ITV

Category: AD Agencies

  • Preetha Athrey hits marketing jackpot, trades up to The Trade Desk as brand marketing director

    Preetha Athrey hits marketing jackpot, trades up to The Trade Desk as brand marketing director

    MUMBAI: Ever watched a seasoned marketer switch gigs like she’s flipping pancakes—swiftly, smoothly, and landing perfectly each time? Meet Preetha Athrey, who just flipped herself a sizzling new role as Director of Brand Marketing at The Trade Desk. If career moves were Olympic sports, she’d be clutching gold by now.

    Athrey, a seasoned brand-builder with a CV dazzling enough to make LinkedIn algorithms blush, announced today: “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as director of brand marketing at The Trade Desk!”

    Athrey’s impressive professional innings include stints as marketing director for Twitter Asia Pacific, two-time entrepreneur, and roles at high-flying corporates such as Airtel, Time Warner, and Apollo Tyres. This certified independent director has navigated brands through marketing whirlwinds and emerged victorious each time. Talk about having more experience than a LinkedIn Influencer has connections!

    At The Trade Desk, a global leader in digital advertising technology, Athrey’s move signals a strategic play—much like swapping pawns for queens in a chess match of corporate marketing. Will her magic branding wand sprinkle gold dust again? Only every colleague who’s ever worked with her would say “obviously, yes!”

    Preetha Athrey stepping into her new role highlights the growing importance of brand narrative in a world ruled by algorithms and attention spans shorter than your last Netflix binge. Who better to keep audiences glued than someone who once kept Twitter timelines ticking across Asia Pacific?

    This career leap is not just a win for Athrey—it’s a slam dunk for The Trade Desk. As marketing continues to evolve at a dizzying pace, they’ve snagged someone who knows precisely how to make brands not just heard but adored.

    Stay tuned, folks—this could get very interesting, very fast. Because when Preetha Athrey makes a move, you know it’s going to shake things up.

  • Goafest 2025 returns to Goa with a bang

    Goafest 2025 returns to Goa with a bang

    MUMBAI:  South Asia’s biggest creative extravaganza, Goafest, is heading back to its spiritual home in Goa for its eighteenth edition. Organised by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club (TAC), Goafest 2025 will take place from 21 to 23 May at the Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon Goa. This year, the festival welcomes Amazon MX Player as its title sponsor.

    A fresh twist awaits attendees with the debut of the ‘Goafest Village’—a dynamic, multi-venue experience packed with immersive engagements under one roof. Themed ‘Ignite _____’, the festival is set to spark game-changing discussions on creativity, brand evolution and consumer engagement.

    Celebrated as the mecca of advertising, media and marketing, Goafest promises three action-packed days of learning, networking and inspiration. The Abby Awards Powered by One Show will once again take centre stage, honouring South Asia’s most outstanding creative minds.
     

    Prasanth Kumar, Rana Barua, Jaideep Gandhi

    GroupM South Asia CEO & AAAI president Prasanth Kumar said, “Goafest is a beacon of creativity and connection. Returning to Goa feels like coming home. ‘Ignite _____’ is more than a theme—it’s a call to action for bold ideas, groundbreaking conversations and visionary thinking. The Goafest Village concept will elevate networking, collaboration and the overall festival experience.”

    TA president and group CEO of Havas India, south east and north Asia Rana Barua added: “Goafest is where ideas meet impact. This year, we aim to push creative boundaries further with ‘Ignite _____’. The AbbyY Awards Powered by One Show continue to be the gold standard of creative excellence, and this year’s edition will be nothing short of inspiring.”

    Goafest 2025 organising committee  chairman Jaideep Gandhi promised an even bigger spectacle, saying, “With new initiatives like Goafest Village, we are redefining engagement, learning and industry collaboration. Our mission is to propel India’s creative and marketing ecosystem onto the global stage.”

    Havas Media Network India CEO and co-chair of the organising committee  Mohit Joshi, added, “Tech, data and agility are rewriting advertising. At Goafest 2025, we’ll ignite powerful conversations that challenge norms and fuel ideas with real-world impact.”
     

    Ajay Kakar, Aruna Daryanani, Mohit Joshi

    “Goafest has always been a platform where the brightest minds in advertising, media, and marketing converge to exchange ideas and push creative boundaries. Bringing the festival back to Goa this year is about rekindling the energy and spirit that makes Goafest truly special. With a larger-than-ever scale, immersive experiences, and an inspiring lineup of industry leaders, Goafest 2025 will be a space where innovation meets opportunity. We are excited to welcome the entire industry to Goa for three days of learning, networking, and, most importantly, celebrating creativity. We also look forward to honoring the best minds in the industry with the Abby Awards Powered by One Show,” added Adani group corporate branding Ajay Kakar.
     

