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Tag: DDB Mudra Group

  • DDB Mudra West has crafted a three staged campaign called 'India Ka Tyohaar'

    DDB Mudra wins creative mandate for Sony MAX and Pepsi IPL 2015

    By A Correspondent

     

    DDB Mudra West has recently won the creative account of Pepsi IPL 2015. The agency handles the creative mandate for Sony MAX further to which it got the Pepsi IPL 2015 account.

     

    In order to rejuvenate the cricket viewers’ interest for Pepsi IPL 2015 and prepare them for a different level of excitement, Sony MAX and DDB Mudra West have crafted a three staged campaign called ‘India Ka Tyohaar.’

     

    India is a land of festivals and cricket is a multicultural religion uniting every Indian. Just like every religion, cricket also has its festival – the Indian Premier League. Based on this thought, the idea for this year’s Pepsi IPL 2015 campaign – India Ka Tyohar talks about the tournament as a festival which not only unites India but also brings together cricket players from across the world, uniting as clubs, battling for the winning cup of Pepsi IPL 2015.

     

    The first phase of the campaign that kick-started on Feb 24, 2015 included teasers showcasing people from various walks of life gearing up for ‘India Ka Tyohaar’. Spun around one of the key messages of Pepsi IPL 2015; erasing differences (social classes, occupation etc.) between people, the three teasers have a fun-filled tonality to them.

     

    The recently released second phase of the campaign is the Pepsi IPL 2015 anthem. Penned by Sonal Dabral and his team at DDB Mudra West, the anthem is composed by the music artist brothers Salim-Suleiman. The anthem will further be followed by three more creatives around the theme of the anthem ‘Isme hai dilon ka pyaar, yeh hai India ka tyohar’.

     

    The TVCs will go on air closer to the tournament’s start and will continue through the event marking the third phase of the campaign. The campaign would be spread across electronic, print and digital mediums.

     

    Neeraj Vyas

    Commenting on giving the creative mandate to DDB Mudra West, Neeraj Vyas, Senior EVP & Business Head, MAX, said, “For Pepsi IPL 2015, we wanted to have a campaign that brings people together in celebrating a much loved sport like cricket. DDB Mudra West has the talent, creativity and expertise to deliver a promising campaign such as ‘India ka Tyohaar’ which invites people to partake in this fun and festivity by putting aside their differences. We believe the agency will help make the Pepsi IPL 2015 a national rage and strengthen the emotional affinity towards the tournament.”

     

     

    Rajiv Sabnis

    Quoting on the account win, Rajiv Sabnis, President, DDB Mudra West said, “It’s a great feeling to partner the biggest sporting campaign of India- the Pepsi IPL 2015. The focus is back on celebrating the sport, limited overs cricket, and celebrating the enormous fan-following that it has not just in India but around the world. Cricket unifies, it brings joy, it infuses optimism and it even rejuvenates the economy. Cricket has the power to bring Indians together as one nation and one people.  “India ka Tyohaar” is Sony MAX and Sony Six’s initiative to celebrate Pepsi IPL 2015 as the largest, unifying festival of India.”

     

    Sonal Dabral
    Sonal Dabral

    Quoting on the campaign, Sonal Dabral, CCO and Chairman, DDB Mudra Group said, “If Cricket is a religion in India, Pepsi IPL 2015 is its only true festival. Unlike any other sporting event in the world, it’s a microcosm of the passion, fervour and madness that envelops our country whenever cricket is played, uniting hearts and minds in its wake. And unlike any other festival in India, this is one festival that every Indian celebrates. It’s got the colours of Holi, the festivity of Diwali, the brotherhood of Eid and the joy of Christmas. What else can you call it but one amazing ‘India Ka Tyohaar’? It’s been a privilege and an honour to create this big idea for Pepsi IPL 2015. Here’s to Sony! Here’s to India Ka Tyohaar!”

