MxMIndia

Tag: Saurabh Varma

  • Saurabh Varma’s Wondrlab buys Amit Akali’s What’s Your Problem

    Meet the New Acquirer

     

    By A  Correspondent

     

    When we interviewed industry leader Saurabh Varma post his unveiling of his new advertising and marketing services company Wondrlab, he told us that he is going to be up to something big soon and that we can expect some big announcements.

     

    We didn’t know what to expect, though in the next few weeks there did come missives of people and account acquisition. Elsewhere in the world, there was a controversy around the Tanishq Ekatvam advertisement and that was pulled down without much of a fuss by the Tata company. The ad in question was created by What’s Your Problem (WYP), which was set up by Amit Akali with brother Praful. WYP has a 60-member team, an office in premium Bandra Kurla Complex area and is one of the buzziest agencies in Indian adland.

     

    So, well, What’s Your Problem is now a fully owned part of the WondrLab network.

     

    WYP may have been around for over five years, but has bagged accolades at Cannes Lions and Clio amongst others. Amit Akali, Founder – MD & CCO at WYP will now be a Co-founder at Wondrlab. Akali comes with nearly 25 years of experience. Before founding WYP, he was National Creative Director at Grey India and part of the Grey Global Creative Council.  Meanwhile, Wondrlab reports bagging 25 clients and will have over 100 employees by December 2020, according to a communique.

     

    Said Saurabh Varma, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Wondrlab: “I had the opportunity to watch WYP during a pitch and was incredibly impressed by their thinking, passion and ability to solve clients’ problems in a meaningful way. I decided to connect with Amit and over a few conversations realised that we had the same purpose and belief in the kind of work we wanted to do. We both believed in the power of creativity and the future which data and technology can serve us. We both felt that our future is in building our own platforms. It is truly amazing seeing WYPs journey and the incredible job Tejas Mehta, Ruchita Zambre and the entire team has done and the reputation they’ve built for it. I am proud that Amit joins us as a co-founder. I could not have asked for a better partner to help us shape and drive our creative firepower. WYP is our first acquisition and we will continue to curate, partner, launch and acquire as we move forward.”

     

    Said Akali:  “What we’ve achieved at WYP has been phenomenal. Today, we are a 60-member team at our new BKC office in Mumbai. The momentum in the last year has been even greater, with us being probably the only agency that’s grown manifold in the lockdown. We’ve been lucky to create some of the most talked-about work in the last few months, be it the iconic Johnnie Walker Travelling Billboard, Tanishq ‘Ekatvam’ or the IPL campaign for Dailyhunt. A big thanks to Praful who helped me start WYP with the other co-founders. To Tejas, who has played a key role in our growth and continues to do so. Along with every past and present employee who’s always looked at WYP as their own family and given it their all. We are thrilled to be a part of Wondrlab. I am excited about the new, even larger, playing field we’re getting. The integration is almost seamless as the vision is identical. In a digital-first era, platformisation and technology are the drivers of customised solutions for brands,” adding: “When I first spoke to Saurabh and the other co-founders Vandana and Rakesh, it was uncanny how we share the same goals, ambitions and ideals. Together we aim to be a technology and creative powerhouse.”

     

    Meanwhile, according to the grapevine, there are a few more acquisitions that Varma & Co and have planned though no more in the creative space. These are likely to be announced in the early first quarter of 2021. It’s surely ‘achche din’ for Varma & Co.

     

     

  • Both will report to Vandana Verma, Co-Founder and Managing Partner – Experience Platform at Wondrlab

    Wondrlab opens in NCR, brings in Ankit Grover & Biswajit Das from Arc Worldwide

    By A Correspondent

     

    Wondrlab, the Saurabh Varma-founded agency, has officially kicked off operations in North India with an office in NCR, which will also cater to the East. Teams comprising platform, strategy and creative experts are in place in both North and East, notes a communique.

     

    Vandana Verma
    Ankit Grover
    Biswajit Das

    The firm has made two senior appointments for the new office. It has brought in Ankit Grover as Lead Integration Director, and Biswajit Das as Lead Strategist, for the Experience Platform. Both will report to Vandana Verma, Co-Founder and Managing Partner – Experience Platform at Wondrlab.

