MxMIndia

Category: NEWS

  • Scarecrow Communications bags creative mandate for the corporate brand of Religare Enterprises

    Scarecrow bags corporate mandate for Religare

    From the MxM Infodesk

     

    Religare Enterprises Ltd. has appointed Scarecrow Communications as its creative agency for its corporate brand. The account will be handled out of Scarecrow’s Mumbai office. The incumbent on the account was Ogilvy, Delhi.

     

    This win represents a deepening of the Scarecrow Communications’ relationship with the Religare group. Scarecrow already handles Religare Broking, Religare Health Insurance and Religare Macquarie.

     

    Subhrangshu Neogi, Director, Branding and Communications, Religare, said, “As a group we have had a long standing partnership with Scarecrow. The team has consistently delivered high quality and path breaking creative work across all product lines assigned to them so far. We have now decided to enlarge the scope of their mandate to include some key corporate assignments as well . We look forward to continue working with them.”

     

    Raghu Bhat, Founder Director, Scarecrow Communications,  added, “Religare was Scarecrow’s first client. It’s fair to say that Scarecrow came into existence because of Religare. It’s very satisfying to note that since KILB, we have maintained our standards of creative excellence on this brand and have been rewarded with this very significant assignment.”

     

    Manish Bhatt, Founder Director, Scarecrow Communications,said, “Religare is a brand very dear to our hearts as we we have had a long and mutually rewarding association, that goes beyond professional ties. We thank Subhrangshu and his team for once again reposing trust in Scarecrow.”

     

    Religare Enterprises Limited (REL) is one of India’s leading financial services group. Religare offers a wide array of services including broking, insurance, asset management, lending solutions, investment banking and wealth management. With a network of over 2,200 business centres across 550 plus locations, and more than a million clients, REL enjoys a dominant presence in the Indian financial services space.

     

  • Starbucks Coffee Co and its Indian joint venture partner Tata Group have plans to open around 40 stores by December

    Starbucks for festive season flag off in Mumbai

    By Arun Kumar & Rasul Bailay

     

    Starbucks Coffee Co and its Indian joint venture partner Tata Group have plans to open around 40 stores by December, half of those in hotels and the rest in high-street malls, a person with the direct knowledge of the plans said.

     

    The person said the 50:50 joint venture, Tata Starbucks, has so far lined up 14 properties in malls and high streets in the New Delhi capital region, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai and will make its India debut in September or October from the commercial capital, Mumbai.

     

    The firm will adopt a cluster approach to simultaneously open three to four outlets in each city they initially go to. Mumbai will be followed by the National Capital Region, Bangalore and Chennai. The properties finalised in hotels include the Ambassador and President hotels under the Vivanta by Taj label, a contemporary luxury chain just notch below the super luxury Taj brand of the Tata group.

     

    “We are looking at both Tata properties as well as non-Tata properties and will focus on how we can become part of the local community where we do business,” a Starbucks spokesperson said in an e-mail reply. The alliance is also in talks with non-Tata hotel chains such as Marriott Hotels to open their outlets.

     

    The joint venture will invest Rs100-150 crore this year alone and has a total budget of $100 million (around Rs 550 crore) to invest in India in the next two to three years, the person familiar with the plan said.

     

    He added that the Seattle-based coffee chain – the largest in the world – will manage the business and source many of its staff from the Tata-owned Taj Hotels. All the stores in the initial stage will have a combination of the lounge as well as takeaway facilities, he said.

     

    Starbucks operates more than 17,000 stores in almost 60 countries. The coffee titan has been exploring possibilities to enter India for many years. Earlier it had made an abortive attempt to foray into India before it called off a joint venture involving its Indonesian franchise and Kishore Biyani of the Future Group. In 2007, the joint venture withdrew its foreign investment proposal with the Indian government without citing any reason.

     

    Now, Starbucks is back with a new partner and is bullish on India, a country with one of the lowest rate of coffee per capita consumption in the world.

