MxMIndia

Category: Ad Agencies

  • Joshee will be based in Mumbai and will report to Tarun Jha, CEO, Havas Worldwide India

    Kundan Joshee joins Havas Mg Partner & Head – W&S

    By Our Staff

     

    Kundan Joshee
    Kundan Joshee

    Havas Worldwide India, the creative arm of Havas India, has appointed Kundan Joshee as Managing Partner and Head – West & South. He joins the agency from Wunderman Thompson. Joshee will be based in Mumbai and will report to Tarun Jha, CEO, Havas Worldwide India. He will work closely with Anupama Ramaswamy, Chief Creative Officer and Anirban Mozumdar, Chief Strategy Officer.

     

    Tarun Jha
    Tarun Jha

    Speaking about the appointment, Jha said: “Havas Worldwide India has been witnessing an impressive growth trajectory and the agency has entirely restructured its leadership team to support this rapid expansion. Kundan is a seasoned industry professional, with a great track record of building businesses and managing large outfits. He will be a natural fit in our ambitious senior leadership team of Anupama, Anirban and Jaibeer Ahmad, Managing Partner – North and East. With Jaibeer helming the North and East India markets, Kundan’s addition will help us drive value, optimise revenue, and expand the ever-growing client portfolio of Havas Worldwide India as he takes the reigns of our business in the West and South regions. We all welcome him aboard and look forward to him making a meaningful difference to the brands that we lovingly nurture.”

     

  • He will report into Joy Mohanty, Chief Creative Officer – North, Dentsu Creative India

    Manzoor hai! Dentsu Creative gets Alam as ECD

    By Our Staff

     

    Manzoor Alam
    Manzoor Alam

    Dentsu Creative India has announced the appointment of Manzoor Alam as Executive Creative Director (ECD). He will report into Joy Mohanty, Chief Creative Officer – North.

     

    As per the mandate, Alam will spearhead teams working on brands like Honda Cars, Max Healthcare, Catch Spices, Royal Stag, 100 Pipers, Herbalife, Hamdard, and Carlsberg, to name a few from the agency’s Gurugram office. He will focus on nurturing and developing the agency’s creative talent pool, while also establishing it as a hub for delivering top-tier, innovative, and high-calibre work.

     

    Most recently, Alam served at Lowe Lintas. where he played a significant role in driving creative excellence for various brands. During his tenure, he contributed to the success of Google’s flagship products like Google Search, Google Photos, Google Assistant, Google My Business, and Google Voice.

     

    Speaking on the appointment, Mohanty said: “Manzoor’s exceptional journey showcases a wealth of experience and an extensive portfolio of accomplishments with leading brands such as Google and OLX, as well as numerous start-ups and tech ventures. His unique ability to infuse his ideas with a strong sense of humanity has endeared him to brands across the spectrum. We are thrilled to have him on board and are certain that he will be instrumental in taking our goals of Modern Creativity to new heights.”

     

    Manzoor added, “In today’s ever-evolving consumer landscape, it is important to consider both the ‘when’ and ‘how’ of every idea. This calls for a cohesive and integrated approach to deliver our concepts effectively. Dentsu Creative India’s philosophy of ‘Modern creativity’ synchs well with this emerging trend. The organization’s strong emphasis on digital-first, tech-driven initiatives, and data-backed solutions amplifies the potential for impactful ideas to flourish. This is exactly what has drawn me towards Dentsu Creative India. I am excited and look forward to embarking on this inspiring journey.”

     

    Dentsu Creative India made a remarkable impact from its very inception, taking the world by storm when it was honoured as the ‘Agency of The Year’ at the prestigious Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity in 2022 – a historic first for India. Its outstanding achievements included securing a Titanium award, as well as three Grand Prix, two Gold Lions, and three Silver Lions. Demonstrating its continuous success, Dentsu Creative India has recently added some noteworthy brands to its clientele, further solidifying its position in the industry.

     

  • Ummat will report to Iraj Fraz, who heads creative for DDB Tribal

    Purva Ummat joins DDB Tribal as Group CD

    By Our Staff

     

    DDB Tribal has announced the appointment of Purva Ummat as Group Creative Director. Ummat will report to Iraj Fraz, who heads creative for DDB Tribal.

