MxMIndia

Tag: Aegis Media

  • Carat Fresh Rural, Aegis' rural marketing specialist for the Indian market has Bayer Crop Science, Godrej Consumer Products, Pidilite, Mahindra & Mahindra and Sony Max among its clients

    Aegis Media launches rural marketing cell

    By Ravi Balakrishnan

     

    Aegis Media has launched Carat Fresh Rural, a rural marketing specialist for the Indian market. The agency will operate as a separate division within Carat Fresh, Aegis’s activation wing. After a soft launch, Carat Fresh Rural counts Bayer Crop Science, Godrej Consumer Products, Pidilite, Mahindra & Mahindra and Sony Max among its clients. It is headed by Keshav Chandorkar, whose previous experience includes stints with Linterland (the rural division of Lintas) and Dun & Bradstreet. The current team strength is 30 people across seven offices. Carat Fresh Rural will also be working with 1,500 operators who are in charge of implementing rural marketing programmes.

     

    Significantly, Aegis is starting a pure play rural agency at a time when many in the business are opting out of the segment or merging it with urban activation. Rural marketing is expensive and operations oriented, demanding remarkable levels of financial commitment. Besides many marketers with extensive distribution have started using their own networks and local vendors to reach rural segments.

     

    Ashish Bhasin

    Ashish Bhasin, chairman – Aegis, India, remains bullish: “Many categories are near saturation in urban areas. Rural markets make sense given good monsoons, and government schemes that provide greater disposable income.” He believes this market has been very poorly serviced by the advertising industry but has potential. “The organised part of rural can be half or more than half the mainstream market, valued at between Rs 25 and Rs 30 crore. It is full of challenges but the pot of gold at the end is humungous.”

     

    Having a team full of veterans, Mr Bhasin intends avoiding many of the pitfalls of rural marketing. One of the largest misconceptions is assuming rural consumers can be served by a dumbed down version of urban communication. The other is underestimating the importance of implementation. Carat intends solving some of these problems via technology.

     

    Source:The Economic Times

    Copyright © 2013, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All Rights Reserved

    Licensed to republish

     

  • iProspect Communicate2 is assigned the 360-degree digital marketing mandate for Thomas Cook India

    Thomas Cook gets Communicate2 for digital mktng

    Aegis Media’s iProspect Communicate2 has bagged the digital marketing mandate of travel major Thomas Cook. The agency’s Mumbai office will handle the business and will be responsible for managing the entire range of digital marketing activities spanning across performance marketing in terms of SEO, SEM and Social Media. iProspect Communicate 2 was selected after a multi-agency that spanned over two months.

     

    “At Thomas Cook India, our overarching digital strategy is to position our full service travel portal  thomascook.in as India’s first, effective “click-brick hybrid” to serve effectively the “pure click” younger generation customer at one end, the “pure brick” less Internet savvy customer at the other end – and most importantly, the very large spectrum of segments between these two extremes that in reality, is where the real opportunity lies!” said Amit Madhan – Chief Operating Officer – IT & E-Services, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd.

     

    Commenting on the win, Vivek Bhargava, MD, iProspectCommunicate2, says, “This is a great win for us. I believe it is not about digital marketing anymore, digital is the age we are living in. Today digital can be leveraged to gain a competitive advantage in the market, iProspect Communicate 2 looks to fill the vacuum of a premium performance product in the Indian Digital Space”.

     

  • Aegis Media's Vizeum India has announced their appointment as media AoR for Prism TV Private Limited to handle the 5 ETV regional channels namely ETV Marathi, Bangla, Kannada, Gujarati & Oriya

    ETV Network ropes in Vizeum to handle media

    By A Correspondent

     

    Aegis Media’s Vizeum India has announced their appointment as media AoR for Prism TV Private Limited to handle the 5 ETV regional channels namely ETV Marathi, Bangla, Kannada, Gujarati & Oriya.

     

    As ETV Network gears up for a refreshed strategy, Vizeum as the Media AoR has been appointed to play a pivotal role in the next phase of growth for the network.

     

    Confirming the same an official spokesperson from Prism TV said, “We are delighted to partner with Vizeum in our attempt to redefine the next phase for ETV channels. Building a brand around the network can present a lot of interesting challenges and we look forward to work with team Vizeum in getting people hooked to our regional channels.”

