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Tag: JWT

  • A quick chat with the JWT South Asia CEO whose agency won the maximum number of metals at Goafest 2014 including a Grand Prix for Direct

    Other agencies should’ve participated in the Abby: Colvyn Harris

     

    Colvyn Harris, CEO, JWT South Asia is delighted as his agency won the maximum number of metalsfrom among the entrants at the Creative Abby. This included a Grand Prix for Direct. Shobhana Nair caught up with him hours after the achievement.

     

    Forty metals and the #1 agency in the Creative Abby at Goafest 2014. Your comments on this victory?

    The team is extremely delighted. As South Asia we have won 41 metals (Contract Advertising included) of which we have won 6 Golds. It’s fabulous to win so many awards. We have won across many client categories including digital, direct and traditional.

     

    What does winning so many awards including the Grand Prix mean for JWT?

    Personally, we want to do the best for our clients and their brands. This happens to be a validation of the work we have done. We are delighted when we win for our clients. As far as the creative team is concerned, their winning is a validation that the work they do is better than what the industry does.

     

    What’s your personal favourite from amongst the winning entries?

    The Grand Prix winning is obviously a favourite. If you get recognition from peers through a fair jury process, why would you wish anything better?

     

    What was the idea behind ‘Genomusic Project’ for Bay Beat Collection which won a Grand Prix in the Direct Response Digital Category?

    The idea around this was that your DNA can be used to create a unique music track. It’s an end-to-an end platform. On Facebook, there is an app to express why you should be there. Somebody is sent across to take your DNA samples which will be blended in to the music. So it’s unique and never done before.

     

    Back to the Creative Abby, did the fact that some top agencies not participating increase your chances?

    The Olympic Games takes place despite countries not participating in them. In Cannes, some agencies participate and some don’t but the ones who win believe their work is good. Coming back to India, Goafest is a property by the industry, for the industry. It’s very easy to boycott an industry function. Do we want to do that? No. We want to support this institution thinking that it will do well. If some agencies choose not to enter for whatever reasons, it’s not political. This is a clean event as there’s a jury. People have done a good job and they should be recognized.

     

    What would you say to all those agencies who decided to stay away?

    I think they should have participated. The other awards show (Kyoorius Awards) has other agencies which doesn’t worry us. The right approach to this would have been to enter both the awards.

     

    The Abby is an institution. We continue to enter this event by supporting it because it has been created by the industry. But it’s over now! We are happy and delighted.

     


  • Videocon has shifted a part of its advertising account to Rediffusion Y&R as it tries to reposition its telecom, mobile handset and flat panel TV business

    Rediffusion wins a big chunk of Videocon’s ad account

    By Pritha Mitra Dasgupta

     

    Videocon has shifted a part of its advertising account to Rediffusion Y&R as it tries to reposition its telecom, mobile handset and flat panel television business. The account size is pegged at upwards of Rs 150 crore. The mobile handset business was handled by McCann World-Group’s second agency TAG until three months ago. The rest of the account moved to Rediffusion Y&R last week.

     

    Videocon has also appointed a small independent agency SHO to handle its home appliances business, which had been awarded to Mindset, a subsidiary of JWT last year. Videocon’s direct-to-home (DTH) business D2H will continue to be managed by Lowe Lintas. Confirming the development, Sunil Tandon, group chief marketing officer, Videocon, said that multiple agencies pitched for the account.

     

    “We expected the agency to understand our products, market and consumer behaviour, so that we reach out to the right set of audience with relevant message. We observed team Rediffusion Y&R understood these requirements and the same was reflected in their proposal,” he said. Amitava Sinha, chief operating officer, Rediffusion Y&R said: “We have been pursuing and engaging with Videocon for a really long time and I believe our previous stint with LG helped us win the business. These are categories that are fast evolving and consequently the communication challenges will demand clutter breaking and innovative thinking.”

     

    A mail sent to JWT received no response until the time of going to press, but Sanjay Nayak, president, McCann WorldGroup, who also heads TAG, acknowledged that they parted ways with Videocon “some time ago.” Videocon’s telecom business was not a part of this process, however.

     

    The company has telecom licences in six circles. Though Videocon does not operate in any of the circles, it plans to launch 4G services by the end of 2014. Videocon’s pan-India telecom licenses were cancelled in February 2012, following which the company bid for seven circles during the auction in November 2012.The company is expected to launch a range of mobile handsets in the coming months, and a new campaign will be launched around Diwali said a source at the agency.

     

    Source:The Economic Times

    Copyright © 2014, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All Rights Reserved

    Licensed to republish

     

  • The India leg of the 12th edition of the annual Portfolio Night happened last evening in Mumbai

    Starry night for creatives

     

    By Shobhana Nair

     

    Okay, so the chief host was missing. So deep is his commitment to projects he takes on, that R Balki, Chief Creative Officer and Chairman, Lowe Lintas and Partners stayed away from the starry Portfolio Night that his agency was hosting this year.

     

    Portfolio Night is a global event where, as the event’s website notes, aspiring young advertising copywriters, art directors and designers meet with several renowned advertising creative directors in a fast-paced evening of advice, networking and recruitment. “While the evening has been jokingly called “speed-dating for creatives”, it’s really much more than that. In the eleven years since its inception, Portfolio Night has grown to a global event, reaching creative hubs in every continent in an evening where the best of the present meets the best of the years to come.”

     

    In its 12th year, Portfolio Night brings together thousands of young minds on a single night at various top cities across the world. This year, Portfolio Night 12 was held in Mumbai’s Four Seasons Hotel, and Lowe Lintas was the host. Last year, Portfolio Night 11 was hosted in Mumbai and Delhi. While the Mumbai edition was hosted JWT, Leo Burnett got the act together in the capital. This year’s edition saw 13000 participants in what’s often also dubbed as one the world’s biggest “Job Mela”. The work is reviewed on the basis of geniality, creativity and execution.

     

    Apart from the obvious nervous energy in the crowd, the host had put together a fun video on the star judges and their predictable reactions after hearing a creative idea which evoked a great amount of laughter from the audience. Bobby Pawar, Chief Creative Officer, Publicis reacted to the video on him by saying, “I loved it. It’s hilarious and they had a great material to play with.”

