MxMIndia

Category: ADVERTISING

  • Paper sheds light on challenges surrounding use of AI in advertising

    ASCI and Khaitan & Co release whitepaper

    By Our Staff

     

    The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) and Khaitan & Co, a law firm, have jointly released a comprehensive whitepaper on generative artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting the opportunities, risks and legal considerations around its use in advertising.

     

    Manisha Kapoor, CEO and Secretary General, ASCI, said: “AI is a groundbreaking technology with immense potential, especially in advertising. As advertisers increasingly adopt AI, they must be aware of its impact on consumers and society. From an ASCI and consumer protection perspective, advertisements made with AI are subject to the same principles of regulation and consumer protection that any ad is. As this field evolves, greater regulatory clarity will also have to keep pace with technological development. Privacy, copyrights, and responsibility over content creation are key issues that need to be dealt with in time. We extend our gratitude to Khaitan & Co. for their legal expertise and collaboration in producing this report.

     

    Tanu Banerjee, Partner, Khaitan & Co, added: “AI is set to disrupt how any business works today. The adoption of generative AI is particularly high in the advertising sector, given how AI has revolutionised the way creative materials used in ads can be developed. However, though the evolving AI technology offers massive opportunities, it also presents several legal risks and challenges, such as issues around ownership of content, privacy of data, AI bias, authenticity of prompts etc. While the regulatory framework for AI evolves, it’s critical for advertisers to be aware of the existing regulations and legal principles, to safeguard against these risks and to ensure ethical use of generative AI. We are very grateful to ASCI for their support and invaluable insights in preparing this report.”

     

    Generative AI enables advertisers to automate the creation of original content, including text, images, articles, marketing collaterals and more. It also enhances customer experiences through chatbots, AI assistants and interactive advertising. The whitepaper acknowledges the limitless applications of generative AI in advertising while addressing concerns around its potential misuse and manipulation, particularly related to consumer protection.

     

    With a focus on the Indian legal framework, the whitepaper highlights the legal risks and challenges that advertisers may face when utilising generative AI. It addresses issues such as potential copyright infringement, prevention of unlawful content, and data privacy concerns.

     

    Some of the best practices outlined in the whitepaper to mitigate risks associated with generative AI are:

    1. Review the AI platform’s terms of use and licensing compliance to reduce liability risks.

    2. Obtain the necessary authorisations and licenses for uploaded materials, including copyrighted and trademarked content.

    3. Avoid prohibited input prompts and carefully check the output for prohibited content before commercial use.

    4. Mitigate liability risks by implementing robust content review processes, establish guidelines, and including AI disclaimers in marketing materials.

    5. Safeguard confidential information and ensure data privacy by enforcing non-disclosure agreements and implementing robust security measures.

    6. Upskill human labour in editorial oversight and compliance to avoid employee displacement.

     

    The whitepaper concludes by addressing the future of generative AI and the unique challenges that must be addressed for its responsible and ethical deployment. It emphasises the importance of principles such as fairness, accountability, transparency, and ethics within the AI community. Advertisers are encouraged to embrace these principles, ensuring fairness in decision-making, accountability for actions, transparency in operations, and ethical considerations in their impact on individuals and society.

     

  • Spotify will be the first audio platform to be integrated directly into WPP's products and solutions

    WPP inks partnership with Spotify

    By Our Staff

     

    WPP and Spotify have  announced a new global strategic partnership that will enable WPP to offer its clients early access to Spotify’s  ad products, first-party insights and creative ways to reach engaged audiences at scale.

     

    Said Stephan Pretorius, Chief Technology Officer of WPP: “In the fast-evolving media and entertainment landscape, audio streaming has become an integral part of everyday life. At WPP, we recognise the power of audio as a critical component of marketing. The intent of this first-of-its-kind partnership is to integrate Spotify’s insights with the Choreograph platform to create more innovative and relevant ways to connect our clients with their customers.”

     

    Added Brian Berner, Global Head of Advertising Sales, Spotify: “We’ve long partnered with WPP to enable agency planners and buyers to make more informed decisions when planning for digital audio. With our new global partnership, we’re helping WPP clients modernise their strategy and planning. More than 550 million people across 184 markets come to Spotify every month to be entertained, to learn and to discover for nearly 2.5 hours each day. As we continue to drive innovation in audio and the advertising industry at large, partners like WPP are critical to delivering for advertisers, creators and audiences wherever they are.”

     

  • 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.”

