MxMIndia

Category: ADVERTISING

  • The campaign film features Indian Wool ambassador Shravan Reddy with international model Aleyna FitzGerald

    The Woolmark Company releases first India-focused campaign

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Woolmark Company has announced the rollout of the Grown in Australia Made in India’ campaign. The nationwide consumer-facing campaign will bring to the forefront the farm to fashion journey of Merino wool from Australia to India, and champion both the woolgrowers of Australia, as well as the handloom sector in India. It aims to connect those present across the wool supply chain including brands, manufacturers and the Government of India, while also allowing consumers to be a part of this beautiful journey.

     

    Said Arti Gudal, The Woolmark Company Country Manager India: “This 360° campaign including television, print, outdoor and digital media will be rolled out progressively in the next three months, tying in Australias unique Merino wool fibre and passionate woolgrowers with Indias commercial brands, manufacturers and talented local weavers.”

  • Aims to celebrate a stress free Diwali for the furry friends

    Tonic Worldwide partners Animal Matters to Me to help dogs distressed in Diwali

    By A Correspondent

     

    Keeping in mind the stress and restlessness dogs go through every year during Diwali due to noise pollution, Animals Matters To Me, an animal NGO committed to the welfare of all types of animals has collaborated with Tonic Worldwide to enable a solution for the same. They have launched a campaign #TurnOnTheWoofer which introduces specially composed therapeutic music for dogs.

     

    The campaign is supported by Sony Mix and aims at providing dogs a musical relief this festive season. Renowned Musician, Siddharth Basrur, has composed the music after weeks of research and trial with special low level beats and rhythm that has a soothing effect on Dogs.

     

    “Diwali is the most difficult time of the year for dogs and especially strays. I have seen them getting anxiety attacks and palpitations. They turn very restless and have no other option than to just bear the mental torture. It often takes weeks for them to come out of this trauma. So when this idea came up, I was elated to bring about some solution to help them. We played this music with over 150 dogs in our facility and it seemed to have a calming effect on most of them. Even some of the most hyperactive dogs became calm after listening to the music. We’ve started playing the music every day in our rehab center and it has showed us great results,” said Ganesh Nayak, founder of ‘Animals Matter To Me’.

     

    “With the insight that music has healing powers, we came about with this solution of specially composed music for our furry friends,” added Unmisha Bhatt, Chief Strategy Officer at Tonic Worldwide. “This campaign is a great example of how good intent, music, insights and technology can come together to create magic. The power of digital will be used to make this music accessible to anyone and everyone who cares about dogs and this cause,” Bhatt added.

     

    Said Ashwin Dutt, Creative Director at Tonic Worldwide: “The idea was to create something that not just helps dogs during Diwali but also during other occasions. I’m an animal-lover and I’ve seen dogs suffering during separation anxiety or situations such as bad weather. The music can also be used to calm down hyperactive dogs and whimpering puppies. We have also made the music freely available for everyone to download from www.turnonthewoofer.com.”

  • While taking on the role of Country Manager for WPP in India, he will stay on as head of  GroupM South Asia

    CVL Srinivas to helm WPP India

     

    By A Correspondent

     

    It’s a Diwali announcement that has caused much.

    WPP, the world’s largest communications services group and also the biggest in India, has announced the appointment of CVL Srinivas at Country Manager of WPP India. He takes over from Ranjan Kapur, in addition to his responsibilities as head of GroupM

    South Asia. Kapur will continue as Chairman of WPP India, helping Srini, as Srinivas is better known in the fraternity, and focusing on his schools (including the ISDI WPP School of Communication in India) and foundation initiatives.

    “Horizontality is WPP’s number one strategic objective and Srini’s additional role in India will be to ensure that WPP works together as effectively as possible to provide clients with effective and efficient solutions,” the communique notes. This quote has also been attributed to WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell in some media.

    Srini took charge of GroupM South Asia as CEO in January 2013, taking over from Vikram Sakhuja, now Group CEO, Madison Media and OOH. Sakhuja had taken on a global role of CEO, Maxus Worldwide (now merged with MEC to form Wavemaker).

    A media industry veteran of over 20 years having done his mechanical engineering from BITS Pilani and an MBA from XLRI Jamshedpur, Srini spent most of his career with GroupM/WPP where he helped incubate India’s first media agency ‘HTA Fulcrum’ in 1995 when Hindustan Unilever awarded the media AOR to HTA (now JWT). Srini later led the setting up ‘Maxus’ in India and helped grow it in a very short span of time into one of the leading agency brands in the country. He was made the Asia-Pacific CEO of Maxus in 2006. Srini has also held leadership positions in Madison, Starcom and The Times of India group.