    Amazon MX Player  director Aruna Daryanani, highlighted the synergy between the festival and the brand’s mission: “As a platform redefining entertainment and advertising, we’re thrilled to partner with Goafest 2025. The theme ‘Ignite _____’ aligns perfectly with our vision of pushing creative and content boundaries.”

    Drawing over 2,000 industry professionals annually, Goafest 2025 is set to be bigger, bolder and more immersive than ever. Expect a melting pot of creativity, commerce and culture—all under the Goan sun.

  • Mattress firm Wakefit throws down the gauntlet to Netflix in battle for India’s shut-eye

    Mattress firm Wakefit throws down the gauntlet to Netflix in battle for India’s shut-eye

    MUMBAI:  In a ballsy marketing campaign that’s got the attention of the advertising world, Indian mattress maker Wakefit has taken a full-page broadside at streaming behemoth Netflix, cheekily positioning the US giant as its direct competitor in the battle for Indians’ bedtime hours.

    The eye-catching advert, splashed across mainline newspapers nationwide, references Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings’ infamous 2017 quip that “sleep” was their biggest competitor—a joke that’s turned into a bloody nightmare for millions of Indians, according to Wakefit.

    “In India, the joke came true,” proclaims the advert with undisguised glee. “According to Wakefit’s Great Indian Sleep Scorecard 2025, 51 per cent Indians blame binge-watching for late nights, and one in three of us have insomnia. Happy now, Mr Co-founder?”

    wakefitThe cheeky campaign, timed to coincide with World Sleep Day which was on 14 March, sees Wakefit positioning itself as the plucky David to streaming’s Goliath, declaring “sleep a.k.a. Wakefit is competing back” with what the company has dubbed “sleep-tech vs screen-tech” and “now sleeping vs now streaming.”

    Wakefit co-founder Chaitanya Ramalingegowda didn’t stop at print. The savvy entrepreneur took to social media with a video of himself reading the advert, further amplifying the message that’s struck a chord with knackered Indians nationwide.

    “May ‘du-dumm’ become the sound of India crashing on a Wakefit mattress,” the advert proclaims in a cheeky reference to Netflix’s iconic sound logo. “The road is long. It may take several seasons to beat the competition. But this show is never getting cancelled.”

    Not content with mere verbal sparring, Wakefit is backing its fighting talk with action, offering punters up to 55 per cent off all mattresses until 16 March—a commercial sweetener that’s got cash-conscious consumers sitting up in their beds.

    The campaign dovetails perfectly with this year’s World Sleep Day theme: “Make Sleep Health a Priority.” The annual awareness day, organised by the World Sleep Society, aims to elevate conversations around sleep health globally at a time when digital distractions are at an all-time high.

    Industry analysts are calling Wakefit’s campaign a masterstroke in challenger brand marketing. By positioning streaming giants as the villain in India’s sleep crisis narrative, the mattress maker has effectively elevated itself from flogging bedroom furniture to championing a public health cause.

    With Netflix raking in billions globally while Indians increasingly struggle to catch their forty winks, Wakefit’s provocative question—”Happy now, Mr Co-founder?”—might just be keeping a few streaming executives up at night for a change.

  • Publicis steals Coca-Cola’s $800 North American media crown from WPP

    Publicis steals Coca-Cola’s $800 North American media crown from WPP

    MUMBAI: Publicis Groupe has pinched Coca-Cola’s lucrative North American media account from WPP following a hush-hush competitive review, industry sources confirmed yesterday.

    The French advertising giant will now handle Coca-Cola’s media planning and buying across the United States and Canada, with the business estimated to be worth a fizzy  $800 million  in annual billings.

    The soft drinks behemoth conducted the review under tight wraps, with only WPP and Publicis invited to participate in what insiders describe as a “closed door beauty contest” between the two holding companies.

    For Publicis, the win represents sweet revenge after finishing as runner-up in 2021 when WPP scooped Coca-Cola’s global integrated business. Now, just three and a half years later, the tables have turned in North America.

    CocaCola

    The account covers media planning and buying for Coca-Cola’s extensive portfolio of over 200 brands, including its flagship cola, Sprite, Fanta, and various sports drinks, juices, and plant-based beverages.
    Despite the sting of losing North America, WPP will continue to serve as Coca-Cola’s primary global partner, handling media duties across the rest of the world and maintaining responsibility for creative work globally through its bespoke Open X agency setup.

