LinOpinion|GH announced that it has won the Reliance Games business in India, in a hotly contested multi-agency pitch. The consultancy’s mandate will be to conceptualize and implement the best strategic communication routes to maximize visibility for Reliance Games and its offerings in the mobile gaming space in India.
Reliance Games, the mobile gaming division of Reliance Entertainment Digital with its presence in over 70 countries is India’s leading mobile game developer. Some of its block buster hit games include Real Steel, Real Steel World Robot Boxing, Hunger Games, Pacific Rim, Total Recall among others with over 200mn downloads world over. Globally distributed, Reliance Games’ content can be accessed through iTunes, Google Play, Amazon and Windows as well as 80 leading networks across 100 countries worldwide.
Speaking on the association, Roopak Nair, Head of Marketing, Reliance Entertainment Digital said, “LinOpinion|GH brings an eclectic mix of creativity and passion for gaming and we are excited about embarking on this new journey. Mobile gaming is growing at an astounding rate and we would like to partake in the excitement with exciting games that enthrall millions of consumers and foster growth of the gaming ecosystem in India.â€
Kavita Lakhani, President, LinOpinion|GH, commenting on the new win said, “We are honored to partner with Reliance Games, India’s leading mobile game development company. India has a booming mobile gaming industry and majority of its population is below 25 years. Reliance Games’ key objective is to discover the best young Indian talent from metros and mini metros, to provide them a global platform to showcase their game creativity and development prowess. The PR campaign will focus on helping build brand salience and connect with young Indian game developers and consumers through unconventional and innovative PR ideas.â€
LinOpinionGH has announced their win of VIP Industries Ltd., the leading luggage manufacturing company in India. The partnership will assist in developing the best strategic communication route for VIP Industries and create a stable, resounding image for its brands including VIP, Carlton, Alfa, Aristocrat, Skybags and Caprese. The account was won via a multi-agency pitch.
SudipGhose
Speaking on the association, Sudip Ghose, Vice President – Marketing, VIP Industries Ltd said, “We are proud to be associated with LinOpinion GH and we look forward to a successful and long standing association with them. With their vast expertise in the retail and lifestyle sector, we are sure that VIP Industries will evolve into an even stronger entity and our brands will get a distinct positioning thereby impacting on image and market share.”
Ameer Ismail
Commenting on the new win, Ameer Ismail, Executive Director, LinOpinion GH and Lowe Lintas and Partners says, “We are thrilled to partner with such a prestigious and iconic brand. At LinOpinion GH, we cater to the requirements of diverse clients.With our domain expertise and proven track record we demonstrated the right mix of insight, strategy and ability to execute seamlessly across market segments through the pitch processes. We will use unconventional and innovative communication routes to add value to this campaign as it unfurls. VIP is a highly coveted name in the luggage manufacturing industry and we are extremely proud to have them on board with us.”
For LinOpinion GH, VIP Industries comes as a significant addition to their already existing roster of some leading clients in the lifestyle, travel and luxury retail space. These brands include Seiko, Supermax, Tourism Victoria, Starwood Group, Etihad Airways among others.
LinOpinion GolinHarris has launched The Bridge in Mumbai. The Bridge is a pioneering concept of GolinHarris which is the centerpiece of a new working model termed G4. This tool has changed the way real time insights, in today’s increasingly digital landscape, can interplay into creating impactful Public Relations campaigns.
Simon Ruparelia
Simon Ruparelia, Head of Digital for Asia at GolinHarris said, “Many of our clients across Asia have embraced the concept of real time marketing and embedded it within their marketing plans. We have successfully applied The Bridge processes across a range of industries from FMCG to the automotive sector and it is a great example of innovation that we are bringing to clients in India. Our clients here will benefit from our experience of running this network of real time engagement centres around the region and the world from New York to Shanghai.”
GolinHarris was the first agency globally to launch such a concept called The Bridge, which is present in 13 locations globally including Chicago, London and Shanghai. Mumbai is the latest bridge in Asia and latest addition to Golin Harris’ global network of Bridges.
