MxMIndia

Tag: Hill+Knowlton Strategies

  • Mantri is the first ICCO President from Asia

    Avian WE CEO Nitin Mantri inducted into ICCO Hall of Fame

    By Our Staff

     

    Nitin Mantri, Group CEO of Avian WE, a leading integrated communications firm in India, was inducted into the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) Hall of Fame. Mantri was given the honour, along with international communications expert and civic activist Nataliya Popovych

     

    Said Nitin Mantri, who was also the first ICCO President from Asia: “I am deeply humbled and honoured to have joined this venerable group of achievers. I would like to thank ICCO for their support and generosity from the very beginning. This recognition gives me new impetus to promote purposeful, ethical, and inclusive communications around the world and foster hope, compassion and understanding in an increasingly polarised and complex world.”

     

    Added Grzegorz Szczepański, ICCO President and CEO, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Poland, said: “The ICCO Hall of Fame is reserved for the most outstanding ambassadors of our profession, those who lead, who inspire and who make an impact. Our two new inductees for 2022 do all of those things and more. I thank Nitin Mantri for his tenure as ICCO President, his work on countless new projects and initiatives drives our organisation and industry forward. And I thank Nataliya for her unbelievable work bringing communicators together in the efforts to save lives in the war in Ukraine. Both of these professionals deserve to be recognised alongside the best of our industry”

     

    Said Melissa Waggener Zorkin, Global CEO and Founder, WE Communications: “Avian WE and Chase India are an integral part of WE Communications and Nitin, as their leader, has always believed in the power of communications to bring about positive community impact, equity and inclusion, and environmental sustainability. We are incredibly proud of his achievements and this well-deserved recognition.”

     

  • The agency will join WPP's Hill+Knowlton Strategies to create large presence in Latin America

    WPP acquires JeffreyGroup

    By Our Staff

     

    WPP today announces the acquisition of JeffreyGroup, independent corporate communications, public affairs, and marketing consulting firms in Latin America.

     

    JeffreyGroup will join the Hill+Knowlton Strategies international network and will create the largest global communications agency presence in Latin America, doubling Hill+Knowlton Strategies’ footprint in the region. Headquartered in Miami, with 330 people across offices in Mexico City, Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Buenos Aires, JeffreyGroup has been a powerhouse in Latin America for nearly three decades.

     

    AnnaMaria DeSalva, Global Chairman and CEO of Hill+Knowlton Strategies, said: “I’ve admired JeffreyGroup since my early days as one of its clients, and I’m delighted to welcome it and its employees into the Hill+Knowlton and WPP families. Latin America is one of the most dynamic communication markets today, offering a growing scope of talent and innovation. Our combination with JeffreyGroup creates step change opportunities and I’m excited about what we’ll be able to achieve together.”

     

    Jeffrey Sharlach, Founder and Chairman of JeffreyGroup, added: “The success of JeffreyGroup over the past 30 years in Latin America has been due in large part to our ability to evolve and adapt in a dynamic region of the world with diverse conditions, customs, and cultures. Joining forces with WPP and Hill+Knowlton is an exciting step forward in this evolution and opens up a world of resources for our clients and opportunities for our hundreds of employees.”

     

    Mark Read, CEO of WPP, said: “WPP’s public relations and communications services have never been more in-demand. Our clients want agile partners who can help them navigate today’s complex world and create the right spaces to tell their stories. Latin America continues to be an important growth market for our clients, and JeffreyGroup will strengthen our established presence in the region and bring deep-rooted experience of delivering tailored communications strategies that resonate with audiences.”

     

  • To develop and implement an integrated communications strategy

    H+K wins mandate for both OnMobile & ONMO

    By Our Staff

     

    Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K) has been awarded the integrated communications mandate for both OnMobile, mobile entertainment and ONMO, its D2C mobile cloud gaming platform in India.

     

    Said Pallavi Nayak, Director Marketing & Communications, OnMobile Global & Head of Marketing, ONMO, said, “We are pleased to appoint Hill+Knowlton Strategies as our strategic communications partner in India. As we prepare to enter the Indian market with ONMO, we are confident H+K, with their in-depth experience and capabilities, are well-positioned to establish ONMO in India, while simultaneously communicating the strategic transformation that OnMobile is going through with its focus on mobile gamification.”

     

    Commenting on the announcement, Abhishek Gulyani, CEO, Hill+Knowlton Strategies India, added: “Mobile entertainment and cloud gaming has seen a vertical take-off in India in the last two years. The combination of our experience in the sector globally and dynamic team locally positions H+K well to seize that opportunity and drive a purpose-led, integrated communication outreach for OnMobile and ONMO brands as leaders and disrupters in the Indian mobile entertainment industry.”

