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Tag: Ajay Kakar

  • Entries are open for the awards

    Ad Club campaign for Abby

    The Advertising Club has unveiled a campaign for the upcoming Abby Awards powered by One Show 2024.

    Speaking on the initiative, Ajay Kakar, Chairperson, Awards Governing Council, Abby Awards said: “At The Advertising Club, we are committed to bringing forward and honouring the masterpieces and the masterminds. The Abby Awards powered by One Show 2024 serve as a testament to the extraordinary work that our industry creates and its potential to shape the future. With this campaign, we invite the industry to come forward, submit their best work, and together elevate the collective creativity to unparalleled global heights.”

    Added Alok Lall, Executive Director, McCann Worldgroup India:  “We believe in celebrating not just the present achievements but also the future that we are collectively building for our industry. The Abby Awards powered by One Show 2024 serve as a beacon for the creativity that defines our industry’s trajectory.”

    Entries are now open for Abby Awards powered by One Show 2024.

  • Or the Abby One Show Awards, as they are called now

    Awards Governing Council announced for for Abby 2024

    The Advertising Club and Advertising Agencies Association of India have announced the Awards Governing Council (AGC) for the 2024 edition of the annual awards.

    Representing Advertising Club:

    1. Ajay Kakar, Chairperson, Awards Governing Council, Abby One Show Awards 2024 and Managing Committee Member, The Advertising Club
    2. Dheeraj Sinha, Group CEO – India and South Asia, FCB, and Co-chair Awards Governing Council, Abby One Show Awards 2024
    3. Ajay Chandwani, Managing Committee Member, The Advertising Club
    4. Alok Lall, Executive Director, McCann World Group India
    5. Sonia Huria, Head Communications – APAC, Prime Video
    6. Subramanyeswar S., Group CEO, MullenLowe Lintas Group & Chief Strategy Officer – APAC, MullenLowe Global

     

    Representing Advertising Agencies Association of India:

    1. Prasanth Kumar, President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India and CEO of GroupM, South Asia
    2. Jaideep Gandhi, Chairperson, Goafest 2024
    3. Mohit Joshi, CEO, Havas Media
    4. Sam Balsara, Chairman, Madison World
    5. Rohit Ohri, FCB Global Partner
    6. Anupriya Acharya, CEO South Asia, Publicis Groupe

    Speaking on the AGC, Rana Barua, President of The Advertising Club, said: “Over the years the Abby One Show Awards has not only honoured creative excellence but has helped strengthen South Asia and especially India’s position in the global arena. It is imperative that we turn the spotlight on work that is deserving, innovative and socially and culturally relevant with creativity at its heart. The awards has encouraged talent and brought to light work that was impossible to even imagine. We are excited for this edition and are certain that the Awards Governing Council has a tough task at hand given the level and amount of work showcased over the last year.”

    Added Prasanth Kumar, President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India: “The Abby One Show Awards has evolved, becoming a level playing field not just for India but the entire South Asian region. We have witnessed agencies and brands of all sizes put their best foot forward, and have been humbly surprised with the kind of work that this region is home to.  We are confident that the awards will continue to empower the creative community and provide them with a global stage to showcase innovation and insight behind their creative communication.”

    Said Ajay Kakar, Chairperson, Awards Governing Council, Abby One Show Awards 2024: “The Abby One Show Awards continue to bring the spotlight on great ideas that manifest into great work. I am humbled by the opportunity to Chair the Awards Governing Council, that comprises stalwarts of our industry. An award, I believe, is as good as the Jury that judges it. So, the AGC is committed to have a stellar line-up of jury chairs and jury members, who have earned their spurs at a global and local level. They will help identify and recognise the best of best that the industry has created, this year. The Abby One Show Awards 2024 will continue to encourage, empower and accredit work to find its rightful place at a domestic level, and as a stepping stone to the global stage.”

    Added Kevin Swanepoel, CEO of The One Club for Creativity: “It is with great enthusiasm that we continue our association with The Advertising Club for the Abby Awards. What The One Show brings to the Abby ABBY Awards is a legacy of integrity, a reputation that resonates worldwide. Last year’s collaboration with the Abby Awards has pushed the creative envelope further, setting new benchmarks in recognising and celebrating creative excellence. We are delighted to be a part of this property that fosters a culture of excellence in the creative industry and are excited to witness deserving campaigns being honoured with an Abby.”