     

    Talking about the quality of work expected at the Portfolio Night, advertising veteran and Executive Chairman and Creative Director South Asia, Ogilvy & Mather Piyush Pandey said, “It’s not about wrong. It’s about picking up little nuggets and encouraging them.” Amer Jaleel, National Creative Director, Lowe Lintas and Partners, who’s also the host, was seen in despair and wished he had this kind of platform when he had started out. “These 15 minutes are a big deal and it’s not about advertising but about an experience.”

     

    K S Chakravarty (Chax), National Creative Director, FCB Ulka, known as Chax was however not very lucky as the participants who he met were clueless about advertising in the first place. He explains, “You meet all kinds of people. It’s always luck of draw. Out of this entire lot, the chances are that only 5 participants will be really good and not necessary that I meet the brighter lot.”

     

    Arun Iyer, National Creative Director, Lowe Lintas and Partners shares that the team did miss R.Balki who was at that moment shooting for his movie but kept a close track on what’s happening. He further added, “It’s a fun evening. Of course, a responsibility but not a burden. Portfolio Night is a great platform for everyone and its getting evolved over the years.”

     

    “I feel like a celebrity,” exclaimed Deepanjali Singh, after being announced as All Star Nominee. Deepanjali was among those 75 participants who got a lifetime’s opportunity to present their portfolio in front of the biggies of the business.

     

    Bengaluru-based Mayank Bhayana was adjudged Portfolio Night – All Star from India. “I am still soaking in the news. It’s a terrific feeling indeed,” he said, adding: “And let’s not call it an award. It’s rather recognition that I can do a lot better than that.” The winner of Portfolio Night gets a chance to fly down to New York to take part in a week-long creative challenge on a specific brief.

     

    Hmmmm.

     

  • The three firms in the running for Tata Group's global advertising pitch

    Y&R, JWT & TBWA in running for Tata’s global creative pitch

    By Pritha Mitra Dasgupta

     

    Two WPP agencies, Y&R and J Walter Thompson, and Omnicom shop TBWA Worldwide are in the final rounds of the first ever Tata Group global advertising pitch, currently underway. These three agencies will make their final presentations next week to the Tata team which is being led by Mukund Rajan, Brand Custodian and Member – Group Executive Council, Tata Sons. Atul Agrawal, vice-president, Group Corporate Affairs & Media, Tata Services is also a key decision-maker, said two senior officials familiar with the pitch process.

     

    Two other agencies in the fray – Interpublic Group’s FCB Ulka and McCann WorldGroup – were eliminated after preliminary rounds of presentations. In response to a mail sent by ET, a Tata Sons spokesperson declined to comment, stating, “This is internal to the company.” However, a senior Tata official, on condition of anonymity, confirmed that both WPP and Omnicom have reached the final round of the pitch process.

     

    The agencies are flying in global pinch hitters for this business, estimated at Rs 100-200 crore. “Teams from JWT New York and Y&R New York are a part of the pitch process,” said a source. Several senior WPP India officials also said that Martin Sorrell, CEO, WPP made a one-day visit to India to meet key Tata officials when the pitch began in the first week of April. When we contacted Sorrell to comment on the teams that will represent JWT and Y&R in the final round of presentations, the brief given to the agencies by Tata Group and if he at all came to India when the pitch process started. But he declined to comment and he said, “Obviously I couldn’t possibly answer any of those questions”.

     

    An email written to Tom Carroll, president and CEO TBWA Worldwide, did not elicit a response. Tata Group had given the agencies a formal brief, for an advertising mandate that would cover four key international markets including the US, the UK, Africa and China.

     

    The mandate is to create a global corporate campaign for the Tata Group as the company is looking to reposition itself globally. “In each market the company’s positioning is different. For instance, it is the largest employer in the manufacturing sector in the United Kingdom, which is very different from their positioning in US or even China. So they are waiting to hear from the agencies how best they can build their brands in these highly competitive markets”, said a senior official from one of the agencies still in the fray.

     

    Source:The Economic Times

    Copyright © 2014, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All Rights Reserved

    Licensed to republish

     

  • If there's one person from the AAAI who can organise a worthwhile Goafest, it's Sundar Swamy. The IAA is supremely active thanks to his leadership and I find him exceedingly keen on doing things and he knows the art of getting things done.

    Mediaah!: Why Goafest hasn’t lost the plot and deserves one more chance

    By Pradyuman Maheshwari

     

    I write this more in response to Anant Rangaswami’s article on Firstbiz and his Facebook posts. What I like about Anant’s writing is his definite views on issues, many of which I agree with.

     

    But on Goafest, he’s been unduly harsh. His point on Facebook: Goafest has lost the plot. It’s press release offered a programme with just time slots and no mention of speakers and topics.

     

    I received the communique too, and chose to not carry a report on it because it didn’t say anything at all. It was an advance intimation of the programme, but could have been held back for a few days with some names.

     

    I also agree with Anant that Goafest in the summer is a nightmare (my descriptor, not his). Since I sweat a lot, I can say that it’s terrible even in the aircon. So, even though the event is indoors, the walk or buggy ride to your rooms could see you drenched in sweat. Your eyes could be burning all day and even the world’s best coolants wouldn’t work.

     

    Last year’s Goafest could best be described as forgettable. It had loads of negatives. The Creative Abby was a disaster (albeit for a fault that wasn’t of the organising committee). First a controversy about the Ford Figo scam ads saw the exits of some high profile staff at JWT and Ford, then the Tata Chemicals scam ads that were eventually pulled out of the competition and later the controversy around scam ads and plagiarism.

     

    Somewhere along this was the decision by Ogilvy to not participate in the Abby. Ogilvy had huge misgivings about the awards, and Ad Club prez Shashi Sinha tried his damnedest to get them back. But Messrs Piyush Pandey & Co didn’t budge.

     

    When Pratap Bose took charge as Ad Club president last year, he resolved to ensure a buy-in from all towards the Creative Abby. That doesn’t seem to have happened thus far.

