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Tag: creative agency

  • Nikhil Kamath invests in One Hand Clap to support new-age brand storytelling in India

    Nikhil Kamath invests in One Hand Clap to support new-age brand storytelling in India

    MUMBAI: In a fresh twist to the Indian advertising playbook, Zerodha co-founder and a prominent investor Nikhil Kamath has put his weight behind One Hand Clap Media — a rising creative agency founded by former AIB heads Aakash Shah and Naveed Manakkodan.

    Kamath’s investment marks a vote of confidence in the agency’s mission to build content-first, digital-native storytelling that moves at the speed of the internet. In a marketplace where traditional campaigns are losing steam, One Hand Clap’s high-impact narratives and lightning-fast execution have made it a go-to name for Indian brands that want relevance and recall.

    Known for their campaigns for Swiggy, BGMI, Netflix India, Bumble, Cred, Ather, Emotorad, and Prime Video India, the agency has carved a reputation for weaving story with speed. From writing and producing ad films to running influencer and digital mandates, One Hand Clap offers end-to-end creative firepower.

    “Nikhil gets our DNA, and our visions align,” said One Hand Clap co-founder Shah. “We both never cared for the status quo; we have always aimed to disrupt it, defy the metrics and algorithms to tell stories, not just campaigns for our clients”.

    Co-founder Manakkodan added, “Nikhil’s investment validates our thesis that in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, speed and authentic storytelling are paramount. This partnership fuels our ambition to redefine the agency model, delivering impactful creative solutions with unparalleled agility”.

    For Kamath, the deal is part of a wider plan to back India’s rising creative and entrepreneurial talent. “Through this partnership, Kamath is betting not just on content but on the creators driving the next wave of Indian brand-building”, the company noted.

    The creative agency space is seeing a churn, with speed, relatability and innovation becoming non-negotiables. One Hand Clap’s sharp creative engine, coupled with Kamath’s entrepreneurial acumen, signals a new wave in adland where business meets culture, and memes could be just as powerful as media buys.
     

  • Akshay Gurnani steps down as Schbang CEO, gears up for next big leap

    Akshay Gurnani steps down as Schbang CEO, gears up for next big leap

    MUMBAI: For most, Mondays mean emails, meetings, and caffeine-fuelled survival. But for Akshay Gurnani, this Monday was different-it marked the end of a decade-long journey as co-founder & CEO of Schbang and the beginning of a brand-new adventure.

    “Ten years. A whole decade. A long time, yet in the larger picture of life, just a small fraction,” reflects Gurnani. “And yet, these 10 years have been nothing short of transformative.”

    Gurnani co-founded Schbang at just 25 years old, fuelled by the ambition to build something from the ground up. Along with his fellow co-founders, he set out to redefine the marketing landscape and provide cutting-edge solutions to clients. Under his leadership, Schbang scaled to a 1,100+ member team across Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, London, and Amsterdam, servicing over 200 brands globally. His relentless commitment propelled the agency to become one of the most sought-after creative powerhouses in the industry.

    From the boardroom to the brainstorming room, Gurnani’s leadership has been marked by resilience, innovation, and the sheer audacity to push creative boundaries. Schbang executed award-winning campaigns for Pidilite, Perfetti, Godrej Consumer Products, Tata Consumer, L’Oréal Group, Finolex Pipes, Ashok Leyland, Crompton, Castrol, Baskin Robbins, Philips, and more. Beyond building a successful agency, he fostered a community—mentors, teammates, industry peers, and clients who became friends.

    “More than anything, Schbang has been about the people, the culture. The teammates who turned into family. The mentors I looked up to. The clients who became partners (many now good friends) and believed in us. Each one of you has left a mark, and for that, I am eternally grateful.”

    While one chapter closes, another unfolds. Gurnani isn’t slowing down—he’s simply switching lanes. His next phase will focus on business transformation, mentoring startups, investing in game-changing ideas, and empowering young students. He aims to help brands and agencies on a hyper-growth trajectory in India and the UAE, leveraging his expertise in digital marketing, AI, media, and technology.

    “As business landscapes evolve and consumer behaviours shift, client needs are changing rapidly. My focus is on eliminating redundancies and prioritising services that deliver business value,” he shares. “Digital transformation isn’t just about technology—it requires a deep understanding of a client’s business and a partnership-driven approach to drive meaningful change.”

    Having worked with Fortune 500 brands, Gurnani has developed a keen eye for identifying inflection points where inefficiencies arise. His goal is to go beyond vanity metrics, dive deeper into digital transformation, and help brands achieve sharper outcomes powered by the right human resources, media, and technology.

