ITV

Category: Media and Advertising

  • Air India and Supari Studios win the prestigious Webby Award

    Air India and Supari Studios win the prestigious Webby Award

    Mumbai: Air India and Supari Studios, the brand solutions division of Kulfi Collective, have won the Webby for Best Original Music (People’s Voice) in the advertising, media & PR category for their Republic Day campaign. A hattrick! This is the third time Kulfi Collective, via its brand solution division Supari Studios, has won at the Webbys; the only Indian network ever to have done so.

    Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honour” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international awards organisation honouring excellence on the Internet.  

    “Air India and Supari Studios have set the standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet,” said The Webby Awards general manager Nick Borenstein. “This award is a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and vision of its creators.”

    “This recognition from The Webby Awards for Air India’s Republic Day campaign is an absolute honour! Winning three Webbys is an incredible achievement; a testimony to the deep insight and creativity of our Kulfi Collective team. We are proud to represent India on the global stage and will continue to push the boundaries of culture and storytelling with our brand partners,” added Kulfi Collective co-founder and chief creative officer Akshat Gupt.

    For over a decade, Kulfi Collective via Supari Studios has led the way in crafting captivating and scalable content, embedded in Gen-next’s culture, conversations and communities. With an impressive portfolio of 500 plus projects garnering over two billion views, the award-winning division from the House of Kulfi Collective continues to redefine tomorrow’s landscape for leading brands worldwide.  

    Air India and Supari Studios will be honoured at the 28th Annual Webby Awards in New York City on 13 May, where winners will have the opportunity to deliver one of The Webby Awards’ famous 5-Word Speeches. Past 5-Word Speeches include: Steve Wilhite’s “It’s Pronounced “Jif” not ‘Gif’; NASA’s “Houston, We Have A Webby”; and SZA’s “The Internet Scares Me. Thanks.” Hosted by comedian Amber Ruffin (Late Night with Seth Meyers), the Webby Awards’ star-studded ceremony celebrates the best of the Internet.

    Visit webbyawards.com to see Supari Studios’ hallmark five-word acceptance speech and follow @thewebbyawards on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to experience the 28 Annual Webby Awards and the Internet’s Biggest Night on Monday, 13 May 2024.

  • Mankind Pharma urges Indians to consume less whites through campaign

    Mankind Pharma urges Indians to consume less whites through campaign

    Mumbai:  Mankind Pharma, the No 1 pharmaceutical company in the antihypertensive segment in India, as per MAT April 24 volume sale (Source: Iqvia has launched a nationwide campaign on the occasion of World Hypertension Day called Limit White India. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the dangers of excessive salt and sugar consumption which with other factors like a sedentary lifestyle and obesity can be a major risk factor for hypertension.

    Studies have shown that 1 in 4 adults in India suffers from hypertension which is about 11.4 per cent of the country’s population, are living with diabetes. Diabetes and hypertension are often referred together as partners in crime due to their closely linked impact on global health. It is common knowledge that these conditions not only coexist but exacerbate each other, creating a compounded risk of severe health issues such as cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and kidney failure.  The Limit White India campaign focuses on educating Indians to limit their intake of whites like salt and sugar. The campaign emphasises the need for gradual lifestyle changes to improve cardiovascular health. To drive a three-year awareness program, Mankind Pharma aims to partner with healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the management of hypertension and diabetics across the country.  

    “Hypertension is a silent killer, and Mankind Pharma is committed to tackling it head-on through the ‘Limit White India’ campaign.” says Mankind Pharma Ltd chief marketing officer Dr Sanjay Koul “Excessive salt and sugar are significant contributors to uncontrolled blood pressure levels and blood sugar levels. Studies have shown Indians on average consume five times the WHO recommended quantity of sugar annually. By raising awareness and promoting lifestyle modifications, we aim to empower people to make informed choices for their well-being.”

    As part of the campaign, Mankind Pharma will engage cardiologists, endocrinologists, diabetologists, general practitioners, and the public through educational initiatives. These include conducting journal clubs, distributing Cardiac Cognizance newsletters, radio awareness programs with doctors, and blood pressure screening camps nationwide. 

  • Menaka Menon named president & managing partner, growth & strategy at DDB Mudra South

    Menaka Menon named president & managing partner, growth & strategy at DDB Mudra South

    Mumbai: DDB Mudra Group elevates Menaka Menon, current national strategy head, to take on the role of leading the south office. She will lead operations and strategic thinking for clients based out of the Bengaluru office. Ranji Cherian who successfully ran and scaled the south office for over 16 years will now lead client excellence at the group.