     

    Prior to this, Ummat was with Dentsu Creative where she played a significant role in launching Nykaa Fashion.

     

    Said Fraz: “DDB Tribal brings together digital-first thinking and classic insight-driven advertising, and Purva is made of the same ilk. The work she has created over the years stands as a testimony to the extraordinary energy she brings to every creative opportunity. As the most senior addition to our creative team, Purva is going to lead some of our key brands.”

     

  • For Ipsos Digital

    Ipsos appoints Neha Munshi, Country Lead

    By Our Staff

     

    Neha Munshi
    Neha Munshi

    Ipsos India has appoints Neha Munshi as Country Lead, Ipsos Digital with immediate effect.Her remit is to take Ipsos Digital offerings to current and prospective accounts for their repertoire of consumer surveys and provide a glitch free experience to clients in exécution of projects. She will be guided by Anthony Dsouza, Country Service Line Leader, Innovation, Ipsos India, and has been provided with a 6-member team of a young bunch of enthusiastic market researchers, in her crusade to achieve the company’s ambitious vision.

     

    Commenting on the appointment, Anthony Dsouza, Country Service Line Leader, Innovation, Ipsos India said: “Ipsos Digital boasts an exceptional array of flagship products, including FastFacts, Creative Spark, Duel, InnoTest, and more. These offerings stand out for their innovation and speed, coupled with the convenience of user-friendly options like DIY and DIY+Researcher Assistance. This empowers clients to seamlessly launch projects in India around the clock, 24X7, ensuring swift and efficient results. Munshi’s remarkable leadership has been evident in her adept management of key accounts, driving increased adoption of our digital platform. Her unique position makes her the ideal candidate to capitalize on opportunities across diverse sectors.”

     

    Amit Adarkar, CEO, Ipsos India added: “Over 80% of our client work continues to be via offline data collection methodologies and face-to-face interviews. We launched Ipsos Digital during the pandemic, when we were thrown into lockdowns and restrictions, and we wanted client work to continue without any disruption. Post re-opening, clients continue to leverage the digital opportunity over and above all the specialized  custom work  we do for them, across our service lines. This is akin to omnichannel – brick and mortar and online – enabling clients to flit across and not being stopped by office hours and take the online route via DIY, pay online and get the results in real time.”

     

  • To work on brand’s identity and digital communication strategy

    Human bags branding & comms mandate for Co2Exist

    By Our Staff

     

    Human integrated agency bags its first branding and communication mandate for Co2Exist. Co2Exist is an Indian startup that helps companies and individuals realize their climate commitments. The agency’s mandate includes working on the brand’s identity and digital communication strategy, and implementing clutter-breaking ideas that effect change.

     

    Commenting on the partnership, Menaka Pohani, Director at Co2Exist said: “Human, founded by Chirag and Imran, was a logical choice for Co2Exist’s communications partner. Their approach, work ethic and professionalism stood apart and is what helped us make our decision to partner with them for our communications plan. Their innovative strategies and expertise in creating impactful marketing campaigns align seamlessly with our commitment to promoting sustainable practices and reducing carbon emissions. Our decision to appoint Human was driven by our mutual vision to raise awareness and take effective action in combating climate change. By engaging with Human, we aim to amplify our message, reach a wider audience, and inspire behavioral change on a global scale.We believe that this collaboration will enhance our efforts in building a more sustainable future.”

     

    Commenting on the logo, Imran Khan, Co-founder and Director at Human added: “Sustainability is a very broad idea, and capturing the intent of the brand is always crucial. I’m glad we found a genuine depiction of the brand’s purpose, and hope to extend it in many different ways going forward.”

     

    Said Chirag Raheja, Co-founder and Director at Human on the partnership: “Co2Exist is an idea whose time has come. Their business resonates deeply with our ethos of creating work that’s good for the people, and the planet at large. So when we were offered a chance to be their communications partner, we leaped at it. We feel honored to be their partner of choice, and intend to fully repay the trust placed in us through work that drives meaningful results.”

     

  • To spearhead development of brand and business solutions

    LKSS appoints Samir Shanbhag as Biz Head & EVP

    By Our Staff

     

    L&K Saatchi & Saatchi (LKSS), part of the Publicis group in India, has appointed Samir Shanbhag as its Business Head and Executive Vice President. Based at the agency’s Mumbai office, he will report to Paritosh Srivastava, CEO of L&K Saatchi & Saatchi and Publicis Worldwide.