     

    To add to the confusion, the AAAI delayed the Goafest announcement and later found the elections as reason to postpone the dates. Then came the news that Nakul Chopra had opted out of the Goafest chair position.

     

    Finally Srinivasan K Swamy, better known in the frat as Sundar, took charge. I’ve interacted with Sundar a fair deal in the recent past, especially as head of the International Advertising Association India Chapter of which he is the head. I believe if there’s one person from the AAAI who can pull it off, it’s him. The IAA is supremely active thanks to Sundar’s leadership. I find him exceedingly keen on doing things and he knows the art of getting things done.

     

    I am not sure how Goafest 2014 will be. I have heard people say that some regular sponsors have declined to be associated this year. But Sundar is confident of a turnaround and I think he ought to be given a chance.

     

    Yes, I do think Rajesh Kejriwal’s Kyoorius Awards with the coveted D&AD partnership, has stolen the thunder from the Abby, but there’s space for multiple awards. We’ve seen how other disciplines – radio, digital, outdoor and PR, for instance – have multiple awards and they are all doing well. So ditto with creative.

     

    I have heard some angry comments amongst industry elders about Anant’s Firstbiz piece and I was told that some pressure may be exerted on Network18 via the media agencies asking him to refrain from writing nasties against Goafest. I hope that doesn’t happen, that wouldn’t be right.

     

    Sadly, Anant’s views are echoed by many in the industry. Before Sundar’s name was announced, even I wasn’t sure whether there was any point in conducting this year’s edition.

     

    Sundar & Co have an uphill task ahead of them. But I think they need to be given a chance.

     

    The industry deserves a good, celebratory Goafest. The format, the timing and the awards are a problem. Perhaps the organising committee and AAAI need some younger blood taking the lead on Goafest. Perhaps it may be a good idea to get a professional body to conduct the show – Kyoorius, e4m, Campaign/Haymarket… whosoever.

     

    I know what I am going to do: have MxM support Goafest until before the event happens. The coverage of the conference (and the awards and the fun element) will then take over. And on that, we’ll be brutally honest about how it is.

     

  • JWT makes its 2nd digital acquisition after Hungama. Interviews with Colvyn Harris, CEO, JWT S Asia & Sanjay Mehta, co-founder and Joint CEO, Social Wavelength

    JWT acquires majority stake in Social Wavelength

     

    By A Correspondent

     

    Leading marketing communications agency network JWT has agreed to acquire a majority stake in leading social media agency Social Wavelength.

     

    Social Wavelength is a Mumbai-headquartered full-service social media agency specialising in social media offerings right from strategy to execution that includes social media marketing, online reputation management, social CRM and social media for HR.

     

    “JWT’s acquisition of Social Wavelength is a logical confluence of social media and mainline expertise, coming together to create integrated communication for brands. The rich experience of five years that we have, in this young industry of social and digital media, will find the next leap of growth, through this partnership,” said Hareesh Tibrewala and Sanjay Mehta, Joint CEOs and promoters of Social Wavelength.

     

    Established in 2009, the agency now has over 170 professionals servicing over 50 brands across their offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.

     

    “We want to be a critical resource partner across the many solutions we provide to our clients. As we continue to relentlessly transform our offerings, Social Wavelength adds a huge dimension to our existing clients and the brands we steward,” said Colvyn Harris, CEO, JWT South Asia. This is JWT’s second digital agency acquisition in India, the first being Hungama in June 2012.

     

    Acquisition part of JWT plan to be future-ready: Colvyn Harris 

    A quick chat with Colvyn Harris, CEO, JWT South Asia on the Social Wavelength acquisition and whether he is looking at any more buys in the future.

     

    01. This is the second digital agency that JWT has acquired in India. Would you be looking at acquiring any more soon? Or is this it?

    We are transforming the JWT group of companies to be future-ready. And digital is an important part of the mix. We have a definite roadmap on digital and while Hungama has been doing well, when it came to social media, we were looking at a good agency and Social Wavelength was the answer. So, in future, if something good comes along and if we find that we are unable to develop skills and build capabilities and if we think it’s better to acquire, we will do that.

     

    02. Social Wavelength is known more for work on the implementation and execution than strategising for brands and corporates. Will it stay that way?

    If you look at a specialised space like social media, the strategy that you develop is what you need to execute. Typically, the creative agency will look at the brand and its personality, while Social Wavelength will look at the social media implementation. Now that it is part of JWT, if we identify opportunities for our clients, Social Wavelength will definitely be able to deliver on that proposition. Also, they have their own clients for which they have been doing work and will continue to do so.

     

    03. Would you see India becoming a hub for servicing digital deliveries for other JWT offices?

    Across the globe, JWT has many digital offerings. In fact there’s a major global push that we have on digital. On being a hub, it all depends on what are the skills we can offer and if there is a requirement for then from within the JWT or WPP fold…

     

    04. With digital in most agency set-ups being a full-service activity, we now have creative agencies doing media work and vice versa. As an advertising industry veteran, do you think we are headed in the direction where all agencies will turn full-service?

    That may not happen. Media agencies have gone far ahead of the curve. Both media and digital agencies have developed and invested a fair deal expertise. But the client is central to our work so if it means working within the JWT or within the WPP fold, we work very seamlessly.

     

    05. You acquired Mindset in Hyderabad two years back, Hungama after that and now Social Wavelength. Would JWT be looking at any other acquisition? Any other business – new or old – that you would like to be looking at growing inorganically?

    In JWT, we believe in planning and we have considerable depth in that. Encompass is part of JWT which takes care of activation and big events. But yes, there are areas like mobile and analytics which are growing. We put the client’s business at the centre of what we do and where we identify a gap, we will definitely try and close that gap.

     

    		 ‘The JWT structure enables us to continue to be entrepreneurial and reasonably independent: Sanjay Mehta
     

    Q&A with Sanjay Mehta, co-founder and Joint CEO, Social Wavelength

     

    01. One more homegrown digital firm gets gobbled up. Wouldn’t it have been nicer for you to have stayed independent rather than become a part of a large global advertising network?