     

  • Announces "Water Sustainability Score" for brands

    Leo Burnett embarks on new initiative to save water

    By Our Staff

     

    Leo Burnett and AqVerium, a ‘digital water bank’ by AquaKraft Group Ventures, has created a first-of-its-kind Water Sustainability Score.

     

    Much like compliance logos such as the Cruelty-free, Certified Vegan, Fairtrade, Energy Rating Label and the Recyclable symbol, this score can be displayed on the product, packaging and other corporate material through a unique symbol.

     

    The first brand to partner with Leo Burnett and AqVerium on this venture is the Bangalore International Airport Limited which is all set to be recognised as a pioneer in its commitment towards water sustainability and stewardship.

     

    Speaking about this initiative Rajdeepak Das, CEO & CCO Leo Burnett South Asia and Chairman, Creative Council – Publicis Groupe India said: “At Burnett, we believe that creativity’s true power is in solving real problems of the world. The water crisis is already upon us and adopting the Water Sustainability Score – a first-of-its-kind report card on how water positive a brand really is can bring transparency and accountability in the indiscriminate use of water. This is not just an initiative but a true Humankind idea which has the potential to impact a billion by helping save one of the most important resources for the earth – ‘water’ and take us forward to a water-positive future.”

     

    Added Dr Subramanya Kusnur, Chairman & CEO of AquaKraft Group Ventures: “The water crisis is real and needs immediate action. A lot has been spoken about Climate with water clearly missing the narrative. We are thrilled to have partnered with Leo Burnett – an agency that is known for its impactful work on sustainability to not only amplify this message but take timely action towards this crisis. We already have mapped out water-positive practices and getting brands to pledge towards the ‘Water Sustainability Score’ can be a game changer in water preservation. To this effect, we have onboarded Bangalore International Airport Limited on AqVerium and verified & validated the Water Audit report provided to us.  We are happy to present the first ‘Water Sustainability Score’, recognising and incentivising the water positivity of organisations, along with their commitment to sustainability.”

     

  • The Indian market, despite its size and potential, doesn’t get sizes of apparel/footwear as one does elsewhere, writes Avik Chattopadhyay

    Size 35 please…

     

     

    By Avik Chattopadhyay

     

    Avik ChattopadhyayAirport lounges can be some of the best places for stimulating discussions and rude revelations. Given that one needs to reach two hours before a flight takes off and you end up having one hour spare, ghost-shopping [for lack of windows] helps you stay updated with what people are ‘into’.

     

    I was looking at belts. Why, my colleague asked? Because all the trousers I have are of waist size 36 while I actually need 35. And I don’t get it in the brand I choose to wear. “The others don’t have them too,” he quipped. “Brands do not offer odd sizes in apparel and ½ sizes in footwear to Indian customers.” “Really?!” “Yes.” “No, that can’t be! Look at the market size…” “So what? We are still third world.” That was the rude revelation moment!

     

    Then started my little research. What sizes of clothing and footwear are offered to us Indians? Was my brand an aberration? Let’s check the global ones. Levi’s would be a good starting point.

     

    Levi’s India online store and Levi’s US online store

     

    As I was pre-warned, Levi’s in India offers no odd sizes while they do so in the US. There are different ‘fits’ available, but no odd sizes. Why would they do such a thing? Indian waist sizes are as varied as the Americans. Market size? Well, the upper middle-class that can afford one jeans per year is around 20 million odd, which is close to 8% of the US population. So, what would make Levi’s take this decision, given that they have had Indian bosses for a long time?

     

    1. Sheer convenience of lesser SKUs? Doesn’t make sense as I can charge you a bit more for the exact size you want. And there are so many ‘fits’ on offer.

     

    2. Sheer apathy for the Indian customer as we generally accept whatever is handed out to us? This could be the reason as I have personally experienced the same when marketing automobiles. “The Indian customer does not know what he/ she wants, so let’s give what we have. Why re-engineer or tailor-make?”

     

    3. Sheer lack of activism by the brand-struck customer? And, therefore, being more forgiving towards the ‘phoren’ brands?

     

    4. The ‘Unnees-Bees’ Syndrome as I call it, of the customer accepting particular drawbacks while other requirements are met. So, I can live with the erring waist size on offer as long as they give me the choice of five fits to choose from.

     

    The Indian ones should be more sensitive then. Let’s check out what our homegrown brands offer us.

     

    Allen Solly online store and M&S India store

     

    Louis Philippe, Allen Solly, Indian Terrain… all the same. Only even sizes. While offering choice in fits – classic, regular, slim, super slim, skinny, jogger, carrot and what not. The same applies to shirts only in even sizes, with ‘39’ being the only odd size on offer with the choice of fits. No customisation in the form of collar size and sleeve size. Let the ‘natives’ learn to adjust!

