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Tag: Ashish Bhasin

  • WATConsult asks ‘WAT’s your Big Idea?’

    WATConsult asks ‘WAT’s your Big Idea?’

    MUMBAI: WATConsult has launched of one of its kind ideation competition for colleges across the country – WAT’s your Big Idea (#WYBI).

    WYBI is a unique platform which provides massive opportunities to the next generation, in the field of advertising and marketing. It is a college contact programme, where students get an opportunity to work on live projects, understand the nuances of creating digital campaigns for notable brands and showcase their creative skills to the best brand marketers in the country.

    Spread over 40 days, a student or team of students compete for a prize where ideation is the main predictor of the winner. The students can log onto www.watsyourbigidea.com and crack the creative brief given by a brand live, post which WATConsult will screen their applications.

    Shortlisted teams need to share a video detailing the idea which will further be shortlisted by a panel of esteemed jury which includes, Dentsu Aegis Network chairman and CEO – South Asia, Ashish Bhasin, WATConsult founder and CEO Rajiv Dingra, Bestseller India CEO and country head Vineet Gautam, L&T Investment Management Limited’s Kailash Kulkarni; Reliance Jio chief digital officer Vishal Sampat, HUL’s head of oral care, Sashwat Sharma; Radio Mirchi EVP Head-Digital Initiatives Rahul Balyan, and Warner Bros. India senior director and network head of English entertainment, Rohit Bhandari, before announcing the winners.

    WATConsult has partnered with 20 leading educational institutes across India, like MICA, SIMC, Amity University, XIC, IIMB, IIM (Indore), SP Jain, Jamnalal Bajaj NMIMS, MET, Jai Hind amongst others. The brands on board are Pepsodent (HUL), Jack and Jones, L&T Mutual Funds, Warner Bros, Radio Mirchi and LYF Smartphone+.

    WATConsult CEO and founder Rajiv Dingra said, “WAT’S your Big Idea are ideas for different brands are the main deliverables. WYBI is a unique platform that brings the industry together – brand marketers, agency and aspiring students with a singular goal to inspire and appreciate great ideas.”

    Dentsu Aegis Network chairman and CEO – south Asia Ashish Bhasin said, “It gives me immense pleasure to be on the jury for such an exciting initiative. The young generation is always bursting with vivacious ideas and with WATConsult’s initiative; we are sure we will witness some great ideas and introduce new talent in the industry. Dentsu Aegis Network has always stood for innovating the way brands are built and this is a good example of a step in that direction.”

    The selected winners will be rewarded monetarily and a job guarantee.

  • Dentsu Aegis ‘Happy’ about mcgarrybowen’s India entry

    Dentsu Aegis ‘Happy’ about mcgarrybowen’s India entry

    MUMBAI: Dentsu Aegis has added another feather in its acquisition cap. Dentsu Aegis Network has signed a definitive agreement to acquire creative marketing agency, Happy Creative Services in India. It will join the global mcgarrybowen network of agencies and be rebranded as Happymcgarrybowen. The deal is expected to close in the next few weeks.

    The acquisition will strengthen Dentsu Aegis’ creative offering in the market, marks the first mcgarrybowen agency in India and expands its footprint in Asia – with other offices in Singapore, Hong Kong and China.

    Established in 2007, Happy is an award-winning boutique creative marketing agency located in India. Regarded as one of the most promising independent creative outfits in India, Happy boasts a staff of 100 across three disciplines – Brand Design, Integrated Brand Communication and Digital, building and rejuvenating brands through media agnostic ideas, customised to deliver on key business and brand metrics.

    Joining the Dentsu Aegis leadership team in India is Happy’s co-founder and CEO Kartik Iyer, and co-founder and MD Praveen Das, who will both report to Ashish Bhasin, Chairman and CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network South Asia.