    During his time at Schbang, Gurnani was also recognised with numerous 30 Under 30 awards and named among India’s Top 50 Content Marketing Professionals.

    “It’s not a goodbye, it’s just a shift in gears because if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last 10 years, it’s that new ideas, new journeys, and new beginnings are always around the corner.”

    Schbang may have started as a bold idea, but its legacy continues. And so does Gurnani’s next great adventure.

  • Dentsu appoints Jeff Greenspoon as first-ever global chief client officer

    Dentsu appoints Jeff Greenspoon as first-ever global chief client officer

    MUMBAI: Leadership shake-ups at Dentsu just got more interesting. In a bold move, the agency has appointed Jeff Greenspoon as its first-ever standalone global chief client officer (CCO), marking a significant shift in its leadership structure. Greenspoon, a Dentsu veteran of over a decade, will continue serving as chief business officer, Americas, while taking on this expanded role.

    Reporting directly to Dentsu president and global CEO Hiroshi Igarashi, Greenspoon will spearhead client-centric global solutions, ensuring the agency delivers cohesive and strategic services across its international portfolio. His new mandate includes developing long-term strategies, fostering client relationships, and overseeing the global vision for Dentsu’s top-tier accounts.

    This appointment represents a first for Dentsu, which previously had a dual leadership model. Jacki Kelley, the last executive to hold the global CCO role, also served as CEO, Americas, before her departure in 2023. Greenspoon’s elevation signals Dentsu’s renewed focus on enhancing client services at a global scale.

    Having played an instrumental role in shaping Dentsu’s business strategy, Greenspoon previously led Dentsu Canada as CEO and was co-founder and CEO of digital creative agency Spoke, which Dentsu acquired in 2014. His track record in merging innovation, technology, and creative solutions makes him the right fit to lead Dentsu’s next evolution in global client strategy.

    With Greenspoon at the helm, Dentsu aims to strengthen its global service capabilities, optimise client engagement, and set new standards for client-focused innovation. The agency is betting big on its future—and with Greenspoon leading the charge, that bet looks like a smart one.

     

  • Social Panga marks a decade of success

    Social Panga marks a decade of success

    Mumbai: Social Panga, an integrated creative and digital marketing agency now part of LS Digital, proudly celebrates its tenth anniversary, marking a decade in the industry. Founded in 2014 by Himanshu Arora and Gaurav Arora with a small team of three in Bangalore, the agency has grown into a robust team of over 400 across Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, and Dubai.

    Social Panga offers a wide range of services, including Creative and Digital Strategy, Media Planning and Buying, Branding and Marketing Communications, Influencer Marketing, Video Production, and technology-driven brand solutions. To commemorate #ADecadeofMafias, the agency has released a rap anthem reflecting their journey and unique vibe.

    Co-founder and chief mafia Himanshu Arora said, “It’s been a great ride, packed with lessons, laughs, and a few late-night ‘what are we doing?’ moments, all filled with just gratitude. I’m beyond stoked about the challenges we’ve crushed and the wins we’ve celebrated, but most of all, I’m grateful to everyone who’s been part of this 10-year Panga. As we gear up for the next chapter, we’re doubling down on our people (mafia)-first mantra, eyeing new global markets, and solution-first approach. Honestly, it feels like we’re just getting started, and I can’t wait to see where this crazy journey takes us next!”

    Co-founder and chief mafia Gaurav Arora added, “10 years! It’s amazing how fast the time has flown by! This #ADecadeofMafias at Social Panga has been an exhilarating journey, filled with new opportunities, meaningful experiences, and tremendous growth. Despite intense competition in the industry, we haven’t just held our ground—we’ve flourished. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, it’s clear that our well-timed decisions and strategic moves have been pivotal to our success. We’re thrilled to embark on the next chapter of our journey and look forward to sharing it with all our well-wishers!”

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  • “We are very bullish on the Indian market”: BlackCab founders

    “We are very bullish on the Indian market”: BlackCab founders

    Mumbai: Founded in 2017, BlackCab Agency Network is more than just a brand strategy, design, digital marketing, and production agency—it’s a dynamic network of creative agencies specializing in diverse facets of marketing and technology. Co-founded by Aayush Bansal and Siddhartha Singh, the agency embodies a multidisciplinary, eclectic, and 360° approach tailored to meet the unique needs of clients.

