Category: Top Stories

  • Shishir Mishra now Brand Director for Citroën

    Shishir Mishra
    Shishir Mishra

    Stellantis India has elevated Shishir Mishra as Brand Director for Citroën in India. In his new role, Mishra will be responsible for steering the brand’s strategic initiatives and further strengthening Citroën’s presence and impact in the Indian automotive market.

    Commenting on the appointment, Aditya Jairaj, CEO & Managing Director, Stellantis India, said: “We are delighted to appoint Shishir Mishra to lead Citroën in India. His experience, coupled with his proven track record of delivering results, makes him the ideal candidate to intensify Citroën’s brand strategy in this dynamic market. I am confident that under his leadership, Citroën will continue to innovate and excel, further solidifying its position towards a leading automotive brand in India.”

  • IAA Olive Crown jury announced

    The India Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) and the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA) announced the jury for their Olive Crown Awards.

    Jury members are:

    :: Anupama Ramaswamy (Chief Creative Officer, Havas Worldwide India)
    :: K V ‘Pops’ Sridhar (Global Chief Creative Officer Nihilent Limited & Hypercollective)
    :: Pateek Bharadwaj (Chief Creative Officer, Lowe Lintas India)
    :: Tista Sen (Creative Brand Consultant)
    :: Carlton D’Silva (Co-Founder, Musemakers & House of Awe)
    :: Mukund Olety (Chief Creative Office, VML)

    Said Avinash Pandey President IAA: “This is an excellent jury line-up that is truly representative of the creative depth in our industry. The awards presentation date has been fixed for April 5, 2024.”

    Added Janak Sarda Chairman Olive crown Awards Committee: “I am happy to see a mix of old and new names amongst our jury members. Sridhar, Tista and Carlton have helped this meaningful cause many times. Good to have Anupama, Prateek and Mukund on board as well.”

  • Publicis unveils first edition of Digital Growth Marketing Playbook

    Publicis Commerce India announced the launch of the inaugural Digital Growth Marketing Playbook. The playbook – in conjunction with Amazon Ads – outlines how “advertisers can adopt a growth marketing approach, shifting from focus on isolated campaigns to looking at how marketing can contribute towards delivering overall business growth”.

    Said Anshul Garg, Managing Partner & Head at Publicis Commerce India: “Growth marketing goes beyond a mere collection of brand awareness and general promotional marketing strategies. It signifies a shift in the approach to marketing and placing comprehensive growth at its core. Armed with Digital Growth Marketing Playbook’s strategic insights, marketers can fully harness the potential of growth marketing to elevate their businesses to unprecedented levels of success.”

    Added Kapil Sharma, Director, Growth Customer Sales at Amazon Ads: “Growth marketing can help brands across all categories and price points to unlock additional opportunities with strategic and long-term focus towards marketing. The inaugural edition of the Digital Growth Marketing Playbook offers directional steps to brands in the marketing world, providing insights, strategies and practical guidance to help businesses of all sizes achieve their goals.”

  • Sony Sports secures rights for CCL Season 10

    Sony Sports Network has secured television broadcast rights for the 10th season of Celebrity Cricket League (CCL).

    It will feature some of the biggest names from India’s film industry, including Salman Khan, Kichcha Sudeepa, Sohail Khan, Akhil Akkineni, Indrajith Sukumaran, Sonu Sood, Manoj Tiwari, Aarya, Jisshu Sengupta, Riteish Deshmukh, and more. The tournament will be held at various venues, including Sharjah (UAE), as well as multiple cities in India, such as Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Trivandrum and Vizag, which will also host the playoffs and finals.

    Said Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer – Distribution & International Business and Head – Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India: “Celebrity Cricket League has carved its niche in the hearts of cricket and cinema enthusiasts alike and showcases great entertainment value. Sony Sports Network is pleased to partner with Celebrity Cricket League to bring star-studded moments straight from the pitch to the viewers.”

    Added Vishnu Induri, Founder of CCL: “We are pleased to announce our partnership with Sony Sports Network for the telecast of the Celebrity Cricket League on Indian television. Sony Sports Network is known for airing some of the best sports events throughout the year, and we are proud to have joined forces with a broadcaster that caters to millions of sports enthusiasts every day. Since its inception, the league has established itself as a prominent source of entertainment by offering high-quality cricketing action and has gained immense popularity. The previous season garnered an impressive cumulative TV and digital reach, exceeding 250 million viewers nationwide.”

