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Tag: Anupama Ramaswamy

  • Ranbir Kapoor tells men to skip the copy and show their original with Vi-John

    Ranbir Kapoor tells men to skip the copy and show their original with Vi-John

    MUMBAI: No more copy-paste looks, it is time to hit refresh. Vi-John, India’s number 1 shaving cream brand, has launched its bold new campaign with Ranbir Kapoor at the helm, urging men to stop being a “photocopy” and instead showcase their authentic selves.

    Titled “Photocopy nahi, original dikho”, the campaign shifts grooming from a chore to a statement of individuality. For a brand trusted in Indian homes for over six decades, this marks a sharp step into the world of today’s confident, self-expressive men.

    “Today’s generation doesn’t want to blend in, they want to stand out,” said Ranbir Kapoor. “Grooming plays a big role in that. Vi-John’s message is simple but strong: don’t be a photocopy, own your vibe.”

    Conceptualised by Havas Creative India with media handled by Dentsu, the campaign cuts across TV, print, digital, and social platforms. With its witty, clutter-breaking narrative, it repositions Vi-John not just as a shaving brand, but as a confidence partner for men everywhere.

    Vi-John Group, managing director, Harshit Kochar said, “With this campaign, we are celebrating individuality. Vi-John has always stood for trust and accessibility, but we also want to stay relevant to the aspirations of today’s youth.”

    The campaign also highlights Vi-John’s new premium shaving line, featuring sulphate-free, dermatologically tested creams and razors, designed to blend care with performance.

    As Havas Creative’s Anupama Ramaswamy put it, “Trends are easy to follow, but originality is what sets you apart. This campaign pushes men to embrace their unique style, with Ranbir delivering that message in his trademark charm.”

    With “Photocopy nahi, original dikho”, Vi-John sharpens its edge for a new generation, reminding men that true style begins with originality.

  • Tina Mansukhani Garg joins Havas Creative as president

    Tina Mansukhani Garg joins Havas Creative as president

    MUMBAI: Havas Creative India, part of the wider Havas Creative Network, has made a cracking appointment, bringing Tina Mansukhani Garg on board as its new president. Formerly the chief executive officer and founder of Pink Lemonade Communications, a rather sweet-sounding agency, one might say – she arrives with a clear mandate: pump up the volume on growth and cement Havas Creative’s footprint in the ever-shifting South India market.

    Based out of the bustling tech hub of Bengaluru, Garg will report directly to Rana Barua, the group chief executive officer for Havas India, South East Asia & North Asia. She’ll be spearheading a team of over 70 dedicated souls at Havas Creative Bengaluru, wrangling key clients and, more importantly, plotting to expand the agency’s creative and strategic reach across the entire southern region. Think of it as a strategic southern offensive.

    Ms. Garg isn’t going it alone. She’ll be working by jowl with Kundan Joshee, managing director, Havas Creative India, and Anupama Ramaswamy, joint managing director and chief creative officer, Havas Creative India, all with the shared goal of igniting and accelerating the agency’s growth.

    With almost three decades of experience under her belt, spanning branding, content, design, and digital strategy, Garg brings a formidable arsenal of integrated marketing know-how to the table. During her time at Pink Lemonade, she reportedly tangoed with over 1,000 global and Indian brands, including heavy hitters like Swiggy, Dell, GE Healthcare, Hyundai, PwC, and Mercedes. Havas, it appears, has bagged itself a marketing maestro ready to paint the town red, or rather, the south green with new business.

  • Cannes gets a WIN-dow to the future of creativity and inclusion

    Cannes gets a WIN-dow to the future of creativity and inclusion

    MUMBAI: The Women Inspiring Network (WIN) turned up the volume at Cannes 2025 with its buzzing #WINLounge, a high-energy hub at Hotel Martinez that celebrated diversity, daring ideas and disruptive conversations. With over 50 speakers from more than 20 countries, the event proved WIN isn’t here to whisper—it’s here to roar.

    WIN’s golden moment? Anupama Ramaswamy, chief creative officer at Havas Worldwide India CCO Anupama Ramaswamy and a #WINLounge speaker, clinched India’s first Gold Cannes Lions of 2025 for Ink of Democracy. Cue the standing ovation, and a thousand proud hearts back home.