     

    Commenting on the win, S Yesudas, Managing Director – Indian Subcontinent, Vizeum said “All I would say with pride is, our dream of attracting clients and talent to Vizeum automatically in our 4th year of operation, rather than us having to go out, is becoming a reality.  I take this opportunity to welcome ETV Network into the Vizeum family. We are thankful to the client management for considering us worthy.”

     

    Vizeum successfully operates in 55 countries with a philosophy of in-depth understanding of the co existence of lives, brands and media in the actual world, through its process – motivation to media.

     

  • For records, Vizeum is already the media AoR for Dalmia Cement in Chennai

    Vizeum bags media duties for Dalmia Bharat

    By A Correspondent

     

    Dalmia Bharat Group have announced the empanelment of Aegis Media’s Vizeum India as its media AoR.

     

    Dalmia Bharat Group – a diversified business group – has further extended its current scope of partnership with Vizeum India. For records, Vizeum is already the media AoR for Dalmia Cement in Chennai. It is believed that the client satisfaction in the cement business led to Vizeum being enrolled for the Group assignment.

     

    Confirming the same, BK Singh, Executive Director, Group Marketing and Corporate Communications, Dalmia Bharat, said: “It was a natural choice given our satisfactory partnership in cement business that we didn’t need to look beyond Vizeum for the media duties of the group.  They have a proven track record with Dalmia Cement. The team is proactive, extremely passionate and provides a good balance of thinking and doing.  We look forward to working with them.”

     

    Commenting on the win, S Yesudas, Managing Director – Indian Subcontinent, Vizeum said: “We are truly humbled beyond words in expressing our delight for the faith our clients are placing on us. I take this opportunity to welcome Dalmia Bharat Group into the Vizeum family. We are thankful to BK and his team for considering us worthy. This assignment will be handled out of our Delhi and Chennai Offices.”

     

  • The company has plans to ramp up its retail presence in the country substantially and the appointment of Vizeum is in line with this strategy

    Vizeum bags media duties of Veev

    By A Correspondent

     

    Veev, the premium leather goods brand which is promoted by Chennai based Srivathsa Industries, announced the appointment of Aegis Media’s Vizeum India as its media AOR.

     

    The company has plans to ramp up its retail presence in the country substantially and the appointment of Vizeum is in line with this strategy.

     

    Confirming the same, Prakash Venkatesan, CEO, Veev said: “We are delighted to partner with Vizeum as we focus on building our retail presence. We had strong referrals of Vizeum. Once we met them, we realized why they enjoyed such equity. We look forward to working with them and wish them the very best.”

     

    Commenting on the win,S Yesudas, Managing Director – Indian Subcontinent, Vizeum said: “We are humbled at the faith bestowed upon us by our clients and other business partners. I take this opportunity to welcome Veev into the Vizeum family. We are thankful to Prakash and team for considering us worthy. This business will be handled out of our Chennai Office.”

     

    Vizeum successfully operates in 55 countries with a philosophy of in-depth understanding of the co existence of lives, brands and media in the actual world.

     

  • As Bloomberg UTV prepares itself for an aggressive growth strategy, Vizeum is roped in as the Media AoR and will play a vital role in the channel's future growth plans

    Vizeum bags media duties of Bloomberg UTV

    By A Correspondent

     

    Aegis Media’s Vizeum India announced their appointment as media AoR for Bloomberg UTV. As Bloomberg UTV prepares itself for an aggressive growth strategy, Vizeum is roped in as the Media AoR and will play a vital role in the channel’s future growth plans.

     

    Confirming the same, Sriram Kilambi, President, Bloomberg UTV said: “We were on the lookout for a passionate, result-oriented partner who would think like us and find value for us. Vizeum came to us with strong references and once we met, we knew they had what we were looking for. We are looking forward to working together.”

     

    Commenting on the win,S Yesudas, Managing Director – Indian Subcontinent, Vizeum said: “We had a dream of attracting clients and talent to Vizeum automatically in our 4th year of operation, rather than us having to go out, based on what we do. As we are embarking on the 4th year, I am delighted with the progress we are making. I take this opportunity to welcome Bloomberg UTV into the Vizeum family. We are thankful to Sriram and his team for considering us worthy. This business will be handled out of our Mumbai office.”

     

    Vizeum successfully operates in 55 countries with a philosophy of in-depth understanding of the co existence of lives, brands and media in the actual world.

     

  • Aegis Media's Vizeum celebrates its third anniversary as some of its clients applaud its efforts and contribution

    Clients applaud Vizeum as it celebrates third anniv

    From the MxM Infodesk

     

    Media agency Vizeum celebrates its third anniversary and the agency is celebrating the event along with parents Aegis Media India which acknowledges the agency’s positive contribution to the kitty.

