MxMIndia

Tag: Amaresh Godbole

  • Will be leading the group's digital experience and technology agencies

    Amaresh Godbole appointed CEO, Digital Tech @ Publicis

    By Our Staff

     

    Publicis Groupe has announced the appointment of Amaresh Godbole as CEO, Digital Technology Business, Publicis Groupe India. In this role, Godbole will be leading the group’s digital experience and technology agencies Digitas India and Indigo Consulting. He will also be responsible for scaling up the Publicis Commerce D2C offering.

     

    The role will report into Anupriya Acharya, CEO Publicis Groupe South Asia and both Unny Radhakrishnan, CEO Digitas India and Jose Leon, MD, Indigo Consulting will work closely with Godbole. Prior to this, Godbole was Head of Creative and Capability at Google India, and he also has a history of over a decade with Publicis Groupe where his last role was CEO, Digitas India.

     

    Said Acharya on the appointment: “The last two years have seen an acceleration in technology adoption and companies across sectors are grappling with the need to deliver more contemporary customer experiences and improve critical business processes. We have an opportunity to accelerate further our unique digital technology offerings in India and unlock new avenues, bringing in exponential growth for clients. In Amaresh, we have someone who deeply understands the Publicis way of working and also brings an outside-in view of technology trends and the wider industry from his time with Google.”

     

    Added Godbole: “In Digitas, Indigo Consulting and the Publicis Commerce teams, the Groupe has formidable technology transformation offerings. I hope to use the unique vantage point this role offers to find synergies and reimagine our combined go-to-market strategy in light of emerging client segments and technology opportunities such as Web3 and D2C. The Groupe’s Power of One approach will ensure we can offer these capabilities to all Publicis Groupe clients in India. On a personal note, Publicis Groupe has been like a second home for me and I’m excited to be back amongst people I’ve known and respected for a long time.”

     

  • He will be taking on from Amaresh Godbole who is set to move to to Google.

    One more ex-GroupM biggie joins Publicis. Unny Radhakrishnan is CEO,  Digitas

    By A Correspondent

    Unny Radhakrishnan

    Soon after the news that Sridhar Ramasubramanian was appointed CFO, Publicis Groupe, South Asia, comes the missive that Unny Radhakrishnan has joined the group has CEO, Digitas India. He will be taking on from Amaresh Godbole who is set to move to to Google.

    Unny comes with  rich experience of over  20 years in digital marketing, consulting and technology. Unny has  had an 11-year stint in Maxus, which he helped build as the first media agency in the GroupM system to have integrated capabilities in digital media, creative, social, technology and R&D. As Chief Digital Officer, South Asia, he led a team of over 250 people. In 2018, he took a sabbatical, did theatre training and studied public policy, along with a few consulting assignments. One of his consulting assignments  which was with Sheroes, an internet start-up and a women-only social network, soon turned to be full-time, where he donned the hat of Chief People & Business Officer.

    Anupriya Acharya
    Anupriya Acharya

    Said Anupriya Acharya, CEO, Publicis Groupe, South Asia on the appointment: “We are delighted to have Unny join us. Apart from his demonstrated capabilities across the whole gamut of digital, what really stood out for me is his approach to the future, passion for everything digital and commitment to groom talent. Each of these softer skills is very critical to succeed in today’s organisations. Digitas has a very strong team, great momentum and very diverse capabilities. Unny’s leadership will add to it tremendously.” Acharya herself has been with GroupM in the not-too-distant past.

    Added  Radhakrishnan: “I am very excited to join Digitas at a time when the Publicis Groupe model has just been put in place. The canvas to succeed both as Digitas and as a player in Publicis Groupe is limitless. It has an amazing track- record and momentum .  I  look forward to taking it from strength to strength.”

     

  • We saw this para at the end of the release and thought it must be pulled out for special attention

    Regular churn. Sections of media trying to sensationalise routine moves: Anupriya Acharya, CEO, Publicis S Asia

    By A Correspondent

     

    It was a communique announcing the exit of Digitas CEO Amaresh Godbole, and we saw this para at the end of the release and thought it must be pulled out for special attention. It carries a quote by Anupriya Acharya, CEO, Publicis Groupe South Asian on “the recent exits”.

     

    Now there have been murmurs about some senior executives quitting the Publicis Communications part of the Publicis Groupe after the dramatic exit of former CEO Saurabh Varma.

     

    Varma has since announced that he will be venturing on his own. Independently, we have heard of a few messages sent to a few advertisers of the setting up of a new advertising agency with some honchos of an advertising network and that they (the advertisers) should consider moving their business to this new agency. We haven’t seen the messages ourselves but suffice to say that we have had very senior industry folk telling us about it.