The Bridge is designed to meet the changing needs of clients who are constantly looking to better market their products and services and make them relevant with an evolving customer. It will provide better insight, improve delivery outcomes for clients and provide real-time information to clients.
Ameer Ismail
Ameer Ismail, Executive Director, LinOpinion GH and Lowe Lintas and Partners, said, “We are excited to introduce this valuable tool that helps clients across different industries to manage their online reputation effectively. I believe the time has come to accept new realities in PR and The Bridge is an integral way in which agencies and clients can weave in real time insights into their communications efforts. The impact and use can be far beyond our PR agency clients and could also work for clients within our Group.”
In addition to launching The Bridge, LinOpinion GH also unveiled their new office located in Lower Parel, Mumbai. The new office features an international look and feel that brings out GolinHarris’ g4 work model. The contemporary workplace also has spaces for creative discussions, video conferencing and other amenities to create a productive work environment.
(Left to Right) Jonathan Hughes, President, GolinHarris, Joseph George CEO, Lowe Lintas & Partners; Ameer Ismail Executive Director Lowe Lintas and Partners and Fred Cook, CEO, GolinHarris
Where so much is being written and said about the not-too-exciting state of affairs in the M&E sector, it comes as a pleasant surprise when a few buck the trend and manage to prove otherwise. On Tuesday (Sept 3), PR agency LinOpinion announced its joint venture with global firm GolinHarris.
With a 50-50 stake between the two, the new entity will now be known as LinOpinion-GolinHarris. While the two have been associated for the past 10 years given their affiliation under the IPG network umbrella, the new joint venture will enable GolinHarris to expand its reach and bring in some fresh new thinking and ways of working in India.
In conversation with Johnson Napier of MxMIndia, Jonathon Hues – President, International, GolinHarris shared that while the timing of their entry is perfect, what was important was the fact that clients in India are looking for more from their communications agency. In fact that’s what the new integrated model, called G4, will seek to offer them. “At the same time, we are also developing our capabilities across the region and India is an extremely important market,†he affirmed.
Agreeing with Mr Hues, Ameer Ismail – Executive Director, LinOpinion who will continue to head the jv agency said that the plan was to have sensible growth but not at the cost of quality. He affirmed that the focus will be to build on its current strengths and invest in others so that they emerge a bigger and better player, one that is committed to doing outstanding work with its clients. Excerpts from the conversation…
Q&A with Jonathan Hues:
What is your assessment of LinOpinion as a PR & Communications player in India that made you seal a venture with the group?
We’ve been working with LinOpinion for nearly 10 years now so we have always known how good they were and how strong their reputation in India is. So this is very much a natural extension to our relationship and one that allows us to expand our reach into India and to bring some fresh new thinking and ways of working to India.
Were you contemplating an entry in India at this juncture or was it work-in-progress for some time now?
The timing is pretty much perfect now. We think clients in India are looking for more from their communications agency and that’s what our new integrated model, called G4, is designed to bring them. At the same time we are also developing our capabilities across the region and India is an extremely important market.
What is the difference that GolinHarris would seek to offer its clients in India?
The aim would be to integrate and offer the brightest insights, the boldest ideas and the broadest engagement for clients in India. We have a very successful team in India already but we believe the market is ready for more than just media relations. We believe we need to further strengthen our strategic and creative capabilities and over time hire new, diverse talent from different fields so that our campaigns really resonate and engage. The other difference is through the close relationship with Lowe Lintas and the wider services it is able to offer. Together we can offer clients a whole new range of integrated services.
Among the many global markets that you are present in, what are the factors that make India a standout among the others?
It’s a key market in Asia but it’s not just about dots on the map. It’s such a vibrant and creative market and whilst we are bringing new technology and ways of working I think we will benefit from having India fully integrated into our business as there are many areas around mobile and digital, in particular, that India is taking a lead in.
There are already a couple of other PR agencies under the IPG umbrella operating in India. Would you be looking at leveraging resources across verticals or would you be competing head-on with them?
It’s the same in almost all the markets we work in around the world. Where it makes sense for a client then we will happily work with our sister agencies, and not just PR, within IPG. However, we are also happy to compete head-on as we believe we have something very different and distinct to offer.
