MxMIndia

Category: NEWS

  • While the contest is open to all, participants must 30 years of age or less as on March 31, 2014

    Green Hungama Contest back at IAA Olive Crown Awards

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Green Hungama Contest, set up by Hungama Digital with the International Association of Advertisers – India Chapter’s annual Olive Crown Awards will see winners being awarded on March 14.

     

    As per a communiqué: the Olive Crown Green Hungama Award 2013 will be given for eco-sensitive communication that creates awareness for planet Earth’s well-being & sustainability. The entry for ‘Green Hungama Contest’ must be an original piece of work. However, for the sake of budget and other constraints like time, the entry can be a ‘scratch’ film made with borrowed footage or material. What will be judged at this stage is the creative ‘big idea’ and not the execution brilliance.

     

    This contest is open to all. The participant has to be 30 years of age or less as on March 31, 2014. The winning entries are awarded the Olive Crown and cash prizes worth Rs 1 lakh, that will be split between two winners — the Gold will have a cash prize of Rs 60,000, while the Silver is worth Rs 40,000. They will also get to showcase their work at Olive Crown Awards 2013 which will be held in Mumbai on 14th March 2014.

     

    Neeraj Roy

    Said Neeraj Roy, Managing Director and CEO Hungama Digital Media: “This is the fourth year we are partnering the IAA in this unique contest. It not only stokes the creative fires of young people and makes them conscious of a good cause, it also resonates with our audience and what we at Hungama are all about.”

     

    For details of sending in entries, log on to http://www.olivecrowngreenhungama.com/terms.html.

     

  • Mr King will oversee strategic operations, new business and key clients for SMG India and SMG Convonix

    Starcom MediaVest Group India is Hanley’s King-dom

    By A Correspondent

     

    Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) has announced the appointment of Hanley King as Chairman, SMG India. Mr King will report to John Sheehy, President, Global Operations and will be based in SMG’s Mumbai office.  As Chairman, SMG India, he will be focused on key client relationships, new business and commercial operations for the agency. Malli CR, CEO SMG India and Vishal Sampat, CEO SMG Convonix will report to Mr King and will continue to lead daily operations for their respective organizations.

     

    “Hanley is a consummate professional with a proven track record of delivering results across our globally networked clients,” said Mr Sheehy. “Our recent acquisition of Convonix and our robust digital and analytics practice prove that our operations in India are among our most future-focused.  I look to Hanley to work hand in hand with Malli and Vishal to continue to build upon our momentum in India.”

     

    Mr King was most recently SMG Global Client Lead for APAC, based in Singapore. In this role he managed multifaceted SMG client teams for Samsung, Mars Wrigley, Kellogg’s, Novartis and Bank of America and others across the APAC region. Prior to joining SMG, Mr King was CEE President for Universal McCann, where he was responsible for 22 markets across the Central European region with 500 plus staff and billings of close to 1 billion USD. In his career Hanley has worked on many global accounts in either Asia, Europe or New Zealand spanning FMCG, Auto, Financial, Breweries and Telcos.

     

    “India is a fascinating, fast-paced and constantly evolving market,” King said. “And that’s why it’s such an honour to be joining SMG India and working with Malli and Vishal— a team that is so relentlessly focused on the future.” SMG India’s client list includes Dabur, Axis Bank, Aircel and Ranbaxy. In 2013, PublicisGroupe acquired Convonix, which aligned with SMG India. Founded in 2003, Convonix today employs more than 400 digital marketing specialists, making it the largest digital agency in India, serving such clients domestically as well as internationally as Tata Motors, Reliance Industries, Budweiser, Taj Hotels, DBS, Mahindra Holidays, Tata Global Beverages among others.

     

  • The decision is on the back of the 45-station FM radio network’s performance in ratings

    Big FM hikes ad rates by 20-30% across markets

    By A Correspondent

     

    92.7 Big FM has announced an increase in its advertising rates by 20 to 30 percent. The decision for the hike is more a price correction given the network strength and more recently the superlative performance of the network Рboth in metros and emerging markets, notes a communiqu̩.