     

  • Shubhangi Mehta joins H+K India as Director of Content + Publishing Strategy

    Hill+Knowlton gets ex-MxMer Shubhangi Mehta to lead content strategies

    By Our Staff

     

    Shubhangi Mehta
    Shubhangi Mehta

    We are delighted to record this. Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K) has expanded Content + Publishing Strategy to its India operations. And to head up this business, the WPP-owned agency has hired a former MxMIndia team member Shubhangi Mehta as Director of Content + Publishing Strategy.

     

    Abhishek Gulyani
    Abhishek Gulyani

    Said Abhishek Gulyani, CEO for Hill+Knowlton Strategies India:  “I am very excited to launch our Content + Publishing Strategy specialism in India, furthering our content marketing capabilities across the country. We believe purpose driven communications along with high impact innovative campaigns help brands to standout and build key differentiators. We welcome Shubhangi into the H+K family. Clients increasingly look to H+K for deeper understanding of content trends to help align their communications and business objectives. With Shubhangi’s extensive experience and in-depth knowledge, she will bring fresh thinking, perspective and ideas for our clients across varied sectors. The new Content + Publishing Strategy offering is a part of our overall strategy to provide integrated communications to clients and we will continue expanding the space in the years ahead.”

  • Gulyani will lead H+K’s operations in India

    Hill+Knowlton appoints Abhishek Gulyani as CEO

    By A Correspondent

     

    Abhishek Gulyani

    WPP-owned public relations firm Hill+Knowlton Strategies (eka IPAN) has appointed Abhishek Gulyani as Chief Executive Officer to lead its operations in India.

     

    Sharing details of his new role, Gulyani said: “To join an agency with H+K’s credentials is very exciting. They have a brilliant reputation for innovative and creative communications around the world. In this global time of uncertainty, I have never been more certain of the relevance of our industry. Businesses will look to communications experts to ensure they remain at the heart of the conversation as they seek to build brand purpose and showcase impact. I look forward to joining the team in India and collaborating with them to continue delivering great work for our clients.”

     

    With over two decades of experience in India and Asia, Gulyani’s has run his own agency, Facio Communications, and worked as senior counsel in leadding agencies including Avian ME and Genesis BM.

     

    Said Bashar AlKadhi, CEO for H+K in the Middle East, Turkey, India and Africa (METIA): “India is one of H+K’s high growth potential markets with clients across many sectors. With his track record of driving business and vision for collective success, Abhishek’s appointment as CEO is not only exciting for our colleagues in India, but for H+K’s leadership across the wider region,” adding “I look forward to working closely with Abhishek and our leadership team, and on behalf of everybody in India, we welcome him to the H+K family.”

     

     

  • The appointment will see Hill+Knowlton Strategies rollout strategic communications solutions for the network’s channels

    H+K Strategies wins Discovery PR mandate

    By A Correspondent

     

    Hill+Knowlton Strategies has been awarded the communications mandate for Discovery Communications India and its portfolio of channels in India including Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Discovery HD World, Discovery Science, Discovery Turbo, Discovery Kids, Discovery JEET, Animal Planet HD World, TLC HD World and Discovery Tamil. The appointment will see Hill+Knowlton Strategies rollout strategic communications solutions for the network’s channels to drive greater engagement with viewers across India. The PR firm already has Times Network and a part of Sony Pictures Network on its roster.

     

    Sameer Bajaj

    Confirming the appointment, Sameer Bajaj, Director, Corporate Communications & External Affairs, Discovery Communications India, said: “We are delighted to partner with Hill+Knowlton Strategies, India as our strategic communications partner to deliver our vision as a brand, better engage with viewers and drive our narrative in a more compelling manner. Their strong experience in media & entertainment, in-depth understanding of our market requirements and passion gave us the confidence to award them this mandate. I believe, together as a team, we will further strengthen the Discovery brand in India.”

     

    Kavita Rao

    Said Kavita Rao, President & CEO, India, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, on the win:“We are thrilled that Discovery Communications has chosen us to partner them in managing their strategic communications of their corporate brand as well strong portfolio of brands in the country. With committed teams and our in-depth domain knowledge and experience across sectors, H+K India is well positioned to drive the desired impact and outcome for Discovery Communications India.”

     

     

  • As a part of this partnership, client servicing teams at Hill+Knowlton Strategies will get better media analytics tools

    H+K announces strategic partnership with Impact Research & Measurement

    By A Correspondent

     

    Leading public relations firm Hill+Knowlton Strategies has announced a strategic partnership with specialist news monitoring and analysis services company – Impact Research & Measurement to deliver media research and monitoring services for the India market.