    So what’s got Srini the top job? For one, Srini championed a transformation program at GroupM South Asia to make it a future-ready organisation. Under his leadership GroupM has won a record number of new businesses, incubated several path breaking initiatives in digital, mobile, content, data analytics, talent management and won numerous prestigious awards making India one of the most successful GroupM operations globally.

    Well, that’s what the communique tells us. What insiders and industry biggies tell us that Srini has been quietly aggressive and led the Sorrell agenda of making his various media businesses future-ready. Which he did very efficiently at GroupM.

    Sorrell, like captains of other leading media services networks, has underscored the need for collaboration and integration across WPP’s various arms in India and across the world. “Srini achieved this with much success within GroupM too,” says a former GroupM senior employee, adding: “Remember, leading the various arms of GroupM is also a challenging ask, but Srini did that successfully.”

    A senior employee of a rival network said that one of the highlights of Srini’s success is that he has allowed his CEOs to flourish, but also kept ensuring that the GroupM brand gets more dominant. A CEO of a media company told MxMIndia that it was thanks to Srini’s backing that BARC could be up and running in super quick time. Remember, TAM is a jv with Nielsen and Sorrell would’ve obviously liked to protect his business interests by keeping TAM active on television viewership measurement.

    In fact that appeared to be the sentiment for a while, until Srini is said to have emphatically backed BARC. His role with with other industry bodies like the AAAI, RSCI, ABC and MRUC have also been praised by peers. He is also a founder member of the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) in India, and is active in industry conferences and events.

    In India, WPP companies (including associates) generate revenues of US$600million with 15,000 people, and it will be Srini’s agenda to ensure that all elements of the business work in unison. WPP also owns large agencies/networks like Ogilvy, JWT, Kantar, Genesis Burson-Marsteller amongst others.

    A question that has been asked is that while Ranjan Kapur was exceedingly senior in the system when he took charge of WPP as Country Manager, will other senior CEOs in WPP India companies like Piyush Pandey, Tarun Rai, Preeti Reddy agree to work under Srini’s leadership? According to what some insiders and a former WPP/GroupM biggie told us, that Srini is perhaps the best person for the job. He has hands into various businesses already and will hence help achieve the horizontality, and by his very nature and temperament, he will not come in the way of various group companies at all.

    But the clincher was what one WPP hand who is now in a global position said: “Does anyone have a choice? The media business is going through interesting, yet tough times. Digital is going to dominate us, though we don’t really know how. It is critical that even a successful network like WPP ensures that its various companies do not work in silos.”

    Indeed.

  • This account was won following an open multi-agency pitch

    Wok To Walk assigns digital mandate to FoxyMoron

    By A Correspondent

     

    Asian fast food chain, Wok To Walk has assigned its digital creative and media mandate for its pan India launch to FoxyMoron’s North division in Gurgaon. This account was won following an open multi-agency pitch.

     

    On appointing FoxyMoron, Navin Mittal, General Manager, Wok To Walk India, said: “As we bring the legacy of ‘Wok to Walk’ to India, we are eagerly looking at engaging with customers on digital and social platforms. Apart from consolidating brand ethos, viz. freedom, freshness, quality and entertainment, our focus will be on actively listening and responding to customer voice, as we deliver best-in class guest experience and grow the brand across India. We are very delighted to associate with FoxyMoron and are confident that this association will give a great kick-start to Wok to Walk’s Indian journey.”

     

    Commenting on this win, Prachi Bali, Business Head North, FoxyMoron said: “We have been aggressively expanding our portfolio in the North and the kings of Asian Wok are a great new addition for us. They will compete with the biggest fast food chains all over the country.  Our association with them will be to provide digital creative and media services. Our teams are excited to creatively express themselves and compete in a category, which constantly communicates with their audience in unique ways!”

  • The new film is an extension to our evolved brand messaging aligning with the thought of #HarDilRoshanKaro

    HyperCity Retail rolls out its inaugural digital campaign

    By A Correspondent

     

    HyperCity Retail (India) has launched its new digital campaign, #HarDilRoshanKaro. The film captures the positioning of HyperCity of providing a perfect opportunity to their patrons to be a super hostess, this Diwali.

     

    Keeping up with the brand promise of ‘Something Fresh Everyday’, the film opens with the Sharma’s planning and organising a Diwali party. With multiple demands by each member in the family, the lady of the house fulfils each request efficiently by the wide range of offerings available at HyperCity, making her the perfect hostess.