  • Tata AIA partners with Atul Khatri and Kenny Sebastian

    Tata AIA Life Insurance (Tata AIA) has unveiled a campaign featuring Atul Khatri and Kenny Sebastian, stand-up comedians.

    Commenting on the campaign, Girish Kalra, Chief Marketing Officer, Tata AIA Life Insurance, said: “At Tata AIA, we are committed to empower consumers and equip them with the right financial advice and insurance solutions. To communicate these important aspects, we thought of going unconventional and partnered with Atul Khatri and Kenny Sebestian, two outstanding names in the stand-up comedy world. We are sure that our campaign and consumer-centric life insurance solutions will enable our consumers to be ‘har waqt ke liye taiyaar’ and lead a ‘fikar-free’ life.”

    The task of creating the campaign was entrusted to the digital marketing and advertising agency, Admatazz.

    Sharing his experience Yash Chandiramani, Founder and Chief Strategist of the agency, said, “We had an absolute blast conceptualising and executing this campaign. The brief was very clear and based on strong insights. We had to unlearn a lot of advertising for this campaign as the films had to be as native as possible. It’s exciting to see a life insurance brand take a not-so-serious route in India and we are even more excited to be playing a part in it.”

  • Zee5 celebrates 6th anniversary

    Zee5, the homegrown video streaming platform, and the OTT arm of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL), has completed six years of existence.

    Speaking on the occasion, Amit Goenka, President – Digital Businesses & Platforms, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. said: “Over the last six years, Zee5 has played a pivotal role in delivering accessibility and affordability to its consumers across the globe. As we cross yet another milestone in our journey, our aim is to further fortify the synergies between content and technology to build a robust consumer experience across connected devices. While we remain committed to offering immersive entertainment experiences to our consumers across our digital platforms, the parallel growth trajectory of the linear and digital ecosystem will enable us to further strengthen our capabilities. As the digital landscape matures steadily, and improved infrastructure further proliferates the ability for transactions on digital platforms, the opportunities remain endless. As pioneers in the industry, we will continue to maintain a strong focus on growth and innovation, simultaneously enabling a conducive environment for the industry at large.”

    Added Manish Kalra, Chief Business Officer, Zee5 India: “At Zee5, we envision to be the platform of choice for billions of viewers with real, relatable, and relevant stories in languages that resonate with them. Over the last few years, we have focused on improving user experience and launching multiple blockbuster movies and originals while using technological innovations to improve our platform experience significantly. 2023 has been eventful with many firsts and multiple successful projects strengthening our presence across markets with significant penetration in the tier III and IV cities. Tech adoptions across business touchpoints for increasing efficiency and enhancing in-app experience have been a priority. 2024 has already started on a strong note with the release of ‘Sam Bahadur’ and “The Kerala Story”. As the industry scales newer heights, Zee5’s unwavering commitment will remain centered around delighting our users with more focus on delivering quality content seamlessly.”

    Said Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer, Zee5 Global said: “From the initial idea of taking our South Asian content global, to growing out the business to become the No.1 South Asian streaming platform internationally, it has been a remarkable journey. Today, Zee5 Global stands as the premier destination for South Asian content, connecting the diaspora across the world with their language content. And as we continue to grow out our massive leadership in the US., our recent pivot to becoming an Aggregator of South Asian streaming platforms with the launch of Zee5 Add-ons, only further cements our position in the market as the singular largest hub for South Asian content. South Asian stories are finally claiming their well-deserved spotlight on the global arena, and we look to be at the forefront of this conversation, setting the stage for even more disruptive growth.”

  • MSL India appoints Pallavi Bahuguna as Senior VP and Head North operations

    MSL, Publicis Groupe’s strategic communications and engagement firm, has appointed Pallavi Bahuguna as Senior Vice President and Head of MSL’s North operations.

    Said Amit Misra, CEO, MSL India, South Asia: “We are thrilled to have Pallavi onboard. With her outstanding credentials and multifaceted communication expertise, I am confident of her leadership skills. We understand our clients’ growing need for omni- and multi-channel communication and reputation management services, as well our internal need to consistently nurture the next line of leaders, and this strategic appointment will bridge both needs.”

