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  • Amazon India & NeuralGarage revolutionise advertising

    Amazon India & NeuralGarage revolutionise advertising

    Mumbai: In a landmark moment, NeuralGarage’s ‘VisualDub’, a generative AI technology, has made history by becoming the first-ever implementation of generative AI for multilingual lip sync of dialogues in advertising. With its language-agnostic lipsync capabilities, NeuralGarage helped Amazon create native, authentic visual dubbing for their Amazon Daily and Amazon Fresh advertising creatives that recently went live on TV and digital platforms.

    NeuralGarage, a deep tech startup from Bengaluru, has managed to break new ground in the advertising and marketing domain with its generative AI technology, VisualDub, that helps with multilingual lipsync in content & media. Advertising creatives and other marketing content in India are usually produced and shot in one language (usually Hindi) and then dubbed into several different languages, making them look inauthentic to regional viewers. NeuralGarage helps repurpose those creatives by making them look native and local for regional consumers through its proprietary technology, VisualDub.

    The NeuralGarage team has collaborated with Amazon India for their Amazon Daily (agency: Ogilvy) and Amazon Fresh (agency: Media.Monks) ad campaigns that went live across TV and digital platforms. Its collaboration with the e-commerce giant represents a global first-use case of integrating generative AI technology in multilingual lipsync. VisualDub, being language agnostic, makes dubbed content look natural and syncs the lips and jaw movements of the actors within the video to make it more visually authentic. It helped Amazon India with visually dubbing its ad creatives into seven different regional languages.

    NeuralGarage co-founder and CEO Mandar Natekar said, “There is a lot of news around what is possible with generative AI technology, but it takes a client like Amazon to back new tech into its business, actually walk the talk, and show the world what is possible. We are thrilled to collaborate with Amazon on these campaigns and showcase the power of our tech. It has always been our vision at NeuralGarage to harness the true potential of generative AI to make communication seamless & make dubbed content look visually authentic. I am thankful to Amazon India who gave a budding Indian startup like ours a chance to demonstrate the scope of ‘VisualDub’. We are committed to pushing the boundaries in advertising and marketing further with our proprietary tech and this is just the start!” 

    The news of their current collaboration is particularly remarkable since a generative AI solution like this has not been executed at this scale across multiple languages on longer dialogues & scenes globally. For an India-based startup to deliver this complex solution is great news and bodes well for the Indian startup ecosystem. In a country with over 22 primary languages, there is an urgent need to personalise content on digital platforms, OTTs, theatrical releases & broadcast networks and NeuralGarage is looking to play an essential role in that. Through a global lens, the market and scope will be substantially greater.

    With cultural sensitivity gaining increasing focus, a country like India with such a rich cultural heritage and diverse languages, generative AI certainly holds the promise for advertisers, content creators, and filmmakers to synchronise lip movements with the dialogue enabling a stronger connection with the consumers. This story is also likely to play out similarly across the world.

    With AI language models, tools, and software dominating the news cycles worldwide, competition is heating up within the space regarding who can come up with the next revolutionary innovation. Such a success story for a generative AI startup would only serve as an inspiration to similar startups.

    NeuralGarage co-founder and CTO Subhabrata Debnath stated, “The aim behind ‘VisualDub’ has been to minimise visual dissonance in content and media. We are committed to fostering innovation in this space to amplify its capabilities and extend its reach into several other industries. We believe that our work will allow the seamless creation of multilingual lip-synced content that will build a stronger and closer bond between content creators and consumers.”

    With AI poised to influence most businesses & industries, NeuralGarage is well-placed to aggressively sustain its momentum into tech development and elevate VisualDub to revolutionise content creation and the last-mile consumer experience.

  • Ogilvy Group Thailand is APAC Agency of the Year

    Ogilvy Group Thailand is APAC Agency of the Year

    Mumbai: Based on point totals for wins in The One Show 2023 announced last week during creative week in New York, Ogilvy Group Thailand Bangkok is Asia-Pacific Agency of the Year and #7 worldwide in The One Show 2023 Global Creative Rankings.

    The top ten agencies in the region are as follows:

    The One Show 2023 Asia Pacific Agency Rankings 

    1. Ogilvy Group Thailand Bangkok

    2. Leo Burnett India Mumbai

    3. The Monkeys Sydney

    4. Dentsu Tokyo

    5. TBWAJuice Beijing

    6. Serviceplan Korea Seoul

    7. Thinkerbell Sydney

    8. DDB Mudra Group Mumbai (tie)

    8. Special Auckland (tie)

    10. Dentsu Creative Hong Kong

    In addition, Gumpon Laksanajinda, CCO, and Nopadol Srikieatikajohn, chairman, both at Ogilvy Group Thailand Bangkok, were tied for The One Show 2023 APAC Creative of the Year.