     

  • The Aam Aadmi Party scored a landslide win thanks to a positive campaign, comments Pratap Bose. The Grand Effie-winning BJP's blitz was a dud

    AAPHEW!| How Bad Messaging did the BJP in

     

    By Pratap Bose

     

    So the Aam Aadmi Party scored a landslide victory in the Delhi elections. It’s a huge win. Massive.

    As I wrote last week,  AAP was very clear and focused in its election campaign. The messaging was simple.  It was to provide an alternative to the BJP and Congress, and for those keen on a government run by a true representative of the common man. While it was an anti-Bharatiya Janata Party, anti-Congress, there was no negativity from Arvind Kejriwal this time.

     

    And as for the BJP, the negativity in the campaign didn’t work. In fact the very reasons why there was much sympathy towards the BJP and Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha elections, seem to now be the reasons why Kejriwal won.

     

    Negative campaigns don’t work. Even if the BJP’s Lok Sabha ads painted a dismal pic of the country, the essential message was positive: Achhe Din Aane Waale Hain.

     

    In these elections, while there was a ‘Call to Vote’, the messaging was negative. And, according to me, that’s what possibly did the BJP in. There are of course a variety of other factors – the public’s belief that the AAP can deliver better and some dissatisfaction on the BJP doings at the Centre – but the sensitivities of the public at large cannot be ignored. How else can you explain a 23% drop in voter share?

     

    If you think about it, there was nothing spectacular that the AAP did. The BJP had far greater assets in terms of budgets, advertising expenses, and the might of the entire top cabinet at their disposal, but like any strong brand the AAP stayed close, relevant and true to the people of Delhi. The symbols of the AAP, like the broom, the AAP cap, Kejriwal’s muffler, the simplicity in which he dressed, and the simple promises, all clearly resonated in this humongous victory.  One must never forget that aspiration is always secular and never based on class-based politics.

     

    After the Grand Effie-winning campaign of the BJP last year, this was a dud.

     

    Courtesy: www.PratapBose.com

    Pratap Bose was until recently COO, DDB Mudra Group. He is currently President, The Advertising Club. Visit www.pratapbose.com for this views

     

    Big Story image taken from the Aam Aadmi Party Facebook page. Visual of RK Laxman’s Common Man with Arvind Kejriwal in an ad by ‘Happily Unmarried’

     

  • The two programs were held in MICA, Ahmedabad from the 23rd­ 29th January 2015

    DDB-U flagged off by DDB Mudra in India

    By A Correspondent

     

    DDB-U@MICA, a learning institution responsible for educating varying levels across the DDB Mudra Group has launched in India. Working along with MICA Ahmedabad, the DDB Mudra Group has just concluded two key Career Development and Engagement Programs. A three day MDP (Management Development Program) and a unique three day IMP (India Management Program), for its current and future leaders.

     

    Through the two programs, which were held in MICA, Ahmedabad from the 23rd­ 29th January 2015 , DDB Mudra Group mid and senior level leadership were taken through bespoke programs addressing specially identified operational challenges and opportunities, designed to deliver on its ‘People First’ culture.

     

    The 3-day MDP course was a hands-on, interactive, skill-building learning experience, loaded with tools and best practices to help one create a management toolbox that enables one to handle the most difficult of management challenges. All of the case studies, tools, techniques and exercises used in the program were based on extensive leadership and management research and real-life agency issues. The program was led by Nigel Beard, Trainer & Facilitator, DDB Worldwide, based at Adam & Eve DDB in London. Nigel has been with DDB for over 30 years, he lectures and tutors at London¹s University of Westminster, is a Member of the UK Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA).

     

    Said Madhukar Kamath, Group CEO & Managing Director, DDB Mudra Group,” Being a ‘People’s first organization’, we are thrilled to launch DDB-U to India to reinforce the organizational hierarchy of ‘People, Product, Profit, in that order’ with our employees. Through these programs we have been able to enhance the skillsets and leadership quotient of around 60 of our talented and dedicated colleagues. All in a period of one week. This is just the beginning.”

