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Tag: Ajaz Ahmed

  • WPP merges AKQA and Grey into new AKQA Group

    WPP merges AKQA and Grey into new AKQA Group

    NEW DELHI: WPP has amalgamated its agencies AKQA and Grey to form a new network model, AKQA Group. With heightened demand for digital transformation and technology-driven capabilities, the combination will create a powerful new proposition for clients as a leading creative solutions company with a worldwide footprint, the group mentioned in a note.

    The new group will be led by AKQA founder Ajaz Ahmed, who will become the CEO and Grey Worldwide CEO Michael Houston, who will be the global president and COO.

    The AKQA Group will launch with the AKQA and Grey brands, which will be integrated over time into a single company based on client and market needs. The management team and creative leadership will be announced in the coming weeks, comprising leaders from AKQA and Grey.

    It will have 6,000 people in more than 50 countries and a blue-chip client roster that includes more than half of the Fortune 500’s top 20. It will provide a full range of brand experience capabilities across all communications platforms, strengthening the skills and services of both companies for clients.

    Ajaz Ahmed said: “Our goal is to expand horizons, combining the curiosity, ambition, imagination and pioneering spirit of a startup with the reach of a global enterprise. This is an unparalleled opportunity for AKQA and Grey to bring our shared assets to life into a modern, creatively-led company, building upon our inspiring and useful work to create value for our clients, people and communities.”

    Michael Houston said: “This exciting new partnership begins with what consumers expect, clients value, and brands need. Forming a new company that can deliver culture-driving ideas through technology at speed and scale is a potent proposition for our clients, large and small, and will allow us to offer the most powerful creative solutions in the industry.”

    WPP CEO Mark Read said: “Our clients want outstanding creativity, powered by technology expertise and delivered at a global scale. This new company is designed precisely to meet those needs and is another important step forward in building our future-facing offer for clients.”

  • Kyoorius Designyatra successfully concludes its ninth edition

    Kyoorius Designyatra successfully concludes its ninth edition

    MUMBAI: Held over a period of three days (11 – 13 September), the ninth edition of Kyoorius Designyatra concluded on a thought-provoking and inspiring note. Over the three days, the conference was a hive of creativity that sparked new ideas amongst the best creative minds from across the globe. The 1520 delegates from 18 countries contributed to a diverse, eclectic atmosphere in Goa.

     

    Kyoorius founder CEO Rajesh Kejriwal said, “It’s exciting to see almost nine months of planning come to fruition. This year we brought together a group of divergent thinkers to encourage cross-pollination between people from different countries and disciplines. No matter your background or professional experience, each delegate left Designyatra thoroughly inspired. At Kyoorius, we hope that delegates will go back looking at their work with fresh eyes and take more chances to step out of their comfort zone.”

     

    The day kickstarted with Moving Brands CEO Mat Heinl speaking on creativity in a moving world and the need for brands to . Todd Rovak talked about Fahrenheit 212’s ideology of combining money and magic to create transformational growth and innovation for their clients. Hakuhodo’s Morihiko Hasebe emphasised that agencies need to evolve and explore possibilities beyond advertising. Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv co-founder Ivan Chermayeff, offered the audience insights into some of his iconic, timeless identities, many of which are still in use; he ended his talk advising young designers to make things which are simple, memorable and appropriate. Holly Hall highlighted D&AD’s educational programmes, funded by its widely celebrated and extremely selective awards programme and the importance of giving back to the international creative community. For Ajaz Ahmed of AKQA, more than technology, imagination is the most powerful thing in the world. Liam Paton and Nathan Prince of Silent Studios wowed audiences, merging motion and sound to create immersive experiences for a number of brands.

     

     Interactions at Kyoorius Designyatra were not limited to the stage but also occurred during smaller, intimate breakout sessions, allowing for more in-depth knowledge sharing in an informal environment. Over the three days, hands-on sessions were conducted by professional experts, including one on law and intellectual property for designers by Kushagra Shah, a participative workshop on creative ways to ideate by Hyper Island’s Maria Eriksson. Students and young designers also had the opportunity to show their portfolios and gain insights from the who’s who of the industry.

     

     The Kyoorius Designyatra was also pledged to be a carbon neutral event, partnering with Greening Advertising and Media Entertainment to calculate and offset its carbon footprint.

  • WPP buys digital agency AKQA

    MUMBAI: Global advertising giant WPP is buying stake in San Francisco based digital agency AKQA, the last big digital shops not yet public or owned by a holding company.

    Though the purchase price was not revealed, the digital agency is valued at $450 million and trade estimates peg the price around that figure.

    AKQA is backed by private-equity firm General Atlantic and at the end of 2011 had gross assets of $282 million with a forecast of profits to the tune of $230 million in 2012 as opposed to $189 million in 2011.

    The announcement was made during the annual Cannes Lions held in Paris, France. AKQA will continue to operate as an independent and standalone brand within WPP and be led by founder and CEO Ajaz Ahmed and chairman Tom Bedecarré.

    Bedacarre will also become president of WPP Ventures, a new Silicon-Valley based digital investment company.

    Two years back, AKQA was approached by Japanese media house Dentsu, but the latter soon exited the talks. According top media reports, the asking price at the time was between $550 million and $600 million which was also speculated to be the reason for Dentsu’s withdrawal.

    WPP too tried twice before things finally fell in place.

    AKQA currently employs 1,160 people all over the globe and has offices in U.S., Europe and Shanghai. It provides expertise in integrated digital communications campaigns, social media, mobile, gaming work, and content creation and has clients like Delta, Diageo, EDF, GAP, Google, Microsoft Xbox, Nike, Target, Unilever and Virgin Money.