ITV

Tag: Ajay Kakar

  • Ad Club names Ajay Kakar & Vikram Sakhuja to head Effies 2015

    Ad Club names Ajay Kakar & Vikram Sakhuja to head Effies 2015

    MUMBAI: The Advertising Club has named Aditya Birla Group chief marketing officer – financial services Ajay Kakar as the chairperson and Madison Media & OOH group CEO Vikram Sakhuja as the co-chair for this year’s Effies. The awards ceremony will be held at the sea-side lawns Hotel Taj Land’s End, Mumbai on 15 January, 2016.

     

    The Effies are marketing communications awards given yearly by Effie Worldwide Inc. Effies provides recognition to campaigns for their direct impact on return on investments for a brand at the market place with special attention given to effectiveness and results. In its 15th year, Effies will celebrate not only the advertising agency behind the campaign, but also the client.

     

    Commenting on their appointment, The Advertising Club president and Colors CEORaj Nayak said, “The Effies is an institution by itself giving due recognition to campaigns that engage consumers thereby furthering a brand’s promise and proposition. I would like to congratulate Ajay Kakar and Vikram Sakhuja for this new project that they will be leading. The entire advertising community looks forward to the Effies and I am certain that they will strengthen its credibility within the industry.”

     

    Kakar said, ”Over the past four years that I have chaired the Effies, I have seen growing support and participation. Every year has broken the record entries and numbers of participating agencies, from the previous year.I believe this demonstrates the underlying need and demand for marketing campaigns that are not only creative, but more importantly, work for the brand and business. And I am confident that this year’s Effies will again beat last year’s record. And be even bigger and better.”

     

    Added Sakhuja, “For me it is imperative for advertising to drive demand and strengthen brand value. It is therefore an honour to be part of the Effies, which is the undisputed champion of effectiveness in India and worldwide.”

     

    Earlier this year, Kakar and Sakhuja were also inducted as the new office bearers of The Advertising Club. While Sakhuja was elected as the secretary, Kakar was elected as the joint secretary.

  • Birla Sun Life campaign gets over three million views on YouTube

    Birla Sun Life campaign gets over three million views on YouTube

    NEW DELHI: ‘Khud ko kar buland’, a short film for Birla Sun Life Insurance’s latest campaign, has garnered over three million views on YouTube within three weeks of being posted.

     

    The three and a half minute film by Taproot India tells the story of a single father as he deals with unpredictability of life. His journey begins at the doctor’s office where he is informed of his son’s autism, and how he grapples with life’s various setbacks while managing the family’s finances.

     

    The film ends with a voice-over that says, “Honi ko aap rok nahi sakte. Par honi bhi aap ko kahaan roh sakegi. Apno ko, apne sapno ko karo surakshit.” (You can’t control the inevitable, but the inevitable can’t control you either. Protect yourself and your dreams)

     

    Aditya Birla Group CMO – financial services Ajay Kakar said, “BSLI through this campaign takes the lead in defining the invaluable role that life insurance can play in all our lives. But going beyond that, we urge mass India to stand tall against adversity. We believe there are two kinds of people in the world – those who succumb to life’s uncertainties, and those who take it in their stride. We must be the only authors of our own life stories -Khud Ko Kar Buland,”

     

    Kakar added, “Nothing can come in the way of those who stand prepared against all odds. Life insurance helps safeguard your family and you from the uncertainties of life. In keeping with our marketing mission across all businesses at ABFSG to be an agent provocateur in low penetration categories, we have gone a step ahead to reposition the fragmented perception of the life insurance category, in the minds of mass India.”

     

    Taproot India chief creative officer Agnello Dias said, “Insurance communication usually harps on how vulnerable we are in the face of destiny. Never about how strong the human spirit can be. By emotionally empowering one to stay resilient in the face of whatever is in store is a bold, powerful stance by BSLI.”

     

    Taproot’s senior creative director Pallavi Chakravarti added, “Look around. See if you can spot a single person who has never faced uncertainty. It’s a given. We don’t know what form it will take – but if one believes that tomorrow will be better, and acts on that belief by safeguarding one’s dreams, then there is little destiny can do. And that is the stand BSLI has taken.”

  • RAPP maintains its winning streak by winning Aditya Birla Money

    RAPP maintains its winning streak by winning Aditya Birla Money

    MUMBAI: RAPP India, a part of the DDB Mudra Group and one of Omnicom group’s leading multichannel agencies has maintained its winning streak this year by adding Aditya Birla Money to its clientele.

     

    RAPP will be responsible for creating go-to-market strategies and digital campaigns for Aditya Birla Money’s Wealth, Broking, Real-Estate and other Distribution business.