    Well, that’s always a dilemma for any entrepreneur. We weighed the pros and cons of the two options, and found it more exciting to join hands with a global major and grow faster.

     

    The WPP / JWT structure enables us to continue to be entrepreneurial and reasonably independent, and yet derive the benefits of a larger agency network. That looked like a good option for us.

     

    02. Is this (getting acquired by an international biggie) the only way to go for digital independents?

    Certainly not. One can remain independent and grow. Will there not be a Madison in the digital world? Why not? There would be one (or more) and it could be maturing even as I write this.

     

    03. From when did you start looking towards getting acquired? And how did the entire process start and how much time did it take?

    We were not consciously looking to get acquired. In the sense that we never mandated someone to find us an acquiring prospect, etc. We did have a few conversations which were all proactive and direct. We were prepared to look at opportunities that came our way, without being in any rush of any kind, as we were growing well, on our own steam. But we were open to strike a deal, if we found the proposal interesting. This one turned out to be that type.

     

    As for the process, it has taken several months, and we believe it was worth the time. As any relationship involves the getting-to-know-each-other phase, and the time was well utilised for the same.

     

    04. Is the choice of JWT a case of whoever gave the best price or is there also a fitment of cultures?

    We were genuinely very happy with the chemistry we saw with the folks at JWT. And that was the driving force. There are many other factors, including what the association can create together, and how it can yield benefit to us, over time. And sure, there was a factor of the right price too.

     

    05. What happens now with Social Wavelength being part of JWT?

    First of all, Social Wavelength remains an independent unit and continues to run its business completely independently. Operationally, some processes of WPP / JWT do get into place, but for most parts, we run the business like we have been doing. Quite independently.

     

    What we do get is the benefit of JWT’s local and global reach of clients, the best practices, the knowledge resources, etc. Which we reckon, will propel us to higher levels of growth, rapidly.

     

    06. Will there be synergies with the Hungama part of the business?

    Yes, there are plans to have a great working set up between JWT, Hungama and Social Wavelength. Details will be figured out as we run the course over the next few weeks.

     

     

  • JWT has announced a yearlong program of innovative events and activations to highlight its pioneering spirit and rich history around the world

    JWT – celebrations unlimited @ 150

    By a correspondent

     

    150 years is a long time and surviving the market odds and dishing out consistent growth performances year-on-year is indeed an achievement in itself. As part of its 150th anniversary, advertising hotshop JWT has announced a yearlong program of innovative events and activations to highlight its pioneering spirit and rich history around the world.

     

    “JWT’s 150th is much more than just a birthday. This is a platform to galvanize our employees around our pioneering roots and spirit of inventiveness, and to share our mission with our clients and the world,” said Chairman and CEO Bob Jeffrey.

     

    “Every day is an opportunity to reinvent tomorrow, and together with our pioneering clients, we will continue to seize that opportunity for the next 150 years,” added Jeffrey.

     

    To kick off the anniversary celebrations, the agency unveiled a commemorative logo that revives the original historical mark from JWT’s earliest visual branding: the Owl and the Lamp. The owl, long a symbol of wisdom in many cultures, and the lamp, an emblem of light and clarity of vision, together symbolize that experience and knowledge lead to success.

     

    Additional 150th celebrations that will take place throughout the year include the commodore challenge – an internal contest in search of the three most pioneering ideas for the world, with cash prizes; Cannes seminar on pioneering and innovation; pioneering Influencer Series with clients, alumni and industry icons; Helen Lansdowne Resor Scholarship for female creatives; interactive historical timeline; historical content series highlighting JWT’s first and best stories from around the world and the JWT Intelligence 150th Initiative.

     

    Over the decades, JWT has maintained a number of the industry’s longest-standing client relationships including: Unilever (109 years), Kimberly-Clark (84), Nestlé (81), Kellogg’s (80), Rolex (68), Ford (67), U.S. Marines (66), Johnson & Johnson (51) and Shell (49).

     

    In celebrating the agency’s rich history of pioneering, JWT drives forward in its mission and vision for the future to invent pioneering ideas that people want to participate in and spend time with.

     

    “It is an honor to join JWT during such a momentous time. This is an agency with pioneering DNA – the brand, the clients and the people,” said Gustavo Martinez, Global President for JWT Worldwide. He added, “Our strategy for growth in the year ahead as a company will also draw its strength from our spirit of pioneering.”

     

    From hiring the first female creative director and pioneering magazine advertising to being the first agency to expand overseas and the first to send a Kit Kat into space, JWT has pioneered in the world of advertising with groundbreaking ideas that are bold and engaging, and introduced many of the world’s most memorable communications.

     

    In 2013, JWT’s innovative work won a number of accolades at global awards shows including the preeminent Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. JWT’s “Fakka” for Vodafone brought home numerous awards, including a gold lion and was also the most awarded piece of strategic work in the industry last year. Additional award-winning campaigns were JWT Beijing’s “Missing Children” app for Baobeihuijia.com and JWT New York’s “Yes, Virginia the Musical” for Macy’s.

     

    In 2014, JWT will continue to reinvent and bolster its digital capabilities. Actively managing digital change, JWT touts more than 2,000 nontraditional specialists dedicated to delivering digital work for clients. The agency will continue to acquire pure-play digital agencies, with a special focus on emerging markets – recent acquisitions include Thomas Idea in Thailand, Post Visual in South Korea, Designercity in Hong Kong and Lemon Sky in Poland – while expanding existing digital networks.

     

    New business growth is an important signal of JWT’s contemporary relevance, as it often involves attracting clients from newer industries. The agency was recently named global agency of record for PUMA, confirming JWT’s credibility in the booming sectors of sport and fashion. Other new business wins included Energizer personal care brands, Air Canada and The Singapore Tourism Board.

     

  • Other top-ranked Indian agencies include Taproot India, JWT and Leo Burnett (tied at #3) and Ogilvy

    India #9 in Global Creative Ranking in Gunn Report, McCann top Indian agency

    By Sandeep Puraname

     

    The Gunn Report and Showreel of The Year 2013 is here. In its fifteenth year, The Gunn Report 2013 has some interesting news for India. As per the report, India ranks No 9 in the global creative ranking, up from last year’s No 13.

