MxMIndia

Tag: Anil K Nair

  • Agency to go beyond traditional creative agency duties to create a 'Connected Consumer Experience'

    Dell chooses VMLY&R as lead creative agency

    By A Correspondent

     

    Dell has appointed VMLY&R as its lead creative agency in India for both the Consumer and Small business portfolio. The mandate was won after a keenly contested pitch.

     

    As the lead agency, VMLY&R will go beyond traditional creative agency duties to create an overarching Connected Consumer Experience for Dell, which will span the entire width from mainline, digital & social communications, platforms & experiences and data, notes a communique.

     

    Ritu Gupta

    Commenting on the appointment, Ritu Gupta, Director- Marketing, Dell said: “With the evolved customer journey and changing purchase behaviour it was important to select the agency that brings capabilities in elevating connected consumer experience.”

     

     

    Anil K Nair

    Added Anil K Nair, Chief Executive Officer, VMLY&R India: “We live in an ever-evolving world, where decades of digital adoption has now been compressed into a few months. It poses a great opportunity for an iconic brand like Dell to be portal; connecting them to various aspects of their lives and they get to live, learn, walk and play. The mandate for VMLY&R India is to think beyond the obvious and focus on a superior and seamless customer experience.”

     

    VMLY&R handles the Dell Technologies brand globally, in a multi-faceted relationship that includes brand strategy and creative, martech, customer experiences, social strategy/content, and thought leadership.

     

     

  • Ravindran will work closely with Saurabh Mathur and CEO Anil K Nair

    VMLY&R India appoints Ajay Ravindran as Director – Strategy and Planning

    By A Correspondent

     

    VMLY&R India has appointed Ajay Ravindran as Director – Strategy and Planning. Ajay will work closely with Saurabh Mathur (Head of Strategy & Planning) and Anil K Nair (CEO), to drive strategy and growth of the agency.

     

    Ajay Ravindran

    Ravindran will head the brand planning function for VMLY&R in India. His mandate is to ensure that strategic thinking is at the core of all the offerings of the agency – across all verticals including Brand Stewardship (campaigns and content), Commerce, and Experience & Technology. Additionally, he will spearhead the Brand Advisory practice in the agency.

     

     

    Anil K Nair

    Commenting on this, Nair said: “Ajay will be working at the intersection of Brand Strategy and Technology, so that VMLY&R is at the forefront of defining how brands would need to evolve in this new, emerging, complex, post-digital world. Having helmed senior roles, Ajay will be a trusted advisor for our clients- current and potential – a responsibility I am sure he will cherish!”

     

    Speaking on his new role, Ravindran added: “In their eagerness to become the agency of the future, I feel most agencies are forgetting being the agency of the present. At VMLY&R, I saw not just an agency but a holistic marketing services firm – with cutting edge solutions encompassing content, commerce and platforms. It seemed to me that it could answer all the questions clients are seeking answers to today, but don’t know whom to ask.”

     

     

  • Top 100 highest scorers get free shopping

    Big Bazaar unveils mobile game to promote ‘SabseSaste 5 Din’

    By A Correspondent

     

    Big Bazaar has created a mobile game to promote its property, ‘Big Bazaar SabseSaste 5 Din’. Designed and executed by L & K Saatchi & Saatchi, Big Bazaar’s ‘Deal Skyfall – SabseSaste 5 Din’ game will offer consumers to win shopping vouchers worth up to Rs 1 crore.

     

    Said Pawan Sarda, ‎Group Head- Digital – ‎Future Group: “With Deal Skyfall – SabseSaste 5 Din game we want to reach out to the hidden consumer in everyone. Be it a gamer, a next gen consumer, mobile addicts or our huge base of loyal consumers, the game can be played by one and all. It is a simple and rewarding game, where your points in virtual world get you a chance shop in the real world for free.”

     

    Talking about the game Anil K Nair, Managing Partner, L & K Saatchi & Saatchi said: “Deal Skyfall – SabseSaste 5 Din game is a unique way in which a household brand like Big Bazaar is promoting one of its biggest properties. We have kept the game simple and is sure to get many addicted and win as many vouchers they like.”

     

     

  • The event was held at their operations space at the iconic Bombay Stock Exchange Building at Dalal Street

    Publicis Drugstore targets real estate sector

    By A Correspondent

     

    Publicis Groupe’s innovation initiative – Drugstore has started its India operations with the first of its initiatives targetting the real estate sector. Publicis Drugstore is an innovation incubator, which incubates innovation ideas/projects on behalf of the Publicis Groupe clients around the world in collaboration with the startup sector. These innovation incubation programs range from supper chats with CXOs, to hackathons and long format innovation projects.  ‘Meet The Makers’ is one such format which allows for an evening of intimate interaction between large  companies and curated start ups in their respective sector. This experiential event was designed and created in partnership with Zone Startups, an organisation that incubates and accelerates start-ups in the Indian ecosystem. The event was held at their operations space at the iconic  Bombay Stock Exchange Building at Dalal Street.

