Based in Mumbai, Ganguli will report to Mohit Joshi, CEO of Havas Media Network India, and lead the network’s trading operations nationwide, where his responsibilities include building strategic media partnerships, strengthening trading capabilities, and driving greater commercial excellence across the business.

Bringing over 30 years of media, advertising, and entertainment experience, Ganguli joins from Astus Group, where he served as Country Head for India, having previously spent over 12 years helping establish Matrix Publicities and Media India (part of WPP Group) as a leading media buying and trading organization.

His career also includes leadership roles at GroupM ESP, Sahara One Media & Entertainment, Sony Entertainment Television and Star TV, giving him extensive expertise in media trading, buying, sales, digital strategy, strategic partnerships and business management.

Joshi said Ganguli’s appointment reinforces the agency’s commitment to strengthening its integrated capabilities and supporting client growth.

“We are delighted to welcome Sparsh to Havas Media Network India. His rich experience across media trading, strategic partnerships and business leadership makes him a valuable addition to our leadership team,” said Joshi. 

“As we continue to strengthen our integrated capabilities and deliver Growth Powered by Desire for our clients, Sparsh’s expertise will play a pivotal role in building stronger partnerships, driving commercial excellence and accelerating our growth journey. We look forward to the leadership and perspective he brings to our network,” he added. 

Commenting on his appointment, Ganguli said he looks forward to working with Havas Media Network India’s teams to strengthen partnerships across the media ecosystem while delivering long-term value for clients and stakeholders.

“The network has built a strong reputation for its integrated approach, entrepreneurial culture and commitment to delivering impactful business outcomes for clients. I look forward to collaborating with the talented teams across the network, strengthening our partnerships with the media ecosystem and creating long-term value for our clients and stakeholders,” shared Ganguli. 

The appointment forms part of Havas Media Network India’s continued investment in expanding its leadership bench and future-ready capabilities as it develops more agile, data-driven media solutions for brands.

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The appointments include P Sai Bhardwaj as Group Creative Director, Suruchi Makhija as Senior Director of Strategy, and Aveek Gupta as Senior Director of Media.

The agency said the expanded leadership team reflects its focus on helping brands adapt to changing consumer behaviour, as AI, platform algorithms, and evolving digital consumption reshape how audiences discover and engage with brands.

Bhardwaj joins with 19 years of experience spanning brand storytelling and social-first creative work, having previously worked with Prime Video, RPSG Media Group, and brands including Amazon, Google India, and Pernod Ricard.

Meanwhile, Makhija brings more than two decades of experience across GroupM, Publicis, and Cheil Worldwide, where she worked across strategy, creativity, and content. 

At VaynerMedia India, she will lead the agency’s strategy practice using its Platforms, Algorithms and Culture (PAC) framework.

Gupta, who has more than 20 years of experience across DDB Mudra, GroupM, Carat, and Havas Media, will oversee media, with a focus on strengthening collaboration between media strategy and creative.

Commenting on the appointments, Salman Moin, Country Manager of VaynerMedia India, said the leadership additions are intended to strengthen the agency’s ability to help brands respond to shifts in the marketing landscape.

“We are not building a team to carry out campaigns. We are building a team to transform how brands market themselves in a market that is moving faster than most brand playbooks can keep up with,” Moin said.

Founded by Gary Vaynerchuk, VaynerMedia operates across 15 global offices. The agency entered the Indian market in 2024 and works with brands including YouTube, American Eagle, and Ducati.

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Released across Samsung’s social media channels, the campaign uses familiar everyday objects—including chocolate bars, pizza slices, dalgona candy, puzzles, a squeegee and even the Taj Mahal—to subtly reveal a recurring shape and aspect ratio.

While playful at first glance, the teasers hint at the design direction of Samsung’s next generation of foldable devices.

Beyond revealing specific products, the campaign focuses on creating intrigue around the future of foldables and reinforces Samsung’s long-term ambition to evolve the category through practical innovation and greater consumer choice.