     

    Notes a communique: “Not only will Impact service all of H+K Strategies’ current clients, Impact will also be the preferred partner for media analytics requirements of all future clients signed up by H+K Strategies. Effective October 1, 2018, The Resource Center (TRC), will cease to offer media monitoring and analysis services to clients. All team members of TRC which was an internal division of H+K Strategies have already been offered new roles at Impact.”

     

    Interestingly, WPP via Kantar (and TAM) has 50 per cent ownership of Eikona which is also in a similar space. That the WPP-owned H+K Strategies has aligned with Impact and not Eikona and also junked ops of TRC assumes significance. Eikona of course doesn’t offer daily monitoring service, but that an observer noted could’ve been acquired with the resources from TRC. The move also assumes significance given that WPP is attempting to consolidate its functional business and shed extra flab in the system.

     

    Impact, incidentally, has as per unverified data thrown up by company registration information site Zaubacorp, Prema Sagar, senior PR professional Ashwani Singla and Impact Research & Measurement CEO Aseem Sood as its Directors. Sagar runs Genesis Burson Marsteller in India and as per a communique we had received on Rao’s appointment earlier this year, we were informed that Sagar would also be an adviser and mentor to H+K Strategies.

     

    Kavita Rao

    Meanwhile, speaking about the partnership, Kavita Rao, President & CEO – Hill+Knowlton Strategies- India, said: “Data and analytics is an important part of all communication campaigns. This partnership enables H+K Strategies and its clients access to advanced tools, analyses and insights to help run communication campaigns better. With our teams having a strong understanding of our clients’ requirements and Impact offering the best-in-class tools based on latest technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning, this partnership will enable us to offer better business outcomes for our clients. We are thrilled to partner with Impact Research & Measurement to provide our clients a truly integrated and enhanced level of service.”

     

    Aseem Sood

    Added Sood in a communique: “Clients are no longer interested in just understanding how they did in the past. They want to use data and analysis to understand what could be done better and differently to achieve better success in the future. They also want to make sense of news and trends in a faster and better way. Impact has always been a pioneer – with several firsts in the news monitoring and analysis business industry. We were the first to introduce same-day multi-city monitoring, online repository, real-time dashboards and a mobile app. We are continuing to improve our services and features with investments in news technologies (AI and machine learning). Given the volume of noise out there, it becomes very important to scope the need and use the right charts and visuals to present research results. And this needs to be done in a way that relates to the client’s communication objectives as closely as possible. Our partnership with Hill+Knowlton Strategies will enable them to deliver impactful campaigns for their clients.”

     

     

  • Thomas comes with nearly two decades of experience in the Indian media and entertainment sector

    H+K Strategies hires Usha Thomas for M&E clients Sony & Times Network

    By A Correspondent

     

    Usha Thomas

    Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K) has appointed Usha Thomas as Client Services Director. Based out of Mumbai, she will serve as a strategic advisor to H+K’s diverse portfolio of clients with a special emphasis on the agency’s Media and Entertainment (M&E) clients.  Thomas, a former journalist, has spent the last decade-odd with Zee and Star India.

     

     

    Chetan Mahajan

    Speaking on the appointment, Chetan Mahajan, President and CEO, H+K India said: “We have one of the largest portfolio of clients in the media and entertainment space. As preferred partners to large M&E conglomerates like Sony Entertainment Television and Times Network among others, our advisory expertise and execution capabilities are industry-leading. With Usha on board adding to our deep domain expertise, coupled with micro-vertical strategy, our ability to craft compelling domain-specific communications goes from strength to

     

    Added Vivian Lines, Global Vice Chairman, Hill+Knowlton Strategies: “Media and Entertainment has been one of the fastest growing sectors in India, set to outpace Indian GDP and also outshine global M&E growth. The sector has been proactive in embracing new technology and digitization, thus opening up multiple avenues for integrated marketing communications to play a significant part in future growth. We are delighted to have Usha join us to lead even greater opportunities within this space, as well as bring her expertise to bear across our full client portfolio.”

     

     

  • Hill+Knowlton Strategies India is known for their expertise and strength across sectors, especially BFSI, Entertainment IT / ITes, Technology, Manufacturing and Start-ups

    Hill+Knowlton Strategies bags PR mandate of Unisys

    By A Correspondent

     

    Unisys India, a company that specialises in providing industry-focused solutions integrated with leading-edge security to its clients, has awarded its India PR mandate to Hill+Knowlton Strategies.