    The day-long creative jam on 18 June opened with a keynote from Bridget Evans, global head of business marketing at Spotify, and segued into 10 powerhouse panels, interactive workshops, and fireside chats featuring everyone from Snap AR’s Resh Sidhu to Vevo’s Natalie Gabathuler-Scully and TikTok-famous changemakers from across continents.

    If the agenda felt like a mixtape of the future—it was. Panels tackled themes like inclusive innovation, philanthropy 2.0, emotional branding, and the metamorphosis of marketing with AI and AR thrown into the blender. Highlights included ‘The 21st-Century Blueprint for Purpose-Driven Brand-Building’, ‘Culture is Capital’, and ‘Disrupting the Default’—each one as punchy as its title.

    WIN also turned up the heat at Spotify Beach, where its podcast platform WIN Voices spotlighted a rising tribe of African storytellers including South African media dynamo Kim Jayde, UK-Nigerian director Meji Alabi, and Kojo Marfo of My Runway Group. From Afrobeats to blockchain, these voices brought cultural currency to the Croisette.

    Speaking about Cannes 2025, Women Inspiring Network (WIN) founder Stuti Jalan remarked, “Cannes was raw, electric, and unforgettable—a melting pot of ideas, creativity, and global change makers. It was incredible to see WIN in the middle of it all. Riding this momentum, we are now gearing up for our next chapters across New York, Davos, India and other global stages.I would like to acknowledge and express gratitude for the support from our partners—Dasra, Camphouse, Masimo, and Vevo. Their belief in our mission made this powerful exchange of ideas and inspiration possible.

    Workshops kept the spark alive. Bonnie Wan’s The Life Brief helped guests craft purpose-driven roadmaps, while Leading Beyond Imposter Syndrome by Trust Your Creative was an emotional tune-up for leaders navigating uncertain terrain. In a special fireside chat, Jalan went tête-à-tête with Caspar Lee, former YouTube star turned co-founder of Influencer.com, who shared his $65 million journey from creator to VC.

    With New York, Davos and India in its crosshairs.

     

  • Havas Creative India paints Cannes purple with ‘Ink of Democracy’ campaign

    Havas Creative India paints Cannes purple with ‘Ink of Democracy’ campaign

    MUMBAI: Havas Creative India has left an indelible impression at Cannes Lions 2025, taking home one Gold in Print & Publishing and two Bronze Lions in Direct and Best Use of Media for its bold campaign ‘Ink of Democracy’, created in partnership with The Times of India.

    The campaign transformed the newspaper’s editorial page into a wall of silent protest — printing it entirely in electoral ink purple, the same hue used to mark voters’ fingers. The striking visual served as a powerful reminder ahead of the general elections: democracy thrives when ink hits paper and the ballot.

    Havas India, Group CEO, South East Asia and North Asia, Rana Barua said, “Our momentum at Cannes Lions 2025 has been incredible with one Gold in Print & Publishing and two Bronze Lions in Direct and Media for Ink of Democracy. These wins reflect the kind of culture we’ve been nurturing at Havas, a culture rooted in meaning, collaboration, and fearless creativity. It is also a testament of the product and ecosystem we’ve built over the last 7 years. I’m incredibly proud of Anu and our young talents who brought home the lions. A big thank you to Joji and our global teams for the continuous support. Our hearts are full, and I believe this is just the beginning for us.”

    Havas Creative India, joint MD & CCO, Anupama Ramaswamy added, “We’re incredibly overwhelmed and humbled to bring home two more Bronze Lions for Times of India – Ink of Democracy in Direct and Best Use of Media, along with our Gold in Print & Publishing. For a country that still begins its day with the newspaper, this was more than a campaign, it was a responsibility. And what could be more direct than telling 1.4 billion people to leave their homes and go vote? We didn’t chase engagement; we sparked participation. We didn’t count likes; we counted inked fingers. This is creativity serving democracy. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible partners at The Times of India, and a big shout out to my brilliantly talented young team — Soham, Ravinder, and Annie. You made this real. These wins matter. They bring visibility, open doors, and most importantly, they shine a light on the next generation of talent. At Havas we are committed to making sure they’re seen, heard, and celebrated.”

