With over two decades of experience across media, entertainment, education and digital platforms, Modi joins from Omnicom Media Group. She has held leadership roles spanning content-led businesses, with expertise in managing multi-crore P&Ls, building IP-driven revenue models, and developing strategic brand partnerships.

Her career includes scaling OTT and branded content ventures, launching global digital platforms, founding an award-winning entertainment business, and working with Fortune 500 brands across multiple markets. She has also focused on portfolio optimisation and market expansion, strengthening revenue performance across content-driven businesses.

Commenting on her appointment, Modi said, “I’m thrilled to join Havas Play India and contribute to a team known for its creative prowess, innovative IPs, and strategic depth. Havas Play’s position at the intersection of sport, entertainment, content, community and culture offers exactly the kind of platform needed to push the boundaries of truly engaging brand experiences.”

She continues, “For me, what is particularly exciting is the integrated Havas Village model that brings together all expertise seamlessly to foster collaboration and create integrated business solutions with real impact. The opportunity to harness this collective ambition to drive growth is incredibly exciting, and I look forward to working with the talented team at Havas Play India to create work that is both effective and enduring for our clients.”

The new team structure at Havas Play brings together an integrated leadership model across key verticals to drive scale and specialisation. At the helm, Modi will oversee the overall vision and operations of the network.

The Content & Entertainment pillar will continue to be anchored by Prachi Narayan, Managing Partner, Havas Play, driving content development and partnerships. The Sports vertical will be led by Uditvanu Das, AVP, supported by a team managing sponsorships and alliances. The Social practice will be driven by Kapil Nair Sr. VP – Head of Social, Digital Content & Strategy at Pivotroots (A Havas Company). The Growth function will be led by Shruti Rajkumar, AVP – Partnerships, ensuring alignment with broader business expansion priorities. The Sales function will be headed by Debojit Banerjee, Business Manager, Sales, supported by an expanding regional team to accelerate growth across key markets.

Modi will report to Mohit Joshi, CEO, Havas Media Network India, and will be based in Mumbai. The four verticals under Havas Play India—Content, Entertainment, Sports and Social—will report into her. She will also collaborate closely with leaders across Havas Media Network India.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Tabassum to the Havas Media Network India family. Havas Play is at a particularly exciting inflection point as we continue to expand our footprint across sports, entertainment, culture, and content through new partnerships, capabilities, and experiences,” Mohit said. 

“Guided by our new business vision – ‘Growth, Powered by Desire’, Tabassum’s unparalleled experience in content strategy and P&L management will be instrumental in strengthening our expertise further. Her proven ability to scale businesses across the entertainment and digital ecosystem will accelerate our ambition to craft desirability for brands through culture-led, high-impact experiences,” he added. 

Havas Media Network India said the structure is designed to strengthen its integrated, culture-first offering and accelerate delivery of end-to-end brand experiences. Uday Mohan will continue to lead the core business as Chief Operating Officer of Havas Media India.

“With the introduction of this new, future-ready leadership structure, we’re building a strong, integrated team that positions Havas Play for its next phase of accelerated growth and innovation. Tabassum’s vision aligns perfectly with where Havas Play is headed and the kind of standout solutions we aim to deliver for our clients. I thank Uday for laying a strong, growth-ready foundation during the interim period that has set Havas Play up for this next chapter of growth,” Mohit concluded. 

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Conceptualised by Talented, the campaign addresses a growing cultural challenge in Tamil Nadu: while the 2,000-year-old Thirukkural – a legendary collection of 1,330 everyday life guides by poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar – is visible everywhere from schoolbooks to temple walls, today’s children rarely interact with it beyond rote memorisation for exams.

To make the 2,000-year-old text more interactive and relevant, Britannia Milk Bikis is using its massive retail and marketing footprint to change that, turning a daily snack into an interactive and collectible learning experience. 

As part of a special-edition pack, selected Milk Bikis biscuits now feature individual Thirukkural words printed directly on them, which can be pieced together to form complete Kurals centred around themes such as friendship, learning and perseverance. 

By bringing the ancient text onto a product that children interact with every day, the campaign aims to make learning feel more engaging, playful and rewarding.