What are the challenges you foresee for the PR & Communications space in a market like India?
To really demonstrate the value they bring and to compete in areas of strategic insight, analytics and creativity that have long been the domain of others. Today so much measurement is focussed on clippings and coverage and not on the change they bring about. We have several specific tools and methodologies within our strategist community to help benchmark and measure this change.
What according to you are the reasons that the PR & Communications medium in India has not managed to make a mark like the other mediums in terms of the ad pie?
Possibly because we have not shown our clients the same levels of insight and creative thinking that the other disciplines have. We have done great largely around media relations but now I believe communications is coming of age in India. Brands want and need communications to play a central role in helping their brands remain relevant to their consumers. We have to step up to the plate and that is exactly what this JV is designed to help us do.
What is your growth strategy as you begin your operations in India?
There is huge potential here in India and our partners at LinOpinion see no reason why together we cannot double the size of our business in India within a couple of years.
Q&A with Ameer Ismail:
The JV with GolinHarris is big news in recent times surrounding the PR & Communications space in India. How do you see the JV changing the gameplan for your activities in India?
This is a great milestone in our journey and the timing couldn’t be better. Clients in India are looking for sharper partners who can work with them and deliver outstanding, measurable results. We have been a successful agency in this market, with GolinHarris (GH), we will get the tools and the G4 model to deliver a completely unique and differentiated product to our clients.
What do you anticipate GolinHarris to bring to the JV that could make you a differentiator in the Indian PR space
Talent, Technology and Training are the 3 main inputs I see GH bringing to us. We will together upgrade our infrastructure and invest in areas to ensure we have a significant edge. We will also have ‘the Bridge’ in India very soon.
With a rich clientele offering from GolinHarris, do you see yourself leveraging the client/brand footprint in India too?
Without a doubt, we will now have an opportunity to work with their vast portfolio of global brands and likewise, our brands that are looking for global support can now access seamless service across the network.
Will the JV lend you more muscle to bulk up investments in other avenues in India?
This business will be significantly scaled in the next few years and we will be looking at any opportunity to achieve this objective and will be ready to make investments.
You seem to have restructured your service model and made significant investments to strengthen the team with vertical heads. Could you elaborate a bit more on this development?
We have been strengthening our talent pool at the senior level as a part of an earlier plan. We will now be reorganising our teams around the G4 model. Within this there will be vertical areas and experts.
There’s a lot that’s been said of the volatile economic climate gripping the Indian media sector as of now. Will the JV provide you more muscle to fight the survival test facing the sector?
It is my belief that agencies that focus on doing quality work will stand the test of time and economic uncertainty, there is opportunity for PR even in these times.
What are your growth plans for LinOpinion-GolinHarris in the coming year? Where do you see yourself in the player sweepstakes going forward?
We plan to significantly scale this business, however we want to have sensible growth and not at the cost of quality. We are already a leader in some areas; we will build on our current strengths and invest in others so that we are a bigger and better player, one that is committed to doing outstanding work with its clients.
Etihad Airways has appointed LinOpinion, the public relations division of Lowe Lintas and Partners, as its communications and public relations partner in India.
Etihad Airways’ General Manager in India, Neerja Bhatia said, “We are delighted to partner with LinOpinion as they have demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the aviation, hospitality, and travel and tourism industries. We are confident that we will benefit from their expertise and experience in the market.”
Ameer Ismail, Executive Director Lowe Lintas and Partners, said: “LinOpinion continues to grow exponentially. This is a testament to the excellent work and dedicated efforts being carried out consistently by the LinOpinion team. Etihad Airways is one of the leading airlines across the world, and we are honored to partner with them in India.”
Joseph George, Chief Executive Officer, Lowe Lintas and Partners said: “LinOpinion is one of the most respected and fastest growing PR firms in the country. It is our ambition to partner with leading global brands, and being appointed by Etihad Airways as their communications partner is an enormous privilege for our team.”
Etihad Airways commenced flights from Mumbai in September 2004 and today operates services to eight cities across India.