The teaser series also reflects Samsung’s broader strategy of combining engineering advancements with consumer insights to make foldable devices more useful in everyday life. 

Since launching the original Galaxy Fold, the brand has continued expanding its Galaxy Z portfolio with devices designed to support productivity, creativity, communication and entertainment.

Through highlighting familiar objects instead of traditional product reveals, Samsung adopts a more playful storytelling approach that encourages audiences to interpret the visual clues themselves while generating conversation ahead of Galaxy Unpacked.

The campaign suggests Samsung will continue broadening its foldable lineup with new form factors, interaction models, and display experiences, giving consumers more options to match different lifestyles and usage needs.

With the teaser rollout now underway, Samsung is building momentum ahead of Galaxy Unpacked, where the brand is expected to unveil the next evolution of its Galaxy foldable portfolio.

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Beyond repositioning the brand, Bare Luxury builds on Soneva’s foundational 1995 principles by removing unnecessary distractions to place greater emphasis on nature, connection, wellbeing, and intentional living.

The launch comes as luxury travel continues to evolve beyond material indulgence, with consumers placing greater value on meaningful experiences, sustainability, and personal fulfilment.

According to Soneva, Bare Luxury represents the culmination of three decades of refining its approach to hospitality, centred on the belief that true luxury comes from focusing on “Just What Matters.”

Neil Gallagher, Chief Executive Officer of Soneva, said the philosophy reflects changing consumer expectations in an increasingly fast-paced and technology-driven world.

“Soneva’s founding spirit is more relevant now than it was thirty years ago. Fast consumption, constant stimulation, the growth of AI and the pressure we all feel to optimise every hour has made the case for something quieter and more human,” said Gallagher. 

“Bare Luxury is Soneva returning to its original instinct: that the most remarkable thing we can offer our guest is not more, but truer,” added Gallagher. 

As part of the launch, Soneva has also refreshed its visual identity with a refined logo and introduced the Soluna monogram, inspired by the Latin words for sun and moon to represent balance and wholeness.

The philosophy will shape future guest experiences across the group’s resorts, influencing everything from villa design and wellness offerings to culinary concepts and sustainability initiatives.

By introducing Bare Luxury, Soneva reinforces its position as a hospitality brand focused on purposeful travel, demonstrating how luxury is increasingly being defined by authenticity, simplicity, and meaningful human experiences rather than excess.

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Created by Talented, the campaign introduces Don, the albino buffalo that recently captured online attention after surviving what many described as an extraordinary stroke of luck. 

Rather than relying on a celebrity endorsement, Flipkart transforms the viral animal into an unlikely sales ambassador, positioning him as the source of the campaign’s biggest discounts.

The campaign centres on the playful idea of the “Bhains of Luck,” with Don appearing as a celebrity reporter broadcasting from the fictional “Oval Gaushala” in his village where, surrounded by fans, security, and plenty of swagger, he is tasked with deciding the daily offers for Flipkart’s GOAT Sale.

In the film, two Flipkart executives place baskets containing different discount offers before Don, and whichever basket he chooses becomes the featured deal of the day, reinforcing the campaign’s central message of “Jahan inka muh jayega, aapka offers wahi se aayega” (Whichever way the buffalo turns its face, that’s where your deals will come from). 

Conceptualised by Talented, directed by Anant Sharma and produced by Potli Baba, the campaign uses humour, internet culture and storytelling to make Flipkart’s sale feel more entertaining and culturally relevant, while encouraging audiences to follow the daily offers.

Commenting on the production, Sharma said, “Trust Talented to come up with the craziest ideas. The whole process of the shoot felt so surreal and bizarre we kept snickering with laughter during every stage. Those who say directing kids and celebrities is hard should try asking a 500kg Buffalo to nod and eat on command. Glad we pulled it off in style! Can’t wait to see the audiences react to this one.” 