    Globally, BBDO Canada Toronto is the world’s top-ranked agency this year, winning two Best of Disciplines (in experiential & immersive and radio & audio), and taking home nine Gold Pencils, two Silver, three Bronze and two Merits. All of the wins, working with TA2 Sound + Music Toronto, were for “Missing Matoaka” on behalf of Muskrat Magazine.

    Apple comes out of The One Show 2023 as the highest-ranked brand and brand-side agency. Driving the strong performance was Apple London with Apple Cupertino winning The One Show 2023 Best of Show and Best of Discipline in Brand-Side/In-House for “The Greatest”.

    Highlights of The One Show 2023 Global Creative Rankings are as follows:

    The One Show 2023 Agency Rankings

    1. BBDO Canada Toronto

    2. FCB New York

    3. TBWAMedia Arts Lab Los Angeles

    4. Area 23 New York

    5. BETC Paris

    6. Wieden+Kennedy Portland

    7. Ogilvy Group Thailand Bangkok

    8. Virtue Copenhagen

    9. Ogilvy Honduras Tegucigalpa

    10. Ogilvy UK London

    The One Show 2023 Independent Agency Rankings

    1. Wieden+Kennedy Portland

    2. Rethink Toronto/Montréal/Vancouver

    3. We Believers New York

    The One Show 2023 Brand-Side Agency Rankings

    1. Apple Cupertino

    2. Apple London (tie)

    2. Squarespace New York (tie)

    The One Show 2023 Brand Rankings

    1. Apple

    2. Muskrat Magazine

    3. Burger King

    The One Show 2023 Non-Profit Client Rankings

    1. Grupo Estratégico PAE

    2. Women in Games

    3. Canadian Down Syndrome Society

    The One Show 2023 Brand Parent Company Rankings

    1. AB InBev

    2. Unilever

    3. RBI

    The One Show 2023 Production Company Rankings

    1. Smuggler New York

    2. 14 al Centro LATAM Tegucigalpa

    3. Factory01 Bangkok

    The One Show 2023 Music & Sound Company Rankings

    1. TA2 Sound + Music Toronto

    2. JSM Music New York

    3. Pickle Music New York

    The One Show 2023 Agency Network Rankings

    1. Ogilvy Group

    2. FCB

    3. DDB Worldwide

    The One Show 2023 Independent Agency Network Rankings

    1. Wieden+Kennedy

    2. Rethink

    3. Serviceplan Group

    The One Show 2023 Agency Holding Company Rankings

    1. Omnicom Group

    2. WPP

    3. Interpublic Group

    The One Show 2023 Highest Ranked Work

    1. “Missing Matoaka” by BBDO Canada Toronto with TA2 Sound + Music for Muskrat Magazine

    2. “The Greatest” by Apple London with Apple Cupertino for Apple

    3. “McEnroe vs McEnroe” by FCN New York for AB InBev/Michelob ULTRA

    The One Show 2023 Country Rankings

    1. United States

    2. Canada

    3. United Kingdom

    The One Show 2023 Region Rankings

    1. North America

    2. Europe

    3. Asia Pacific

    The One Show 2023 Global Creative Rankings methodology

    Rankings in each category are calculated by the company that garners the most points overall for winning entries based on One Show Pencils, Merits and Special Awards, allocated as follows: Gold Pencil 45 points, Silver 21, Bronze 9, Merit 3, Fusion, SDG and Green Pencil 90 each, Penta Pencil 150, Best of Discipline 90 and Best of Show 135.  

    If the same entry wins multiple awards within a discipline, the points for the highest award in that discipline is counted towards “of the Year” awards.  Points are only awarded to agencies listed as Primary and Secondary on entries.  If several agencies are listed under Primary and Secondary, the points are divided among them.  

    All One Show 2023 Gold, Silver, Bronze Pencil and Merit winners were announced last week during Creative Week in New York. A total of 20,166 pieces from 69 countries and regions were entered in The One Show 2023.  Agencies, studios, brands, production companies and designers in 54 countries and regions were awarded 210 Gold Pencils, 200 Silver, 238 Bronze, and 1,172 Merits.