     

    Key speakers at the event included Anil K Nair who leads the Publicis Drugstore initiative in India and Ajay Ramasubramaniam, Director, Zone Startups India. Anil K Nair, the ‘entrepreneur -in-residence’ for Publicis  Drugstore believes that the biggest business disruptor and saviour going into this decade will be an attitude of inside out innovation within large traditional organisations that will need to be encouraged & cultivated. This and a symbiotic relationship building between these organisations and the start up sector. “It’s a win-win for both. And we at Publicis Groupe are determined to make these dialogues happen for the overall good of the market place and the consumer at large”. Speaking at the event, he added: “The start-up space has been responsible for some of the biggest market disruptions across the world. Be it Uber or Air Bnb, they have all gone to redefine the space they were conceived in. We could have gone the traditional way and approached the fin-tech or other sectors which have such interfaces all the time. We however, have focused on real estate as it is one industry that needs the kind of innovations that start ups bring with them.”

     

    Ajay Ramasubramaniam added further, “The start-up scene is well ahead in terms of infrastructure, support and finance. It is only recently that the Indian scenario has started catching up. There is still some time when crowdsourcing and crowd-funding will become the norm for our nation, until then we are focused on creating the right kind of environment with the assistance of the Publicis Groupe to incubate, accelerate and facilitate the transition of the start-ups to their relevant industrial sector.”

     

    Some of the notable  startup pitches that came up were Phynart, a home automation start-up that incorporates Artificial Intelligence and data mining in traditional automation systems and  Enso Immersive, a R & D establishment driving research in technologies like Augmented Virtual Reality for developing applications and platforms across industries like real estate.

     

    The real estate industry was represented by leading players like Omkar, Tata Housing, Kalpataru , Godrej properties & Puranik.

     

  • During the buying phase, Tata Value Homes empowered the country and instilled a strong sense of pride and confidence through their key message

    Tata Value Homes and Saatchi & Saatchi unveils latest digital initiative

    By A Correspondent

     

    Tata Value Homes in association with Digital L& K | Saatchi & Saatchi have unveiled another interesting project. They have managed to get the nation to go on a home-owning spree instead of merely getting them to buy homes online.

     

    Tata Value Homes was offering consumers 2BHKs by paying just Rs. 6.9 Lakhs, and they could pay the remaining amount when they move in or after 2 years (whichever is earlier).  Apart from the exceptional pricing, what made this proposition so unique was that prospective buyers could book a home online at just Rs. 30,000 during the offer period, 12th – 14th July.

     

    While the offer was lucrative in itself, it needed strong insight to become a nation-wide phenomenon. Digital L&K | Saatchi & Saatchi peeked into the consumer’s pain points and zeroed in on the one question they had on their minds – “When will it be my time to own a home?”

     

    They created a series of teaser videos that illustrated this problem. These slice of life moments reflected the angst of every Indian home-buyer and acted as the perfect trigger for Tata Value Homes’ proposition, and ended by comforting them that it was now finally their #TimeToOwn.

     

    Commenting on this digital campaign, Anil K Nair, CEO & Managing Partner,  Digital Law & K | Saatchi & Saatchi, said, “These questions aren’t just made up for a campaign. At some point or the other, you and I end up pondering on this inevitable question. Emerging from real life examples, like every Tata Value Homes campaign, even this one is driven by customers. And the numbers back it.”

     

    During the buying phase, Tata Value Homes empowered the country and instilled a strong sense of pride and confidence through their key message: “Aapka apna ghar, aaj se, abhi se”, making it one of their most successful campaigns ever.

     

    Further commenting on the campaign, Charles Victor, National Creative Director, Digital Law & Kenneth | Saatchi & Saatchi, said, “Sometimes advertising just needs to be real and address a sore point in consumers’ lives. All we really needed to tell them was that we understand what they’re going through and we have something that’s going to take care of this growing worry.”

     

    Speaking about the digital film, Pawan Sarda, Marketing Head, Tata Value Homes said, “The team has always gone back to its customers and created value propositions which drive demand. Digital has been our source to not only recruit NRIs and Tier 2 among others but also to sell homes online. With the company’s endeavour to empower every Indian to own a home, Tata Value Homes along with Digital Law & Kenneth | Saatchi & Saatchi and media agency FCB Ulka ideated and conceptualized a PAN India campaign ‘National Home Owning Day’ an unparalled offering that will fulfil one of the most revered dreams of many Indians to own their home. We would love to continue and create many such value driven campaigns in future with Digital Law & Kenneth | Saatchi & Saatchi.”

