MxMIndia

Tag: Havas India

  • With three key appointments

    Havas strengthens strategy team

    Havas Worldwide India, the creative arm of Havas India, has strengthened its strategy team with three key appointments. Dhananjoy Ray, Aniruddh Subramanian and Jahan Nargolwala have joined the agency as Associate Vice President – Planning & Strategy. All three will report to John Thangaraj, Chief Strategy Officer, Havas Creative Network India, and will be based out of Gurgaon.

    Said John Thangaraj: “I am thrilled to welcome Dhananjoy, Aniruddh and Jahan to the Havas family. The world is changing and so are we. Strategy needs to be more business forward, digital first and data driven than ever before and our journey towards creating a more converged, multi-disciplinary team begins now. Each of them brings a deep and divergent level of expertise and experience to the table. Dhananjoy brings a deep passion and excitement for all things tech and auto. Aniruddh’s understanding and experience on the CPG category is second to none. And Jahan’s digital-first expertise across multiple categories nicely rounds out the team. Their hires underscore Havas’ deep commitment to delivering insight & data backed strategic solutions that focus on keeping our clients ahead of the curve. That said, we’ve only just begun – watch this space!”

  • Of Havas Creative Network India

    Havas India appoints John Thangaraj as CSO

    John Thangaraj
    John Thangaraj

    Havas India has appointed John Thangaraj as the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of Havas Creative Network India and his remit will include Havas Worldwide India (creative), Havas CX India (customer experience), Conran Design Mumbai (brand design), Ekino (technology), and Havas People India (employer branding). Thangaraj will be responsible for driving the strategic mandate of the creative network and will also work closely with Havas Village India leaders to drive integration. He will be based out of Gurugram and report to Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas India, South East Asia and North Asia (Japan & South Korea).

    Speaking about the appointment, Barua said: “Havas Creative Network India has gained tremendous scale and size over the last six years. One of the agencies which has seen unprecedented growth, new leaders, tremendous business traction is Havas Worldwide India and therefore John will work closely with Anupama Ramaswamy and Kundan Joshee to further drive the growth of the agency. In addition, he will also work closely with Geet Nazir (Conran Design Mumbai), Prashant Tekwani (Havas CX India) and Arindam Sengupta (Havas People India) to further strengthen the strategic vision.  He will further consolidate our client relationships and drive thought-leadership to ensure meaningful business growth and establish Havas Creative Network India as the most future-forward and progressive creative network conglomerate. I wish him all the best.”

  • To 'foster innovation, collaboration and client satisfaction'

    Havas elevates two senior leaders to COOs

    Havas Media Network India, the specialised media division of Havas India has announced the elevation of two of its senior leaders to even more senior roles within the organisation. While Uday Mohan steps into the position of Chief Operating Officer of Havas Media India, R. Venkatasubramanian assumes the role of Chief Operating Officer of Havas Play. They will continue reporting to Mohit Joshi, CEO, Havas Media Network India.

    Commenting on the elevations, Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas India, South East Asia and North Asia (Japan and South Korea) said: “Uday and Venkat’s elevations come at an important juncture for Havas Media Network India, as the agency experiences remarkable growth. Their strategic prowess and dedication have been instrumental in driving our agency’s success over the years and their elevation reflects our confidence in their vision and ability to continue fostering innovation, collaboration, and client satisfaction. I wish them all the best.”

    Added Mohit Joshi, CEO, Havas Media Network India: “With Uday and Venkat at the helm of their respective business divisions, Havas Media Network India has made significant strides, evident in the agency’s expanded client portfolio, new acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. This elevation underscores our unwavering dedication to fortifying our organizational framework by nurturing our in-house capabilities. Leaders like them are key to our goal of making media meaningful for our clients and the industry at large as their exceptional industry acumen is pivotal in leading a team as diverse as ours. I extend my sincerest congratulations to Uday and Venkat on their new roles and look forward to our continued trajectory of growth and success together.”

  • To drive future growth

    Havas India elevates key leaders across creative network

    Havas India has announced a leadership transition across three key agencies under the Havas Creative Network India umbrella, including Havas Worldwide India (creative), Conran Design Mumbai (brand design), and Havas CX India (customer experience).