     

    Commenting on the new film, Manoj Jain, Vice President of Marketing, Loyalty and Visual Merchandising at the retailer said: “We at HyperCity have been studying changes in the purchase patterns of our target audience, over a period of time. Accordingly, we refined our approach by re-introducing our brand message as ‘Something Fresh Everyday’, last year. The new DVC is an extension to our evolved brand messaging aligning with the thought of #HarDilRoshanKaro. The overall campaign salutes the lady of the house, incidentally our primary shopper, who makes everyone feel special and appreciated, thus becoming a super hostess this Diwali.”

     

    Speaking about the concept and execution, Amyn Gladioli, Group Director – Communications, Gozoop Online added:“In today’s hyper connected environment, any brand’s outbound communication should be a reflection of the society it thrives in. Our main objective for #HarDilRoshanKaro, is to enrich the lives of our target audience.”

  • Sterling Holidays is known to foster loyalty and setting hospitality standards

    Havas Media bags integrated media mandate of Sterling Holiday Resorts

    By A Correspondent

     

    Havas Media, India has bagged the integrated media duties of Sterling Holiday Resorts, one of India’s leading Leisure Hospitality firm in India.

     

    Peshwa Acharya

    Commenting on the partnership, Peshwa Acharya, CMO, Sterling Holiday Resorts India said: “We are in the business of creating Experiential Holidays for our guests. Consumer today wants holiday experiences that go beyond great rooms, outstanding location and wonderful service, and that is what we provide.  We are confident that Havas Media with its media understanding, especially on the Digital playground, will make Sterling stand for a special experience, and communicate the same meaningfully.”

     

    Anita Nayyar

    Added Anita Nayyar, CEO, Havas Media Group, India and South Asia: “With almost three decades of experience in the hospitality sector and a growing customer base, Sterling Holidays is known to foster loyalty and setting hospitality standards. We are delighted to have on board yet another pioneer brand like Sterling that resonates well with our Meaningful Brands framework. We look forward to this association.”

     

    Mohit Joshi

    Said Mohit Joshi, Managing Director, Havas Media India: “Sterling Resorts is an iconic brand which thrives on consumer experience & innovation which is also the philosophy at Havas. The brand is on a consistent upward path & is focused on moving beyond the traditional services. At play will be Havas Media Group’s integrated media skills centered on digital & mobile which is the need of the hour. We look forward to a long and mutually fulfilling relationship.”

  • Superstars Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan feature in two ad-campaigns to highlight the importance of living in a clean city

    Dharma 2.0 bags Clean City Initiative account

    By A Correspondent

     

    Industrialist Adar Poonawalla has roped in Dharma 2.0 to lead the complete ad campaign for its ‘Clean City’ movement. The ‘Clean City’ initiative, a brainchild of Adar Poonawalla, owner and CEO of Serum Institute of India, has been in headlines for its waste management practices

     

    Dharma 2.0 has brought actors Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan onboard, to feature in two TVCs, which will shed light on how citizens can contribution towards making a city clean.

     

    Commenting on the new association, Poonawalla said: “Given the excellent quality of work being done by Dharma 2.0 in such a short span of time since its inception; associating with them was an obvious choice. I strongly believe they understand my vision for the ‘Clean City’ initiative and will rightfully bring its essence on-screen to speak to the youth.”

     

    Punit Malhotra

    Added Punit Malhotra, Head, Dharma 2.0: “We are glad to partner with Adar Poonawalla for his ‘Clean City’ initiative that consciously focuses on better waste-management and cleanliness of a city. It is a matter of pride to be a part of this movement wherein Dharma 2.0 aims to encapsulate his vast vision in a short ad-film and drive the message home, while maintaining the creative streak as seen in our campaigns.”

  • Pereira is also the founding father of IAA India

    Roger Pereira accorded Honorary Life Membership of IAA

    By A Correspondent

     

    Roger Pereira

    The International Advertising Association (IAA) has conferred the IAA Honorary Life Membership on veteran communications advisor Roger Pereira.

     

    Pereira, who led Shilpi Advertising for 22 years ending 1985, established Roger Pereira Communications in 1986. The agency was among the leading PR agencies and had a tie-up with Burson-Marsteller and later Edelman which eventually acquired his primary PR business.

     

    Meanwhile, IAA also announced the winners of the 2017 Inspire Award. IAA World President and Chairman, Felix Tataru, while congratulating the winners said: “In what is now a truly global landscape the International Advertising Association, with its global footprint of over 3000 members, who are practitioners in all sectors of the marketing communications business, we are proud to recognize their accomplishments, commitment and services contributed to our industry.” “The IAA Inspire Awards have been initiated to pay tribute to our members for their many achievements and contributions of Leadership, Vision, Commitment and Service to advance the IAA globally as well as to make a difference in the worldwide arena of marketing communications. They have contributed their professional expertise and inspired the marketing communications community locally, regionally and globally.”