     

  • The attempt is to offer integrated solutions and thereby bridge the gap between large companies and tech startups through the Drugstore India initiative

    Publicis Groupe opens Drugstore in India… no, it’s selling medicines or legalising you-know-what

    By  A Correspondent

     

    Over the last ninety years, Publicis Groupe has worked closely with its clients to build some of the most iconic brands around the world.  Today as we enter the era of the fourth industrial revolution wherein the lines between physical, digital and biological spheres are narrowing, it is imperative for large companies to avoid the ‘Kodak moment’.  Our goal is to help Publicis Groupe clients brace for this change by helping them innovate and stay ahead of disruption. We intend to do this by bringing together some of the sharpest minds from within the tech startup ecosystem in India and  the Publicis Groupe brand builders to ‘hack’ solutions  on the various brands that we work with across the Groupe.

     

    Uff, did all of the above mean anything to you. But then that’s communication conglomerates are masters at doing. Foreplay.

     

    So read further:

     

    The Publicis Groupe has always strived to help their clients constantly stay ahead of the game. In the late 50s Publicis Groupe founder Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet started the  Drugstore near Arc de Triomphe in Paris to bring multiple brands physically under one roof, with the express idea of getting ‘consumers to experience brands and for brands to get to experiment with them in return’. Today, we invoke our founder’s vision to bring this concept of disruptive innovation thinking & prototyping to our clients and help them ‘thrive at scale’.

     

    Okay, okay, let’s get on with it.

    Drugstore India is an innovation facility (oh, thank heavens, it’s not been called a lab!) that fosters relationships between large companies and early stage startups for mutual benefit.  This innovation thinking will be mentored by the best of minds across Publicis Groupe companies such as L&K | Saatchi & Saatchi, Publicis India, Leo-Burnett, MSLGROUP and Razorfish. True to the spirit of today’s startup ecosystem, where collaboration matters more than competition, the idea for a platform such as Drugstore is just right and timely.

     

    The idea of the Drugstore is fundamentally based on the spirit of identifying and harnessing these innovations and innovators and bridging the gap between needs and resources. Drugstore India will collaborate with leading players in the Indian startup ecosystem like Zone Startups amongst others to bring some of the proven and agile innovation programmes such as Minibar, Meet the Makers, Demo Days, Supper Club, Rapid Prototyping and Incubator Accelerator to capitalise on inventions and have radical outcomes in the process, products and services.

     

    Besides helping successful client brands stay successful, Drugstore will add strategic marketing value to the emerging startup fraternity through both physical and cloud-based access to brand building resources across the Publicis Groupe and by collaborating with them to help them acquire scale expertise and by mentoring and immersing them on turning any business into a successful brand.

     

    Publicis Groupe has successfully launched the Drugstore in London, Sydney, Johannesburg and Zurich and the first Drugstore edition in Asia is now officially starting in India and will be based in Mumbai.

     

    The Drugstore India team will be led by Anil K. Nair (CEO, Digital L&K | Saatchi & Saatchi) along with a core team comprising Sreeraman Thiagarajan (Publicis), Parth Nagar & Aarti Samant (L&K Saatchi & Saatchi), Sanju Menon (Leo-Burnett), Suryasen Kundu (MSL Group), & Swapnil Puranik (Razorfish) and  under the overall  mentorship of Praveen Kenneth, Chairman & Managing Director, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi.

     

    Phew!

    So that was the communiqué we received from the Publicis Group this morning (Tue, June 14). Now, basically this is what it’s all about: Publicis Groupe has set up (no, we didn’t saying waking up to!) the increasing demands of the start-up community and setting up a pan-group(e) initiative. We are sure this doesn’t mean Anil K Nair and Co will give up their rest of their commitments and embrace this alone.

     

    Now, here’s a thought that was expressed by an insider?  Does the fact that Praveen Kenneth has been entrusted with the responsibility mean that if this is a success he could be given greater responsibilities within the group? Like overseeing the umbrella company of the communications business of Publicis? India is one of the few countries that doesn’t have a head for Pubicis Communications though Publicis Media did name Anupriya Acharya as CEO for the group’s media businesses. Or is it that it’s a sop to Kenneth and someone else may be made the big(g) boss?

     

    We’ll know it soon. A CEO of one of the Publicis Comm firms told us that India may not have that such a position.

     

    PostScript: Why name it Drugstore? We know it’s advertising and it helps in being disruptive etc etc, but Drugstore? Next is what? Well, as long as what’s dished out are good solutions and not placebos. Right?

     

  • Tata Capital is looking to create an ideal learning environment for the children

    Tata Capital supports the cause of Right to Education

    By A Correspondent

     

    Addressing the serious issue of illiteracy faced by small towns, Tata Capital’s ‘Do Right’ campaign reached out to Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and identified a true Do Righter Ajeet Singh, founder of the unique Varanasi boat school.

