media agency of record Archives

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.

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.

Melbourne, Australia – Industry superannuation fund HESTA has named PHD Melbourne as its media agency of record following a competitive pitch. The remit will include media strategy, planning, investment, and optimisation across all channels.

“We’re excited to work with PHD to continue evolving our Super with impact positioning in market, to reach new members across Australia, and help them face their future with confidence,” said Hesta’s Chief Experience Officer Lisa Samuels.

Lizzy O’Connor, group business director at PHD Melbourne also commented, “We really enjoyed this pitch as we immediately developed a strong chemistry with the team at Hesta, being aligned on brand values and a desire to deliver great work.”

Meanwhile, PHD Melbourne’s Managing Director Simon Lawson likewise shared his excitement over the partnership and building a long-term partnership with HESTA based on the principles of ‘authenticity, transparency and mutual respect.’

HESTA’s media mandate was previously handled by full-service media agency Initiative.

Guangzhou, China – China-based automobile company GAC Motor has awarded its integrated media agency of record duties to full-service media agency Essence, led out of the agency’s Guangzhou office in China.

Essence China’s scope of work includes brand strategy, integrated media planning and activation, and creative development and production, covering all of GAC Motor’s sedans, sport utility vehicles, multi-purpose vehicles, and new energy electric vehicles across its international business, including in SEA, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

Moreover, Essence and GAC Motor will be launching new car models such as GS4 and GS8 in the Middle East and Latin America, as well as establishing a global strategic partnership between GAC Motor and Chilean football club Colo-Colo, resulting in GAC Motor becoming the first Chinese car brand to make an appearance in the Copa Libertadores. In addition to developing new innovations in media and communications in the automobile industry, Essence will also be helping grow GAC Motor’s brand and business through multi-dimensional, cross-industry initiatives.

GAC Motor is devoted to the production and sales of world-class vehicles, engines, automobile components, and car accessories, as well as research and development of automobile engineering technology. Its overseas distribution spans 26 countries across five regions, and strategic plans are in place for further development globally.

Benjamin Wei, CEO of Essence China, noted that as a new generation full-service media agency with a pioneering use of analytics, technology and creativity, Essence is committed to helping companies in China accelerate their data-driven marketing transformation and business growth, both locally and globally.

“In the post-pandemic era, there is strong growth potential for GAC Motor’s outbound business in international markets. We are honoured to have the opportunity to partner with GAC Motor on its journey to further expand globally and help create its next generation of business to achieve its growth goals,” said Wei.

In May 2022, Essence has also been awarded digital media duties by automotive manufacturing company Chang’an Ford in China. Led from Essence’s Shanghai office, the agency’s remit includes media planning, media activation and content innovation for digital brand and performance marketing activities across Chang’an Ford’s automobile business, covering all its vehicles and dealers in the market.

Manila, Philippines — The Philippine pharmaceutical giant, Unilab, has appointed Omnicom Media Group (OMG) Philippines as their media agency of record. The selection process was led by Unilab’s internal media team and has challenged participating agencies to showcase their capabilities, tools, and strategic principles through several brand case presentations. The partnership will be effective from July 1, 2022.

OMG will be responsible for managing the pharmacy brand’s legacy media, strategy, planning, investment, media activation, digital performance, and data-led marketing intelligence and science. Leveraging on the agency’s propriety planning workflow – Omni, the team stood out from the competition with a structured omnichannel strategy that empowers the brand with data-driven solutions that cut across stages of the funnel.

Alex Panlilio, corporate VP of Unilab, Inc., commented, “Today’s dynamic consumer and market landscapes require businesses to have sharper insights, growth-driving strategies, and agile engagements with its stakeholders. We have seen the capability of OMG to enable us in these and we look forward to partnering with Mary and her team in accelerating data-driven and disruptive initiatives.”

Meanwhile, Mary Buenaventura, CEO of OMG Philippines, shared, “As we move forward in this endemic world, we are excited to kickstart this new journey with Unilab. With the combination of our unique expertise, market-leading capabilities, and strategic thinking through our people, we are confident to support Unilab in their growth ambitions.”