    Said Jaideep Gandhi, Chairperson, Goafest 2024: “Goafest and the Abby One Show Awards have over the years crafted a premiere position bringing together the industry to learn, unlearn and celebrate. Like past editions, this year too we are confident of witnessing work that goes on to set new benchmarks of their own. While we are looking forward to a diverse creative showcase, we are confident that the task won’t be as easy for our jurors and AGC given the level of competitiveness.”

    Jointly organised by Advertising Agencies Association of India and The Advertising Club, Goafest 2024 will be held on May 29 to 31, 2024 at Grand Hyatt hotel, in Bambolim, Goa.

  • This will be aspecial category that recognises the work created by talent under the age of 30

    Abby 2023 announces ‘Young Maverick ABBY Award’

    By Our Staff

     

    It’s raining press releases from the Goafest team. So when it’s not a new set of jury chairs there’s a new feature of the event. Like the announcement by the Advertising Club about a new award category, the ‘Young Maverick ABBY Award’ to “recognise and promote the new generation of talent, and reward the work they have created”.

     

    Open to advertising professionals – individuals or teams, under the age of 30, entries for the Young Maverick Abby Award will be judged by a panel of industry leaders and experts based on creativity, originality, and impact for work created between March 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023 under the category verticals of Art, Design, Digital, Film and Craft.

     

    Speaking on introducing the new category, Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas Group India and Chairman, The Abbys Award Governing Council and Ajay Kakar, Managing Committee Member, The Advertising Club & Co-chair, The ABBYs Award Governing Council said: “It is important that we turn the spotlight on emerging creative talent. We are excited to introduce the Young Maverick Abby Award category at The Abby  Awards 2023 and recognise the outstanding work of young professionals who are pushing boundaries and challenging conventions in the advertising industry. We are certain that by providing a platform for deserving talent to showcase their creative passion and work, we will not just empower them but also encourage new thinking, new talent and innovation in the industry.”

     

    The winners of the Young Maverick ABBY Award will be announced along with other awards during The Abby Awards 2023, scheduled to be held at Goafest 2023 on May 24-26, 2023.

     

    Information on the new category is at https://abbyawards.com/. The last date to submit entries for the Young Maverick Abby category is April 28, 2023.

     

  • Billed as a first-of-its-kind musical talent hunt for the advertising fraternity

    Goafest 2023 to also award music talent, with Advertising Rocks

    By Our Staff

     

    With an aim to give India’s creative community a platform to showcase their musical talent, Goafest 2023 has announced ‘Advertising Rocks’, a platform for the musicians in the fraternity to showcase their talent and also win some dosh.

     

    With three categories – Vocals Solos (Indian), Vocals Solos (Western) and Bands (Indian & Western – mixed), all finalists will be given an opportunity to perform for a jury and delegates at Goafest and will be offered an all expenses trip consisting of air-fare, stay and entry at Goafest 2023. Moreover, the winning bands stand to win cash prizes of Rs 2,00,000 and Rs 1,00,000 for the first and second place respectively and soloists stand to win cash prizes of Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 for the first and second place respectively.  Winners will be selected on the basis of final combined score by a jury and live voting attendees at Goafest.

     

    On announcing ‘Advertising Rocks’, Mohit Joshi, CEO, Havas Media Group India and Goafest 2023 Co-chair said: “Advertising Rocks is a unique initiative and platform that recognizes the musical talents of people beyond their daily roles in the advertising and media industry. The initiative not only celebrates their creativity but also brings the industry closer together in a fun and innovative way. Being a music lover myself, I can’t wait to see the level of excellence that will be displayed at Goafest’s Advertising Rocks! this year.”

     

    Added Subhash Kamath, Former CEO of BBH and curator of ‘Advertising Rocks’: “The advertising and media industry is full of musical talent. Over the years, I’ve heard some wonderful singers and bands. What better occasion than Goafest to give this talent a stage to perform in front their peers? Advertising truly rocks!”

     

    Said Ashish Bhasin, Co-Founder & Chairman, RD&X Network and Chairman of the Events Committee at Goafest 2023: “Advertising Rocks is an exciting initiative that will surely drive engagement prior to the festival as well as on-ground. It also gives us an opportunity to know our industry colleagues beyond the creative business. We encourage the industry to participate actively in Advertising Rocks and look forward to some interesting performances at Goafest 2023.”