    Dentsu Aegis Network South Asia Ashish Bhasin, chairman and CEO of said: “Happy has carved out a very strong digital and creative reputation in the Indian market. Founders Kartik Iyer and Praveen Das – who are among Fortune India’s 40 Under 40, are prominent and well-respected figures in the industry, and this acquisition will add creative bench strength to the wider team. This will enable us to launch mcgarrybowen in India and we will be another step closer to our mission of being the second largest agency group by the end of 2017 in India, overturning for the first time the existing ranking which has historically been in place for over 80 years in the market.”

    mcgarrybowen founder and global chairman Gordon Bowen, said: “India is an important creative market that boasts world-class talent and an enviable group of multi-national clients, both of which represent untapped potential for mcgarrybowen. We knew that successfully expanding in this very competitive market required finding great partners that share our passions and values. With a respected reputation and well awarded creative offering, Happy is just that kind of partner and I am proud to welcome them into the mcgarrybowen family.”

    “Like us, Kartik and Praveen believe in the power of big organising ideas, collaboration and strong client partnerships. Together I am confident we will fuel even greater creative and business success for clients here in India and around the world,” he added.

    Iyer and Das said: “It has taken us a good nine years to come this far in terms of talent, business and reputation. There comes a time in every business to take a big leap to propel it to the next level and being a part of Dentsu Aegis and mcgarrybowen supports this growth ambition and provides us with the right platform. We are presently working with a number of marquee clients that require the support of a global network and we have always been clear that Happyshould to equip itself to compete with the biggest players on the largest stage. In mcgarrybowen we found a true match in philosophy and belief and being a part of their vision makes us truly proud.”

    Most recently, Happy bagged the ‘Agency of the Year’ title at the 2016 edition of Maddys, organised by The Advertising Club Madras. Happy’s work on the ‘Ola Boat’, which was an emergency boat service set up by Ola cabs, to help stranded people in the city of Chennai during the Nov 2015 floods, has also won numerous national and international awards for the effort.

  • Dentsu Aegis ‘Happy’ about mcgarrybowen’s India entry

    Dentsu Aegis ‘Happy’ about mcgarrybowen’s India entry

    MUMBAI: Dentsu Aegis has added another feather in its acquisition cap. Dentsu Aegis Network has signed a definitive agreement to acquire creative marketing agency, Happy Creative Services in India. It will join the global mcgarrybowen network of agencies and be rebranded as Happymcgarrybowen. The deal is expected to close in the next few weeks.

    The acquisition will strengthen Dentsu Aegis’ creative offering in the market, marks the first mcgarrybowen agency in India and expands its footprint in Asia – with other offices in Singapore, Hong Kong and China.

    Established in 2007, Happy is an award-winning boutique creative marketing agency located in India. Regarded as one of the most promising independent creative outfits in India, Happy boasts a staff of 100 across three disciplines – Brand Design, Integrated Brand Communication and Digital, building and rejuvenating brands through media agnostic ideas, customised to deliver on key business and brand metrics.

    Joining the Dentsu Aegis leadership team in India is Happy’s co-founder and CEO Kartik Iyer, and co-founder and MD Praveen Das, who will both report to Ashish Bhasin, Chairman and CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network South Asia.

    Dentsu Aegis Network South Asia Ashish Bhasin, chairman and CEO of said: “Happy has carved out a very strong digital and creative reputation in the Indian market. Founders Kartik Iyer and Praveen Das – who are among Fortune India’s 40 Under 40, are prominent and well-respected figures in the industry, and this acquisition will add creative bench strength to the wider team. This will enable us to launch mcgarrybowen in India and we will be another step closer to our mission of being the second largest agency group by the end of 2017 in India, overturning for the first time the existing ranking which has historically been in place for over 80 years in the market.”

    mcgarrybowen founder and global chairman Gordon Bowen, said: “India is an important creative market that boasts world-class talent and an enviable group of multi-national clients, both of which represent untapped potential for mcgarrybowen. We knew that successfully expanding in this very competitive market required finding great partners that share our passions and values. With a respected reputation and well awarded creative offering, Happy is just that kind of partner and I am proud to welcome them into the mcgarrybowen family.”

    “Like us, Kartik and Praveen believe in the power of big organising ideas, collaboration and strong client partnerships. Together I am confident we will fuel even greater creative and business success for clients here in India and around the world,” he added.

    Iyer and Das said: “It has taken us a good nine years to come this far in terms of talent, business and reputation. There comes a time in every business to take a big leap to propel it to the next level and being a part of Dentsu Aegis and mcgarrybowen supports this growth ambition and provides us with the right platform. We are presently working with a number of marquee clients that require the support of a global network and we have always been clear that Happyshould to equip itself to compete with the biggest players on the largest stage. In mcgarrybowen we found a true match in philosophy and belief and being a part of their vision makes us truly proud.”