     

  • The brief was to communicate to the audience to shop at any Future Group store of their choice, to get never-before cashback and benefits

    Adstrat: DDB Mudra West unveils 12 Months Free Shopping Festival campaign

    Future Group is India’s first and largest independent homegrown pure-play retail group. With a pan-India presence and multiple store formats, which meet the everyday needs of millions of customers in India, Future Group helps them live a better quality of life every day. The group has grown and continues to grow on a simple belief to be a part of every consumption opportunity of the Indian consumer.

     

    The Objective

    With the onset of Diwali, the biggest shopping season that India witnesses, at a time when the customers open their wallets and indulge in purchase – be it fashion, electronics, food, home fashion, kitchen goods, or even gifting, Future Group decided to bring all their different store formats from Big Bazaar, Food Bazaar, FBB, Central, Ezone, Home Town, Brand Factory and ‘I am In’ into a common platform where customers can benefit from their purchase across the entire portfolio of Future Group stores and promote cross purchase between stores.

     

    The Brief

    To communicate to the audience to shop at any Future Group store of their choice, to get never before cash back and benefits. This could be encashed on a monthly basis or for the entire year at any of the Future Group Store.

     

    The Idea

    The festive season is upon us. A time for weddings, Diwali celebrations, moving into a new house, purchase new vehicles, renovating shops and what have you. In short, a time when most people in India go on a shopping spree. Future Group’s ‘The 12 Months Free Shopping Festival’ debuts at this opportune time. The creative idea then was to showcase this frenzy of shopping, which is further heightened by the exciting shopping schemes tied to this shopping festival.

     

    The Execution:

    Teasers

    The temptations of shopping during the festive season are all around us. Be it for Diwali, a wedding in the family or moving into a new home. So, the creatives depicted people abstaining from shopping or not letting others shop, in three different settings that reflect the aforementioned occasions. Because they’d rather wait till 1st October when The 12 Months Free Shopping Festival kicks-off – in order to plunge headfirst into a shopping binge.

     

    Main Films

    In the reveal films, it shows ‘The 12 Months Free Shopping Festival’ has begun, and a roving camera catching people red-handed with a massive amount of big ticket purchases. They are seen offering unconvincing reasons to the camera (in a sing-song) for doing so. A recurring chorus, however, calls their bluff throughout. Because the real reason is, of course, the exciting shopping schemes offered at this mega event. Towards the end, the shopping scheme itself is depicted with a unique Hammer Game device as seen in amusement parks. All this, set to a peppy tune.

     

    Commenting on the campaign, Akshay Mehrotra, Chief Marketing Officer, Big Bazaar, said, “We believe ‘The 12 Months Free Shopping Festival’ is among the most powerful ideas from the Group and will form a unique and valuable year-long relationship with our customers. The festive season is a time for family shopping; our customers can shop from all our categories for every family member and get rewarded by getting free shopping benefits through the next 12 months of the year. ‘The 12 Months Free Shopping Festival’ is the biggest reward program ever launched for our customers and this campaign communicates the uniqueness and value proposition of ‘The 12 Months Free Shopping Festival’ to people.”

     

    Sonal Dabral

    Speaking about the campaign, Sonal Dabral, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, DDB Mudra Group, said, “An exciting, high energy and truly creative festival needs to have an equally creative and high energy creative communication idea. That’s exactly what we delivered with this campaign.”

     

  • The decision was closed following a competitive pitch by a few selectively invited agencies, vying for the account

    DDB Mudra appointed creative agency for Sony Max & Max2

    By A Correspondent

     

    Hindi movie channels Sony MAX and MAX2 have roped in DDB Mudra as their new creative agency. The decision was closed following a competitive pitch by a few selectively invited agencies, vying for the account.

     

    DDB Mudra will handle the creative duties for the brands MAX & MAX2 which were previously handled by J Walter Thompson. Both MAX & MAX2 have always built distinctive brand imagery for themselves to stand out in a highly cluttered industry and have sustained their leadership position through their effective and high on recall brand communication.

