MxMIndia

Category: Ad Agencies

  • Interface created by Publicis Conseil to help employees and clients better navigate Web3

    Publicis appoints Chief Metaverse Officer

    By Our Staff

     

    Publicis Groupe France has announced a new interface to further help its clients understand, navigate and develop Web3 strategies. The interface will take the form of an avatar named Leon in the role of Chief Metaverse Officer.

     

    Created by Publicis Conseil, Leon has spent his entire career with the agency. As a Web3 native, he has strong grounding across communication disciplines and is a metaverse expert.

     

    Said Arthur Sadoun, Chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe: “The metaverse isn’t a destination, it’s a real-time learning moment for all. It requires interrogation, education and experimentation. We are committed to being on that journey with our clients, to help them understand what it means for their business and to bring them the existing Web3 capabilities in the Groupe across data, media and technology. Leon embodies that as an avatar and will help our clients navigate this new channel and progress every step of the way.”

     

  • Introduces Dentsu Creative

    Dentsu expands its bouquet of networks

    By Our Staff

     

    Dentsu International’s Global CEO, Wendy Clark, and Global CCO Fred Levron have announced the launch of Dentsu Creative, Dentsu’s global creative network. Dentsu Creative will serve as the sole creative network for Dentsu international working with clients around the globe.

     

    In alignment with Dentsu’s global vision of designing a structure for horizontal creativity, Ajay Gahlaut, Group Chief Creative Officer, will now also be in charge of “infusing creativity” across Media and CXM besides Dentsu Creative in India.

     

    Led by Fred Levron, who joined Dentsu international as Chief Creative Officer in November 2021 and has demonstrated the transformative power of creativity throughout his acclaimed career; Dentsu Creative will comprise 9,000 creative experts in 46 markets connected to 37,000 media and CXM experts across Dentsu international and collaborate closely with Dentsu’s creative team in Japan. In the near future, further leadership announcements will be made as Dentsu Creative brings in the next generation of strategic, production, business and creative leaders.

     

    Said Levron:  “If you had the chance to build a brand new global creative network designed for the modern world, what would it look like? That is what we are answering with the launch of Dentsu Creative. Clients, talent and the industry at large are craving for a change: in the way we build brands, in the way we collaborate and in the role we give to creativity. If the current players have set the rules of the previous century, we have the ambition to set the rules for the decades to come.”

     

    Added Wendy Clark, Global CEO, Dentsu international: “At Dentsu, we’re building a modern agency network fuelled by horizontal creativity – a creativity designed to unify our people, their capabilities and our delivery for clients. We’re fortunate to draw from our Japanese heritage steeped in a relentless focus on craft, innovation and creativity. This legacy inspired our vision for modern creativity that was born in Japan and raised in a connected world. Dentsu Creative offers a simplified, modern creative proposition that answers clients’ needs for us to break down agency silos and inefficiencies and seamlessly connect our talent around the right client opportunities at the right time.”

     

    Said Amit Wadhwa, CEO India, Dentsu Creative: “Dentsu has over the years, time and again demonstrated innovation through creativity. With Dentsu Creative, we will unite our creative talent under one brand; this will further simplify client engagements and strengthen our creative prowess. Moving with times is important and now is the time to transform brands and businesses through the lens of Modern Creativity. Dentsu Creative ensures the best output for our clients and the best opportunities for our people, which is the most exciting part for me.”

     

    Added Gahlaut: “With Dentsu Creative, we will transform the creative face of dentsu as a network. As we add Modern Creativity to all the disciplines within the network and combine them, we will create a new-age powerhouse. Our aim is to bring profit and purpose together for our clients and our people. This is what the industry has been waiting for, and we are the forerunners of this breakthrough. Exciting times ahead!”

     

     

  • In partnership with metaverse platform, Odyssey

    Wunderman Thompson launches virtual beach metaverse activation

    By Our Staff

     

    Wunderman Thompson has launched the WT Inspiration Beach, an immersive metaverse activation to celebrate the start of advertising’s biggest festival in Cannes. It allows people from all over the world to experience the agency’s unique take on creativity, content, and connectivity.

