ITV

Category: Media and Advertising

  • Grapes Worldwide sends Pokochan on an AI-powered birthday adventure for MamyPoko Pants

    Grapes Worldwide sends Pokochan on an AI-powered birthday adventure for MamyPoko Pants

    MUMBAI: What happens when you mix a beloved baby mascot with AI and real-time storytelling? You get Poko’s Day Out—a high-engagement, tech-savvy birthday campaign crafted by Grapes Worldwide for MamyPoko Pants, the flagship diaper brand from Unicharm.

    Celebrating the birthday of Pokochan, the brand’s much-loved mascot, Grapes didn’t settle for the usual cake-and-confetti approach. Instead, it brought Pokochan to life on Instagram, letting audiences dictate his birthday adventures in real time. From sipping coconuts in Goa and trekking the Himalayas to photo ops at the Taj Mahal and wildlife safaris, Pokochan went everywhere—powered by user prompts and AI magic.

    The campaign was supercharged by Three Zinc, Grapes’ proprietary AI engine that turned audience suggestions into crisp, platform-ready visuals across both static and video. With blazing-fast turnaround and over 20 unique experiences rolled out live, the campaign had followers glued to their screens and stories.

     

     

     

  • Oakley launches ‘Artifacts from the Future’ campaign

    Oakley launches ‘Artifacts from the Future’ campaign

    MUMBAI: Oakley has announced the launch of its new campaign, ‘Artifacts from the Future’, featuring India’s Test Captain and rising icon, Shubman Gill. The campaign marks a new chapter for Oakley, introducing the next generation of performance-driven Products, designed for 2075 and delivered to 2025, all within the signature language that has defined Oakley for five decades.

    As a brand rooted in legacy that goes beyond sports to influence culture and push boundaries, Oakley continues to accelerate what’s next. With Shubman Gill leading the way, the campaign embodies Oakley’s bold spirit – celebrating innovation, confidence, and a vision for the future.

    The film features Gill wearing two key products, Plantaris and Lateralis. Plantaris is a high-wrap piece of future-facing art created to become an artifact in years to come. Engineering the eyewear was a process of natural selection, shaped by the creature-inspired aesthetics that form a visual code for Oakley. Its flexible silicone rear stem channels the raw power of a frog mid-leap, mimicking the muscle that drives its motion. Complementing it is high-wrap eyewear, Lateralis, a heritage-inspired, future-ready silhouette.

    Talking about the association, Oakley India senior brand business manager Sahil Jandial shared, “2025 is our 50-year anniversary. Fifty years into a legacy of transforming innovation into cultural icons, Oakley® is writing a new chapter. Artifacts from the Future represents how Oakley pushes the boundaries on design, while staying true to its roots. With Shubham Gill now spearheading Oakley’s philosophy, he embodies the spirit of performance at the highest level, with style and precision – not just as a remarkable athlete, but as a powerful force across social culture and sports.”

    Commenting on the campaign, Gill shared, “Through this campaign and with Oakley, we want to show that the future isn’t a far-off idea but something that we’re working towards. These designs feel like they’re made for a future set in 2075, but in fact they’re here with us today – combining Oakley’s legendary innovation with a bold, fresh look. I’m really excited to be part of this incredible journey that’s all about pushing limits and inspiring people to keep growing, whether on the field or in life”

    Behind this creative vision is Brandmovers India, who captured the essence of a futuristic world in stunning visuals and motion graphics. Suvajyoti Ghosh, founder and chief creative officer at Brandmovers India shared their thought process behind the campaign saying, “The brief this year fascinated us from the get-go with its possibilities. With a range that’s called ‘Artifacts from the Future’ we knew we had to build a whole world around the product itself and it was very exciting to dive into the process. It’s not everyday that you get an opportunity to explore futurism in Indian advertising, so much credit to the Oakley team to make this leap and taking us along in the journey.”

  • TBWAIndia ropes in Abhishek Chaturvedi to head north ops

    TBWAIndia ropes in Abhishek Chaturvedi to head north ops

    MUMBAI: TBWAIndia has appointed Abhishek Chaturvedi as executive vice president and branch head – Gurgaon, handing him the reins of the agency’s northern command centre.

