MxMIndia

Tag: Rana Barua

  • Dasgupta will lead strategy across all disciplines

    Havas Group India appoints Shivaji Dasgupta as Chief Strategy Officer

    By A Correspondent

     

    Shivaji Dasgupta

    Havas Group India has appointed Shivaji Dasgupta as Chief Strategy Officer. In his new role, Dasgupta will lead strategy across all disciplines, which includes – creative, media, health and digital and will report to Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas Group India.

     

    Commenting on the appointment, Barua said: “The appointment is a critical step forward for the Group in India towards the evolution of its ‘Together’ strategy that brings together all the verticals under one roof known as Havas Village. Shivaji will further strengthen our integrated product offering and help further strengthen the collaboration between Havas and Vivendi companies in India.”

     

    Commenting on the appointment, Bobby Pawar, Group Chairman & Chief Creative Officer, Havas Group India added: “Shivaji’s vast experience and planning expertise will help clients in building an integrated approach which will aim to create a unique and valuable brand experience. His appointment is a step forward in our endeavor to provide clients with a more agile and holistic approach to deliver a seamless experience cemented by a deep strategic understanding of brands that will further elevate our creative offering.”

     

     

  • The business will be managed out of the agency's Mumbai office

    Havas to manage integrated comms mandate of Citroen

    By A Correspondent

     

    European auto major Groupe PSA has entered the Indian market in April 2019 with the launch of Citroën. It has tasked Havas Creative India to manage its integrated communications mandate which includes handling the creative, social and digital creative duties including reputation management.

     

    Citroën aims to launch its first car in Indian market before the end of 2020, in line with its core proposition ‘Inspired By You’. Havas Creative India will partner with Citroën for the launch with brand strategy and amplification customised for the Indian market.

     

    The business will be managed out of the agency’s Mumbai office, and work on the account has begun, we are told.

     

    Said Roland Bouchara, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Citroën India: “India is a key focus market for the internationalisation initiative of PSA Groupe. Citroën is a truly International brand present in 90 markets with 1.05 million sales in 2018 and a strong history. It’s a French brand, which in 2019 celebrates its centenary. Havas Creative’s consumer-centric approach has made us believe that they are the right partner for us. We are confident this partnership will enable us to launch the Citroën brand in India and create awareness amongst our local target audiences.”

     

    Added Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas India: “Over the last three decades, Citroën and the Havas group have shared a beautiful and legendary partnership, in building this Iconic brand which has resulted in stellar and memorable work.  We are proud to get an opportunity to partner brand Citroën a successful international brand in the dynamic Indian automobile market, with our ‘Together’ strategy that encompasses simplicity and effectiveness.”

     

     

  • A media professional with over 14 years of experience in the media and marketing arena, Mehra’s last stint was at Creativeland Asia as Editor-in-chief – Content Marketing. Prior to that, she was Associate Editor at exchange4media.com

    Havas appoints journalist Priyanka Mehra as Director Marketing and Communications

    By A Correspondent

     

    Priyanka Mehra

    Havas Group India has appointed Priyanka Mehra as Director Marketing and Communications. Her appointment is in line with unifying communications across all disciplines under the Havas Group umbrella, notes a communique, adding: “Her remit includes working with the senior leadership in India and the regional communications team to elevate brand reputation and awareness.”

     

    A media professional with over 14 years of experience in the media and marketing arena, Mehra’s last stint was at Creativeland Asia as Editor-in-chief – Content Marketing. Prior to that, she was Associate Editor at exchange4media.com.

     

    Bobby Pawar
    Rana Barua

    Said Bobby Pawar, Chairman & Chief Creative Officer, Havas Group India: “The sheer length and breadth of communications at Havas collaborating with Vivendi entertainment and content platforms provide us with great marketing ammunition and Priyanka’s appointment is a step forward in showcasing our strength as a Group in the Indian market.” Added Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas Group India: “Given Priyanka’s understanding of content and communications, her appointment is part of a management structure that brings together all communication disciplines – creative, media, healthcare under the Havas Village umbrella. Part of her mandate will be overall communications and going forward key strategic tie -ups and initiatives given Havas Group India’s future-forward vision.”

