Category: MAM

  • Former Ogilvy client servicing leader Harish Shetty  buzzes into Buzzlab

    Former Ogilvy client servicing leader Harish Shetty buzzes into Buzzlab

    MUMBAI: In a delicious corporate pirouette, Harish Shetty—the ad world’s strategic virtuoso—has landed at Buzzlab, Asia’s content-led growth consulting firm, as client services director.

    Shedding his Ogilvy stripes after a 12-year advertising odyssey, Shetty arrives with a portfolio that reads like a who’s who of marketing mavens. His corporate catwalk includes strutting through L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, Famous Innovations, and MullenLowe Lintas Group.

    “I didn’t choose advertising—advertising chose me,” Shetty quipped, channeling equal parts swagger and self-deprecation. “Somewhere along the way, I found my passion for data-driven marketing, and that’s been the driving force behind everything I do. The real thrill comes from seeing how ideas translate into measurable impact. What’s even more exciting is how today’s young agencies are redefining the space—bringing bold, creative thinking backed by real numbers. Brands, too, are evolving; they’re no longer just advertisers, they’re speaking the language of creators—engaging, storytelling, and building communities rather than just selling. And that’s exactly what excites me about Buzzlab. It’s a place where creativity meets strategy, where big ideas don’t just stay ideas—they turn into measurable outcomes. I feel genuinely energised by this shift in the creative and media landscape, and I couldn’t have asked for a better place than Buzzlab to be part of this shift.”

    Buzzlab’s founder &  CEO  Sindhu Biswal  sees Shetty as a disruptive force. “He wants to unlearn everything, challenge playbooks,” he  said — music to the ears of an agency positioning itself as the rebel child of traditional advertising.

    Co-founder Sushant Sadamate hints at Shetty’s real value: not just strategising, but getting his hands dirty. “He’ll inspire clients while delivering standout campaigns,”  Sadamate promised—a bold declaration in an industry often more sizzle than steak.

    For Buzzlab, Shetty represents more than a hire. He’s a statement: creativity must now speak the language of data, community, and measurable impact.

  • Term insurance for self-employed: A guide for freelancers and small business owners

    Term insurance for self-employed: A guide for freelancers and small business owners

    Self-employment is rapidly becoming one of the top choices among job seekers and businesspeople. It is one of the few employment opportunities where you need not depend on others to pay you. You create your own job and your own profits. This sense of creation and self-satisfaction quickly ripples into other parts of life. That is why term insurance for self-employed is so desirable.

    What is term insurance? 
    Term insurance is a type of life insurance policy which you can avail to secure the future financial well-being of your loved ones.

    A term insurance policy is a highly affordable form of life insurance that is available with a very high sum assured as compared to the very reasonable premium rate. The policy tenure may vary from 10-100 years. Additionally, you can choose term insurance policies based on your financial needs.

    Here is a list of the types of term insurance available:

    . Increasing term plan – They increase the overall sum assured annually, which helps meet the rate of inflation in the future and increases your family’s financial protection.

    . Decreasing term plan – They decrease the sum assured annually but use the money to repay lenders and reduce your liabilities.

    . Level term plan – They are steadfast term insurance policies that abide by the terms and conditions agreed upon in the initial contract.

    . Term insurance with return of premium – These are unique term insurance policies that offer maturity benefit if you survive the policy tenure.

    . Single premium term insurance plan – They allow you to purchase a term insurance policy with all its benefits with a single lump sum premium instead of regular payments.

    You can evaluate the pros and cons to choose the policy that best suits your needs and those of your loved ones.

    What is GST, and how does it affect self-employed individuals? 

    Self-employed individuals have a lot of responsibilities. Aside from making a living to support your family, you also have financial responsibilities toward the government. This holds true in any country, but thankfully in India, the introduction of GST in 2017 simplified and streamlined the taxation process. 

    So, what is GST? 

    GST is nothing but the tax levied on goods and services in India. Earlier, before the government conceptualized what is GST, there were a number of taxes that you had to pay based on your type of profession and income. Now, the single goods and services tax has streamlined the tax that you need to pay so you never violate the taxation laws in the country.

    GST has replaced several forms of indirect taxes. This is particularly beneficial for the self-employed as you have taxes levied on your income with variations. Instead, now you can acquire a GSTIN which helps simplify the process of filing your taxes. You can also avail of multiple benefits on term insurance premiums due to a streamlined GST process.

    Why term insurance for self-employed is necessary? 

    Self-employed individuals are highly self-reliant. You create your jobs, make money, and take care of your loved ones. However, the income source may be unstable. Freelancing and self-employment bring you money as it corresponds to individual contracts. Therefore, dry months are a possibility during which you may need to acquire loans or credit. Savings or wealth development also takes time and efficiency.