  • Adani Wilmar appoints Jignesh Shah as the Head – Media and Digital Marketing

    Jignesh Shah
    Jignesh Shah

    Adani Wilmar, the Food and FMCG company, has appointed Jignesh Shah as its new Head – Media and Digital Marketing.

    Notes a communique: “In his capacity as Brand Custodian for Fortune, Shah will ensure its relevance and resonance in the dynamic FMCG landscape, leveraging his extensive marketing prowess and strategic insight.”

  • Narayana Health unveils brand film

    Narayana Health has released a brand film that emphasises its commitment to an integrated approach to cancer.

    Commenting on the brand film, Dr Ashish Bajaj, Chief Marketing Officer of Narayana Health, said: “Through this film, we celebrate those exceptional individuals who consistently go the extra mile in their everyday lives. At Narayana Health, empathy is not a choice; it is an integral part of our DNA and forms the essence of our caregiving philosophy. Every member of our team, including our dedicated doctors, nurses, technicians & support staff exemplifies the power of care in both their personal and professional lives. Through these small gestures, we make a big impact on the journey of healing and hope for our patients. This film is a tribute to the genuine care that defines us and strengthens our mission to make a difference in every life we touch.”

  • Sania Mirza features in Samsonite ad

     

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    A post shared by Sania Mirza (@mirzasaniar)

    Samsonite, the luggage manufacturer, has rolled out a campaign showcasing a century-long legacy of excellence.  As part of the ‘Tested Like Samsonite’ campaign, the video features tennis star Sania Mirza.

    Said Anushree Tainwala, Executive Director – Marketing: “Samsonite products are not just luggage; they are a testament to our commitment to quality and durability. ‘Tested Like Samsonite’ is a celebration of resilience and quality. Our carefully crafted marketing campaign captures the very essence of the Samsonite – resilience and perseverance. This campaign highlights our strong commitment to excellence. Our ultimate goal is to ignite inspiration in our audience by showcasing the enduring spirit of each Samson creation.”

  • Curativity unveils new leadership team

    Aarti Srinivasan
    Aarti Srinivasan
    Neha M Dhanani
    Neha M Dhanani

    The marketing services agency set up by former Lowe Lintas group captains Amer Jaleel and Virat Tandon, Curativity Brand Partners has appointed Aarti Srinivasan as Head of Creative and Neha M Dhanani as Head of Business.

    Said Tandon: “Aarti’s creative brilliance and Neha’s dynamic experience make them invaluable additions to our leadership team. In them we have found the leaders who are both capable and hungry to build a future facing marketing services agency. With so many brands vying for the consumers’ attention across multiple media, the traditional methods of brand building are not working. What brands need is an “Ownable Distinctiveness” that can be delivered through various touch points. We are confident that with our model of access to the best of the independent talent, Aarti and Neha will foster a new culture of collaboration in the service of delivering to the promise of distinctive brand work that’s ownable.”

  • Swiggy Instamart launches new OOH campaign

    Swiggy Instamart has launched a new OOH campaign to promote the concept of eleventh-hour gifting. The campaign is conceptualised and executed by Havas Media Tribes.

    To gain maximum visibility and engage consumers in a memorable way, these installations were strategically placed at Worldmark 2, Gurugram and the Bandstand at Bandra, Mumbai.

    Talking about the innovation, Aparna Giridhar, VP – Marketing, Swiggy, said: “During such occasions, the challenge is to consistently distinguish ourselves with a disruptive concept and push the boundaries. With this Valentine’s Day campaign, we marked a paradigm shift in how we approach festive marketing.  Swiggy and Havas Media Tribes team worked in close collaboration in identifying and precisely tapping into customer sentiments, making this campaign a success.”

    Added Uday Mohan, Managing Director, Havas Media India: “As we strategically placed these interactive installations in high-traffic areas, Swiggy Instamart’s Valentine’s Day campaign redefined moment marketing. We seized this opportunity to captivate audiences by offering a distinctive fusion of convenience and romance, thereby reaffirming the brand’s dedication to customer satisfaction.”