     

    Said Mehra on her new role: “What makes Havas Group India an exciting place to be is the integrated offering across media creative and healthcare. Added to this is the collaboration with Vivendi which includes Universal Music, GameLoft and Daily Motion, which in turn creates a unique narrative and a unique marketing force “

  • With over 16 years of experience in advertising, Lahiri has worked with agencies like Contract Advertising, McCann, Ogilvy & Mather and Creativeland Asia

    Havas appoints Manas Lahiri as GM for Gurugram office

    By A Correspondent

     

    Havas Group India has appointed Manas Lahiri as General Manager Havas Gurugram. Lahiri’s mandate includes bringing in new business and managing overall operations of the Delhi branch, leveraging Havas Group’s integrated capabilities.

     

    With over 16 years of experience in advertising, Lahiri has worked with agencies like Contract Advertising, McCann, Ogilvy & Mather and Creativeland Asia.

     

    Commenting on the appointment, Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas Group India said: “For Havas India Advertising operations in North, we needed a driven and capable leader who is not only aligned with our vision of exponential growth in terms of winning new clients, attracting versatile talent, and demonstrating our integrated strength but is equally comfortable leading a strong Havas team and our partnership with Reckitt Benckiser. In Manas we have the perfect leader who will help me drive both mandates and make our operations stronger, more relevant both externally and internally”.

     

    Added Lahiri: “I am very excited to be part of the Havas India team. The concept of Better Together truly comes to life here with our various offerings from Havas and our partnering companies from Vivendi Group. We now need to strengthen our communication solutions to local and global clients.  My focus will be on driving on aggressive business growth, creating exciting work for our clients and building a team that lives up to Havas’s global standards of creativity.”

     

     

  • Meanwhile, Publicis Worldwide has issued a statement that it has finalised Pawar’s replacement and will be announcing the key appointment soon

    Bobby Pawar exits Publicis. To join Havas as Chairman & CCO

    By A Correspondent

     

    Had it been another day, it would have made way for the Big Story. But, then, Bobby Pawar would agree, the merger of J Walter Thompson with Wunderman calls for the top slot in our newsdeck.

     

    But the move is a clear indicator that the Havas group intends to boost its play in India. In early October, Havas appointed Rana Barua as Group CEO. Now Pawar has been appointed Chairman and Chief Creative Officer. Notes a communique: “The appointment is in sync with an aggressive growth strategy that will further integrate the management structure of Havas Group’s India operations to create a simple, unified and client-centric organization in line with the Group’s “Together” strategy.” Also, in October, Havas announced the elevation of Anita Nayyar as CEO of Havas Media Southeast in addition to her role as CEO of Havas Media India.

     

    Pawar will report to Vishnu Mohan, Chairman & CEO of Havas Group, India & Southeast Asia, and work closely with existing leadership teams, including recently-appointed Havas Group India CEO – Rana Barua. The appointment is effective in January 2019. Nayyar, as per the October 23 communique, will also report to Mohan.

     

    Pawar joins Havas Group from Publicis Worldwide where he is Managing Director and Chief Creative Officer for South Asia. Publicis has confirmed the development and informed the media that Pawar, will be moving on from the agency after a five-year stint, and will leaved after serving his notice period which ends in January 2019.

     

    Said Saurabh Varma, CEO, Publicis Communications, India & South Asia: “Over the last five years, Bobby has played a key role in transforming the creative output of Publicis Worldwide India. Under Bobby’s leadership we’ve created some truly fabulous work for our clients. We’ve enjoyed working with Bobby and will miss his sense of humour and the raw energy he brings with him. We wish him the best of luck for his future.”