    Awards shows produced by The One Club for Creativity each has their distinct focus. The One Show judges focus on creativity of ideas and quality of execution, while ADC Annual Awards juries maintain the show’s long-running concentration as the champion for craft, design and innovation.

     

  • Goafest 2023 welcomes India Today Group Aaj Tak and Disney Star as ‘co-presenting’ sponsors

    Goafest 2023 welcomes India Today Group Aaj Tak and Disney Star as ‘co-presenting’ sponsors

    Mumbai: The Goafest organising committee is pleased to announce that India Today Group Aaj Tak and Disney Star have come on board as ‘co-presenting’ sponsors of Goafest 2023, South Asia’s apex industry event that celebrates milestones in the media and advertising industry. The definitive annual festival for the advertising, marketing, and media industry which attracts over 2000 industry professionals, is scheduled to take place on 24, 25, and 26 May 2023 at the Grand Hyatt, Bambolim, Goa.

    Proudly supported by our esteemed sponsors – SonyLIV, JioCinema, News18 Network, Dangal TV, Zee TV / ZEE5, Silver Push, Convosight, Zee News, Hindustan Times, ABP News, Viacom18’s Sports18, The Hindu Group, Flipkart, Times Network, Dailyhunt, B4U, Tata Motors, Anymind Media, Inmobi / Glance, Sri Adhikari Brothers – Mastiii, The Times of India, TV9 Network, Criteo, OMS Digital – A part of the Times Group, Rajasthan Patrika, Mathrubhumi, Amazon Ads, Warner Media, MIQ, Sakal, Shemaroo, Avinashi Ads Outdoor, Eenadu, Vserv, IDPL, Vijayawani Dighvijay, Google, BigFM, Malayala Manorma, Radio City, Surewaves, Party Smart Himalaya, Dainik Jagran, MakeMyTrip, Sakshi, Amar Ujala Publications, Pudhari, AdOnMo, Ad Sydicate, Dainik Savera.

    Speaking about partnering with Goafest 2023, India Today Group CEO Dinesh Bhatia said, “Goafest presents an opportunity for us to deepen our engagement with the industry. As South Asia’s largest festival for the creative sector, the undeniable growth and significance of this event inspire us. As partners, we eagerly await to welcome our industry once again as we celebrate the boundless potential of media and creativity in shaping the future.”

    “Disney Star has always stood for inspiring a billion imaginations. And Goafest celebrates creativity bringing together India’s finest creative minds. We are delighted to partner with them and stage this inspiring festival of creativity,” added Disney Star head-network brand & creative communications Minakshi Achan.

    Advertising Agencies Association of India president and GroupM South Asia CEO Prasanth Kumar said, “We are delighted to welcome India Today Group Aaj Tak and Disney Star, as our co-presenting sponsors to Goafest this year. Over the years, Goafest has become synonymous with creativity, innovation, and excellence, making it the perfect destination for brands to associate with and showcase their offerings. We look forward to successful partnerships with all our sponsors as we work towards creating an unforgettable experience for everyone present.”

    Goafest 2023 organising committee chairman Jaideep Gandhi said, “It is our pleasure to welcome Disney Star and India Today Group Aaj Tak as the Co-Presenting Sponsors for Goafest 2023. We are delighted to see how Goafest has strived to create a platform of unique opportunities for brands to align themselves with the media and advertising fraternity. We welcome all our sponsors on board and hope these partnerships inspire creativity, drive innovation, and elevate the industry as a whole.”

  • How to Find a Reputable Psychic Reader

    Finding a reputable psychic reader can be tricky, as there is no universal standard for what constitutes a respectable psychic. That being said, here are some things to consider when looking for an esteemed psychic reader.

    Tips for finding a reputable psychic reader

    It is critical to conduct research when seeking a credible psychic reader. Begin by asking friends and family for recommendations. You can also browse online for different readers’ reviews. Make sure to carefully study the Kasamba reviews and pay heed to both positive and negative remarks. You should also look at the reader’s website or social media pages to get a sense of their style and approach.

    Before committing to a reading session, it’s a good idea to ask questions. This will assist you in determining whether the reader is someone you feel at ease with and trust. Make certain that the psychic reader is accredited or licensed in their industry so that you can be confident that they are a qualified specialist.

    The history of psychic phenomena

    Some of the earliest records of psychic phenomena date back to ancient Greece. Psychical research became popular in the nineteenth century, and many notable scientists and thinkers began to investigate the subject.