    Most recently, Happy bagged the ‘Agency of the Year’ title at the 2016 edition of Maddys, organised by The Advertising Club Madras. Happy’s work on the ‘Ola Boat’, which was an emergency boat service set up by Ola cabs, to help stranded people in the city of Chennai during the Nov 2015 floods, has also won numerous national and international awards for the effort.

  • Dentsu Aegis bulks up; acquires Perfect Relations

    Dentsu Aegis bulks up; acquires Perfect Relations

    MUMBAI: He has got ambition. Dentsu Aegis Network South Asia CEO Ashish Bhasin has been saying how he is going to get his group in the top two agency network bracket in India. He seems to be in a hurry to get there through the acquisition route.

    Over the past two years, he has acquired at least three companies. Now, the next one is in his bag. Dentsu has announced the acquisition of the Perfect Relations group, one of India’s top-notch public relations communications firm. The price tag for this is not known, but estimates are that it is in the triple crore digit range.

    The buy brings with it the parent company, Perfect Relations, and other agencies Accord Public Relations, Image Public Relations, Imprimis Life PR, India Media Monitor and Buzz. And an A-list of clients from the IT and tech sector and Fortune 500 companies like Coca-Cola, Nokia, Airtel and Honda across diverse sectors.

    Perfect Relations Group has now become a member of Dentsu Aegis Network India, retaining its branding. This addition will strengthen Dentsu Aegis Network’s overall communications offering in this rapidly growing market.

    Perfect Relations Group’s presence spans across 19 offices and 50 cities in India with over 500 associates, offering a full suite of core PR services including corporate reputation management, brand and marketing communications, media management and crisis management.

    Perfect Relations promoter group managing director Dilip Cherian and CEO Pradeep (Bobby) Kewalramani will be joining the leadership team at Dentsu Aegis and report in to Ashish Bhasin.

    Says Dentsu Aegis Network Asia Pacific CEO Nick Waters: “The PR segment in India is forecast to grow at double digits annually and having a scaled business that is well integrated to our company enables us to build on our overall strength and reputation in the market. With Perfect Relations Group’s strong quality management and established digital capabilities, we are well positioned to support our clients in an increasingly convergent environment in the country.”

    Adds Bhasin: “The joining in of Perfect Relations Group moves us a huge step closer towards achieving our mission of being the second largest group in this business in India. PR is an important and integral part of the advertising and communications business in India. We look forward with excitement to having them on board.”

    “In order to accelerate growth and tap into the latest global platforms and tools, we wanted to partner with a great global network.A good cultural and strategic fit is a top priority in making the decision on who we would like to join. We are very pleased that Dentsu Aegis Network is our choice partner in taking Perfect Relations Group and our spectacular team to the next level,” expound both Cherian and Kewalaramani.

  • Dentsu Aegis bulks up; acquires Perfect Relations

    Dentsu Aegis bulks up; acquires Perfect Relations

    MUMBAI: He has got ambition. Dentsu Aegis Network South Asia CEO Ashish Bhasin has been saying how he is going to get his group in the top two agency network bracket in India. He seems to be in a hurry to get there through the acquisition route.

    Over the past two years, he has acquired at least three companies. Now, the next one is in his bag. Dentsu has announced the acquisition of the Perfect Relations group, one of India’s top-notch public relations communications firm. The price tag for this is not known, but estimates are that it is in the triple crore digit range.

    The buy brings with it the parent company, Perfect Relations, and other agencies Accord Public Relations, Image Public Relations, Imprimis Life PR, India Media Monitor and Buzz. And an A-list of clients from the IT and tech sector and Fortune 500 companies like Coca-Cola, Nokia, Airtel and Honda across diverse sectors.

    Perfect Relations Group has now become a member of Dentsu Aegis Network India, retaining its branding. This addition will strengthen Dentsu Aegis Network’s overall communications offering in this rapidly growing market.

    Perfect Relations Group’s presence spans across 19 offices and 50 cities in India with over 500 associates, offering a full suite of core PR services including corporate reputation management, brand and marketing communications, media management and crisis management.