     

    Said Gareth Jones, SVP Global Marketing at Wunderman Thompson: “At Wunderman Thompson we’re always looking for innovative ways to create a more inclusive customer experience. This is why we’re excited to launch the WT Inspiration Beach, a virtual activation in the metaverse to allow our clients and colleagues around the world to experience our take on creativity in a unique and highly immersive environment.”

     

    Added Reid Santabarbara, CEO of Odyssey: “As brands seek to enter the metaverse, many are looking to Wunderman Thompson who are thought leaders in this space. Through our collaboration, we’re able to provide these ambitious brands the most accessible, highest-visual-fidelity streaming metaverse platform on the market today. In creating the WT Inspiration Beach, our product team, led by Odyssey CTO Maxime Long, has captured the creativity and inspiration of advertising’s biggest festival and delivered an experience that demonstrates the limitless opportunities of the metaverse.”

     

  • India brings home highest no of metals ever. Plus: Agency of the Year. And it’s an agency from BLR, not BOM or NCR

    Saare Jahaan Se Achcha

     

     

    By Our Staff

     

    If it was the Olympics, it would’ve merited a call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But this is just an advertising festival, where work are recognised for commercial work, so perhaps expecting a call from the PM would be a bit much.

     

    The victories of the Indian contingent last week though are worthy of that call. Indian creative agencies brought home 47 metals, and this does not include the shortlists.

     

    Dentsu Creative Bengaluru was named Cannes Lions 2022 Agency of the Year, as well as awarded a Titanium, three Grand Prix, two Gold Lions and three Silver Lions for ‘The Unfiltered History Tour’ for Vice Media. This also makes the campaign the most awarded campaign ever. Note: it’s an agency from Bengaluru and not Mumbai or New Delhi NCR.

     

    Said Amit Wadhwa, CEO, Dentsu Creative India. “When you begin Cannes Lions with a Grand Prix, you think you have already hit a lifetime achievement, but this week just got better and better. It is hard to describe how we feel on receiving three Grand Prix, let alone a Titanium and to top it all off, Agency of the Year – it is a moment to rejoice for each one of us at Dentsu Creative India. The team is just so proud of the work, but also the outcome too,” adding: “We got the world talking about something which really matters deeply, something which will change the way that historically important artefacts are handled in the future, and in turn could change the way that history is taught to millions around the world. Now that is very special indeed.”

     

    Added Ajay Gahlaut, Group Chief Creative Officer India, Dentsu Creative: “Winning the Agency of the Year is an emotion I cannot even begin to describe. When I used to watch other agencies win the title I often wondered if I ever would get that same honour. What they say is true. Dreams DO come true! I’m over the moon with the Titanium win along with the hat trick of Grand Prix and a whole lot of other metals. Not just me I think no one in the entire Indian ad industry has been part of such a huge haul of Lions ever before. And I do believe we are the first full-service Indian agency to win the title of Agency of the Year. I doff my hat to the entire team responsible for the Unfiltered History Tours. Those who are with us now and those who have moved on. Congratulations all. For now, it’s party time!”

     

     

    The other Grand Prix this year went to VMLY&R India’s ‘The Killer Pack’ campaign for Maxx Flash in the Health & Wellness Lions category to Leo Burnett for its ‘The Missing Chapter’ campaign for P&G India’s Whisper. This was a Grand Prix for Sustainable Development Goals Lions, again a first for India.

     

    Meanwhhile, Ogilvy India also brought home a Titanium Lion for  Mondelez  India’s ‘Shah Rukh Khan My Ad’ campaign. The work also bagged two Golds, a Silver and a Bronze.

     

    Said Piyush Pandey, Chairman Global Creative & Executive Chairman India, Ogilvy: “I am delighted that the people’s choice is also the jury’s choice. I am very proud of the team that worked on it.”

     

    As the table indicates, FCB has continued its winning spree and netted as many as 14 metals.

     

  • Wunderman Thompson India and Mirum come together to cater to requirements of healthcare business

    Wunderman Thompson Health launched

    By Our Staff

     

    Wunderman Thompson India has officially launched Wunderman Thompson Health (WT Health) to target the healthcare sector.

