Category: Ad Agencies

  • Garage Worldwide appoints Raj Nair as CCO

    Raj Nair (Left) and Sanjay Deshmukh (Right)

    Garage Worldwide, advertising agency in Mumbai, appoints Raj Nair as Chief Creative Officer (CCO). With over 30 years of experience in the advertising industry, Nair’s role will involve steering the creative and strategic direction of the agency.

    Nair transitions to Garage Worldwide from Madison BMB, where he served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Creative Officer.

    Said Sanjay Deshmukh, CEO, Garage Worldwide: “Raj Nair coming on board has given us a tremendous advantage in strategic thinking and creative leadership. The sheer experience of handling diverse categories is already benefiting our young strategy and creative team to put out really fabulous work.”

  • Cheil India appoints Sudhir Das as senior ECD

    Sudhir Das
    Sudhir Das

    Cheil India has appointed Sudhir Das as senior Executive Creative Director (ECD). He will be responsible for overseeing the creative output of a segment of Samsung mobile business and Samsung exclusive stores.

    Das will report to Vikash Chemjong, CCO, Cheil India and will be based out of agency’s Gurugram office.

    Said Chemjong: “Sudhir when you meet him, seems alike a misfit in advertising. He doesn’t drink! Is not trying to run off to the hills/beach every chance he gets because he hates travelling! And he is a little anti-social, preferring the company of his cats more than the company of most people [but seeing the type of people surrounding us most days, I have begun to see the wisdom in it.”

    Added Sanjeev Jasani, Group COO, Cheil SWA: “I am happy to welcome Sudhir to Cheil India. He has a much-deserved reputation for being a creative maestro with a penchant for everything that is tech. His repertoire of work is amazing and eclectic in equal measures. I look forward to the unique perspective and ideas that Sudhir brings to the table, which will positively inform our campaigns.”

  • Dentsu tables study on B2B buying behaviour

    Dentsu has published a study of B2B buying behaviour globally for the fourth consecutive year. The research provides a diagnostic platform that addresses the real drivers behind B2B buying decisions, where to improve the B2B buyer journey and the business impact  of experience.

    The Superpowers Index, originally published in 2021, uses a single metric that captures overall brand experience and provides a comprehensive, single index to help brands assess their performance against key criteria that drive success. This index offers insights, enabling businesses to fine-tune their strategies and achieve superior outcomes.

    “Five years ago, Merkle B2B was launched to provide integrated solutions to B2B customers across media, customer experience and creative. Today’s expansion into dentsu B2B marks a real opportunity for the team to drive further innovation for our clients, creating real business outcomes for our clients that help their growth and generate real impact,” said Kiaran Geen, President APAC, Dentsu B2B, adding:“Every company in the world is a B2B company in some capacity and we can harness that opportunity to be a true innovation partner for clients, leveraging our globally connected capabilities across business transformation, media, creative, CXM, commerce, data and technology to drive impact,” he added.

    Added Patrick Hounsell, President dentsu B2B: “The Superpowers Index provides a framework for driving client growth by benchmarking performance across the 30 decision drivers, pinpointing improvement opportunities and measurement and gives a comprehensive look at the evolving landscape of B2B marketing year over year. The research allows us to target and refine our dentsu B2B capabilities to the needs of global clients across markets. Our goal is to provide B2B brands with the tools and insights they need to connect their marketing, IT, and sales efforts more effectively and these solutions represent a significant leap forward in our commitment to driving B2B success.”

  • OML Entertainment elevates Tusharr Kumar to CEO

    OML Entertainment, the content, advertising and entertainment firm, has elevated Tusharr Kumar as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Kumar brings over 15 years of experience across new-media, automotive and FMCG industries. He has been associated with OML Entertainment since 2012 in various capacities across different businesses.

    Said Rajesh Kamat, Managing Director of Emerald Media and investor in OML Entertainment: “Tusharr’s elevation to CEO is a testament to his exceptional leadership and his unwavering commitment to excellence. Under his guidance, OML Entertainment has achieved remarkable milestones, and I have no doubt that he will continue to build on this momentum. Tusharr’s vision for OML Entertainment aligns perfectly with our goals as investors, and we are thrilled to support him as he leads the company to new heights.”