    William James, who wrote extensively about psychic experiences in his book The Varieties of Religious Experience, was one of the most recognized researchers. He contended that certain experiences could not be explained solely by science and that they could be evidence of a spiritual dimension beyond our physical world.

    Parapsychology arose as an academic discipline in the twentieth century dedicated to the study of psychic phenomena such as telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition and psychokinesis. Researchers conducted laboratory tests to try to establish or disprove these ideas, but the findings were frequently unclear. Despite scientific uncertainty, many people still believe in psychic occurrences.

    Types of psychics and how they work

    There are many different types of psychics, each with its own set of powers and techniques. Clairvoyants, mediums, tarot readers, astrologers, numerologists and palm readers are some of the most prevalent categories.

    •    Clairvoyants can use their psychic abilities to see a person’s past or future. They can also guide you in making judgments in the present.
    •    Mediums can converse with ghosts from outside the physical realm.
    •    Tarot cards are a divination tool used by tarot readers and can provide insight into a person’s life path or current circumstance.
    •    Astrologers evaluate the placements of planets and stars in astrological charts to get insight into an individual’s life path or current circumstance.
    •    Numerologists utilize numbers as symbols for different energies to acquire insight into a person’s life path or current predicament. 
    •    Palm readers read the lines on a person’s hands to acquire information about their personality traits and anticipated future occurrences.

    All of these psychics rely on intuition and spiritual energy to provide guidance and advice to people who seek it.

    The science behind psychic powers

    Psychic abilities, or extrasensory perception (ESP), are a contentious topic among scientists. While some people believe these powers exist, others are doubtful. Numerous investigations have been undertaken to discover whether or not psychic powers exist to further investigate this topic.
    J.B. Rhine at Duke University conducted one of the most notable studies in the 1930s. He tested participants by having them guess which card was being held up without seeing it. The results revealed that some participants correctly guessed more cards than would be predicted by chance alone, implying that they possessed some type of ESP.

    More research has focused on telepathy and precognition, two additional types of psychic capacity. While there is still significant dispute regarding whether these talents exist, study into the science behind them continues to uncover new evidence about their probable validity.

    Common misconceptions about psychics

    One of the most popular myths regarding psychics is that they can foretell the future. While some psychics claim to be able to do so, it is impossible. Psychics can provide insight into a person’s life by using their intuition and spiritual guidance, but they cannot predict what will happen in the future.

    Additionally, some people embrace the stereotype that all psychics are charlatans seeking to exploit people. While some unethical people may try to con people, many psychics have real talents and may provide important information and counsel.

    Another common myth regarding psychics is that they can solve all your problems. A psychic reading can bring clarity and insight into specific situations, but it cannot substitute hard work or make decisions for you. Finally, only you have the ability to make changes in your life and achieve excellent results for yourself.

    Before making a selection, look for a psychic reader with good reviews, examine the backgrounds of several psychics to confirm they are legitimate and ask questions about their methodology. When choosing a psychic reader, you should trust your instincts.
     

  • dentsu X releases motivations study for brands to gain deeper consumer insights

    Mumbai: dentsu X has released its findings from their Motivations Study, to help brands better understand the innermost drivers that influence people to act in certain ways. By understanding these motivations, dentsu X can drive growth for brands by decoding behaviour and connecting with valuable audiences like never before.

    The fact files dive into how motivations play a role in customer decisions, and why traditional data often fails to capture these nuances. Profiling more than 400,000 people in 70 markets across the world, the study has identified six core motivations that drive everyone at varying levels: accomplishment, affection, information, possession, power, and protection. Each core motivation consists of 25 sub-motivations that are defined by individual statements that help dive deeper into the uniqueness of each person and their drivers.

    The Motivations Study is being released as part of dentsu X’s privately owned and operated consumer insight tool CCS. Through CCS, brands can understand audiences on a deeper, human level. This includes understanding media behaviours, lifestyles, passions, favourite brands, and category behaviours.

    The Motivations fact files include:

    A deeper look at understanding people’s Motivations, such as why a customer buys a product and why they do the things they do.

    How understanding motivations is important for understanding target audiences and bridging the expectation gap to become more relevant.

    How understanding motivations is helping clients target truly relevant audiences with creative messages, plan intricate offline events and break biases in product positioning.

