MxMIndia

Tag: Havas

  • Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi to launch campaign at Goafest 2017

    Havas team wins award for violence against women campaign

    By A Correspondent

    Shilpa Chaudhary and Ayushi Rastogi of Havas, New Delhi are recipients of the first ever all-industry initiative set up The Advertising Club and the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) towards a multimedia campaign aimed at mitigating gender violence. The winning campaign will be funded for production by the Ad Club and AAAi and launched by Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi on April 7 at Goafest.

    Declaring the result, Ramesh Narayan Chairman Awards Governing Council said: “I am very proud to be a part of an industry that cares for good causes. Raj Nayak President TAC, Nakul Chopra President AAAI and Ashish Bhasin spontaneously agreed to back the first-ever industry initiative to use its creative talent and media linkages to identify, produce and run a communications campaign that would attempt to mitigate violence against women. FCB Ulka created the Call for Entries campaign and GroupM ran the campaign that attracted entries from almost all the major Indian Agencies. They will also be helping to run the winning campaign across media. This is one of the finest moments for our industry. Communication as a force for good will be on display A great jury chaired by Amer Jameel,  Chairman and CCO, Mullen Lintas judged the campaign and unanimously selected the entry sent by Shilpa and Ayushi of Havas. The campaign is being produced now”.

    Said Jaleel: “Seven crackerjack, sharp and very opinionated minds in a room who happened to be women, minefield! They however came away reconnecting with some old pals and making new ones. Right off the block we decided this wasn’t an ‘awards’ jury. We acted like clients on behalf of the AAAI and Ad Club, since we were picking a campaign to run. The most valuable ‘thought’ won over craft and execution, making it a new and refreshing experience. Big congrats to the Havas Team for the stellar campaign idea!”

    The other members of the jury were Tista Sen (NCD, JWT India), Malvika Mehra (Founder, Tomorrow Creative Lab), Priti Nair (Director, curry-nation), Anita Verma (Director, Digital Driftwood), Dr A.L.Sharada (Director, Population First), Rajni Menon (President, Carat India) and Vibha Bakshi (V2 Film & Design).

  • The winners emerged from 92 finalists across 36 categories

    Havas, O&M, Lowe Lintas win big at APAC Effies 2015

    By A Correspondent

     

    APAC Effie Awards 2015 announced the winners at an Awards Gala held on 10 April 2015 at the Four Seasons Ballroom Singapore.

     

    Hosted by veteran actor and comedian Pam Oei and attended by some 170 marketing professionals from around the region, the awards gala presented a total of 61 Awards – 1 Grand Effie, 17 Golds, 19 Silvers and 24 Bronzes. The Grand Effie was awarded to Havas Worldwide and Child Survival India for their campaign “No Child Brides”.

     

    The winners emerged from 92 finalists across 36 categories and the coveted Agency of the Year Award went to Ogilvy & Mather Mumbai who picked up 8 awards – 2 Golds, 4 Silvers and 2 Bronzes. Lowe Lintas + Partners, India and DDB Auckland came in second and third respectively.

     

    Ogilvy & Mather was named the Agency Network of the Year, picking up a total of 4 Golds, 4 Silvers and 4 Bronzes from its agencies in the region followed by BBDO Worldwide and Lowe & Partners.

     

    India was the biggest winner walking away with a total haul of 18 awards, including the Grand Effie followed by Australia and New Zealand with 15 and 11 awards respectively.

     

    Awards Chairman Jarek Ziebinski said, “’Awarding Ideas that Work’ may sound like a simple concept but winning an APAC Effie is more than just an accolade. It is an affirmation of being the best in the Asia Pacific region, a true recognition of an agency’s expertise in delivering marketing campaigns that work and achieve results. This is the core reason our creative industry exists.  It also further validates a successful two-way collaboration between clients and agencies and the synergies that arise from it”.

     

    The APAC Effie Awards is organised by the Confederation of Asian Advertising Agency Associations (CAAAA) and Tenasia Group. Mr Harris Thajeb, CAAAA Chairman said, “ We are impressed with the high quality of work submitted.  The Asia Pacific region has again proven its relevance by continuing to improvise and explore new ways through the use of new technologies and fresh ideas to create an impact in their marketing communications and it is through this celebration that we honour marketing effectiveness excellence and recognise the success of these marketing campaigns”.