     

    The decision comes on the back of the 45-station network’s decision to go completely retro in some markets especially in the key metros of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. The Bengaluru station’s 100 percent Kannada music has also ensured it fares well in ratings.

     

    Ashwin Padmanabhan

    Speaking on the development, Ashwin Padmanabhan, Business Head, 92.7 Big FM said: “Our product mix, ability to innovate, solutions approach and unparalleled reach sees us catering to almost 1800 clients on a monthly basis. It is now time to consolidate, while ensuring the aural experience is of best quality. This price correction will ensure that the core product and promise remain relevant to the audiences while delivering optimum value to the advertisers.”

     

  • CNN gets election-ready with Ravi Agrawal as Bureau Chief, New Delhi

    CNN appoints Ravi Agrawal as New Delhi Bureau Chief

    By A Correspondent

     

    CNN International announced the appointment of Ravi Agrawal as the New Delhi Bureau Chief. Agrawal effective April 1, 2014. Mr Agrawal will manage and oversee CNN’s multi-platform newsgathering operations from India.

     

    An award-winning CNN producer, Mr Agrawal has worked with the network across its London and US offices for eight years. He assumes this new role from being the senior producer of CNN’s flagship Sunday programme on world affairs ‘Fareed Zakaria GPS’.

     

    “India has the world’s interest and CNN has had a long standing presence and robust operations in the countryfor well over two decades now. Ravi’s appointment is very timely as we prepare to coverthe world’s largest democracy going to the polls in the coming months,” said Ellana Lee, Vice President and Managing Editor, CNN International Asia Pacific.

     

  • Tata is India's #1 brand, and #34 worldwide in the annual Brand Finance Global 500 annual study

    Apple, Ferrari top world’s brand list

     

    By A Correspondent

     

    Ferrari is the world’s most powerful brand. Apple is the world’s most valuable brand. And Tata is the most valuable Indian brand.

     

    These are the headlines from the Brand Finance Global 500 released on Tuesday, the much-awaited annual study conducted by leading brand valuation consultancy, Brand Finance. The world’s biggest brands are put to the test and evaluated to determine which are the most powerful and most valuable.

     

    Ferrari is the world’s most powerful brand. The legendary Italian carmaker scores highly on a wide variety of measures on Brand Finance’s Brand Strength Index, from desirability, loyalty and consumer sentiment to visual identity, online presence and employee satisfaction. Ferrari is one of only eleven brands (including Google, Hermès, Coca-Cola, Disney, Rolex and F1 racing rivals Red Bull) to be awarded an AAA+ brand rating and has the highest overall score.

     

    Said Brand Finance Chief Executive David Haigh: “The prancing horse on a yellow badge is instantly recognizable the world over, even where paved roads have yet to reach. In its home country and among its many admirers worldwide Ferrari inspires more than just brand loyalty, more of a cultish, even quasi-religious devotion, its brand power is indisputable.”

     

    Though Ferrari is the world’s most powerful brand, being a niche, luxury brand with an officially capped production, it is perhaps unsurprising that it is some way off being the world’s most valuable. Its US$4 billion brand value puts it 350th in brand value terms. Mr Haigh added: “Apple also has a powerful brand, rated AAA by Brand Finance. However what sets it apart is its ability to monetize that brand. For example, though tablets were in use before the iPad, it was the application of the Apple brand to the concept that captured the public imagination and allowed it to take off as a commercial reality.” This is just one of the factors responsible for its US$105 billion brand value; it is the world’s most valuable brand for the third year in a row.