    Stripped of headlines but not of intent, the campaign challenged apathy with colour and symbolism, proving that sometimes, silence shouts the loudest.

  • Havas Creative India wins India’s First Gold at Cannes Lions 2025 for ‘Ink of Democracy’

    Havas Creative India wins India’s First Gold at Cannes Lions 2025 for ‘Ink of Democracy’

    MUMBAI: Havas Creative India, the creative agency of Havas India, has brought home the country’s first Gold Lion at Cannes Lions 2025 for its powerful campaign ‘Ink of Democracy’, created in partnership with The Times of India.

    Rooted in the symbolic power of electoral ink, Ink of Democracy, which won in the Print 
    & Publishing category, was a visceral call to action for India’s citizens ahead of the general elections. By printing The Times of India’s editorial page entirely in purple – the very colour used to mark fingers of those who vote – the campaign served as a silent yet powerful protest against voter apathy. No headlines. No logos. Just a stark reminder of the voices that were never heard.

    Havas India group CEO South East Asia and North Asia, Rana Barua said, “Winning a Cannes Lions for Ink of Democracy is a moment of immense pride—for the work, the people behind it, and what it stands for. At our core, we’ve always believed in the power of creativity. We truly believe it has the power to shape conversations and spark change.

    I’m incredibly proud of Anu, Ravinder, Soham and our team that brought this idea to life. Also, a huge shoutout to Team TOI, Joji, and our global team for their belief in the idea and all the support. Here’s to a team that continues to raise the bar, pushing boundaries with integrity, heart, and fearless creativity.”

    Havas Creative India joint MD & chief creative officer, Anupama Ramaswamy added, “From the moment we thought of Ink of Democracy, I knew in my gut this idea needed to be made and needed to be seen by the world. It wasn’t loud or flashy, but it had truth, purpose, and heart. One thing I held onto was patience. And a quiet tenacity to see it through, no matter how long it took.

    What makes this Cannes Lions win truly special is my young team that brought it to life—Soham, Ravinder, and Annie—who poured everything into it. They carried the idea with courage and craft, and I couldn’t be prouder.

    A big thank you to Rana and the global team at Havas for believing in the work and helping us take it beyond borders. This is a shared win, and a reminder of what’s possible when we trust our instincts and support one another.”

  • Ideas took the stand as Goafest jury Anupama Ramaswamy championed storytelling that stirred minds and movements

    Ideas took the stand as Goafest jury Anupama Ramaswamy championed storytelling that stirred minds and movements

    MUMBAI: Havas Creative India CCO & JMD Anupama Ramaswamy took the Goafest 2025 day three stage with a fiery address that tore through apathy and spotlighted the ideas that truly set the jury room ablaze. Speaking at the session titled ‘What Ignited the Jury Room?’ under the theme ‘Ignite Your Mind’, Ramaswamy walked the audience through a curated list of campaigns that, in her words, “didn’t just tick boxes but flipped the narrative”.

    The Jury leaned into creativity not as an embellishment but as a battering ram against social inertia. Among the campaigns highlighted was the Lays x UNA collaboration – ‘Farm Equal’, which reframed the lens on gender equality by spotlighting female farmers. The storytelling was more than empathetic; it was revolutionary in the way it reclaimed space for women in India’s agricultural narrative.

    Reliance’s ‘Pink Star Rating’ received a nod as the world’s first global safety app dedicated to women travellers, turning safety from a concern into a creative proposition. The app served both function and form, giving users the tools to stay informed while providing marketers with an inspiring brief: build tech that protects.

    Football found a new pitch in Mahindra’s ‘Nanhi Kali’ campaign, which shattered traditional ideas about girlhood by encouraging girls to embrace ambition through sport. The ad steered away from stereotypical portrayals and celebrated freedom, focus, and the fierce footwork of aspiration.