    Link to the study: https://www.dentsu.com/sg/en/reports/thought_leadership___dentsu_x_motivations_study

    dentsu Media APAC CEO Prerna Mehrotra said, “In today’s data-rich environment, for brands to be truly relevant, it is important for them to understand the underlying motivations behind audience behaviours. We are excited to share local insights on how understanding motivations can close the disconnect between the product offering and what consumers really want. Even within markets, we see distinct nuances that make the core motivation different from the sub-motivation. This report will help our clients understand the human truths about their audience empowering the brand’s planning process across all marketing disciplines.”

  • Hiptoro: Unrivaled Entertainment News and All Things Culture

    Millions have turned to Hiptoro for the most up-to-date and trustworthy information as the entertainment industry evolves. With coverage ranging from Hollywood’s latest blockbusters to independent films, Hiptoro offers a diverse content selection for everyone. What distinguishes Hiptoro from its competitors, and why should you consider it your go-to source for entertainment news? This article will highlight the key factors behind Hiptoro’s success and why it’s the ultimate destination for all things entertainment.

    Superior News Quality and Precision

    One of Hiptoro’s success pillars is its commitment to delivering the highest quality news to its audience. Hiptoro’s experienced journalists and editors work diligently to ensure that all published information is accurate, unbiased, and current. Whether you’re a casual reader or an industry expert, you can trust Hiptoro for the most up-to-date and precise information on the entertainment industry.

    Inclusive and Diverse Coverage

    Another defining factor of Hiptoro is its focus on diversity and inclusivity in its coverage. Hiptoro acknowledges the entertainment industry’s vastness, encompassing numerous genres, topics, and perspectives. Hiptoro provides its audience with access to a wide range of information and viewpoints by ensuring that all aspects of the entertainment world are represented. From blockbuster Hollywood hits to indie films, Hiptoro truly has something for everyone.

    User-Friendly Interface and Convenient Features

    Hiptoro understands the importance of providing a seamless user experience and has invested in cutting-edge technology to improve its platform. The sleek and user-friendly design of Hiptoro makes it easy for readers to find the news and information they seek. With features like push notifications and the ability to save articles for later reading, Hiptoro ensures users can stay informed and up-to-date with ease.

    A Lively Community of Entertainment Aficionados

    Hiptoro has also fostered a thriving community of entertainment enthusiasts through its social media platforms, where users can share their opinions and interact with fellow industry fans. This community has solidified Hiptoro’s position as a leading source of entertainment news. Additionally, it has allowed Hiptoro to gather valuable feedback from its audience, leading to continuous improvements in its platform and services.

    A Dependable Source for Entertainment News

    Finally, Hiptoro’s dedication to providing valuable service to its audience has helped establish the platform as a trusted source for entertainment news. Users who visit Hiptoro know they’re receiving the latest and most accurate information, and they can trust Hiptoro to deliver a seamless and enjoyable reading experience.

    In conclusion, Hiptoro’s achievements in delivering top-quality entertainment news can be attributed to its commitment to accuracy, inclusivity, user experience, and its thriving community of entertainment enthusiasts. With a talented team of journalists and editors, state-of-the-art technology, and a strong community, Hiptoro remains the top choice for millions seeking entertainment news, including TV shows and anime. Don’t wait any longer – start your journey to the ultimate destination for entertainment news today and find out why Hiptoro is the go-to destination for millions of people worldwide.

  • OMD celebrates silver jubilee anniversary

    Mumbai: In 1998, Omnicom designed and built its first truly specialist media operation from the ground up – combining planning, buying, insights and client service together, and launched OMD.  Today, the world’s largest media network celebrates 25 years in business, a momentous event that resonates even more in Asia because OMD Hong Kong is OMD’s first standalone full-service operation in the world. 

    The agency has come a long way from when the first office opened in Hong Kong with just three employees. From this market, the OMD brand expanded and in 2000, it formally became a global network where all market operations were united by a common leadership and vision. Today, OMD has a headcount of close to 2,400 in 13 offices in APAC; and 12,000 in over 100 countries globally. 

    OMD was born in response to an increasingly complex media landscape in the 1990s, with clients seeking greater value, transparency and negotiating power.  This resulted in the separation of creative and media specialisms from full-service offerings to dedicated enterprises. Untethering the disciplines meant that media agencies could develop and grow specialist skills, implement media-neutral solutions and extract greater value for clients previously encumbered by creative dominance. 

    By combining technology, data, innovation, creativity, empathy, and evidence to orchestrate better business outcomes, OMD has been delivering business transformation at scale for some of the world’s leading blue-chip brands such as McDonald’s and Apple, both of whom have a long-standing relationship with OMD.