     

    India Population 2013 (million): 1220.8

    India World Rank by Population Size: 2

    India Ad Market Size 2013 (US $m.): 5863

    India World Rank by Ad Market Size: 14

    Gunn Report Creative Ranking 2008: 17

    Gunn Report Creative Ranking 2009: 17

    Gunn Report Creative Ranking 2010: 14

    Gunn Report Creative Ranking 2011: 14

    Gunn Report Creative Ranking 2012: 13

    Gunn Report Creative Ranking 2013: 9

     

    The top-ranked agencies for 2013 are as follows:

     

    INDIA

    # Agency

    Film

    Print

    Digital

    AGB

    Total
    1 McCann Worldgroup (Mumbai)

    2

    13

    0

    1

    16
    2 Taproot India (Mumbai)

    2

    4

    0

    5

    11
    3= JWT (Mumbai)

    3

    0

    0

    4

    7
    3= Leo Burnett (Mumbai & New Delhi)

    2

    2

    0

    3

    7
    5 Ogilvy & Mather (Mumbai)

    1

    3

    0

    1

    5

    JWT and Leo Burnett have tied for the third spot

     

    Other highlights from the 2013 Report include:

     

    The Most Awarded Commercials in The World in 2013

    Metro Trains :: Dumb Ways to Die (McCann Melbourne) triumphs in the Film table and also takes first place in Digital, second place in All Gunns Blazing and third equal place in Print. The most awarded campaign in the history of The Gunn Report.

    2. Southern Comfort :: Whatever’s Comfortable – Beach (Wieden+Kennedy, New York)

    3. Carlton Draught :: Beer Chase (Clemenger BBDO (Melbourne)

    4= Axe :: Susan Glenn (BBH, New York)

    4= Leica M Monochrom Camera :: Soul (F/Nazca Saatchi & Saatchi, São Paulo)

     

    The Most Awarded Print Ads & Campaigns in The World in 2013

    1. Expedia Travel :: Luggage Labels campaign (Ogilvy & Mather, London)

    2. Harvey Nichols Sale :: Pelicans (Y&R Dubai)

    3= Coca-Cola :: #Cokehands (Ogilvy & Mather, Shanghai)

    3= Metro Trains :: Dumb Ways to Die (McCann Melbourne)

    3= The Sunday Times Rich List :: Rich List 2013 pool (CHI & Partners, London)

     

    The Most Awarded Digital in The World in 2013

    1. Metro Trains :: Dumb Ways to Die (McCann Melbourne)

    2. Nike+ Fuelband :: Nike+ Fuelband (R/GA, New York)

    3. Adidas Neo :: Window Shopping (TBWA\Helsinki)

    4= Google / Lego :: Build With Chrome (M&C Saatchi/Mark, Sydney)

    4= The JFK Presidential Library & Museum :: Clouds Over Cuba (The Martin Agency, Richmond VA)

     

    The Most Awarded All Gunns Blazing in The World in 2013

    1. Hemoba/Vitoria FC :: My Blood Is Red & Black (Leo Burnett Tailor Made, Ṣo Paulo) Рthe most awarded campaign ever in All Gunns Blazing.

    2. Metro Trains :: Dumb Ways to Die (McCann Melbourne)

    3. Nike+ Fuelband :: Nike+ Fuelband (R/GA, New York)

    4. Sports Clube de Recife :: Immortal Fans (Ogilvy Brasil, São Paulo)

    5. Samsung Life Insurance :: The Bridge of Life (Cheil Worldwide, Seoul)

     

    The Most Awarded Campaigns Across Tables 1 – 4 in 2013

    1. Metro Trains :: Dumb Ways To Die

    2. Hemoba/Vitoria FC :: My Blood Is Red & Black

    3. Nike+ Fuelband :: Nike+ Fuelband

    4. Dove :: Real Beauty Sketches

    5. Australian Defence Force :: Mobile Medic

     

    The Most Awarded Countries in The World in 2013

    1. USA

    2. Australia break the 1 – 2 stranglehold that USA and UK have had for last 14 years.

    3. UK

    4. Brazil

    5. France

     

    The Most Awarded Advertisers in The World in 2013

    Either Nike or Volkswagen has topped the table every one of The Gunn Report’s 15 years. This year it was Nike’s turn.

    2. Volkswagen

    3. Axe / Lynx

    4. Coca-Cola

    5. Google

     

    The Most Awarded Production Companies in The World in 2013

    First time at the top of the Table for Biscuit Filmworks (London, New York, LA)

    2. Paranoid (Los Angeles, São Paulo)

    3. MJZ (London, LA, New York)

    4. Rattling Stick (London, Los Angeles)

    5. Henry de Czar (Paris)

     

    The Most Awarded Director in The World in 2013

    Southern Comfort “Beach” (amongst many others) Director, Tim Godsall, is a clear winner.

    2. Ringan Ledwidge (UK, USA)

    3= Julian Frost (Australia)

    3= Tom Kuntz (USA)

    5= Steve Ayson (Australia, NZ, Thailand)

    5= Marcos Kothar (Brazil)

     

    The Most Awarded Agency in The World in 2013

    A first time tie for first place – Wieden+Kennedy (Portland, New York) (who topped the table last year) and McCann (Melbourne) (first time in Top 50 table)

    3. AlmapBBDO (São Paulo)

    4. Ogilvy Brasil (São Paulo) (highest ever ranking)

    5= BBH (London)

    5= Clemenger BBDO (Melbourne & Sydney) (highest ever ranking)

     

    The Most Awarded Agency in Digital in The World in 2013

    Second time at top for R/GA (New York)

    2. Forsman & Bodenfors (Gothenburg)

    3. McCann (Melbourne)

    4= AlmapBBDO (São Paulo)

    4= Wieden+Kennedy (Portland, New York)

     

    The Most Awarded Agency Network in The World in 2013

    Rankings 1 to 4 are the same for the fourth year in a row but in a slightly different order. BBDO top the table for the eighth year straight.