     

    Commenting on the appointment, Mohan said: “Collectively, as a network, we are focused on providing clients with great work by investing in the best talent. We hire for the future, not the past and we believe that Bobby is a timely and critical hire for Havas Group. Bobby’s work has made him one of the most awarded Indian creatives in the industry and he is known for transforming agency culture and reputation on the strength and quality of the creative product.  Additionally, his experience across traditional, digital, experiential, and media agencies will bolster our overall integrated product. Bobby’s appointment will fuel our ambition for India and herald a new chapter of success and I am delighted to welcome him to the team.”

     

    “It’s a great time to be in the advertising industry as data and technology has added depth and breadth to the creative product. Havas Group provides the perfect platform to reinvent our industry by blending the best of both worlds: relentless creativity and smart media accountability. Additionally, by being a part of Vivendi, Havas Group has a huge opportunity to make tangible in-roads into the entertainment industry. The prospect of leveraging the assets of Universal Music, Dailymotion, Gameloft (Vivendi companies) to solve a business problem is extremely exciting and I am delighted at the opportunity and looking forward to my new role,” added Pawar.  On his exit from Publicis Worldwide, Pawar added: ““I’ve had a blast working with Saurabh, Srija and the incredible creative talent as Publicis Worldwide India. But as they say, all good things do come to an end. I’m the kind of person who has always been excited about trying new things and broadening my horizons, and that’s exactly what I’ll be doing. I am fully confident that Publicis will continue to rise and make stellar work for its clients. I would like to thank the Groupe for the great memories and work we’ve created over the years.”

     

     

  • Current CEOs Anita Nayyar and Nirmalya Sen will report to him

    Winds of change at Havas with Rana Barua as Group CEO

     

    By A Correspondent

    In the relatively new office of Havas in Mumbai, there is a ‘hava’ or winds of change that are blowing. For the first time in its existence under the Havas umbrella, the media and creative units will now work under a Group CEO. Rana Barua, a seasoned CEO in the A&M industry, has joined today (October 3) as Group CEO of Havas Group India.

    This is in sync with Havas’s overall global strategy of accelerating integration by breaking silos across creative and media functions. In his new role, Barua’s mandate will be to chart Havas India’s journey of transformation and exponential growth with a focus on collaboration and partnerships, new business momentum, and building & leading future-ready teams.

    Barua will report to Vishnu Mohan, Chairman & CEO of Havas Group, India & Southeast Asia, and work closely with the existing leadership teams. Significantly, current CEOs of the media and creative agencies – Anita Nayyar and Nirmalya Sen – will report to Barua.

    Barua has held CEO roles with Contract India, and most recently with Creativeland Asia, as well as worked with agencies like Ogilvy, Rediffusion Y&R, McCann, JWT and led radio stations Red FM and Radio City.

    Commenting on the appointment, Mohan said: “Rana’s appointment is a key milestone in the Group’s ongoing efforts to build agile teams and integrated structures to deliver the most impact for clients. Rana is an ideal candidate as his expertise will build on what we have already achieved in India and take Havas Group India forward in its next phase of growth and expansion. Not only will his leadership strengthen our integrated product but also facilitate the collaboration between Havas Group and other Vivendi companies – Universal Music, GameLoft, Daily Motion -  to create a powerful marketing force, unique only to Havas Group in the market. As a group, we are committed in our efforts to make Havas Group an indomitable force in the industry and Rana’s appointment is the first of a number of significant appointments and developments to move us ahead in that direction. I am delighted to welcome Rana to the Havas family and I am confident that he will propel Havas Group India in its next phase of evolution.”

    Added Barua: “The growing complexity of platforms and channels calls for a multi-dimensional approach to marketing and advertising and the Havas Village model of collaboration and integration is exactly what clients are looking for. I am extremely excited to be a part of Havas Group’s futuristic agency model and looking forward to working with the team to start a new chapter for Havas Group in India.”

