John Jacobs, the eyewear brand by Lenskart, has unveiled a new campaign film to bring back Gentlemen’s Edit 2.0, featuring the journeys of actor Arjun Mathur and entrepreneur Varun Duggirala.
Commenting on the campaign’s launch, Apeksha Gupta, CEO of John Jacobs said: “Gentlemen’s Edit 2.0 isn’t just about eyewear; it’s a tale of success intertwined with the essence of a true gentleman. Joined by Arjun Mathur and Varun Duggirala, we redefine modern elegance, weaving enduring values—integrity, kindness, and authenticity–into our narrative.”
Centuary Mattresses hosted the Qoolest Sleep Concert on World Sleep Day, March 15, 2024. The event, conceptualised and designed by Initiative India in collaboration with Big FM, aimed to raise awareness about the importance of sound sleep for overall well-being and provide attendees with an immersive sleep experience.
Said Vijay Kumar Mikkilineni, GM Marketing, Centuary Mattresses, said: “We are thrilled to present the largest Qoolest Sleep Concert in India. This unique event aims to educate people about the paramount importance of sleep for our overall well-being. By integrating music, relaxation, and expert insights, we aim to highlight the crucial role quality sleep plays in our lives and nurture healthier lifestyles across the nation.”
Added Dhirendra Singh, EVP and Mumbai Head, Initiative India: “Centuary Mattresses’ Qoolest Sleep Concert isn’t just an event; it’s a strategic masterpiece. By tapping into the trend of sleep deprivation, we, along with BIG FM, crafted a narrative that resonates deeply with consumers. This initiative positions Centuary Mattresses as a brand that understands and cares about the well-being of its audience, forging an emotional connection that transcends transactional relationships. It’s a testament to Initiative’s commitment to delivering impactful campaigns that resonate beyond traditional advertising, leaving a lasting impression on consumers and elevating Centuary Mattresses’ brand stature in the market.”
Vivo, the smartphone brand, introduced its latest campaign, ‘Be the Pro’, for the all-new Vivo V30 Series. It is crafted by VML India.
Commenting on the campaign, Geetaj Channana, Head Corporate Strategy, Vivo India, said: “The idea is based on an interesting insight – who says everyday moments of life can’t be memorable. You can find delight in the daily, and surprises in the routine when you see it like a Pro. Vivo is committed to placing consumer orientation at the core. With our latest launch, we aim to empower users to elevate their everyday moments into Pro moments. Our collaboration with ZEISS reflects this commitment, allowing users to effortlessly capture portraits like a professional. The campaign film perfectly encapsulates our brand ethos of creating technology that brings joy to our consumers.”
Added Sundeep Sehgal, Senior Vice President & ECD at VML, Delhi: “When you see magic in everyday life, find joy in every moment, and feel warmth in the ordinary, you make every day delightful, and you become a Pro. Our latest film celebrates the idea of ‘Be the Pro’ with an emotional story, showcasing how everyday moments become delightful and memorable.”
Ykone, the influencer marketing agency, has announced the acquisition of 70% of the Indian agency Barcode, a content and influencer marketing agency.
Said Olivier Billon, Founder and CEO of Ykone: “The acquisition of Barcode Agency is a significant step for Ykone and its international expansion. Ykone YKONE already had a presence in India with an office in Bangalore since 2017. With the addition of Barcode’s operations in India, Ykone ‘s reach in the country and the broader Asia-Pacific region expands even further.”
Added Rahul Khanna, Barcode’s CEO, added: “We express our heartfelt appreciation to our customers and collaborators in India. This acquisition empowers us to provide worldwide services to our Indianclientele while simultaneously promoting India’s unique narrative globally. We are very proud to join forces Ykone ‘s talented teams. My ambition with Olivier is to achieve worldwide supremacy in the field of Influencer Marketing. We are happy to introduce CAMPAYGN to the Indian market. This innovative tool shall help fill the gap of Indian customers planning their content & social commerce strategy with Barcode and Ykone.”
Dentsu India has embarked on an industry-first strategic partnership with the global strategy consulting firm Arthur D. Little (ADL), aiming to deliver end-to-end solutions to enable growth for their clients. The partnership will be led by Narayan Devanathan, President & Chief Strategy Officer, South Asia, dentsu, and Amit Dakshini, President & Sector Lead (Automotive & Mobility), ADL.