    2. Ogilvy

    3. DDB

    4. Leo Burnett

    5. McCann (highest ever ranking)

     

  • The fomer Creativeland Asia partner and ECD and JWT VP and Senior CD join hands to form a new agency

    Vikram Gaikwad, Vistasp Hodiwala join hands to launch new agency Underdog

    By Ravi Balakrishnan

     

    Vikram Gaikwad, former partner and executive creative director at independent agency Creativeland Asia and Vistasp Hodiwala, VP and senior creative director at JWT, have combined forces to launch a new agency named Underdog.

     

    The agency principals represent a classic art and copy structure. An art director by training, Mr Gaikwad has an impressive track record with stints at Grey and most recently Creativeland Asia to his credit. He’s worked on brands like Bajaj Appliances, Mercedes, Mahindra and Parle Agro.

     

    Mr Hodiwala has been associated with Lead India and Teach India as well as the Godrej corporate brand campaign.

     

    This is quite literally the first time Messrs Gaikwad and Hodiwala will be collaborating. Mr Hodiwala says: “We have been in the same industry for two decades, even been to Cannes the same years but our paths never crossed.”

     

    On meeting via a mutual friend, the duo found they shared a high level of compatibility and a desire to strike out on their own. Mr Gaikwad says: “We would have earned more had we joined networks but there’s a joy to creating something.” He has previous entrepreneurial experience, leaving Grey to found Creativeland Asia with Raj Kurup. He wryly says: “This is my second innings.” It’s a first for Mr Hodiwala, who says: “There comes a time when what the agency expects from you and what you expect out of life are different.”

     

    The agency will be self-funded and for the moment has no servicing or planning partner in place. The goal according to Mr Gaikwad is: “To grow with brands, no matter if they are small or big.” The duo are in conversations with three or four brands at the moment.

     

    The one thing Underdog is sure it’s not going to be is a boutique. Mr Hodiwala observes: “No agency would be caught dead doing that. The time when that was in vogue was possibly 10 years ago. People want to be responsible communicators now and stand for a certain amount of honesty and serious originality.”

     

    Source:The Economic Times

    Copyright © 2014, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All Rights Reserved

    Licensed to republish

     

  • Lowe Lintas doesn't allow Ogilvy fifth consecutive 'Agency of the Year' title by 35 points as Hindustan Lever gets past Cadbury by 50 points

    Lowe Lintas, HUL win big at Effie 2013

     

    By Shobhana Nair

     

    It’s a fraternity which loves surprises. And the thousand-and-a-half-odd members of India’s advertising and marketing industry witnessed just that on Friday evening. The large contingent from Ogilvy & Mather India has made a habit out of winning big at the award events it participates in.  But the crew from Lowe Lintas ensured that the adlanders in black (as Ogilvy staffers always turn up at trade events) don’t experience their fifth consecutive win at the Effie, the annual advertising effectiveness awards conducted by the Advertising Club. Lowe won the coveted Effie Agency of the Year 2013 outwitting Ogilvy & Mather by just 35 points in the final tally. “This is one night of fun and party for 2500 bucks. We can’t have a cheaper party than this,” chuckled R Balki, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer at Lowe Lintas while celebrating his team’s victory.

     

    But it’s not that Pandey’s O&M cut a sorry figure. Other than scoring 130 points as compared to Lowe’s 165, Ogilvy also secured the Grand Effie for its Lifebuoy Roti campaign for Hindustan Unilever. Said Pandey who is Executive Chairman and. Creative Director, South Asia of the agency: “We have come first so many times and it feels great that Lowe is enjoying their win. Of course, being second is not a great feeling. You need to try harder.” The Aadat Campaign for Cadbury’s Bournvita and the Ear Muffs activation and Made for You campaign for Vodafone helped Ogilvy win its three golds.

     

    The other three agencies in the Top 5 were McCann Worldgroup, JWT and Publicis Communications at 60, 40 and 35 points respectively. Nakul Chopra, CEO, South Asia at Publicis admitted his agency could have done better but he’s bullish on the year ahead. “I am not happy and I think the kind of work that we will do in 2014 is what I am excited about. I think in the years to come Publicis is going to be a brand which will be known for quality work,” he said.

     

    From the client side, Hindustan Lever bagged the ‘Effie Client of the year’ after the total points came to 95. The campaigns for its brands Kissan and Lifebuoy were clear favourites of both the jury and the crowds at the awards. “Well, I think these awards are for effectiveness and we are quite delighted and proud to have received these awards,” said Hemant Bakshi, Executive Director – Home & Personal Care of Hindustan Unilever (HUL) and Chairman, Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA).

     

    Cadbury India which emerged the Client of the Year in 2011 and 2012 came second with 55 points.  “It is always a joy to win a few awards because it is recognition by the industry of the work that we have done,” said V Chandrmouli, Executive Director, Chocolates and Biscuits, Cadbury India. “Over the last few years, we have been getting recognition which pushes us to do better work,” he continue as Siddhartha Mukherjee, Director – Chocolate Category & Media added: “We have had a long-standing partnership with our agencies like Contract and Ogilvy who have produced excellent work over the years. And to get any award is a great reward to that partnership.”

     

    This year, the number of entries leapfrogged 20 per cent to 419 from 52 agencies participated while 1200 tickets were sold for the awards night.  On his impressions as the curtains came down on Effie 2013, Ajay Kakar, Chief Marketing Officer – Financial Services, Aditya Birla Group who was Chairperson of the Effie 2013 Committee said:  “Effie has grown in participation therefore in stature and respect which is gratifying. This is an awards show which is beyond question and controversy. Both agency and client happily participate at various stages.”

     

    Underscoring the role of the advertising effectiveness awards, K V Sridhar, Chief Creative Officer India subcontinent at Leo Burnett said: “Creativity will not matter without effectiveness and effectiveness doesn’t exist without creativity. The combination is what really works. This is why Effie is the most coveted award in India. Also, the fact is that there are no controversies attached to it.”

     

     

     

    Delighted: Hemant Bakshi

     

    Given the importance of advertising and promotion for its brands, it’s not surprising that Hindustan Unilever was crowned ‘Client of the Year’ at Effie 2013.  A quick Q&A with Hemant Bakshi, Executive Director – Home & Personal Care of Hindustan Unilever (HUL) on the win.