    In the event of your sudden, untimely demise, the liabilities of mortgages, debts, and household expenses transfer to your loved ones. Any outstanding business expenses are also your family’s burden to bear.

    Here are a few top reasons why term insurance for self-employed is so important:

    . It allows you to build a corpus for your loved ones to handle their future goals and ambitions.

    . You can avail of single premium term insurance for self-employed. It helps you acquire the plan’s benefits using a single lump sum premium.

    . You can avail of increasing term insurance that assures a higher sum assured. In the future, if your loved ones assess higher liabilities, then the higher sum assured can help navigate the burden without succumbing to the pitfalls of inflation.

    . Term insurance for self-employed offers tax benefits which can help you save money while you prepare for your family’s financial security.

    . Term insurance for self-employed is an affordable plan with a higher sum assured than most life insurance policies.

    . It also helps you build a corpus for your golden years. Term insurance with a return of premium assures a lump sum maturity benefit that you can use for future financial crises.

    . You can add riders to amplify the coverage on your term plan. These payouts help pay for medical expenses in case of accidental death, critical illnesses, etc.

    Term insurance for self-employed is a safeguard that protects your loved ones after your death. It provides peace of mind knowing that your loved ones will be well taken care of despite the unstable income source and liabilities that you may leave behind.

  • Maruti Suzuki shuffles executive deck

    Maruti Suzuki shuffles executive deck

    MUMBAI: Maruti Suzuki has turbocharged its leadership lineup with two heavyweight appointments that promise to rev up the company’s strategic engines.

    Sunil Kakkar, a 35-year veteran of the automotive trenches, will slide into the director (corporate planning) role from 1 April 2025. An IIT Kanpur engineer with an MBA  gold medal, Kakkar arrives with a portfolio that reads like a automotive industry roadmap—from supply chain mastery to international joint venture architecting.

    His corporate credentials include chairing industry bodies like SIAM’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat Sourcing Group and holding directorial seats across multiple associate companies. With awards like supply chain leader of the year, Kakkar has the right credentials. 

    Joining the corporate pit crew is Tapan Sahoo, designated head of digital enterprise and information & cyber security. An IIT Delhi alumnus with a PhD and “fellow” status from prestigious engineering academies, Sahoo brings 33 years of technology management firepower.

    His brief? Turbocharg digital transformation, leverage AI/ML  technologies, and collaborate with startups and academia. With multiple patents and research publications under his belt, Sahoo looks set to be Maruti Suzuki’s digital alchemist.

    These appointments signal Maruti Suzuki’s intent to blend traditional automotive expertise with cutting-edge technological innovation—a strategic chess move in an increasingly complex mobility landscape.

  • Former Britannia  CEO  to captain HUL’s food division

    Former Britannia CEO to captain HUL’s food division

    MUMBAI: Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has tapped Rajneet Singh Kohli, the former culinary captain of Britannia, to helm its foods division, marking a strategic move in the competitive consumer goods landscape.

    Effective 7 April 2025, Kohli will slide into the executive director, foods role, replacing Shiva Krishnamurthy, who is departing to explore external opportunities. With a sizzling 28-year career spanning consumer goods and retail, Kohli brings a recipe for success that could just be the secret sauce HUL needs.

    At Britannia, Kohli proved himself a master chef of business strategy, seasoning the company’s market position with product innovation and digital prowess. His leadership portfolio includes appetising stints at Jubilant Foodworks, The Coca-Cola Co, and Asian Paints.

    HUL chief executive Rohit Jawa  praised Krishnamurthy’s decade-long tenure, highlighting his transformation of the tea portfolio and marketing brilliance. “Rajneet brings extensive experience in managing large foods and beverages businesses,” Jawa said, signalling high expectations for the incoming executive.

    The foods business represents a significant growth runway for HUL, with Kohli’s track record suggesting he might just be the perfect ingredient to cook up further success.

  • Edelman reveals two dynamos to lead India and Asia-Pacific

    Edelman reveals two dynamos to lead India and Asia-Pacific

    MUMBAI: Edelman has catapulted two internal powerhouses, Bhavna Jagtiani and Kunal Arora, into pivotal leadership roles across India and Asia-Pacific, signalling a bold strategic evolution for the global communications firm.

    Jagtiani ascends from chief operating officer to chief executive of Edelman India, crowning a 22-year journey that began as an account executive. Her promotion reflects a meteoric rise through the corporate ranks, now tasked with steering business strategy and deepening client relationships.

    Arora, previously managing director for India digital, now commands the digital landscape across the Asia-Pacific region. With a decade of digital crisis management and reputation expertise, he’s set to scale the firm’s digital operations and embed innovative solutions across client portfolios.

    Edelman APAC chief, Rakesh Thukral praised the appointments: “Bhavna is an undisputed culture champion” who has driven “consistent growth”, while Kunal has “integrated the best capabilities and innovation.”