Beyond the packaging, the campaign experience extends to a dedicated microsite where children and parents can piece together discovered Kural words, complete verses and win hourly prizes, blending education, gamification and cultural storytelling into a single interactive experience. 

“As a brand that shares a deep connection with Tamil Nadu, Britannia Milk Bikis wanted to play its part in helping children discover and learn Thirukkural in a way that feels fun and engaging to them,” said Siddharth Gupta, Vice President of Marketing at Britannia. 

“We hope this initiative sparks curiosity and creates more opportunities for younger generations to interact with the timeless wisdom of Thirukkural,” added Gupta. 

“With this campaign, we’re trying to showcase the relevance of Kurals for the new generation. Now we have a 2,000-year-old-life coach in a biscuit,” shared Ria Sharma, Brand Strategy at Talented. 

The ‘Thirukkural Challenge’ campaign will be supported through film, social media, outdoor advertising and school partnerships across Tamil Nadu, alongside collaborations with educators, cultural advocates and community voices.

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The campaign marks a new chapter for Visa as it seeks to connect with a new generation of consumers whose aspirations are increasingly shaped by experiences rather than ownership.

As a core part of the “Infinitely More” campaign, Visa has introduced a dedicated digital platform Visa.co.in, where eligible cardholders can discover a wealth of specially curated perks, bringing together exclusive rewards and privileges across high-end travel, dining, wellness, and entertainment. 

“This partnership is a natural extension of Visa’s legacy of aspirational storytelling that reflects the cultural zeitgeist – stylish, global, and larger-than-life. With ‘Infinitely More,’ we build on that legacy to represent the aspirations of today’s India, with SRK at the center of an iconic narrative,” said Gaurav Ramdev, Head of Marketing at Visa India and South Asia.  

“Together, it reinforces Visa’s role as a trusted enabler of progress for today’s consumer – powering a more elevated, experience-led lifestyle through global acceptance, security, and seamless access,” added Ramdev. 

“Our film celebrates how Visa ‘Infinitely’ opens the door to a world of curated experiences that make everyday moments feel extraordinary with a simple tap,” shared Rajdeepak Das, Chairman at Leo Burnett South Asia and Chief Creative Officer at Publicis Groupe South Asia. 

Through the campaign, Visa reinforces its role in enabling secure and seamless payments across more than 200 countries and territories – including 175 million merchant locations worldwide –  supporting consumers wherever their journeys take them.

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Conceptualised by McCann India 4, the campaign is built around a new brand anthem, written by Prasoon Joshi, Chairman at Omnicom Advertising India, to celebrate the many relationships that have become part of the McDonald’s experience over the past three decades, from family members and friends to colleagues, communities and chosen circles.

Through a series of relatable and culturally familiar situations, the anthem highlights how simple occasions, whether meet-ups, catch-ups, break-ups or patch-ups, can become meaningful when shared with people who matter.

The campaign also reflects how McDonald’s has evolved beyond being a place for meals, positioning the brand as a social destination where people can gather, connect and create memories together.

Akshay Jatia, CEO at Westlife Foodworld, shared that the campaign is intentionally celebrating a more inclusive definition of family, “one that reflects how India comes together today. As we look ahead, we remain committed to being a place where everyone feels they belong, and where many more memories will continue to be made.” 

“Over the past three decades, McDonald’s has quietly become one of those places where such bonds come alive naturally. Through this understanding, we wanted to celebrate the many ways people come together today and the simple joy of finding family in those who matter to us,” said Prasoon Joshi, Chairman at Omnicom Advertising India. 

“We wanted to celebrate all these families in the lives of our customers and invite them all to family at McDonald’s,” added Rahul Mathew, Chief Creative Officer at McCann India 4. 

The campaign is being rolled out across digital channels and in-store experiences, supported by a digital-first amplification strategy aimed to reach audiences across the country. 

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The campaign ditched traditional marketing as MOMS Outdoor gave one of Mumbai’s humble autorickshaws a complete makeover, wrapping it from top to bottom in Laalo’s colourful branding and topping it with a giant, eye-catching peacock feather installation on the roof.