     

    And one more quote. Said Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas Group India & Chairman, The ABBYs Award Governing Council and Ajay Kakar, Managing Committee Member, The Advertising Club & Co-chair, The ABBYs Award Governing Council: “Our industry can boast of multi-faceted talent. And this initiative will draw out the hidden musical talent that either gets neglected or doesn’t have a platform to express itself, in this fast-paced life. Goafest is known to dial up excitement levels for our industry folks.  Advertising Rocks offers a unique proposition for our industry to showcase its musical talent. It will be fascinating to see our colleagues perform for our industry at a festival of this scale.”

     

  • As Jury Chair for Integrated and Digital categories

    Nick Law & Wesley ter Haar join Abby jury

    By Our Staff

     

    Nick Law, Creative Chairperson at Accenture Song and Wesley ter Haar, Co-founder of Media.Monks, have joined as Jury Chair for Integrated and Digital categories, respectively, at the Abby One Show Awards 2023.

     

    Said Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas Group India and Chairman, the Abby Award Governing Council and Ajay Kakar, Managing Committee Member, The Advertising Club & Co-chair, The Abby Award Governing Council: “The Abby One Show 2023 promises to be a world-standard award show, for South Asia. The One Show partnership brings the world’s best practices and processes to the Awards. However, we do believe that an award show is as good as the Jury that judges the work. This year we have the world’s best creative minds as the Jury Chair for each of our categories. Nick and Wesley have chosen to bring their perspective and experience to our awards. And soon you will hear the names of the other legends, too. Now the ball is in the court of our industry, to win recognition for the best work in South Asia, with this envious and illustrious Jurors who will gauge the work in the context of the world’s best.”

     

    The Abby Awards are scheduled to be held from May 24 to 26 at Goafest 2023. The last date for submission of entries is Saturday, April 8.

     

  • To convince people to buy health insurance with strapline ‘#ABHIKaro’

    Aditya Birla Health Insurance launches new campaign

    By Our Staff

    Aditya Birla Health Insurance Company Ltd. (ABHICL) has launched a two=video multilingual, multi-platform campaign ‘#ABHIKaro’. The campaign promotes the idea of ‘Chuno insurance jo de zyada’ (choose an insurance that gives so much more!)

    Said Ajay Kakar, Chief Marketing Officer, Aditya Birla Capital: “The phrase ‘ABHI kya kar raha hai?’ is multi-dimensional and very commonly used in conversations across India. It can be a way of greeting, an inquiry, a question, or more. The ‘ABHI Karo’ campaign has used this as a hook to detail what ABHI i.e.; Aditya Birla Health Insurance is doing for its customers. The word play on the brand name allows for a high recall value and incorporates humour while reminding viewers regarding the importance of the comprehensive and ‘health first’ offerings provided by Aditya Birla Health Insurance”

    Added Mayank Bathwal, CEO, Aditya Birla Health Insurance: “The concept of ‘#ABHIKaro’ was derived from the sense of urgency to convince people to stop procrastinating and buy health insurance right now and thus ‘#ABHIKaro’. We want to urge our customers to seek more from health insurance – ‘Chuno insurance jo de zyada’ i.e. to think beyond protection from medical expenses and to explore plans that provide progressive healthcare services along with access to the wellness ecosystem. With Aditya Birla Health Insurance’s feature-rich offerings such as the ‘Activ Health’ policy, one can get “zyada” from their health insurance. At ABHI, we have constantly taken efforts to evolve with the growing health and wellness needs and to provide truly comprehensive protection to our customers and so “#ABHIKaro.”

  • Offers various loan solutions for customers

    Aditya Birla Finance unveils new film

    By Our Staff

    Aditya Birla Finance Limited (ABFL) and Aditya Birla Housing Finance Limited (ABHFL) have launched a multi-platform ad campaign  – ‘Sapno ki Suno’ which inspires consumers to achieve their dreams with the help of various loan solutions provided by ABFL and ABHFL.

    The campaign is being promoted across social and digital media, OTT networks and television and conceptualised by AutumnGrey.

    Said Ajay Kakar, Chief Marketing Officer, Aditya Birla Capital Limited: “Through the campaign #SapnoKiSuno, we hope to inspire every person to just listen to one voice – the voice of their dreams. We don’t want people to be discouraged by their fears, questions or doubts. We aim to make them aware that we’re well positioned to partner all their dreams, with our well-diversified range of loan solutions. We at Aditya Birla Finance and Aditya Birla Housing Finance remain committed to being there for our customers and empower them to listen to and live their dreams.”

