MxMIndia

Category: Ad Agencies

  • To curate premium sports & entertainment IPs

    Havas Play inks strategic partnership with Mahesh Bhupathi

    R. Venkatasubramanian and Mahesh Bhupathi
    R. Venkatasubramanian and Mahesh Bhupathi

    Havas Play, Havas Media Network’s global brand dedicated to earning consumers’ attention and creating enduring business impact through experiences at the intersection of entertainment, sports, technology, and fandom, has entered a strategic partnership in India with SG Sports, Media and Entertainment (SGSE), an arm of the APL Apollo Group. SGSE is helmed by tennis icon Mahesh Bhupathi as Chief Executive Officer.

    As part of the strategic partnership, Havas Play will assist SGSE in executing premium entertainment and sports IPs spanning football, squash, hockey, chess, table tennis & tennis.

    Said Mahesh Bhupathi, CEO, SGSE: “We have always had a clear vision on building a comprehensive and sustainable sports and entertainment story and believe it is the right time to do this at scale in India. We look forward to working closely with Havas Play and tapping into their extensive network to make this happen.”

    Added R Venkatasubramanian, Chief Operating Officer, Havas Play: “Embarking on this strategic journey with SGSE, a visionary in the sports and entertainment realm, is a testament to Havas Play’s commitment to elevating meaningful experiences and fostering innovation in the country’s cultural landscape. With Mahesh Bhupathi’s leadership and our shared vision, we’re poised to create immersive fan engagements through premium IPs, reshaping India’s sports and entertainment ecosystem for generations to come.”

  • Of Havas Creative Network India

    Havas India appoints John Thangaraj as CSO

    John Thangaraj
    John Thangaraj

    Havas India has appointed John Thangaraj as the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of Havas Creative Network India and his remit will include Havas Worldwide India (creative), Havas CX India (customer experience), Conran Design Mumbai (brand design), Ekino (technology), and Havas People India (employer branding). Thangaraj will be responsible for driving the strategic mandate of the creative network and will also work closely with Havas Village India leaders to drive integration. He will be based out of Gurugram and report to Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas India, South East Asia and North Asia (Japan & South Korea).

    Speaking about the appointment, Barua said: “Havas Creative Network India has gained tremendous scale and size over the last six years. One of the agencies which has seen unprecedented growth, new leaders, tremendous business traction is Havas Worldwide India and therefore John will work closely with Anupama Ramaswamy and Kundan Joshee to further drive the growth of the agency. In addition, he will also work closely with Geet Nazir (Conran Design Mumbai), Prashant Tekwani (Havas CX India) and Arindam Sengupta (Havas People India) to further strengthen the strategic vision.  He will further consolidate our client relationships and drive thought-leadership to ensure meaningful business growth and establish Havas Creative Network India as the most future-forward and progressive creative network conglomerate. I wish him all the best.”

  • At Dentsu Creative Webchutney

    Dentsu Creative promotes Surjo Dutt to CCO

    Surjo Dutt
    Surjo Dutt

    Dentsu Creative India has promoted Surjo Dutt to the position of Chief Creative Officer (CCO) at Dentsu Creative Webchutney.

    In his new role, Dutt will spearhead the creative vision of the agency, ensuring the delivery of innovative and integrated solutions that foster business growth for clients. Additionally, he will mentor and guide the creative teams, cultivating a culture of collaboration, experimentation, and excellence. Dutt will continue to report to Amit Wadhwa, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dentsu Creative India.

    Amit Wadhwa
    Amit Wadhwa

    Said Amit Wadhwa: “We have reimagined our creative business to align with the evolving needs of our clients. Dentsu Creative India now encompasses three portfolio brands: Dentsu Creative Webchutney, Dentsu Creative Isobar, and Dentsu Creative PR. Dentsu Creative Webchutney delivers creative solutions across both traditional and digital media. Meanwhile, Dentsu Creative Isobar focuses on enhancing digital experiences, and Dentsu Creative PR handles public relations. The common thread that binds them is the ‘X factor’ – the extra edge, value, and impact that Dentsu Creative brings to its solutions. This is what makes us the preferred partner for our clients in an ever-evolving and competitive market.”

  • India shining at 9.5% growth….

    India shining at 9.5% growth….