    DDB Mudra Group chief creative officer Rahul Mathew said, “We believe that everything we do is built on strong strategic pillars; be it our work or how we do our work. In her new role, Menaka will use her strategic background to add more value to our client’s business, while building a strong culture of creativity in the office. Over the last few years, some of our best work has come from our South office and I’m really excited to work with Menaka to push us to newer heights.”

    Commenting on her new role, Menaka Menon said, “I am super excited about this new role and look forward to further strengthening the South operation and building a strong, closely knit team, geared towards creating great work that has the power to move people.”

    With over 23 years of experience in business and strategy, she has experience across advertising, broadcast media and strategic consulting. Menaka has spent over 15 years in advertising with stints at agencies such as FCB, VML, and Leo Burnett.

  • Kartik Aaryan dons futuristic look for Sony Sports Network’s UEFA EURO 2024 campaign

    Kartik Aaryan dons futuristic look for Sony Sports Network’s UEFA EURO 2024 campaign

    Mumbai: 30 days ahead of UEFA EURO 2024, the biggest football festival of the year, Sony Sports Network has launched its blockbuster campaign “Universe Ka Sabse Bada Football Festival of 2024” featuring their brand ambassador for football, Bollywood sensation Kartik Aaryan. The champion can be seen assuming a dual role in the enthralling campaign film which raises the bar of anticipation for the quadrennial tournament.

    The campaign film which is high on visual effects encapsulates the level of enthusiasm of fans for UEFA EURO 2024 and provides a glimpse of what ‘the biggest footballing event of the universe’ will bring to the table. The film is a visual delight on Indian television and features Kartik Aaryan, who for the first time dons the avatar of an alien from outer space, is intrigued by the celebrations on Earth and decides to join the festival of football. The alien finds his identical self in a human form. The duo then joins hands along with thousands of other fans to celebrate their favourite European teams and players participating in the tournament.

    A continental spectacle, UEFA EURO 2024 is one of the most eagerly-awaited sporting events of the year. The competition will feature 8 out of the top 10 FIFA-ranked countries including reigning champions Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, England, Netherlands and Croatia vying for the coveted title. Undoubtedly, the best players and coaches, not just in Europe but across the world will be seen in action as international football takes over the mantle from club football for a month. Fan favourites Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Thomas Mueller, Virgil van Dijk, Luka Modric and others will don their national colours, showcase their magic on the pitch and aim for the ultimate prize.

    The campaign by Sony Sports Network paves the way for an exciting month for football fans as the countdown begins for UEFA EURO 2024. Stay tuned for more on the “Universe Ka Sabse Bada Football Festival of 2024” campaign on Sony Sports Network.

    Comments:

    Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer – distribution & international business and head – sports business Rajesh Kaul:

    “UEFA EURO is widely celebrated as one of the biggest football tournaments in the world and we are thrilled to collaborate with Kartik Aaryan, our Brand Ambassador for Football on Sony Sports Network, on this extraordinary campaign for this tournament. This kind of film with a high-end scale and special effects for a football tournament has never been seen by Indian audiences with Kartik Aaryan at the helm of it. The film resonates the excitement for the continental spectacle and captures the emotions of the football fans further reaffirming Sony Sports Network’s commitment to bringing the best experience to our viewers.”

    Kartik Aaryan, Bollywood Superstar & Brand Ambassador for Football on Sony Sports Network:

    “It’s a pleasure to be associated with Sony Sports Network for this amazing campaign for the UEFA EURO which is the biggest footballing event of 2024. Being a football fan, this campaign is particularly close to my heart. I really enjoyed playing an alien for the first time in my life and for this spectacular campaign. The countdown begins for UEFA EURO 2024 which is going to be a fantastic experience for all audiences in India.”

    Sony Sports Network is the official broadcaster for UEFA EURO 2024 in India. Watch the drama unfold from 15 June, LIVE on Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD, and Sony Ten 5 SD & HD.

  • Cheil India launches ‘World On My Watch’ campaign for Samsung Galaxy Watch6 series

    Cheil India launches ‘World On My Watch’ campaign for Samsung Galaxy Watch6 series

    Mumbai: Cheil India has launched a new campaign for Samsung Galaxy Watch6 series that aims to inspire users to enter a new era of connectivity, productivity, and well-being. The campaign, named ‘World On My Watch’, emphasises on the versatility of Galaxy Watch6 series as a reliable companion that helps users accomplish a variety of tasks in their daily routine like managing hectic schedules, tracking health and wellness, and even entertainment.

    “Galaxy Watch6 series offers unparalleled convenience and connectivity like never before. Through the latest campaign, we decided to do something different and adopted a benefit-first approach. With LTE integration, users break free from the confines of their smartphones, embracing the liberty to manage essential features directly from their wrists,” said Samsung India VP MX business Aditya Babbar.