    Named Cannes Lions Media Network of the Year 2022, OMD is currently ranked the best performing global media network overall by RECMA.  Additionally, OMD is also the world’s most effective media agency network in the Effie Effectiveness Index and WARC Effective 100 rankings.  Finally, just last month, as reported in the 2022 Media Agency New Business Barometer – an analysis of the global media agency marketplace published by independent research company COMvergence – OMD topped the global agency network net new business rankings at number 1. 

    “The key characteristic of OMD has been our ability to continuously evolve to lead our clients forward, which has propelled us to where we are today; leading the industry as our clients’ most trusted transformation partner,” said OMD Worldwide CEO George Manas. “Our success is enabled by truly differentiated capabilities in digital, data and technology, and as we look towards the next 25 years, we will continue to innovate, and support our clients in pivotal moments of transformation,” he added.

    “At OMD, we have a brand that is clearly recognised as number one in the world, and it gives me great pride to honour our legacy as the region that gave birth to OMD as we know it to be today,” said OMD APAC CEO Charlotte Lee. “As we celebrate our brand, our history and our people, we remain steadfast in our commitment to maintaining a passion for our clients’ business, and partnering with them to deliver business transformation and growth in the years to come,” she added. 

    “This silver jubilee is such a momentous occasion for us. In a quarter of a century, we’ve gone from our determined beginnings to being the world’s largest media network today and what a journey it’s been! Our scaled ambitions right from the very start have seen us aspire to be the foremost authority in the media business, and it is without a doubt that our journey of success over the years comes from our obsession for our two greatest assets – our employees and our clients,” said OMD India CEO Anisha Iyer. Speaking of the future of OMD, she added, “By focusing on innovation, prioritizing digital leadership, and harnessing the many possibilities of Omni and OMD Design, I am confident that we will continue to make transformative changes alongside our clients and remain a global powerhouse of innovation.”

  • The Advertising Club’s 54 edition of ABBYs is to be held at Goafest

    Mumbai: The Advertising Club revs up to announce the 54 edition of ABBYs, South Asia’s Gold standard, which has been recognizing creative excellence in advertising for over five decades. Held over three days, The ABBY Awards, are scheduled to take place on the 24, 25, and 26 of May during Goafest at Grand Hyatt, Bambolim, Goa.

    The preeminent awards for Creativity, Media, and Communication have once again partnered with The One Show, the world’s most prestigious award program, to upheave the global standards of judging, jury selection, and transparency to the already revered and celebrated ABBY Awards. 

    With a promise to bring global recognition to outstanding achievements in creative advertising, the ABBYs make for a highly coveted award property. Undoubtedly, the biggest and the most prestigious ad award show in the country, wins at the ABBYs, over the years, have further gone on to win international recognitions at Cannes and One Show, setting new benchmarks on scale and innovation. 

    With preparations in full momentum, The Advertising Club also announces the Awards Governing Committee for the 54 edition of ABBYs which includes:

    1. Partha Sinha, President Times of India Group and President of The Advertising Club

    2. Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas Group India & Chairman, The ABBYs Award Governing Council

    3. Ajay Kakar, Managing Committee Member, The Advertising Club & Co-chair, The ABBYs Award Governing Council

    4. Ajay Chandwani, Managing Committee Member, The Advertising Club

    5. Shashi Sinha, CEO-India, IPG Mediabrands  

    6. Malcolm Raphael, Senior Vice-President, The Times of India Group

    7. Prasanth Kumar, CEO, Group M South Asia 

    8. Jaideep Gandhi, Founder,  Another Idea 

    9. Mohit Joshi, Managing Director,  Havas Media 

    10. Anupriya Acharya, CEO South Asia, Publicis Groupe 

    11. Sam Balsara, Chairman & Managing Director,  Madison Communications 

    12. Rohit Ohri, Group Chairman & CEO,  FCB Ulka Advertising

    The list of international judges will be announced by The One Show after the process of selection of both Indian and international juries. The Abby Awards will represent the South Asia region that includes India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan and has been doing so since 2004.  

    Providing in-depth recognition and increasing participation opportunity, the ABBY Awards has witnessed the introduction of new sub-categories in Digital Technology, Mobile, Design, and Audio Technology based on valuable feedback from the creative professionals of the industry in the annual town hall conducted by The Advertising Club. 

