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Tag: Arijit Ray

  • The agency would be responsible for developing through-the-line creative communication solutions for the ​flagship brand

    ​Lokmat ​appoint​s Paperboat Brandworks as Creative AOR

    ​By A Correspondent​

     

    Lokmat Media ​has appointed Paperboat Brandworks as its Creative AOR (Agency on Record) after a multi-agency pitch process in Mumbai. The agency would be responsible for developing through-the-line creative communication solutions for the ​flagship ​brand.​ ​Paperboat Brandworks is a Mumbai​-​based creative communications agency co-founded by Arijit Ray (​f​ormer CEO, Dentsu Communications), Arindam Sengupta ​and​ Raju Gondhlekar (​b​oth Former Creative Heads at RK SWAMMY BBDO).

     

    Commenting on the new partnership, Shalini Gupta, Vice President – Brand & Communication, Lokmat Media said “Every media house is aiming towards the next level of growth owing to the transition period of environmental or category changes basis the growing needs of its readers. Lokmat has charted a distinct growth path across various divisions and this new partnership will only compliment that. We hope to get a fresh communication approach and new learnings from Paperboat. My hearty congratulations to the team at Paperboat and I look forward to a fulfilling partnership.” Speaking on the account win,​ Arindam Sengupta, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Paperboat Brandworks added, “We are really excited to have got the opportunity to infuse our creative skills on a brand like Lokmat. Good creative solutions are direct results of the openness, enthusiasm and involvement of the team, and here we are very pleased to see that the agency-client wavelengths match. We look forward to partnering the brand teams towards building creative ideas and concepts that are sharp, refreshing and hugely relevant in the current times.”

     

    Added Arijit Ray, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Paperboat Brandworks​:​​ “Lokmat is one of the most trusted brands of Maharashtra, with highest readership and reach. We are really looking forward to working closely with the brand team at Lokmat to help leverage this leadership by creating memorable & highly relevant communication contexts..”

     

    Speaking on the win Raju Gondhlekar, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Paperboat Brandworks added, “One of the fundamental reasons for Lokmat’s success is its connection with the readers. The content and language connect, from grass-roots to top-end, is a strong motivator to do great creative work at multiple-points using Maharashtrian sensibilities and cultural nuances bringing out the core brand strengths in simple meaningful and memorable ways.”

     

  • Paperboat Brandworks, based in Mumbai already has a noteworthy body of work

    Arijit Ray floats Paperboat Brandworks

    By A Correspondent

     

    Fresh on the heels of a successful stint with Dentsu Communications as CEO, Arijit Ray, a 24 year veteran in the advertising and communication space, has set forth on a new career path with a new creative communication agency Paperboat Brandworks along with partners Arindam Sengupta and Raju Gondhlekar. They are both accomplished and awarded creative veterans with more than 42 years of collective experience of working on a diverse set of global & domestic brands and mandates across the top agencies in the country.

     

    In his stint at Dentsu, Arijit led teams across 5 offices to chart the growth story of Dentsu Communications where the agency doubled revenue, in less than two years on the back of 14 new business wins, organic growth, expansions into newer geographies and capabilities and talent infusion to become one the fastest growing agencies of the Dentsu network globally. Some of the salient brands Arijit and his team added to the portfolio at Dentsu were TVS WEGO, TVS Jupiter, Orangina, MRF, Jos Alukkas, Indian Army, Lia Agarbaties etc.

     

    Paperboat Brandworks, based in Mumbai already has a noteworthy body of work. They have signed up with an international Office Supplies Brand, a market leader in the Travel space, a fashion retail brand, a premium lifestyle retail brand already.

     

    Talking about the new entity, Arijit Ray commented: “Marketing to the fragmented and digitally immersed consumer is getting complex. Which is where our collective advertising and communication sense will kick in. We are looking forward to tapping into our experience to building creative brand solutions that are rooted, relevant & simple. Evocative & Effective at the same time. The body of work we have built so far is varied, exciting, fresh and most importantly integrated through-the-line. A skill set that clients are seeking more and more.”

     

  • Arijit Ray will lead New Business Development at Dentsu India Group as Simi Sabhaney, former President (Bengaluru and Chennai) at Ogilvy India moves into his role

    Arijit Ray moves to group role as Simi Sabhaney joins Dentsu Comm as CEO

    By A Correspondent [updated]

     

    Simi Sabhaney
    Arijit Ray

    Dentsu India Group announced the appointment of Simi Sabhaney as Chief Executive Officer of Dentsu Communications.  Ms Sabhaney, former President (Bengaluru and Chennai) at Ogilvy India, has spent over 23 years at the agency and will be based in Bengaluru (given some key Dentsu clients based there).