     

    Local chain Cafe Coffee Day and global chains such as Barista Lavazza, Costa Coffee and Gloria Jeans are among others currently operating around 2,000 outlets in the country.

     

    Industry estimates that the Rs 1,000 crore coffee-through branded outlets sector is growing at an annual rate of 20 per cent. “I don’t see Starbucks as a competition… I see them as a player who will make drinking coffee through outlets a routine business,” said Virag Joshi, chief executive of Devyani International, which operates more than 100 Costa Coffee stores in India.

     

    The company plans to invest Rs400 crore to add 400 more outlets in the next five years. “The market will keep evolving and will keep growing over the years,” he added.

     

    Source: The Economic Times

    Copyright © 2012, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All Rights Reserved

     

  • This optimizer will sit within the TARDIIS suite – SMG's proprietary optimizer which is in use since 2006

    SMG India offers Web+TV optimizer

    By A Correspondent

     

    In what Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) calls as a game-changing product innovation, it has rolled out a fused TV + Web Optimizer across its entire organization in India.

     

    This optimizer will sit within the TARDIIS suite – SMG’s proprietary optimizer. SMG India has been using the TARDIIS TV optimizer since 2006. The fused optimizer will allow every single media planner at SMG to evaluate plans fluidly between TV and digital. The optimizer runs on the local Television Audience Measurement (TAM) and Web Audience Measurement (WAM) datasets.India is one of the few markets where SMG has launched this product.

     

    Malli CR, CEO, SMG India, said: “We are a future-forward agency and this is one of the several investments that we are making to improve decision-making on client investments and take businesses along the digital transition road. One senses that the growth of spends on digital should be faster than otherwise. There are several vehicles in digital whose reach is substantial and yet inertia and a lack of currency prevent investments. With this Optimizer, a planner can seamlessly build plan options between TV and digital. Every client’s biggest complaint is about how plans for different target audiences look the same. This product is one of several things that will help change that. We have been testing the product internally since March and are seeing paradigm changing results.”

     

    “One of the biggest challenges in digital is increasing the share of spends of FMCG. Our experience on TARDIIS Web + TV from other markets on FMCG clients has shown that it can lead to a totally different worldview on digital and increase spends substantially. TARDIIS Web + TV is one of the first tools with scale in this market that can accelerate digital spends and investments,” he added.

     

    Deeming this as a huge HR initiative, Puja Shah, Director Human Resources at SMG commented: “We want to enable all our planners to be digitally oriented. This is one of several steps in this direction SMG India has planned out in the next six months.”

     

  • The platform allows companies to launch sophisticated, multi-country mobile messaging campaigns

    Havas arm launches mobile msgng platform

    By A Correspondent

     

    Mobext, the mobile marketing agency brand of Havas Digital, has announced the launch of a proprietary, next generation global mobile messaging platform. The platform allows companies to launch sophisticated, multi-country mobile messaging campaigns.

     

    Rob Griffin, EVP – Global Director of Product Development of Havas Digital said: “With the exponential growth in mobile and mobile’s growing importance in creating meaningful brands, Havas Digital is proud to be rolling out Mobext’s ‘SAM’ for our clients. SAM, which stands for ‘Simplified Automated Messaging’, is a mobile messaging platform managed by Havas Digital’s Mobext division and was built for global scale that can be deployed very quickly to support our clients’ increasing messaging requirements. Mobile messaging is often overlooked due to mobile rich media, smartphones and tablets but we feel it is a critically efficient element when optimizing a consumer’s experience with a brand by supporting and enhancing CRM, social media, and promotional activities.”

     

    Among key features of the platform is the ability to send personalized, highly targeted SMS to an opt-in mobile database. It also enables powerful, 2-way SMS marketing campaigns, allowing advertisers to launch a vast array of interactive mobile campaigns such as polling, voting, trivia, contests, data profiling, couponing, on-pack promotions, and many others.