     

    How important are awards like the Effie for an organisation like Hindustan Unilever?

    Well, these awards are for effectiveness and we are quite delighted. We are proud to have received these awards.

     

    There’s this big debate about creativity versus effectiveness? What matters to you more?

    Well, it is good to know that we have created value through what we do in marketing. We acknowledge the external appreciation that we’ve got.

     

    And what are the goals you have set yourself for 2014?

    Clearly, we have to sustain what we achieved in 2013.

     

     

    In advertising, you are supposed to be more creative to be effective: R Balki

     

    If there was joy in breaking the winning run of Ogilvy at the Effie, Lowe Lintas & Partners’ R Balki was understating it.  A quick Q&A with the agency’s celebrated Chairman and Chief Creative Officer.

     

    How important are awards like the Effie you?

    What is important is to do the kind of work that you want do for the clients. Being able to do that right through the year and being satisfied with your own. Award or no award can’t increase or decrease the value of your work. You should know the value of your work before you have won or lost.

     

    There’s this big debate about creativity versus effectiveness? What matters to you more?

    I don’t know the difference between these two. In advertising, you are supposed to be more creative to be effective. Obviously, there’s connect but both are passé words.

     

    Apart from your work, which ads have managed to impress you?

    I love Ogilvy’s work. The Roti activation campaign for Lifebuoy was good. In fact I am a fan of their work.

     

  • Does the cabinet approval for the TRAI guidelines mean the end of the way TAM is owned or run currently? Perhaps. An analysis + TRAI guidelines

    What next for TAM?

     

    By Pradyuman Maheshwari [updated]

     

    Is it a cul de sac for TAM? Was the cabinet approval for the TRAI guidelines the final nail on TAM’s 15-year-plus existence?

     

    Created by a decision of the Joint Industry Body way back in 1998 with stakeholders Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA), Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) and the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) agreeing to back the body. For a while, there was an alternative in the form of aMap, but that fizzled out thanks to a lack of patronage.

     

    Had aMap existed today, one wouldn’t be sure of its future because it always quoted a consortium of unnamed investors as its primary owner.

     

     

    Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies in India

     

    The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for bringing out a comprehensive regulatory framework in the form of guidelines for Television Rating Agencies in India. These guidelines cover detailed procedures for registration of rating agencies, eligibility norms, terms and conditions of registration, cross-holdings, methodology for audience measurement, a complaint redressal mechanism, sale and use of ratings, audit, disclosure, reporting requirements and action on non-compliance of guidelines etc. The proposal is based on recommendations made by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on “Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies” dated 11th September, 2013.

     

    Based on the recommendations of TRAI, comprehensive policy guidelines for television rating agencies have been formulated.

     

    Salient features of these guidelines are as follows:

    • All rating agencies including the existing rating agencies shall obtain registration from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

     

    • Detailed registration procedure, eligibility norms, terms and conditions, cross-holding norms, period of registration, security conditions and other obligations have been delineated.

     

    • No single company / legal entity either directly or through its associates or interconnect undertakings shall have substantial equity holding that is, 10 percent or more of paid up equity in both rating agencies and broadcasters/advertisers/advertising agencies.

     

    • Ratings ought to be technology neutral and shall capture data across multiple viewing platforms viz. cable TV, Direct-to- Home (DTH), Terrestrial TV etc.

     

    • Panel homes for audience measurement shall be drawn from the pool of households selected through an establishment survey. A minimum panel size of 20,000 to be implemented within six months of the guidelines coming into force. Thereafter the panel size shall be increased by 10,000 every year until it reaches the figure of 50,000.

     

    • Secrecy and privacy of the panel homes must be maintained. 25 percent of panel homes shall be rotated every year.

     

    • The rating agency shall submit the detailed methodology to the Government and also publish it on its website.

     

    • The rating agency shall set up an effective complaint redressal system with a toll free number.

     

    • The rating agency shall set up an internal audit mechanism to get its entire methodology/processes audited internally on quarterly basis and through an independent auditor annually. All audit reports to be put on the website of the rating agency. Government and TRAI reserve the right to audit the systems /procedures/mechanisms of the rating agency.

     

    • Non-compliance of guidelines on cross-holding, methodology, secrecy, privacy, audit, public disclosure and reporting requirements shall lead to forfeiture of two bank guarantees worth Rs. one crore furnished by the company in the first instance, and, in the second instance shall lead to cancellation of registration. For violation of other provisions of the guidelines, the action shall be forfeiture of bank guarantee of Rs. 25 lakh for the first instance of non-compliance, forfeiture of bank guarantee of Rs.75 lakh for the second instance of non compliance and for the third instance, cancellation of registration.

     

    • 30 days time would be given to the existing rating agency to comply with the guidelines.

     

    • The guidelines would come into effect immediately from the date of notification.

     

    The Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies in India are designed to address aberrations in the existing television rating system. These guidelines are aimed at making television ratings transparent, credible and accountable. The agencies operating in this field have to comply with directions relating to public disclosure, third party audit of their mechanisms and transparency in the methodologies adopted. This would help make rating agencies accountable to stakeholders such as the Government, broadcasters, advertisers, advertising agencies and above all the people.

     

    Background:

    Television Rating Points (TRPs) have been a much debated issue in India since the present system of TRPs is riddled with several maladies such as small sample size which is not representative, lack of transparency, lack of reliability and credibility of data etc. Shortcomings in the present rating system have been highlighted by key stakeholders that include individuals, consumer groups, government, broadcasters, advertisers, and advertising agencies etc. Members of Standing Committee on Information Technology had also expressed concern over the shortcomings.

     

    In 2008, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) had sought recommendations of TRAI on various issues relating to TRPs and policy guidelines to be adopted for rating agencies. TRAI, in its recommendations in August 2008, had amongst other things recommended the approach of self-regulation through the establishment of an industry-led body, that is the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC).