Commenting on the appointment, Joanna C. Mojica, division VP for consumer health management of Unilab, Inc, said, “As we face massive challenges in today’s business environment, OMG is able to demonstrate the breadth and depth of how we can partner together. We look forward to the fruition of a partnership that will enable our brands to deeply connect with our consumers.”

Mumbai, India – Madison Media Ultra, a digital unit of Madison World, has been appointed as the media agency of record (AOR) for India’s household brand Jyothy Labs. This mandate will see Madison Media Ultra responsible for the brand’s traditional media and digital media mandate, including TV, print, and digital.

Jyothy Labs is a well-established name in the FMCG category. It offers affordable household products, national accessibility, and exceptional packaging. Jyothy Labs operates several brands including Ujala, Pril, Maxo, and Margo, as well as EXO, and Henko, amongst others.

Jyothy MR, Jyothy Labs’ managing director, commented, “Madison is a respected name in the industry with its proven expertise in traditional and contemporary media platforms. We believe our brands will be ably assisted with Madison’s well rounded integrated media solutions in meeting our marketing objectives.”

Meanwhile, Jolene Fernandes Solanki, COO of Madison Media Ultra, shared that they are delighted to partner with one of the pioneering brands in the country, and they are pleased to have Jyothy Labs on board to partner with them in their growth journey.

“We believe that our framework at Madison – ‘keeping consumers and technology at the centre’ – will complement Jyothy Labs’ growth journey,” said Solanki.

Just recently, Madison Media Omega, another unit of Madison World, has also been appointed as the media AOR for Ki Mobility, where it will be handling the traditional media and digital media mandate for the client including TV, print and online video media buying and planning.

Sydney, Australia – Sydney-based university UNSW has appointed Howatson+Company as media agency of record. The agency was appointed following a competitive tender process to service UNSW’s domestic and international recruitment. The appointment is effective immediately.

Sofia Lloyd-Jones, chief marketing officer, said Howatson+Company demonstrated their deep understanding of the sector, an intelligent, data led operating model treating media as a component of an integrated growth strategy, and a perfect cultural fit to the university.

“We’re excited to appoint them as our media agency,” Lloyd-Jones said.

Chris Howatson, founder & CEO of Howatson+Company, shared, “UNSW is a top 4 Australian, and top 50 global university, and it’s right here on our doorstep. The opportunity to be part of such an accomplished team was a huge motivator from the moment we received the brief. Sofia has a brilliant vision for future student recruitment, and views the turbulence of the last two years as an opportunity to advance the university’s strengths.”

Meanwhile, Howatson+Company’s Head of Media Sasha Smith, commented, “We’re absolutely thrilled to be working with UNSW, an exceptional, value aligned partner for our team. We deeply admire their mission and vision, and are confident that together we can accelerate their future ambitions.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Top online food and grocery delivery platform, foodpanda, has appointed Mediabrand’s media network, Universal McCann (UM), as its new media agency of record.

As part of the remit, UM will be overseeing foodpanda’s media duties including strategy, planning, buying, and research, as well as data and analytics.

Bernard Chong, foodpanda’s marketing director, commented, “We were especially impressed by the people we met, and the commitment of the UM team. We are confident their insightful expertise across data, analytics, and storytelling will help us drive more brand love for foodpanda.”

Audrey Chong, Universal McCann and UM Studios’ CEO, shared that UM aims to help build brands that disrupt through data-led integration, digital acceleration, and content creation through a consultative lens, and this aligns with foodpanda’s vision of the media partnership.

“The team is excited to get started on this fun, daring brand and we look forward to collaborating and building more buzz together,” said Chong.

The appointment of UM will commence in the first week of December 2021.

Just recently, foodpanda has announced a new vertical within its platform, partnering with Chinese tech giant Xiaomi to now deliver consumer electronics and appliances starting with Singapore and Thailand.