     

     

    Saurabh Varma

    Said Verma, Co-Founder and Managing Partner – Experience Platform, Wondrlab: “Starting off our Delhi office means we now have excellence in the North and East. This move has come a little after Wondrlab’s launch and the momentum is unprecedented. Ankit and Biswajit are a great choice as leaders; both are new-age thinkers, excellent integration managers and tech enthusiasts with diverse cross-category brand experience. Our clients can expect hands-on leadership involvement in their business problems, great turnaround time and collaboration on the implementation of industry-first solutions at an enormous scale.”

     

    Grover has over 14 years of experience in experiential and integrated marketing and has joined from Arc Worldwide – Publicis Groupe’s experiential marketing arm – and has been part of agencies such as Wizcraft, RK Swamy BBDO and ESP Active.

     

    Das Biswajit has over 12 years of industry experience. His previous stint was also with Arc Worldwide. He has previously worked in companies such as Hansa Events, Network18 and ESP Active Marketing.

     

     

  • He will report to Rakesh Hinduja, Wondrlab’s Co-Founder and Managing Partner – Content Platform

    Wondrlab Appoints Haiderali Amir for content prod

    By A Correspondent

     

    Haiderali Amir

    The Saurabh Varma-headed Wondrlab has appointed Haiderali Amir as its Head – Content Production. Haiderali, a former Publicis Groupe Executive Producer (with Prodigous) will be based out of Mumbai and will report to Rakesh Hinduja, Wondrlab’s Co-Founder and Managing Partner – Content Platform.

     

    Haiderali will be involved with delivering content across Wondrlab’s clients ranging from hygiene production to deliverables such as branded content and web series.

     

    Rakesh Hinduja

    Said Hinduja, Co-Founder and Managing Partner – Content Platform, Wondrlab:“We welcome Haiderali to the Wondrlab family. Content is one of the most important pillars of communication today, and we needed someone with formidable experience such as Haiderali’s. He perfectly fits Wondrlab’s vision of creativity delivered through technology, and with a platform-first lens. His experience brings in the understanding needed to create content at scale that’s contemporary, high-level and customised for brands’ business challenges.”

     

    Added Haiderali Amir, Head – Content Production, Wondrlab, said, “When it comes to content in today’s times, the sky is the limit. Wondrlab gives me the freedom and encouragement to explore different realms of content and creativity to solve clients’ business problems. Its platform-first lens is an interesting approach to content and a big step forward in the right direction. I’m excited to work in a start-up like Wondrlab that is dynamic, progressive and limitless in its thinking.”

     

     

  • The brand has also unveiled its Dream11 IPL 2020-focused integrated digital campaign

    Wondrlab wins Anand Rathi biz

    By A Correspondent

     

    Close on the heels of its launch, Wondrlab, the Saurabh Varma and team -setup platform-first communications startup – has announced the bagging of the Anand Rathi Financial Services account.

     

    In its new mandate, Wondrlab will help the Anand Rathi Group build awareness and with overall brand salience. To kickstart this partnership, Wondrlab has created an integrated digital campaign focusing on the Dream11 IPL 2020 which has been airing throughout the tournament.

     

    Commenting on the announcement, a spokesperson from the Anand Rathi Group said: “With over 25 years of experience in wealth creation, we have the expertise to customise plans for every customer, taking into account his or her needs. We wanted an agile team that could build this equity and weave in our brand’s values, but at the same time, create a campaign that would go viral with the ever-dynamic consumers. Wondrlab managed this balance perfectly. The campaign is well-crafted and delivers our key message in a new-age, quirky way. We are happy to have Wondrlab on board and look forward to more exciting work.”

     

    Added Rakesh Hinduja, Co-Founder and Managing Partner – Content Platform, Wondrlab: “We are thrilled to have Anand Rathi Financial Services on board and look forward to a great inning together. We realised early on that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for investors because their mindsets vary with differences in personality and life stage. Drawing a parallel to different kinds of fans, was an organic connection, given the IPL fever. It was a great pleasure to use our platform-first philosophy to craft films made to suit OTT platforms. We look forward to playing many more matches together!”

     

     

  • The former Publicis Communications boss has now set up Wondrlab, a 'platform-first' martech firm. He speaks with MxMIndia on his plans, philosophy and promises to reveal more… soon

    MxM Live with Saurabh Varma, Wondrlab

     

    Saurabh Varma’s exit from the Publicis Groupe In December 2019 was much discussed. But what was never really debated was the great value and out-of-the-box thinking that he brought into Leo Burnett.