  • Havas strengthens strategy team

    Havas Worldwide India, the creative arm of Havas India, has strengthened its strategy team with three key appointments. Dhananjoy Ray, Aniruddh Subramanian and Jahan Nargolwala have joined the agency as Associate Vice President – Planning & Strategy. All three will report to John Thangaraj, Chief Strategy Officer, Havas Creative Network India, and will be based out of Gurgaon.

    Said John Thangaraj: “I am thrilled to welcome Dhananjoy, Aniruddh and Jahan to the Havas family. The world is changing and so are we. Strategy needs to be more business forward, digital first and data driven than ever before and our journey towards creating a more converged, multi-disciplinary team begins now. Each of them brings a deep and divergent level of expertise and experience to the table. Dhananjoy brings a deep passion and excitement for all things tech and auto. Aniruddh’s understanding and experience on the CPG category is second to none. And Jahan’s digital-first expertise across multiple categories nicely rounds out the team. Their hires underscore Havas’ deep commitment to delivering insight & data backed strategic solutions that focus on keeping our clients ahead of the curve. That said, we’ve only just begun – watch this space!”

  • Dentsu launches Fresher Accelerator Program

    Dentsu India has launched its Fresher Accelerator Program (FAP), an initiative tailored to equip fresh graduates with the cutting-edge skills and expertise essential for success.

    Commenting on the launch, Unmesh Pawar, Chief People Officer, South Asia, Dentsu said: “I am thrilled to introduce our Fresher Accelerator Program. At dentsu, learning never stops! This programme provides fresh graduates with continuous learning and adaptation opportunities in our fast-paced industry through rigorous training, mentorship, and hands-on experience. We are committed to fostering a diverse, dynamic workplace that promotes creativity and innovation. By investing in great talent to support our clients’ transformation journeys in the marketing space, the FAP program is our way of building talent density at dentsu. This program is designed to unlock the potential of this industry’s next generation of talent. We strongly encourage fresh graduates to apply for this challenging and rewarding programme.”

  • Havas elevates two senior leaders to COOs

    Havas Media Network India, the specialised media division of Havas India has announced the elevation of two of its senior leaders to even more senior roles within the organisation. While Uday Mohan steps into the position of Chief Operating Officer of Havas Media India, R. Venkatasubramanian assumes the role of Chief Operating Officer of Havas Play. They will continue reporting to Mohit Joshi, CEO, Havas Media Network India.

    Commenting on the elevations, Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas India, South East Asia and North Asia (Japan and South Korea) said: “Uday and Venkat’s elevations come at an important juncture for Havas Media Network India, as the agency experiences remarkable growth. Their strategic prowess and dedication have been instrumental in driving our agency’s success over the years and their elevation reflects our confidence in their vision and ability to continue fostering innovation, collaboration, and client satisfaction. I wish them all the best.”

    Added Mohit Joshi, CEO, Havas Media Network India: “With Uday and Venkat at the helm of their respective business divisions, Havas Media Network India has made significant strides, evident in the agency’s expanded client portfolio, new acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. This elevation underscores our unwavering dedication to fortifying our organizational framework by nurturing our in-house capabilities. Leaders like them are key to our goal of making media meaningful for our clients and the industry at large as their exceptional industry acumen is pivotal in leading a team as diverse as ours. I extend my sincerest congratulations to Uday and Venkat on their new roles and look forward to our continued trajectory of growth and success together.”

  • Jury Chairs appointed for Abby 2024

    Anupama Ramaswamy, Chief Creative Officer, Havas Worldwide India, Ashish Chakravarty, Executive Director, and India Head of Creative, for McCann Worldgroup and Rajdeepak Das, Chief Creative Officer Publicis Groupe, South Asia and Chairman, Leo Burnett, South Asia, join as Jury Chair for Still Digital category, Audio category, and Film (below 1 minute) category respectively, at The Abby Awards 2024 powered by One Show.

    Said Ajay Kakar, Chairperson, Awards Governing Council, Abby Awards 2024: “I have always believed that an award is as good as its jury. This year too, the Abby Awards powered by One Show have a stellar line up of both domestic and international luminaries as Jury Chairs, across 23 categories. Over the last two years the number of women jurors have been significant, and this year, with over one-thirds being women masters of their craft. To win recognition from such respected Jury Chairs is a matter of immense pride for the AdClub, the participating agencies and brands.”

  • ETML wins digital mandate for the House of Chikankari

    ETML wins digital mandate for the House of Chikankari

    ETML, the growth advertising and analytics company, has announced a partnership with House of Chikankari for elevating the company’s online presence and drive them toward significant growth.