    Both executives will continue reporting to Thukral, with the appointments taking immediate effect.

  • BBDO India sweeps ADFEST 2025, loads up on awards for Ariel campaign

    BBDO India sweeps ADFEST 2025, loads up on awards for Ariel campaign

    MUMBAI: BBDO India has added another feather to its creative cap, emerging as the most awarded Indian agency at ADFEST 2025 in Pattaya, Thailand. With a spectacular haul including a prestigious Grande (Grand Prix), two Golds, two Silvers, and five Bronze awards the agency cemented its dominance on the international stage. To top it all off, BBDO India was crowned South Asia Agency of the Year, a testament to its creative prowess.

    The agency’s standout moment came with its impactful ‘Home Teams ShareTheLoad” campaign for P&G Ariel, which clinched the Grande in the Effective Lotus category and a gold in Creative Strategy Lotus for its long-term impact. The campaign also secured two silvers in Creative Strategy and Effective Lotus, along with five Bronze awards across categories such as Film Lotus (Online Film), Sustainable Lotus (Gender Equality), Creative Strategy (Data & Audience Insight), PR Lotus (Integrated Campaign), and Media Lotus (Guerrilla Marketing).

    Adding to its winning streak, BBDO India also bagged a Gold in the Film Craft Lotus category for Whatsapp’s Oye Lucky, recognised for Best Use of Adapted Music.

    Reacting to the wins, BBDO India chairperson and chief creative officer Josy Paul, said, “Being named South Asia Agency of the Year is massive! We’re grateful to the jury for recognising our work for P&G Ariel and Meta’s Whatsapp. These campaigns are all about impact and influence, in line with our global mantra: Do Big Things. This win was only possible thanks to incredible teamwork and the trust of our client partners.”

    With its bold storytelling and strategic brilliance, BBDO India has once again set a high benchmark, proving that creativity with purpose doesn’t just make waves, it cleans up at the awards too.
     

  • Nusummit secures Jayaraman to boost global expansion

    Nusummit secures Jayaraman to boost global expansion

    MUMBAI: Nusummit, has announced the appointment of Srinivasan Jayaraman as its chief strategy & growth officer. Srini will collaborate with the senior management team to develop Nusummit’s growth strategy, aiming to expand its global market presence and solidify its position as a trusted partner for financial institutions navigating technological change.

    Jayaraman brings 25 years of experience in scaling technology consulting and services businesses, focusing on aligning organisational growth with market opportunities. His expertise encompasses refining go-to-market strategies, accelerating revenue streams, and fostering innovation across various sectors. Prior to Nusummit, at Apexon he served as chief revenue officer, a Goldman Sachs portfolio company, overseeing global revenue strategy and profitability. He has also held senior roles at Orion Innovation, Virtusa, Tech Mahindra, and HCL, driving digital transformation programs and client-focused business models.

    Nusummit managing director & group CEO Anantharaman Sreenivasan stated, “Jayaraman’s proven ability to drive strategic growth and build high-performing teams will be instrumental in driving momentum in our growth markets. He brings a unique blend of operational excellence, market insights, and progressive vision that will significantly enhance our ability to empower clients.”

    Jayaraman emphasised his decision to join Nusummit, saying, “Financial institutions are at a critical inflection point juggling the need for operational resilience, regulatory compliance, and AI-driven innovation while mitigating rising cybersecurity threats. Nusummit’s unique ability to blend deep technical expertise with industry-specific insights positions it as a game-changer in this space. I’m excited to contribute to our next phase of growth by strengthening client partnerships, harnessing AI to enhance security and productivity, and unlocking new opportunities in high-potential markets.”

    In his new role, Jayaraman will focus on promoting Nusummit’s integrated portfolio of data, cloud, cybersecurity, and application solutions to financial services clients. He will also develop strategic partnerships to create compelling propositions for enterprise clients.

  • Kwality Wall’s twister pops into India’s summer heat

    Kwality Wall’s twister pops into India’s summer heat

    MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s, has introduced its global brand, Twister, to the Indian market, offering a unique three-layered ice lolly designed to combat the summer heat.

    Twister, a popular Unilever brand enjoyed in over 25 countries, arrives in India with two new flavours, Twister Mango, featuring mango and vanilla swirls around a strawberry core, and Twister Pineapple, combining pineapple and lemon swirls with a strawberry core.

    Targeted at young Indian consumers seeking a novel refreshment, Twister boasts real fruit juice and a multi-layered design, delivering a burst of flavour in each serving, with less than 65 calories per lolly.

    To enhance the summer launch, Kwality Wall’s is running a national promotion, giving away ‘30 Lakh Free Ice Candies’, redeemable at over 100,000 stores across India. A supporting multi-media campaign and promotional film will also be released.