    The Radio category has now evolved into the Audio category with the introduction of Content, the new sub-categories are in Use of Music, Sound Design, Script, Casting, Performance, Audio Technology, Voice Activation, Branded Content, Podcasts, and Content placement.

    Speaking on the initiative, Times of India Group president and The Advertising Club president Partha Sinha said, “With ABBYs, we at The Advertising Club, owe it to the industry and colleagues to present an award show that is authentic, transparent, and of global standards. For 54 years, ABBYs have been pivotal in recognizing creativity and innovation in India’s communication industry. To elevate its presence on the global stage, we continue to augment its significance, and therefore associating with ‘The One Show’ once again provides the necessary impetus. We look forward to witnessing a lot of innovative work this year that will go on to live up to the reputation of being the most coveted award property in South Asia.”

    Barua and Kakar said, “In addition to being a significant platform for young creative professionals in the industry to exhibit their ground-breaking work accomplished throughout the year, the ABBY Awards have consistently been the most anticipated event at Goafest. We look forward to seeing outstanding creative work being recognized and appreciated at ABBYs this year.”

    Speaking of the association, The One Club for Creativity CEO Kevin Swanepoel said, “Our association with the ABBY Awards, last year, helped in pushing the creative envelope much further. As the world’s premier non-profit advertising and design awards program, The One Show takes pride in continuing the partnership with The Advertising Club. The Ad Club’s vision to make ABBYs the gold standard in recognizing creative excellence is in alignment with The One Show and we look forward to awarding the most deserving campaigns. I am excited to attend the awards this year and look forward to witnessing the most deserving campaigns make it big with an ABBY.”

    Advertising Agencies Association of India president Prasanth Kumar added, “Over the years, the Advertising Club’s ABBYs has recognized creative work that has had the potential to become global successes. The Abby Awards at Goafest are the biggest and the most sought-after recognition in the advertising, media, and marketing industry. We are delighted to co-host the ABBY Awards and look forward to some thrilling wins.”

    The Abby Awards will be a part of the Goafest 2023 and will mark the fourteenth Abby Awards at Goafest.

    For more details on The ABBY Awards, visit https://abbyawards.com/ 

  • Shikhar Dhawan, Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree star in Pedigree’s digital campaign by Jack in The Box

    Mumbai: Jack in The Box Worldwide, along with MARS Petcare, a pet food company, has launched a digital campaign for Pedigree India called the #Pedigree6WeekChallenge. It promises a visible difference in dogs’ digestive system, skin and coat, muscles, bones, and natural defence within six weeks of consuming Pedigree as compared to feeding home-cooked food. Devising an Influencer activation starring Shikhar Dhawan, Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree grooving to a catchy, specially produced rap song, the challenge encourages users to first sample, then buy a six-week supply of Pedigree Dry Food, all while reengaging with customers through a seamless WhatsApp-focused campaign. The customers also stand a chance to win a two day ‘staycation’ at Taj with their pets upon entering their details to sample the pet food.

    Shikhar Dhawan_Pedigree 6 Week Challenge

    Dhanashree_Pedigree 6 Week Challenge

    MARS International India Ltd. managing director petcare Salil Murthy said, “At MARS Petcare, we are always aiming to set the highest food standards and spread advocacy for nutritionally balanced diets for pets. We are committed to using high-quality ingredients that make your pets healthier and fitter for a happier living. With the #Pedigree6WeekChallenge, we are confident that pet parents will see the difference a balanced diet makes to their dogs and start preferring this alternative which is also time-convenient and cost-friendly.”

    Jack in The Box Worldwide managing partner Axon Alex said, “The six week challenge was a great collaborative exercise with the team at Mars Petcare. This collaboration allowed us to flex our muscles both from a creative and UX standpoint. The rap song we conceptualized was to allow influencers to have genuine fun with their dogs instead of reading from a script. This combined with building the WhatsApp journey allowed us to interact with the audience through their entire journey from awareness to post-purchase which was unique and exciting.”

    The #Pedigree6WeekChallenge brings together the elite names with 100 nano influencers grooving to the rap song that is informative as it is entertaining. Through the messaging, customers are made aware of their chance to win a two day vacation at Taj with their pets. They are then redirected to sample the product by entering contact details on the website, helping push communications through WhatsApp.

    The brand engages with these potential customers through weekly updates and information that helps track pet health. They are also encouraged to share images of the progress through six weeks,thus solidifying the promise and creating an authentic bank of user-generated content.

    The #Pedigree6WeekChallenge is currently live and can be visited here.