     

    According to a communiqué: Apple’s dominance is being challenged by Samsung however. The Korean giant’s improving reputation for reliability, a faster pace of innovation and wider range of devices are among many factors that have seen its brand value increase by US$20 billion to US$79 billion this year. Other tech successes include Netflix, which has nearly doubled its brand value to appear in the Brand Finance Global 500 for the first time. Its value has grown 93% in a year to US$3.2 billion, to make Netflix the 468th most valuable brand. Still operating only in the Americas, Scandinavia and the British Isles, there is huge potential for further growth. Facebook meanwhile has recovered from its problematic IPO, which saw its reputation suffer and its brand value plunge in 2013. This year it has rebounded, adding 76% to its brand value to bring the total to US$9.8 billion, putting it 122nd. Investor confidence in its long term prospects has returned as revenues from mobile advertising have grown.

     

    Tech brands in general have tightened their grip on the Brand Finance Global 500. Walmart is the only non-tech brand remaining in the top 10. Once the world’s most valuable brand, it now sits in 9th having been overtaken by Amazon. The usurpation of the world’s biggest retail brand by the biggest online retailer represents yet another coup for tech brands over ‘real-world’ businesses.

     

    US brands continue to dominate the Brand Finance’s list, occupying 185 brands of the 500 spots. Japan is second. Despite 7 Japanese brands having dropped out of the table, the total for the country as a whole is up thanks to brand value increases of over 30% from Japan’s three biggest brands; Toyota, Mitsubishi and Honda. President Shinzo Abe’s ‘Abenomics’ programme has begun to pay off and global demand for Japanese goods is improving. Germany, France and the UK complete the top 5. Despite China’s status as the world’s second biggest economy, it is 6th in terms of total brand value as its brands are still developing. Huawei and Baidu have both increased their brand values by over 50%. While controversial for their close associations with the Chinese government, both are likely to exert increasing influence around the world in the next few years.

     

    Nations that have not fared so well include Finland. The country’s only brand, Nokia, has finally been squeezed out of the table after years of slow decline. Nokia has continued to hemorrhage brand value as a result of its inability to effectively counter the challenge Apple and Samsung. Falling out of the Brand Finance Global 500, it follows Blackberry, which dropped out of the top 500 last year. The BRIC nations of Russia, India and in particular Brazil have also fared relatively poorly. The number of Brazilian brands in the table is down from 9 to 5 and those that remain have all lost over 20% of their brand value. One Indian brand has dropped out of the table and several of those that remain have fallen further down the rankings. Tata, India’s flagship brand is the exception however, climbing to 34th worldwide with a brand value of US$21.1 billion.

     

  • Royal Raj Media and Launch Pad launch an all-new 24-hour Bangla music channel, Music F – Fatafati

    Now, a new Bangla music channel: Music F – Fatafati

    By A Correspondent

     

    Bengali music lovers have another 24-hour destination for their entertainment: Music F- Fatafati, an all-new Bangla music channel with 3D animations and cartoon shorts that will keep the viewers entertained in between shows.

     

    The channel has brought to life characters like Jagai, Madhai and Pappi Da whose hilarious antics and witty spoofs will have the audiences in splits, notes a communiqué.

     

    Talking about the launch of the channel, Siddharth Misra, Director, Royal Raj Media, said: “We are pleased to tie up with Launch Pad for the launch of Music F – Fatafati and offer the latest in Bangla music to our audiences. With a strategic tie-up with Eskay films we hope to deliver a fantastic product. Royal Raj Media is looking to invest further in broadcast media and planning a few more channels in the near future.”

     

    Speaking about the concept and creation of the channel, Vikas Varma, Director, Launch Pad, said “After the successful launch of various TV channels like 9XM, Music F – Fatafati has been very close to my heart. In the past 5-6 years, Bengali music and movies have achieved world class standards. I believe this channel will change the way viewers consume music.”

     

    Commenting on the operation of Music F – Fatafati, Probal Gaanguly, Director, Launch Pad said: “West Bengal is a growing market for advertisers, broadcasters and media planners. We are confident that with a rich Bengali music library and clutter-breaking content on the channel, we will be able engage viewers and also offer advertisers an effective platform to reach their TG.”