     

    Shamsuddin Jasani
    Shamsuddin Jasani

    Commenting on the launch, Shamsuddin Jasani, Chief Executive Officer, Wunderman Thompson South Asia, said, “We couldn’t have chosen a better time to launch our specialised practice of Wunderman Thompson Health as the healthcare market is poised for exponential growth owing to an unprecedented demand for robust health and wellness solutions. Health and wellness brands are on the lookout for a partner that understands the specific nuances of healthcare marketing, and we believe we can provide business solutions to brands and can unlock growth by leveraging our core strengths of creative, strategy and martech.”

     

    Srikant Subramanian
    Srikant Subramanian

    Added Srikant Subramanian, Director, Business Development, Wunderman Thompson India: “Advances in technology make the next chapter in healthcare delivery very exciting. In the ever evolving, and digitally transforming eco-system, it’s so important to create tailored communication for each audience, and develop optimized ways to engage with them, be it HCPs, patients, MRs, or pharmacies. Our strategic technology partnerships, leveraged using our in-house medical professionals, allows us to provide truly end-to-end omnichannel healthcare delivery.”

     

    Samarth Shrivastava
    Samarth Shrivastava

    Said Samarth Shrivastava, Senior VP and Executive Business Director, Wunderman Thompson India: “It’s an incredibly exciting time to be working in healthcare. Healthcare has evolved massively in the last 19 months compared to the last 19 years. Current developments have forced the industry to evolve at an unprecedented pace and have dramatically accelerated digital health’s adoption. With its pedigree in strategy and its complete suite of services, Wunderman Thompson Health has a unique offering which will help clients achieve their objectives in these dynamic times.”

     

  • Gandhi has been with Ogilvy for 22 years across various roles

    Hirol Gandhi named President & Head of Ogilvy Mumbai & Cal

    By Our Staff

     

    Ogilvy India has announced that effective July 1, Hirol Gandhi has taken charge as President and Head of Office – Mumbai and Kolkata. Gandhi has been with Ogilvy for 22 years across various roles.

     

    Said Piyush Pandey, Chairman Global Creative & Executive Chairman India, Ogilvy: “Hirol has been a champion of creativity and modern work.  I am happy that our largest office is in very good hands.”

     

    Said VR Rajesh, Group President, Ogilvy India: “The next three years are the years of transformation for Ogilvy in India. Hirol is an extraordinary future focused leader who also has an astute sense of business. We need a champion like him to accelerate our journey into modernising our largest office.”

     

    Added Gandhi: “After having successfully partnered brands in their growth and transformation journey, this is an equally exciting and challenging opportunity – chart the next chapter for Mumbai and Kolkata offices, and further accelerate the transformation agenda. I’m really looking forward to my next phase at Ogilvy.”

     

  • … across offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Pune on July 1

    Dentsu celebrates 6th edition of ‘One Day for Change’

    By Our Staff

     

    Dentsu India celebrated the sixth edition of its annual volunteer initiative, ‘One Day for Change’ (ODfC), across offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Pune on July 1. The day was themed around  ‘Zero Waste in a Sustainable World’ and aimed to build a better environment for the young and underprivileged children, including those with special needs.

     

    Commenting on the initiative, Divya Karani, Media CEO South Asia, Dentsu said, “Our superpower as dentsu is the ability to alter attitudes, shape behaviors, and motivate constructive actions. If we are to succeed in creating a net-zero, restorative, and inclusive world, it begins with us, today. All of us have the chance to make a difference, to rally together as a team on One Day for Change. In doing so, we are all giving a part of ourselves and that is simply invaluable!”

     

  • Ram Moorthi moves on

    Tithi Ghosh named President & Head of Office-Ogilvy Bengaluru  

    By Our Staff

     

    Tithi Ghosh
    Tithi Ghosh

    Ogilvy India has announced that effective July 01, Tithi Ghosh has taken over as President & Head of Office–Ogilvy Bengaluru. Ghosh has been with Ogilvy in Bengaluru since 2004.  Meanwhile, after 25 years with Ogilvy India, Ram Moorthi has decided to move on as s Bengaluru office head.

     

    VR Rajesh
    VR Rajesh

    Said VR Rajesh, Group President, Ogilvy India: “We would like to thank Ram, for giving so much to Ogilvy India. We will miss his passion to always do something different. Not a man to sit on his laurels, we are sure an all new venture is right around the corner. We wish him all the best and lots of love,” adding: “We are also very lucky to have Tithi to take the baton from Ram. Tithi stands for everything that represents the culture of Ogilvy. The voice of guidance and wisdom is now going to be the hand that guides the next chapter of Ogilvy Bengaluru.”