     

    Commenting on the partnership, Shankar Venkatraman, Senior Director, Strategy, Marketing & Communications, Unisys said: “The IT industry is currently at a transformational phase in India and our actions at this juncture will define its contours for years to come. This is why it is now more important than ever for us to communicate right – to all our stakeholders. The right message at the right time in the right way and to the right audience. Keeping this thought in mind, we needed a communications partner who has a global presence with an in-depth understanding of the current market situation and can strategically advise us on our communications approach. We are confident that Hill+Knowlton Strategies, with their strong expertise and thorough understanding of our requirements, will be a perfect PR partner for Unisys India. We are delighted to work with them to create powerful content and strengthen our presence in the Indian market.”

     

    On the win, Chetan Mahajan, President-India & South Asia, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, said: “We are delighted to be the strategic PR partner of Unisys India. At Hill+Knowlton Strategies, our aim is to curate stories around Unisys India’s role and capabilities in developing security solutions for their clients in government, financial services and commercial market. We are committed to walk along with them in their pursuit to achieve business goals through our integrated communications approach and our rich, insightful experience in this field.”

     

  • The communication mandate spreads across all the verticals including Bollywood music, international, Pop and more

    Sony Music appoints Hill+Knowlton Strategies to handle PR mandate

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sony Music Entertainment India has appointed Hill+Knowlton Strategies as its agency for Public Relations in India. Commenting on the appointment, Sanujeet Bhujabal, Marketing Director, Sony Music India said: “Hill+Knowlton’s approach coupled with their understanding of the media landscape made them a stand out choice for us. We are looking forward to the passion and enthusiasm of the team as we collectively work towards achieving our business goals.”

     

    Added Chetan Mahajan, President-India & South Asia, Hill+Knowlton Strategies: “Storytelling has undergone a major transformation in multichannel, multi devices, less attention giving digitally savvy user era. Sony Music is a renowned name in the record label business and we are delighted to partner with them and use our insights to engage with audiences directly and in a very compelling manner. The management team at Sony Music has a very clear vision for the brand in India and we will engage in seamless integration of message harmonized across audiences and across media.

     

     

  • The appointment will see Hill+Knowlton Strategies roll-out integrated communications solutions

    Hill+Knowlton Strategies wins mandate for Pogo

     

     

    Following a competitive multi-agency pitch, Hill+Knowlton Strategies has been awarded the public relations business for Pogo, Turner International’s children’s channel in India.

     

    The appointment will see Hill+Knowlton Strategies roll-out integrated communications solutions for Turner Broadcasting’s kids’ entertainment channel, to drive greater engagement with families and children across India.

     

    Confirming the appointment, Siddharth Jain, Managing Director, South Asia, Turner International India Pvt. Ltd, comments, “Turner International India is delighted to bring on Hill+Knowlton Strategies as our strategic PR partner for Pogo. Their strong portfolio of brands, experience in entertainment, and thorough understanding of our market requirements gave us the confidence to award them this mandate. H+K presented a PR strategy that showed depth of strategic thought and creativity that was in sync with our goals for Pogo, and we are sure that this partnership will help in further building the brand in India.”

     

    On winning the PR mandate, Chetan Mahajan, President-India & South Asia, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, said, “Pogo is a leader in the Kids’ entertainment space in India and we are honoured and delighted that the channel has chosen us as partners to further their business objectives. This partnership is testament to the strength of our network and core expertise in the media and entertainment vertical and we are confident that we will drive the desired impact and outcome for Pogo.”

     

  • He has spearheaded issues management, developed key message and brand positioning, media policies and crisis preparedness for various clients

    Aseem Bhargava appointed VP – Media Relations and Crisis at Hill+Knowlton Strategies

    By A Correspondent

     

    Hill+Knowlton Strategies announced the appointment of Aseem Bhargava – Vice President, Media Relations and Crisis. Based at the Gurgaon head-office, Aseem will run a national mandate for Media relations and Issues + Crisis Communications for clients

     

    “Aseem will actively work at supporting, nurturing and building strong relationships, for Hill + Knowlton Strategies clients across India. His comfort in dealing with senior level media personnel, will be an added advantage and will help establish deep links for our clients’ benefit. In addition with his knowledge and understanding of how Issues and crises can affect all stakeholders and publics, he will look at actively reaching out to any business or organization under duress and add business critical value there. He has a well-established track record of working and leading his clientele in achieving top of mind recall and recognition. I am delighted to welcome him in a leadership role, into the H+K Strategies family” said Radhika Shapoorjee, President-India & South Asia.

     

    Aseem is an agency veteran with over 13 years of experience in the agency world and nearly 13 years on the corporate side. He has worked across sectors including IT, Technology and Telecom, BFSI, Aviation, Entertainment, FMCG, Retail and Lifestyle. He has provided strategic communications counsel to senior clients, advice on media engagement strategies and been responsible for the development and implementation of multiple campaigns.