     

    Speaking about the tie up with Music F – Fatafati, Himanshu Dhanuka, Director, Eskay movies, said that he is excited to be a part of this association to promote the Bangla music culture and is looking forward to more such associations in the future.

     

    Royal Raj Media has tied up with Launch Pad for the conceptualization, creation and management of the channel for the next three years. Last year, Launch Pad had successfully launched Bhojpuri music channel Hummra M in a similar deal.

     

  • The much disputed Indian Readership Survey 2013 has been temporarily suspended. The findings have been put in abeyance till March 31, 2014.

    IRS 2013 in abeyance till March 31, 2014. Numbers to be revalidated [updated]

    By A Correspondent [updated]

     

    The much disputed Indian Readership Survey 2013 has been temporarily suspended. The findings have been put in abeyance till March 31, 2014.

     

    Confirming this, Hormasji Cama, Chairperson of the Readership Studies Council of India, told MxMIndia that there will be revalidation exercise that will happen until then. Until the detailed scrutiny is done, the IRS 2013 findings released on January 28, 2014 will be on hold and all will be advised not to consider it for making advertising and sales decisions.

     

    This decision was taken at a meeting of the RSCI board in Mumbai today (Feb 19)

     

    Meanwhile, MRUC has issued a press release the text of which is as follows:

    RSCI decides the way forward for IRS 2013 The RSCI Managing Committee and MRUC Board met in Mumbai earlier today. The meeting was called to discuss the way forward for the Indian Readership Survey 2013 with all its stakeholders. The meeting decided the following: * The IRS will be held in abeyance until March 31, 2014 * A process for re-validation of the study is being developed. The process shall be finalised by February 24, 2014. * The re-validation process will be completed by March 31, 2014 * Observations and recommendations arising from this process will be presented to RSCI by early April 2014 * Once adopted, the recommendations will be formally incorporated into the future architecture of the IRS. All subscribers and members will be immedaitely contacted by RSCI, MRUC and ABC to hold off usage of the study until the re-validation process is completed.

     

  • According to the latest Internet Economy Watch, published jointly by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and IMRB, the user visit to various websites to look for mobile phones has gone up from 5.26 million in December 2012 to 13.79 million in December 2013

    Online user visit for mobile phones witnessed 162% growth: IAMAI

    By A Correspondent

     

    According to the latest Internet Economy Watch, published jointly by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and IMRB, the user visit to various websites to look for mobile phones has gone up from 5.26 million in December 2012 to 13.79 million in December 2013 registering a year-on-year growth of 162 percent. While branded apparels witnessed 12.09 million online user visits in December 2013 as compared to 7.45 million user visits in December 2012, the footwear segment registered 113% y-o-y growth in December 2013 when compared with user visits in December 2012.

     

    Fig: 1

    Source: IAMAI/ WAM Data December 2013

     

     

    The monthly tracker also finds a y-o-y growth of 85% in online booking of railway tickets when compared with the numbers of corresponding month last year. Railway tickets booked online in December 2013 were 8.97 million as compared to 4.84 million in December 2012. The online bookings of air tickets witnessed a decrease from 1.68 million in December 2012 to 1.26 million in December 2013.

     

    Fig: 2

    Source: IAMAI/ WAM Data December 2013

     

     

    According to the data captured from major matrimonial sites in the monthly tracker, the number of profile uploads in December 2013 were 1.44 million as compared to 0.85 million in the corresponding month last year. The number of resume uploads increased to 1.90 million in December 2013 from 1.37 million in December 2012.

     

    Fig: 3

     

    The monthly tracker further indicates 39.73 million people accessed various e-tailing sites. There were 2648.57million page views in the category. The user reach for job and matrimonial websites is 20.76 million and 15.27 million respectively with 917.01 million and 417.19 million respective page views. Online travel segment has reach with 23.11 million reach and 1650.813 million page views.

     

    Fig: 4

     

    Sourced from all India active internet data, the monthly internet tracker is based on WAM data captured from various relevant sites, and encapsulates online usage for E-tailing, Online Travel and Vertical Classifieds.