     

    Said Shanbhag: “I am excited to embark on this journey with L&K Saatchi & Saatchi which is driven by the ‘Nothing is Impossible’ philosophy. The growth demonstrated in both business and quality of work over the past few years serves as a testament to this belief. I am confident that we will continue to build upon these success stories, leveraging the ‘Power Of One’ for our clients. I look forward to contributing to the agency’s growth and reputation.”

     

  • To boost the company's overall vision

    Ideacafe appoints Ritesh Chaudhary as CCO

    By Our Staff

     

    Ideacafe, the creative agency founded by Nabendu Bhattacharyya, has appointed Ritesh Chaudhary as Chief Content Officer (CCO) to head its integrated creative offering.

     

    Said Bhattacharyya: “Ritesh has spent a substantial part of his early career with my earlier venture Milestone Brandcom, and I am happy to have him back at Ideacafe. I am of the firm belief that creativity, ideas, and an innovative approach to everything we do, will set us apart in an industry that is most conducive to disruptive thoughts, and Ritesh has a proven repertoire of award-winning creative work that positions him uniquely to be an important part of our integrated communication journey. At Ideacafe he will align with the company’s overall vision, striking a balance for through-the-line content and communication.”

     

  • To create Kriti Sanon's first beauty label, Hyphen

    Havas’s Conran Design partners with PEP Technologies

    By Our Staff

     

    Conran Design Group Mumbai has announced a collaboration  with PEP Technologies, the parent company of mCaffeine, and celebrity, co-founder, and Chief Customer Officer, Kriti Sanon to launch everyday skincare label, Hyphen.

     

    Speaking about the launch, Vaishali Gupta, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer, Hyphen said: “Conran Design Group Mumbai shines with unique expertise and creative thinking. They blend design and strategy flawlessly, giving Hyphen’s brand logo a distinct edge.”

     

    Added Geet Nazir, Managing Partner, Conran Design Group Mumbai: “At Conran Design Group, we’re constantly looking for challenges and opportunities to demonstrate our capability in designing simple and effective brand-led solutions to complex business problems, that make a meaningful difference to clients and their businesses. We leverage our proven global methodologies to craft insight-led, differentiated design solutions, and Hyphen is a perfect example of how we delivered a clutter-breaking and ownable brand grammar in the beauty industry.”

     

  • Think generative AI will enable teams to take creative risks

    Dentsu Creative launches 2023 CMO Report

    By Our Staff

     

    Dentsu Creative’s 2023 Global CMO Report, ‘Creativity at a Crossroads’, reveals optimism from today’s marketing decision-makers in the face of change and challenge. Using data from a survey of 700 CMOs and senior marketers in the US, UK, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Italy, and Spain, the report has identified eight key themes which show that despite being an industry at a crossroads, it is one empowered by creativity and technology.

     

    Said Julie Scelzo, Global Clients Chief Creative Officer: “Creativity at a Crossroads dives deep into the hearts and minds of marketers today. From embracing the ‘Frenemy at the Gate’ that is AI, to their resolute belief that advertising can be a force for good, this report shows that CMOs remain both optimistic about the future and committed to the transformative power of creativity, with 85% believing that creativity is a catalyst for economic growth, rising to 94% in the US.”

     

    Amidst volatilities of the modern world, such as climate change, inflation, and geopolitical instability, CMOs are focusing on the things they can control. Their number one concern for 2023, and as they look ahead to 2030, is owning and connecting with their audience in a world where third parties often seem to hold the cards.

     

    Patricia McDonald, Dentsu Creative’s Chief Strategy Officer and lead author on the report observes, “To own the audience, we need to connect in the spaces and places that matter most to them. The challenge is that audiences are changing: they have new expectations, new behaviors, and new values shaped by a deeply connected world. Their expectations have soared while their attention has polarised-they can dive deeper than ever into the things they love and find it easier than ever to ignore the things they don’t. So, brands must be built in new ways through experiences, through culture, and through action. The choice is simple: engage or be ignored.”