    HUL head of ice cream business Toloy Tanridagli stated, “We are thrilled to bring one of our iconic global brands, Twister to India in two exciting and refreshing flavours. Refreshments are a huge category, over 6.6 billion Euros and consumers are seeking new and exciting refreshments options during hot Indian summers. As a top-selling brand in the Unilever portfolio and a global favourite, our goal in India is to offer a delightful treat that resonates with young consumers and adds a fun twist to their summer. Our unique summer promotion will undoubtedly elevate the experience for Indians.”

    DDB Mudra group chief creative officer & executive director Rahul Mathew added, “With Kwality Wall’s Twister, we wanted to capture the essence of refreshing indulgence and joy. The ad is a celebration of spontaneous fun the kind that makes you forget everything else and just savor the moment. The swirling visuals and vibrant energy mirror the irresistible twist of flavors, making it an experience that’s as playful as it is delicious.”

    The launch of Twister in India represents a significant step for Kwality Wall’s, aiming to establish the product as a summer staple.

     

  • Amitesh Rao’s Leo India celebrates topping Warc’s creative rankings for 2025

    Amitesh Rao’s Leo India celebrates topping Warc’s creative rankings for 2025

    Mumbai, 26 March — Leo India has thundered to the top of the global advertising world, clinching the No creative agency 1 spot on the Warc Effectiveness 100 rankings for 2025 with a creative arsenal that’s part marketing magic, part cultural phenomenon.

    The agency’s P&G Whisper’s “The Missing Chapter”,  PepsiCo Lays “Smart Farm,”  Flipkart’s billion-visit masterstroke, and  Mondelez Oreo’s nostalgia-fuelled “#BringBack2011” have all featured in Warc’s top 100 campaigns of the year!

    CCO Publicis Groupe south Asia & chairman Leo South Asia Rajdeepak Das  and  CEO, Leo South Asia, Amitesh Rao shared their thoughts on this remarkable achievement. 

    “Being recognized as the most effective creative agency in the world is incredible because it underlines our core belief that true creative thinking is a force that can effect change for people, for the planet, and for business,” they said. “This is a testament to the culture at Leo India, the talent that calls Leo home, and our amazing clients who, together with us, continue to believe in the power of creativity to impact a billion.”

    “This underlines our core belief that true creative thinking is a force that can effect change for people, for the planet, and for business,” the agency added in a Linkedin post. 
     

  • Ochre Spirits stirs up the market with saffron-infused vodka launch in Goa

    Ochre Spirits stirs up the market with saffron-infused vodka launch in Goa

    MUMBAI: Vodka lovers in India are about to get a golden touch to their drinks as Ochre Spirits unveils its latest innovation Ochre Saffron Vodka. Priced at Rs 1,450 for 750ml, the new variant blends the finest Kashmiri saffron with zesty citrus, delivering a smooth yet vibrant drinking experience. The launch in Goa marks another bold step for the brand, which has already won over consumers with its Nutty Berry Rum and Peach & Cherry Vodka.

    “Nutty Berry Rum and Peach & Cherry Vodka proved that consumers want innovative, smooth, and well-balanced spirits. With Saffron Vodka, we’re taking luxury to the next level infusing the world’s finest Kashmiri saffron with a bright citrus lift to create a vodka that is both indulgent and refreshing.The launch of Ochre Saffron Vodka marks the brand’s continued momentum in the premium spirits space and soon in May 2025, Ochre Spirits are going to unveil the new variant which is a bold and tropical infusion of raw mango, crafted to deliver a smooth yet tangy drinking experience, perfect for Indian palates, Ochre Mango Citron Rum, said Ochre Spirits founder John Royerr.

    With the Asia-Pacific flavoured vodka market expected to grow at a rapid pace, particularly in India, China, and Japan, Ochre Spirits is capitalising on evolving consumer preferences for premium, small-batch craft spirits. The company has set an ambitious goal of becoming an Rs 100 crore brand within the next four years.

    The sensory experience of Ochre Saffron Vodka is as indulgent as its ingredients. The crystal-clear liquid carries a delicate golden sheen, highlighting the saffron infusion. The aroma combines exotic saffron with fresh citrus and subtle floral notes, while the palate delivers a velvety texture with a warm saffron embrace balanced by a crisp citrus lift. The finish is smooth, refined, and laced with lingering spice. It’s designed to be sipped neat, enjoyed on the rocks, or blended into sophisticated cocktails.

    Building on its momentum, Ochre Spirits has already teased its next release Ochre Mango Citron Rum, a tropical raw mango-infused creation set to launch in May 2025.

    With India’s spirits industry evolving rapidly, driven by millennials and Gen Z seeking bolder and more authentic flavours, Ochre Spirits is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation. By championing artisanal craftsmanship and innovative flavour profiles, the brand is redefining India’s craft spirits landscape, one sip at a time.