    In the same breath, Navneet’s Colour Blindness Book tackled the overlooked needs of children with colour vision deficiency. The campaign aimed to help one crore Indian students, merging design thinking with inclusive education policy.

    Sabhyata’s Diwali ad, made in collaboration with Motherhood Hospitals, shifted the spotlight to working mothers, balancing duty and desire with poise. Meanwhile, Vaseline’s initiative for the transgender community offered skincare designed specifically for their needs—a product-led campaign built on the foundation of visibility and respect.

    Beyond India, a Japanese campaign supporting surname reform for women questioned why marriage should erase identity. By giving voice to choice, the work opened a broader conversation on equality through culture.

    Wrapping up, Ramaswamy reminded the room that it wasn’t causes but creativity that clinched the win. “Big ideas lead—causes follow”, she asserted, adding, “Creativity is the catalyst, not the charity”.

     

  • Abby Awards 2025 unveils power-packed jury chairs across key categories

    Abby Awards 2025 unveils power-packed jury chairs across key categories

    MUMBAI: The Ad Club has revealed the first set of jury chairs for The Abby Awards 2025 powered by One Show, ahead of the grand showcase at Goafest 2025, taking place on 21–23 May at Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon.

    Stepping into key jury roles this year are four of the most dynamic minds in Indian advertising: Rajdeepak Das, Senthil Kumar, Chandni Shah, and Anupama Ramaswamy.

    Das to chair video film (under one minute) category

    Publicis Groupe south Asia and Leo Burnett south Asia chief creative officer & chairman, Das is known for redefining creativity with a human-first lens. His award-winning campaigns from Whisper’s ‘The Missing Chapter’ (Grand Prix, SDG – Cannes Lions 2022) to Pepsico Lays Smart Farms (Grand Prix, Spikes Asia 2024) underline his commitment to impactful innovation. At Leo Burnett, he launched Apollo 11, a futuristic division powered by mutant creatives including aerospace engineers and data scientists.

    Kumar to chair video film (over one minute) category

    VML India chief creative officer, dubbed a ‘Lion Hunter’ by The Economic Times, Kumar is one of the most decorated creative minds in the country. With 27 Cannes Lions, 24 D&AD Pencils, and numerous other global honours, his vision has fuelled campaigns for brands like Wipro, Hero Motors, Tata Steel, and The Times of India. His storytelling extends to award-winning short films and documentaries, including A Salaam To Kalam and Save Our Sentinels.

    Shah to chair mobile category

    FCB Kinnect founder & COO, from child model to digital powerhouse, Shah has consistently broken moulds. At 32, she co-founded one of India’s most impactful digital agencies with over 600 Kinnectors. She’s been honoured by Campaign Asia-Pacific, Impact’s 50 Most Influential Women, and Agency Reporter’s SHE Awards. Her jury experience and global award-winning campaigns (Cannes Lions, D&AD, Clio) make her a force to reckon with.

    Ramaswamy to chair diversity, equality & inclusion category

    Havas Worldwide joint MD & chief creative officer, With over 25 years in advertising, Ramaswamy is known for campaigns that resonate with both purpose and power. From launching Ikea in India to winning Gold at Cannes, Clio, LIA, and Spikes, she’s delivered some of India’s most memorable brand moments. Her impact-driven campaigns for Reckitt, Fortis, Suzuki, and Maruti continue to set benchmarks.

  • Durex launches close-fit invisible condom

    Durex launches close-fit invisible condom

    Mumbai: Durex, a condom brand, announced the launch of Durex Close Fit Invisible Condom, a close-fit thin condom. Durex Close Fit features an ultra-thin condom with a promise of snug fit, allowing couples to experience enhanced closeness and sensations without compromising on protection.

    Capturing the essence that a close fit makes all the difference, Durex Close Fit offers supreme comfort, allowing couples to feel more sensations and enjoy a satisfying experience that deepens both emotional and physical connection. As condom penetration in India lingers at just 9.5 per cent, Durex aims to tackle the barrier that condoms reduce sensations, pleasure, and intimacy. The latest first-of-its-kind innovation, Durex Close Fit provides consumers the perfect balance between increased pleasure and reliable protection.