     

     

    Rohit Ohri

    Welcoming her, Rohit Ohri, Executive Chairman of the Dentsu India Group, said: “It’s been great going for us at Dentsu Communications. I’m looking to Simi to now lead the agency into it’s next phase of growth. Simi’s vast experience on diverse categories will truly add value to our client’s brands and businesses.”

     

    Meanwhile, Arijit Ray, who headed the agency, will now lead new business development across the group. Commenting on Mr Ray’s move to the group role, Mr Ohri said: “Arijit has been a great partner to me in Dentsu’s new exciting journey in India. I now wish to leverage his strengths in new business development for the entire group. I wish him all the luck in his new role. “

     

  • The Dentsu Communications division bags the mandate for the Indian Army account

    Citizen Dentsu wins Indian Army account

    By A Correspondent

     

    Citizen Dentsu has won the Indian Army mandate after a multi-agency pitch process. The  mandate is to create a holistic comprehensive communication package for the Indian Army, a communiqué notes. Their endeavour will be to project the Indian Army as a prestigious, aspirational and exciting career prospect for the youth in the country.

     

    Rohit Ohri

    Rohit Ohri, Executive Chairman, Dentsu India Group said, “We’ve set up Citizen Dentsu with a vision to help trigger positive social change through integrated communications. It’s a matter of great pride for Citizen Dentsu to be appointed as communication partner to the Indian Army. Cutting edge technologies will underpin our integrated communication approach for the Indian Army campaign.”

     

    Commenting on winning the account, Arijit Ray, CEO, Dentsu Communications said, “This is the first big win for Citizen Dentsu in 2013.  And a well-deserved one for the team, since it involved 8 agencies.”

     

    Arijit Ray

    Commenting on the win, Rajendra Singh, Senior Vice President and Head, Citizen Dentsu who will lead the business:  “Here’s a true example of working on a cause that one truly admires and respects. No soft stuff here. Apart from the pleasure of dealing with real gentlemen officers as clients, it’s a matter of honour to contribute towards strengthening the security and defence of the country. The team is super-excited.”

     

  • Citizen Dentsu has been formed as a division of Dentsu Communications to address the unique requirements of the social and development sector, with the support and resource bank of Dentsu Global

    Citizen Dentsu relaunched

    By A Correspondent

     

    Dentsu Communications has announced the relaunch of Citizen Dentsu, a specialized division for social and development sector communication. Recognizing the power of specialization, Citizen Dentsu has been formed as a division of Dentsu Communications to address the unique requirements of the social and development sector, with the support and resource bank of Dentsu Global.

     

    A release from the company said that the ambition will be to build Citizen Dentsu as a ‘Centre of Knowledge’ with specialised skill sets and strategic capabilities that would address the specific sectoral requirements and focus on building currency for causes, and thereby deliver value-added communication solutions for social clients.

     

    Rohit Ohri

    Rohit Ohri, Executive Chairman, Dentsu India Group, said, “Citizen Dentsu will focus on developing communication for social issues. Social sector communication is unique, in that it has to touch a multiplicity of target audiences and advocacy groups and, therefore, demands unconventional communication devices and unique interactive community media. Our investment is going to be on ‘innovations’, so as to create currency for social issues. I’m delighted to have Rajendra Singh on board to lead this new initiative.”

     

     

    Arijit Ray

    Arijit Ray, CEO of Dentsu Communications, added, “Social and development sector communication demands talent with a human touch and passion for ‘making a difference’. Therefore, our endeavour has been to put together a team with the right mix of cross-category and cultural learning and passion for social marketing. I am sure Rajendra and his team will strive towards building and crafting simple and breakthrough solutions that will add value to various community groups and stakeholders’

     

    Rajendra Singh has recently joined Citizen Dentsu as Senior Vice President. His last tenure was with JWT, where he worked for 10 years. Apart from a set of mainstream clients, Mr Singh headed JWT’s social communications division called Thompson Social for five years. He has worked on a multitude of social programmes, from issues like HIV/Aids, polio, child health and safe motherhood, health and hygiene to causes such as environment, education, food safety & drug usage, safe water and ozone layer, for clients like Unicef, World Bank, Nike Foundation and various ministries, as well as political advertising. He said, “We believe we need to break the mould of traditional advertising and leverage the power of ‘innovation’ for social communication, by employing technology as much as possible. That’s the only way to beat the din and build strong currency for a cause. This is going to be the Citizen Dentsu differential.”

