account, Kopal Gupta, and her team, reporting to the Co-Lead for Corporate Communication, Debaman Guin.

    Said Shomil Shetty Co-Founder, Head of Business, Sales & Strategy, Appstrail Technology: “In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, effective communication is paramount. At Appstrail, we are dedicated to guiding businesses through their digital transformation journey with precision and clarity. Partnering with One Source aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering comprehensive solutions and sharing our success stories with a broader audience. We believe that One Source’s expertise in integrated marketing and brand building will amplify our market leadership, enabling us to reach and inspire enterprises nationwide with our unique solutions and approach”.

    Added Sandeep Rao, Co–Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer, One Source: “We are excited to partner with Appstrail Technology. They are at the forefront of digital transformation, representing the cutting edge of innovation in today’s market. Together, we aim to bring out the essence of Appstrail’s transformative journey, ensuring that their strong narrative resonates with the right audience at the right time.”

  • The account was won in a competitive multi-agency pitch

    SoCheers wins digital mandate for Asus India

    SoCheers, the digital-first creative agency, has won the digital mandate of Taiwanese multinational electronics giant, Asus for its Indian business. The account was won following a multi-agency pitch and the account will be handled from the agency’s Mumbai office.

    Talking about their partnership with SoCheers, Paramjeet Singh Mehta, Head of Marketing, Asus India said, ”We are on the verge of making some new additions and developments to our existing portfolio & believe that a lot of value can be built through our digital touchpoints. The vision for the brand that we have & what SoCheers is envisioning syncs well and we are delighted to partner with SoCheers and embark on our digital growth journey”.

    Added Siddharth Devnani, Co-Founder & Director, SoCheers said, “As a global leader in innovative technology, Asus is at the top of their game with their cutting-edge expertise, setting them a class apart in the ever-evolving tech landscape. We are ecstatic to partner with Asus and together, we look forward to creating impactful campaigns that strike the right chords, win attention and propel the brand to the next level”.

  • …to amplify India’s artistic reach

    Teamwork announces collab with Tulsea

    Teamwork Arts has announced a partnership with with Tulsea, a talent management company.

    Said Sanjoy K Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts: “We are delighted to collaborate with Tulsea, a company that shares our vision of promoting and nurturing Indian talent on the global stage. This partnership is a significant step towards creating a robust and sustainable ecosystem for our artistes, enabling them to achieve new heights in their careers.”

    Added Datta Dave, Partner of Tulsea:  “Teamwork Arts is the most successful live events company from India and has exported Indian culture, literature, music and the arts around the world. Through this collaboration, artists and talent, will have unparalleled exposure to audiences within India and across the globe.”

  • He has been πresident of the India chapter of the International Advertising Association as well as the News Broadcasters & Digital Authority (NBDA)

    Dhruba Mukherjee to hold fort as Avinash Pandey quits ABP Network

    ABP Network will now be helmed by Dhruba Mukherjee, CEO of parent ABP Limited. Although this is being dubbed as an interim arrangement and since it’s in addition to his existing role of heading the publishing company, there is word that the company may witness some tectonic changes.

    Dhruba Mukherjee
    Dhruba Mukherjee (Pic: WAN-IFRA)
    Avinash Pandey
    Avinash Pandey

    On Friday, after the closure of the offices of MxMIndia, we heard that Avinash Pandey, CEO of ABP Network, had announced his parting after nearly two decades of association. Pandey joined the ABP News Network in 2005 and over the years held key positions – from being the head of sales to COO to overall head of the network. Known to have started out as a loyal understudy of the then TV Today and ABP News CEOs G Krishnan and Uday Shankar, Pandey has assumed key roles in industry forums. Over the last two years, he has been President of the India chapter of the International Advertising Association as well as the News Broadcasters & Digital Authority (NBDA). ABP Network has also been very actively associated with various industry events.

    While thanking Pandey for contributions to the company, Atideb Sarkar, Chief Editor & Director of the ABP Network, Atideb Sarkar said: “I would like to thank Avinash for his immense contributions to ABP Network. During his two decades in the company, it has grown manifold in reach, revenue and impact. His leadership in the past five years has seen us at the forefront of digital broadcasting while extending our reach from Jammu to Kanyakumari. He played a key role in our award-winning centenary campaign. On a personal note, he has been a pleasure to work with, a joyful fellow traveller in my professional journey, and a friend. Thank you, Avinash, for all that you have brought to the ABP family. We wish you success and happiness in your future endeavours.”