    Reporting to Namrata Nandan, chief business officer, Chaturvedi will drive the creative, strategic and operational vision for the office, blending disruptive thinking with commercial muscle, and uniting people, purpose and performance under one roof.

    A 20-year veteran of the creative and digital trenches, Chaturvedi has played lead roles at Digitas, McCann, Ogilvy, and most recently as SVP and head of strategy at Edelman India. He’s the brain behind memorable brand narratives, from Voltas’ Murthy to Saffola’s wellness push and Zomato’s urban bite.

    Armed with a marketing degree and a background in psychology, Chaturvedi balances brand playbooks with books on inner journeys. When he’s not plotting business strategies, he’s plotting vegetables tending to his farm on Gurgaon’s edge, or hitting the highway for a thinking drive.

    “We are delighted to have Abhishek join us as the Head of our North operations. He brings with him not just a sharp strategic mind and a rich background in brand building, but also a deep understanding of how to connect data-led insights with meaningful storytelling. As we look to accelerate our momentum in Gurgaon, I believe his presence will help unlock new possibilities for both our clients and our teams. Just as importantly, Abhishek’s ability to inspire people and foster a strong cultural vision will be key in shaping a high-performing, future-ready office,” said TBWA India CEO Govind Pandey.

    Speaking on his new appointment, Abhishek said, “TBWA pairs worldwide disruption muscle with a start-up hunger. My early focus is simple – fuel our people with clear purpose and clear data, then let them punch above their weight for every client.”

    As TBWA sharpens its edge in India’s north, Chaturvedi’s appointment signals a move to blend strategic clarity with cultural depth, true to the agency’s call to disrupt, not decorate.

  • Adani Group shines a light with ‘Story of Suraj’, third film in #HumKarkeDikhateHain series

    Adani Group shines a light with ‘Story of Suraj’, third film in #HumKarkeDikhateHain series

    MUMBAI: The Adani Group is back with another spark of inspiration. The infrastructure giant has rolled out Story of Suraj, the third instalment in its emotionally resonant #HumKarkeDikhateHain campaign, spotlighting how clean energy is transforming everyday lives across India.

    Directed by Amit Sharma of Badhaai Ho fame and produced by Chrome Pictures, the film tells the story of Rakesh, a man who returns to his hometown only to find it aglow-literally and metaphorically—thanks to uninterrupted solar power. From blooming crops and buzzing classrooms to 24/7 hospitals, the town’s transformation reflects how renewable energy fuels more than just electricity-it powers possibilities.

    Conceptualised by Ogilvy India, the film is rooted in Adani Green Energy Ltd’s (AGEL) mission to build a cleaner, greener India. AGEL, among the world’s largest renewable energy companies, operates a vast network of solar and wind farms, and has become a cornerstone of India’s energy transition.

    Adani Group head – corporate branding Ajay Kakar said “At Adani, we are not just generating electricity—we are creating pathways for progress. This film reflects the real impact of solar energy on everyday life. The transformation of one town is emblematic of the change we’re enabling across India.”

    Ogilvy India chief advisor Piyush Pandey commented, “Adani adds one more human touch to technology with its new Solar energy film. Story of Suraj shines by showing how solar energy brings life-changing opportunities to communities, helping them build a brighter future.”

    The film will be amplified across TV, digital, radio, and social platforms, ensuring the sunshine reaches every screen.

    With Story of Suraj, Adani isn’t just talking infrastructure-it’s showing how solar power is sparking human potential, one sunbeam at a time.

  • Anil Pandit steps up as managing partner – data strategy and partnerships at Publicis Media

    Anil Pandit steps up as managing partner – data strategy and partnerships at Publicis Media

    MUMBAI: Publicis Media has named Anil K Pandit as managing partner – data strategy and partnerships, cementing his rise as a key voice in India’s data-driven advertising evolution. The promotion marks a strategic pivot for the group as it sharpens focus on ethical innovation, data privacy, and future-ready partnerships.

    Pandit, who previously served as EVP – programmatic, data and tech for India, now leads efforts to align data transformation with privacy-safe alliances and responsible advertising frameworks. “The future revolves around connected data and collaboration, with trust at the core,” Pandit said, announcing the move.

    With over two decades of experience across Omnicom, MicroAd, People Interactive, and India Today, Pandit has built a formidable reputation as a programmatic pioneer and data governance advocate. He is also a regular voice in academia and policy, serving as guest faculty at IIM Bangalore, IMT Ghaziabad, and member of the MMA AI Advisory Council and IAB Tech Lab working groups.