As part of the campaign’s two-day activation, the mobile display travelled through carefully selected Mumbai neighbourhoods, taking the film directly into communities where its themes would naturally resonate.

Beyond the street activation, MOMS Outdoor also organised an exclusive content shoot featuring the film’s cast and director, helping to extend the campaign’s reach and strengthen audience engagement.

“Campaigns like these go beyond visibility, they create familiarity and emotional connection. With Laalo, there was a strong cultural warmth and community spirit that naturally reflected in the execution as well,” said Jayesh Yagnik, CEO of MOMS Outdoor. 

“Taking the film through neighborhoods and spaces where its essence already resonates made the experience feel far more organic and meaningful,” Yagnik added. 

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Created by brand adoption agency Sideways, the campaign departs from the usual scary, graphic imagery often seen in anti-smoking ads, and instead leans into a fresh, simple approach to target two types of smokers: those driven by emotion and those by logic.

Through thought-provoking messages, this year’s campaign was designed to create moments of self-reflection and honest conversations about the true impact of smoking, encouraging smokers to think beyond themselves and consider the impact of tobacco on their health and the people around them.

This also points to a major milestone, as the Indian Cancer Society celebrates their 75th anniversary this year.

Mrs. Usha Thorat, Managing Trustee and Honorary Secretary of the Indian Cancer Society, said the initiative forms part of their ongoing efforts to reduce tobacco-related cancers through awareness and prevention.

“In our commitment to controlling incidence of such cancers, we believe that raising awareness is the first step towards prevention,” said Thorat. 

This also marks another chapter in the long-standing partnership between the Indian Cancer Society and Sideways, which have worked on a range of awareness initiatives over the years.

“Our decade long association with the Indian Cancer Society has always yielded some powerful work. And we’re happy to keep that momentum going,” said Sideways Founder Abhijit Avasthi. 

The campaign went live on May 30, 2026 across digital and social channels, alongside outdoor billboards across Mumbai. 

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In his new role, Damani will lead Tupperware’s India business, with responsibility for driving growth and profitability, strengthening market execution, expanding distribution capabilities and growing the brand’s presence across retail, e-commerce and other sales channels.

Damani brings more than 20 years of experience across global and Indian consumer brands, with expertise in business transformation, retail expansion and distributor network development. 

Prior to joining Tupperware, Damani was Country Head at premium cookware brand Le Creuset, where he played a key role in expanding the brand’s footprint across retail, e-commerce, hospitality and corporate channels, before assuming the role of Country Head for India and Sri Lanka at Triumph International, where he led strategic growth initiatives, strengthened market presence and oversaw business transformation across the region. 

Noopur Jain, APAC Regional HR Director at Tupperware, said Damani’s commercial leadership experience and understanding of Indian consumers would support the company’s next stage of growth.

“We are delighted to welcome Ankur Damani to Tupperware… As we continue to strengthen our partner ecosystem while expanding our omnichannel footprint, Ankur’s expertise will be instrumental in driving sustainable growth and future-ready capabilities for our organization,” said Jain. 

On his appointment, Damani shared that “the opportunity to contribute towards strengthening the brand’s commercial capabilities while accelerating its growth ambitions is incredibly exciting.” 

“I look forward to working closely with the teams and partners to unlock new opportunities, deepen consumer engagement, and drive long-term value creation,” concluded Damani. 

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Under the mandate, Hakuhodo India will oversee brand strategy, creative development, consumer campaigns, and retail communication across television, digital, social, out-of-home, and print platforms.

The appointment comes as Jindal Stainless expands its consumer-facing marketing efforts and looks to strengthen awareness and trust around stainless steel products among broader audiences.

Hakuhodo India recently worked with the company on its “Jindal Saathi Seal Hai, Toh Asli Stainless Steel Hai” campaign featuring Ranveer Singh, which positioned the “Jindal Saathi Seal” as a trust marker for authentic stainless-steel products.

“We are pleased to partner with Hakuhodo as we accelerate our growth journey along with the nation,” said Vijay Sharma, Director – Corporate Affairs at Jindal Stainless.

“Their strategic and creative capabilities, combined with a strong understanding of local consumer insights, will help us deliver impactful brand experiences and build deeper relevance with our core audience across every touchpoint,” he added.