     

    Commenting on this change Vaishali Sharma, VP Marketing & Communications, MAX & MAX2 said, “With the ever changing business environment, it is important to continuously reinvent and innovate as a market leader. We are happy to have DDB Mudra as our new agency on board and look forward to working with them. We are confident that they will provide us with a fresh perspective for our campaigns and will enable us to scale new heights.”

     

    Rajiv Sabnis

    Rajiv Sabnis, Executive Director & President, DDB Mudra Group said “If Bollywood and cricket are like religion in India, then MAX is the temple at which Indian viewers pay obeisance. MAX is the original Bollywood movie channel. Through its exciting and interesting bouquet of Hindi movies, it has enthralled Bollywood fans across India. Add to that the mega entertainment of IPL. You can’t ask for better. The DDB Mudra mandate is to take this obsession with Bollywood and cricket to the next level.”

     

  • The DDB Mudra Group, with its 10 agencies and operating units is in a unique position to meet these demands

    DDB Mudra Group announces Group Executive, Creative and Strategic Planning Council

    By A Correspondent

     

    DDB Mudra Group has announced the re-constitution of its Executive Board and the creation of the Group Creative Council and the Strategic Planning Council.

     

    The Group Executive Board, will consist of the following members: Aneil Deepak, Head of Ideas, DDB MudraMax, Anurag Bansal, CFO, DDB Mudra Group, Deepak Nair, COO, 22feet Tribal Worldwide, Madhukar Kamath, Group CEO & Managing Director, DDB Mudra Group, Mandeep Malhotra, President, DDB MudraMax – OOH, Retail & Experiential, Rajiv Sabnis, President, DDB Mudra West, Sathyamurthy Namakkal, President, DDB MudraMax – Media, Sonal Dabral, Chairman & CCO, DDB Mudra Group.

     

    Given the new order of business and marketing challenges and increasing conversations and demands from a wide spectrum of clients for more collaborative and integrated solutions, the DDB Mudra Group, with its 10 agencies and operating units (DDB Mudra West, DDB Mudra South & East, DDB Mudra North, DDB MudraMax – OOH, DDB MudraMax – Experiential, DDB MudraMax – Media, TracyLocke, 22feet Tribal Worldwide, RAPP and DDB Remedy) offering a range of specialist solutions,  is perhaps in a unique position to meet these demands.

     

    Madhukar Kamath

    Madhukar Kamath, Group CEO & Managing Director, DDB Mudra Group said, “Today we sit at the intersection of humanity, creativity, and technology. It is the age of Influence and it is an exciting time with enormous potential for brands and their future.  With DDB Mudra Group’s legacy, there really isn’t any other company in India that has the capability of delivering influential creative solutions through all marketing touch points. And with the Executive Board we aim to deliver just that.”

     

    The Creative Council will consist of Aneil Deepak, Head of Ideas, DDB MudraMax, Brijesh Jacob, Joint MD, 22feet Tribal Worldwide, Rahul Mathew, Creative Head, DDB Mudra West, Sambit Mohanty, Creative Head, DDB Mudra North, Vipul Thakkar, Creative Head, DDB Mudra South & East.

     

    Sonal Dabral

    Sonal Dabral, Chairman & Chief Creative Officer, DDB Mudra Group, on the creation of the Group Creative Council said, “As we go about living our vision of being the most influential communications company in India, it is of paramount importance that we constantly evaluate and celebrate our creativity, our work. Our Creative Council will help us deliver just that. Creative leaders of the group coming together sharing work and ideas and helping each other become better and stronger every single day. In turn shaping DDB Mudra Group to be the very best.”