     

    Amit Wadhwa, CEO, DENTSU CREATIVE India adds, “Today’s landscape demands that brands navigate a complex web of audience attention, technology advancements, and societal shifts. In the midst of these challenges, where change and challenge intersect, the ‘Creativity at a Crossroads’ report delves into marketing leaders who emphasize the integration of creativity and technology. Now, in a world where AI threatens to steal the spotlight from human creativity, it is reassuring to see that a massive 73% of India’s marketers firmly believe that Generative AI will never outshine the boundless brilliance of the human imagination. Frankly, I couldn’t agree more. The report underscores this crucial juncture where creativity, technology, and strategic insights blend – setting the stage for an exciting future in the world of marketing.”

     

    Written in collaboration with leaders across the Dentsu Creative global network, the report’s eight themes allow CMOs to benchmark their areas of focus against their peers, such as whether their investments in technologies and platforms are keeping pace with the industry, and whether they hold similar views on the fundamentals of marketing in 2023 and beyond.

     

    WINNING THE AUDIENCE

    In an era where social platforms, retailers, and technology partners are siphoning audience attention away from brands, and when consumer-brand interactions have become increasingly demanding and sophisticated, the single biggest concern for CMOs now and in the future is owning and connecting with a rapidly evolving audience. For 30% of respondents ‘owning the customer relationship’ has been their focus for 2023 and will continue to be as they look forward to 2030. Engaging with changing audiences, responding to changing consumer behavior, representing more diverse audiences, and understanding, and keeping up with new technology were a focus of 28% of CMOs respectively, with understanding Gen Z audiences still a challenge for nearly a quarter of respondents.

     

    AUGMENTED HUMANITY

    Today’s CMOs demand experiences that connect technology and humanity, 87% agree that brands today are built through experiences, and 88% agree that it is essential that the customer experience matches up to the brand promise. To achieve this, they are embracing new interfaces from voice to gesture, AR to AI, blurring the boundaries between on and offline, content and commerce, and enabling ideas that are distinctive, delightful, and disarmingly human.

     

    CULTURAL CAPITAL

    CMOs agree entertainment will be a key component of brand building and are looking to build their brands in the spaces and places that matter most, investing in platforms from podcasts to programming to engage audiences that are harder than ever to interrupt. 79% of CMOs agree with the statement, ‘In a world where advertising is easier to ignore’ and 80% agree that technologies such as live streaming are blurring the boundaries between content and commerce as never before. We also see that humor is making a comeback with 58% of marketers looking to create moments of joy during current difficult times and agreeing that today’s advertising today isn’t entertaining enough in a crowded sea of bold and bullish promotional messaging.

     

    PURPOSE GETS REAL

    The way marketers are approaching Purpose is shifting. 69% of those surveyed agreed that we have been so focused on purpose that we have forgotten how to sell. Moving beyond “purpose washing” campaigns it is felt that Purpose must evolve from a side project to an integral element of business strategy as there is no longer any disconnect between what is good for society and what is good for business, 78% of marketers believe that in a world where economic volatility is accelerated and exacerbated by climate volatility, renewed innovation and infrastructure is badly needed and only through the power of emotion can we impact this and affect lasting behavioural change.

     

    FUNDING FEARS

    Signifying a deepening awareness of the industry’s responsibility to balance purpose and profit, CMOs are concerned over the polarised, sometimes toxic, media landscape brands could be funding with their investments. 62% of CMOs are worried about the potential adverse consequences of their campaigns and investments on the environment and society, while 64% expressed concerns that their media spending may inadvertently contribute to political polarisation, raising questions about advertising’s role in shaping public discourse. In defiance, marketers remain convinced that advertising can be a force for good and 81% agree that brands can use their budgets to amplify independent and diverse voices.

     

    AI: FRENEMY AT THE GATE

    AI is cause for cautious excitement and 87% agree that it represents the future of advertising and marketing. CMOs welcome the efficiencies it allows and are keen to experiment, but doubt AI-generated content will ever truly move their customers, and 81% of respondents agree that customers will be prepared to pay a premium for human-created content. Despite over half of respondents questioning if Generative AI could take their jobs in the future, 75% believe that Generative AI will never fully replace the essence of human creativity.