     

  • As technology, data and algorithmic complexity have increased; automation in the media industry has become the new norm

    Havas unveils Meta DSP

    By A Correspondent

     

    Affiperf, Havas’ programmatic pure player has announced the launch of Affiperf Meta DSP solution. As technology, data and algorithmic complexity have increased; automation in the media industry has become the new norm. Despite this, the potential of automated programmatic methods for real-time buying have been limited by the fact that until now, agencies were limited to using inventory from different Demand Side Platforms (known as DSPs) in parallel. As the number of DSPs in the market exploded, this added a rather frustrating and inefficient complexity to the process of optimisation and data collection in programmatic buying.

     

    Following years of research from Affiperf, a Fields Medal holder and renowned data scientists MFG Labs, the Affiperf Meta DSP solution offers a way to unify and make sense of data sets across multiple platforms. It aggregates multiple assets using their APIs, i.e. data inventory, features and algorithms from a number of DSPs. It then uses modelling and decision engines to allow traders to recommend wider, more sophisticated strategic options and monitor them.

     

    Pierre-Louis Lions, MFG Labs co-founder and Fields Medal holder 1994 commented: “Thanks to three years of extensive R & D we have been able to bring technical neutrality to the conception, implementation and optimisation of campaigns. This works both in the real-time bidding process as well as the design for even more integrated approaches that will enable us before the end of the year, to start managing our Affiperf Meta DSP solution for online and offline data and media.”

     

    The Affiperf Meta DSP is powered by enhanced proprietary algorithms that offer clients fluid digitalisation, optimisation and addressability across formats. This ability to collate results and information into one unified marketing statistic marks the end to complexity in this critical area. Although increasing in size, the competitive landscape is not dominated by one DSP, but a fragmented ecosystem of DSP display, mobile and video, rich media DSPs, each of them having different rules, inventories and features. This makes it increasingly difficult for brands to get consistent answers and to see the bigger picture. Technologically agnostic, this is the first solution that is open to all DSPs and all technologies. Through this platform brands can therefore take advantage of the best technology available to reach out to and relate to people with greater speed in a more tailored environment than ever before.

     

  • Havas Media Group signs on as first U.S. agency partner; will use Mirriad to integrate brands into select UMG music videos

    Mirriad, UMG, Havas announce new brand integration venture

    By A Correspondent

     

    Mirriad, the leader in native in-video advertising, Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s leading music company, and Havas announced that the companies have signed an agreement that enable UMG to feature digital brand integrations in select music videos by using Mirriad’s Academy Award-winning video technology.

     

    In addition, Havas, through its Havas Media network, becomes the first global agency to partner with Mirriad and UMG for strategic native in-video advertising from key clients including LVMH, Dish Network, LG, and Coca-Cola.  Havas’s venture 18-Siliwood, a research center launched in collaboration with Orange Silicon Valley, will also incorporate Mirriad technology and UMG content in ongoing research it is conducting in media, content, technology and data science.

     

    Mirriad’s technology integrates products, signage, video and other forms of branded assets into professionally produced video content. The company has more than four years of global broadcast experience, working with many of the world’s top broadcasters and content owners. Mirriad’s pioneering form of advertising has been described as “the cure for ad blindness” with research proving brands are two times more likely to be top of mind with consumers watching native in-video ads than comparable pre-rolls or interstitial spots.

     

    This agreement builds on Mirriad’s recently announced launch with distribution partner Vevo, the world’s leading all-premium music video and entertainment platform.

     

    Mirriad’s technology will allow agencies such as Havas Media to run multi-title campaigns in select UMG music videos on-air, online and on mobile. For the first time ever, Mirriad’s native in-video ads can be planned and executed with the same reach and frequency metrics as traditional ad campaigns. Mirriad offers content owners and creators complete editorial control over brand integrations, as well as the incremental revenue stream to UMG and its artists.

     

    “Through innovative technologies such as Mirriad’s, and leading global agencies such as Havas, we can offer our artists additional opportunities to generate revenue from their music videos,” said Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO, Universal Music Group. “And with Mirriad’s highly customizable platform, we have the ability to insure that artists’ and brands’ interests are aligned while we remain focused on presenting fans with the most compelling music experience possible.”