     

    “Clients just seem to love them,” said Ashish Bhasin, Chairman India and CEO South East Asia, Aegis Media. “I congratulate Yesu (S Yesudas) on the extraordinary leadership provided by him.  I also congratulate each member of the Vizeum team on the wise career choice made by them.”

     

    Explaining further on the mandate for Vizeum India, said S Yesudas, Managing Director “We do not have any dreams to be the largest or among the largest media specialists in terms of financial size.  But we really want to be known as a credible consultant who builds bridges of relevance with its clients”

     

    But finally it’s the clients word that is the final call on how a service provider like a media agency is doing. Here are views from three of these:

    Shivnath Thukral, Group President – Corporate Branding and Strategic Initiatives, Essar Group:  “Vizeum rides the highs and lows of my organization, understanding the circumstances under which we operate.  It is achieved through a complete understanding externally and internally. They think the way we think.  They enmesh themselves in the work we do. They help meet our aspirations”

     

    Vivek Krishnani, Head of Marketing, Distribution and Syndication, Fox Star Studios India: “Vizeum came to us with an approach to help make a difference to our business and they did just that!! In an industry where logic of share of voice  can be to outshout by increasing media spend and thereby being susceptible to wastage – With Vizeum’s help we have been able to optimize our spends and get more for less !! I admire their persuasiveness and the desire to do more which reinforces their partnership spirit and drive to achieve excellence!!”

     

    Aditya Swamy, EVP & Business Head, MTV India:  “Vizeum is an agency that focuses on finding a non traditional approach to a brief. Eager to show maximum bang for the buck, their recommendations are truly customized to meet the challenge at hand. Strategic partnerships, clutter breaking innovations and leveraging relationships have been some of their key strengths. I congratulate Yesu and his team  for completing 3 action packed years in India and look forward to working together in the future too”

     

    Rajesh Mani, GM- Marketing & Retail TI Cycles and BSA Motors  (Murugappa Group): “The decision to move to Vizeum was much deliberated upon at our end after they made their pitch which impressed us.  It is a two year old relationship now and the comfort with them has only grown.  Their team as well as the top leadership stay involved in our business as our own team gives us great comfort. We wish them the very best ”

     

  • The business will be handled out of Vizeum's Chennai Office

    Vizeum wins Cholamandalam Finance’s media duties

    By A Correspondent

     

    Cholamandalam Finance, the financial services arm of the Murugappa Group on Thursday announced the appointment of Aegis Media’s VizeumIndiaas its media AOR.

     

    Commenting on the win,S Yesudas, Managing Director – Indian Subcontinent, Vizeum said: “This win makes us very proud. The fact that our contributions to other clients from the Murugappa group also paved the way for this is the most compelling credential for Vizeum. We are really excited about the opportunity to work with Cholamandalam Finance in creating and delivering consumer engagement solutions to the drive their business ahead. We are extremely thankful to the client management for considering us worthy to partner them. This business will be handled out of our Chennai Office.”

     

    Vizeum successfully operates in 55 countries with a philosophy of in-depth understanding of the co existence of lives, brands and media in the actual world, through its process – motivation to media.

     

    Cholamandalam Finance, a comprehensive financial services solution provider offers vehicle finance, business finance, home equity loans, stock broking and distribution of financial products.

     

  • Slowing excitement levels, consumer fatigue, and Indian players' performances… some of the reasons IPL needs to look sharp, feels Ashish Bhasin.

    4 reasons why IPL ratings & revenue won’t be better this year

    By Ashish Bhasin

     

    #1 There has been an overdose of cricket. Immediately after the World Cup last year, which was like a climax, we had the IPL and subsequent to that we had nearly continuous cricket, causing some amount of fatigue in consumers.

     

    #2 Viewership and interest in cricket in India is directly proportionate to the performance of the Indian cricket team. Given the disastrous tour of England, followed by a similarly disastrous tour of Australia, the Indian cricket team’s performance perhaps is at its lowest in the past several years and I feel this will impact cricket in general. Even though IPL is not directly an Indian team tournament, most of the players involved are in the IPL and hence the overall interest gets impacted.

     

    #3 Rightly or wrongly, I think the best days of the IPL were when Lalit Modi was running it because of the hype and excitement he was able to create around it. Subsequent to that the journey has only been downhill for IPL. Hence I feel that will continue for a while, until something new is done to reinvent this tournament and regenerate interest.