    Perfect Relations promoter group managing director Dilip Cherian and CEO Pradeep (Bobby) Kewalramani will be joining the leadership team at Dentsu Aegis and report in to Ashish Bhasin.

    Says Dentsu Aegis Network Asia Pacific CEO Nick Waters: “The PR segment in India is forecast to grow at double digits annually and having a scaled business that is well integrated to our company enables us to build on our overall strength and reputation in the market. With Perfect Relations Group’s strong quality management and established digital capabilities, we are well positioned to support our clients in an increasingly convergent environment in the country.”

    Adds Bhasin: “The joining in of Perfect Relations Group moves us a huge step closer towards achieving our mission of being the second largest group in this business in India. PR is an important and integral part of the advertising and communications business in India. We look forward with excitement to having them on board.”

    “In order to accelerate growth and tap into the latest global platforms and tools, we wanted to partner with a great global network.A good cultural and strategic fit is a top priority in making the decision on who we would like to join. We are very pleased that Dentsu Aegis Network is our choice partner in taking Perfect Relations Group and our spectacular team to the next level,” expound both Cherian and Kewalaramani.

  • Indian ad market projected to grow at 13.9 % by 2017: Carat

    Indian ad market projected to grow at 13.9 % by 2017: Carat

    MUMBAI: Dentsu Aegis Network’s global media agency, Carat, has forecast global advertising market will touch USD 548.2 billion in 2016, accounting for a 4.4+ per cent year-on-year growth, propelled by digital space, while India is expected to grow at over 13 per cent y 2017.

    In Asia Pacific, the buoyant Indian advertising market continues to lead growth prospects of 12+ per cent in 2016 and 13.9+ per cent in 2017, the Carat ad spend report 2016 said.

    India continues to be the fastest growing economy where all traditional media platforms still show “positive growth”. Holding the highest share of ad spend of 38.5 per cent in 2016 and 38 per cent in 2017, TV is forecast to grow by 12.3+ per cent in 2016 and 12.5+ per cent in 2017, driven by investment from FMCG brands and e-commerce companies, the report stated.

    “We also anticipate that given the tailwinds through the macro-economic factors, GST and other reforms, 2017 will have an even better growth of 13.9 per cent (for India),” Dentsu Aegis Network Chairman and CEO, South Asia, Ashish Bhasin said, commenting on the report.

    Dwelling further on the report Bhasin elaborated that Carat expected the digital growth to be about 31.5 per cent in 2016 and to accelerate to nearly 40 per cent in 2017, while mobile will drive digital growth.

    “India will transform from a `Mobile First’ to a `Mobile Only’ market very rapidly, aided by better broadband penetration and drop in data costs. What is also unique about India is that all types of media, including print, still continue to grow, albeit at different rates,” he opined.

    Based on data received from 59 markets across the Americas, Asia Pacific and EMEA, Carat reports a positive outlook for most regions with particularly robust growth in North America (5.0+ per cent) and strong recovery in Russia (6.2 + per cent), countering lower expectations in some markets.

    The Carat report projects moderate growth for China where advertising spend is expected to increase by 5.7+ per cent in 2016 and 5.5+ per cent in 2017 as the market adjusts to a ‘new normal’ economic landscape, the report read.

  • Indian ad market projected to grow at 13.9 % by 2017: Carat

    Indian ad market projected to grow at 13.9 % by 2017: Carat

    MUMBAI: Dentsu Aegis Network’s global media agency, Carat, has forecast global advertising market will touch USD 548.2 billion in 2016, accounting for a 4.4+ per cent year-on-year growth, propelled by digital space, while India is expected to grow at over 13 per cent y 2017.

    In Asia Pacific, the buoyant Indian advertising market continues to lead growth prospects of 12+ per cent in 2016 and 13.9+ per cent in 2017, the Carat ad spend report 2016 said.

    India continues to be the fastest growing economy where all traditional media platforms still show “positive growth”. Holding the highest share of ad spend of 38.5 per cent in 2016 and 38 per cent in 2017, TV is forecast to grow by 12.3+ per cent in 2016 and 12.5+ per cent in 2017, driven by investment from FMCG brands and e-commerce companies, the report stated.