     

  • Dentsu Communications, a full service independent communications agency and a part of the Dentsu India Group, has begun operations in Kochi

    Dentsu strengthens Southern India network

    By A Correspondent

     

    Dentsu Communications, a full service independent communications agency and a part of the Dentsu India Group, commences operations in Kochi.

     

    Rohit Ohri, Executive Chairman said, “Our commencement of operations in Kochi is part of our larger strategic plan of accelerated growth in India. We’re now fully equipped to offer integrated communication services to all our clients in the Southern India. Arijit Ray, CEO Dentsu Communications, Suresh Mohan Kumar, National Planning Head and Ashwin Prathiban, Regional ECD (South) will drive this new initiative. I’m confident that under their leadership, we shall see a new spurt of growth in this region.”

     

     

    Commenting on the expansion and the South market, Arijit Ray, CEO Dentsu Communications said, “We are extremely upbeat about our operations in the South. The Bangalore operation is our largest and most integrated with 3 pillar clients. Toyota, Nissin and TVS. With a clear focus on building the Bangalore operation into a hub of excellence to cater to all markets in the South, the capability and talent building process is bearing fruit. With a fully integrated, Creative, Events, Media and PR Team, that has conceived and executed the Etios Motor Racing programme, the team is set to leverage integrated opportunities on current and potential clients. What is heartening is that we have been able to build our strategic integrated capabilities around our clients brand and business mandates.”

     

    Adding further, Mr Ray said, “We see a lot of potential in Kochi. We have a great team that understands the local nuances to start our journey in Kerala. Saji Jayakumar our Kochi head and his team will surely do everything to make it a stellar operation.”

     

    Ashwin Parthiban, Regional Executive Creative Director, Dentsu Communications said, “Dentsu’s Kochi presence offers exciting creative possibilities, and an interesting opportunity to work on a mix of both local and national brands that are based in Kerala. There is a refreshing appetite for path-breaking creative ideas among clients here, and benchmarks are set very high. But most importantly, Keralites have a rich story-telling culture, not to mention a very evolved appreciation of film, and this mix provides delightful creative inspiration.”

     

    Suresh Mohan Kumar, National Planning Head, Dentsu Communications said, “Kochi office underlines Dentsu’s emphasis on and commitment to southern markets. Our key differentiator would be our ability to conceive and deliver totally integrated communication solutions. Bangalore will continue to be the planning and creative hub but we will tap into our teams’ local expertise to provide our clients with solutions that make a difference in the market place.”

     

  • Continuing with its series of senior-level appointments, the Dentsu India Group has announced the appointment of Rajesh Mathew as Senior Vice President, Dentsu Communications, Mumbai.

    Rajesh Mathew joins Dentsu Communications as Senior Vice President

    By A Correspondent

     

    Continuing with its series of senior-level appointments, the Dentsu India Group has announced the appointment of Rajesh Mathew as Senior Vice President, Dentsu Communications, Mumbai.

     

    An adman throughout, spanning over 17 years in advertising, Mr Mathew was Managing Partner at Doosra Brand Communications, Mumbai (part of the Aegis Media Worldwide network, since December 2011) prior to joining Dentsu.

     

    Welcoming Mr Mathew to Dentsu, Arijit Ray, CEO, Dentsu Communications said, “Rajesh’s induction into Team Dentsu Communications is part of our on-going impetus on strengthening and consolidating the talent profile. I am sure Rajesh’s diverse experience across brands over so many years across markets, will help enhance our value proposition amongst our key business portfolios. I wish him a great innings at Dentsu.”

     

    Mr Mathew said, “I look forward to the exciting challenge and opportunities at Dentsu Communications; given the ambitious growth plans that are set, I couldn’t ask for a better timing than this, to come on board.”

     

    Among the agencies Mr Mathew has worked for in India include Saatchi & Saatchi Direct (Bangalore), Ogilvy & Mather (Bangalore), Lowe Lintas Worldwide (Chennai – as Brand Services Director), Rediffusion DYR & Wunderman (Chennai – as GM for both the Agencies), Contract Advertising (Chennai – as Senior Vice President & Manager), Ogilvy & Mather (Mumbai – as Vice President & Business Head).

  • Continuing with the series of senior-level appointments, the Dentsu India Group announced the appointment of Arijit Ray as Chief Executive Officer, Dentsu Communications

    Arijit Ray joins Dentsu Communications as CEO

    Arijit Ray has joined Dentsu Communications as CEO. Mr Ray’s key priority will be to enhance and reinforce the agency’s competencies and output, including overall creative, strategy and services along with strengthening media synergies and driving growth.