    Speaking on the launch, Reckitt – South Asia, regional marketing director, health – Kanika Kalra said, “As a brand known for pushing boundaries, Durex is constantly innovating to meet the evolving needs of today’s modern and conscious consumers. With condom penetration in India at just 9.5 per cent, a key challenge remains the mental barrier that condoms dull sensation and intimacy. At Reckitt, we are committed to tackling this challenge and promoting wellbeing through innovative and new age solutions. Durex Close Fit is a game changer — offering a closer fit that redefines the sexual experience for couples, empowering them to enjoy pleasurable, intimate moments without compromising on protection.”

    Conceptualised by Havas Worldwide India, the campaign film focuses on that special snug feeling when something fits and contours around you perfectly and closely. In the unique Durex flair, the film employs an avant-garde storytelling style and technique to transport you to a tactile world where intimacy is heightened, and every sensation is viscerally felt. Using metaphors of swimming, athletics and dance the film establishes, that in matters of pleasure, ‘A close fit makes all the difference’.

    Havas Worldwide India joint MD & chief creative officer Anupama Ramaswamy said, “Durex as a brand has constantly maintained a distinct positioning around ‘intimacy’, drawing from its legacy of technology-led innovations. To highlight the innovation of Durex Close Fit Invisible, the film explores an impactful new narrative style pushing the boundary of storytelling and visualization to make an unforgettable film.”

    Durex as a brand has constantly maintained a distinct positioning around ‘intimacy’ and ‘performance’, drawing from its legacy of technology-led innovations, helping people feel good about themselves and their partners. In India, Durex has also been focused on raising awareness on sexual health and wellbeing with its purpose program- ‘The Birds and Bees Talk’.

    Durex Close Fit condoms are now available at retail stores across India and on leading e-commerce websites, priced at Rs 181 for a pack of three condoms and at Rs 599 for a pack of 10 condoms.

  • Muthoot FinCorp launches Book My Gold Loan campaign with Shah Rukh Khan

    Muthoot FinCorp launches Book My Gold Loan campaign with Shah Rukh Khan

    Mumbai: Muthoot FinCorp Ltd (MFL), the flagship company of the 137-year-old Muthoot Pappachan Group (Muthoot Blue), has launched its ‘Book My Gold Loan’ campaign featuring Shah Rukh Khan. This groundbreaking campaign introduces a first-of-its-kind service in India: book a Gold Loan instantly, anytime, from anywhere. The newly launched feature allows customers to initiate loans with a simple missed call, integrating advanced technology with exceptional customer service.

    This unique service makes Gold Loans more accessible and convenient for consumers and is powered by the robust phygital presence of Muthoot FinCorp across the country with 3700+ branches and Gold Loan from Home in 50+ cities.  

    Muthoot FinCorp Ltd CEO Shaji Varghese said, “Through our campaign, we aim to transform financial accessibility for every Indian. Partnering with Shah Rukh Khan, the ‘Book My Gold Loan’ campaign represents a major leap for us. With the ‘Book My Gold Loan’ service we aim to make life easier for all our consumers with gold loans that can be taken at any of our branches or from their homes. Our loans empower our customers to fulfil their aspirations daily.”

    Muthoot FinCorp’s ‘Book My Gold Loan’ campaign has been conceptualized and created by Havas Worldwide India (creative) and executed by Havas Media India (media) and features a captivating television commercial (TVC) starring Shah Rukh Khan.  The TVC whisks viewers through a sequence of aspirations – starting businesses, studying abroad, and buying a new car. As each scene unfolds, Shah Rukh Khan subtly incorporates the ‘call me’ gesture, hinting at a simple solution.  In the end, Khan reveals the answer behind his ‘call me’ gesture – Muthoot FinCorp’s ‘Book My Gold Loan’ service. This first-in-India service makes getting a Gold Loan as easy as a missed call to 80869 80869 to turn your dreams into reality.  Additionally, Muthoot FinCorp has also released a musical video promoting the new initiative with SRK.

    Havas Worldwide India, joint MD & chief creative officer Anupama Ramaswamy said, “We came up with a signature gesture for our unique feature of Book Your Gold Loan with a missed call and got Shah Rukh Khan to tell the world about it. And as always, he gave it a unique twist.”