     

    After 329 days of moving out from Publicis Communications, Saurabh Varma set up Wondrlab with former colleagues Vandana Verma and Rakesh Hinduja. Wondrlab is being billed as India’s largest platform-first martech firm and will have three key verticals – Content, Experience and Digital business transformation.

     

    In a 25-odd-minute interview with MxMIndia founder and editor-in-chief Pradyuman Maheshwari, Saurabh Varma talks about the thinking behind Wondrlab and the concept of a “platform-first martech” firm. Of course he promises to reveal more in the days to come – four weeks to 18 months. Sigh.

     

    Watch. Enjoy. Like.

     

  • Joining him are Vandana Verma and Rakesh Hinduja

    Saurabh Varma sets up Wondrlab, billed as a platform-first martech firm

    By A Correspondent

     

    Advertising and brand communication specialists Saurabh Varma, Vandana Verma and Rakesh Hinduja have launched Wondrlab. Wondrlab is billed as a platform-first startup with three key verticals – Content, Experience and Digital business transformation.

     

    Speaking about the launch, Saurabh Varma, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Wondrlab, said: “There has never been a better time to disrupt the communication landscape. At Wondrlab all our teams are platform first. We will work with key platforms to create hybrid teams that help clients win on these platforms. We will also curate, partner and build martech platforms that can create meaningful experiences and become an advantage for our clients.”

     

    Speaking about the launch of the martech company, Vandana Verma, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Experience Platform, Wondrlab said, “We have completely platformised brand experiences at Wondrlab. What brands will see are productised events, shopper marketing, retail and brand activations into tech platforms. Backed by data and automation, Wondrlab’s platforms unlock new levels of efficiency to drive new sources of growth for brands.”

     

    Added Rakesh Hinduja, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Content Platform, Wondrlab: “Brands now have an opportunity to make a personalised connection with their target audience, something that doesn’t happen with a one-size-fits-all approach towards platforms. Wondrlab’s key focus will be service and technology-based platforms combined with creative ideas based on data and human understanding.”

     

     

  • We saw this para at the end of the release and thought it must be pulled out for special attention

    Regular churn. Sections of media trying to sensationalise routine moves: Anupriya Acharya, CEO, Publicis S Asia

    By A Correspondent

     

    It was a communique announcing the exit of Digitas CEO Amaresh Godbole, and we saw this para at the end of the release and thought it must be pulled out for special attention. It carries a quote by Anupriya Acharya, CEO, Publicis Groupe South Asian on “the recent exits”.

     

    Now there have been murmurs about some senior executives quitting the Publicis Communications part of the Publicis Groupe after the dramatic exit of former CEO Saurabh Varma.

     

    Varma has since announced that he will be venturing on his own. Independently, we have heard of a few messages sent to a few advertisers of the setting up of a new advertising agency with some honchos of an advertising network and that they (the advertisers) should consider moving their business to this new agency. We haven’t seen the messages ourselves but suffice to say that we have had very senior industry folk telling us about it.

     

    So here’s what Acharya has said in the press release: “There is a regular churn which is there in all organisations as talent seeks newer experiences – we have seen enough cases even in recent times where people move from advertising to start-ups, from media to marketing, from broadcasting to platform companies and such. And some of course to competition. That’s the nature of the market today. It’s unfortunate that some sections of media are trying to sensationalise routine moves. We continue to do great work, stay focussed, deliver on all fronts.”

     

    Sections of the media sensationalising? Hmm. It’s not a sweeping statement on all media, but we think it’s incorrect to damn the media – section or otherwise – in one brush and in an official statement. The Publicis Groupe should know that if the media – MxMIndia included – had chosen to truly sensationalise developments in the conglomerate, it could have. Perhaps the ‘Groupe’ should speak up on the various allegations that are floating around in the marketplace. We are surprised that the Publicis Groupe – which has a leading communications agency like MSLGroup as its part and some seasoned hands on its rolls – could go on record damning “some sections” of the media.

     

     

  • Partnership will promote the fifth season of PBL across the country

    Inox joins Premier Badminton League as Partner

    By A Correspondent

     

    Leading cinema chain Inox Leisure has joined hands with Premier Badminton League as its exclusive multiplex partners for the upcoming fifth season which is scheduled from today (January 20) to February 9.