  • Omnicom Media Group ranked #1 for 2022 incremental billings growth

    Mumbai: Omnicom Media Group (OMG), the media services division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) and parent company to the OMD, PHD and Hearts & Science global media agency networks is ranked #1 for 2022 incremental billings growth among global media management groups.

    As reported in the 2022 Media Agency New Business Barometer – an analysis of the global media agency marketplace published by independent research company COMvergence – OMG agencies added more than $2.5 billion in incremental client billings last year.

    Leading with an offer that connects media, content and commerce, OMG’s net new billings added outpaced the second-ranked group by close to $670m; exceeded the combined totals of the second and third ranked groups by more than $100 million; and bested the fourth ranked group by a factor of ten-plus.  OMG also had the best global win-to-loss ratio, more than 3x more new billings coming into the agency ($3.75b) than left ($1.2b) in 2022.  

    OMG was also the top net gains performer in APAC as well as in the markets of Australia and China.

    Equally important as its incremental wins – and perhaps even more impressive – OMG’s 2022 retention rate across the entirety of its client base was an industry-leading 98 per cent.

    “In a marketplace where complexity is a bigger pain point than ever before, clients are looking for the optimal mix of deep specialization and deep integration,” said OMG CEO Florian Adamski.

    Summing up OMG’s performance in 2022, Adamski draws a direct line to a comprehensive analysis of global media agency groups from research and advisory firm Forrester, in which OMG received the highest possible scores in the critical future-defining development areas of retail media, commerce media, intelligence and insights, optimization, operations automation and innovation.

    “OMG has built – and continues to build – the capabilities, partnerships, technology and talent force that empower our agencies to deliver transformative consumer experiences on behalf of our clients, driving sales today and share tomorrow,” says Adamski.  

    OMD and PHD Top the Agency Network Rankings   

    Accordingly, OMG’s best-in-class ranking consolidates powerful performances by its OMD and PHD agency networks in 2022.  Leveraging their parent company’s assets – including Omni, Omnicom’s marketing orchestration platform – OMD and PHD topped the global agency network net new business rankings at #1 and #2.  

    OMD was also the top ranked agency for total new business won in 2022, which reflects business that went into review and was successfully defended.  

    “Our results in 2022 prove that we are a trusted partner to brands in pivotal moments of transformation enabled by truly differentiated capabilities in digital, data and tech to navigate new paths to growth,” said OMD Worldwide CEO George Manas

    PHD Worldwide CEO Philippa Brown added, “As advances in data and tech continue to change how people consume media, our future-focused offer to marketers – combining our signature strength in comms planning with the OMG innovation engine – will continue to drive growth for our clients and our network.”

    OMG APAC CEO Tony Harradine said, “In tandem with our global ranking, OMG APAC, as well as our key markets in Australia and China, have also ranked number one for incremental billings growth, a result that underscores our commitment in placing our clients at the centre of everything we do. By bolstering the uniqueness of our brands and fortifying our capabilities as a network, we were able to focus on collaboration and product excellence, tenets which helped us deliver growth and stand out in a crowded agency landscape.”

    The release of 2022 Media Agency New Business Barometer wraps-up a year of headlines that illustrated OMG’s industry leadership and future-forward offer to clients, including a multi-year agreement with Affinity Solutions to integrate retailer purchase transactions into Omni – the marketing orchestration platform that delivers better outcomes for clients across all Omnicom agencies; an enterprise-wide  partnership with Firework, the world’s largest livestream commerce and shoppable video platform, to deliver livestream shopping solutions directly to Omnicom clients’ websites; the industry’s first programmatic marketplace for point-of-purchase screens; and the Supply Chain IQ Score, which gives media planners day-to-day visibility into SKU inventory data at the physical store, digital shelf, and inventory-in-transit levels, enabling media investment to be shifted away from low inventory products in real time.

    OMG dominated the news cycle at the 2022 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, announcing a series of first-mover strategic partnerships with retail media networks including Walmart  Connect (cross-screen planning with Omni ID), Instacart (joint clean room development), and Kroger Precision Marketing (supply chain optimization for media targeting); and the  global expansion of its TRKKN analytics and cloud consultancy that offers Google Marketing and Cloud Stack  support.  Also at the festival, OMD was named Media Network of the Year – the same honor that PHD had earned in 2021.

    The end of the year saw the scaling of Omnicom’s Transact connected commerce consultancy as a global resource that will help brands gain first-mover advantage from its retail media network partnerships, and grow their market share in eRetail.