    Said ETML Founder and CEO  Raghav Kansal: “We’re thrilled to join forces with House of Chikankari, a brand that embodies the beauty and tradition of Chikankari. Our proven track record in fashion e-commerce and data-driven marketing positions us perfectly to craft a digital strategy that would ignite their online presence. Our secret weapon lies in our robust data analytics capabilities and real-time dashboards. These tools provide us with unparalleled insights into customer behaviour, allowing us to constantly optimize and refine our strategy. We’ll leverage these to weave a captivating brand narrative and drive sustainable growth for them.”

    Added House of Chikankari’s Founder, Aakriti Rawal:  “We’re confident that ETML’s expertise will be instrumental in propelling House of Chikankari to new heights. Their proven expertise in e-commerce, particularly within the fashion sector, is exactly what we need to take our brand to the next level. We’re eager to leverage their knowledge and data-driven approach to reach the right audiences. Together, we aim to redefine the online experience for Chikankari enthusiasts, showcasing the artistry and heritage behind each meticulously crafted piece.

  • Vi-John appoints Dentsu X for integrated mandate

    Vi-John Healthcare India, manufacturer of personal care, healthcare products and cosmetics, has awarded the integrated media mandate of the shaving category to Dentsu X.

    Said Jose Leon, CEO, Dentsu X India: “We at Dentsu X are thrilled to add Vi-John – a reputed CPG brand, to our clientele. By combining creativity, technology, and strategy, this partnership is set to deliver impactful and transformative brand experiences for Vi-John. We are dedicated to innovating and redefining these experiences, pushing boundaries to drive remarkable growth and influence.”

    Added Anita Kotwani, CEO Media, South Asia: “We are excited to embark on this strategic partnership with Vi-John, a brand that holds a deep-rooted legacy in the Indian market. At Dentsu X, we pride ourselves on creating transformative experiences. This collaboration presents opportunities for us to craft innovative strategies that align closely with their distinctive vision. By combining our expertise with their dynamic spirit, we are confident in creating something truly exceptional.”

    Said Ashutosh Chaudharie, General Manager Marketing, VI John: “We are happy to partner with Dentsu X on our Shaving Category. The company is at an important juncture in its six decades of market leadership and we wanted strategic partnerships with a media partner that has both – experience in handling large-scale FMCG brands along with the expertise of giving customized media solutions that are market-specific. Denstu X was a clear choice and we are excited to work with them to meet our business objectives.”

  • L&K Saatchi & Saatchi Roshni Kavina as NCD

    L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, part of Publicis Groupe India, has strengthened its creative leadership by appointing Roshni Kavina as National Creative Director. Based out of the agency’s Mumbai office, she will report to Kartik Smetacek and Rohit Malkani, the agency’s Chief Creative Officers.

    She joins L&K Saatchi & Saatchi from Byju’s International, where she was Brand Strategy and Creative Head for North America and Canada. In addition, she founded ‘The Nextdoor Artist,’ an art studio, in 2013.

    Said Paritosh Srivastava, CEO, of L&K Saatchi & Saatchi and Publicis India: “It is heartwarming to see Roshni returning to the team, especially as we continue to expand our portfolio with new lifestyle and luxury brands. Having worked with her in the past on some major brands, I am confident that her expertise in lifestyle and luxury branding, and her design capability will further boost our creative excellence.”

    Added Kartik Smetacek and Rohit Malkani, Chief Creative Officers, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi in a joint statement: “Roshni comes in at exactly the right time to partner with the creative leadership on a couple of large accounts we’ve recently won. Her skillset greatly enhances the agency’s creative firepower, and we look forward to big things from her in the months to come.”

  • FCB announces Creative Council for India

    FCB Group has launches its Creative Council in India. According to a communique, the Council is designed to elevate the culture of creativity, embrace new-age problem-solving, and set global benchmarks for exceptional work across the group by leveraging new-age tools using technology and data.

    Said Dheeraj Sinha, Group CEO of FCB Group India & South Asia: “At FCB Group India, we believe that creativity is the heart of everything we do. The launch of the Creative Council is a testament to our commitment to ‘Creativity is an economic multiplier’, fostering an innovative, creative culture and continually pushing the boundaries of what’s new. This council will work together to solve real client problems, enabling us to deliver work that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our clients and the industry at large.”