     

    Said Saurabh Varma, CMO, Inox Leisure Limited: “With a clear focus on curating and offering unique brand experiences to our patrons, we have been innovating with our alliances and delighting our patrons. Premier Badminton League is easily one of the top badminton events across the globe, and it will be a privilege for us to be associated with the League and the fantastic sport of Badminton. We are sure that our partnership with PBL will not only take Brand INOX to newer spaces and audiences with the enthusiasm and youthfulness, but will also allow us to engage with our patrons in various exciting ways. We invite our patrons across the country to come forward and win a chance to experience the energy of the game and this team from close quarters. We wish the very best for all the players participating in the League,”

     

     

  • Says Saurabh Varma in an exclusive conversation hours after resigning as CEO of Publicis Communications

    ‘I’m Going to Create the Most Creative Company in the World’

    Saurabh VarmaIt took us some time to reach him. And when he didn’t respond to our messages, we sent him a set of five questions. A little while later, he texted back saying: Call me. Which we did. Here goes the transcript of a telecon – somewhere around 8pm on the Eventful Tuesday.

     

    Sorry to be so persistent.

     

    No, no. Not at all. You know, I was just not taking your call, but you can imagine there is so much of interest in this. I have just signed a whole bunch of contracts to make sure that I cannot talk too much, but go ahead. Ask me.

     

    So what happened. It seemed to be smooth sailing?

     

    Honestly, it’s been an incredible year. But I’ve been wanting to move on for some time and I took the call some time back to make the move. It’s as simple as that. People are speculating a lot of things on audit and all of that. Like, nobody leaves because of an audit! You know that. Right?

     

    I’ve spent now 17 years with the group and nobody has made real value for themselves without doing something of their own. So, this is my time.

     

    Clearly this was thought-out move

     

    These are always thought out things, no? For everybody else it seems like this is new or surprising, but obviously it has been in the works for a long time.

     

    Hmm. You wouldn’t have taken a decision just like that.

     

    Yes. Even from the group’s perspective, they’ve got two leaders and ultimately they would have to get into a country model, right? And if my choice was to move on and do other things then they have to exercise what option is there with them, no? They have to do that.

     

    So till when are you with the group?

     

    So like the way these things work, today is the last day. This is how all these things work…

     

    True.

     

    Because if I’m starting on my own, I cannot possibly continue, right?

     

    Yeah, it’s fair to both parties.

     

    Absolutely and that’s what it is. So, you will hear a lot more news, in the next few days. Hold on, as you can hear from the background. Lots of celebrations here! (as we started the conversation, there was a fair bit of ambient noise, but it died out soon hereafter)

     

    Yes, I have heard about some more people (from the group) joining you.

     

    See, that is up to those people. I’m starting something/ It is up to those people what they want to do. I mean, I cannot comment on other people

     

    So what is it going to be? What are you looking at doing? Similar kind of an advertising agency… an area that you know so well.

     

    The objective is to create the most creative company in the world. That’s it. Period.  That’s the objective. Now, I’m going to go ahead and create the most creative company in the world.

     

    As you look back at your stint at Leo Burnett and Publicis Communications, what would you say were your most memorable moment… something that you treasure?

     

    Honestly, my most memorable moment is creating the Bajaj V piece. That’s from the work perspective but from a business perspective, the fact that Prodigous is the largest production house and the fact that it didn’t exist two years back is really what I look back at as incredible moments.

     

    Since you mentioned you just signed some contracts to not speak, is there a restriction on you taking away some clients (to the new venture)?

     

    There are always contracts in play and like I keep saying, “The world is an oyster right now,” and there are so many opportunities. When you look at the environment and there is so much change, there cannot be a better moment to start. When you look at the story of Leo Burnett, he started the company during the Great Depression, 1935. I think I have a better moment.

     

    Any unfinished agenda at PubComm?

     

    Not at all. I’m very satisfied with my stint and this is the perfect moment to close this chapter and start a new one.

     

    All the very best!

     

    Thank you very much.

