MxMIndia

Category: Ad Agencies

  • The AOR comprises key Godrej companies includingGodrej Consumer Products, Godrej Industries, Godrej Agrovet, Godrej Properties and Godrej Natures Basket

    Madison Media appoints Saif Shaikh as VP to Head Godrej Media AOR

    By A Correspondent

     

    Madison Media has announced the appointment of Saif Shaikh as Vice President to head the Godrej Media AOR based in Mumbai. The AOR comprises key Godrej companies including Godrej Consumer Products, Godrej Industries, Godrej Agrovet, Godrej Properties and Godrej Natures Basket. Shaikh has 15 years of experience in media across media partners (BusinessWorld and Bennett Coleman & Company), Research (Nielsen) and Media agencies (Maxus India and Maxus Malaysia). He has been in GroupM for the last seven years before joining Madison Media.

     

    Said Vikram Sakhuja, Partner and Group CEO, Madison Media & OOH:”I am delighted to have Saif join and lead our team on Godrej and am sure he will add a lot of value to the client’s business and our existing team”.

     

    Added Shaikh on his appointment: “I am delighted to join Madison and lead one of its foremost and prestigious account of Godrej and at the same time looking forward to working with Sam [Balsara] and Vikram.”

     

  • All eye and ears on who will take over from the Mullen Lowe Lintas Group boss

    Industry, staff shocked at Joe George’s exit announcement

     

    By A Correspondent

     

    It looked like any other day. A rainy one indeed. And while it’s been raining several top-level changes in the industry over the last fortnight, this one was very big. Very, very big. In fact given the scenario, bigger than a Sonal Dabral joining Ogilvy and Rajiv Rao leaving the creative major.

     

    First the news that has been carried by most media already. Joseph George (better known as Joe), Group Chairman and CEO, MullenLoweLintas Group, India and Regional President, MullenLowe Group South & Southeast Asia, has called it quits. He will move on from the agency network at the end of September 2017.

     

    George is no rolling stone. He has had an uninterrupted stint of over 26 years with the company, where he played numerous growth, brand management, client management and leadership roles locally, regionally and globally, he now plans to pursue what he calls “his big dream”. The staff at the agencies were in a state of shock one learns, some even sobbing as they have had much love and admiration for George.

     

    First, let’s be done with the communique that was sent out earlier.

    Alex Leikikh, Global CEO, MullenLowe Group, is quoted in a statement: “Joe has made such a huge contribution to the MullenLowe Group network during his 26 years within the organisation that it really is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to him. During his recent tenure, Joe has led MullenLoweLintas Group to huge success within India, across the APAC region and on a global stage. The agency has been credited with many firsts for India including, the best new business performer for four years in a row, the number one Creative Agency in the World by WARC 100 (twice), consecutive double-wins at 4A’s Jay Chiat Awards and runner up for AdAge International Agency of the Year 2015. On behalf of the entire MullenLowe Group network I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Joe who has built and led our business in India and South and Southeast Asia so successfully. He leaves behind a great team, legacy and business poised for even greater future growth.”

     

    George joined Lintas India in 1991, and has been with the company through its journey of evolution – from Lintas India to the MullenLoweLintas Group of today. George was appointed India CEO in 2011 and while continuing to be based in Mumbai, took on the additional responsibility of running the South Asia & Southeast Asia region for MullenLowe Group in 2016. He also serves on the Global Executive Committee of the MullenLowe Group network.

     

    During his six-year leadership, Mullen Lowe Lintas Group grew into one of the most powerful agency groups in India. Outperforming the industry right through this period, on business growth, organizational reputation as well as on creative output. It was also during this period that MullenLoweLintas Group emerged as the most consistently dominant performer in Market Effectiveness across the world. He was also the chief architect of the launch of the two new Indian agencies from the MullenLoweLintas Group – Mullen Lintas in August 2015 and the recently launched Point Nine Lintas.

     

    Speaking of this development, George said in a statement: “MullenLoweLintas Group in India today is in the best shape it’s been in for a very long time. I couldn’t be moving on at a better time, and any happier or prouder with what the 1000 of us have managed to achieve these past years. Alex and I have worked closely over the past 8 months on the transition plan; and with the road map and the leadership in place for all three agencies of MullenLoweLintas Group, I am confident that our agency network in India is ready to author its next chapter of success.”