    “We also anticipate that given the tailwinds through the macro-economic factors, GST and other reforms, 2017 will have an even better growth of 13.9 per cent (for India),” Dentsu Aegis Network Chairman and CEO, South Asia, Ashish Bhasin said, commenting on the report.

    Dwelling further on the report Bhasin elaborated that Carat expected the digital growth to be about 31.5 per cent in 2016 and to accelerate to nearly 40 per cent in 2017, while mobile will drive digital growth.

    “India will transform from a `Mobile First’ to a `Mobile Only’ market very rapidly, aided by better broadband penetration and drop in data costs. What is also unique about India is that all types of media, including print, still continue to grow, albeit at different rates,” he opined.

    Based on data received from 59 markets across the Americas, Asia Pacific and EMEA, Carat reports a positive outlook for most regions with particularly robust growth in North America (5.0+ per cent) and strong recovery in Russia (6.2 + per cent), countering lower expectations in some markets.

    The Carat report projects moderate growth for China where advertising spend is expected to increase by 5.7+ per cent in 2016 and 5.5+ per cent in 2017 as the market adjusts to a ‘new normal’ economic landscape, the report read.

  • Dentsu Aegis Networks launch Data Sciences India; elevates Gautam Mehra

    Dentsu Aegis Networks launch Data Sciences India; elevates Gautam Mehra

    MUMBAI: Dentsu Aegis Network (DAN) has announced the launch of Data Sciences in India to help clients and marketers understand and predict the influences of human behaviour on media and advertising. This unit has been designed to effectively catalyse the decryption and interpretation of the overwhelming amount of data that agencies within the Dentsu Aegis Network explore and exploit every single day to drive efficiencies for its clients.

    Led by DAN chief data officer Gautam Mehra along with iProspect India CEO Vivek Bhargava, the division houses have a capable team of economists, statisticians and computer scientists. Prior to this, Mehra was iProspect vice president social media.

    The team will come up with data driven solutions to solve complex problem of clients, help effective data management within the group and that of the client and will work with all the network companies to bring data, analytics and technology together to provide business intelligence at the click of a button.

    DAN chairman and CEO South Asia, Posterscope chairman and MKTG Asia Pacific Ashish Bhasin said, “In order to take a leadership position in managing the ever-growing Data requirements for our clients, we have invested in a team of experts, led by Gautam, who will use technology to bring Data and Analytics together. We want to invest ahead of the curve as leaders in the Digital Marketing services to ensure that Dentsu Aegis Network clients in India get the best-in-class Data Management solutions, of a world standard. Vivek Bhargava will be the executive sponsor for the team and this will help us further strengthen our position in Digital Marketing services.”

    He added, “With Gautam and the team, we are welcoming the avenues of smarter marketing by not just providing our clients with data, but also giving them tools that can help them make better business decisions.”

    Bhargava added, “Data rests at the centre of all brand marketing in modern times. The new-age marketer keenly studies customer action and envisions disruptive products and campaign communication in accordance. It was a no-brainer therefore that as a network that leads in digital capabilities, we had to own a data division that adds immense value to our client campaigns across categories, in-turn boosting business achievements. This is definitely a sign of exciting times ahead.”

    Mehra said, “Digital plays a critical role in the evolution of marketing. Data is being generated everywhere, that too volumes and volumes of it. The first challenge was to measure and collect it. The second obstacle to store data, which resulted in concepts like the cloud. And the third hurdle was to analyse and fructify it. And that’s where the need for a data team came into place. At Dentsu Aegis Network, we believe that data is a multiplier, not just a layer and needs to be analysed in milliseconds. Our Data labs consist of contemporary propriety tools that will positively provide effective and practical solutions to clients. I’m thrilled to be given this unique opportunity and certain that the data division will see great success.”

  • Dentsu Aegis Networks launch Data Sciences India; elevates Gautam Mehra

    Dentsu Aegis Networks launch Data Sciences India; elevates Gautam Mehra

    MUMBAI: Dentsu Aegis Network (DAN) has announced the launch of Data Sciences in India to help clients and marketers understand and predict the influences of human behaviour on media and advertising. This unit has been designed to effectively catalyse the decryption and interpretation of the overwhelming amount of data that agencies within the Dentsu Aegis Network explore and exploit every single day to drive efficiencies for its clients.