     

     

  • Kurup will drive the growth and diversification plans hands-on

    Rana Barua departs from CLA; Sajan Raj Kurup assumes charge again

    By A Correspondent

     

    Leading independent agency Creativeland Asia and Rana Barua have decided to part ways. On Tuesday, the company issued the following official statement post the annual board review: “Following the board review last month, we arrived at a decision to part ways. It was great to have him here and we thank him for the time he has invested at Creativeland. Rana remains a lovely friend and we wish him the best in his future endeavours,” said Sajan Raj Kurup, Founder and Creative Chairman.

     

    Noted a statement: Kurup will drive the growth and diversification plans hands-on along with CLA’s long-term financial consultant turned full time CFO, Venkat Balasubramanian, Ventureland CEO, Srijib Mallik and a team of business

     

    Commenting on the move, Barua said: “After strong stints in advertising and communications, I have decided to take some time out to pursue newer interests. It’s been a short yet wonderful experience working with the talented and audacious bunch at CLA. I wish Raj and the CLA team the very best for a fabulous future.”

     

     

  • Creativeland will be responsible for creative communication strategy, planning and execution on six brands of Rupa – Frontline, Euro, Thermocot, Bumchums, Torrido and Jon

    Creativeland Asia to handle Rupa mandate

    By A Correspondent

     

    Rupa has appointed Creativeland Asia as its creative partner. As part of the mandate, Creativeland will be responsible for creative communication strategy, planning and execution on six brands of Rupa – Frontline, Euro, Thermocot, Bumchums, Torrido and Jon.

     

    On appointing Creativeland Asia, Mukesh Agarwal of Rupa & said: “Innovation and excellence is what has helped Rupa become a dominant player in the knitwear segment. We have ambitious growth plans and believe that Creativeland Asia is aligned to our vision of taking the brand to the next level. They demonstrated a clear understanding of our business and the category and have a proven track record of creating remarkable campaigns and out of the box communication for their clients. We look forward to working with them.”

     

    Sajan Raj Kurup

    Commenting on the win, Sajan Raj Kurup, Founder and Creative Chairman, Creativeland Asia Group said: “Creativeland welcomes home the brands from Rupa. It is always exciting to work with legacy brands and family owned businesses in India. They are extremely grounded, instinctive and decisive. I look forward to a strong relationship with the House of Rupa and hope to create some magic together.”

     

     

    Rana Barua

    Added Rana Barua, Chief Executive Officer, Creativeland Asia Group: “Rupa is an iconic indigenous brand and we look forward to create some fantastic campaigns together. What is interesting is that we met them with an idea on one of their brands and after listening to our thought process and suggestions, the management was sure that we were capable of handling multiple brands across their portfolio. We are keen to be a part of their growth journey and hope to live up to their expectations.”

     

     

  • Her appointment strengthens CLA’s digital and content practicein Baaash Digital

    Creativeland appoints e4m’s Priyanka Mehra as Editor-in-Chief

    By A Correspondent

     

    Priyanka Mehra

    It saddens us to record the exit of one more seasoned hand from A&M journalism. A few months back, Exchange4media.com Associate Editor Priyanka Mehra had transitioned out of the group’s flagship publication to take charge of Pitch. But soon after that, she announced her decision to move out of the journalism, though continue as a writer and editor.

     

    Earlier this month, Mehra joined Creativeland Asia as Editor-in-chief – Content Marketing. Her appointment strengthens CLA’s digital and content practicein Baaash Digital.

     

    Rana Barua

    On the appointment, Rana Barua, Chief Executive Officer, Creativeland Asia Group said:”We believe content is media-neutral and that’s what is required to build Creativeland Asia Group as a ‘go-to destination’ for brands to optimise and develop content, which is a natural fit for the media platform it is to be showcased on. The traditional digital agency ecosystem is too fragmented to handle these requirements in an organised way currently.”

     

    On her new role, Mehra said:”Creativeland Asia has been a disruptor in the communications space, and is a very interesting ecosystem to be a part of. Content Marketing is an exciting area to me as a professional, and one which Creativeland Asia not only believes in but also backs with investment in terms of expertise and resources.”