    Kundan Joshee, Managing Partner, Havas Worldwide India, has been promoted as Managing Director of the India operations. Anupama Ramaswamy, Chief Creative Officer, Havas Worldwide India, will also mantle the additional responsibility of Joint Managing Director along with the CCO profile.  Geet Nazir, Managing Partner of Conran Design Mumbai, has been elevated to Managing Director of the agency. Prashant Tekwani, Managing Partner, Havas CX India, has been elevated to Managing Director of both Havas CX India and Ekino (technology) India.

    While Joshee, Nazir and Tekwani will be based out of Mumbai, Ramaswamy will continue to be based out of Gurugram. All four along with others in the leadership team will continue to report to Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas India, South East Asia & North Asia (Japan & South Korea).

    Said Barua: “Over the past few years, our focus has been on enhancing our expertise and solidifying our position as the most progressive communications network in India. While our Media Network, under the leadership of Mohit Joshi, Uday Mohan, R Venkat, and Shibu Shivanandan, has thrived, Havas Creative Network India has grown exponentially both organically and inorganically and has built the creative repertoire of Havas India.”

  • Appoints new ECDs

    Havas bolsters creative team

    Havas, the creative agency of Havas India, has strengthened its creative team with the appointment of Arjun Jetly, Neharika Awal, Ajitesh Verma, and Monish Gupta as Executive Creative Directors.

    Based out of Gurugram, all four will report to Anupama Ramaswamy, Chief Creative Officer of Havas Worldwide India, and will be responsible for further strengthening the creative offering of the agency.

    Speaking about the appointments, Anupama Ramaswamy, Chief Creative Officer, Havas Worldwide India, said:“Now is the time for our work to shine. And I can’t think of a better team to lead this than Neharika, Monish, Arjun and Ajitesh. I’m delighted to welcome them into the Havas family. They are a dynamic bunch, brimming with new ideas, each having their own individual strengths, which will not just help the brands we work on but also the teams. I believe in their capabilities and mindset to take Havas Worldwide India to newer heights.”

  • Wavemaker & Mondelez shine @ Emvie 2024

    Wavemaker & Mondelez shine @ Emvie 2024

    The 24th edition of the Emvies, held last Friday (March22) saw Wavemaker India with 665 points recognised as ‘The Best Media Agency of the Year’ and Mondelēz India Foods Pvt. Ltd. with 440 points declared as ‘The Best Media Client of the Year’.

    Grand-EMVIE
    Grand EMVIE

    EMVIE - Client of the year
    EMVIE – Client of the year

    Grand EMVIE Thirty-five agencies participated to submit 1892 entries, of which 471 entries were shortlisted. Other than one Grand Emvie, 44 Gold and 68 Silver trophies were presented in addition to 88 Bronze prizes.

    Wavemaker India also bagged the Grand Emvie for Mondelēz India’s Cadbury Celebrations. Mindshare with 460 points stood second and EssenceMediacom with 325 points stood third. It was indeed a GroupM show at the top of the agency roster.

    The Emvie for Diversity Equality & Inclusion (DE&I) was awarded to Mindshare for Dove’s Stop The Beauty Test. The Young Emvie of The Year was awarded to Mindshare’s Rowena Rodrigues for Dove – Crafting Cannes-worthy Brilliance!

    Said Rana Barua, Group CEO of Havas India, South East, and North Asia, and President of The Advertising Club: “The calibre of work showcased at the Emvie this year was truly phenomenal. Standing out in their unique ways, each entry exemplified the exceptional quality of work our industry professionals consistently maintain, reaching global standards. We are delighted to celebrate these winners, whose creativity and strategic brilliance set a new standard for excellence. A heartfelt congratulations to all the winners for raising the bar in the media industry!”

    Added Punitha Arumugam, Chairperson, Emvies Committee: “The work submitted for Emvies continues to astound us. Each year, the innovative and ingenious campaigns elevate the industry’s brilliance to new heights. A huge congratulations to this year’s winners! The quality of work witnessed sets a remarkable standard in the media industry, and we are thrilled to see where the continuing work takes the industry next.”