     

    Talking of natives, M&S metes out the same treatment to their customers back home in Blighty. “Sorry, we destroyed your textile industry to set up Manchester, so as a mark of solidarity, we shall wear your sizes.”

     

    Does the same apply to footwear? Will my colleague be once again proven right?

     

    Let’s start with our homegrown favourite Bata.

     

    Bata India online store and Bata France online store

     

    Now the thing with footwear is not about odd or even sizes, but the ½ sizes. An 8.5 or a 9.5 rather than compromising with a 9 or a 10 and swimming in the shoe for life. Bata India offers no ½ sizes while Bata France does. The same questions crop up in my mind. SKUs? Market size? Marketer apathy? Consumer adjustment?

     

    How do the global brands treat us? No different. Adidas and Skechers play the same game as Indian brands like Bata and Liberty. What a letdown. When I was close to losing all faith in humankind, the Nike India online store came up as the redeemer, offering not just the same product lines but also the same sizes as they do in the US and Europe. So, there is hope!

     

    Skechers India online store and Nike India online store

     

    What I am trying to put across to you is the rude fact that the Indian market, in spite of its size and potential, is still not treated at par with a China or Russia when it comes to most global brands. And it is not just to do with the sizes of apparel or footwear, it is also about the availability of their latest portfolio in the soon-to-be world’s third-largest economy. It is about the larger ‘mindset’ of the brand and the marketer in approaching and addressing the market. It is about the true respect that a brand has for the customer coming alive in its on-ground deployment of product and promise. Any amount of advertising, social media posts and press statements will not add up to the actual demonstration of respect.

     

    One may say that these are minor issues in the larger landscape of a country and market on the move, but thousands of these issues make up the attitude of an industry addressing the Indian consumer. In the apparel and footwear world, everyone seems to follow the same path while Nike is the exception. Imagine the potential word of mouth when someone is delighted to find his/ her perfect ½ size with one brand while being disappointed with the others. That keeps the cash counters humming. Respect the consumer and you will get it back in multiples. Otherwise you will remain a mere transaction and temporary fad. And, the 20-million strong market today will one day surely double in the next five to seven years.

     

    The fault does not lie only with the brand marketers and portfolio managers. We, the consumers are equally to blame for adjusting to compromises and not becoming vocal and visible activists for being given what we deserve. A social anthropologist will argue that this is exactly how we have been for eons, whether it be the pantaloon or the politician. So hang on, do I continue my search for a better belt?

     

  • To include social media influencers with high following

    ASCI broadens definition of celebrities in its code

    By Our Staff

     

    The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has updated the definition of celebrities in its code to include social media influencers having a following of 500,000 or more.

     

    Notes a communique: “The ASCI code has a specific guideline for celebrities which requires advertisements featuring celebrities to not violate the ASCI Code, and for celebrities to be familiar with the code in letter and spirit. Testimonials of celebrities must reflect their genuine, recent opinion and must be based on adequate information or experience about the product or service being advertised. The guidelines mandate that celebrities conduct due diligence to ensure that claims featured in the advertisements can be objectively verified and substantiated. Celebrities, when called upon, need to produce evidence of due diligence. Alternatively, the advertiser should have developed the advertisement following ASCI’s advertising advice. Additionally, the ASCI code requires celebrities not to participate in the advertisement of a product, treatment or remedies that are prohibited for advertising under the Drugs & Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954; and the updated Drugs & Cosmetic Act, 1940, and Rules 1945 (Schedule J).”

     

    The communique further adds: The ASCI code now defines celebrities as individuals that:

    :: Get compensated Rs 40 lakh or equivalent value annually for appearing in advertisements or campaigns on any medium and any format

    Or

      :: Have a social media following of 500,000 or more on any single social media handle

     

    It may be noted that the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 puts the responsibility of due diligence on all endorsers, whether they are celebrities or not. However, due to the disproportionate influence and impact of individuals with large followership, ASCI requires celebrities to demonstrate a much greater responsibility in making sure that their followers do not get deceived or misled. ASCI has noticed a massive increase in ads featuring celebrities that are misleading. Versus the 55 ads that it processed in 2021-22, ASCI processed over 500 misleading ads featuring celebrities in 2022-23. This shows that in spite of their legal obligations, several celebrities continue to feature in ads that make misleading claims.