     

    Mehra will work closely with the team of Baaash Digital, which has an in-house ecosystem of content creators. film-makers, line producers, music composers, writers, information architects, creative technologists, editors, long and short format writers, UI/UX designers, socialmedia and content strategists, ORM experts among others and a host of content collaborators within India and overseas. Phew! And now they have a journalist who excelled in breaking news and building relationships like few others in the fraternity.

     

    Interestingly, Mehra has had experience in content consulting, marketing and brand management before she took on the e4m assignment.

     

     

  • In his new role, Ankush will lead Business Development and Brand Strategy at Baaash Digital

    Baaash Digital appoints Ankush Sohoni as COO

    By A Correspondent

     

    Baaash Digital, the digital communication and content division from the Creativeland Asia Group, has appointed Ankush Sohoni as Chief Operating Officer. In his new role, Sohoni will lead Business Development and Brand Strategy at Baaash Digital.

     

    Rana Barua

    On the appointment, Rana Barua, Chief Executive Officer, Creativeland Asia Group said: “Ankush has a proven track record of being an excellent digital and brand strategist. He definitely has the ability to scale the business as well as understand the brand essence, while partnering clients with apt solutions. We are sure that he will be a key member driving the future growth story of Baaash Digital.”

     

    Ankush Sohoni

    Said Sohoni: “Creativeland Asia’s legacy is a cult in the agency universe, something that really attracted me. I’m excited to take it forward in the form of Baaash and further the legacy in the digital culture and communications space.”

     

     

  • Founder & Creative Chairman Sajan Raj Kurup has aggressive plans to grow CLA to a 'creative ecosystem'

    Rana Barua to lead Creativeland Asia…

     

    By A Correspondent

     

    He’s back, wrote senior adperson Shavon Barua on Facebook early today (July 10). Hubby and also a seasoned adland captain RanaBarua was set to take charge at Creativeland Asia group as CEO.

     

    After 10 years of doing some quality work in advertising, Founder and Creative Chairman Sajan Raj Kurup has announced a strategic move to evolve Creativeland from a communications company into a complete creative ecosystem by investing in creating a group that will have a formidable presence across all key strategic creative marketing verticals. And helping Kurup do that will be Rana Barua at the helm of it as Chief Executive Officer.

     

    Barua, notes a communique, will work closely with Kurup and will lead this new group structure that looks at making quantum leaps across its marketing services offering for clients.

     

    Said Kurup on the appointment: “Very few CEOs in our market have the capabilities of transforming business and scaling up rapidly. There were three things that made me bring on Rana at Creativeland. His ability to be a lethal competitor in the market, his diverse industry experience and strong track record of scaling up.My team and I spent the last decade building Creativeland Asia brick by brick on strong cultural values and business principles. We always kept the long-term in mind. Not a short-term valuation-seeking sell-out model. This organic and careful growth has laid a strong foundation that becomes a fertile platform for a strong business leader like Rana to buildon it further exponentially.”

     

    Adding on Barua’s role, Kurup said: “Rana’s significant experience across media and marketing will also help us drive strategic alliances and partnerships and further boost the Groups presence across Digital Media, Creative technology, Design and shopper marketing functions.He will take on the responsibilities of everyday business and operations. Which I am hoping will also give me more time at Creativeland to be a full time thinker, investor and creator of new.”

     

    With experience of over 22 years in the industry, Barua was last Chief Executive Officer of WPP Group’s Contract Advertising. He has also worked as COO, Red FM, Head of Marketing at Radio City and earlier various stints at JWT, Ogilvy, McCann &Rediffusion Y&R. He is also an executive committee member and honorary secretary of the Advertising Agencies Association of India.