    In recent years, ABP Network has also diversified into the setting up of ABP Studios and doing live events. This is other than the four 24×7 news television channels with presence in eight languages on digital.

    However, while the company is high on salience and connects with the advertiser community, there has been some anguish over its ratings over the past few years. Even the digital avatar which had a very high connects was seen flagging in the recent elections.

    As of now, all those who reported to Pandey have been advised to report to Mukherjee.

  • Unveils their first integrated campaign for college guidance

    L&K S&S collaborates with CollegeDekho

    L&K Saatchi & Saatchi India has launched the first integrated brand campaign for education start-up CollegeDekho. The campaign titled ‘Banayenge India ka Kal,’ across television, OTT, and digital mediums, highlights a story of a father, who has always provided the best for his son, now turning to CollegeDekho for college guidance.

    Said Rohit Malkani, Chief Creative Officer, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi India: “This is what happens when a brave client, a strong insight, a great script and a passionate director get together! We’re super thrilled to put out this film for CollegeDekho, which beautifully captures the mood of a young boy about to apply for college. The nuanced performances and authenticity don’t just strike home but also make it something to watch repeatedly.”

    Added Abhinav Upadhyay, Chief Marketing Officer, CollegeDekho: “We’ve chosen L&K Saatchi & Saatchi India for our first ever brand campaign based on conversations that built trust. As the largest Higher Education Ecosystem in India, we wanted an honest way to establish our brand purpose and raison d’etre while working with a consumer insight that spoke the language of millions of students and parents that we guide every year. We are confident that this campaign will resonate deeply with our audience, further solidifying CollegeDekho as a trusted educational partner.”

  • Collaboration intertwines storytelling with brand synergy

    FilterCopy and Maruti Suzuki WagonR present mini-series

    Pocket Aces, a digital entertainment media company, has announced a fresh new mini-series, “Bada Sheher Choti Family,” under their creative studio, FilterCopy in collaboration with Maruti Suzuki WagonR. The three-episode series, with each episode ranging from 8 to 10 minutes, offers a relatable portrayal of a middle-class family embarking on a life-changing journey.

    Said Vishwanath Shetty, D2C Head at Pocket Aces: “We are incredibly excited to present ‘Bada Sheher Choti Family’ on FilterCopy. Pocket Aces has always been at the forefront when it comes to D2C content, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction. As part of our strategy this year, we are focused on creating more fiction mini-series on FilterCopy, and this association with Maruti Suzuki WagonR is a significant step in that direction. This mini-series has been carefully crafted to showcase how Maruti Suzuki WagonR is the perfect fit for a family car. With its spacious design and impressive features, it complements the journey of our characters as they navigate life in a big city. We hope to continue this association with Maruti Suzuki and bring you more heartfelt stories in the future.”

  • In partnership with GMetri

    ShemarooVerse launches Futuristic Immersive AI Gaming Experience

    Shemaroo Entertainment has entered into a partnership with GMetri, an in AI-powered immersive learning and game development. This collaboration expands ShemarooVerse- Shemaroo’s metaverse platform, into the realm of immersive AI gaming, bringing IP-based gaming to the Web3 platform.

    Said Arghya Chakravarty, COO of Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd: “At Shemaroo, we have always led the way in innovation, and ShemarooVerse, our metaverse platform, exemplifies our dedication to creating future-forward entertainment. By incorporating AI-based gaming, we aim to deliver an even more captivating experience for our consumers. Our collaboration with GMetri represents a pivotal advancement in transforming audience interaction with our popular movies, and we are excited to be developing groundbreaking innovations in the immersive entertainment and gaming space in India.”

    Added Utsav Mathur, CEO of GMetri: “We’re thrilled to bring our FruitSalad.ai technology to ShemarooVerse, showcasing the power of our immersive learning and gaming platform. This collaboration allows us to demonstrate how our AI-driven solution can transform entertainment IP into engaging, interactive experiences. By leveraging our expertise in creating gamified, immersive 3D worlds, we are not only enhancing fan engagement but also showcasing the versatility of our technology across various sectors, from corporate learning to entertainment. This partnership with Shemaroo is a testament to the adaptability and effectiveness of our platform in creating compelling, personalized experiences at scale.”