     

    “Partnering with Mirriad and UMG is an innovative way for us to help brands build more meaningful relationships with consumers,” said Yannick Bolloré, Chairman and CEO of the Havas Group. “Mirriad will make it possible for us to create a more authentic, logical and in-context connection with our clients and audiences that have insatiable appetites for content across multiple screens.”

     

    “We are thrilled to work with UMG and Havas as we grow our brand globally and extend our technology beyond broadcast television to online digital video.   We want to help bring a better experience to fans”, said Mark Popkiewicz, Mirriad’s Chief Executive Officer “We designed Mirriad with content producers very much in mind so our platform allows all stakeholders to painlessly review and approve campaigns ahead of launch.”

     

  • Havas Media Group India has won the integrated digital duties of Businessworld in a multi-agency pitch.

    Havas wins Digital AOR of Businessworld

    By A Correspondent

     

    Havas Media Group India has won the integrated digital duties of Businessworld in a multi-agency pitch. Commenting on the win, Annurag Batra, Chairman, Businessworld, said, “Havas Media’s passion and commitment along with their Meaningful Brands framework touched us. We are looking at a digital first strategy with multi-platform presence driving engagement and conversation. Businessworld must be on par with any international online media platform.”

     

    Anita Nayyar

    Speaking on the win, Anita Nayyar, CEO, Havas Media Group, India and South Asia said, “We are delighted that BWIBusinessworld thought us apt partners for their digital story in the world of media. The mandate includes digital strategy, planning, design and execution as BW digitally revamps and grows. We will ensure all necessary steps to make it a meaningful and successful experience for all stakeholders of this marquee brand”.

     

    Havas Media recently also won the integrated media duties of Yepme.com and digital mandate for Xolo mobile. The account size has not been disclosed.

     

  • Havas Media has announced the launch of mobile marketing brand Mobext in Singapore and Malaysia with Michael de Souza being appointed General Manager of the newly launched agency

    Havas Media launches Mobext in S’pore, M’sia

    By A Correspondent

     

    Havas Media has announced the launch of mobile marketing brand Mobext in Singapore and Malaysia with Michael de Souza being appointed General Manager of the newly launched agency.

     

    Mobext Singapore and Malaysia will leverage the strengths of sister agency MPG and Havas Digital siblings Media Contacts and Ecselis and their strong portfolio of clients like Resorts World Sentosa, DBS Bank, NTUC Fairprice, Abbott, to expand its business in the market.

     

    Currently present in 19 markets globally, Mobext offers an end-to-end mobile marketing agency service to clients. The agency’s offering in Singapore will include messaging services like sms and download; mobile internet services like WAP consulting and development, mobile display, mobile search; proximity based services including LBS and mapping. It will also offer integration through reporting and analytics by Havas Digital’s campaign management platform.

     

    Mr de Souza is a digital strategist with broad agency, ad network, media planning and content development experience. He joins the agency from global advertising network Buzzcity Pte Ltd, where he served as a VP for Media. During his 12-year career, he has managed cross-channel campaigns and developed content for brands including Coca-Cola, Nestle, EAGames, Disney, Nike and MTN.

     

    Commenting on the launch, Vishnu Mohan, CEO of Havas Media Asia Pacific said, “Singapore and Malaysia are strategically important markets for Havas Media and very advanced when it comes to mobile penetration and usage. We think that the time is just right for the launch of Mobext in the two markets. Our vision is to be the only pure-play mobile marketing agency network with truly regional scale across the entire Asia-Pacific, with strong mobile leaders in every major Asian market. This will allow us to work with the largest advertisers across the region for region-wide mobile marketing agency campaigns.”

     

    The launch of Mobext in Singapore follows the launch of the agency brand in Asia Pacific starting from India in the second quarter of 2011. This year in February, the media group acquired a majority stake in Snapworx Mobile Inc in the Philippines, following which the agency was rebranded as Mobext.

     

  • There are many who think that the show was a success and will eventually lead to some change as evolutions don't happen overnight

    End of Season 1 of Satyamev Jayate: The good, the bad and the ugly truths of life

    By Meghna Sharma

     

    In the past 13 weeks, one show has done what no other show has been able to in a long time – get people face-to-face with the ugly truths of our society. Aamir Khan’s television debut, Satyamev Jayate, was the most-talked about show even months before it was aired. It was touted to revolutionize the Sunday morning slot on the Indian television.