    His appointment signals Publicis Media’s deepening investment in data infrastructure at a time when privacy, interoperability and AI-readiness are redefining the media and martech playbook.

  • WPP Media South Asia hits reset with new leadership councils and client-first gameplan

    WPP Media South Asia hits reset with new leadership councils and client-first gameplan

    MUMBAI: WPP Media South Asia has officially turned the page on its GroupM chapter with a sweeping leadership overhaul, as it embraces a sharper, integrated model under WPP’s global media reset.

    The network’s new direction was internally announced this week, marking a bold step toward unified media, measurable outcomes, and future-ready innovation across India and South Asia.

    At the core of the transformation is a newly minted Executive Committee (ExCo), led by four presidents of client solutions — Priti Murthy, Ajay Gupte, Amin Lakhani, and Navin Khemka — who will jointly shape strategy, execution, and client delight across verticals.

    Supporting them is Vishandas Hardasani, continuing as chief finance officer, ensuring compliance and commercial rigour.

    In new, focused roles:

    ●    Upali Nag steps in as president – strategy, tasked with steering high-impact client programmes.

    ●    Vishal Jacob takes charge of Choreograph as president, scaling data and tech capabilities.

    ●    Ashwin Padmanabhan, now chief operating officer, will turbocharge execution across media buying, commerce, content, and sports.

    ●    Praseed Prasad, as president, growth & marketing, will focus on emerging categories, SMBs, startups and lead mOutcome initiatives.

    In tandem with the ExCo, WPP Media South Asia also launched the WPP Media Leadership Council (WLC), featuring a high-powered bench including Ajey Mehta, Atique Kazi, Ruchi Mathur, Shekhar Banerjee, Snehi Jha, Vinit Karnik, Manini Chakraborty, Namrata Mehra, Muralidhar T, Parveen Sheikh, and Rohit Sule.

    This cohort will focus on cohesion, culture, and capability-building to ensure WPP Media’s new architecture translates to real business wins.

    Prasanth Kumar continues to lead operations in India and Sri Lanka, anchoring both ExCo and WLC as they execute WPP’s new-age blueprint. A chief people officer appointment is also said to be in the works, hinting at a stronger push towards people-first transformation, learning, and leadership.

    With this structural shake-up, WPP Media South Asia isn’t just repositioning for the AI era — it’s building a battle-ready blueprint for the future of media.

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  • Project Worldwide taps Rasheed Sait and Neha Lobo for top roles

    Project Worldwide taps Rasheed Sait and Neha Lobo for top roles

    MUMBAI: Project Worldwide is getting serious about India’s marketing boom. In a move designed to fire up its growth engines across South Asia, the company has appointed Rasheed Sait as chief growth officer, India/South Asia, and brought in Neha Lobo as managing director of GPJ India, its flagship experiential agency.

    The double announcement signals a renewed focus on scale, strategy and storytelling in one of the world’s most dynamic consumer markets.

    A name synonymous with George P. Johnson (GPJ) India, Sait now steps into a broader role across Project Worldwide’s South Asia operations. As chief growth officer, he will oversee new business development, M&A, and the expansion of a Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, while continuing to advise GPJ India and sit on its board.

    “Rasheed’s ability to build high performance teams, his entrepreneurial spirit, combined with a unique ability to straddle strategy with creativity, has been instrumental in GPJ India establishing itself as a trusted advisor to a number of our global and local clients. His deep knowledge of the India/South Asia market makes him the ideal candidate to bring our vision to life,” said Project Worldwide CEO Chris Meyer.

    Replacing Sait at the helm of GPJ India is seasoned marketing pro Neha Lobo, whose 25-year career spans leadership roles at IBM, including APAC stints in digital marketing and sales development. Known for building high-performing teams and client-centric growth models, Lobo is now tasked with scaling GPJ India’s offering and cementing its spot at the top of the experiential food chain.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Neha Lobo to the GPJ India family,” said George P. Johnson CEO Fiona Burder. “Her transformational leadership, deep industry knowledge, and passion for creating engaging experiences make her the ideal person to lead GPJ India into its next phase of growth. We are confident that under her guidance, GPJ India will continue to push the boundaries of experiential marketing and deliver exceptional value to our clients.”