     

  • Celebrities from various walks of life will be profiled every month in a two-hour radio show across all 17 stations

    94.3 My FM introduces ‘Jiyo Dil Se Heroes’

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Dainik Bhaskar group’s My FM radio station network has come up with a new initiative called “Jiyo Dil Se Heroes” in sync with its brand philosophy, Jiyo Dil Se.

     

    Celebrities from various walks of life will be profiled every month in a two-hour radio show across all 17 stations. The show kicked off on Tuesday, February 18 with author Chetan Bhagat talking about his various experiences of life and how he turned in to a full-time author.  Other names that feature in the future are Pandit Birju Maharaj and Geet Sethi.

     

    The show will be promoted extensively through 360-degree media campaign which will include promotions across platforms like cinema, print, digital and radio.

     

    Harrish M Bhatia

    Speaking on the initiative, Harrish M Bhatia, CEO of 94.3 My FM, said, “Jiyo Dil Se Heroes is an extension of the core values and beliefs at My FM.. We aim to communicate our brand philosophy and develop a stronger bond with our listeners through this innovative concept.”

     

    Added Viplove Gupte, National Programming Head of the network: “Every three weeks we will be featuring one hero and his story, his emotions, his journey. This is not a life-story show, this is the story of moments and emotions that make these people a hero, a hero who lives “Dil Se”.

     

  • The first PlayPad Night took place on February 15

    Game4u evangelises gaming with parties

    By A Correspondent

     

    Game4u, the specialist retailer of videogame products and the retail arm of Milestone Interactive Group has launched its new property – ‘Game4u PlayPad’. The property will mean parties for gamers where enthusiasts come together to enjoy the latest games. The first PlayPad Night took place on February 15, 2014 in Mumbai, with a turnout of 45 casual gamers.

     

    Hosted by Game4u, the PlayPad gaming nights are designed with the objective of spreading the brand message of making gaming a primary medium of entertainment and recreation amongst the young adults. Game4u will host customized gaming parties, wherein a group of 20 gamers can come together at one place and play various single player or multiplayer games. The parties will be executed with specialized themes across different venues.

     

    For the PlayPad Nights, Game4u has got on board energy drink ‘Red Bull’ and ‘Debonairs Pizza’ as brand partners.

     

    Commenting on the launch of Game4u PlayPad, Jayont R Sharma, Chairman and CEO, Milestone Interactive Group said, “We are very excited to bring the Game4u PlayPad concept to our consumers. With this initiative we are looking to spread awareness about gaming and build an extensive gaming community across all age groups. We are hoping to interact with our consumers at a more personal level and are looking make gaming a cult phenomenon, like it is in some of the other countries.”

     

    He further added, “We are starting Game4u PlayPad with Mumbai and will soon take it to other cities in the coming months.”

     

  • Two out of three users have already purchased something via a mobile

    InMobi report finds 15% increase in m-commerce

    By A Correspondent

     

    Independent mobile ads major InMobi announced the results of its 2014 Global Mobile Media Consumption Report, which provides insights into changing trends in mobile media consumption habits. The 2014 report findings reiterate that mobile devices have become integral to everyday life, but moreover, that trust and reliance on mobile devices has increased and are expected to have a significant impact on mobile commerce in 2014.

     

    Specifically, the report predicts a 15 percent increase in mobile commerce in 2014, with 83 percent of respondents planning to conduct mobile commerce in the next 12 months. Mobile has become a key factor affecting purchasing decisions, with 48 percent of respondents worldwide listing mobile as a key media which impacts purchasing decisions, and reliance on mobile is even higher in important consumer markets, like India, at 60 percent.

     

    “In last year’s report we found that mobile had touched most aspects of modern life. But this year, we find that mobile has really become an essential part of daily life, even a daily workhorse, that has replaced the desktop and TV for everything from gathering key information, media consumption and accomplishing daily tasks, like shopping and paying bills,” said Naveen Tewari, CEO, InMobi. “Furthermore, with mobile content gaining similar prominence as TV, mobile advertising is now impacting consumer behaviour across the entire purchasing lifecycle from small day-to-day purchases, to bigger purchases, like cars.”