     

    On his new move and role, RanaBarua, Chief Executive Officer, Creativeland Asia Group said:

    “Over the last 10 years, Raj has built a fabulous organisation, team and culture. Which is evident in great client partnerships and work that is disruptive in the market. While Creativeland has always stood out for me as it has to most in the advertising industry, what got me revved up about this opportunity is Raj’sclear vision to build a creative ecosystem beyond the traditional marketing communication gamut.The ambitions and expansion plans we discussed has made me believe that there can’t be a better place to realise them than Creativeland today. Both, in India and overseas. Partnering Raj and leading a super bright team at Creativeland Asia Group, launching new verticals, treading newer geographies and taking on the challenges of building the creative ecosystem of the future makes for my next level of excitement.

     

    The new structure at Creativeland Asia will house verticals of Creativeland advertising, Baaash Digital, Creativeland Pictures (films & content), Creativeland Hospitainments (experiential, events and entertainment) with individual business leaders who will report into the CEO.In addition, internal investments are being allocated to set up and drive new strategic tie ups across Media, Creative Technology, Design, PR, Experiential, Events and Shopper Marketing functions.

     

    While Barua will be responsible to consolidate and drive all the advertising and brand communications verticals, he will also be crucial in shaping up Creativeland Hospitainment which includes entertainment, events and activation and Creativeland Pictures, the groups film and television vertical. Creativeland Pictures has created award winning content for both television as well as the big screen. Its first feature film, Karmayogi, an Indian adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, received great admiration from the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). It ventured into television content and production last year with The Legend of Jagannath, for the National Geographic Channel.

     

    Creativeland Asia is all geared up for an offsite culture workshop to transition into the new structure and leadership. Said Kurup: “Cultural transitions are key when it comes to such crucial hires. We will be doing it the indomitable Creativeland way with a three-day ashram-based leadership workshop which combines yoga, meditation and future search modules.”

     

    According to industry sources, Creativeland was not what got Barua to quit Contract. He was earlier toying with the idea of starting out on his own and a few networks had even evinced interest in investing in his venture. And then the call from Kurup.

     

    Barua officially joins Creativeland today (July 10).

     

  • Barua will help the transition by staying on till June 30 as Ramaswamy takes charge on July 3

    Rana Barua quits Contract, Raji Ramaswamy takes over as CEO

    By A Correspondent

     

    Raji Ramaswamy

    Contract Advertising CEO Rana Barua has quit, and replacing him will be Raji Ramaswamy. Barua will help the transition by staying on till June 30 as Ramaswamy takes charge on July 3.

     

    Commenting on Rana Barua, Tarun Rai, CEO, JWT South Asia said; “Over the last four years Rana has built an excellent team of professionals, helped in developing new capabilities, built business and reputation. As a result of his efforts, Contract continues to be counted as one of the best agencies in the country. He will be missed and I am sure he will make a success of whatever he choses to do next. We wish him all the very best. “

     

    Rana Barua

    Speaking about his movement, Barua said; “It’s been an outstanding and fulfilling four-and-a -half years for me at Contract and I have enjoyed every moment of this journey. Contract is now clearly among the top few agencies of the country and poised only to get bigger & better.”

     

    Barua is tightlipped about his what he’s onto next when MxMIndia spoke with him on Friday, but according to the grapevine, it could well be a switch to another sector. While Barua has spent most of his career in advertising, he has spent six years leading Radio City and Red FM.

     

    Tarun Rai

    Speaking of Ramaswamy’s appointment, Tarun Rai, CEO, JWT South Asia said: “I have known Raji for over a decade. She is a consummate advertising professional. Her passion and energy are infectious. She leads from the front and is totally committed to her work and to her clients. She understands the power of collaboration, is a team player and an excellent leader. I am very confident that she will do exceptionally well in her new role and help in meeting our clients’ business objectives and in taking Contract to greater heights.”

     

    On her new assignment, Ramaswamy who is currently heading the JWT Kolkata operations as Senior VP and Managing Partner, said: “Contract Advertising has always been an iconic brand and respected for its commitment to building great brands. With this opportunity, I hope to leverage my vast experience in brand building across categories by creating meaningful communication that will deliver on brand objectives and create campaigns that will work for our clients and the agency”