    GroupM has released the 2024 Global Midyear Forecast for its annual This Year Next Year forecast and study. As per the study, advertising revenues (spends) in 2024 will touch $18.5 billion in India, which points to a 9.5% growth in the year. The forecast for 2024 is 8.7%. It may be recalled when GroupM had released its TYNY numbers in February this year (2024), the forecast growth for 2024 was 10.2%.

    “We estimate that global advertising revenue will grow 7.8% in 2024 to $989.8 billion. The industry will surpass one trillion in revenue in 2025, increasing 6.8% to $1.1 trillion, one year earlier than we forecast in December of 2023. We have also revised estimates for the US, which we now expect to reach $365.9 billion in ad revenue, up 5.8% over 2023’s $345.9 billion (excluding the impact of political advertising in both years). The great economic engines of the U.S. and China, which together make up 57.1% of global ad revenue, are clearly the largest drivers of growth, adding $44.5 billion to their totals in 2024 (excluding U.S. political spending) — nearly 1.5 times the cumulative $27.4 billion in incremental revenue for all other markets combined. They are also home to 22 of the top 25 global media sellers and account for more than 40% of global GDP.

    Indis is third highest in growth rates as per the GroupM data. China is at 14% growth in 2024 and Brazil is at 11.3%. In 2025, China growth is estimated to be 10.8% while Brazil will top the list at 12.4%. In absolute terms, China ad revenues for 2024 is 199.4 bn and Brazil stands at 21.3 bn. All figures are in US dollars.

    The GroupM TYNY 2024 Global Midyear Forecast also adds: “The marketing ecosystem over the next few years will face potential impacts from governments and regulatory bodies across the world — impacts that have the potential to upend forecasts and alter even the most sound projections. On top of that, such projections can be skewed by two major players, China and the U.S. Their governments and their major companies have the power to shape vast aspects of the global economy.

    “Artificial Intelligence also has the potential to reshape the industry — as do regulations put in place to guide (or control) its growth. Those regulations, of course, depend on politicians, which in turn are determined by upcoming election cycles.

    “Despite some reactionary moves toward protectionism from some of those politicians, we can see the power and enduring appeal of shared experiences brought by globalisation, whether it be a Korean series rocketing to the top of the Netflix charts, or Rema bringing Afrobeats to Spotify’s top songs list. You can see it, too, in increasingly global fan bases for sports.

    “With increased globalisation – of financial systems, commerce, and media – can come a level of resilience as interconnected systems such as coral reefs tend to be very adept at recovering from multitudinous small shocks. Innovation, the exchange of ideas, and a shared goal to make the advertising industry work better for everyone will help ensure a bright future.

  • Grand Prix winners for the WARC Awards 2024

    Leo Burnett Mumbai wins two Grands Prix for Effectiveness

    The WARC Awards for Effectiveness 2024, in association with Lions, have been announced. And India leads with two Grands Prix, both awarded to Leo Burnett Mumbai. The awards honour the best marketing campaigns from across the globe that deliver strategic brilliance and effective impact to drive commercial success. Six Grands Prix have been awarded following a rigorous judging process and much deliberation by a super jury made up of all 12 regional jury chairs representing Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Latin America and North America.

    Selected from 22 regional gold-winning entries, the Grands Prix showcase the best work of how marketers are driving growth across different sectors and audiences and for local and global brands. Agenices from Australia, Brazil, Spain and Sweden each win one metal. Only our own Leo Burnett has bagged two metals.

    Said Susan Irving, Chief Marketing Officer, Kruger Products, Canada, and Chair of the Global Grand Prix jury: “It was my privilege to lead such a disciplined, accountable jury that held work to the highest standards. Our decisions were guided by the data and the Creative Effectiveness Ladder and we were rigorous in seeking only to recognise those campaigns that unquestionably connected their objectives to strong results and demonstrated long-lasting impact for brands and society. Anyone awarded a Grand Prix by this jury is a true Grand Prix winner, the best of the best, and I congratulate them all.”

    Added John Bizzell, Awards Lead, WARC: “The six Grand Prix winners that our super jury lasered in on from the hundreds of entries judged this year are superb additions to WARC’s library of effectiveness and really set the bar for the quality of work brands and agencies need to create to compete for these awards. I’m excited to share them with the world and see what they inspire in the future.”

    The two Grand Prix for Leo Burnett are:

    Cultural Impact Grand Prix: ‘Changing the education system to keep girls in school’ for Whisper by Leo Burnett, Mumbai, India

    Feminine hygiene brand Whisper helped girls remain in school in India with an educational lobbying campaign that broke the taboos around menstruation. Society’s silence surrounding periods had resulted in their omission from school science books. Following the campaign, the Indian government has committed to adding in the missing chapter.