     

    Said Manisha Kapoor, CEO and Secretary General, ASCI: “With the advent of social media and the increasing popularity of influencers on digital media, the definition of celebrities has come to change drastically. Earlier, only personalities from the world of sports or entertainment were considered celebrities. Today, however, the scenario is different. We have a range of personalities who are extremely popular on social media and share a close personal connection with consumers. These personalities affect the spending habits of consumers who trust them. So, it’s vital to ensure consumer protection – especially when celebrities endorse products or services that can cause serious financial loss and physical harm. This update widens ASCI’s ambit and includes all those personalities who have a notable influence as celebrities. With this, we have taken yet another important step in furthering the cause of consumer safety with regard to advertising.”

     

  • With key appointments

    Havas Worldwide India strengthens strategy team

    By Our Staff

     

    Havas Worldwide India, the creative arm of Havas India, has strengthened its strategy and account planning teams across its Mumbai and Gurugram offices with two key appointments. Mohini Varma has joined as Executive Vice President & Planning Head – North, and Jasravee Kaur Chandra has been appointed as Senior Vice President of Havas Worldwide India. Both will report to Anirban Mozumdar, Chief Strategy Officer, Havas Worldwide India, and will be based out of Gurgaon and Mumbai, respectively.

     

    Anirban Mozumdar
    Anirban Mozumdar

    Commenting on the appointments, Anirban Mozumdar, said: “It is a very exciting time for Havas Worldwide India as we make even bigger strides in our growth journey. I’m beyond thrilled to welcome such impressive strategic thinkers with proven track-records as Mohini and Jasravee to our team. Mohini’s insights are the investment we need for our key clients to rise to the challenges of the new-age consumer and propel us in the right direction in our endeavour of providing integrated solutions. In Jasravee, we find the right blend of experience and thought leadership, which will be instrumental in nurturing and building on our strategic ability from a consumer, data, and integration perspective.”

     

  • No, he's not joining namesakes Sharad and Ajit and their respective political dispensations

    Bobby Pawar quits Havas. Says Alvida to Advertising.

    By Our Staff

     

    Bobby Pawar
    Bobby Pawar

    So we called him and sang the first lines of two popular Hindi film songs:

    :: Yeh kya hua, kaise hua, kyun hua, and

    :: Kidhar jaa rahe ho, kahaan jaa rahe ho, humme toh bataa do…

     

    He just gave us trademark laugh. And said: “kidhar nahin”. As for the decision to quit, well, he said it’s two months’ old and his three-month notice expires next month. That’s September.

     

    First, let’s look at the communique we received from Havas India this morning:

    “Bobby Pawar, Chairman and CCO of Havas India has decided to step down from his role. He joined the network in November 2018. A much-revered advertising legend, Bobby has been a part of the advertising industry for over three decades. Following this, Bobby has decided to move away from advertising. He will, however, be a part of Havas India officially till September 2023 and will continue to consult on Havas’ clients and projects as and when necessary.

    ““There are some who will think there is some hanky-panky to my stepping away. I understand the
    appeal of it. It certainly makes for more interesting gossip sessions. The truth is, sometimes life leads
    you to a crossroad. Or, in my case, it is death. Over the last year, I lost way too many people I love,
    way too early. All of them had their ‘one day I will do this or that’. This made me realise that I had to
    find what I would love to do that ‘one day’ and do it right now. Yeah, it is hard to walk away from
    what I have loved for thirty-one years. But I have always chosen to do the hard thing. Like, take on
    the challenges of changing the course of the agencies I have helmed. Now it’s time to do that with
    my own life. What is certain though, is that writing will be a huge part of whatever I dive into next. I
    am nothing if not a storyteller, a craftsman who chisels prose with a pen,” said Bobby.

    “Looking back at his time at Havas India, Bobby said, “The concept of Havas Village is what excited me
    the most. Moreover, both Rana and I were entrusted with the freedom to build and run Havas India
    from ground up, like entrepreneurs. Something I had not experienced before. It takes two to tango,
    and with a friend like Rana, who really is more of family than a friend, it was easy. And today, I can
    proudly say that we have built a brand-led, digital-first ecosystem, the results of which are here for
    all to see. Havas India has undergone an unprecedented transformation and has seen exponential
    growth over the last five years. We have made our place in the big league, and we are here to stay. I
    am grateful to Yannick Bollore for his faith in us, to our teams across all the companies of Havas
    India for giving their all to the mission, and Rana, you know how I feel about you.”