     
    Aditya Birla Money is the second client that Rapp has signed up within the Aditya Birla Financial Services Group. Birla Sun Life Insurance being the first, having been signed on last year.

     

    Commenting on this occasion, Ajay Kakar, Chief Marketing Officer-Financial Services, Aditya Birla Group says, “Equity and other alternate assets must be on the consideration set of mass India, if they are to give life to their dreams. At Aditya Birla Money we are committed to provoking our target segments to self-realize the role and importance of money management in their lives and we were looking for a strategic communications partner who can help us bridge this gap. With RAPP India, we are glad we have found an agency that will not only guide and partner with us in the expression of our brand, but more importantly, also help us strategize for the way forward”.

     
    Said Venkat Mallik, President, RAPP India, “ABFSG is a very valuable relationship for us at RAPP.  Aditya Birla Money is a very good addition to our ABFSG portfolio with its focus towards reinventing the way financial service businesses operate. We are looking to bring in innovation into the way Broking and Wealth Management businesses market themselves through creativity in content and in the channels used, while working along with the very bright team at ABM”.

     

  • Birla Sun Life Insurance’s new campaign emphasizes on regular savings

    Birla Sun Life Insurance’s new campaign emphasizes on regular savings

    NEW DELHI: Over the past many years, India has been undergoing a palpable transformation with the modern citizen more conscious of the need to enjoying their today instead of worrying about tomorrow as their seniors of yesteryears did.

     

    Birla Sun Life Insurance (BSLI), the life insurance arm of the Aditya Birla Financial Services Group through its latest campaign on “savings with protection solutions” seeks to bring certainty and confidence in customers’ lives in line with the Group’s commitment through its latest television commercial which stresses the need to plan for the future even as one enjoys the present.

     

    The TVC on this new solution captures the customers’ desires to live in the present together with the anxiety to secure the future. Life may continue to surprise us with its many uncertainties but if finances are planned smartly, money will never be the reason for breaking our loved one’s heart.

     

    Aditya Birla Group Chief Marketing Officer – Financial Services Ajay Kakar, says, “We live in rapidly changing times where the needs of mass Indians are fast expanding, and so is our spectrum of solutions. Savings with Protection Solution enables you to strike the right balance between living comfortably today and staying financially secure in the future, with small disciplined savings at regular intervals.”

     

    He adds, “Through our new TVC we wanted to take this thought to the masses taking inspiration from everyday situations in Indian households.” 

     

    Taproot India Chief Creative Officer Agnello Dias says, “Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans. That’s the insight this campaign stems from. It tells the audience that you cannot predict what will get in the way of your plans, but you can prepare for it, in a way that lets you enjoy today and secure tomorrow.”

     

    Using a slice-of-life story of an everyday Indian couple, the TVC begins with the husband animatedly talking on the phone excited about the first foreign trip the middle-aged couple is planning to undertake post their wedding. In contrast, the wife who has just quit her job is discussing raising unwanted expenditure with her friend on her way home from work. In this emotional dichotomy, the wife overhears the husband’s conversation where he states he is not worried of expenses as his wife continues to work and supplement the family income. This is when the wife breaks the news of her quitting the job expecting that her husband will cancel their trip to avoid the unnecessary expenditure. However, he continues to be carefree and still willing to undertake the holiday owing to his practice of steady savings. Through this TVC, the company aims to urge viewers to plan their future through regular small savings in a life full of uncertainties with Birla Sun Life Savings with Protection Solution.

     

    The television commercial (TVC) went on air today and the campaign will go on for five weeks. The campaign will be present across different mediums including television, radio, and digital, along with ample support from on-ground activation. BSLI will for the first time associate with a cricketing event and engage in content integration on radio to drive the savings message. 

     

    Some very creative minds in the business have worked on the campaign. While Shimit Amin of Chak De India fame has directed it, the campaign features Swanand Kirkire, award winning lyricist and playback singer as the lead actor.

  • EFFIES 2013 achieves an all time high, with 419 entries

    EFFIES 2013 achieves an all time high, with 419 entries

    MUMBAI: The EFFIE 2013 awards in its 13 year history, has received the highest number of entries ever this year.

    Last year the Ad Club received 357 entries – the highest then. This year it has surpassed the tally with an impressive figure of 419.

    On the escalation, EFFIE 2013 committee chairman Ajay Kakar said: “A growth of about 20 per cent in the number of entries and participation of over 50 agencies shows the growing importance of ‘effectiveness’ of a marketing campaign and its direct impact on a business. In recent years, this has also been one of the key requirements of businesses from marketers and agencies. I am sure that this year we will witness a wide range of ideas that has created a lasting impact on brands across diverse categories.”

    The award showcases the most effective in marketing and advertising and it’s the only award which celebrates the success of not only the agencies but also the clients.