    Commenting on the campaign, Kevin Mercer, Director, Brand Strategy, Expedia Group – UK, said: “This campaign demonstrated a simplicity in its strategic thinking. Rather than directly advertise feminine hygiene products, it filled a gap in education about menstruation for young women and girls that the jury found incredibly smart. There was real care and craft in how Whisper and Leo Burnett got it to market, which made it a clear Grand Prix winner. A lot of things are happening around the world, like book bans and removing access to education and knowledge, and this is the sort of campaign that sets us up for a better future.”

    Use of Data Grand Prix: ‘Democratising technology to help farmers fight climate change’ for Lay’s by Leo Burnett, Mumbai, India

    To grow preference and penetration in India, potato chip manufacturer Lay’s created a data-driven initiative to protect its supply chain by helping farmers identify and respond to weather hazards to prevent crop loss. As a result, potato yields increased by 25%, boosting farmers’ income by $55/acre; preference grew 10bps and penetration grew by 8bps.

    Said Sindhuja Rai, CEO, Wavemaker – Singapore: “The Lay’s campaign is a powerful concept – leveraging their data has driven immediate value for farmers in their supply chain, but the potential if this technology were cascaded across the globe is immense. They Defined the objectives clearly and over-delivered on almost all KPIs. That, and the greater good this could do for humanity, made this a clear Grand Prix winner.”

    The Grands Prix winners were first revealed on Thursday via The Effectiveness Show part one. The Effectiveness Show part two will include interviews and insights from the Grand Prix winners, and will be available on June 27.

  • Introduced a series of products and programmes to empower

    WPP packages comms business under Burson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Expands its operations

    Chalo, Mumbai, says Cheil

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

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

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

  • To lead the newly opened Mumbai office

    Cheil X hires Anurag Tandon as CGO

    Anurag Tandon
    Anurag Tandon

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

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

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

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

    Dentsu announces global expansion of Innovation Lab

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

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

  • To helm expansion strategy

    Younion appoints Ravi Shankar K as VP of Growth for ASEAN

    Ravi Shankar K
    Ravi Shankar K

    Younion, the marketing agency, has appointed Ravi Shankar K as Vice President of Growth for ASEAN market.

    Said Shajesh Menon, Founder and CEO of Younion: “We are thrilled to welcome Ravi Shankar as our Vice President of Growth (ASEAN). His extensive experience and proven success in the industry make him an invaluable addition to our team. Ravi’s appointment signifies our commitment to expanding our presence and enhancing our portfolio of brand experiences across the ASEAN region.”

  • To bring in creative marketing solutions

    The Content Lab appoints Prateek Mehta as CD

    Digital marketing agency, production house and content studio, The Content Lab has appointed Prateek Mehta as Creative Director (CD.

    Mehta has worked in the past with the likes of Mindshare India, Mullen Lowe Lintas, L&K Saatchi and Saatchi and BBDO Vietnam. “We look forward to having Prateek along on our journey to become a fully integrated agency, with a special focus on content solutions. His extensive experience, strategic acumen, leadership and vision will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in propelling The Content Lab to new heights,” said Vaibhav Mehta, Founder and CEO of The Content Lab.

  • To shape creative oeuvre and drive client success

    Rajit Gupta is VP and Creative Head for Cheil X

    Rajit Gupta
    Rajit Gupta

    Rajit Gupta has been hired as a VP and Creative Head for Cheil X, Mumbai, which is an independent full-service agency under the Cheil SWA group. Gupta will report to Vikash Chemjong, CCO, Cheil India. His appointment comes at the heels of the agency beefing up its Mumbai operations to increase their focus on exploring new expansion opportunities in the region.

    Said Vikash Chemjong, CCO Cheil India: “There is a lot that Rajit brings to the table. His understanding of brands. His sense of design. His typography. His experience at some of the best agencies in the country. His tally of metals. Not to mention his eloquence and effortless good looks! But these aren’t the only reason we at the agency were impressed about him. He has this vibe. An edge. A mojo so to say. Or simply put, an X factor!  Which probably is what makes him such an excellent fit for Cheil X! We are lucky to have him. And I’m sure our clients will feel the same very soon.”