     

    Key 2014 mobile media consumption statistics:

    • The average mobile web user consumes 6.0 hours of media per day.
    • 60% of the average global mobile web users now use mobile as either their primary or exclusive means of going online.
    • Multi-screen behaviour is common, 61% of mobile web users engage in mobile activities (e.g., social networking, text messaging) while watching TV.
    • Mobile is an important companion particularly for in-between times, 83% of respondents use mobile while waiting for something, and 81% while lying in bed.
    • 40% of Indonesians use mobile as their only means of web time, followed closely by 34% in India and South Africa.

     

     

    In response to mobile advertising:

    • 78% have downloaded an application;
    • 68% have visited the website of an advertiser;
    • 56% have visited a store for more information;
    • 52% have bought something via their mobile device;
    • 44% have located an advertiser on a map; and,
    • 43% have called an advertiser by clicking on the phone number in the ad.

     

     

    Mobile commerce insights include:

    • 68% of respondents have spent money on an activity via mobile, and commerce behavior is extending past digital goods, and now includes physical and financial goods.
    • 83% are expected to spend money on an activity via mobile in the next 12 months, a 15% increase from today.
    • Mobile ads in different formats appeal to different segments.

     

     

    The full report is available for download on the InMobi Insights website at www.inmobi.com/insights/on-demand.

     

  • The Effectiveness and Media Strategy juries of the The Asian Marketing Effectiveness & Strategy Awards were announced

    Rahul Welde is Jury Prez at Asian Marketing Effectiveness and Strategy Awards

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Asian Marketing Effectiveness and Strategy Awards has announced the first of its jury presidents as Rahul Welde and James Thompson.

     

    Mr Welde, Vice President of Media at Unilever, will head the Media Strategy jury. As the person responsible for driving the media and communication agenda through a network of agencies and partners in the region for Unilever, Mr Welde has played a pivotal role in driving digital in the region with key strategic partnerships with global as well as regional players.

     

    Commenting on his position as jury president, Mr Welde said: “It’s fantastic that the AMES are recognising Media Strategy as its own section in 2014 and I am very much looking forward to being a part of this category in its inaugural year. Media strategy is a crucial part of any marketing campaign and I can’t wait to see the unique, imaginative and innovative ways in which the region has deployed it to achieve quantifiable results”.

     

    The Media Strategy Jury:

    Rahul Welde, Vice President of Media, Unilever Asia, Africa, Middle East, Turkey and Russia – Jury President

    Amcke Becker, Marketing Excellence Manager, Asia & Middle East, FrieslandCampina

    Bindu Sethi, Chief Strategy Officer, India, JWT

    Catherine Williams, Partner, Strategy, Asia Pacific, Mindshare

    Chun-Yu Shih, General Manager, WebGene Inc.

    Donna Kim, Media Strategy Director, South Korea, Cheil Worldwide

    Guy Hearn, Chief Innovation Officer, Asia Pacific, Omnicom Media Group

    Jerry Blanton, Vice President & Global Marketing Director, Asia & EMEA, Citibank

    Joe Nakamura, CEO, Japan, UM

    Koichi Yamamoto, Senior Planning Director, Japan, Dentsu Inc.