Meanwhile, Udit Joshi, Creative, and Ria Maheshwari, Brand Strategy at Talented, said the campaign originated from a joke during the creative process.

“It started as a throwaway line in the writing room: ‘Bhains of luck.’ We couldn’t stop laughing. A few minutes later we were building a campaign around it, and before we knew it, we were on set with an actual buffalo announcing Flipkart’s GOAT Sale,” said Joshi and Maheshwari. 

“Some ideas make perfect sense on paper. Others only make sense once you’re standing next to a celebrity buffalo. This was definitely the latter. And honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s a Moooood,” they added. 

By combining a trending cultural moment with playful storytelling, Flipkart’s latest campaign showcases how brands can turn viral conversations into memorable marketing that drives attention. 

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Based at the company’s Mumbai headquarters, Kedia will report to Amarjeet Hudda, Chief Operating Officer of Laqshya Media Ltd. 

In his new role, he will lead the Planning & Buying function nationwide, with responsibilities spanning strategic planning, buying efficiency, innovation, and client value delivery across the group’s portfolio.

The appointment marks Kedia’s return to an expanded leadership position after taking a brief break earlier this year for health and personal reasons.

 Laqshya said the move reflects its confidence in his leadership and long-standing contributions to the business.

Kedia brings more than 18 years of experience in media sales, client management, and out-of-home (OOH) advertising. Prior to his promotion, he served as senior vice president at Laqshya Media Group, where he managed key client relationships, drove business growth, and expanded the company’s presence across South India.

Commenting on the appointment, Hudda said, “Bharat combines strong business acumen with a deep understanding of clients and the media landscape. Over the years, he has consistently delivered growth, built lasting relationships, and demonstrated exceptional leadership. I am confident that his experience and vision will further strengthen our Planning & Buying capabilities and set new benchmarks for excellence in the function.”

Kedia said the evolving media landscape presents opportunities to combine data, technology, and market intelligence to deliver stronger outcomes for clients.

“I am delighted to take on this responsibility at a time when the media and OOH ecosystem is evolving rapidly. Planning and Buying today requires a sharper blend of data, technology, market intelligence, and client-centric thinking.”

“I look forward to working with our teams across the country to build stronger capabilities, drive innovation, and deliver impactful solutions that help our clients achieve their business objectives,” he added.

Laqshya Media Group said the appointment underscores its continued focus on developing internal talent, strengthening leadership capabilities, and enhancing its integrated media offerings for brands across India.

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The partnership aims to help advertisers reach audiences more effectively as viewing habits continue to shift across multiple screens, integrating brand messages directly within programming to create more contextual and engaging viewing experiences.

NIVEA India is the first brand to activate the solution, marking the inaugural campaign under the partnership.

The initiative combines audience intelligence, content insights, and scene-matched storytelling to place advertising naturally within television programmes and streaming content across JioStar’s platforms.

According to Omnicom Media India, the partnership responds to changing consumer behaviour, with audiences increasingly choosing premium streaming services and connected TV platforms that are becoming harder to reach through conventional advertising formats.

Kartik Sharma, CEO of Omnicom Media India, said the collaboration reflects the industry’s growing need for content-led advertising experiences.

“This collaboration with JioStar and Whisper World creates a unified approach that allows brands to stay connected with audiences across linear TV, OTT and CTV through content-led experiences rather than relying only on traditional ad breaks,” said Sharma. 

Adding to this, LS Krishnan, CEO of Whisper World India, said, “Our understanding of placing brands at the right frequency with the right messaging has helped brands reach business outcomes more effectively.”

The solution uses shared audience data to identify relevant programs before inserting contextual advertising between entertainment scenes, delivering campaigns simultaneously across JioStar’s television channels and its streaming platform, JioHotstar, including mobile devices and connected TVs.

Mahesh Shetty, Head of Entertainment Sales for TV at JioStar, said the partnership reflects how advertising needs to evolve alongside changing viewing habits.