    Together, Sait and Lobo form a high-powered duo primed to steer Project Worldwide’s next wave in India. As the market heats up, the agency is betting big on local know-how and global ambition—with zero plans to play it safe.

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  • Ashutosh Gupta appointed Coursera MD for India and Asia Pacific region

    Ashutosh Gupta appointed Coursera MD for India and Asia Pacific region

    MUMBAI: From scaling up social networks to leading the charge in online learning, Ashutosh Gupta is now scripting a new chapter at the intersection of tech and education. Veteran tech executive Ashutosh Gupta has been appointed managing director for India & Asia Pacific at Coursera, taking the reins in July 2025 as the edtech giant strengthens its footprint across the region.

    Gupta’s move to Coursera comes after a prolific career spanning over two decades, including a 10-year stint at Linkedin, where he most recently served as country manager for India. Under his leadership, Linkedin’s India user base crossed 105 million, making it the platform’s fastest-growing region globally. He also championed vernacular accessibility, launching features in Hindi to widen the platform’s appeal.

    Prior to Linkedin, Gupta held senior leadership roles at Google, Cognizant, Covansys, and Infosys, focusing on sales, operations, and strategic partnerships across North America and India. Most recently, he served as Operating Partner at Avataar Venture Partners, advising portfolio companies on scaling sustainably and navigating IPO-readiness.

    Armed with degrees from IIT-BHU (Chemical Engineering) and IIM Lucknow (PGDM in Finance & Marketing), Gupta brings a rare blend of technical rigour and market acumen. At Coursera, he’s expected to drive growth, forge regional alliances, and champion lifelong learning across India and the Asia Pacific, a market witnessing a sharp surge in demand for upskilling and remote education.

    Commenting on his new role, Gupta has emphasised the need for “technology that respects intelligence and drives real impact”, signalling a shift from platform-centric models to learner-first strategies in edtech.

    With education becoming the next frontier of digital disruption, Coursera has made a strategic bet on a leader who knows how to scale with purpose. From connecting professionals on Linkedin to helping them upskill on Coursera, Gupta’s journey is now a full circle in empowerment.

  • Nivea India names Sreerangarajan Srinivasan as production centre head

    Nivea India names Sreerangarajan Srinivasan as production centre head

    MUMBAI: Nivea India Pvt Ltd, the Indian arm of German skincare giant Beiersdorf, has appointed Sreerangarajan Srinivasan as production centre director for its manufacturing operations in Sanand, Gujarat, effective 1 July 2025.

    Previously heading logistics and customer service at Nivea India, Srinivasan brings deep expertise in manufacturing, planning, procurement and digital transformation. In his new role, he will oversee end-to-end operations at the company’s flagship factory, with a focus on scaling production, advancing sustainability goals, and strengthening safety and future-readiness.

    The appointment comes as the Sanand plant clocks a major milestone- one billion units produced since operations began just seven years ago. Dubbed a cornerstone of Beiersdorf’s global supply chain, the facility has rapidly scaled up since 2018, undergoing multiple expansions and embracing automation and digitalisation to meet rising demand across India.

    Nivea India Pvt. Ltd. managing director Geetika Mehta shared, “Sreerangarajan’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for our operations in India. His deep understanding of supply chain dynamics and passion for building high-performing teams will be instrumental in taking our manufacturing excellence to the next level. Additionally, the recent milestone of producing our 1 billionth unit at the Sanand facility is a proud moment for all of us – and a reflection of what our teams can achieve with the right leadership, vision, and commitment to excellence. What makes this truly special is that Sreerangarajan’s journey is a strong example of how we continue to grow and promote talent from within the organization – a value we deeply believe in at NIVEA.”

    Commenting on his appointment, Sreerangarajan said, “This move is both a privilege and a responsibility- to lead a site that lies at the heart of our supply chain ambitions. The recent milestone of producing our 1 billionth unit makes this moment even more special and reinforces the team’s dedication and the site’s growing impact. I’m excited to work with our passionate teams to shape the next chapter of sustainable growth and meaningful impact for Beiersdorf in India.

    With Srinivasan at the helm, the factory is expected to continue its trajectory of growth and innovation, delivering smooth operations for a brand known for keeping things soft.