Narayan Devanathan
Commenting on the alliance, Narayan Devanathan said: “What happens when customer-centricity and creativity meet the consulting mindset? You get the opportunity to create unprecedented value for clients and their customers while creating new futures. And that’s precisely what the alliance between Dentsu and ADL will create for businesses everywhere – by creating a custom range of demand chain solutions. As businesses look to create sustainable futures for themselves, it’s critical that they are able to map and size demand in new ways and then nurture and fulfil that demand in engaging ways. Our clients look to us to solve their business problems – either by ourselves or in partnership with other experts. The Dentsu + ADL alliance is us walking the talk on this promise to our clients to truly be their partners.”
Amit Dakshini
Added ADL’s Amit Dakshini: “The timing aligns perfectly with the industry’s evolution towards increased software and connected content in modern vehicles, especially with the influx of global brands in India. True market leaders will distinguish themselves by finely targeting demand, crafting unique customer experiences, and fostering strong brand associations across physical and online channels. Partnering with a global leader like Dentsu empowers us to deliver end-to-end, outcome-driven solutions for accelerated sales growth, personalised customer experiences, and market leadership. We envision this partnership supporting Indian brands in establishing a robust global presence.”
Harsha Razdan
Said Harsha Razdan, CEO South Asia, Dentsu: “We are incredibly excited about expanding our offerings to clients. Dentsu’s commitment lies in adopting a holistic, customer-centric approach towards clients’ growth. Facilitating further brand transformation requires collaboration with industry-leading providers, and the partnership with ADL epitomizes this principle. Together, we are forging a truly synergistic offering poised to drive growth for both our clients and organizations. ADL commands a well-established reputation in its domain and introducing a complementary range of services will round off the circle of value-driven solutions for clients.”
Satya Easwaran
One final quote. From Satya Easwaran, Partner and Country Head, Arthur D Little India: “We are extremely thrilled with this one-of-its-kind strategic partnership in the industry. Our alliance with dentsu will pave the way for us to nurture and build long-term associations with clients while driving clear business outcomes. Starting with the Automotive & Mobility space, we plan to take this relationship further across multiple sectors including Consumer & FMCG, Energy, Technology, and BFSI.”
Left Top Anti Clockwise Ludwig Duran, Rana Barua, Anaïs Guillemané Mootoosamy, Thom Newton, Lee Hoddy
Havas has announced the launch of the Conran Design Group network, a new global offering dedicated to brand and design, based on the long-standing expertise and talent at Conran Design Group, and W, Havas’ leading creative branding agency in France, which will be renamed W Conran Design.
With studios in London, Paris, Mumbai and New York, the network’s team of 250 strategists and creatives will use their expertise in brand strategy, brand design, experience design and communications and engagement to inspire progress for clients and empower brands to make a meaningful impact.
The network launch also marks the release of Conran Design Group’s new proprietary study, Citizen Brands, an evidence-based brand and design framework that identifies which brands are achieving balanced growth.
The study finds that the top 20 ‘citizen brands’ – those able to meet the needs of both individual and society – earned £8bn more in revenues on average yearly than their lowest-performing counterparts. They also achieved equity price increases that are on average five times higher than those of the lowest performers.
Said Yannick Bolloré, Chairman and CEO, Havas: “Conran Design Group is uniquely equipped to lead this new network with more than 60 years of experience in strategic brand and design, a holistic approach, and the benefit of global scale with a local touch. W is the natural partner to support the success of this initiative in France with its 25-year track record of helping companies transform to remain at the heart of the conversation and make a positive contribution to society.”
Added Thom Newton, Global CEO, Conran Design Group: “We’ve entered the era of expectation inflation – and brands are under huge pressure to deliver growth and good.This will only intensify amid ongoing uncertainty and heighted economic and environmental pressures. Brand leaders will be expected to take an even more active role in how their brands meet and balance these pressures. Our study shows that all companies across all sectors need to find a way to achieve balanced growth, critical in an increasingly unbalanced world. But rather than prioritising growth alone – growth at any cost – the focus should be on progress, progress that’s both balanced and sustainable. Our new global network, supported and informed by the Citizen Brands framework, will help brands achieve that.”
The inaugural edition of ‘Godrej L’Affaire Select,’ influencer hunt programme, has been unveiled. Curated by Godrej L’Affaire, the luxury lifestyle owned media platform by the Godrej Industries Limited and Associate Companies, this program is set to felicitate the top 25 content creators at the sixth edition of Godrej L’Affaire on March 29 (that’s Good Friday).
These individuals have outshone over 10,000 participants from 200 Indian cities, towns, and villages across India. Mentored by internet sensation Ranveer Allahbadia, known as Beer Biceps, the selected 25 creators will now be inducted into the exclusive Godrej L’Affaire Select creators’ group. This platform empowers content creators and creative talent from across India, including Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, offering a valuable avenue for showcasing their skills and connecting with a wider audience.