    The Galaxy Watch6 series distinguishes itself with its robust LTE connectivity, enabling users to stay connected even without their smartphones. This newfound freedom and flexibility redefine wearable technology, providing users with unmatched convenience and peace of mind. The Galaxy Watch6 series provides health and wellness as priority, offering advanced features like blood pressure tracking and ECG monitoring.

    The film also highlights the wide-ranging capabilities of Galaxy Watch6 series including navigating effortlessly through urban landscapes, facilitating digital transactions and streaming content. In addition, with the ability to stream music, videos, and news, Galaxy Watch6 series makes every day engaging.

    “The film elegantly demonstrates how technology can seamlessly become part of our everyday lives, enhancing convenience, productivity, and well-being. This blend of connectivity, health tracking, and entertainment makes it a perfect pick,” said Cheil India chief creative officer Vikash Chemjong.

  • Veteran journalist Palakunnathu Mathai passes away

    Veteran journalist Palakunnathu Mathai passes away

    Mumbai: It was on 12 Mary 2024 that Palakunnathu George Mathai (PGM) breathed his last at a hospital in Kottayam, Kerala. With that, another fabulous journalistic life was snuffed out. For all those unfamiliar with him, the soft-spoken yet tough-as-nails Mathai belonged to a school of scribes who are meticulous to the T; who prefer to work late into the night, but not let one error get through to the press or online.

    He was my boss for a while at BusinessWorld – whenever the editor Parthasarathi Swami (he also passed on a couple of years ago; a talent gone too soon and young) or later the venerable TN Ninan, decided to go on leave or were caught up with more important issues. I was the chief sub-editor and later, the assistant editor.

    And he was a special boss, always ready to take a second and third opinion from his colleagues and his juniors, but he would finally decide the way forward. His talent lay in copy editing, but he took up other challenges as well, like banging away at his keyboard for a cover story or a corporate feature.

    At times, he appeared muddled, holding on to the back of his near-bald pate, with one hand, while the other held a story printout which had devoured his attention, unclear about the grammar construct or some fact that was mentioned. He would then pick up the dictionary or thesaurus, browse through it until he found the right turn of phrase or got the right info from the reporter. Then a large grin would break out on his face and his tense shoulders would ease back a bit.

    There were times when we would imitate him, and burst into laughter amongst ourselves. He did not mind that.

    He was a kind soul, appearing concerned, and willing to go the extra mile even for colleagues on the desk.

    A man of varied experience, he worked for India Today, The Telegraph, Business Standard BusinessWorld and The Economic Times during various phases of his journalistic career. Mathai was ailing for the past few years with a weak kidney and had to undergo dialysis at regular intervals. Then he had to get himself stented in one of his legs as he had a blockage which made walking difficult. Finally, his gastric canal too ended up getting impacted with excessive bleeding.

    Mathai was only 78 when he passed on and he was laid to rest on 16 May.

    RIP PGM! You will be missed. 

    (The picture credit goes to Francis Souza who sketched Mathai’s portrait in 1976.)

  • JK Maxx Paints launches #SingleBrandSharmaJi campaign

    JK Maxx Paints launches #SingleBrandSharmaJi campaign

    Mumbai: JK Maxx Paints proudly unveils its latest brand campaign, #SingleBrandSharmaJi, aimed at solidifying its position as a premium home beautification solutions provider.

    Rooted in a legacy of trust and excellence spanning two decades, JK Maxx Paints builds upon the success of JK WallMaxX Wall Putty as the undisputed leader and custodian of beautiful walls and homes. Recognized for its strong distribution & market presence, brand leadership, commitment to quality & innovation, JK WallMaxX Wall Putty enjoys the unwavering trust of consumers nationwide. Understanding customers’ evolving needs, JK Maxx expands its portfolio to now offering a complete range of decorative paints and finishes.

    The campaign resonates deeply with JK WallMaxX customers who prioritize trust and consistency in their choices. Featuring renowned actor Jimmy Shergill as Sharma ji, a discerning homeowner who values quality & fervent brand loyalty, the campaign underscores the reliability of JK Maxx Paints as the preferred choice for home beautification needs.

    JK Maxx Paints (JK Cement Ltd) Dy. business head Nitish Chopra, expressed excitement about the campaign, stating, “we are delighted to introduce our latest campaign, #SingleBrandSharmaJi, which encapsulates the essence of JK Maxx Paints and our unwavering commitment to trust, excellence and quality. With over two decades of leadership and innovation in enhancing wall aesthetics, exemplified by our flagship product JK WallMaxX Wall Putty, we are poised to elevate the standard of home beautification with JK Maxx Paints.”

    In addition to television, the campaign will leverage various digital platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube to reach a wider audience.

