ITV

Category: Media and Advertising

  • MEC India appoints Premnath Unnikrishnan as digital head

    MEC India appoints Premnath Unnikrishnan as digital head

    MUMBAI: MEC India has appointed Premnath Unnikrishnan as south head – digital.

     

    Based out of Bangalore, Unnikrishnan will report to the agency’s India digital leader Vishal Chinchankar.

     

    Chinchankar said, “It is great to have Prem as part of the MEC’s digital team. He is a seasoned professional and come with a plethora of skills and expertise. He has a proven ability to create strategic simplicity, drive innovation, ensure systematic execution, and deliver results. We wish him the very best in his new role.”

     

    Unnikrishnan, a thorough digital professional with over 10 years of experience, comes with in-depth knowledge of performance based campaigns. Prior to joining MEC, he was with Interactive Avenues where he managed accounts like Wipro, TTK, ING Vysya Bank, World Vision amongst others.

     

    Unnikrishnan said, “It’s an absolute honour to be part of this leading organisation. This opportunity has provided me a great platform to further showcase and enhance client service levels. From developing digital strategies to implementing digital technologies and running digital processes, these responsibilities will serve as a great learning opportunity. I am eager and look forward to learning from the pool of talented people present here at MEC.”

  • Maxus strengthens regional leadership teams in west and south

    Maxus strengthens regional leadership teams in west and south

    MUMBAI: In the first six months of 2014, the west and south regions of Maxus have been on a winning spree of adding 23 new businesses. To keep up the pace, the media investment planning agency is strengthening its regional teams.

     

    In the southern region, Maxus has elevated Kishankumar Shyamalan to general manager. In his previous role as client leader, Shyamalan was the key lead for the Tata Global Beverages pitch, ultimately converting the business in Maxus’ favour. He is the key architect of the Power of 49 campaign, conceptualised and executed by Maxus Bangalore. He also spearheaded media teams for Titan Industries, Wipro and the Kerala office. He has been a key contributor to all Maxus south pitches over the past six years, and also led the geographical expansion for the media agency in the south. His erstwhile roles include buying head for Maxus south.

     

    The new appointment at Maxus Mumbai is of Monaz Todywalla as general manager. Todywalla will be leading client teams for Vodafone, L’Oreal, HDFC Life and Kotak. She comes with a wealth of experience across categories like FMCG, BFSI, Retail and Confectionary. She joins Maxus from Madison Communications, where she worked on clients such as Marico Industries, Asian Paints, Kaya and Sleek. She began her career with Lodestar where she serviced Amul and SC Johnson.

     

    Maxus south Asia MD Kartik Sharma said, “We are excited to elevate Kishan and bring Monaz on board at Maxus. We have always attracted the very best talent in the industry and have given them every opportunity to grow and prosper within Maxus. We are confident that Kishan and Monaz will be ambassadors of the PACE values of Passion Agility, Collaboration and an Entrepreneurial spirit that drives us to become change agents in a fast paced media environment.”

     

    Maxus India 23 new clients have added Rs 300 crore to the agency’s billing. Maxus has also been pitching for several of its specialist services across digital marketing, experiential marketing, content marketing to give clients an edge in not just media, but also brand messaging and outreach.

  • Leo Burnett consolidates Asia Pacific and Greater China regions

    Leo Burnett consolidates Asia Pacific and Greater China regions

    MUMBAI: Leo Burnett Worldwide chairman and CEO Tom Bernardin announced the  consolidation  of  the agency’s  operations  across  Greater  China  and  Asia Pacific.

     

    Leo  Burnett  Asia  Pacific president Jarek Ziebinski  will  take charge as the chairman and CEO for the consolidated operation including China as of 1 September 2014. The regional chairman and CEO of Greater China, Eddie Booth, will retire after 15 years with the agency. Booth will continue to be with the agency until 31 December to see through the smooth transition of leadership.

     

    Said Bernardin, “Eddie and I have been in talks regarding his plans to retire from the agency over the past year. After more than 20 years in the industry and 15 years of successful leadership at Leo Burnett in Greater China, Eddie has decided it’s time to retire from advertising. We want to thank him for his wonderful  work building  Leo Burnett Greater China to what it is today and wish him every success as he embarks on his new journey in life.”

     

    In his new role, Ziebinski will continue to report directly to Bernardin and will split his time between Shanghai and Singapore.  Leo Burnett China group CEO Donald Chan will be assuming additional duties to oversee Leo Burnett Hong Kong. Both Chan Leo Burnett Taiwan group CEO Margaret Huang will report to Ziebinski.

     

    “The  consolidation  of  Leo  Burnett’s  Asia  Pacific  and  Greater  China  operations  is  a  strategic decision to bring together the best of the network’s resources, talents and capabilities across these two important regions under one proven leader. The scale and efficiencies Leo Burnett will be able to achieve from the consolidation will enable the network to deliver greater value for our clients’ businesses in today’s environment of remarkable change and possibilities,” said Bernardin.

     

    Continued Bernardin, “Jarek’s track record of success across two very different regions – central eastern Europe and Asia Pacific – at Leo Burnett speaks for itself. The growth and momentum  he delivered for Leo Burnett in Asia Pacific over the past five years makes him the ideal candidate to take  over  the  consolidated  leadership  of  Leo  Burnett  in  this  region.  Asia  Pacific  is  a  critically important region for the Leo Burnett global network and I’m confident that with Jarek at the helm, he will be able to help us deliver the best in the world, bar none.”