    Coca-Cola spent an estimated $1.8 billion on US advertising in 2023, according to Ad Age Datacenter, with $621 million specifically on measured media. Globally, the beverage giant splashed out $5.15 billion on advertising in 2024, up from  $5 billion the previous year.

    In a statement crafted to soothe WPP’s bruised ego, Coca-Cola emphasised that “WPP is the only global marketing partner of The Coca-Cola Co,” describing Publicis merely as a “complementary partner for its US and Canada media business.”

    “The Coca-Cola Co is committed to the ongoing transformation of its marketing model to ensure the company is best positioned to connect with the evolving consumer marketplace around the world,” the statement continued, adding that “no other changes are expected, and Coca-Cola is in an advanced stage in the process of renewing its global partnership with WPP.”

     Coca-Cola globall chief market ing officer  Manolo Arroyoa,praised WPP’s contribution, highlighting achievements including “Coke being named Creative Brand of the Year at the Cannes Lions in 2024.”

    The Coca-Cola win continues Publicis’ remarkable run of form in the media pitch circuit, coming hot on the heels of major account victories with Pfizer and Hershey’s. This stellar performance prompted the holding company to upgrade its earnings guidance twice during 2024.

    Last year, Publicis overtook WPP as the world’s largest agency group by revenue, marking a dramatic shift in the industry’s power balance. The addition of Coca-Cola’s North American media business will only cement that position.

    The handover is expected to take place in the coming months.

  • Havas India goes green with swanky eco-certification

    Havas India goes green with swanky eco-certification

    MUMBAI:  Havas India has polished its environmental halo after scooping the coveted ISO 14001:2015 certification, positioning itself as the advertising world’s unlikely eco-warrior in a notoriously wasteful industry.
    The certification – which required a full year of scrutiny by the rather stern-faced British Standards Institution (BSI) – covers six agencies under the Havas umbrella, including its creative, media and design outfits across multiple locations.

    “We believe the future of business lies in responsible and sustainable growth,” declared Havas India group chief executive SEA & North Asia Rana Barua presumably while sitting under an energy-efficient light bulb. “This milestone sets a new benchmark in the industry, reinforcing our position as the most future-ready advertising network in India.”

    The rigorous certification process subjected the agency to a forensic examination of its environmental policies, carbon footprint and sustainable resource management – a far cry from the champagne-soaked, private-jet lifestyle traditionally associated with advertising bigwigs.

    Havas India chief HR officer & Havas APAC chief inclusion officer Vandana Tilwani was quick to emphasise this wasn’t just a “tick-box exercise” – corporate speak for “we’re actually serious about this” – while hinting at even more ambitious green plans ahead.

    Industry insiders suggest the eco-certification could give Havas a competitive edge when pitching to increasingly environmentally conscious clients, allowing them to smugly flaunt their green credentials while rivals desperately recycle their plastic water bottles in meetings.

    “Reducing environmental impact not only contributes to a healthier planet, but also inspires stakeholder trust,” said BSI India managing director Theuns Kotze carefully avoiding mention of the mountains of foam board, vinyl banners and promotional material that advertising agencies typically churn out.

    With this certification, Havas has thrown down the biodegradable gauntlet to competitors, suggesting that in tomorrow’s advertising world, the ability to save the planet might be just as important as the ability to sell fizzy drinks and luxury watches.

  • FCB Kinnect welcomes storytelling maestro Abhinav Tripathi as national creative director

    FCB Kinnect welcomes storytelling maestro Abhinav Tripathi as national creative director

    MUMBAI:  FCB Kinnect has appointed Abhinav Tripathi as its national creative director, securing a creative heavyweight with over two decades of industry experience to spearhead its Delhi operations.

    Tripathi, who joins from McCann Worldgroup where he served as creative head of digital & McCann Content Studio, brings a stellar track record of crafting compelling narratives and a knack for turning creative briefs into gold.

    “We’re absolutely delighted to have Abhinav on board,” said FCB Kinnect on linkedin. “His storytelling prowess and tech-savvy approach will help us push creative boundaries whilst delivering forward-thinking work that cuts through the noise.”

    The appointment marks something of a homecoming for Tripathi, who previously had a brief stint as national creative consultant at FCB Ulka in 2016, before taking the creative reins at TBWAIndia as managing partner creative.