    Lilian Leong, Managing Director, Hong Kong, IPG Mediabrands
    Lizzie Nolan, Asia Pacific Head of MediaCom Beyond Advertising, MediaCom
    Malcolm Hanlon, Chief Operating Officer, Asia Pacific, ZenithOptimedia
    Masashi Ariizumi, Senior Planning Director, Japan, ADK
    Neil Stewart, Global Chief Client Officer, Maxus
    Ranganathan Somanathan, Chief Operating Officer, South East Asia, Starcom MediaVest Group
    Rohan Jha, Senior General Manager of Media & Promotions, Sony Music Entertainment India
    Sean O’Brien, CEO, Asia Pacific, Carat
    Sean Rach, Regional Director, Brand and Corporate Affairs, Prudential Corporation Asia
    Stephanie Bell, Regional Media Director, China, Australia, Japan and Korea, L’Oreal
    Torie Henderson, President, Global Account Management, Asia Pacific, Omnicom Media Group

     

    Meanwhile, James Thompson, Global Managing Director, Diageo Reserve, will chair the Effectiveness jury. Prior to joining Diageo, Mr Thompson worked for Unilever in London, New York and Brussels. Commenting on his role as president, Mr Thompson said: “I am delighted to have been invited to chair the jury at this year’s AMES. This event has become one of the most prestigious on the region’s awards circuit. It celebrates brilliant joined-up thinking and the effectiveness that great execution of that thinking generates. It is exciting to have an opportunity to review the best of the best work – with a distinguished panel from across the industry.”

     

    The Effectiveness Jury:

    James Thompson, Diageo, Managing Director Global Reserve – Jury President

    Ashutosh Srivastava, Chairman / CEO, APAC, Russia & Emerging Markets, Mindshare
    Charles Cadell, President, Asia Pacific, McCann Worldgroup
    Cheuk Chiang, CEO, Asia Pacific, Omnicom Media Group
    Chris Thomas, Chairman and CEO of BBDO Asia, Middle East and Africa, Chairman of Proximity Worldwide, BBDO/Proximity ‎
    Christine Xu, VP and CMO, China, McDonald’s,
    David Brain, President & CEO, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa, Edelman
    David Mayo, CEO, Bates CHI & Partners Asia
    Dick van Motman, Chairman & CEO Dentsu Aegis Network/Southeast Asia, Dentsu Aegis Network
    Freddy Bharucha, General Manager, Asia Marketing, Procter & Gamble
    Gavin Ashcroft, Chief Strategy Officer, Australia & New Zealand, Carat
    Gerry Boyle, Chairman, Asia Pacific, ZenithOptimedia
    Harpreet Singh Tibb, Director of Marketing, India & South Asia, Kellogg
    Hyoung Do Lee, Planning Director, South Korea, Cheil Worldwide
    Jarek Ziebinski, President, Asia Pacific, Leo Burnett
    Keith Smith, President, International, TBWA Group
    Mark Heap, CEO, Asia Pacific, MediaCom
    Matthew Godfrey, President, Asia, Y&R
    Nirvik Singh, Chairman & CEO, Asia Pacific, Grey Group
    Paul Heath, Chairman & CEO, Ogilvy & Mather Asia Pacific
    Rob Campbell, Regional Head of Planning, Wieden + Kennedy
    Rupen Desai, Regional President, Asia Pacific, Lowe + Partners
    Sarah Reiter, President, Asia Pacific, FutureBrand
    Steve Blakeman, CEO, Asia Pacific, OMD
    Vikram Sakhuja, Global CEO, Maxus Worldwide
    Vishnu Mohan, CEO, Asia Pacific, Havas Media Group
    Wong Mei Wai, Head of Marketing, Vietnam, Asia Pacific Breweries

     

    Commenting on the appointments, Terry Savage, Chairman of Lions Festivals, said:  “We’re delighted that James and Rahul are joining us as we expand the awards to include strategy alongside effectiveness. They are proven achievers in the industry and it will be fantastic to work with them as we look to award truly ground-breaking work from across the region.”

     

    A further two new awards categories, Digital Strategy and Data & Analytics, are also being introduced this year and details of the jury presidents and their juries for them will be announced soon.

     

    Entries into the AMES are being accepted until March 7. Submissions can be made through the website, www.ames.asia, where further details of rules and fees can also be found. The chosen winners of the 2014 AMES will be revealed and honoured on stage at the dedicated Awards Ceremony on May 29 in Singapore.