     

    On the India transition planning, Leikikh added: “One of Joe’s greatest strengths has been his ability to develop world class business and creative leaders. Those people will now step up to continue our progress and evolution in one of the world’s most dynamic and important markets.”

     

    In his 18-month leadership of the South Asia & Southeast Asia markets, George focused on creating stronger and tighter management structures across the offices. He led IPG’s agency-acquisition in Sri Lanka and subsequently its overall transformation; the re-structuring of the MullenLowe Thailand and Vietnam operations, as well as putting in place the leadership and brand and business strategy for the MullenLowe Singapore office. Succession plans for Joe’s Southeast Asia responsibilities are in advanced stages of finalization, and will be announced by global CEO Alex Leikikh in the coming weeks.

     

    George concludes on a personal note: “This agency has given me everything. Probably more than I deserve! Twenty-six years can be a lifetime, but there’s an impatient excitement in me today to want to start all over again. Ironically and a tad illogically though, this urge to do so is because I have enjoyed every single day of my quarter century in this fabulous network”

     

    Hmmm. So the question is who’ll take charge of the mother ship after George exits in end-September. All the other captains – ArunIyer, Amer Jaleel, Raj Gupta, Virat Tandon and Vikas Mehta are now handling their own key functions. They’ve assumed fresh charge over the last two years and have their tasks cut out for them.

     

    So will it be an outsider – but part of the global/regional MullenLowe fold who will come here? Remember Charles Cadell was CEO for three years from 2008 to 2011. So since all the captains are busy with their own kingdoms, perhaps an expat may help ensure that all’s well and well-oiled.

     

    The Mullen Lowe Lintas Group has also also been doing very well on the effectiveness and strategy awards circuit, and while the next next Effies will happen in December 2017 and the preparation would’ve started under George’s leadership, what the direction of the agency on the effectiveness and creative awards front will be interesting to see.

     

    Will the new MLLG boss reverse the R Balki-Joseph George policy on not participating in creative awards, only time will tell. Until then, here’s hoping for a happy transition at the Mullen Lowe Lintas Group. One is also looking forward to what George’s dream project is all about. There are two bits in the communique that hint at what it could be: one it’s a big dream and second, he’s going “to start all over again”. So a start-up for sure. And unlikely to be another agency. So what next?

     

    Watch this space. Meanwhile, let’s hope there are no more announcements in adland. We’ve had enough.

     

  • Prior to joining Uber, Sanjay was the Chief Marketing Officer at Urban Ladder

    Uber India appoints Sanjay Gupta as Head of Marketing

    By A Correspondent

     

    Uber has appointed Sanjay Gupta as the Head of Marketing for Uber India. With over 15 years of experience in brand and consulting, Gupta will focus on further strengthening brand Uber in India.

     

    On his appointment as the Head of Marketing, Uber India, Gupta said: “I’m excited to join Uber at such an opportune time. Uber is redefining urban mobility and has created a unique experience for riders and driver partners across the country. I’m looking forward to working with the super-talented team at Uber and take it to its next phase of growth in India.”

     

    Prior to joining Uber, Gupta was Chief Marketing Officer at Urban Ladder. During his 10-year stint with Marico, he led the charter for Saffola’s journey from a single category niche brand to a food brand strengthening its association with preventive heart care.

     

  • The unit will accelerate Rickshaw’s ability to deliver design capabilities to its clients

    Creative agency Rickshaw announces design unit

    By A Correspondent

     

    In a bid to cater to escalating client needs and complex communication requirements, seven-year-old Mumbai-based creative agency Rickshaw has announced the launch of a design unit.

     

    Suhas Parab

    Talking about the launch of the unit, Suhas Parab, Founder, Rickshaw, said: “A good design answers a question, raises questions, simplifies life, goes behind the simple, prods us to dig deeper. Also, a good design is accessible; it illuminates the brand and taps into the zeitgeist. A good design also tickles the five senses and trickles into the subconscious. It is not easy, but if done well, looks easy. These beliefs drive the Rickshaw Design Cell.”