    His impressive CV includes stints at advertising powerhouses including Leo Burnett, Ogilvy, and a substantial five-year tenure at McCann Worldgroup as executive creative director prior to his most recent role.
    Industry insiders suggest the hire signals FCB Kinnect’s ambition to bolster its creative firepower in the fiercely competitive Delhi market.

    Before his advertising journey, Tripathi dabbled in entrepreneurship, running SunTours.com from 2001 to 2004, before earning his MBA in Marketing from FORE School of Management, New Delhi.

    As FCB Kinnect looks to make waves in the integrated marketing space, they’ll be banking on Tripathi to craft campaigns that don’t just spark conversation, but set the advertising world alight.

  • Landor appoints Geet Nazir as managing director India

    Landor appoints Geet Nazir as managing director India

    MUMBAI, March 2025 – Landor  Ahas appointed seasoned brand strategist Geet Nazir as its new managing director India based in Mumbai, strengthening the firm’s leadership team across the Asia-Pacific region.

    Nazir joins Landor with over 15 years of experience in brand transformation and strategic design, having most recently served as managing director at Conran Design Mumbai. Her appointment comes as Landor seeks to expand its presence in key growth markets throughout the region.

    Landor president APAC Lulu Raghavan expressed confidence in the appointment: “Geet’s expertise in creating new brands and nurturing client relationships will be invaluable as we strengthen our position across strategic markets.”

    Prior to her four-plus years at Conran Design, Nazir held leadership positions at Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces as assistant vice president of brand marketing, and served in senior roles at Contract India and Publicis Capital.

    With a master’s degree in advertising from Boston University and a background in electrical and electronics engineering, Nazir brings a blend of creative vision and analytical thinking to her new role.

  • Ad Standards take centre stage as India hosts Global Summit

    Ad Standards take centre stage as India hosts Global Summit

    MUMBAI: India is set to become the epicentre of global advertising conversations as the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) gears up to host the ICAS Global Summit ICAS Global Dialogues 2025 from 17 to 19 March 2025, in Mumbai. This marks a historic first, with the prestigious event being held outside Europe and the US, signalling India’s increasing influence in shaping global advertising self-regulation.

    The by-invite-only summit will convene self-regulatory leaders from 16 countries, alongside global advertising associations, regulators, and top Indian industry players. With AI and emerging technologies rapidly reshaping the industry, the summit aims to foster discussions on ethical, progressive, and consumer-first advertising practices.

    The summit will feature a series of thought-provoking sessions addressing key industry shifts. It will kick off with the ICAS Global Self-Regulation Awards (March 17), celebrating the most innovative and impactful advertising self-regulation initiatives worldwide. This will be followed by the ICAS Think Tank & Panel Discussion, where ASCI, alongside Hindustan Unilever, Marico, Cipla Health, and Kenvue, will shape the future of global advertising standards. On March 18, the session ‘Tomorrow’s Regulation Today’ will explore emerging consumer vulnerabilities and the evolving role of advertising regulations in tackling them. The final day, March 19, will see ASCI Academy’s Global Adda, unveiling two major research studies, ‘Manifest: Masculinities Beyond the Mask’, a deep dive into male representation in media, and ‘AdNext: The AI Edition’, which explores AI’s transformative impact on advertising.  

    With over 250 attendees expected, including industry leaders, regulators, and marketing professionals, the event promises insightful discussions, knowledge-sharing, and future-focused advertising strategies.

    ASCI CEO & secretary general Manisha Kapoor said, “Hosting the ICAS Global Summit in India is a proud milestone for ASCI and the Indian advertising industry. We look forward to collaborating with global experts and gaining insights that will help us navigate new complexities while strengthening consumer trust.”

    ASCI chairman Partha Sinha added, “The timing of this summit is crucial as AI and other technologies rapidly reshape advertising. Bringing global perspectives together will help us collectively design forward-looking approaches that balance innovation with responsibility.”

    The summit will host a star-studded lineup of speakers, bringing together influential voices from across industries. Key speakers include Abhishek Singh, additional secretary, MeitY; Devdutt Pattanaik, renowned mythologist and author; Michael Todd, global director at Google, and Guy Parker, president of ICAS. Adding to the distinguished roster are Mary K Engle, EVP-policy at BBB National Programs, USA; Mohan Jayaraman, partner at Bain & Company; Ruchira Jaitly, CMO of Diageo India and Paromita Vohra, acclaimed filmmaker and writer. Their collective expertise promises to drive meaningful discussions on the future of advertising and self-regulation.  

