Tag: India

India – McCann Worldgroup India has won the duty for Air India‘s advertising and marketing communications. Before choosing McCann Worldgroup India, the international airline, supported by the Tata group, had a detailed evaluation process that included several agencies.

The agency plans to develop a branding platform and put into operation a wide range of multi-channel marketing communications. This collaboration’s selection procedure included a comprehensive assessment as part of a multi-agency presentation.

Nipun Aggarwal, chief commercial and transformation officer, Air India,said, “We are building Air India as a ‘Global Airline with an Indian Heart’. This is a brand that is close to the heart of flyers around the world, and the new Air India will be a manifestation of the aspirations of the global Indian. With McCann Worldgroup as a partner, we expect to transform the brand into one of the most admired and trusted brands in India and overseas.”

Meanwhile, Prasoon Joshi, CEO and CCO at McCann Worldgroup India, expressed, “Air India is a brand that inspires us, and we are excited to partner with them as they chart a new course. We are thankful to our stellar management team at McCann Worldgroup India and our global leadership for their contributions. We look forward to collaborating with Air India and offering the best-in-class strategic and creative services that build on and take the brand to newer heights” 

Daryl Lee, Global CEO, McCann Worldgroup, concludes, “We are honoured to partner with Air India at this pivotal and exciting time in the brand’s history,” he also added, “Air India’s ambition is bold, their heritage is undeniable, and the opportunity to showcase the wonders of today’s India is immense. It is our privilege to write the next great chapter of this iconic brand for the world, and to help Air India earn an even more meaningful role in people’s lives in India and around the globe.”

India – 22feet Tribal Worldwide, a digital agency, announced today that it has won the digital mandate for Lumina CloudInfra, a data centre platform with the objective of providing safe Hyperscale cloud infrastructure services to organisations in India and throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Anil Reddy, global CEO and co-founder at Lumina CloudInfra, said, “As we continue to grow and expand our services, it is essential that we have a strong and reliable partner to help us communicate our message effectively. We believe that 22feet Tribal has the experience and expertise to do just that.”

Meanwhile, Vanaja Pillai, president at 22feet Tribal Worldwide, commented, “Lumina is doing exceptional work in redefining and reimagining what the data centers of the future will look like. And 22feet Tribal is at the forefront of providing new-age, cutting-edge solutions to our clients to tell their stories in the digital world. We are very excited about partnering with Lumina in this incredibly important journey that will impact the way customers experience data centers in the future.”

Lumina is a dedicated platform that prioritises the development of essential hyperscale data infrastructure in India and strives to support the country’s digital progress while maintaining a high level of dependability.

India – TBWA\Media Arts Lab, the agency’s bespoke global creative agency for Apple, has promoted Jonathan George to the role of senior vice president for creative in India, effective immediately.

In his new role, George will oversee the development and execution of all creative work for the region. Additionally, he will play an active role in aligning the region’s business objectives and strategic planning.

Michaela Futcher, Media Arts Lab’s Head of Strategy and Managing Director for APAC, said, “Jonathan has proved himself an exceptional creative leader and partner to clients and team.”

She also added, “He continues to level up expectations on work that can be made out of the region in craft and ideation. I am personally excited to have a partner in India of Jonathan’s calibre and terribly excited to think about what we’ll create next.” 

Meanwhile, Brent Anderson, global chief creative officer at TBWA\Media Arts Lab, commented, “Jonathan is a driven, pragmatic, and passionate leader spearheading culture-rippling creative for India and across the APAC region. He holds high expectations for the work and leads his team remarkably to stretch and reach for that Apple standard.”

He added, “Jonathan has impeccable taste and instincts, and he translates that into the initiatives he leads. He has the ambition and ability to overcome any challenges to harness cultural impact and define what the Apple brand is and will be in the Indian market. I am excited to see what will emerge from his continued creative leadership.”

Speaking on his new role, George said, “Simple ideas, executed impeccably; Few have managed to make this mantra work as purely and powerfully as Media Arts Lab,” and “The result has consistently been culture-defining work that sets the bar for creative excellence. I couldn’t be more excited to partner with some of the most talented folks in the industry and carry this philosophy forward into the work that we do in India.”