     

    So here’s what Acharya has said in the press release: “There is a regular churn which is there in all organisations as talent seeks newer experiences – we have seen enough cases even in recent times where people move from advertising to start-ups, from media to marketing, from broadcasting to platform companies and such. And some of course to competition. That’s the nature of the market today. It’s unfortunate that some sections of media are trying to sensationalise routine moves. We continue to do great work, stay focussed, deliver on all fronts.”

     

    Sections of the media sensationalising? Hmm. It’s not a sweeping statement on all media, but we think it’s incorrect to damn the media – section or otherwise – in one brush and in an official statement. The Publicis Groupe should know that if the media – MxMIndia included – had chosen to truly sensationalise developments in the conglomerate, it could have. Perhaps the ‘Groupe’ should speak up on the various allegations that are floating around in the marketplace. We are surprised that the Publicis Groupe – which has a leading communications agency like MSLGroup as its part and some seasoned hands on its rolls – could go on record damning “some sections” of the media.

     

     

  • Amaresh has been with the company since 2009 and has been instrumental in scaling up the business in the country

    Digitas CEO Amaresh Godbole to join Google

    By A Correspondent

     

    Amaresh Godbole

    Publicis Groupe has announced that Amaresh Godbole, CEO, Digitas India, will be stepping down in March, to join Google. Godbole has been with the company since 2009 and has been instrumental in scaling up the business in the country.

     

    Said Anupriya Acharya, CEO, Publicis Groupe South Asia: “Amaresh has been a Publicis Groupe loyalist for over a decade. He is moving on to an interesting profile and we’re all extremely happy and supportive of this next chapter in his career. We value his contributions and wish him the very best. He is with us for a couple of months, and is committed to helping us plan a smooth transition. We will announce the succession plan in due course.”

     

    Added Godbole: “I have nothing but gratitude for my years at Publicis Groupe and Digitas. I have had the opportunity to grow as a professional and as an individual. I doubt I would have ever considered moving out for a similar role elsewhere. I felt ready for this one because Digitas has a phenomenal leadership team in place and is now at a scale where it is self-sustaining. We’ve had our best ever performance last year. Further, with the Groupe’s “Power of One” strategy and Anupriya’s leadership I have no doubt about its continued success.”

     

     

  • Sonia joins the agency from Ogilvy India where she was Senior VP & Head of Customer Engagement

    Sonia Khurana appointed COO at Digitas India

    By A Correspondent

     

    Digitas India has announced the appointment of Sonia Khurana as Chief Operating Officer. Khurana’s mandate would be to provide strategy and direction in making Digitas India’s leading digital marketing agency.

     

    She joins from Ogilvy India where she was Senior VP & Head of Customer Engagement. She will report into Amaresh Godbole, CEO, Digitas India.

     

    Amaresh Godbole

    Commenting on her appointment, Godbole said: “Digitas India has been on the fast track for the last decade, and today we’re 450 plus experts partnering top-notch clients. To keep up with this growth trajectory, we need more leaders who are adept at solving business problems through modern marketing practices. Sonia is just that, a true T-shaped personality who has run digital businesses as well as capabilities such as CX and CRM. Further, she understands how to tackle the challenges of integration. It’s what we need to drive our next phase of growth as the premier connected marketing agency, and as a partner in Publicis Groupe’s Power of One Solutions.”

     

    Sonia Khurana

    Sharing her views on joining the agency, Khurana added: “I’m very excited to be part of a young, energetic team whose focus is at the nexus of creativity, data, technology and media. My goal is to partner with the team to chart the agency’s next chapter and make it the agency of choice for clients looking to take a leap in their digital journey. On my first day at work, I saw the Publicis Groupe’s Power of One strategy in action. It made me realize that I haven’t just joined the agency brand but that I am part of the enriching Groupe ecosystem committed to delivering truly integrated, client-focused solutions. Three weeks in and I can already see what makes this place so special!”

     

     

  • The mandate includes digital creative, social media, content and advocacy

    Digitas bags digital duties for Puma

    By A Correspondent

     

    Following a multi-agency pitch, Puma India has appointed Digitas as its digital partner for the Puma range as well as One8 – Virat Kohli’s brand that is powered by Puma. The mandate includes digital creative, social media, content and advocacy.

     

    On partnering Digitas, Debosmita Majumder, Head of Marketing Puma India, said: “Puma needs a certain sensibility from the teams that market it. We found that the Digitas teams just get the world of Puma and their passion was infectious. We have ambitious plans for the India market in the coming year, and look forward to having Digitas on board as a partner.”