    Siddhartha Singh, drives the company forward with smart strategies and effective operations, drawing from his love for sports and deep understanding of athletics. Meanwhile, Aayush Bansal,who is also a TEDx speaker, brings a passion for diverse hiring and meaningful collaborations, advocating innovation and growth in business. Together, they drive BlackCab towards success, delivering value and innovation to both the diverse Indian consumer and fellow founders alike.

    Indiantelevision.com caught up with BlackCab Agency Network co-founder-director Aayush Bansal and founder-director Siddhartha Singh to gain insights on the agency incorporating technological innovations into its operations, the recent expansions inlcuidng content production and more…

    Edited Excerpts:

    On the company incorporating technological innovations into its operations, and the role these advancements play in shaping its trajectory

    We are often early adopters of new tech stacks that can aid our operations, including new social listening tools, workflow or collaboration tools such as Notion and Slack, as well as the most recent onset of generative AI. When the AI wave hit, Black Cab chose to adopt instead of avoid it. We brought in several experts to conduct workshops on the use of ChatGPT, Bard (now Gemini), Midjourney, and other such tools for our entire team. We truly believe that leveraging these technologies allows us to be more efficient and focus on what we’re truly good at. It also allows us to maintain a lean and sustainable organizational structure.

    On the most successful campaign that BlackCab has executed for a brand, its differentiating aspect, and its alignment with the brand’s objectives, contributing to its overall success

    We have executed several campaigns, but most recently, we executed a great campaign for the JW Marriott Hotel in Juhu, Mumbai. This was for the annual New Year’s Eve celebration. The campaign was called The Great Gatsby Affair and was a themed celebration with art-deco inspiration and a throwback to the great parties of the 1920s. The campaign saw us create a lot of visual storytelling content, including a CGI video asset to announce the party and several short format teasers and videos around key locations in the city (views: 42k, likes: 1028, total engagement: 1186). The campaign was a huge success as it helped position the party as one of the most sought-after ones in the city of Mumbai and saw great success in ticket sales.

    On the recent expansions of Binary Chai, Radar, and Secret Sauce Studios enhancing BlackCab’s ability to meet the diverse needs of clients in terms of web/app design, AR/VR, and content production, and its contribution to the company’s overall growth strategy

    We founded these network agencies keeping in mind the shifting trends in content, brand building, and marketing. In recent times, content consumption on the internet has skewed heavily towards short-form video content with formats such as Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok. Secret Sauce Studios has been designed with a mobile-first videography approach, promising specialized acumen in vertically optimised content. With a special focus on F&B, Alcobev, and hospitality, we have picked sectors that will continue to heavily rely on content for brand building. It has paid off, and we see it in the success of the agency, which is now working with the top luxury hospitality, homegrown alcohol, and F&B brands in the country. With the onset of mainstream AR and consumer products such as the Apple Vision Pro, we are confident that brands will begin to leverage this technology in meaningful ways over the next few years. Our network agency model will continue to rely on our innate understanding of market movements and trends and will help us stay at the cutting edge of brand consultancy, making us ideal partners for brands with diverse needs.

    On the specific types of content production that BlackCab specialises in through its expansions into Secret Sauce Studios

    As mentioned above, Secret Sauce Studios is a vertical content production agency with specialized acumen in food, beverage, and product content. Co-founded by Alok Verma, a five-time winner of FBAI’s Best Food Stylist Award, we have the capabilities to handhold brands in creating F&B content, including luxury five-star hotels, leading Alcove brands, D2C food, and consumer brands, amongst many others.

    On your aspirations for the future of Black Cab, both in terms of growth within the Indian market and potentially expanding internationally

    We are very bullish on the Indian market, both from an internal perspective and as a key country for Western markets to outsource to. Over the past two years, we have already started operations in the national capital of New Delhi and are looking at opening another regional office very soon. We truly believe that India has all the right ingredients to help famed national and international brands further their brand-building aspirations on digital platforms, and we will continue to explore markets nationally as well as in the Gulf countries, the UK, and the Americas.

  • Troo Good appoints Wunderman Thompson for their advertising and communications

    Mumbai: Troo Good millet snack enterprise announced the selection of Wunderman Thompson as its advertising agency, solidifying a multi-year, multi-crore collaboration. This transformative partnership positions Wunderman Thompson to spearhead comprehensive advertising campaigns and promotional initiatives for Troo Good, strategically conveying the brand’s ethos to its target audience while fortifying and perpetuating the brand’s market standing.