Stemade Biotech, a pioneer in dental stem cell banking in the Asian region has appointed LinOpinion – the Lowe Lintas public relations division, which bagged the account after a competitive pitch against two other agencies. LinOpinion is mandated to educate publics on the concept of dental stem cell banking and increase media visibility for Stemade.
With an aim to gain repute in the era of regenerative medicine, Stemade endeavours to be the largest dental stem cell bank inIndia, offering services of the highest standards.
Commenting on the reason for picking LinOpinion, Shailesh Gadre, Managing Director, Stemade said: “LinOpinion has an excellent body of work in the healthcare space. I think they were able to immerse themselves completely into the category, and consumers, which led to a thorough understanding of our business and our brief. Considering that we wanted to change our communication strategy from one that was tactical, to one that is insightful and strategic, we believe that LinOpinion is the best fit. Our ultimate aim is to heighten awareness of dental stem cell banking acrossIndiato save lives.”
Kavita Lakhani, President, LinOpinion said: “We are very pleased to work with Stemade who are leaders in the category. Dental stem cell-based therapy indeed seems to have potential to change the traditionally weak Indian medical system. Our challenge is to create awareness of dental stem cell banking and its benefits. LinOpinion will employ a fully integrated multi-media approach to deliver messages and drive conversations with diverse audiences – consumers, healthcare practitioners and regulators. We will also articulate Stemade’s advocacy programs ranging from innovation to education.”
One of LinOpinion’s greatest competitive advantages is a comprehensive understanding of building and protecting healthcare brands through its work with hospitals, insurers, healthcare professionals, policy makers and other key influencers. The agency’s experience includes campaigns for the Government of Maharashtra – Avert Society (AIDS awareness), Healthspring Community Medical Centres, Allergan, Botox, Centre for Obesity and Diabetes, GSK – Smoking Cessation Therapy, Pfizer-Viagra, Manipal Hospitals, Johnson and Johnson, Johns Hopkins University, National Leprosy Education Program, OncQuest and Rotary’s pulse polio vaccination drive.
Senior communications professional and sportscaster Hemant Kenkre has joined public relations firm LinOpinion as Vice President.
Mr Kenkre, who was consulting with Hanmer MS&L until recently as Senior Strategist, has also worked with MTV Asia in Singapore as Senior Director, Communications.
Other than PR, Mr Kenkre has been a popular name in sports media. He has played cricket professionally and has done a stint with commentary at WorldSpace and Radio One.
Other than being CEO of Cricketnext.com for a bit, Mr Kenkre has also been a columnist and contributor to various entities: Mail Today, The Straits Times, Rediff.com, Mid-Day, Sunday Observer and MxMIndia.com.
LinOpinion, the PR division of Lowe LintasIndia, has added yet another powerhouse brand to its portfolio with Polaris India Pvt. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Polaris Industries INC.
Polaris Industries is the Minnesota-based off-road vehicles company. It is a recognized leader in the production of innovative, high quality off-road vehicles. These include all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) for recreational and utility use, snowmobiles, military and government vehicles, motorcycles and on-road electric powered vehicles.
LinOpinion will partner with Polaris to develop the best communications route to assist the brand’s foray into the Indian market. Although off-roading as a concept is still in a nascent stage inIndia, Polaris, with their sector expertise and world-class products, are all set to take the Indian market by storm.
“We are very confident that through our association with LinOpinion and their expertise we will be able to create a distinctive identity for the brand. Our aim is to build awareness not only for the brand but the entire category. We are confident of LinOpinion’s strategy and we look forward to a strong and long-term relationship with them,” said Mr. Pankaj Dubey, Managing Director, Polaris India Pvt. Ltd.
“We are extremely proud and eagerly look forward to work with a prestigious brand like Polaris India. This feeds into our objective to represent the world’s best brands. We hope to partner the brand by supporting them with their business and communication objectives,” said Mr. Ameer Ismail, Executive Director, Lowe Lintas.
LinOpinion, the public relations division of Lowe Lintas, was established in 1994. It is the exclusive Indian affiliate of Golin Harris, the leading international PR firm of the Interpublic Group. It provides brand image consultancy to leading MNC and Indian companies.