    Added Bodh Deb, Vice President & Branch head, AutumnGrey, “In AutumnGrey we believe in doing insightful work that connects with the brand’s target audience at a personal level. The brief gave us an opportunity to do a campaign that is contextual and relevant to today’s times. Every ambitious dreamer has to constantly deal with the dilemma caused by 2 distinct voices – The voice of all the Naysayers around them and the other voice is that of their dream itself. The idea was to encourage all dreamers to listen to their dreams and not get bogged down by the plethora of questions and all the discouragement that one has to deal with, especially in these times more than ever before.”

     

     

  • Introducing an all-new series called ‘Stay@Home’ with some of the biggies in the advertising, media and marketing fraternity. Hope you enjoy it. We start with Ajay Kakar, Chief Marketing Officer, Aditya Birla Capital. . In this article, the veteran marketing services executive writes on: 5 things to ask yourself. Read on…

    NEW SERIES! Lockdown Day 2: Stay@Home with Ajay Kakar: 5 Things to Ask Yourself

    Introducing an all-new series called ‘Stay@Home’ with some of the biggies in the advertising, media and marketing fraternity. Hope you enjoy it. We start with Ajay Kakar, Chief Marketing Officer, Aditya Birla Capital. In this article, the veteran marketing services executive writes on: 5 things to ask yourself.

     

    5 Things to Ask Yourself

     

    By Ajay Kakar

    1. Do you have a family album?

    Today, you carry all your pictures on your mobile. But what about the pictures taken in the era when photographs were clicked on a camera, films were developed and prints taken. And stashed somewhere. Your pictures are all over the place. Remember where all they are strewn. Find them. Collate them. Update them. Index them. Create your family album. Update your family album. Enjoy flipping through your memories.

    2. Do you know your roots?

    In today’s fast-pace world and nuclear families, speak to your elders, reach out to your relatives and enjoy creating a family tree that captures your roots. Add photographs to the names. Spend time with your immediate family and run them through your family tree. And familiarise them with their roots.

     

    3. Have you discovered your kitchen?

    Get to YouTube, discover new recipes for old favourites. And time tested
    recipes for new dishes. And try your hand at cooking your favourite dishes. Apne haath se bana hua khaana khaane ka mazaa kuch aur hi he.

     

    4. Have you updated your playlist with your old favourites?

    We all enjoy the “latest hits”, which have a short shelf-life. What about the “oldy-goldies”? Songs you grew up to and have been your all-time favourites? Exchange notes with friends and classmates. Compile a list. Enrich your playlist.

     

    5. Have you looked out of the window?

    We have a fixed routine. A predictable routine. A daily routine. A weekly routine. And our time passes running from one commitment to another. In air conditioned homes, cars and offices. When did you last open a window? Look out of the window? Heard the sound of silence? The sound of birds?

    Yeh mauka na milega dobara. Go for it!

     

  • Campaign led by two TVCs focusing on two important principles of mutual fund investments

    Aditya Birla Sun Life launches investor education campaign

    By A Correspondent

     

    Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund has launched a three-month investor education campaign. The campaign covers two films to highlight one key aspect each of investing in mutual funds.

     

    Commenting on the choice of theme, Ajay Kakar, Chief Marketing Officer – Aditya Birla Capital said: “This integrated campaign is an attempt to reach out through various touchpoints and appropriate the relevance of SIP as the right instrument for any market environment. It educates investors about the nuances of investing and assists them to take informed financial decisions. We are going beyond the ‘what’ to explain the ‘how’ with a listen and learn approach. This proposition is especially relevant in today’s volatile market environment where many new investors and fence sitters are beginning to wonder if money not invested is money saved”.

     

    Added A. Balasubramanian, MD & CEO, Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited: “We believe #WINWITHSIP will help to demystify some of the fundamental concepts of mutual funds that will be beneficial for the investors’ understanding and long term financial goals. There is still a huge scope for Mutual Find penetration in this country and engaging with the masses in a relevant manner will increase their affinity towards this asset class. Knowledge is power, and through this investor education initiative our attempt is to empower people with the information that will raise their awareness on how to benefit from their mutual fund investments.”

     

    Directed by Soaeb Mohammed, the TVC has been created by Taproot Dentsu India with Early Man Film.