     

     

     

  • … as Saurabh Varma exited group as CEO of Publicis Communications (from yesterday)

    Publicis Groupe appoints Anupriya Acharya as CEO, South Asia…

     

    By A Correspondent [updated]

     

    Publicis Groupe has  announced the appointment of Anupriya Acharya as Chief Executive Officer, South Asia. Saurabh Varma, currently CEO of Publicis Communications, has exited the group. The reasons for his sudden departure are not known.

    In this newly created role, Acharya will be leading Publicis Groupe’s country agenda across India and Sri Lanka. Her primary responsibilities will include driving greater integration across the group’s operations to deliver “end-to-end marketing transformation to existing clients while winning the trust of new ones, as well as cultivating and attracting the best talent across agencies and practices”. The India leadership team, comprising all the agencies’ CEOs, including creative, media, digital, influence, data and technology will report to her.

    “I am thrilled with Anupriya’s appointment. She and I have been working together for a number of years, I am really impressed with her achievements to date and I cannot think of a better leader to take on this extremely important responsibility. India is an absolutely critical market for us, one of the very best talent pools in the world, with strong innovation and a great resonance well into the region and beyond. It is a strategic priority for us, and shifting to a Groupe leadership is a catalyst to accelerate our investments in India. Over the past 3 years, we have made significant progress in making the Power of One a reality in India, with great examples of collaboration for the benefit of our clients and talents and having Anupriya at the helm is very natural. I am truly looking forward to partnering with her in this new role.” said Loris Nold, CEO, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, Publicis Groupe. I also wanted to announce that Saurabh Varma, currently CEO of Publicis Communications has decided to pursue other career opportunities, and will be leaving Publicis Groupe after 17 years. In the past few years, we have built very strong momentum at Publicis Communications and I want to thank Saurabh for his partnership and wish him good luck in his future endeavours”.

    Said Anupriya Acharya: “Its a great honour to get this mandate and am both excited and humbled by getting this opportunity. We have such an incredibly talented leadership team in India, who has been the very reason for our success over the years. And moving to the Power of One model that puts our clients at the centre of our offering has infused unmatched vitality and energy across the entire organisation. I look forward to building on this momentum and innovate further with new products and approaches”

    Acharya started her career at Ogilvy in 1994 and worked at a number of agencies before joining Publicis Groupe in 2013 as CEO of Zenith. In 2016, she was elevated to CEO of Publicis Media where her mandate encompassed all the Groupe media agencies including Zenith, Starcom, and Performics. In this stint, she has more than doubled the operations in three years through expanding capabilities in digital media and services, analytics, consulting, content, commerce and adding new clients including Parle, Fiat, Ola, GSK, KrafHeinz, Lenovo, Motorola, Nykaa amongst others.

     

     

  • Ajay will begin his stint at Publicis on February 4, 2019

    Ajay Gahlaut joins Publicis India as CCO & MD

    By A Correspondent

     

    It’s now official. Publicis Worldwide India has announced that Ajay Gahlaut has joined as Chief Creative Officer & Managing Director, Publicis Worldwide India and will be based out of the Mumbai office. Gahlaut will begin his stint at Publicis on February 4, 2019.

     

    Said Saurabh Varma, CEO, Publicis Communications, South Asia: “Anyone who knows Ajay or even follows him on Twitter, will know that he’s one of the finest storytellers in the country. His ability, experience and talent in transforming brands by creating stellar communication across formats or platforms is truly remarkable. With, Srija, Neeraj and Ajay at the helm, Publicis Worldwide India is going to be a force to reckon with. I welcome Ajay to the Publicis Groupe, and wish him the best of luck.”

     

    Added Srija Chatterjee, Managing Director, Publicis Worldwide India: “We’re in this phase of transformation at Publicis Worldwide India. Today, the industry is all about constantly listening to clients and anticipating their needs. It’s about delivering the best in-class creative idea and doing it over and over again for each of your brands. Ajay is one of those creative mavericks who has been able to do that, consistently for over a long period of time. I’m truly excited to work with Ajay and I look forward to a great partnership.”

     

    On joining Publicis Worldwide India, Gahlaut said: “I’m looking forward to my journey with Publicis. The new age thinking here excites me. It’s a nimble set up based on the principles of collaboration and integration to deliver the ‘Power of One’. The quality of work is already solid and I look forward to working with the teams to raise the creative bar both in terms of variety and quality of work.”

     

     

  • 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.”