    From 2011, the Ad Club has conducted the judging of EFFIEs and EMVIEs in Delhi, in addition to Mumbai. This has helped the Ad Club to engage with a large marketing fraternity from Delhi also.

    This year Colors is the presenting sponsor and Zee Media Corporation Limited is the associate sponsor. Lenovo has also come on board as the technology sponsor.
    The ceremony is scheduled for 15 January 2014 at the Royal Western India Turf Club, Enclosure II, Mahalaxmi in Mumbai at 6:30 pm.

  • Entry deadline for Effies extended

    Entry deadline for Effies extended

    MUMBAI: The Ad Club that is known for honouring the best in the advertising and allied industries with awards like the Emvies; the Abby Awards and the Effies, announced today that the deadline of case submission for Effies, to be held on 15 January, 2014 at Royal Western Turf Club, Mumbai has been extended to Monday, 2 December.

     

    A letter sent out by the Effie 2013 committee chairperson Ajay Kakar, mentioned that the decision has been taken because of numerous requests towards the end of last week to extend the Effie 2013 case submission deadline.

     

    The case studies are to be submitted at the Adclub Secretariat before 5:30 pm.

     

    Effies are the global benchmark in measuring and recognising marketing communications work. As per cent of the jury in India comprises of well known and senior marketing professionals, and the rest coming from leading communications agencies, work that wins at the Effies also becomes a benchmark in their minds. It stands a good chance to become a part of marketing and conversations all over India, and increasingly outside too.

  • Discover the change at Effie Awards 2013.

    Discover the change at Effie Awards 2013.

    MUMBAI: The Advertising Club invites entries for 2013 EFFIE India Awards. The EFFIE 2013 AWARDS is the premiere and the most coveted showcase for marketing and creative strategies that work. The Award plays a tripartite role of giving unyielding acknowledgement to an agency for showcasing its power to build brands that lead to business, demonstrating the highest level of leadership in brand communication for the clients and most significantly celebrating effective advertising and marketing in India.

    While the International EFFIE Awards are hosted every year in New York, since 2001 The Advertising Club has been the Asian partner that has helped to organize the EFFIEs in our part of the world. Incidentally EFFIEs is the only award that is bestowed on both the client and agency to jointly share the celebration of their effective communication and perseverance.

    Says Ajay Kakar, Chairperson – EFFIE 2013 Committee, “Since inception in 2001, we have seen a significant increase in entries from 53 in 2001 to 357 in 2012. Also we have seen a substantial increase in the number of agencies participating and last year 50 agencies participating in EFFIE. This year to further enrich the award and bring greater creative focus to emerging and significant categories, we have introduced a few new categories while redefining a few. I am sure that this will help in recognizing effective work done across many more categories.”

    This year in addition to the existing categories some new ones have also been included, to give recognition to their importance and potential.The changes announced in the categories at EFFIEs 2013 are as follows:

    Consumer Products category has been divided amongst sub categories of:
    • Beverages/Drink
    • Confectionary and Food
    • Cosmetics & Toiletries, Personal Hygiene.
    • Others

    Services Category has been redesigned to include:
    • Media and Entertainment
    • Telecom and Related products
    • Financial Services
    • Others

    Marks the introduction of two new categories:
    • Experiential Marketing / Brand Experience
    • EFFIE for Good

    Also, Corporate Advertising category renamed as Corporate Advertising / Corporate Reputation.

    With this, EFFIEs 2013 open the door for all agencies across creative, media, digital and PR to demonstrate the leadership role in more effective brand communication.

    • Last date of Entries for EFFIEs Award 2013 : Monday, 25th November, 2013. 

    • Entries should pertain to work done between 1st July 2012 to 30th June 2013.

    • The award ceremony will be held on Wednesday, 15th January 2014, at the Royal Western Turf Club, Enclosure II, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai. 

    To know more about EFFIE 2013, please visit http://www.theadvertisingclub.net or write to us at adclub@vsnl.com.

  • Birla Sun Life Insurance launches TVC with Yuvraj Singh

    MUMBAI: Birla Sun Life Insurance has launched a new TVC with brand ambassador Yuvraj Singh who has just recovered from cancer.

    The television commercial is the second leg of the earlier ad that saw Singh saying “jab tak balla chal raha hai, thaat hai”. Through the new ad the cricketer makes a comeback and shares his determination to live with confidence through the ups and downs of life. He takes a leaf out of his own life to make the point that it is futile to question fate. Instead, he exhorts his audience to be prepared for whatever life may bring, the company said.

    With the sentence “jab tak balla chal raha hai, thaat hai”, he takes a cricket analogy into life, equating “balla” with financial preparedness.