Mohit Taneja, Head of Marketing at Jindal Stainless, said the partnership had already demonstrated strong alignment between the two companies.

“Collaborating with Hakuhodo on one of India’s leading B2B campaigns was an incredibly enriching experience,” he said.

“The campaign has not only redefined the landscape of B2B advertising but has also created a meaningful impact across diverse stakeholder segments,” he added.

For Hakuhodo India, the appointment strengthens its portfolio of large-scale Indian brands seeking integrated creative and communications support across multiple consumer touchpoints.

“We are thrilled to partner with Jindal Stainless at this transformative moment,” said Jayanto Banerjee, Co-Managing Director of Hakuhodo India.

“This creates a unique opportunity to help their consumers recognise genuine quality through innovative storytelling that resonates deeply,” he added.

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The campaign is built around the theme of mothers as the “World’s Best Liars”, and focuses on what the brand describes as the unspoken emotional and physical signals often overlooked within families. It aims to encourage greater awareness of maternal heart health and more open conversations around early warning signs.

Conceptualised by WPP Team and produced by Lifafa Studios, with direction by Divij Kulkarni, the campaign presents a restrained, everyday portrayal of family interactions rather than a dramatized narrative, focusing on subtle behavioural cues.

At the centre of the initiative is a mother–daughter narrative featuring actor Sheeba Chaddha as the mother. The film follows a daughter returning home and gradually noticing subtle indications of breathlessness and discomfort, despite repeated reassurances from her mother that “everything is fine.” The story is told from the daughter’s perspective and builds towards a realisation that while mothers may mask concerns verbally, physical signs may suggest otherwise.

Speaking about the campaign, Vikram Karwal, Chief Marketing Officer, Marico Limited, said, “This Mother’s Day, the brand encourages consumers to turn their care towards the ones who have quietly cared for them all their lives and continue to do so. The campaign is rooted in a powerful insight – parents often downplay their own health concerns, masking discomfort and ignoring symptoms to spare their children any worry or anxiety.”

Vikram added, “This self-silencing stems from deep, selfless love. Through this initiative, Saffola goes beyond a moment of celebration to inspire young consumers to notice the subtle signs in their parents’ health, open honest conversations, and make everyday choices that support long-term heart health.”

The campaign also reinforces Saffola Gold’s positioning around heart health, with the brand continuing to emphasise everyday dietary and lifestyle habits as part of long-term cardiovascular wellbeing.

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The initiative, introduced in February 2026 under VJ Organic Farms’ consumer brand ‘My Organic Earth’, was developed for a network of more than 200 organic farmers in the area. The companies said the project was designed to address the impact of rodents on crop production using non-toxic and organic methods.

According to the companies, India faces significant agricultural losses from rodents each year, with rats damaging millions of tonnes of food grain annually. They said the initiative had led to a noticeable reduction in rodent activity within the first three months of implementation.

Moreover, the formulation was intended to create a strong aroma that repels rodents without the use of traps, poison, or lethal methods. The initiative also incorporates cultural and religious symbolism linked to Lord Ganesha, who is regarded in Hindu belief as the remover of obstacles.

As part of the project, the companies distributed ten-inch idols of Lord Ganesha, referred to as “Vighnaharta – The Guarding Ganesha”, to farmers in the community. The companies also stated that reduced rodent activity had contributed to increased confidence among farmers, leading more growers to join their organic farming network. 

“When the core of a brand is so meaningful and purposeful, it becomes easy to tell its story. If their organic farming community doesn’t grow, their business won’t grow—it’s that simple. That’s why we decided to address their pain point through a thoughtful cultural insight,” said Santosh Padhi, founder and chief creative officer of Into Creative.

“Our ‘Vighnaharta’ initiative represents more than just a product; it embodies our belief that organic agricultural innovation must protect three interconnected pillars: farmers, consumers, and the ecosystem. Through this initiative, we aim to contribute to reduced crop losses, promote sustainable farming practices, strengthen farmer resilience, and support long-term environmental health,” added Vasant Jante, Founder and CEO of VJ Organic Farms.

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