     

    #4 Perhaps, because of some of the reasons given above, the Indian consumer has started acknowledging that other sports also exist in the world, like F1, hockey, wrestling and so on. As these sports catch on, IPL will be affected.

     

    Ashish Bhasin is the Chairman India & CEO South East Asia – Aegis Media.

     

  • In this role she will lead Team Unilever overseeing India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lankaat Mindshare Fulcrum

    Anupriya Acharya to head Unilever biz @ Mindshare

    Anupriya Acharya
    Ravi Rao

    By A Correspondent

     

    After the elevation of Mr Ravi Rao to lead Mindshare India, the media agency has appointed Ms Anupriya Acharya Leader – Team Unilever:South Asia, a position held by Mr Rao until he took over the agency’s reins (from Mr Gowthaman Ragothaman). She takes charge today.

    Ms Acharya has relocated from Singapore where she was CEO, Aegis Media.Her responsibility at Mindshare requires her to oversee business in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

     

    Announcing the appointment, Ravi Rao, Leader, South Asia, Mindshare, said: “Anupriya moves into this role fromSingapore where she was CEO, Aegis Media Singapore and is credited with doubling the operation in just over two years. Prior to Aegis Media, she was President TME (The Media Edge) from 2005-2008. She is also no newbie at Group M. She set up mConsult under Vikram Sakhuja in 2004 and has been an integral part of Fulcrum from 2000-2003. So we welcome her back. ”

     

    Commenting on her new role in Mindshare, Ms Acharya said: “I am most excited about this role. I have always had very fond memories of Fulcrum. Aegis Media Singapore position helped me gain an international and regional perspective and honed my intercultural management skills, while TME taught me handling extremely diverse set of clients and their different requirements. CP, Parle AOR, Indian Oil, Viacom 18’s Colors and Citibank were some of the key clients then. Now I was looking to get back to scale and lo! this assignment was so timely and perfect.”

     

    “I look forward to working closely with Ravi, Roy Sudipto, who heads the team Unilever for APAC and David Pullan, Global Head of Team Unilever at Mindshare London, and to drive the aggressive Unilever agenda forward acrossSouth Asia. The scale is truly exciting and humbling at the same time. I am raring to go!,” she added.

     

    Ms Acharya has also worked at McCann Erickson and Ogilvy in her earlier years. A Post Graduate in Analytical Chemistry from IIT-Roorkee, she has over 16 years of experience in Communication solutions. Her interests are adventure sports, photography and travelling for leisure.

     

     

  • Educomp Schools, as part of its growth strategy, has appointed Aegis Media's Vizeum India as its media AOR.

    Vizeum wins media duties for Educomp Schools

    By A Correspondent

     

    Educomp Schools, as part of its growth strategy, has appointed Aegis Media’s Vizeum India as its media AOR. Media agency Vizeum India, which operates in 55 countries, will now handle Educomp Schools’ media mandate in India to identify the appropriate communication programmes and deliver the same most cost optimally.

     

    Founded in 1994, Educomp Solutions is a globally diversified education solutions provider. With an employee base of more than 10,000 professionals, Educomp serves 26,000 schools and 15 million learners and educators in India as well as the US, Canada, Singapore and Sri Lanka. The company works closely with schools to implement innovative models to create and deliver content to enhance student learning.

     

    Educomp Schools provides educational content / IP and educational infrastructure to a range of differentiated preschool and secondary school brands in its quest to be the school service and Infrastructure provider of choice for all demographic and psychographic segments of society across India. Between the three brands, Universal Academy, Takshila Schools and The Millennium School with their different learning systems, the infrastructure and fee structures, its schools provide distinctly different schooling experiences to students and parents.

     

    Partho Dasgupta, President, Educomp Schools, said, “We are happy to confirm the appointment of Vizeum as our strategic media partners. Their overall result-oriented approach is quite unique and interesting. They are mandated to help us overcome some of our business challenges. We look forward to working with Vizeum and wish them all the very best.”

     

    Commenting on the win, S Yesudas, Managing Director – Indian Subcontinent, Vizeum, said, “We have pleasure in welcoming Educomp into the Vizeum family. It is a challenging assignment and we are fully geared up with the right delivery solutions. We look forward to addressing the business issues of the client as their extended brand team. We are thankful to the Educomp management for considering us worthy to partner them. This business will be handled out of our Delhi office.”