Mumbai, India – Following its initial launch in the Indian market in August 2022, Canadian coffee shop Tim Hortons has announced two new stores in the city of Mumbai. More specifically, they will be located in the city hotspots of Bandra West, Linking Road and Andheri, Lokhandwala.

Tim Hortons launched in India in 2022 as part of an exclusive agreement with a joint venture entity owned by Apparel Group and Gateway Partners called Apparel Gateway Café India, the master franchisee of the Tim Hortons brand in India.

David Shear, president of international at Restaurant Brands International, said, “It’s brilliant to see how enthusiastically India has welcomed Tim Hortons, and we’re particularly excited about bringing our premium coffee and delicious food into new regions in India.”

Meanwhile, Neeraj Teckchandani, CEO of Apparel Group, commented, “This milestone is a significant step towards our long-term potential to grow the brand in India, increase market share and strengthen our position as the leading retailer of Tim Hortons.”

Teckchandani added, “We are committed to continuously evolving and curating our offerings and adapting to the region’s preferences and culture. We continue to strategically expand our footprint across the country and are on track to grow Tim Hortons in the region.”

Tim Hortons recently partnered with multinational conglomerate Marubeni Corporation to launch in Singapore and later on to Malaysia and Indonesia.

Gurugram, India – Havas Media Group India, the media expertise division of Havas India, has announced a significant elevation of its senior leadership team across functions to further strengthen its structure. 

The strategic restructuring is part of the agency’s expansion of its business and service portfolios through collaborations and increased efficiency, in line with its unprecedented growth.

According to Havas, the elevation of the senior leadership team is a testament to the agency’s commitment to delivering unparalleled media solutions to its clients. The newly elevated senior leadership team will bring their extensive industry experience and expertise to drive the agency’s growth, foster innovation, and enhance its service offerings. 

Two of the key elevations are Roopali Sharma and Harbir Singh, now as president – North 1 and North 2, respectively, at Havas Media India. The two will further strengthen client partnerships, profitability, and business relations.

Saurabh Jain has also been elevated as president – South, Havas Media India and will be responsible for scaling up the momentum and growth of the agency’s success story in South — a key focus market for Havas Media India. 

Meanwhile, Manish Sharma, in his elevated role as managing partner – West, Havas Media India will continue making significant contributions to Havas’ successful journey in the West region. New business acquisitions, growth of the existing roster and service strategy will be integral to his role.

As the Chief Strategy Officer for Havas Media India, Sanchita Roy will likewise drive strategic innovation and growth to the next level for clients and the agency alike. She will be bringing with her a deep industry experience and vision which made her a fitting candidate to represent the agency at global platforms like Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and Campaign Agency of Year – South Asia in 2022.

Lastly, Rohan Chincholi has been appointed as managing partner – digital services, Havas Media India, where he will strategise on expanding and enhancing the agency offerings and outcomes to ensure being at par with the digital industry’s evolution in current times.

The team will report to Uday Mohan, managing director, Havas Media India. Commenting on the elevations, he said, “I feel great pride in seeing the team on a rapid growth path. The elevations are aimed at recognizing the team’s commitment and further strengthening our core ensuring heightened focus on sustainable growth and unlocking greater possibilities. Best wishes to all for the new journey with additional responsibilities.”

Havas Media Group India CEO, Mohit Joshi also said, “We are delighted to elevate our core leadership team to new roles. Their exceptional dedication and business acumen have been critical to our success.”

He added, “In 2023, we have set very high growth targets for ourselves, and I am confident that the team will tap into attaining exceptional results aiding us create a meaningful difference in the country’s media eco-system. Congratulations to all.”

This follows Havas Media Group’s recent media mandate wins, including PUMA India and Paradise Biryani.

Gurgaon, India – Media agency Mindshare in India has been appointed by car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki to handle its media mandate. With a focus on innovative strategies and technology-driven solutions, Mindshare aims to leverage its expertise in performance, data, digital, and content to co-create innovative solutions for Maruti Suzuki’s growth in the coming years.

Moreover, as a flagship agency from GroupM, Mindshare’s expertise, creativity, and strategic vision will help steer the Maruti Suzuki brand towards a faster lane of growth and success, operating from its Gurgaon office.

Shashank Srivastava, senior executive officer of marketing and sales at Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “We are looking forward to this partnership with Mindshare (Group M) as our integrated media agency. We expect to leverage Mindshare’s strengths in the media industry to synergize and optimise our media spends and co-create ground-breaking initiatives that will give us an edge in today’s competitive automotive industry. We look forward to the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.”