     

  • The idea for the new TVC was born out of drawing parallels to the few moments in life that feel good. Thus was born the campaign thought of "Feels that good"

    ‘Feels that good’, asserts Polo in new TVC

    Globally, the Polo has been around and enjoyed for generations. In India too, the much-loved hatchback has been widely accepted in all its variants and editions. Which is why, when it was time to launch the New 2014 Polo, Volkswagen’s campaign had to ensure a similar level of enthusiasm and curiosity. For it was a clear case of ‘the good becoming better’.

     

    The idea for the new TVC was born out of drawing parallels to the few moments in life that feel good. Thus was born the campaign thought of “Feels that good”.Like all Volkswagen TVCs, this one too is endearing and simple, yet entertaining at the same time. Taking forward the thought of “Feels that good”, the film illustrates the story of two brothers. The younger of the two always gets the raw end of the stick, as he ends up with all the ‘hand-me-downs’ from his cooler older sibling. From school books to uniforms to shoes and even bicycles, it’s always second-hand. Ultimately, the story takes a big turn. The younger brother, now all grown up, comes into his own when we see him driving the sparkling New Polo, while his older sibling is still using a nondescript old car.

     

    Sonal Dabral

    Commenting on the campaign Sonal Dabral, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, DDB Mudra Group, said, “The new refreshed Polo has unique features that deliver a superior driving experience. We used hand-me-downs as a creative device to make the point that driving the new Polo, with these features, makes you feel so good. It uses the tonality of all Volkswagen advertising where the product is at the centre and there is humour woven around it, leaving the viewer with a ‘feel good’ factor.”

     

  • The sessions take place on the last Friday of every month at the DDB Mudra Group office

    DDB Mudra Group launches Bernbach Fridays

    DDB Mudra Group has announced the launch of Bernbach Fridays, a tribute to a man who is the Father of Modern Advertising, a brilliant advertising mind of the 20th Century and DDB’s founder the great Bill Bernbach. The sessions take place on the last Friday of every month at the DDB Mudra Group office, and so far a total of four successful sessions have already taken place.

     

    The maiden session of Bernbach Fridays saw DDB Mudra Group’s very own Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, Sonal Dabral.Having over two decades of experience in the field of advertising, he shared his life journey with the audience. Right from his NID days to his first job to how he helped Ogilvy Singapore become the hottest agency in the region and the No.1 creative office of the WPP global network and also his experience as a TV host and a scriptwriter in Bollywood.  He inspired and engaged the DDB Mudra Groupemployees which was the perfect kick-start to Bernbach Fridays.

     

    Shreedavy Babuji

    The second speaker of Bernbach Fridays was Shreedavy Babuji, of DDB Mudra West, who presented an extremely interesting project she had worked on. The project was a documentary covering the various aspects of an age old folk art form of India – the Truck art. Titled ‘Horn Please’, the documentary focuses on origin of truck art and its evolution since then. The documentary has been accepted at festivals across the world and is getting tremendous reviews everywhere.

     

     

     

    Varun Thakur
    E Suresh

    The third and fourth sessions of Bernbach Fridays saw Varun Thakur – stand-up comedian and E Suresh – Founder of Studio Eeksaurus, respectively. With a good mix of personal stories, observational humour and impersonations, Varun was an act that no one could miss. E Suresh, also the founder of Famous Studios, shared his eventful journey in the world of animation.

     

     

    Sonal Dabral
    Sonal Dabral

    Sonal Dabral, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer at DDB Mudra Group said, “Our instincts and craft as creatives gets honed everyday by just observing and assimilating life happening around us. Which means the more we are aware of our world the better advertising professionals we become. That’s where curiosity comes in. The desire to know as much as possible.Desire to find out the answers.Desire to be acquainted with as many subjects as possible. Curiosity and creativity are never far apart. Without curiosity, we will never be innovative. There will be no growth and nothing will change. To fuel this curiosity we have launched “Bernbach Fridays”.”

     

    The main aim of Bernbach Fridays sessions is to celebrate advertising by creating curiosity. The audiences at DDB Mudra arealways ready for something new, therefore these sessions will see speakers from different fields which would include Fashion Designers, Chefs, Film Makers, Scientists, Directors, Musicians, Artists and so on.