    JK Maxx Paints offers a diverse range of wall, wood, and metal paints, as well as textures and designer finishes, combining aesthetics with durability and protection. Grounded in core values of quality and customer satisfaction, the products offer superior performance, longevity, and visual appeal.

  • Society Tea blends tradition with on-box advertising campaign

    Society Tea blends tradition with on-box advertising campaign

    Mumbai: Society Tea has collaborated with Amazon Ads on an innovative on-box advertising campaign. As part of this campaign, Society Tea will integrate its branding onto Amazon’s delivery boxes. This integration further reinforces Society Tea’s commitment to innovation and customer engagement in the ever-evolving tea industry. The special delivery boxes will be available across Bengaluru and Mumbai.

    This collaboration with Amazon Ads marks a significant milestone for Society Tea as it is the first time it has used on-box advertising to reach customers. The activation represents an extension of Society Tea’s successful online and above-the-line (ATL) campaign which is “Taazgi Bhari Pyaali Society Waali”.

    Karan Shah, Director of Society Tea, remarked, “Our collaboration with Amazon Ads represents an exciting new medium for Society Tea, allowing us to extend the reach of our campaign across omni-channels, leveraging special delivery boxes as mini billboards for our latest advertising campaign. By reaching customers in new ways through this campaign, we hope to not only expand our customer base but also introduce our variety of products to a wider audience.”

    “We always strive to help brands reach relevant audiences across both online and offline touchpoints,” said Amazon Ads India director, Growth Customer Sales, Kapil Sharma. “We have worked with Society Tea for a number of years now. Using on-box advertising, we hope to help Society Tea introduce its range of products to homes across India.”

     

  • Neville Shah exits Ogilvy after a decade

    Neville Shah exits Ogilvy after a decade

    Mumbai: Neville Shah, who has been serving as the senior executive creative director at Ogilvy for the past ten years, has decided to depart from the creative agency.

    Shah expressed that his decade-long tenure at Ogilvy has been a significant part of his professional journey, making his decision to leave a heartfelt one. He mentioned that he will miss working with his colleagues and team.

    Shah joined Ogilvy in July 2014. Before that, he worked as the national creative director at MTV India from October 2013 to July 2014. His earlier roles include executive creative director-APAC at Commonwealth from June 2012 to July 2013, creative director at Creativeland Asia from November 2011 to June 2012, and senior creative director at JWT from April 2011 to November 2011.

    Previously, Shah was the creative director at DDB Mudra from May 2010 to April 2011. He began his career as a copy supervisor at TBWA India in April 2005 and later became group head copy in January 2009.
     

  • Havas Media Network India elevates Uday Mohan and R. Venkatasubramanian as COO

    Havas Media Network India elevates Uday Mohan and R. Venkatasubramanian as COO

    Mumbai: Havas Media Network India, the specialised media division of Havas India has announced the elevation of two of its senior leaders to significant roles within the organisation. While Uday Mohan steps into the position of chief operating officer of Havas Media India, R. Venkatasubramanian assumes the role of chief operating officer of Havas Play. They will continue reporting to Havas Media Network India CEO Mohit Joshi.

    In his new role as chief operating officer, Uday Mohan will spearhead the comprehensive operations and strategic growth initiatives of Havas Media India. With more than two decades of expertise in the media industry, Uday has been instrumental in driving the success of Havas Media India over a span of 16 plus years in the agency. His adept leadership has led to the acquisition of several prestigious clients and garnered acclaim for the agency’s innovation across sectors.

    R. Venkatasubramanian took charge of Havas Play last year when the specialised function was launched in India along with several other countries globally. Under his guidance, Havas Play has championed numerous successful IPs and initiatives across its Sports, Content, and Entertainment divisions, solidifying its position as a leading player in a highly competitive landscape.

    Commenting on the elevations, Havas India, South East Asia and North Asia (Japan and South Korea) group CEO Rana Barua said, “Uday and Venkat’s elevations come at an important juncture for Havas Media Network India, as the agency experiences remarkable growth. Their strategic prowess and dedication have been instrumental in driving our agency’s success over the years and their elevation reflects our confidence in their vision and ability to continue fostering innovation, collaboration, and client satisfaction. I wish them all the best.”

    Havas Media Network India CEO Mohit Joshi said, “With Uday and Venkat at the helm of their respective business divisions, Havas Media Network India has made significant strides, evident in the agency’s expanded client portfolio, new acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. This elevation underscores our unwavering dedication to fortifying our organizational framework by nurturing our in-house capabilities. Leaders like them are key to our goal of making media meaningful for our clients and the industry at large as their exceptional industry acumen is pivotal in leading a team as diverse as ours. I extend my sincerest congratulations to Uday and Venkat on their new roles and look forward to our continued trajectory of growth and success together.”