     

    Piyush Pandey
    Piyush PaPiyush Pandeyndey

    Added Piyush Pandey, Chairman Global Creative & Executive Chairman India, Ogilvy: “Tithi has been my valuable partner for years.  And I am sure that in the coming years she will further strengthen our client relationships and creative excellence in our Bengaluru office.”

     

  • Design Bridge and Superunion will merge to create a single design company in January 2023

    WPP creates Design Bridge and Partners

    By Our Staff

     

    To be called Design Bridge and Partners

     

    WPP has announces the creation of a new company, Design Bridge and Partners, formed by the merger of Design Bridge and Superunion. It will launch in January 2023. John Morris, currently CEO of Design Bridge, will take on the role of CEO of the new global business, in partnership with Jim Prior, currently CEO of Superunion, as Chair.

     

    The move follows the combining/merging of other WPP agencies to create AKQA Group, BCW, EssenceMediacom, VMLY&R, Wunderman Thompson and most recently FGS Global

     

    The two agencies will continue to operate as separate entities until the end of the year and the structure and market-facing brands of the new company will be assessed in each market over the coming months based on client and local needs. The full management team and creative leadership will be announced in due course, comprising current leaders from Design Bridge and Superunion.

     

    Said John Morris, CEO of Design Bridge and Partners:  “It’s absolutely fantastic to be able to bring together two creative powerhouses in design. Marrying the ‘best of both’, Design Bridge and Partners will be truly formidable, offering greater benefit for our clients through shared expertise and, importantly, many more opportunities for our people to grow.”

     

    Added Mark Read, CEO of WPP: “Design Bridge and Partners will be a leader in design and an important part of our simpler, future-facing client offer. Formed from two successful companies in Design Bridge and Superunion, it will create new growth opportunities both for our people and our clients.”

     

  • India is seeing the highest growth in the market

    India’s ad market to grow by 15.2% in 2023: Dentsu Global Ad Spend Forecasts

    By Our Staff

     

    According to the recent Dentsu Global Ad Spend Forecasts, advertising spending would increase globally by 8.7% in 2022. Adspending in Asia Pacific is anticipated to reach US$250.0 billion, with digital accounting for much of this amount. With a growth rate of 16.0% this year and predicted increases in advertising spending of 15.2% in 2023 and 15.7% in 2024, India is seeing the highest growth in the market. Forecasted spending on advertising in China is expected to rise by 4.0% in 2023 and 5.4% the following year.

     

    The reforecast of media investment is released in the context of escalating media price inflation, geopolitical tension, upcoming key elections, and one of the most anticipated global sports events of the year, the FIFA World Cup.  Due to continued uncertainty, the current and historical comparison data has also been adjusted to remove Russian investment from the forecast, to better reflect the rest of the international ad spend trends and predictions.

     

    Said Prerna Mehrotra, CEO Media APAC, Dentsu International: “The latest Dentsu Ad Spend July 2022 points to a continued recovery despite another year of economic uncertainty, with APAC 2022 ad spend of US$250.0 billion, based on a growth forecast at 5.1%.  However, continued lockdowns in key markets, geo-political tension and ongoing supply logistics issues could add pressure on businesses with a cascading impact on marketing spends.”

     

    Looking ahead, Dentsu expects the 2023 global advertising market to increase by 5.4% to reach US$778.6 billion followed by a further 5.1% increase in 2024.

     

    Added Peter Huijboom, Global CEO, Media and Global Clients, Dentsu International: “Even with everything which has happened in recent months, not least the protracted war in Ukraine and its international repercussions, the advertising recovery remains strong on a global scale.  And, despite factors such as inflation putting pressure on household budgets, combined with 2021 being a tough comparative year, we have only marginally revised down our 2022 global growth forecast by just 0.4 percentage points.”