     

    The design cell It has already bagged five clientssuch as Future Consumer, Cambay Tiger and Belona Hospitality’s BarBar contributing to the chunk of the business.

     

    Speaking about the launch, Mahua Hazarika, Partner at Rickshaw said: “I read a long time ago that people ignore design that ignores them. India has had a powerful design culture. Unfortunately design thinking is not part and parcel of our current collective conscious. Having spent time on both sides of the table, I believe design thinking needs to be cultivated right from product formulation to delivery; it should not be confined to packaging or a VM alone. Rickshaw opening a design cell had to happen. This was inevitable. We live, breath and appreciate design, hence here we are.”

     

  • Ameer Ismail has been named Chief Growth Officer, Sumanta Ganguly takes on the role of National Director – Digital Marketing & Transformation and Sriharsh Grandhe would be National Director – Consumer Engagement

    PointNine Lintas announces leadership team

    By A Correspondent

     

    Left to right: Sumanta Ganguly Ameer Ismail Vikas Mehta Sriharsh Grandhe

    PointNine Lintas, the recently announced independent agency from the MullenLowe Lintas Group, announced the first set of names in its leadership team. Ameer Ismail has been named Chief Growth Officer, Sumanta Ganguly takes on the role of National Director – Digital Marketing & Transformation and Sriharsh Grandhe would be National Director – Consumer Engagement. Along with Vikas; Ameer, Sumanta and Sriharsh will work with clients to build bespoke agency solutions geared to maximize return-on-marketing-investments. They will work with CEO Vikas Mehta. All teams of PointNine Lintas will be co-located in offices in Mumbai, New Delhi (NCR) and Bengaluru respectively.

     

    Ismail, Grandhe and Ganguly will retain their divisional responsibilities for GolinOpinion, LinEngage and LinTeractive respectively.

     

    Speaking of the lineup, said: “The biggest challenge in getting an omni-channel model right is the ability to bring multi-disciplinary expertise together upfront. This leadership team is made up of seasoned practitioners. It allows us to bring multiple disciplines to the table right at the start and offer clients, a customised agency team that’s built around their brand opportunities. This is in sharp contrast to the administrative structure most agencies follow for their verticals. We are lucky to have experts like Ameer, Sumanta and Sriharsh within the organisation, to be my co-founders at PointNine Lintas.”

     

    Explaining the rationale behind this choice, Mehta added: “One of the big reasons why full-service is preached more often than practiced, is because every skill-set comes with its own administrative layers. For example, when you need a PR expert, you also inherit the administrative layer of a PR agency. In a day-to-day working scenario, this becomes a major barrier to collaboration. We’ve made a conscious choice to cast our best minds as both, ‘practitioners’ and ‘managers’ making it easier to collaborate seamlessly.”

     

    The agency, notes a communique, is planning more additions to the leadership team, which would be announced in the coming days.

     

  • Sengupta joins from J Walter Thompson where he has spent last four years

    Subho Sengupta to head Contract in Delhi

    By A Correspondent

     

    Contract Advertising has appointed Subho Sengupta as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Contract Delhi. He joins from J Walter Thompson where he has spent  the last four years and was Senior VP and Executive Business Director.

     

    Commenting on the appointment, Raji Ramaswamy, CEO, Contract Advertising said: “Delhi is an important growth market and I am confident that Shubho Sengupta will be able to deliver value to our clients though his diverse category experience. His deep understanding of building brands and his strategic skills will help us deliver the best solutions for our clients. I am delighted to have him onboard as the head of Contract, Delhi.”

     

    On joining Contract, Sengupta said:“I am very excited and I look forward to both the opportunities and challenges that come with the new role. Contract as an agency has an impeccable reputation and has always been driven by passion. Delivering impactful work that will move the needle for our clients’ businesses will be my focus.”

     

  • Responsible for a national mandate, Malhotra has joined GolinOpinion with immediate effect and will be based out of Mumbai

    PointNine Lintas appoints Asheesh Malhotra as ED, Golin Opinion

     

     

    Asheesh Malhotra has quit his role as President at Bates CHI & Partners and has joined GolinOpinion, the PR division of PointNine Lintas as Executive Director. This marks a significant shift for Malhotra, who’s spent his entire career in creative agencies, as he ventures into the landscape of PR. At GolinOpinion, he will lead the strategic planning function and oversee the agency’s social media centre-of-excellence, the Bridge.