     

    Mr Ray joins Team Dentsu from the DDBMudra Group where he was President – DDBMudra, West. Over his four-year tenure as Head of DDBMudra West, Arijit successfully steered the unit into the next orbit of growth, by seamlessly harnessing business growth by a combination of focused talent infusion, training and development and a noteworthy step-up in quality of work.

     

    Welcoming Mr Ray to Dentsu, Rohit Ohri, Executive Chairman, Dentsu India Group said: “I am delighted to have Arijit join the leadership team at Dentsu India . Arijit’s experience across diverse product categories and in traditional as well as new media is what will help us drive Dentsu’s ambitious plans for India . I look forward to working closely with Arijit and Taira Kimura, COO, Dentsu Communications, to create a world-class integrated communications agency in India “.

     

    Ken Terasawa, Executive Vice Chairman, Dentsu India Group said: “We are very pleased to have Arijit on board Team Dentsu. Arijit has strong expertise in driving organizational growth by leveraging the strength of teams combined with sharpening client deliveries. I look forward to Arijit leading Dentsu Communications and together with COO, Taira Kimura, creating some of the best work for our India n, Japanese and global clients.”

     

    Arijit Ray, Chief Executive Officer, Dentsu Communications said: “Dentsu in India is the midst of a serious expansion agenda led by Rohit’s vision of building a top-notch integrated communication network. The Group is well into the phase of building a quality talent and client base and this will only get more impetus in the endeavour to shape enduring client relationships, conceive and execute cutting edge communication mandates that are not only award worthy but more importantly worthy of recognition in the market, in the consumers mind resulting in enhanced desirability and image/ market shares.”

     

    On joining Team Dentsu, Mr Ray added: “What is heartening in being a part of the Dentsu India team at this juncture, is the new benchmarks it is creating in the global context. Not many people are aware of Dentsu’s leadership position in a large and important market like the US and the strides it has made in the digital space. I look forward to working closely with Rohit and support him in the aggressive plans he has for Dentsu in India .”

     

    Mr Ray’s career in advertising began with New Delhi based-based Alfred Allan Advertising in the early 90s.  An honours graduate in Commerce from Delhi University, Mr Ray also completed a programme in marketing management from MICA, Ahmedabad. A highly awarded and professionally reputed business head, Mr Ray has consistently sharpened his faculties by participation in advertising and creative workshops such as the DDB Advanced Leadership Programme in Shanghai, (ALP 2010), the Advanced Seminar on Advertising Skills DY&R – (ASAS Penang, Malaysia 1996), the Lovemarks workshop (Saatchi & Saatchi) and the Bill Folley Creative workshop (Rediffusion DY&R) to name a few.

     

  • Mudra India has announced the appointment of Sharmila Malekar as the Senior Vice-President at Mudra West.

    Sharmila Malekar is Sr VP, Mudra West

    By A Correspondent

    Mudra India has announced the appointment of Sharmila Malekar as the Senior Vice-President at Mudra West. Until recently, Ms Malekar was the Managing Partner at Mind Mirror, A Research & Strategic Consultancy. Based out of Mumbai, she will report to Arijit Ray, President, Mudra West and will help strengthen brands on businesses like ITC, Jyothy Laboratories, Electrolux, Kalpataru, Emami, HPCL and Godrej.

    A dynamic professional with rich experience in Brand building & Consumer Research, Ms Malekar has been in the industry for 18 years. She started her career with Lintas where she worked on brands like Liril and its brand extensions viz Shower Gel, Talc; Liril Icy soap & Liril skincare soap, J&J feminine hygiene for their Stayfree, Carefree range among others.

    She has also played a significant role in Ogilvy and Mather, having worked as business head on Dove, Aviance Beauty Solutions, Tata Sumo and Tata Safari among others. She worked with Mudra DDB Communications as Vice President on the Godrej Franchise, Big Bazaar (Future Group) and LIC.Subsequently, she moved to Publicis Ambience Advertising to head the P&G Vicks and Marico portfolios.

    Announcing the appointment, Arijit Ray, President, Mudra West, said, “Sharmila comes on board with a rich experience of overseeing a wide spread of brands in the FMCG, Automotive Entertainment and Beverages space, across few of the best agencies of the country like Ogilvy, Lowe and Publicis. We are looking forward to her experience in consolidating and building on some of our most important client relationships at Mudra West.”

    Commenting on her appointment, Sharmila Malekar said, “I am delighted to be back especially at Mudra India and look forward to doing some interesting work for our clients.”

    Ms Malekar takes a keen interest in alternative healing techniques and is also a practising therapist.