     

  • The company has unveiled a new campaign with the underlying theme 'Idea: Khushiyon Ka Rangmanch'

    CenturyPly leans on ‘Khushiyon Ka Rangmanch’ credo to deliver new proposition

    By A Correspondent

     

    CenturyPly has undergone a brand restructuring exercise and also unveiled a new brand philosophy. The company has unveiled a new campaign with the underlying theme ‘Idea: Khushiyon Ka Rangmanch’.

     

    CenturyPly is not just into creating commodities, but is in the business of creating spaces and home solutions through its products – plywood, laminates and veneers – surfaces which are witness to everyday moments of joy and happiness. The theme revolves around the premise that it’s these surfaces that bring people together; a stage where life’s happy moments play out.

     

    Mr Amit Gope – Head, Marketing, CenturyPly said, “We found this concept to be extremely strong, unique and with a potential to remain relevant for a long time. More than that, it was something that was meeting our objectives in the best possible manner.”

     

    Sonal Dabral
    Sonal Dabral

    Sonal Dabral – Chairman & Chief Creative Officer, DDB Mudra Group affirmed, “Devoid of any sharp ideas, the plywood advertising landscape has been fuzzy to say the least. We decided it was time for a respected brand like CenturyPly to speak like a leader and elevate the category to the next level. Nana Patekar’s brilliance needs no mention. We were fortunate that he agreed to be a part of this project. I’m certain the audience will love him as the voice of our conscience provoking us to take a fresh look at our furniture we take for granted every day.”

     

     

    Rajiv Sabnis

    Rajiv Sabnis – President, DDB Mudra West said, “Khusiyon ka Rangmanch is an idea that is a take on life, from the point-of-view of the furniture. If all inanimate objects had a life of their own, and could see the world around them, then they would see themselves at the centre of a family life. Then furniture could see the joys, the bonding, the celebration, the success, the romance, the love, the gossip and many other emotions that a family goes through in the course of their life together. Furniture is a mute spectator today, but if it had emotions, it would believe that the family comes together around the various pieces of furniture which make a home. Nana Patekar embodies the conscience of the furniture that provides a platform for emotions to play out. This campaign is a tribute to furniture, hence Century Ply, and the centre stage role it plays in bringing and keeping families together.”

     

    The campaign is a multimedia campaign across the mediums of TV, print, outdoor, digital and on ground. It goes on air this week.

     

  • The campaign features a 360-degree multimedia integration of TV commercial, radio, cinema, print, innovative outdoor, events, promotions and digital platforms

    Bata goes ‘waist down’ with its new TVC

    By a correspondent

     

    Leading footwear retailer and manufacturer Bata announced the launch of its new Spring Summer’14 marketing campaign for its entire range of footwear, accessories, bags and glasses. The campaign features a 360-degree multimedia integration of TV commercial, radio, cinema, print, innovative outdoor, events, promotions and digital platforms.

     

    The TV commercial has been innovatively shot to capture slice-of-life situations in the lives of people through a literal focus on the footwear. The film uses a unique technique of following those real life moments by showing the action only from knee down. The situations captured include from the nervous to the dramatic to the adventurous, including a group of students eagerly looking at their exam results, colleagues watching a cricket match in office and a group of young girls enjoying their ‘day out.’ The film also showcases all the leading brands in their latest styles from Bata in an aspirational way. Shot in a contemporary manner and stitched together using fast-paced music, the film reiterates the brand’s presence in the lives of individuals, cutting across the barriers of age, a necessity considering the eclectic portfolio of Bata.

     

    The campaign is yet another remarkable milestone in Bata’s journey of symbolizing that shoes can be lifestyle led, young, vibrant and yet comfortable. The campaign’s “waist down” TVC treatment captures how the shoe line’s range covers the gamut of shoes from business indoors to comfortable outdoors.