     

    The Ministry had constituted a Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. Amit Mitra, the then Secretary General FICCI, in 2010 to review the existing TRP system In India. The committee also recommended that self-regulation of TRPs by the industry was the best way forward.

     

    Since, the BARC could not operationalise the TRP generating mechanism, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting sought recommendations of TRAI in September 2013 on comprehensive guidelines/accreditation mechanism for television rating agencies in India to ensure fair competition, better standards and quality of services by television rating agencies. TRAI recommendations on Guideline for Television Rating Agencies were received in September 2013. While supporting self-regulation of television ratings through an industry-led body like BARC, TRAI recommended that television rating agencies shall be regulated through a framework in the form of guidelines to be notified by MIB. It also recommended that all rating agencies, including the existing rating agency, shall require registration with MIB in accordance with the terms and conditions prescribed under the guidelines.

     

    Source: Press Information Bureau website – pib.nic.in

     

    The problem with the TRAI guidelines for TAM is its ownership – TAM is a 50-50 jv between Nielsen and Kantar Media Research. The third point on the cabinet approved TRAI guidelines is very clear on the ownership issue. “No single company / legal entity either directly or through its associates or interconnect undertakings shall have substantial equity holding that is, 10 percent or more of paid up equity in both rating agencies and broadcasters/advertisers/advertising agencies,” it says.

     

    With Kantar being owned by WPP which in turns owns Group M, Ogilvy, JWT and a host of advertising and marketing services firms in India, there’s little that TAM can do.

     

    Perhaps not. For, as they say in India, for every law, there’s a mother-in-law, brother-in-law, and son-in-law. So Kantar can retain a 9.9 percent stake and the rest of the 40.1% can be bought by one or multiple entities, who can then have some longwinded alliance or consulting arrangement with one of the many WPP group entities.

     

    For instance, MxMIndia could own the 40.1 percent stake and then MxM can retain Ogilvy, or JWT or whatever for creative services. Or the 40.1 percent stake could be owned by a Trust… TAM could seek inspiration from the ownership of other similar moves made in the past.

     

    What’s happened though is unfortunate. By giving the government a handle to police it, the broadcast ecosystem has had it. The development also shows that the broadcasters may seem more powerful but can’t keep off the government from interfering in its affairs. It may be remembered that until last year, the print readership study was undertaken by Hansa, which is owned by the RK Swamy BBDO and Hansa group. This group also has interests in advertising and runs a media agency, but no one raised a question on the issue of ownership. Or even if people did, it wasn’t public and certainly didn’t call for a government intervention.

     

    Logically, the government ought to have no business to police the TV measurement business. An intervention should be necessary only if there’s a fraud and then the law enforcers – the courts and the cops can get into the picture.

     

    It will be interesting to see if an agency like Group M – which is owned by WPP – decides to say that it will have its own system of measuring TV audiences. It’s unlikely that it will do it as Hindustan Unilever, one of its main clients, is a key member of the ISA and a senior HUL executive is a member of the BARC technical committee for the new audience measurement system. Also, an HUL may not want to take on the government for its own business reasons.

     

    The clock may be ticking for TAM, but the next step in this drama is the notification of the guidelines. TAM could of course take the government to Court. In the event that the notification happens and TAM doesn’t take the government to court, it will need to do something about its ownership. And increase boxes from 9450 to 20,000 etc etc.

     

    There’s of course another all-important factor. From the reports we receive at MxMIndia, BARC has kind-of decided on awarding the critical tech contract to Mediametrie, the French industry body and a couple of other vendors. The deal may not have been signed, but it’s just a matter of tam, er, time. Nielsen had also made a fresh pitch at a lower cost, but the informal industry view was to think long-term and give the contract to Mediametrie.

     

    In that event, it may well be a cul de sac for the way TAM is today. Perhaps, like in the Hindi movies, it will need to be reborn as something else. Or wait for divine intervention.

    In the meantime, we hear of a pressure building within the industry of how the notification could impact broadcasting. The earliest the BARC-approved measurement system will come up is the second quarter of 2014. It will take a quarter or two for it to find stability and earn the confidence of the fraternity. Advertisers and broadcasters (and media agencies) can ill-afford a period of no measurement.

    That perhaps would do more harm to the industry than any other move to shore up the media ecosystem.

     

  • He joins DDB Mudra West from McCann where he was ECD. He will report to Sonal Dabral

    McCann’s Rahul Mathew joins DDB Mudra West as Creative Head

    By A Correspondent

     

    Rahul Mathew

    DDB Mudra West has roped in Rahul Mathew as Creative Head. He will lead the agency’s creative output for clients including Future Group, Volkswagen, Johnson & Johnson, Kalpataru, Hindustan Unilever, Union Bank, Marico, Emirates, Gulf Oil, Godrej, Lavasa, Arvind, Adani Group, CenturyPly and Raj Petro among others. Mr Mathew will partner Rajiv Sabnis, President, DDB Mudra Group, West and will work closely with Sonal Dabral, Chairman & CCO, DDB Mudra Group, who he will be reporting in to.

     

    Mr Mathew joins DDB Mudra from McCann Erickson where he was Executive Creative Director. With over 15 years of experience, Rahul has worked with Ogilvy, JWT, Leo Burnett, Y&R (in Kuala Lumpur and India).

     

    Commenting on his new role, Mr Mathew said, “Few agencies, the world over, can boast of a creative culture the likes of DDB. And to be appointed a custodian of such a celebrated culture is both exciting and frightening.  But with the talented bunch at the agency, Sonal and I hope to make DDB Mudra West one of the brightest stars in the DDB constellation.”

     

    On the appointment, Sonal Dabral, Chairman & CCO, DDB Mudra Group, said, “I’m very excited to welcome Rahul to the DDB Mudra Group family. I’ve known Rahul for a while now and have followed his career across countries and agencies, seeing him build brands and win multiple awards along the way. A new age creative thinker equally adept at traditional and non traditional media,Rahul is just the talent to lead the creative teams in DDB Mudra West.”

     

    Added Rajiv Sabnis, President, DDB Mudra Group, West: “With Rahul coming on board, our ability to provide creative business solutions to our clients gets a strong fillip.”