    Under the terms of this pivotal mandate, Wunderman Thompson assumes responsibility for crafting compelling advertising and digital communications strategies for Troo Good across various social media platforms too. The agency’s integral role encompasses the development of communication and creative frameworks, ensuring the brand’s messaging is articulate and resonant with consumers. Wunderman Thompson is set to orchestrate Troo Good’s inaugural mass media campaign, spotlighting the brand’s distinctive attributes, centered on taste, nutrition, and affordability.

    In the meticulous selection process for its advertising partner, Troo Good invited agencies nationwide to vie for the mandate. Following a rigorous shortlisting process, Wunderman Thompson emerged triumphant among 43 participating agencies, excelling in criteria such as national presence, business acumen, experience in managing comparably scaled high-growth enterprises, and a demonstrated prowess in creative communication strategies.

    Troo Good, a trailblazer in the millet snacking industry, has significantly expanded its footprint from 15,000 to 30,000 outlets within the past six months. Presently operating six state-of-the-art factories, the brand’s reach extends across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand. Notably, Troo Good has achieved a revenue of Rs 53 crores for the fiscal year 2022-23, projecting an ambitious revenue target of Rs 100 crores for the fiscal year 2023-24. This strategic collaboration with Wunderman Thompson underscores Troo Good’s commitment to elevating its brand presence and market share in the evolving landscape of millet-based snacks.

    Speaking on the announcement, Troo Good founder and CEO Raju Bhupathi said, “Troo Good has seen exponential growth since inception. We are making heavy investments in brand building and retail to further expand on that momentum and are exploring the utilization of all possible channels to highlight the benefits of millet-based snacks to consumers and make them aware of our affordable and healthy offerings. As a means of achieving this, we have assigned our advertising mandate to one of the top agencies in the country, Wunderman Thompson, after a detailed shortlisting process. We see a strategic fit and a professional alignment in this association that will help us accomplish our marketing goals.”

    Commenting on winning Troo Good’s advertising mandate, Vijay Jacob Parakkal, Managing Partner at Wunderman Thompson, said, “We are delighted to partner with the new exciting millet brand Troo Good. Our strategy weaves affordability and nutritional excellence into Troo Good’s brand story. By amplifying the brand’s unique selling proposition, we are poised to deliver a compelling narrative that not only captures attention but also reinforces Troo Good’s market distinction.”

    Headquartered in New York, Wunderman Thompson was founded in 2018 after Wunderman was merged with J. Walter Thompson Co., and is an industry leader with a rich legacy of expertise in advertising, branding, digital marketing, and data analytics.

  • L&K Saatchi & Saatchi wins creative mandate of Goodricke Group

    L&K Saatchi & Saatchi wins creative mandate of Goodricke Group

    Mumbai: L&K Saatchi & Saatchi has won the creative mandate of Goodricke Group Ltd., one of the largest tea producers in India.

    The agency won the business after a competitive multi-agency pitch and will manage the company’s full-service creative mandate for a variety of products across multiple categories.

    Goodricke Group Ltd. is a popular tea manufacturer with around 29 tea gardens and manufacturing factories across Darjeeling, Assam, and the Dooars. Some of the popular brands in its portfolio include Castleton, Roasted Darjeeling Tea, Khaass, Goodricke Chai, etc.

    Commenting on the partnership, Goodricke Group vice president and head of consumer division P.T. Krishnan said, “Goodricke is a brand steeped in legacy. We wanted to collaborate with a name that’s just as rich in legacy and found the right match in L&K Saatchi & Saatchi. With excellent category knowledge and the zeal to do work that knows no bounds, we believe this partnership will bear many fruits in the days to come.”

    Sharing his views on the win,  L&K Saatchi & Saatchi executive vice president North & East Atin Wahal said, “Tea as a category is one we are extremely familiar with, having worked extensively on this category. Goodricke is a name that resonates across India, and with such a vast product portfolio, I believe we have every scope to do some really enriching work and help the brand not just shine but carve a unique niche in the marketplace.”

  • Vavo Digital announces collaboration with six content creators for LinkedIn

    Vavo Digital announces collaboration with six content creators for LinkedIn

    Mumbai: Vavo Digital has initiated a structured initiative to lend a fresh perspective to influencer marketing by exploring the coming-of-age social media platform LinkedIn.

    At the onset of this pursuit, Vavo Digital identified and signed up six key influencers. In the upcoming quarter, it aims to onboard 50+ talents on LinkedIn and further boost influencer marketing on this digital platform created especially for professional relationships.