     

    Sumit Kumar, Vice President and Head of Marketing and Customer Service, Bata India said, “Drawing on our vast experience and understanding of the Indian consumer, we have designed our latest 360-degree marketing campaign to appeal to the sensibilities of the Indian consumer across age groups and demographic profiles. We have a fantastic range of stylish, on-trend and contemporary products that will appeal not only to our loyal customers but also to a wider audience. We intend to communicate the brand as aspirational and yet comfortable. We are continuing our external marketing journey with fabulous in-store environment featuring our new global concept stores to make shopping a pleasurable experience for our customers.”

     

    Sonal Dabral
    Sonal Dabral

    Sonal Dabral, Chairman & CCO, DDB Mudra Group said, “A whole generation of Indians have grown up with Bata and it’s an inseparable part of everyone’s growing up memories. The strategy and the idea behind the new campaign is to build on this equity and to also help the brand make a fresh connect with the youth. I am really excited for the TVC we have worked on. A story told by the stylish Bata shoes themselves which I’m sure will do its bit in helping make this iconic brand a vibrant and colourful brand of today transforming it from just a shoe to a destination where life meets style.”

     

  • January 1 saw Director-Finance Anurag Bansal step into the shoes of CFO Dilip Upadhyaya

    DDB Mudra Group elevates Anurag Bansal to CFO

    By A Correspondent

     

    Anurag Bansal

    The DDB Mudra Group has announced Anurag Bansal as CFO of DDB Mudra Group effective January 1.

     

    In his new role, Mr Bansal will oversee the finance, legal, commercial, and IT functions across the group, in addition to heading the financial integration of the DDB Mudra Group with Omnicom Group Inc.

     

    Mr Bansal, who has been with DDB Mudra since January 2008 was until recently designated Director-Finance. He took charge from Dilip Upadhyaya who has stepped down as CFO after 26 years with the ad agency network. Mr Upadhyaya will continue with the group as a Consultant.

     

    Madhukar Kamath

    Said Madhukar Kamath, Group CEO and Managing Director, DDB Mudra Group, on the appointment: “In the short span of six years with us, Anurag has grown tremendously within the DDB Mudra Group. Apart from his professional capability and competence, I truly admire his energy, enthusiasm and leadership qualities.”

     

    Commenting on his new role, Mr Bansal said, “I am very excited to step in to the role of the Group CFO.The journey for me has just begun and I look forward tosome challenging yet exciting times ahead!”

     

     

     

  • With a roster that includes Fastrack, Axe and Red Bull, 22feet has been a target for acquisition for a while now

    22feet in talks with Omnicom Group for an acquisition deal

    By Shephali Bhatt

     

    22feet, a digital agency founded by Brijesh Jacob, Deepak Nair, Vineet Gupta and Vinod Moolacherry, is rumoured to be in talks with Omnicom Group (India) for an acquisition deal.

     

    Sources with knowledge of the discussions say TribalDDB, the digital unit of DDB Mudra Group, will be dismantled, and 22feet will become the Omnicom Group’s digital unit after the acquisition is complete. (Omnicom is the holding company that owns DDB Mudra.) Both Brijesh Jacob, founder of 22feet, and Madhukar Kamath, Group CEO & MD of DDB Mudra Communications, were unavailable for a comment at the time of filing this report.

     

    With a roster that includes Fastrack, Axe and Red Bull, 22feet has been a target for acquisition for a while now. This comes close on the heels of another similar development: the imminent acquisition of the Indian operations of Saatchi & Saatchi by independent agency Law & Kenneth.

     

    The common factor among both Tribal DDB and Saatchi & Saatchi is they are established global brands that have not been able to make too much of an impact in the Indian market.

     

    In a shift in trend, instead of acquiring key talent, holding companies like Publicis (which owns Saatchi & Saatchi) and Omnicom are considering handing the operations over to homegrown set-ups that have managed to make an impact. If both these deals come through, it is most likely to give a fillip to independent agencies across categories and specialisations.

     

    Source:The Economic Times

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