    Aditya Birla Group chief marketing officer – financial services Ajay Kakar said, “In our opinion Yuvraj Singh is a true hero. Even through this tough interlude of his life, he has not questioned destiny and asked “why me”, but maintained a singular focus on his come-back not just to cricket but to life.”

    “Through our new TVC we wanted to take this thought forward to the masses that while you can‘t anticipate your future, you can at least prepare for it. Taking inspiration from his life story this time the thought moves from the game of cricket to the game of life with -‘Kyonki cricket ho ya life, jab tak balla chal raha hai, thaat hai‘,” he added.

    The company has launched a 45-secondar television commercial that will have an approximate 40 day runtime. It will be present across channels like television, print, radio, and digital along with BTL activities.

    The TVC opens in a sunny setting with Yuvraj visiting a school where cricket net practice is on. Yuvraj is talking to the kids, telling them about his journey through his illness and the valiant comeback that he has made. He then talks about the unpredictability of the future, and says that we need to plan for it today.

    The campaign makes a departure from the previous one with its more positive approach. It moves from him being alone in a rainy setting to a bright sunny afternoon amidst children. The campaign also moves from cricket to life. Through this TVC, the company aims at urging the viewers to plan their future today in a life full of uncertainties, with Birla Sun Life Wealth with Protection Solutions.

  • Birla Sun Life Insurance launches new campaign with Yuvraj Singh

    Birla Sun Life Insurance launches new campaign with Yuvraj Singh

    MUMBAI: Birla Sun Life Insurance (BSLI) has launched a new 360 degree campaign continuing with its strategy to provoke mass India into realising and appreciating the many critical and relevant roles that insurance can play in their lives. Brand ambassador Yuvraj Singh will feature in the ads.

    The creatives of the campaign are credited to JWT (Mumbai).

    Aditya Birla Group chief marketing officer – financial services Ajay Kakar said, “Today‘s Indians have tasted never-before success in the early years of their working life. This unprecedented material success gives them the confidence and belief that the good times will continue, uninterrupted, and they will live and enjoy all their ambitious dreams, one by one.”

    With a new campaign for their Wealth with Protection Solutions, BSLI and Singh have come together to provoke them to insure their lives through the highs and lows that life can have in store for them.

    Kakar added, “We have used Yuvraj Singh as our philosophy ambassador to share his personal belief and experience – also a reality of life – that ‘Jab tak balla chaltha hai, thaat hain. Jab balla nahin chalega tho…’ (‘You rule, only till your bat rules’). We aim to provoke and inspire mass India with the personal triumphs, trials and tribulations of Yuvraj, who like a Phoenix, never accepts defeat. He just keeps working to combat the challenges that life and cricket have thrown his way, to bounce back.”

    Speaking on the new communication campaign JWT VP and ECD Nandita Chalam said, “Over the years people have started associating the BSLI brand strongly with the concept of “Balla”. The ad is set within a stadium, with Yuvraj sharing his story, talking to mass India through the camera, conversing in a real, true, down-to-earth manner. The tonality of the ad is candid, honest and more importantly, it connects.”

  • Birla Sun Life launches new TVC

    Birla Sun Life launches new TVC

    MUMBAI: Birla Sun Life Insurance‘s (BSLI) has launched a new TV commercial urging viewers to not leave their dreams to chance but to protect them.

    Created by JWT India, the TVC is produced by Chrome Pictures and directed by Amit Sharma.

    The TVC is scheduled to go live today and will be seen across all leading television channels. In the time to come the company will also invest in promotions to reach out to audiences across the country with the theme of ‘safety, security and protection‘. These will span television, radio, outdoor, below the line and digital media.

    Aditya Birla Group CMO – financial services Ajay Kakar said, “As a brand, we consider it our mission to provoke mass India into realising the many roles which insurance can play in their lives. We have been successful in doing so, with our wealth with protection solutions campaign with Yuvraj and Sehwag, followed by our children‘s future solutions campaign. We now want to do the same with our protections solutions campaign.”

    JWT VP and ECD Nandita Chalam added, “India is a young and optimistic nation where most people believe that they can create their own destiny. Therefore to sell protection solutions from Birla Sun Life Insurance, we at JWT had to find a way of making people aware of the fragility of life without frightening them. We managed to do this by adopting a tone that is provocative yet empathetic.”

    The TVC portrays a young working couple who is on their way home from work, on a normal working day. Suddenly they have a lucky escape from what could have been a fatal accident. This completely shakes them up. It is at this crucial point that BSLI forth a thought-provoking question to the viewer “Can you afford to leave your dreams to chance?” The film ends on a note with the couple realising that there is a lot that need to do, to live their dreams.

    Mindshare is the media planning agency of BSLI.