  • Leo Burnett ropes in Hitesh Mehta as VP

    Leo Burnett ropes in Hitesh Mehta as VP

    MUMBAI: After a slew of significant senior level appointments, Leo Burnett India has announced the appointment of Hitesh Mehta as vice president to be based at its head office in Mumbai. 

     

    Mehta will be leading McDonald’s business nationally on both account management and strategy.

     

    Leo Burnett India CEO Saurabh Varma said, “With over a decade of integrated communications experience, Hitesh is extremely passionate about understanding human behaviour and applying those valuable insights to client work. It is this very orientation that is of great value to our strong HumanKind philosophy for our brands.”

     

    Over the years Mehta has worked in differing local, regional and global roles on some of the world’s biggest brands based out of India, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.

     

    His last assignment was with Leo Burnett in Indonesia, wherein he was a part of the agency leadership team, successfully delivering on his mandate to partner the marketing teams at Dutch Lady and McDonalds, in pursuit of achieving their growth ambitions within the Indonesian market. Always on the lookout for new challenges, Mehta relocated back to India in 2013 and has been working as an independent brand consultant prior to joining Leo Burnett earlier this month.

     

    Mehta said, “The QSR market is still quite nascent and there is immense scope for growth. It’s a very exciting time for McDonalds and I am relishing the opportunity.”

  • Edelman strengthens strategic leadership positions in Mumbai and Delhi

    Edelman strengthens strategic leadership positions in Mumbai and Delhi

    MUMBAI: Edelman today announced two additions to its leadership team in India. Further boosting the firm as it forges ahead on a high growth trajectory, Edelman welcomes back veteran Bhavna Jagtiani, as Director – West. Bonny Lawrie joins from Edelman Middle East, in the newly created role, Deputy General Manager of the Delhi NCR office.

    An experienced brand marketer, Bhavna returns to Edelman India after two years in the Edelman Hong Kong office, where she co-led the consumer practice. Bhavna will now be responsible for managing and growing the Edelman business in West India, including the offices in Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad.  She will be based out of Mumbai and will report to Rakesh Thukral, Chief Operating Officer, Edelman India.

    Bonny will lead some of Edelman India’s largest clients, most notably Microsoft and Shell. She brings with her more than 11 years of experience in communications and marketing across Australia, the United Kingdom, Europe and most recently, the Middle East.  She will be based out of New Delhi and will report to Varghese Cherian, General Manager North & East, Edelman India and Technology Lead – SAMEA.

    Rakesh Thukral, Chief Operating Officer, Edelman India, says, “These strategic additions to our team will further strengthen our leadership in India and help drive business growth. With their multi-market experience, Bhavna and Bonny are well-positioned to ensure success in our client work, learning for our teams and growth for Edelman. Bhavna’s return to Edelman India will provide further impetus to our West operations; and Bonny’s experience will contribute to further expansion of our fastest growing office in India.”

    Bhavna’s career at Edelman has spanned a period of over ten years, working for the world’s biggest and most admired brands. During her earlier stint in India, she co-led the Edelman Consumer Practice in the country, driving corporate and brand communications programmes for a wide range of clients. Bhavna graduated from the University of Mumbai with a degree in commerce. She also has a post graduate diploma from the Xavier’s Institute of Communications, Mumbai.

    Bonny has managed a number of high profile clients across the Middle East and North Africa. For the past year, she has led Edelman’s operations in Qatar.  Bonny is also a member of Edelman’s South Asia, Middle East and Africa leadership team. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Media & Communication) degree from Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia.

  • HTC the official sponsor of Kings XI Punjab

    HTC the official sponsor of Kings XI Punjab

    MUMBAI: With Champions League T20 2014 knocking on the door, Kings XI Punjab has announced HTC mobiles as its official sponsor. HTC, as part of the association, will occupy the right chest position on the Kings XI Punjab playing jersey.

     

    Talking about the partnership, Kings XI Punjab COO Fraser Castellino said, “We are extremely pleased with this association. HTC Mobiles represent youth and vibrancy and these are also the key attributes of Kings XI Punjab. We are hopeful of having a great season in the upcoming Champions League and are ready to take on the battle field.”

     

    The sixth edition of the Champions League is scheduled to start on 13 September 2014 and end on 4 October 2014.

     

    Confirming the development and wishing Kings XI Punjab good luck for the league, HTC India vice president and country head Faisal Siddiqui said, “We are happy to have partnered with Kings XI Punjab, a team known for its positive attitude and enthusiasm. Cricket is a widely followed game in India and youth has great interest in the sport. Therefore, we are hopeful and quite positive that with this association we will be able to further strengthen connect with the existing audience and expand our customer base too.  We would like to wish Kings XI Punjab all the best for the upcoming season and are sure that they will perform exceedingly well.”

     

    With clients like Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders, Creatigies Communications is a media, innovations and sports management agency and has been instrumental in establishing this partnership.

     

    Excited to bring the Kings XI Punjab and HTC together, Creatigies Communications founder & MD Navroze D Dhondy said, “We were right to believe that this would be a great partnership keeping in mind the similar vibes and energies both the brands have. HTC is synonymous with ‘smart-phones’ and KXIP with ‘smart-cricket’, both providing value and entertainment to the users. We are sure that this association will prove to be mutually beneficial and a long term one.”