     

    CONNECTED PEOPLE

    CMOs now demand flexibility and diversity from the people they work with. 86% want their agencies and partners to connect the right talent at the right moment, wherever it sits inside the network or beyond. 83% believe brands benefit from consolidating their efforts with one agency holding company, acknowledging the power of the network in a data and technology-driven world. However, 85% do value the diversity of thought that comes from partnering with multiple agencies, calling out the flexibility and agility of local partners. As such, the perfect team for today’s fast-changing and volatile world does not exist, and CMOs want the ease of one agency, with the power of many.  The businesses and brands that can connect the right talent at the right moment, or introduce unique perspectives to unlock new outcomes are those that will thrive.

     

    THRIVING IN A CONNECTED WORLD

    Responding to audiences with a heightened expectation of brand integrity and customer experience, and an increased tendency to completely avoid content that fails to engage or entertain, CMOs remain committed to the transformative power of creativity, and 85% view creativity as a catalyst for economic growth. Unlocking the creativity needed to thrive in today’s connected world sits firmly at the intersection of brand, experience, and culture and sweet spots are emerging for brands and businesses to connect with modern customers in the spaces and places that matter most.

     

  • Dheeraj Sinha will take charge as Group CEO India and South Asia in November

    Change of Guard @ FCB: Enter Dheeraj Sinha. Exit Rohit Ohri

     

     

    By Our Staff

     

    Over the last few days, there have been murmurs that Leo Burnett big boss Dheeraj Sinha is likely to join FCB. There have been rumours in the past as well. For instance, in December 2019, soon after Saurabh Verma’s controversial exit from the Publicis group, we had asked Sinha. He said it wasn’t untrue.

     

    So this time around, we held back. There has also been some talk about FCB’s current Group Chairman and CEO Rohit Ohri looking at a successor. It’s now been announced that he will take up a new global role as FCB Global Partner.

     

    Sinha meanwhile will join as Group CEO India & South Asia, reporting directly to FCB Global CEO Tyler Turnbull. Sinha joins the agency from Publicis Groupe, where he currently serves as CEO of Leo Burnett South Asia and Chairman of BBH India.

     

    Ohri should be exiting on a happy note. After being teased by us as being a ‘fuddy duddy’ agency, the agency has been in the news for all the right reasons. Last week, FCB Group India was Adweek magazine’s International Agency of the Year. Over the last six-odd years, the agency has won 32 Cannes Lions and over 100 creative awards globally, launched several high-profile campaigns that have transformed its creative reputation in India and beyond, won many large Indian and global multinational clients, and grown revenue by high double digits year over year. FCB Group India also acquired a majority stake in FCB Kinnect, the region’s leading digital-first creative agency, and recently launched FCB/SIX, its digital media, CX and performance offering, in the market. The last few words from the Cannes wins onwards are from an FCB communique.

     

    Turnbull has great stuff to talk about Ohri. “Since Rohit joined FCB eight years ago, FCB India has seen tremendous success under his leadership. It was time for his next challenge, and while we can’t thank him enough for all that he has done for the agency, I’m excited to have him join our global team to put his valuable experience to work for some important upcoming projects.” On Sinha: “Together, we have found his successor in Dheeraj – an amazingly talented, creatively focused and driven leader who understands the economic power of creativity.”

     

    Added Ohri: “The last eight years at FCB Group India have been truly amazing. My mandate was to transform the creative reputation of FCB in India. By nurturing culture and cultivating talent, we’ve been able to deliver creative excellence consistently since 2018. I’m enormously grateful to my fabulous India team for the creative and business success we have seen. Our partnership with our clients has been our true strength in this creative transformation journey. Further, with the acquisition of Kinnect and the launch of FCB/SIX in India, I believe we are now uniquely poised to power our creative work with data and technology. I’m delighted to now work on the strategic priorities of our global network with Susan and Tyler as FCB Global Partner.”

     

    While at Publicis, he led the business transformation across Leo Burnett, Leo Burnett Orchard, BBH, Publicis Business and Publicis Health. Leo Burnett was India’s #1 and Asia’s #2 agency at Cannes Lions 2023. He has also held several other leadership roles throughout his career, including Chief Strategy Officer of South & Southeast Asia at Grey Group, where he fostered a culture of strategy at Grey APAC.