     

    Commenting on his appointment, Vikas Mehta – CEO, PointNine Lintas said: “Convergence of marketing disciplines is here to stay. An omni-channel marketing plan today is incomplete without elements like advocacy and conversations. To stay relevant, PR firms need brand practitioners in addition to PR experts. Asheesh has built blue-chip brands while working with India’s two most respected agencies, Lowe Lintas and Ogilvy. We’re delighted to have him back in the Lintas family and look forward to his contribution in further strengthening PointNine Lintas’ PR service-stack.”

     

    Malhotra joins GolinOpinion from the Ogilvy group where he was President, Bates CHI&Partners heading their Mumbai and Delhi offices. He was earlier a unit head looking after a large Unilever portfolio as well heading a global hub for Castrol and BP at Ogilvy.

     

    Malhotra will report to Ameer Ismail – President, GoinOpinion & Chief Growth Officer, PointNine Lintas. Welcoming Malhotra to the agency, Ismail said: “We have a vision to redefine PR. I am delighted that a senior professional, strategist and well-respected leader who has worn many hats in advertising is going to lead this audacious vision. As a part of this goal his experience in defining milestone campaigns for brands will further the kind of bold work do for our clients. His experience in planning, equips him to lead and build out our Explorer community. I am excited to have him on board.”

     

  • Based in Delhi, Souvik Datta will spearhead the creative leadership for Delhi-NCR

    Souvik Datta joins Creativeland as ECD

    By A Correspondent

     

    Souvik Datta

    Creativeland Asia has appointed Souvik Datta as Executive Creative Director. Based in Delhi, Datta will spearhead the creative leadership for Delhi-NCR.

     

    On the recent appointment, Anu Joseph, Chief Creative Officer, Creativeland Asia said: “We have been looking for good creative leadership in Delhi-NCR for some time now. Souvik is a strong creative strategist with tremendous experience in this market. He has created some memorable work and is unafraid to try new things. I am pleased to have him on board. He will be working in close partnership with Manas Lahiri who we recently brought on board to lead the branch.”

     

    Anu Joseph

    On joining Creativeland Asia as Executive Creative Director, Souvik Datta said, “I am excited to be a part of a fiercely independent ecosystem. Creativeland comes with a legacy of good strong work and culture. I look forward to leading the Delhi-NCR creative mandate and strengthening the Creativeland legacy in the market.”

     

    With an experience of over 17 years, Souvik has worked with leading advertising firms such as Lowe Lintas, DDB Mudra Group, TBWA\India other than Contract where he worked until recently.

  • Merchant will be reporting to Sanjay Shukla, President, DDB MudraMax (OOH & Experiential)

    Yusuf Merchant and Adil Khan join DDB MudraMax

    By A Correspondent

     

    In a move to reinforce the existing senior leadership team of the agency’s outdoor unit, Gour Gupta, CEO, DDB MudraMax has announced the appointment of Yusuf Merchant as Vice President, DDB MudraMax-OOH and Adil Khan as Associate Vice President, DDB MudraMax-OOH. Yusuf would be based out of Mudra House, Mumbai and Adil would function from the agency’s Gurugram location. Both Merchant and Khan were last with the WPP Group-owned Kinetic Worldwide.

     

    Khan will report to Merchant who in turn will report to Sanjay Shukla, President, DDB MudraMax (OOH & Experiential). Speaking on the appointments, Shukla said: “Both Yusuf and Adil have reputed stronghold in the BTL market. They come from a credible, rich experience in the OOH domain. These are exciting times for the group; them being added to the team just adds to the merry.”

     

  • Through this campaign Lowe Lintas has portrayed an Indian mother as the change-maker, by putting her in the drivers seat

    Axis Bank portrays the Indian mother as a changemaker

    By A Correspondent

     

    Axis Bank has launched a new home loan campaign with a product differentiator – Home Loans with 12 EMIs off. The film, created by Lowe Lintas, has put the woman in the centre of the campaign as key influencer and the decision-maker.