     

    From the very first episode till its last episode on July 29, the show was able to create a lot of buzz. People shared their views on the social ills the show highlighted on social networking sites. The news channels and newspapers carried expert views and opinions on the show. It didn’t back down from highlighting the fact that a country of one billion lives like ostriches when it comes to taking action against such evils.

     

    However, inspite of all the hue and cry, one question still remains on everyone’s mind: was it really effective?

     

    MxMIndia spoke to industry experts, journalists and even activists after the show was aired on May 6 and almost all of them gave it thumbs up. Now that the show has ended, we got in touch with the same people to know their opinions…

     

    TRP: the only yardstick?

    Chandradeep Mitra

    For any channel and show, the TRPs it gets are the yardstick at which its popularity is measured on. Star India’s Satyamev Jayate which premiered across nine channels – Star Plus, Star Pravah, DD National, ETV, Star Utsav, Vijay, Star Jalsha, Star World & Asianet – got a rating of an average 4 TVR for the CS4+ in the Hindi speaking markets and an average of 4.9 TVR for the All 4+, according to the TAM viewership data. But, as the weeks rolled on, the ratings dipped.

     

    Many, however, feel that such shows cannot be measured by TRPs as they are much bigger than that. “For a show like this, ratings alone cannot be the yardstick. One must not forget that the it was a non-entertainment show and was aired on Sunday mornings.  For a slot and content like that, the show did very good,” said Chandradeep Mitra, managing partner, Anvention.

     

    Anil Sathiraju

    He added: “We must look at the social impact it created and I’m sure it will remain in people’s memories for a long time. Apart from the buzz created on social networking sites and getting eyeballs, I’m sure now companies will also increase their CSR activities as it highlighted the work done by a few.”

     

    Similarly, Anil Sathiraju, Head – south, Mudra Max Media, too feels that content and impact are more important than the ratings: “What the show has done to the morning slot is evident enough, that it made people sit up and take notice. And I’m sure now most channels, including Star, will want to revive the slot and come up with shows which will not make the slot redundant.”

     

    Sundeep Nagpal

    The show wasn’t developed and promoted for TRPs, said Sundeep Nagpal, founder director, Stratagem Media. “It was applicable for the masses and not many shows of such genre have been created. Hence, it would be wrong to judge it on the ratings…it’s much more than that. It bought out the issues which are prevalent but under the surface. For example how many of us in Mumbai knew about Khap panchayats? The show is a turning point in the Indian television history.”

     

    The much-hyped show even went on to charge an exorbitant amount for the 10-second advertisement slot which was sold at thrice the usual rates. “For an advertiser, the show was the best medium to reach its audiences. For the first time, a show was created, which in turn created two new stakes – timeslot and a new category of a show. So, many didn’t hesitate in paying that extra for the quality they were getting in return,” explained Llyod Mathias, director GreenBean Ventures and former CMO of Tata Teleservices and Motorola.

     

    Aamir Khan vs Content

    Anita Nayyar

    According to the media planner, Anita Nayyar, who is moving back to her former agency Havas from Bennett, Coleman & Company (BCCL) by August, initially the show got the hype only because it was anchored by the actor and the fact that the concept of the show was well hidden. However, for a show like Satyamev Jayate, it’s the content which plays a bigger role.

     

    “Satyamev Jayate is a socially relevant show and in the beginning, I think, it did mobilize people. However, in between it lost its public appeal. And I’m not surprised as such shows only appeal to a certain section of the society. Hence, it wasn’t even able to garner the TRPs it deserved,” said Ms Nayyar.

     

    She explained that though the show was anchored by a popular actor like Aamir Khan there was a gap between enlightenment and mobilization. “The show was supposed to mobilize people, but it was only able to highlight the evils which we all know exist. Nonetheless, it was a good show.”

     

    Voicing the same opinion, Sarla Bijapurkar, sociologist, believes that if one has to score Aamir Khan vis-a-vis the content of the show, Aamir would win. “Public memory is very short and everything will be lost if there is no follow-up. For instance, take the episode where diktats of Khap panchayats were highlighted. Has anything changed? No, we still have such bodies making people’s lives miserable. Sometimes, when one hears or reads about such instances, it makes you wonder if we, as a society, take two steps backward for every one step taken forward.”