The win is also a significant milestone for GroupM, making it one of the largest media wins in the region further demonstrating its commitment to delivering exceptional results for clients and driving growth for businesses.

Meanwhile, Helen McRae, CEO of Mindshare Asia Pacific, commented, “This win by Mindshare in securing the media mandate for Maruti Suzuki is a significant milestone for the advertising industry in India. It highlights the agency’s exceptional capabilities in providing innovative and technology-driven solutions to their clients. We are excited to see the strategic vision and expertise of Mindshare to steer Maruti Suzuki towards sustainable and responsible growth. This partnership is a testament to the agency’s commitment to delivering exceptional results for clients and driving growth for businesses in the region.”

Lastly, Amin Lakhani, CEO at Mindshare South Asia, stated, “We are thrilled and deeply honoured to have been awarded this esteemed mandate. We are committed to delivering outstanding results for Maruti Suzuki. Our continuous investments in new products, platforms, and people have helped us build a future-ready team that can partner with clients in their growth journey. We are excited to co-create innovative solutions using our expertise in performance, data, digital, and content to drive Maruti Suzuki’s growth in the coming years.”

Gurugram, India – Paradise Biryani, one of India’s most iconic biryani brands, has appointed Havas Media Group India, the media expertise arm of Havas India, as its media agency of record.

The integrated mandate comprising offline and digital media duties will be handled by the agency’s Gurugram office and will be led by Roopali Sharma, president-north, Havas Media India alongside Uday Mohan, managing director, Havas Media India.

 As part of the mandate, the agency will drive the brand’s media strategy across all offline and digital media channels, aiding the enhancement of the category leader’s presence and market penetration across the country. 

With the partnership, Paradise Biryani is seeking to further strengthen its positioning in key markets pan India by increasing visibility and reach among its target audience via strategic communication. Havas Media Group India will leverage its expertise to create a highly targeted strategy to resonate with Paradise Biryani’s constantly expanding audience base by amplifying the brand’s messaging.

Talking about the association, Gautam Gupta, managing director and CEO, Paradise Food Court Pvt. Ltd. said, “For a much-loved brand such as Paradise Biryani, the strategy has to be extremely well thought through to tap into the pulse of our target audience. Havas Media Group India with its proven track record, in-depth market knowledge and media expertise stood out for us as the perfect media agency partners.”

Gupta also shared that they are certain that the partnership will enable the brand to meet its future goals and desired outcomes in a manner that is “precise and strategic.”

“We are delighted to lend our expertise to Paradise Biryani, a brand that has been catering to India’s love for authentic biryani for six decades. The key focus will be to leverage our robust media proficiency, helping the brand connect better with evolved consumer tastes and thereby build an even stronger brand presence and loyal audience base,” said Mohit Joshi, CEO, Havas Media Group India.

Mohan likewise remarked that designing customized solutions that fit the stature of such a brand requires skilled new-age capabilities and market comprehension, which is the core competency of Havas’ team of professionals. 

“Havas Media takes pride in partnering with the brand to deliver groundbreaking strategies to further strengthen Paradise Biryani’s extend and positioning across newer markets as they expand their footprint,” Mohan added.

Recently, Havas Media Group India has also been appointed by sports brand PUMA in India as its media agency of record to oversee its entire offline and online media service suite.

India – Shreyas Media, a marketing, media and movie promotional events company, is continuing its Indian market expansion outside of its already established presence in South India. The company aims to establish a comprehensive marketing system that provides high-quality content that entertains, educates, and informs its audience.

Shreyas Media is a major player in the South Indian film industry, responsible for promoting and marketing many of the region’s biggest movies like ‘Saaho’, ‘Pushpa’, ‘RRR’ amongst others. The company has done over 2000 events and over 1500 movie promotions and has also made its mark in brand positioning, television, digital media and event management.

Shreyas Media has created an ecosystem in the southern Indian region that promotes brands through cinema, resulting in a wide reach for offline advertisement. Additionally, they amplify this approach in the digital space as well.