     

    Overall ad spend growth in Asia Pacific is boosted by key sporting events such as Indian Premier League, FIFA World Cup, Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, and country elections in Australia and India. Digital continues to be the powerhouse driving APAC ad spend, as the fastest growing medium at 11.5% to reach US$151.7 billion, a 60.7% share of total ad spend. Fuelling this is the double-digit growth of Programmatic (32.3%), Paid Social (27.4%), and digital display (13.3%) in 2022. In SEA, TV spend is still significant, with the largest share (57.2%) of total SEA spend (Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam), and a growth rate of 4.6%.

     

    Globally, Out-of-Home (OOH) and cinema will both see encouraging double-digit growth in 2022 (respectively 11.5% and 19.6%). Radio is also forecast to grow, much faster than initially considered with a new reforecast of 5.0% for the year, up from 2.0% in the January predictions – which is mainly due to faster return to office working. As with previous predictions, ad spend in newspapers and magazines will continue to decline.

     

    I n 2022, the Americas will be the top ad spend region at US$329.6 billion and the most dynamic with spend increasing by 13.1%. India at 16.0% growth will stay ahead of the US at 12.8% and Brazil at 9.0% as the fastest growing market.

     

    Industry wise globally, the greatest growth is forecast for the Technology sector (+11.3%), which has benefited from people’s greater reliance on digital devices. Retail is one of the key sectors of spend growth at a rate of 11.0% in 2022. The sector is driven by a number of factors including the significant growth of e-commerce, the entry of new players, and the introduction of emerging retail platforms. In Asia Pacific, technology, automotive and cosmetics and personal care are among the fastest growing sectors.

     

    This Dentsu Global Ad Spend Forecast not only looks at the data from 58 markets, but also examines some of the key factors impacting ad spend shift, such as inflation increases, sustainability regulation, acceleration of gaming as an ad medium, doubling down on addressable media and also the importance of buying attention as core metric.

     

  • A strategic tie-up between Havas and Kolkata-based QED

    With QED in tow, Havas Group India eyes East

    By Our Staff

     

    L-R Manas Lahiri, Rana Barua and Anisha Singh Motwani

    Paris-headquartered advertising conglomerate Havas Group India has announced its foray into eastern India through a strategic tie-up between Havas Worldwide India and Kolkata-based digital marketing agency Quite Easily Done (QED).

     

    The new entity, Havas QED, will partner with Havas Creative Group India, which has agencies, including Havas Worldwide India (creative), Havas CX (customer experience), Think Design (UI/UX), Conran Design Group Mumbai (design) and Shobiz (experiential). The agency will be led by Anisha Singh Motwani, Founder & CEO, QED who will report in to Manas Lahiri, Managing Director, Havas Worldwide India (Creative). This collaboration will further drive the creative and digital excellence of Havas Creative Group India.

     

    Talking about the expansion, Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas Group India, said: “Over the previous two years, we went from three to 10 companies through acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic alliances, adding agencies such as Conran Design Group, Havas CX, Think Design, and Shobiz Havas under the creative umbrella. Media saw the addition of verticals including Havas Content, Havas Sports and Entertainment, Havas Market, and a strategic alliance with Tribes. This has resulted in tremendous growth and has propelled our reputation in the industry. Eastern India, without a doubt, offers unexplored commercial potential. This strategic alliance, I believe, is the first resolute step in the market and opens the door to the possibility of our fourth Village in India, in the future.”

     

    Added Motwani: “Our collaboration with Havas Worldwide India has been moving from strength to strength.  This strategic alliance is an organic step towards further strengthening our partnership with the agency. I am confident that we will continue to deliver ground-breaking work together.”

     

  • To boost business to next level

    Shobhit Gaur returns to Madison Digital

    By Our Staff

     

    Shobhit Gaur
    Shobhit Gaur

    Madison Digital, the digital unit of Madison World, has announced the return of Shobhit Gaur as Vice President. Gaur will report to Vishal Chinchankar, CEO, Madison Digital & Madison Media Alpha.

     

    Said Chinchankar: “We’re glad to have Shobhit back on board. Having worked with various categories, he brings a wealth of experience to Madison. I am confident that we will be able to take our work to the next level with new business and continue to delight existing clients.”

     

    Added Gaur: “I am excited to be returning to Madison Digital and look forward to contributing to the organization in my new role and responsibilities. Madison Digital offers me exciting challenges and opportunities as I look forward to unlocking our clients’ growth with data, technology, and talent.”