    The prestigious awards were powered by TV9 Network, co-powered by The Times of India, in association with UltraTech Cement, and category sponsors Craving Digital, Celebrity Cricket League (CCL), and South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA).

    EMVIE 2024 AGENCY OF THE YEAR

    EMVIE 2024 CLIENT OF THE YEAR

    EMVIE 2024 RESULTS

  • In Mumbai

    Emvies to be held on March 22

    The Advertising Club is gearing up to host the latest edition of the Emvies. With a total of 1892 entries received, Emvies 2024 will take place on Friday, March 22, 2024, in Mumbai.

    Of 1892 entries received, 471 were shortlisted. The final round of judging was evaluated by seasoned marketing professionals and select creative directors. Emerging as a gold standard amongst media awards, the Emvies 2024 has over the years grown in scale and strength.

    Said Rana Barua, Group CEO of Havas India, South East, and North Asia, and President of The Advertising Club: “At The Advertising Club, we take immense pride in promoting excellence in the field of Advertising, Media, and Marketing and the Emvies is a testament to our continuous effort. I’d like to express my gratitude to the jury for giving their precious time, and to the media agencies and brands for demonstrating strong ideas to foster growth of the Advertising, Media, and Marketing industry.”

    Added Punitha Arumugam, Chairperson Emvies Committee: “The increase in the number of entries for Emvies 2024 underlines the industry’s unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries. We are delighted to recognize the dedication and strategic brilliance reflected in these entries. It has always been our endeavour to celebrate groundbreaking media campaigns that have significantly contributed towards building resonance for brands.”

  • To deliver meaningful solutions to clients

    Havas Media inks partnership with KlugKlug

    Havas Media Network India, the media agency of Havas India, and KlugKlug, the Influencer Tech platorm, have entered a partnership. This collaboration is aimed at introducing solutions in the space of influencer marketing signaling a commitment to elevate the impact and effectiveness of influencer-driven campaigns.

    Said Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas India, SEA & North Asia (Japan & South Korea): “At Havas India, it has been our endeavour to introduce cutting-edge expertise that not only complements our current integrated Village ecosystem but also helps our client partners grow their business meaningfully. While we have already been leveraging influencer marketing as a substantial expertise, this strategic alliance with KlugKlug will enable us to further bolster our offering, making way for a more transparent, tech-driven, and organised ecosystem. I wish both the teams the very best and look forward to some impactful work together.”

    Commenting on the partnership, KlugKlug Co-Founder & CEO, Kalyan Kumar, added: “KlugKlug is absolutely delighted to embark on this journey with Havas Media Network India by adding a scientific layer to the world of influencer marketing for clients. This is a further validation of how closely KlugKlug brings forth ‘data that matters’ for greater business impact. Having successfully validated our technology across India and globally, this is a massive stepping-stone in our efforts to bring true value to the accelerating influencer marketing landscape. With Havas Media Network India’s guidance on continuous improvements, we should be unveiling some Made-In-Bharat global-first innovations in the very near future.”

  • To pursue other interests

    Tarun Jha moves on from Havas Worldwide

    Tarun Jha, who had joined as the Chief Executive Officer of Havas Worldwide not too long again, has decided to move on, to pursue other interests. Anupama Ramaswamy, Chief Creative Officer, Anirban Mozumdar, Chief Strategy Officer and Kundan Joshee, Managing Partner, will continue to lead Havas Worldwide India jointly and will report to Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas India, Southeast Asia, and North Asia (Japan & South Korea).

    Said Barua: “Tarun was an intrinsic part of the team, playing a key role in establishing a robust foundation for Havas Worldwide India. He actively contributed to important discussions and helped in putting together a strong and capable second line of leaders. I wish him all the best for the next chapter.”

  • MxMLive with Rana Barua

    MxMLive with Rana Barua

    In early January 2024, it was announced that Rana will extend his remit to include South East and North Asia. The expansion of Barua’s scope adds nine additional markets under his leadership in his new role as Group CEO India, South East and North Asia. His new titled reads: Group CEO, Havas India, South East Asia and North Asia

    Over the last few weeks, he has met with the media, talking about his new role and vision for his agency network.