    “Speaking on Bobby’s departure, Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas India, said, “Ours is truly a Yin and
    Yang partnership. Especially when you know your creative half for nearly three decades, it becomes
    a seamless, productive, and truly memorable journey. Bobby helped me rebuild Havas’ presence in
    India, and with his creative prowess and reputation, he completely overhauled the Creative vertical
    of the network. With his trademark humour and quirks, Bobby made Havas India more than just a
    place to work. Some goodbyes are bittersweet because while I will not see him around at work, he
    will continue to be an inextricable part of my life. I wish him all the very best for this new chapter of
    his life.””

     

    Before joining Havas, Pawar spent five-and-a-half years at Publicis, and earlier, he was Chief Creative Officer of JWT and CCO of the DDB Mudra group. Pawar was in the United States for seven years where he worked with Ogilvy, New York and BBDO, Chicago. One of his films ran on the Super Bowl, got featured in the MoMA and nominated for an Emmy.

     

    So we asked some ad agency watchers what they think of the development. Well, over the last few months, Havas has ensured it has beefed up its top deck. So we shouldn’t expect old (and new) clients to run away. However, in Pawar’s exit, they believe that the network (or should we say ‘village’) has lost a star campaigner. Creative agencies are all about creative whizkids, and not necessarily about the suits. Hence, Barua will need to ensure that the agency doesn’t get a setback on that score.

     

    And what about Pawar’s next move? Could he joining namesakes Sharad and Ajit and their respective political dispensations? Of course not. Is he, like some other agency captains, turn independent? Or is going to make films, write stuff for OTT or perhaps write a book. Well, the last of these is definitely on the cards. In fact, if all goes well, his first maiden work of fiction may be released next year.

     

  • Dr Bhaskar Das was inducted into the IAA Hall of Fame

    Dr Bhaskar Das, others felcitiated at IAA Leadership Awards

     

     

    By Our Staff

     

    In the past, as Chief Minister, he has given the slip at some key A&M industry events. But now he’s Deputy Chief Minister he was present. At the annual leadership awards of the the International Advertising Association (IAA) India Chapter on Wednesday, August 9, in Mumbai With senior marketing, advertising, and media professionals, who came together to honour the exceptional accomplishments of these deserving recipients.

     

    The awards were presented across 15 industry categories, spanning automobiles, financial services, FMCG, E-commerce, Edtech, retail and consumer durables, acknowledging outstanding professionals’ diverse achievements and innovative contributions.

     

    Notable among the winners was media industry veteran Dr Bhaskar Das was was inducted into the esteemed IAA Hall of Fame, recognising his contributions and lasting impact on the media landscape.

     

    Other winners included:

    Adar Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute of India who was awarded the prestigious title of IAA Business Leader of the Year 2023.

    Rajdeepak Das, CEO & CCO, Leo Burnett South Asia and Chairperson, Creative Council, Publicis Groupe India was honoured with the IAA Creative Agency Leader of the Year award for his exceptional creativity and ground-breaking campaigns.

    Ajay Gupte, CEO – South Asia from Wavemaker secured the distinguished title of IAA Media Agency Leader of the Year

    Atideb Sarkar, Chief Editor and Publisher of the ABP Group received the IAA Media Person of the Year award

    PV Chandran, Managing Editor of Mathrubhumi earned the accolade of IAA Editor of the Year

    Navika Kumar, News Editor and Anchor from Times Network was honoured with the IAA TV Anchor of the Year award

    and Actor Ajay Devgan and Kiara Advani were crowned with the title of IAA Brand Endorsers of the Year

     

    Avinash Pandey
    Avinash Pandey

    Said Avinash Pandey, President, IAA India Chapter: “The IAA sees itself as the Global Compass for Marketing and Communications and these awards are one of the many initiatives that focus on furthering this. Through these awards, we not only recognize excellence and innovation but also inspire and motivate others to strive for greatness. By celebrating these remarkable achievements, we can foster a collective commitment to enhancing all industries. The 10th edition of this awards is a testament to the enduring spirit of innovation and resilience that defines our industry.”

     

    Nandini Dias
    Nandini Dias

    Added Nandini Dias, Chairperson IAA Leadership Awards: “The IAA Leadership Awards is an opportunity to recognize and respect the power of the human mind at work. To appreciate the criticality of decision-making. The wisdom of thought-leadership. The sheer magnetism that carries an entire team along. The choice between bravery and bravado. These awards are gallantry awards, bravery awards, intelligence awards, creative awards, sporting awards and social awards all rolled into one.”

     

    The IAA Leadership Awards ceremony can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LRdidaLARI