     

    SAM is managed and hosted in the Philippines.  The platform is already live in the Philippines, India and Argentina, with plans to launch it before end 2012 in all other Mobext markets worldwide.

     

    Arthur Policarpio, Asia-Pacific Head of Mobext as well as CEO of Mobext Philippines said: “The problem with most SMS marketing platforms is the high-degree of complexity as well as lack of global scale – it is an extremely complicated process to secure short codes as well as SMS push pipelines on a per country basis.  SAM simplifies all this. SAM enables enterprises of all sizes to quickly launch a multi-country, mobile messaging campaign – all from a simplified, easy-to-use web-based platform.”

     

  • Bang in the Middle will henceforth be responsible for managing the brand's health globally

    Bang in the Middle is Veen’s communication partner

    By A Correspondent

     

    Veen Spring Waters has appointed Bang in the Middle as its official communication partner. Bang in the Middle will help Veen enter newer luxury markets of Asia and also consolidate their already strong presence in European, Middle Eastern and Chinese markets. Bang in the Middle will henceforth be responsible for managing the brand’s health globally.

     

    “I am thrilled to find a like-minded partner in Bang in the Middle. The market for premium water is growing rapidly, and this growth is a potent opportunity for a young brand like Veen. Together with their expertise, we would be looking at entering various new markets including India,” said Aman Gupta, Director, Veen Waters.

     

    “For a world thirsty for gourmet experiences, Veen is an extremely special offering. I believe that we have been very fortunate to be considered as Veen’s global communication partner. At Bang in the Middle, our focus, work and thinking aren’t going to be limited by geography, and Veen is a brand that fits our plans to a brilliance,” said Prathap Suthan, Managing Partner, Bang in the Middle.

     

  • Mr Rathore has over 17 years of experience in media, working with media agencies like Starcom MediaVest Group and Mudra

    Dinesh Singh Rathore is COO, Madison Media Omega

    By A Correspondent

     

    Madison Media announced that Dinesh Singh Rathore has been appointed as COO of Madison Media Omega, based in Bangalore. Mr Rathore joins Madison from Starcom MediaVest Group, where he was Head,  MediaVest, Mumbai & Delhi offices.

     

    Mr Rathore has over 17 years of experience in media, working with media agencies like Starcom MediaVest Group and Mudra. He was the head of FutureWorks, the specialist unit of SMG that handled the Future Group business. Across his career, Mr Rathore has worked on interesting brands including Zydus Wellness, Emirates, The Mobile Store, Tata Housing, Novartis, World Gold Council, Wipro, Toyota, SabMiller, Essilor, Hitachi, Rasna, Only Vimal.

     

    Gautam Kiyawat, Group CEO, Madison Media said: “I am delighted to have Dinesh join our Leadership team and am sure he will add a lot of value to our clients in Bangalore.”

     

    Mr Rathore, on his joining Madison said: “I am looking forward to this new role and contributing to an enviable list of clients.”

     

    Madison Media was recently in the news for winning the Crompton Greaves, Enamor and Dixcy Textile’s Media AOR.

     

     

  • Mr Jagannath's immediate focus will be to drive existing and new initiatives for LinkedIn's Marketing Solutions and Hiring Solutions portfolios

    A Jagannath joins LinkedIn to head trade marketing

    By A Correspondent

     

    LinkedIn, the professional network with over 15 million members in India, has appointed AL Jagannath as Head, trade marketing for India.

     

    With over 18 years of experience in marketing, Mr Jagannath’s immediate focus will be to drive existing and new initiatives for LinkedIn’s Marketing Solutions and Hiring Solutions portfolios.

     

    As part of LinkedIn India’s leadership team, he will be responsible for widening awareness about LinkedIn’s array of customized solutions that are available to advertisers and recruiters in the Indian market.