    By onboarding personal branding experts Punita Parekh, M. Ayushi, and Shubhangi Madan, chartered accountant Palak Rathi, financial analyst Siddhant Garg, and audit analyst Sanskriti Pandey to facilitate collaborations with brands, the agency envisions assisting brands in reaching out to their target audiences through collaborations with these exclusive talents.

    Currently, the influencers onboarded are predominantly in the finance category; however, the agency envisions expanding the portfolio by being more inclusive and acquiring talent across multiple categories like technology, career coaches, HR professionals, marketing, public speakers, and content writers/freelancers.

    Commenting on the onboarding of these exclusive talents, Vavo Digital founder and CEO Neha Puri said, “As the first step towards establishing influencer marketing as a practical method on LinkedIn, the platform recently introduced a ‘creator mode’ that provides supplementary features and tools to users once activated. This significantly paved the way for content creators to establish themselves on LinkedIn. As an influencer myself, I view LinkedIn as an apt platform to associate with professional brands and gain a larger outreach. I believe it certainly helps to reach the right set of thriving entrepreneurs, as LinkedIn is home to all top decision makers, and that helps extensively in the appropriate development of emerging brands.” 

    At Vavo Digital, we are so pleased to have onboarded a talented set of independent content creators like Punita Parekh, M. Ayushi and Shubhangi Madan, Palak Rathi, Siddhant Garg, and Sanskriti Pandey from varied genres. We look forward to expanding the roaster and executing impactful campaigns for our brands. We aim to not only enhance the brand’s visibility but also create more engagement with the audience,” she added.

  • VMLY&R India bags agency of the year at Dragons of Asia

    VMLY&R India bags agency of the year at Dragons of Asia

    Mumbai: chas grabbed the Red Dragon Award for the Agency of the Year and Best Campaign in Asia. The award show took place on Friday, 14 October 2022 in Kuala Lumpur.

    For the first time in Dragon’s history, an Indian agency has been awarded Red Dragons for the Best Campaign in Asia, Agency of the Year and won the Network of the Year.

    VMLY&R commerce India NCD Arpan Jain said, “We are thrilled that we’re being celebrated as the Agency of the Year at Dragons of Asia. This feat feels even more special as it has come on the back of multiple campaigns that have won across different categories. All the winning works are great examples of purpose-powered creativity that actually has the power to change the world. I’m happy to see SmartFill, work which has genuine impact, being recognised as one such amazing piece of work.”

    The award will be shared with VMLY&R Commerce India and Vietnam. A Red Dragon for eeach, a Blue Dragon for the Best Campaign in India, two Gold Dragons and two Black Dragon certificates.

    The Dragons of Asia director Mike Da Silva said, “This is the first time in Dragons history that an Indian agency has been awarded Red Dragons for the Best Campaign in Asia, Agency of the Year and a member of the Network of the Year. The Blue Dragon for the Best Campaign in India was simply icing on the cake!”

  • CERA appoints Wunderman Thompson India to handle its creative duties

    CERA appoints Wunderman Thompson India to handle its creative duties

    Mumbai: CERA on Tuesday announced that it has on-boarded Wunderman Thompson as its creative partner. The mandate was one after the hotly contested multi-agency pitch.

    To win this mandate, the challenge put before Wunderman Thompson was to come up with a new vision and outlook for the brand that would help position CERA better among the aspirational and discerning Indian millennials.

    With capabilities in commerce, data, and technology, Wunderman Thompson India shared an integrated approach to CERA’s business and communication needs, showcasing how it can better connect with its target audience and inspire growth for the brand. The work presented involved a revived vision for the brand and category-disrupting creative ideas to bring the vision alive through various touchpoints. The first leg of the pitch campaign will go live later this year.

    Commenting on the big win, Wunderman Thompson managing partner Joy Chauhan said, “At Wunderman Thompson, it is our mission to inspire growth for ambitious brands, so when we first heard the ambitions of team CERA, we knew we wanted to be their partner on their journey to take the brand to the top. We are excited to be the creative partners of this fast-growing homegrown brand and co-create the next chapter of the brand story.”

    CERA joint managing director Deepshikha Khaitan commented, “At CERA, our vision is to constantly innovate to enhance our consumer experience. Taking another step towards our vision, we are glad to partner with Wunderman Thompson, who comes with a good understanding of the brand’s strategic requirements around sanitaryware and faucet categories and a creative approach to deliver the same. We look forward to a fruitful relationship.”