“At JioStar, we are focused on creating advertising experiences that match how audiences consume content today. This initiative demonstrates how cross-screen approach, audience intelligence and contextual storytelling can work together to help brands build stronger engagement across screens, including among viewers on subscription and connected TV platforms,” said Shetty. 

For NIVEA India, the partnership offers a more integrated way to connect with consumers across multiple viewing environments while reducing disruption to the viewing experience.

“At NIVEA India, we’re passionate about bringing you moments that feel natural and meaningful. By integrating our products directly into the shows and stories you love, we avoid interruptive ads and create experiences that stick,” said Shweta Dalal, Marketing Director at NIVEA India. 

“This in-content approach grabs attention when you’re most engaged, helping you remember NIVEA more easily and feel a stronger connection to the brand. Backed by studies that measure real impact, our storytelling builds awareness and trust – so NIVEA becomes a familiar, confident choice in your daily routine,” added Dalal. 

The campaign is also being measured across both television and digital platforms, with brand lift studies currently underway to evaluate its impact on awareness, ad recall, and consideration.

Looking ahead, Omnicom Media India, JioStar, and Whisper World plan to expand the programme across more Beiersdorf brands and additional premium streaming content as connected TV audiences continue to grow in India.

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The campaign focuses on the confidence, control, and reassurance drivers feel in everyday situations, reinforcing Audi’s performance heritage through relatable storytelling.

Built around the insight that quattro is best understood through experience rather than features, the campaign invites both Audi owners and prospective customers to connect with the technology on an emotional level.

This reflects a growing marketing approach where brands translate complex technology into simple, human stories that resonate more strongly with consumers.

The integrated campaign rolls out across digital, social and outdoor channels, featuring everyday driving moments such as navigating sharp bends, driving through heavy rain and merging onto busy highways, with each execution highlighting how quattro quietly supports the driver without demanding attention.

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Hemant Shringy, Chief Creative Officer at Wondrlab India, said the campaign captures a feeling shared by Audi drivers while inviting new audiences to discover what makes the brand’s driving experience distinctive.

“‘That Quattro Feeling’ campaign is a shared experience for those who know and the invitation for those who don’t,” said Shringy. 

“For over 40 years, quattro has been at the heart of Audi’s performance DNA, but its true value lies in how it makes our customers feel. It is not just about grip or power distribution — it is about delivering a sense of assurance, control, and confidence in every situation,” said Gaurav Sinha, Head of Marketing and PR at Audi India. 

“‘That quattro feeling’ is our way of bringing this emotion to life, celebrating the moments where technology seamlessly translates into trust. This campaign aims to do exactly that, with a simple image that captures the emotion of driving a quattro Audi model,” added Sinha. 

Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system has been part of the brand’s performance identity for more than four decades. By continuously monitoring road conditions and distributing power between the wheels in milliseconds, the technology is designed to deliver greater grip, stability, and control across different driving environments.

With ‘That quattro feeling,’ Audi India and Wondrlab are positioning quattro not simply as an engineering achievement, but as an emotional experience that defines the Audi driving journey.

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In his new role, Nair will lead and expand ConsulT, which serves as the strategic front end of Tilt’s integrated offering. 

The division provides consulting across growth strategy, brand strategy, portfolio and architecture, as well as brand identity systems, helping businesses sharpen their positioning, unlock new growth opportunities and build stronger brands.

The appointment reflects Tilt’s continued investment in strategic consulting as brands increasingly seek integrated partners that can combine long-term business thinking with creative execution.

Joseph (Joe) George, Chairman and CEO of Tilt Brand Solutions, said, “Tilt has been a brand-first communication agency since the very start of its journey, eight years ago; and so this offering is a natural extension of our strengths and interests.”

“As businesses face increasing complexity, ConsulT will endeavour to help brands connect strategy, culture, innovation, and growth with greater clarity and conviction. Sandeep has just the right mix of experience, expertise, and personality to lead this,” added George.