     

    “Being the second-largest member base for LinkedIn, we see tremendous potential for growing our business in India. We have built a strong and viable platform for the business over the last two and a half years. Our focus, moving forward, will be to build off this platform and continue to give the best value to our advertisers and recruiters. Jagannath brings invaluable experience in building up large businesses and his addition to the India leadership team will help us accelerate our growth in the market, strengthen our operations and associate with even more businesses in India,” said Hari V Krishnan, Country Manager, LinkedIn India.

     

    Based out of Bengaluru, Mr Jagannath joins LinkedIn from VMWare, where he was director, marketing for India and SAARC. Prior to VMWare, he also held leadership positions at some ofIndia’s largest IT companies like Satyam Computers, Reliance Infocomm and Mudra Communications. Having worked with these companies, Jagannath comes with holistic experience in business and consumer marketing.

     

    LinkedIn India is headquartered in Mumbai with offices in New Delhi and Bengaluru.

     

  • The much awaited Airtel Super Singer 7 will be aired every Wednesday from June 27 onwards.

    Bharti Airtel gears up to present Super Singer 7

    By A Correspondent

     

    Bharti Airtel, a leading global telecommunications company, has launched Airtel Super Singer 7, aimed to entertain music lovers of Andhra Pradesh. The launch took place in the presence of Sharlin Thayil, CEO – Bharti Airtel, Andhra Pradesh along with the jury members of the show, singers Sunitha and Kouslaya along with lyricist Chandra Bose.

     

    Airtel Super Singer 7 – The Spicy Series brings famous singers to a common platform. There will be 2 teams in this series – Warriors and Chargers and the show will have the singers showcasing a variety of music genres.

     

    Speaking on the occasion, Mr Thayli said: “Airtel has always taken the lead in associating with events, shows and initiatives that showcases the talent of today’s youth. It gives us immense pleasure to be associated with this youthful and entertaining show. We would like to wish the participants all the very best for a fantastic show.”

     

    Airtel Super Singer 7 – The Spicy Series will be aired every Wednesday on Maa TV.

     

  • The account will be handled by the team under the leadership of K Satyanarayana, VP (west & south)

    RK Swamy Media wins Khazana Jewellery account

    By A Correspondent

     

    RK Swamy Media Group has won the media account of Khazana Jewellery, a leading jewellery retail chain from South.

     

    Sandeep Sharma, President, RK Swamy Media Group said: “We are extremely delighted to partner with Khazana Jewellery. We are confident of adding  disproportionate value to their media investments. We also believe this is a testimony to our passion to deliver the best for our clients. Our team under the able leadership of K Satyanarayana, VP (west & south) will spearhead this partnership.”

     

    Kishore Jain,MDof Khazana Jewellery said: “We welcome R K SWAMY Media Group as our media partner and look forward to their superior media solutions in helping build our brand value further. We are poised for the next level of growth with major expansion plans and we are confident that R K SWAMY Media Group will add value in achieving our goals”.

     

    Khazana Jewellery is a Rs2,600 crore jewellery retail chain with 20 stores across South India.

     

  • The 9X Media Group has been on a high growth trajectory since 2011

    9XM elevates Pawan Jailkhani & Punit Pandey

    By A Correspondent

     

    9X Media has elevated Pawan Jailkhani to the position of Chief Revenue Officer and Punit Pandey to the position of Executive Vice President. The 9X Media Group has been on a high growth trajectory since 2011, adding 5 music channels to its network, besides the Group’s flagship music channel – 9XM.

     

    In his new role, Pawan Jailkhani will be responsible for all forms of revenue across the existing six music television channels operated by the 9X Media Group. He will also be in charge of revenue for all future launches by 9X Media.

     

    Punit Pandey, in his new role as Executive Vice President, will be responsible for the new business initiatives by the Network and would also continue to head the business aspect of the existing six music channels.