     

    Added Amaresh Godbole, CEO Digitas India: “Puma has always been one of the leaders in creating head turning work that immerses the brand in popular culture. It’s a moment of pride for us to partner them. With the kind of sporting and cultural calendar ahead of us in 2019, it’s the perfect time to kick off this partnership and we are all geared up to do some cutting-edge work for this iconic brand.”

     

    Puma India is headquartered in Bengaluru, and the mandate will be handled by Digitas’ newly launched Bengaluru office.

     

     

  • Prior to this Mark was leading the creative team for the agency’s Mumbai office

    Digitas elevates Mark McDonald to Head of Creative, India

    By A Correspondent

     

    Mark McDonald

    Digitas has announced the elevation of Mark McDonald to a national role as Head of Creative, India. Prior to this, McDonald was leading the creative team for the agency’s Mumbai office.

     

    In his new role, McDonald will oversee the creative team and output for Digitas across its offices in India including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. He will report to Prithviraj Banerjee, Executive Director, Digitas India.

     

    Amaresh Godbole

    Said Amaresh Godbole, CEO Digitas India: “Mark knows how to build and steer a creative team truly equipped for the digital age, with capabilities spanning experience, content and campaigns. Most importantly, he has fostered a creative culture of playing well with data, strategy, media and technology teams, which is absolutely crucial for us as a connected agency offering.”

     

     

    Prithviraj Banerjee

    Added Banerjee: “Mark has attracted and nurtured some great talent, and has been at the helm of several award-winning campaigns for our clients as well as big-ticket new business wins. We have an extremely talented team and with Mark’s leadership, we aim to take our countrywide creative offering to the next level.”

  • Himani brings 22 years of diverse experience across business, finance, strategy, technology and media

    Himani Kapadia appointed CEO of Sapient Razorfish as Charulata Ravi Kumar exits

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sapient Razorfish, a part of Publicis Groupe announced that Himani Kapadia has assumed the position of CEO, India, Sapient Razorfish and DigitasLBi effective immediately. In this new role, Kapadia will be responsible for the growth of both businesses in India by leveraging the complimentary propositions and offerings of the brands, to help clients reimagine their business through radical customer-centricity. Charulata Ravi Kumar, who led the Sapient Razorfish India business, moves on to pursue other opportunities.

     

    “India is a strategic market for us with immense potential. The combined capabilities of Sapient Razorfish and DigitasLBi across consumer, digital, experience, data and technology, offer a unique advantage to our clients as they partner with us on their digital transformation journey. With Himani at the helm of both brands in the market, I am excited at the opportunity we have to help clients in the region truly reimagine their propositions for a rapidly changing consumer set,” said Rajdeep Endow, Managing Director, Sapient Razorfish, Asia Pacific.

     

    “We are thrilled to have Himani taking on the role of CEO for India. Having known Himani for a number of years, her experience in India coupled with her focus on doing what’s best for her clients reassures me that she will help lead our clients through the digital transformation journey, Also, Amaresh Godbole, MD, DigitasLBi India, who has done a brilliant job leading and growing the brand in India, will continue his current role as MD, reporting into Himani,” said Annette Male, CEO, DigitasLBi, APAC.

     

  • DigitasLBi further strengthens its partnership with the Piaggio Group

    DigitasLBi wins digital mandate for Aprilia

     By A Correspondent

     

    DigitasLBi has added another brand – Aprilia India, from the Piaggio stable to its roster. The agency has been undertaking digital activities for Vespa India since 2013 and this is yet another milestone in their relationship with the Italian two-wheeler juggernaut. DigitasLBi’s Mumbai office will be servicing the Aprilia account for Piaggio.

     

    Ashish Yakhmi

    This year marks the launch of the brand in the Indian market as they introduce consumers to the powerful sports-scooterbike, Aprilia SR150. The agency will be responsible for creating a digital presence for the brand and take on subsequent product launches in the future.

     

    In making the selection, Ashish Yakhmi, Head of Marketing at Piaggio Group said, “DigitasLBi has always shown a deep understanding of the brands they handle and we have seen the insightful work they have been delivering on Vespa. We are happy to have them on board for Aprilia and extend our association. We look forward to some great campaigns!”

     

    Amaresh Godbole

    Commenting on the business win, Amaresh Godbole, Managing Director, DigitasLBi, India elaborated “DigitasLBi has been proud to partner Piaggio on Vespa for a while now and this mandate extends our strategic alliance to another marquee brand. We are all extremely honoured to be associated with Aprilia and excited by the vision for the brand. DigitasLBi has a pivotal role to play given the nature of the category and audience. We hope to help chart the digital roadmap for this iconic brand in India.”