     

     

  • Campaign led by two TVCs focusing on two important principles of mutual fund investments

    Aditya Birla Sun Life MF launches investor education campaign

    By A Correspondent

     

    Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund (ABSLMF) has launched an investor education campaign across 22 TV channels that comprise broadcast news media as well as GECs of both English and regional languages. Spread over three months, the campaign covers two films conceptualised to highlight one key aspect each of investing in mutual funds. They emphasise on the core theme of #WINWITHSIP to convey how SIP as an investment tool helps to mitigate market volatility and can be leveraged for diversifying investments through asset allocation.

     

    Commenting on the choice of theme, Ajay Kakar, Chief Marketing Officer – Aditya Birla Capital added, “This integrated campaign is an attempt to reach out through various touchpoints and appropriate the relevance of SIP as the right instrument for any market environment. It educates investors about the nuances of investing and assists them to take informed financial decisions. We are going beyond the ‘what’ to explain the ‘how’ with a listen and learn approach. This proposition is especially relevant in today’s volatile market environment where many new investors and fence sitters are beginning to wonder if money not invested is money saved”. Directed by Soaeb Mohammed, the TVC has been created by Taproot Dentsu India with Early Man Film.

     

    Commenting about the film, Ayesha Ghosh – General Manager, Taproot Dentsu added: “This investor education effort strives to have the consumer work things out for himself, thus giving all the more potency to #WINWITHSIP. With skilful direction by Soaeb Mohammed of Early Man Film, we have kept the pace snappy and the questions quick-fire, evoking spontaneous answers that we feel viewers will find honest and relatable.”

  • Encourages women to influence health insurance purchase for their families whilst being their health custodian

    #RakhoPooraKhayal urges Aditya Birla Capital’s latest health insurance campaign

    By A Correspondent

     

    Aditya Birla Health Insurance has announced the launch of its latest campaign – Rakho Poora Khayal– an awareness campaign that urges women to complete the protection circle by influencing and purchasing health insurance for themselves and their families. This campaign has been launched across ABHICL’s social media platforms.

     

    Speaking about the campaign, Ajay Kakar, Chief Marketing Officer, Aditya Birla Capital Limited said: “As a brand, we are committed to provoking our customers to self-realize their protection needs and to opt for the right health insurance solution.  At Aditya Birla Capital our constant endeavour is to share all perspectives on life and money with our customers so that they can make an informed decision for what’s right for them and their family. With ‘Rakho Poora Khayal’, we intend to leave women with the following questions, ‘Are you doing enough to protect your health?’ ‘Is your family completely protected?’ A self-realization will help them veer the family conversation and discussion towards taking adequate protection for their and their family’s health.”

     

    Added Mayank Bathwal, CEO, Aditya Birla Health Insurance: “The role of health insurance in the larger scheme of keeping the family healthy has not been explored. Traditionally, health insurance communications have seemed to communicate directly with the men of the house. This has further played a role in establishing health insurance as a finance tool for serious health problems which is perceived to be outside the domain of women. Through ‘RakhoPooraKhayal’ initiative, our attempt is to raise awareness among Indian women to be the ‘Total Health Guardian’ of their family and complete the circle of protection. This campaign aligns with ABHI’s purpose of inspiring individuals and families to put their ‘Health First’ and our philosophy of ‘Health Insurance for all’.”

     

    The film has been conceptualised and implemented by Abstract Films.

     

     

  • Encourages women to influence health insurance purchase for their families whilst being their health custodian

    #RakhoPooraKhayal urges Aditya Birla Capital’s latest ad campaign

    By A Correspondent

     

    Aditya Birla Health Insurance announced the launch of its latest campaign – ‘Rakho Poora Khayal’– an awareness campaign that urges women to complete the protection circle by influencing and purchasing health insurance for themselves and their families.

     

    Speaking about the campaign, Ajay Kakar, Chief Marketing Officer, Aditya Birla Capital Limited said: “As a brand, we are committed to provoking our customers to self-realize their protection needs and to opt for the right health insurance solution. At Aditya Birla Capital our constant endeavour is to share all perspectives on life and money with our customers so that they can make an informed decision for what’s right for them and their family. With ‘Rakho Poora Khayal’, we intend to leave women with the following questions, ‘Are you doing enough to protect your health?’ ‘Is your family completely protected?’ A self-realization will help them veer the family conversation and discussion towards taking adequate protection for their and their family’s health.”

     

    The film has been conceptualized and implemented by Abstract Films.