     

    “For me, the show will only mean something if it is able to do a follow-up on the issues highlighted. Also, instead of raising a new issue every time, I think, they should have focused on fewer and discussed about different dimensions related to a particular issue. Maybe, then it would have been able to brought about a change,” said Ms Bijapurkar.

     

    Waiting for a change…

    Ranjona Banerji

    However, there are many who think that the show was a success and was able to do more than just generate public interest and will eventually lead to some change as evolutions don’t happen overnight.

     

    Ranjona Banerji, a senior journalist and contributing editor, MxMIndia, feels that the show did justice to the concept though there were a few dodges like the show being too emotional, sometimes. The first two episodes – female foeticide and child sexual abuse – were able to create a lot of public interest. “Apart from these two episodes, the episodes which moved me were the ones on disability and senior citizens. The show did the work of a journalist and was even able to answer a few questions. Hopefully, they’ll tweak the show a little bit and come up with a second season – better and stronger.”

     

  • Rediffusion Y&R's media arm TME has entered into a strategic alliance with the Havas group's MPG

    TME to have a strategic alliance with MPG

    By A Correspondent

    TME (the media planning and buying arm of Rediffusion – Y & R and Everest Brand Solutions) and MPG (the flagship brand of Havas Media) have entered into a strategic alliance to provide value added media planning and buying services to clients of Rediffusion – Y & R and Everest Brand Solutions.

    This alliance came into effect from November 1.

    As per a communique, TME and  MPG will leverage their individual strengths to partner and provide greater value to clients and collaborate to tap opportunities for growth in the market. The alliance will enable TME clients to benefit from Havas Media’s extensive network knowledge resources, the integrated buying clout, MPG’s well-regarded proprietary Decision Support Systems and their touch point platform “CONNECT” bringing together a more effective and optimized investment plan. TME will continue to be built as a media independent brand under MPG’s stewardship.

    Statements issued in a press communique:

    D Rajappa, President, Rediffusion – Y & R: “This alliance is a collaborative effort to grow the business and also add enhanced value to existing and prospective clients of RYR”

    Dhunji Wadia, President, Everest Brand Solutions: “This is one of the deepest integrations to date, marking yet another milestone in the Group’s plan for a consolidated media investment management operation. The focus is to bring competitive advantage to our clients and our companies.”

    Anita Nayyar, CEO of Havas Media, South Asia: “This strategic alliance is a synergistic relationship between MPG and TME wherein both brands will co-exist and continue to provide benefits to each other working towards a common goal of delighting clients.”

  • Ruby Bana has joined Madison Media Group as Chief, Strategy and Insights after a long and productive stint at Havas Media

    Ruby Bana joins Madison Media

    By Ritu Midha

    Ruby Bana has joined Madison Media Group as Chief, Strategy and Insights after a long and productive stint at Havas Media (where she was designated Chief Intelligence Officer for the APAC region).

    Monday September 26 was her first day in her new organisation, which she spent hobnobbing with the senior management at Madison’s Head Office in Mumbai. Says Bana, “I had a dream first day today… spent it interacting with the senior management at Madison. About 20 of us shared thoughts and ideas. I am really looking forward to days ahead.”

    While Madison has had centralized buying, it is for the first time that a cross-functional strategic planning role has been introduced.  And as per Bana, it indeed is a challenging assignment. She explains, “Madison is very solid, the challenge would be to add value to something so large. In Contract and MPG, I was a part of their evolution, as I was there from the very beginning. To make a difference in a very well established organisation would be something else.”

    Having said that, she has the conviction that her multi-country, multi-discipline experience would come in handy. She explains, “Strategy planning has always been my forte, and I have loads of cross country and cross discipline experience.  She adds, “Madison Canvas is much larger, the kind of clients Madison has – would lead to a much wider sharing and gaining of knowledge.”

    Bana believes that it is very important for a professional to be excited about what he or she does.  Says she, “I am, of course, excited to be a part of Madison.  However, it is not to say that I was not happy in my previous job. It was a great learning phase, and an exposure to multiple markets and global strategic minds.  I am always excited about what I do – if it does not excite me more than what else I could have been doing in that time, I would not do it.”

    While Bangalore would continue to be Bana’s base, she would be travelling to Mumbai and Delhi quite frequently – and contribute to ‘Madison’s solid specialised divisions’.

    She concludes, “I am like a sponge, always absorbing knowledge.  Time to use that knowledge across a very large canvas now.”