Shreyas Srinivas, founder at Shreyas Media says, “Through our formula ‘E=MC2’ we want to promote brands & this ecosystem serves as the future ground for content marketing globally. ‘E=MC2’ which stands for entertainment = media, content and celebrities, to create and promote content through offline and online channels, which we believe is the future of marketing and is one of its kind ecosystem globally.”

Bengaluru, India – Sports brand PUMA in India has appointed Havas Media Group India as its new media agency of record. As part of the mandate, the agency will be overseeing the entire offline and online media service suite including Digital, TV, Print, Radio, OOH, and cinema mediums for PUMA. 

Under the partnership, Havas Media will be identifying, designing, and executing strategic media engagements for PUMA. Just recently, the agency has also extended its offline media services to PUMA for its campaign announcing Anushka Sharma as its brand ambassador.

Moreover, the account will be managed by the agency’s Bengaluru team, helmed by Saurabh Jain, president – south, Havas Media India. Meanwhile, Uday Mohan, managing director at Havas Media India, will support the team in devising the strategy and ensuring seamless operations.

Commenting on the occasion, Shreya Sachdev, head of marketing at PUMA India, said, “PUMA holds a leading position in sports and lifestyle segment in the country with state-of-the-art product innovations and influence on youth culture.”

Sachdev added, “As a brand, we keep a sharp focus on staying relevant and resonating with our audience across markets and platforms. With Havas Media Group India, we look forward to effectively connect with our consumers at scale.”

Mohit Joshi, CEO, Havas Media Group India, also commented, “PUMA as a brand is known for its strong voice and vibrant spirit. Havas Media Group India has been on an upward trajectory consistently; last year was a landmark year for us as we were recognized as a dominant agency by RECMA and secured second place among all media agencies in the country.”

On winning the mandate of PUMA, Joshi said, “At Havas Media, we focus on designing and delivering impactful media solutions and hence, resonate with PUMA’s efforts to leverage relevant consumer touch points, services and messages that hold immense credibility for its audience. We are excited to make a meaningful difference for Brand PUMA and look forward to a fruitful partnership.”

Recently, Havas Media has also bagged the account of international financial services firm Sun Life for its markets in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Beijing, China – Xiaomi MiAds, Xiaomi’s global advertising platform, has appointed AVOW, the specialist agency focusing on mobile OEM on-device user acquisition, as its official core agency for user growth and customer success solutions in India.

The partnership will enable app developers and brands looking to use mobile OEM advertising to achieve incremental growth by making inroads into Xiaomi’s massive loyal user base through AVOW in the world’s most populous country.

MiAds is one of the core services of Xiaomi’s international internet business. MiAds covers over 100 markets worldwide, supports 70 languages, and offers reach to millions of monthly active users. The platform provides a multi-faceted advertising portal through proprietary apps such as Mi Browser, Mi Music, Themes, Mi Video, and its official proprietary app store GetApps. 

In addition, Xiaomi allows marketers to accurately locate target audiences and convert their users into brand customers through multiple targeting options.

According to AVOW, the platform ultimately tapped its services for the exceptional undertaking it has shown of the media business activities and customer service for MiAds in India and other major markets. 

AVOW will operate as one of the main points of contact, managing a 360-degree execution of mobile advertising campaigns on Xiaomi’s advertisement platform – from launching apps on the GetApps marketplace and booking dynamic preload campaigns to media buying and campaign optimization.

Sharing his views on this association, Bono Wu, Head of Channel Partnership & Direct Sales of EU and LATAM for the International Internet Business Department at Xiaomi, said, “We are delighted to have AVOW onboard as our core agency in India. AVOW’s exceptional work in the Indian market and beyond has led us to continue our fruitful partnership. The combination of Xiaomi’s system-level empowerment to MiAds on MIUI and AVOW’s deep expertise will be truly beneficial to our mutual clients.”

Meanwhile, AVOW Co-Founder Ashwin Shekhar, commented, “We are thrilled to be named the core agency again for Xiaomi. Building on our success in EMEA, SEA, and LATAM, our key partnership with Xiaomi MiAds extends to India. Strengthening our alliances will allow us to offer more exclusive opportunities for mobile marketers to access Xiaomi’s strong presence in the country. India is a dynamic market, and we are committed to helping marketers with greater access to the user audience and eventually make mobile OEM advertising a default part of every marketer’s marketing mix.”

In December, Xiaomi Indonesia named Stephanie Sicilia as its associate marketing director.