     

    The IAA Inspire Champion Award honours notable leaders for their lifetime achievements, vision, committed services to IAA, as well as their contributions to advancing the IAA and communications in the global marketing communications industry. This year’s five recipients include: Maria Bauernfried, Marketing Director, Kelly GmbH – Austria; Akira Kagani, Executive Advisor, Drill Inc – Japan; Brendan Ripp, Executive Vice President, National Geographic, FOX Networks Group – USA; Anthony Savarimuthu, Chief Executive Officer, Dentsu LHS – Malaysia; Murtaza Tajbhoy, Chief Strategy Officer, Leo Burnett Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka. Sadly, no one from India.

     

    Apart from the above, there is also the IAA Inspire Young Leader Award that recognizes young professional members for their significant service as leaders in the IAA Young Professionals arena and for their dynamic contributions in the marketing communications industry. This year’s five recipients include Iulia Niculae, Marketing Manager, Romanian Football Federation – Romania; Claudiu Petria, Co-Founder, Girofar-Surviving Deadlines – Romania; Hasnaa Rkhami, Global Online Marketing Manager, The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. – USA; Victoria Ryan, Account Director, The Week (Dennis Publishing) – United Kingdom; Ljubica Vukčević, Insight Analyst, Direct Media – Serbia. Again, no one from India.

     

    Also, this year’s IAA Honorary Life Membership Award pays tribute to four venerable members from the international IAA chapters in Italy, Saudi Arabia, and the United States other than Pereira. The other three recipients of the 2017 Honorary Life Membership Award include: Edoardo Brioschi, Professor, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy; Talal Dhulaymi, Chairman, tph DDB Middle East, Saudi Arabia and Lawrence Levy, President, LJL Associates, USA.

  • The final is set to take place on October 28 in Chennai

    Star Sports launches new anthem for Pro Kabaddi Season 5

    By A Correspondent

     

    Star Sports has launched ‘Doompak doompak’, a new anthem as Vivo Pro Kabaddi Season 5 inches closer to the playoffs and the final match. Celebrating the kabaddi mania that has gripped sports fans across the country, the anthem, released along with a music video, is quirky, vivid and features leading kabaddi stars.

     

    Penned by Bollywood lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya, the lyrics takes fans into the journey of Season 5 and the preparation for the final battle among the six qualified teams. The anthem is composed by music composer Ram Sampath.

     

    For Season 5 of Pro Kabaddi, Star Sports has moved away from the traditional campaigns, to a celebration anthem. The film showcases players, referees, coaches and fans in an all-new avatar, celebrating the spirit of the sport, as the finale of a magnificent season of kabaddi draws closer. The film is scripted in four languages – Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Bengali, to ensure that it reaches sports fans across the nation.

     

    VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season 5 Playoffs begin from October 23rd to October 26th, from 7:30 PM onward and the final takes place on October 28th in Chennai. Fans can catch each match live on the Star Sports network.

  • 64 nominations across 18 categories, winners will be announced in New Delhi on October 27

    MMA announces shortlist for Smarties 2017

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) announced the final awards shortlist for the 2017 India edition of the MMA Smarties Awards, the award that honours innovation, talent and success in the field of mobile marketing. This year’s Awards received hundreds of entries, reflecting the rapidly g

  • Winners of the HR Excellence Awards set the benchmark for the HR industry and are recognised as the top performers across Asia Pacific

    GroupM India wins award at the HR Excellence Awards 2017

     

     

    GroupM has won a Silver at the HR Excellence Awards 2017, for its India team’s initiatives to drive work-life balance. Speaking on the win, Rohit, Suri, Chief HR &Talent Officer, South Asia said: “At GroupM India, with its agencies spread over several cities, this commitment has faced unique challenges driven by changing social and business realities. To maintain a positive work-life balance and moving towards work-life integration, it has been our endeavor to make continuous changes to our policies and practices in line with the changing social and business realities. With the help of technology and a stellar team of thorough professionals, we are today one of the most preferred employers in our industry, and this award is a testimonial of the hard work in a people centric business.”

  • R Kumar, Consultant an MBA and BE, has over two decades of experience in Market Research and KPO operations

    MRSS announces three senior appts in its fold

    By A Correspondent

     

    Madhumita Chattopadhyay, R. Kumar and Praveen Mettelu

    MRSS India has appointed market research professionals, Madhumita Chattopadhyay as Vice President, Praveen Mettelu as Research Director and R. Kumar as Consultant.

     

    Welcoming the three MRSS India Chairman Raj Sharma said: “Onboarding these team members on board is a huge boost to the value that MRSS offers to its diverse client base. Together these individuals have more than 60 years of Market Research experience that will push the agency to newer heights.”