Added Gulshan Singh, Chief Strategy Office at Tilt Brand Solutions, “ConsulT will operate at the intersection of business strategy, consumer insight, innovation, and brand building to drive growth for businesses. We also believe it can play a critical role internally, in making our communication frameworks more robust, contemporary, and specialised. I look forward to working closely with Sandeep on this.” 

Nair brings more than 16 years of experience across India, the UK and the Asia-Pacific region. He has held leadership roles at Procter & Gamble, Reckitt Benckiser, Tata Consumer Products and Swiggy, where he worked on brand strategy, go-to-market planning, product launches, innovation and brand transformation.

Most recently, he was Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Brand Strategy Consultancy David & Who, advising venture-backed startups and listed companies on growth and brand development.

Beyond his corporate experience, Nair has built a strong following within the marketing industry through his newsletter, which reaches more than 10,000 marketers, founders and CMOs. He is also the author of The Story Map, a forthcoming book on business storytelling set to be published by Penguin in August 2026.

Commenting on his appointment, Nair shared, “What excites me about ConsulT is its premise: that the right brand system can play a disproportionate role in shaping the pace, trajectory, and longevity of business success.”

“AI is already changing how brand and marketing work gets done, making the human layer therefore, even more important: sharper diagnosis, clearer decision frameworks, stronger judgment, and more accountable strategic recommendations. Our ambition at ConsulT  is to help clients turn business goals into clear brand choices and connect those choices to growth,” added Sadeep. 

Through Nair’s appointment, Tilt Brand Solutions aims to strengthen ConsulT’s ability to support businesses ranging from early-stage startups building their first brands to established companies looking to refresh their market relevance and accelerate growth.

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The pair succeeds Kosuke Kataoka, who is returning to Hakuhodo Japan after 16 years in India to take on new global responsibilities.

Banerjee, also known as Banjo, brings more than three decades of experience spanning India and the Middle East. 

Having spent years within the Hakuhodo network, he has helped shape the group’s strategy, human-centric design capabilities, and award-winning work across its India operations.

His appointment underscores Hakuhodo India’s commitment to its Sei-katsu-sha philosophy, which places people’s everyday lives and behaviours at the centre of marketing and innovation.

Meanwhile, Takahashi brings extensive expertise in corporate strategy and cross-border business integration gained throughout his career in Japan. 

He has been recognised for advancing innovative approaches that help brands strengthen customer connections and drive growth.

Together, the new leaders will focus on accelerating the agency’s momentum by combining strategic thinking, creativity, technology, and global expertise.

Under Kataoka’s leadership, Hakuhodo India expanded its footprint, strengthened its integrated-services offering, and bolstered its reputation for delivering creative and data-driven marketing solutions.

“Over the past years, we have strengthened our portfolio, our teams, and our client relationships in India,” said Kataoka. “With Jayanto and Naoto leading the business together, I am confident that Hakuhodo India will continue to grow, innovate, and deliver even greater value to our clients.”

Banerjee said India remains one of the world’s most dynamic markets and highlighted plans to deepen the agency’s integrated capabilities.

“Along with Naoto-san, our goal is to sharpen our integrated-services model, deepen our strategic and creative capabilities, and position Hakuhodo India as the preferred partner for growth-driven brands,” he said.

Takahashi added that blending Hakuhodo’s global perspective with local expertise would be key to the agency’s future.

“Blending Hakuhodo’s global insights with India’s local expertise, we will deliver smarter, more connected solutions for our clients,” he said. “Above all, we are committed to driving client business success, while reinforcing our foundational principles: the ‘Sei-katsu-sha Centric Mindset’ and ‘Partner Approach’.”

Founded in India in 2000, Hakuhodo India Group today comprises more than 1,700 employees across 10 group companies and 11 offices, offering services spanning creative, digital, experiential, content, consulting, and AI-powered marketing solutions.

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