    Supported by Diageo India, Hindustan Unilever, Google, United Breweries, Makemytrip, Games24x7, Khaitan & Co., and Lexplosion, the ICAS Global Summit 2025 is poised to drive progressive, ethical, and future-ready advertising practices with India leading the charge.

  • Zyler.ai unveils smart marketing analytics for the post-cookie era

    Zyler.ai unveils smart marketing analytics for the post-cookie era

    MUMBAI: Zyler.ai, has officially launched its innovative marketing analytics platform, designed to help businesses navigate the impending cookie-less digital landscape. With Google set to phase out third-party cookies by early 2025, Zyler.ai provides a cutting-edge alternative, enabling marketers to gain insights without relying on increasingly restricted tracking technologies.

    Marketers currently juggle multiple analytics platforms, spending over six hours per week managing complex dashboards. Zyler.ai streamlines this process, consolidating various data sources into a single, intuitive interface powered by AI-driven analysis.

    Zyler.ai growth lead & co-founder, Suryansh Jaiswal stated, “With 63 per cent of marketers lacking a clear strategy for a cookie-less future, businesses need solutions that are both simple and effective, without relying on intrusive tracking. Our platform reduces analytics effort and costs by up to 98 per cent, making advanced insights accessible to all, regardless of technical expertise.”

    Zyler.ai offers a suite of powerful features to simplify marketing analytics. Its one-click AI analysis enables users to generate insights instantly from multiple data sources without complex configuration. The unified dashboard integrates data from Google Analytics, Meta Ads, LinkedIn, and other platforms, consolidating key metrics into a single, user-friendly interface. First-party data optimisation helps businesses maximise their owned data sources as third-party cookies are phased out, ensuring seamless continuity in analytics. Contextual Analysis shifts the focus from user-specific tracking to performance themes and topics, aligning with evolving privacy standards. Additionally, the platform’s self-serve integration allows users to connect data sources within minutes without requiring technical expertise.

    Since its soft launch, Zyler.ai has seen rapid global adoption, attracting users from dozens of countries across six continents without major marketing expenditure. The platform’s debut on Product Hunt ranked in the top 10, highlighting strong interest from the digital marketing and analytics community.

    Operating on a freemium model, Zyler.ai offers full-featured access at 79 pounds per seat, significantly undercutting enterprise alternatives that start at over 800 pounds per month.

    As businesses brace for Google’s 2025 cookie deprecation, the need for alternative analytics solutions has never been greater. Zyler.ai addresses this challenge by focusing on actionable insights rather than data tracking.

  • FCB Group India locks in Hariharan Nurani as CFO amid growth surge

    FCB Group India locks in Hariharan Nurani as CFO amid growth surge

    MUMBAI: When an advertising powerhouse is on a roll, it needs a finance maestro to keep the momentum steady. Ropes in Hariharan Nurani, the newly appointed chief financial officer of FCB Group India, tasked with ensuring the agency’s continued financial success as it scales to new heights.

    Nurani steps into his role at a time when FCB Group India is riding a wave of growth, with major business wins and a sharpened creative focus defining its trajectory. His appointment signals the company’s commitment to financial agility, operational excellence, and strategic expansion.

    With a career that reads like a ‘who’s who’ of the Indian media industry, Nurani has held key financial roles at Ogilvy, Mudra, and GroupM. He has spent years fine-tuning his expertise in financial planning, risk management, and profitability strategies—making him the perfect navigator for FCB’s ambitious journey.

    “FCB in India is on an incredible growth trajectory—we witnessed a remarkable surge in revenue and new business wins last year, setting the tone for the new-age agency we are building. Hari’s financial leadership is pivotal as we scale with agility and sharpen our creative and business impact. His expertise will be instrumental in driving our next phase of expansion, ensuring that we continue to push boundaries and redefine what’s possible in this dynamic industry,” said FCB Group India & south Asia CEO Dheeraj Sinha.

    Nurani, equally enthusiastic about the new chapter, shared his excitement, stating, “I’m truly excited to join FCB Group India at such a dynamic time in its journey. As the agency evolves into a future-focused powerhouse driven by creativity and innovation, this opportunity was one I couldn’t resist. I look forward to contributing to its ambitious growth plans and strengthening the financial framework to fuel its next chapter.”

    With this strategic hire, FCB Group India is ensuring that its financial playbook is as sharp as its creative one. As the agency continues its ascent in India’s advertising landscape, Nurani’s expertise will be crucial in keeping its balance sheet as compelling as its campaigns.