     

    With an objective of engaging with the children of a community near River Ganga, Ajeet started a novel and innovative boat school for these children who otherwise would sit idle or pick rags. The boat school provides basic schooling here.

     

    In support of his noble initiative, Tata Capital is looking to create an ideal learning environment for the children of this boat school through a magical transformation. Starting with the makeover of the interiors, which includes renovations and repairs; to providing them with necessary facilities like a library, educational toys, stationery, a computer and a painting kit. For this a sum of INR 90,000/- is required to transform the boat.

     

    To support this cause, Digital L&K Saatchi & Saatchi through the social media properties will help highlight the initiative undertaken by Ajeet Singh and will aim at gaining support from the community at large in raising funds to enlighten the future of these children who are deprived of the basic right to education.

     

    Commenting on the Do Right campaign, Anil K Nair, CEO & Managing Director, Digital L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, said “How can we get ordinary consumers to participate in a brands philosophy and campaign? How do we convert the social media into a force for the good? ‘The Journey of Doing Right’ is a powerful campaign that is ‘live creativity’ as it’s best. A campaign that engages, inspires and involves people at the same time to participate in the philosophy of doing right. Let’s give the children of this unique boat school the ideal learning environment that they truly deserve. One can visit www.doright.in and contribute to this cause.”

     

    Recently, Digital L&K Saatchi & Saatchi successfully completed the story of Shikshangram Shelter on this Journey of Doing Right. Shikshangram Shelter, a Pune based NGO was going through financial crisis and was unable to bear overhead expenses, including their electricity bills. Digital L&K Saatchi & Saatchi reached out to various communities and managed to collect a sum of INR 1,26,500/- in just five days. With these funds Shikshangram Shelter is now a self-sustaining institute with solar panels installed across the premises.

     

  • Ashith Ballal and Divesh Swamikutty join in as Creative Directors and will operate from the Mumbai office

    Digital L&K Saatchi & Saatchi beefs up its creative team

    By A Correspondent

     

    Digital L&K Saatchi & Saatchi has strengthened its creative structure with the appointment of Ashith Ballal and Divyesh Swamikutty. Ashith Ballal and Divesh Swamikutty join in as Creative Directors and will operate from the Mumbai office.

     

    Ashith has previously worked at O4 digital, Channel V and Radio Mirchi along with taking up a lot of freelance assignments on brands such as Honda Mobilio, Ford, Reliance, and Volkswagen Polo.

     

    Divyesh has previously worked with Rage Communications and D’zine Garage on brands like Royal Enfield, Moods Condoms, Cavin Kare, Sterling Holidays, Colorplus, Airtel Money, Ashok Leyland, Club Mahindra, Murugappa Group, The Hindu, Sify and many more.

     

    Commenting on acquiring new talent Anil K Nair, CEO, Digital Law & Kenneth Saatchi & Saatchi said “Ashith comes from a digital and film making background and he brings with him great storytelling skillsets. Divyesh is one of the early pioneers of digital in India with lots of experience working across difficult markets and in start-up environments. They bring a fresh perspective to our creative team and will help raise the standard of creativity at Digital Law & Kenneth Saatchi & Saatchi and play an invaluable role not just for our clients but also for the agency.”

     

  • Digital L&K Saatchi & Saatchi has announced two senior level appointments into its fold. Sandeep Sarma joins the agency as the Digital Director- Client Servicing while Arunima Singh joins as Group Head-Servicing.

    Digital L&K Saatchi & Saatchi announces key appointments

    By A Correspondent

     

    Anil K Nair
    Anil K Nair
    Arunima Singh

    Commenting on the new appointments, Anil K Nair CEO, Digital L&K Saatchi & Saatchi said, “Sandeep Sarma brings a healthy mix of traditional brand knowledge and digital planning skill sets to head and consult a few strategic business units at Digital L&K Saatchi & Saatchi. Arunima Singh is an out and out digital native having worked in various aspects of the digital industry. A strong leader, she will be leading and building quite a few cutting edge digital led engagement initiatives for us.”

     

    Sandeep has over 10 years of rich experience in digital and has worked with Times Internet, Zapak.com and RK SWAMY BBDO on brands like P&G India, Mars India, Mercedes-Benz India, LIC, Raymond, Pepsi, Axe. Arunima Singh brings with her 12 years of experience and has previously worked with Social Wavelength (JWT) and Sobhagya Advertising Agency on brands such as Magma Fincorp, Dr. Batra’s, Force Motors, Kotak Mahindra, HUL, Skyscape, Apollo Clinics, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Tata Housing, Intel, Piramal, to name a few.