Said Tanya Dubash, Executive Director & Chief Brand Officer, Godrej Industries Limited and Associate Companies: “Godrej was among the first to embrace the Digital PR space, and we’ve had the privilege of witnessing countless creators embark on their journeys and evolve into the influential figures they are today. Through Godrej L’Affaire Select, we leverage our experience and understanding of the evolving creator landscape to give back to the creator economy by empowering the next generation of talent. I am looking forward to meeting the Top 25 budding content creators at L’Affaire 2024.”
Added Ranveer Allahbadia, Mentor, Godrej L’Affaire Select: “As someone who is passionate about the creator community, I’m incredibly excited about Godrej L’Affaire Select. The programme’s commitment to discovering and nurturing raw talent from diverse backgrounds is truly inspiring. I believe these creators have the potential to become the next generation of content leaders, and I’m eager to see their journeys unfold and felicitate them at Godrej L’Affaire 2024.”
V Spark Communications has secured media communications mandate for Cellecor Gadgets Limited.
Said Ravi Aggarwal, Founder and CEO at Cellecor: “Our collaboration with V Spark Communications is a significant leap forward. With their proven track record and strategic approach, we are poised to amplify our narrative in the lifestyle tech and consumer electronic industry space.”
Added Kanika Chhabra, CEO & Founder of V Spark Communications: “Being chosen as Cellecor’s PR agency is an honor. Cellecor stands as a flourishing and established entity within the industry, marked by a trajectory of growth and resilience. Its model and business strategies align seamlessly with the evolving landscape of the sector, showcasing a keen understanding of market dynamics and consumer preferences. In a landscape populated by international contenders, Cellecor’s success underscores its ability to compete and excel on a global scale, reflecting the resilience and adaptability inherent in its business ethos.”
PourHome, a fragrance and air care space brand, has launched a new campaign titled #ScentfulSpring.
Speaking about the launch of the campaign, Nitin Ghuliani, Brand Manager, at PourHome said: “Get ready to dive into our #ScentfulSpring campaign, where we’re all about bringing the magic of springtime scents straight to your doorstep. I couldn’t be more excited to share this aromatic adventure with you. Let’s swap out those winter blues for the fresh, uplifting fragrances of spring! Here’s to filling your home with love, laughter, and of course, the sweet smell of success while embracing National Fragrance Day!”
To understand the implications of Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) in advertising, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) in collaboration with legal firm Lexplosion released a whitepaper, titled ‘Privacy & Progress: Pillars of Digital Bharat’, at an event in Mumbai. The whitepaper aims to empower stakeholders with actionable knowledge to thrive in the evolving digital landscape.
Said Manisha Kapoor, CEO and Secretary General, ASCI: “The DPDP Act is a significant milestone in India’s digital landscape, underlining the critical importance of data protection and consumer rights. For a thriving internet-based economy, advertising is a huge enabler, and we need to provide solutions that respect consumer privacy without creating friction for end users and businesses. All stakeholders need to be in constant dialogue to collaborate on approaches that are native, transparent and fair, even as the internet and its uses rapidly multiply. ASCI is committed to facilitating discussions and providing guidance on advertising-related matters to ensure a fair and vibrant digital future for India.”
Added Indranil Choudhury, Founder, Lexplosion: “We are delighted to have collaborated with ASCI on bringing this very important and timely whitepaper. We have been working with our clients for the past few months in fine tuning the strategies that go into DPDP compliance. We have shared insights and understanding from our work with various advertisers that can guide the industry in this regard. Such conversations and whitepapers go a long way in building dialogue, supporting compliance, and collaboratively paving a way for the future.”
Envy, fragrance brands, ropes in Varun Dhawan as its brand ambassador.
Through this strategic move, Envy intends to bolster its brand promotion initiatives. As a part of this association, Varun Dhawan will feature in the brand’s upcoming multi-channel campaigns and marketing initiatives, including TVCs and social media campaigns.
Said Saurabh Gupta, MD, Hamilton Sciences: “At Envy, we believe fragrances can impact positively on one’s confidence leaving others envious. Varun Dhawan is a perfect fit for our brand as our products appeal to the youth, and who better than Varun to represent today’s youth and their attitude. His energy, ambition, and unwavering confidence perfectly align with our brand values. The script demanded someone with a good sense of humor and vitality, and Varun effortlessly brings dynamism and energy to the brand. We are confident that this association will be a game-changer, propelling Envy to new heights.”