     

    “Dheeraj is a strong advocate for the power of creativity, with a proven track record of transforming businesses. His experience driving revenue for iconic creative brands and agencies is exactly what we needed to help fuel our next chapter of success in India,” adds Turnbull.

     

    “I’m delighted to welcome Dheeraj into the FCB family. He is a dynamic leader brimming with new ideas. I believe he has the right capabilities and mindset to take FCB Group India to newer heights,” said Ohri.

     

    And this is what Sinha has to say: “I am so excited to be leading the next phase of narrative for FCB in India and the region. I believe that with data and technology at its service, creativity is the greatest force of our times. The true power of our industry is in maximizing business opportunities and solving for human problems using creativity. I love the perspective at FCB about creativity as an economic multiplier. The agency has had a great run in the country, with very strong partnerships with the best clients, and has been one of the most respected agency brands. I look forward to working with the global leadership at FCB under Susan and Tyler, to continue to build FCB in India and the region as the most creative company, helping our clients maximize the opportunities and leaving the world a better place at the same time!”

     

    And what happens at Publicis group? The vagaries of the business notwithstanding, there’s never a dull day. When the announcement happens, we’ll have another ‘big story’. Perhaps.

     

  • To deliver business outcomes

    Welspun appoints Dentsu X as its partner for Integrated Media Solutions

    By Our Staff

     

    Welspun home textiles, has awarded its media duties to Dentsu X – the data & tech-driven agency from Dentsu India.

     

    As per the mandate, Dentsu X’s will intrinsically focus on offering pioneering solutions to enhance the brand’s business outcomes. It will cater to the entire gamut of integrated media services in the Bed & Bath and flooring categories, overseeing media strategy, planning, and buying for Digital and traditional media.

     

    Manjari Upadhye
    Manjari Upadhye

    Manjari Upadhye, CEO, Welspun Global Brands, Domestic Business said: “The competition among the agencies was fierce, and each one presented fantastic ideas, strategies, and data, which made our decision quite challenging. However, dentsu X stood out with its innovative approach, comprehensive understanding of our brand, and compelling vision for our consumer-centric marketing strategy. Bed and bath categories are traditionally considered commodity-driven. Our challenge lies in differentiating ourselves and elevating the brand value within this segment. As the largest spender in the Bed & Bath category over the past 2-3 years, we understand the importance of a robust media strategy to drive our growth. We have chosen to partner with dentsu X due to their exceptional track record in handling similar categories, which will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping our strategies moving forward.”

     

    Anita Kotwani
    Anita Kotwani

    Speaking on the win, Anita Kotwani, CEO Media, South Asia, Dentsu added:  “Adding Welspun India to our clientele is a remarkable win. The network believes in going from pillar to post, fostering our strengths, and redefining practices for brands to supersede their targeted outcomes in the India market. I am proud of the team that has relentlessly worked on the pitch. Their innovative approach to catering to Welspun’s business objectives has led to this victory.  This is much in line with dentsu X’s proposition of ‘experience beyond exposure’ and I am certain of them achieving many new milestones with this partnership.”

     

  • To offer a range of creative communication services

    The Minimalist bags the creative mandate for Movin Express

    By Our Staff

     

    The Minimalist, creative & digital solutions agency, bags creative mandate for Movin, a logistics brand launched as a joint venture between UPS and InterGlobe Enterprises.

     

    As part of the mandate, The Minimalist is dedicated to offering Movin a range of creative communication services, including managing social media channels, brand campaigns, ORM and internal communications.

     

    The Co-founder of The Minimalist, Sahil Vaidya, said: “Our team is thrilled to work with a brand that has the potential to steer a revolution in the logistics segment. We are excited about doing some inventive work in the coming years in order to build a new-age logistics brand in the country.”

     

    Added Sudipto Roy VP, Commercial at, Movin: “Creating corridors of opportunity, innovation, and excellence has always been at the heart of our brand’s mission, and we are thrilled to partner with The Minimalist as they share similar values. Their team’s creative-tech experts promise to ignite thought-provoking brand communication and campaigns that will surely leave a lasting impact. We are particularly excited about their unique AI-driven strategies. Together, we look forward to expanding MOVIN to Indian audiences in an innovative way.”