    Led by DAN chief data officer Gautam Mehra along with iProspect India CEO Vivek Bhargava, the division houses have a capable team of economists, statisticians and computer scientists. Prior to this, Mehra was iProspect vice president social media.

    The team will come up with data driven solutions to solve complex problem of clients, help effective data management within the group and that of the client and will work with all the network companies to bring data, analytics and technology together to provide business intelligence at the click of a button.

    DAN chairman and CEO South Asia, Posterscope chairman and MKTG Asia Pacific Ashish Bhasin said, “In order to take a leadership position in managing the ever-growing Data requirements for our clients, we have invested in a team of experts, led by Gautam, who will use technology to bring Data and Analytics together. We want to invest ahead of the curve as leaders in the Digital Marketing services to ensure that Dentsu Aegis Network clients in India get the best-in-class Data Management solutions, of a world standard. Vivek Bhargava will be the executive sponsor for the team and this will help us further strengthen our position in Digital Marketing services.”

    He added, “With Gautam and the team, we are welcoming the avenues of smarter marketing by not just providing our clients with data, but also giving them tools that can help them make better business decisions.”

    Bhargava added, “Data rests at the centre of all brand marketing in modern times. The new-age marketer keenly studies customer action and envisions disruptive products and campaign communication in accordance. It was a no-brainer therefore that as a network that leads in digital capabilities, we had to own a data division that adds immense value to our client campaigns across categories, in-turn boosting business achievements. This is definitely a sign of exciting times ahead.”

    Mehra said, “Digital plays a critical role in the evolution of marketing. Data is being generated everywhere, that too volumes and volumes of it. The first challenge was to measure and collect it. The second obstacle to store data, which resulted in concepts like the cloud. And the third hurdle was to analyse and fructify it. And that’s where the need for a data team came into place. At Dentsu Aegis Network, we believe that data is a multiplier, not just a layer and needs to be analysed in milliseconds. Our Data labs consist of contemporary propriety tools that will positively provide effective and practical solutions to clients. I’m thrilled to be given this unique opportunity and certain that the data division will see great success.”

  • Dentsu Aegis Network announces rebranding of Dentsu Branded Agencies

    Dentsu Aegis Network announces rebranding of Dentsu Branded Agencies

    MUMBAI: Transformation is in the air at Dentsu Aegis Network’s Dentsu Branded Agencies.

    One of the key advantages that Dentsu Aegis Network has as a network is, to create collaborations that keep clients’ business at heart. In a key move to help clients better leverage the capabilities of a global network, Dentsu Aegis Network has realigned agencies across several countries under three groupings.

    In India, this is now being manifested in three of its creative agencies being rebranded to better reflect this alignment.

    As a consequence, Dentsu Communications will now be known as Dentsu India, Dentsu Marcom will now be known as Dentsu One and Dentsu Creative Impact will now be known as Dentsu Impact. Meanwhile, Taproot Dentsu and Dentsu Webchutney remain unchanged.

    Said Dentsu Aegis Network India & south Asia chairman & CEO Ashish Bhasin: “This new nomenclature is a first step towards expanding and reinforcing the global and regional services we provide our clients in India. It will help us serve our global clients better as well as acquire more new business.”

    Commenting further on the change, Ashish Bhasin added, “We are consolidating our capabilities under a global agency network, with a uniform identity across markets, in order to strengthen the coordination across our network and expand the high quality service we consistently provide. The most important ingredient in creating innovation in an ever-changing environment is collaboration. This realignment will fuel, just that in newer, more efficient ways. This will help us further accelerate the tremendous success that Dentsu Branded Agencies have experienced in India over the last year, including the spectacular performance at Goafest awards and in the area of new business.”

    There is no change in the leadership or staff of each of the individual units, Dentsu announced. Simi Sabhaney will continue as CEO and Vipul Thakkar as NCD of Dentsu India, Harjot Narang as President and Titus Upputuru as NCD of Dentsu One, and Amit Wadhwa as president and Soumitra Karnik as NCD of Dentsu Impact. Meanwhile, Narayan Devanathan continues as the group executive & strategy officer of Dentsu Branded Agencies, India.