    Havas Media Network CEO Mohit Joshi said, “We are excited to be part of this campaign with Muthoot FinCorp and their newest brand ambassador Shah Rukh Khan. Muthoot FinCorp’s constant innovation to make financial access easier for people is commendable and we are sure the multilingual campaign will meaningfully connect with the larger audience across the country.”

    This campaign will be broadcast in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, and Gujarati. It will encompass OOH, digital platforms, television, print, and on-ground activations, ensuring a widespread reach and pan-India impact.

    Muthoot FinCorp recently achieved record-breaking consolidated loan disbursements in FY24, at Rs. 61,703.26 crore. With the launch of ‘Book My Gold Loan,’ the company is poised to make a significant leap forward in simplifying the lending landscape.  

    The campaign promises to resonate deeply with audiences of all demographics, paving the way for a more accessible and convenient lending experience.

  • Mamaearth launches campaign celebrating timeless maternal wisdom

    Mamaearth launches campaign celebrating timeless maternal wisdom

    Mumbai: Mamaearth, a brand for toxin-free and natural personal care products, has launched its latest campaign celebrating the timeless wisdom of mothers and the profound impact they have on shaping their children’s lives.

    Titled “Maa Paas Nahi, Toh Mamaearth Hi Sahi,” the campaign is a heartfelt tribute to the enduring love, guidance, and support that mothers offer, inspiring Mamaearth to create products rooted in the wisdom of traditional remedies and grandmothers ‘nuskha’.

    The campaign captures the essence of maternal love and care while viewers are drawn deeply into the personal story of a new mom facing life’s challenges without the physical presence of her mother. The film introduces us to a new mom struggling to soothe her crying baby, desperately missing the comforting advice and ‘nuskha’ her own mother used to offer. Through a video call, she expresses her feelings of helplessness until she discovers Mamaearth’s Easy Tummy Roll-On, a gentle reminder of her mother’s love and care. It’s a powerful moment of realization that even when her mom isn’t there, Mamaearth’s products bring a sense of comfort and familiarity.

    Sharing her thoughts on the campaign, Honasa Consumer Ltd EVP and chief marketing officer Anuja Mishra said, “For Mama earth, this campaign is not just a message but a reflection of our beginnings — a journey sparked by the timeless wisdom and nurturing love of a mother. We understand that there may be times when you may need to be away from your mom, yet still seek her advice. No one can substitute a mother, but as a brand, our endeavour is to bring Maa’s age-old beauty and care secrets

    to you. From traditional remedies to modern-day practices, mothers have always stood as pillars of family well-being, passing down invaluable wisdom through the ages. Drawing inspiration from this deep-rooted understanding, our campaign celebrates the enduring legacy of motherhood and honours the unique journey of each mother who has nurtured, protected, and empowered her children, even from afar. This campaign not only underscores our commitment to innovation and responsiveness to evolving consumer needs but also reflects our dedication to harnessing the inherent power of nature to create safe and effective products for new mothers and their families.”

    Havas Worldwide India chief creative officer Anupama Ramaswamy commented, “Mother knows best. She knows the unsaid things and what’s best for her child. It’s in her pearls of wisdom drawn from age-old traditions. And yet, she will not forever be around. And that’s when you miss her and her small nuskhe the most that made life so easy. We are proud to bring these nuskhe to life in easy-to-use ways, making it feel like maa is always near you. With this, we crafted two heartwarming stories of a struggling new mom and a fresh out-of-home teenager, each looking to their mothers for help and how the mother already knew what’s best for them.”

    The campaign showcases Mamaearth Easy Tummy Roll-On in the film which resonates deeply with the theme of maternal care. The Roll-On is a soothing remedy for babies digestive discomfort, echoing the traditional practice of using hing-infused water to ease stomach troubles, colic or gas discomfort.

    This 83-second ad film was conceptualised by Havas Worldwide India, and the brand plans to launch another film under the ‘Maa Paas Nahi, Toh Mamaearth Hi Sahi’ campaign.