     

    Speaking on the launch of the campaign, Asha Kharga, CMO, Axis Bank said:

    “The dominant language in the Home Loans category is around interest rates & percentages. Hence the new campaign aims to differentiate Axis with a simple proposition of 12 EMIs off. Consumer work revealed that home buying discussions usually start during important life events like marriage. With that context, the insight that we honed on was that typical Indian moms dont want to let go of their sons. If the ad encourages mothers to introspect and have authentic, honest conversations, it would have truly struck a chord and made Axis relevant and memorable.”

     

    The campaign is conceptualised by Lowe Lintas Mumbai and directed by Gauri Shinde with actress Revathi and actor Vikrant Massey in conversation with each other while shopping for his wedding.

     

    Added Arun Iyer, Chairman & Chief Creative Officer – Lowe Lintas:“The brief was to differentiate ourselves within the category  wherein the conversations are always about interests & percentages. The product had a clear differentiator and the communication required to reflect that. Therefore we decided that the communication should challenge conventional thinking just like the product proposition does. We chose to depict a warm and cheerful conversation between a mother and son, where the change maker is the mother which is not what is expected in our culture. We deliberately chose Revathi, adorned her as conventional as expected but she’s ingrained with progressive thinking. She advises her son who is about to get married to move into a home of his own. This helped us entrench the central idea which is Ghar ki kushi bani rahe, EMIs nahi.”

     

  • AT has worked in agencies like FCB Ulka, Ogilvy & Mather, Leo Burnett, McCann & TBWA

    Abhinav Tripathi joins McCann as Executive Creative Director

    By A Correspondent

     

    Abhinav Tripathi

    Abhinav Tripathi has joined McCann Mumbai as Executive Creative Director.

     

    He has worked in agencies like FCB Ulka, Ogilvy & Mather, Leo Burnett, McCann and most recently with TBWA.

     

    Announcing the appointment, Prasoon Joshi Chairman APAC and CEO & Chief Creative Officer McCann Worldgroup India said: “I am delighted to welcome Abhinav back to the McCann family. Abhinav represents the breed of fine creative people who also have sharp understanding of strategy and brands. He has grown with McCann and has been an integral part of our creative journey, am sure his second innings with us will be even more valuable.”

     

    Commenting on the appointment, Pradyumna Chauhan-Joint NCD McCann World group added: “I have worked with Abhinav in the past. He is a great collaborator. Much awarded and with an eye on popular culture and emerging communication trends, I am sure he is going to help drive creative excellence.” Said Prateek Bhardwaj – Joint NCD McCann Worldgroup: “Delighted to have Abhinav back in the team. He is a unique talent, one who combines an innate advertising wisdom with a truly modern, techie sensibility. With Abhinav on board, I look forward to even more exciting times ahead for McCann.”

     

  • In this role, Deepak will be overseeing the Group’s growth agenda with special focus on Technology, Data and Analytics

    DDB Mudra Group appoints its first Chief Growth Officer

    By A Correspondent

     

    Deepak Nair

    The DDB Mudra Group has announced the appointment of Deepak Nair as the group’s first Chief Growth Officer. Along with this position, Nair will also manage the responsibilities of 22feet Tribal Worldwide as its Chief Executive Officer.

     

    In this role, Deepak will be overseeing the Group’s growth agenda with special focus on technology, data and analytics.

     

     

    Vineet Gupta

    Speaking on the appointment, Vineet Gupta, CEO, DDB Mudra Group said, “The world has changed and we acknowledge that. We also realize the importance of growth – not just for the clients we partner with, but also for our people. I am excited to welcome Deepak on board as the Chief Growth Officer. Deepak is an entrepreneur at heart and has been an incredible partner in the 22feet story. I am confident that his passion for building teams, capabilities and collaborations will help us take progressive leaps towards being increasingly relevant in today’s world.”

     

    Said Nair on his appointment:“In an evolving advertising landscape and a digitally mature marketplace, the opportunity to be a part of the DDB Mudra Group’s growth story is incredibly exciting. I look forward to collaborating with Vineet, to create a future-ready partner for our clients across the group while continuing to drive innovative technology solutions & growth for our clients at 22feet Tribal Worldwide.”