    As part of a new season of MxMLive, Pradyuman Maheshwari, Editor-in-Chief spoke with Rana Barua over an interview via Zoom.

    Watch. Enjoy. Like.

  • To be co-hosted by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club

    Goafest 2024 to sizzle from May 29 to 31, 2024

    By Our Staff

     

    The 17th edition of Goafest, the biggest advertising festival in South Asia, will be held from May 29 to 31, 20024 at the Grand Hyatt, Bambolim, Goa. Co-hosted by The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club, Goafest 2024, the fest will showcase knowledge sessions, masterclasses, networking opportunities, partying, and of course the Abby Awards.

     

    The fest was held from May 24 to 26 last year, and while one thought it would be horribly hot, we thought it was pretty bearable.

     

    Prasanth Kumar
    Prasanth Kumar

    Said Prasanth Kumar, President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India and CEO of GroupM, South Asia: “Goafest has firmly established itself as the pinnacle of creative celebrations in South Asia, uniting the foremost talents in the creative and marketing realms. Our goal is to offer our industry peers an immersive experience over three days filled with learning, meaningful engagement, interactivity, and curiosity.”

     

    Rana Barua
    Rana Barua

    Added Rana Barua, President of The Advertising Club and Group CEO of Havas India, South East, and North Asia: “Every year, The Abby One Show Awards at Goafest stand as a testament to the biggest and most prestigious awards in the Indian advertising industry, celebrating innovative and groundbreaking ideas. Once again, I invite the brilliant minds of Indian advertising to join the celebrations and embark on an exciting journey at Goafest 2024, where creativity takes the spotlight.”

     

    Jaideep Gandhi
    Jaideep Gandhi

    Said Jaideep Gandhi, Chairperson of Goafest 2024: “Persistently, Goafest has progressed and pioneered, solidifying its status as the foremost advertising festival in India. From insightful knowledge-sharing sessions to featuring distinguished speakers, we are confident in welcoming global guests who will significantly contribute to the industry, particularly benefitting younger professionals. I would also like to mention that Mr Mohit Joshi, CEO of Havas Media has very kindly agreed to join me as Co-Chair and contribute immensely to take this event to greater heights.”

     

  • Ahmad was previously Managing Partner – North of Havas Worldwide India

    Havas gets Jaibeer Ahmad as Chief Transformation & Growth Officer

    By Our Staff

     

    Jaibeer Ahmad
    Jaibeer Ahmad

    Havas India has elevated Jaibeer Ahmad, formerly Managing Partner – North at Havas Worldwide India to the role of Chief Transformation & Growth Officer. He is mandated to set transformative strategies, driving business growth through integration and collaboration across all 18 Havas India agencies.

     

    He will report to Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas India, South East Asia & North Asia (Japan & South Korea).

     

    Said Barua on the development: “The last five years have been a period of exponential growth for Havas India, having grown steadily from three to 18 agencies, both organically and inorganically delivering nine differentiated services to our clients. While this momentum will continue, and we will be adding a few more expertise, it is now critical that we consolidate and leverage the strength of our offering to enlarge the services and accelerate business growth. Jaibeer has the nuanced understanding of the One Havas ethos, the strategic knowhow to turn opportunities into tangible outcomes, and strong, people-focused leadership, and I am confident that he will make Havas India one of the top growth markets within the Havas ecosystem through integration.”

     

    Commenting on his elevation, Ahmad added: “At Havas India, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to collaborate across an array of functions, including, Media, CX, Experiential, PR, UI/UX, E-commerce, Programmatic, Brand Design, Health, and many more. The beauty and the strength of this model is that all these expertise are under one roof. This experience crystallized the vital need for an integrated ecosystem like our Havas Village, navigating today’s complex marketing landscape. In this new role, my mission is clear: foster convergence and collaboration among our 18 agencies and the growing ecosystem, and craft customised, integrated solutions for our clients.”