  • He also hinted at boycotting Cannes next year if a proper investigation was not undertaken by the organizers of Cannes for this year's jury decisions

    I’m not sure if DDB will participate in Cannes next year: Amir Kassaei

    By A Correspondent

     

    DDB Worldwide Chief Creative Officer Amir Kassaei has indicted some Cannes Lions 2012 jurors of bias. Mr Kassaei alleged that judges of certain global holdings had been ordered to vote for work from their respective groups. In a video interview to Campaign Brief, Mr Kassaei said that the integrity of Cannes was at stake and the authority as well as the value of the festival was being undermined. In the same interview, he also hinted at boycotting Cannes next year if a proper investigation was not undertaken by the organizers of Cannes for this year’s jury decisions.

     

    [youtube width=”400″ height=”225″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t27gPMSJND0[/youtube]

    Mr Kassaei said: “We (DDB) as the most awarded network in the history of Cannes will go into a very tough discussion about next year because we cannot accept that the people are willingly voting against the best work in the jury.”

     

    Mr Kassaei’s accusations follow claims by WPP’s Chief Executive Sir Martin Sorrell that Cannes judges could have been pressured into block voting, which has damaged his agencies chances of winning. Sir Martin Sorrell was quoted in The Guardian saying he had heard rumours of certain jury members being pressured into voting for selected entries and dismissing quality pieces of work from the judging process without due cause.

     

    The jury in question was chaired by Mainardo de Nardis, the Chief Executive of OMD Worldwide and Manning Gottleib OMD, Omnicom-owned media buying agency won the Grand Prix award for a Google Campaign.

     

    Reacting to Sir Martin Sorrell’s allegations that Omnicom somehow rigged the Media Lions award in favour of Manning Gottlieb OMD’s work for Google, Mr Kassaei said that WPP executives were ordered to discriminate against Omnicom agencies’ work in the jury voting: “I have since been notified by no fewer than 12 jury members that people from other holding companies this week are being briefed to kill Omnicom, especially BBDO, DDB and TBWA, this is a fact.”

     

    He added, “What differentiates Omnicom from WPP is the creativity and innovation. I would respect them if they did the better work. Just look at the objective facts, in the media category, WPP is doing better than Omnicom, so accusing us that we’re playing silly games is not right.”

     

    Furthermore, Mr Kassaei said: “The problem we have at the moment is that Cannes used to be the World Cup of advertising because of the qualification and the result of the juries, and at the moment I don’t have a feeling we are at the World Cup of advertising because a lot of people are playing politics instead of judging the best work of all.”

     

    In an interview to Afaqs on the judging of Media Lions, Dominic Proctor, President, WPP’s media holding company, Group M, said: “I’ve heard a lot of whisperings in bars and restaurants that there did seem to be some kind of strange voting…I heard rumours that certain blocs of votes were being encouraged. If that’s the case then it would be a worry because if Cannes wants to be taken seriously as a media and a creative platform, then we need to make sure that the process is not in any sense corrupted.”

     

  • Starcom Mediavest Group's Mediavest has bagged the Axis Bank account which is currently with Madison Media

    Mediavest bags Axis Bank account

    From the MxM Infodesk

     

    Axis Bank has shifted its media business to MediaVest Worldwide, part of the Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG). MediaVest would handle the business from its Mumbai office. The account was earlier with Madison Media. The mandate covers media planning and buying for all Axis Bank campaigns and is effective August 1. This win adds to the long list of new business wins for Starcom MediaVest Group in the last year that include like Aircel, Dabur, Novartis, Supermax, Zee Learn, Sterling Holidays etc. SMG has been strengthening the MediaVest brand across Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru and will soon announce a few senior management hires.

     

    Confirming this development, Manisha Lath Gupta, CMO, Axis Bank says “While evaluating, we realized SMG has robust planning tools which will help us integrate across different mediums. With their Human Experience Strategy and approach, we believe, they are well poised to handle the media challenges lying in front of Axis Bank for the future”.

     

    Said Malli CR, CEO, SMG India, “Axis Bank is a blue chip client and we are honored and delighted to have them on board. They have an exciting brand vision and we look forward to delivering their goals with SMG’s future focused media product that is predicated on Insights & Analytics, Digital and Content”.