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Tag: Dentsu

  • AI on reel duty as Studio Blo crafts Emirates NBD ads with human touch

    AI on reel duty as Studio Blo crafts Emirates NBD ads with human touch

    MUMBAI: When the camera says “AI-ction,” you don’t expect it to tug at your heartstrings. Yet Studio Blo’s latest campaign for Emirates NBD proves that artificial intelligence can roll out films that feel anything but artificial. The next-gen content studio has unveiled three fully AI-generated ads for the MENAT banking giant, each scripted by Liwa.Content Driven and realised entirely within Studio Blo’s proprietary AI pipeline. But instead of flashy montages, the films weave cinematic narratives with human warmth.

    One of the campaign’s centrepieces is a business banking story about entrepreneurs finding strength in personalised support and remote convenience. The other two are hard-hitting anti-fraud PSAs that use a domino-effect metaphor reminding viewers that ignoring scams doesn’t stop them, it only leaves the next person vulnerable.

    Behind the tech sheen is an insistence on old-school craft. “Making a bad film was always easy. So is it with AI,” quipped Studio Blo co-founder and CEO Dipankar Mukherjee. “If you don’t invest in the human craft, the machine will end up making something mediocre.” He credited the production designers, cinematographers, and directors who elevated the campaign.

    Liwa.Content Driven director Sagar Rege added that the aim was not to dazzle but to move: “Most AI films today are montages. With these ads, we wanted to push the technology to tell a story.”

    Studio Blo itself is built on a marriage of filmmaking veterans alumni of DNeg and MPC and AI-first workflows. Its client list already boasts Warner Music, YRF Films, Dentsu, and Nykaa. With Emirates NBD, the studio signals a future where AI isn’t replacing creativity but collaborating with it helping brands tell smarter, faster, and infinitely ambitious stories.

  • Publicis drags CCI to court over access to files in ad cartel probe

    Publicis drags CCI to court over access to files in ad cartel probe

    MUMBAI: Reuters has reported that  Publicis has hauled India’s antitrust regulator to the Delhi high court, accusing it of stonewalling requests for access to case files in a high-stakes price-fixing investigation that has rattled the country’s $30bn media and entertainment sector.

    The Competition Commission of India (CCI) stunned the industry in March with dawn raids on WPP’s GroupM, Dentsu, Publicis, Omnicom and others, probing suspected collusion on publicity rates and discounts. Sources told Reuters the CCI’s early findings suggest the firms coordinated via a WhatsApp group, struck secret deals, and teamed up with broadcasters to freeze out agencies that refused to play along.

    Triggered by Dentsu’s whistle-blowing under the CCI’s leniency scheme in February 2024, the probe could see penalties of up to three times profit or 10 per cent of global turnover for each year of wrongdoing. Publicis, which operates through TLG India, says it cannot prepare a defence without access to the records, and wants the CCI to pause its investigation until the files are handed over.

    The watchdog has yet to comment. The court is expected to hear the case next week.

  • Dentsu India unveils ‘Roaring Bengal’ report

    Dentsu India unveils ‘Roaring Bengal’ report

    MUMBAI: Dentsu India, in strategic partnership with The Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCC&I), has launched the inaugural Roaring Bengal Report – a bold declaration positioning Bengal as the keystone of dentsu’s ambitious growth strategy for Bharat, beginning with the East.

    More than an insight report, Roaring Bengal represents a decisive shift in dentsu’s India roadmap, placing Bengal not at the periphery, but at the core of its multi-regional ambition. By unlocking the region’s powerful mix of culture, commerce, and creativity, the report signals dentsu’s commitment to building with Bengal, for Bengal, and from Bengal.

    Since 2017, Bengal has received investment proposals worth Rs. 13.55 lakh crore, underpinned by over 6,000 acres of ready industrial land and a progressive policy environment. The state is rapidly evolving into a national force across sectors such as green energy, smart infrastructure, fintech, artificial intelligence, and digital skilling – all contributing to a purpose-driven, innovation-led growth trajectory.

    With a projected Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Rs. 18.74 lakh crore by 2025, Bengal is among India’s fastest-growing consumer economies. The Bengal Silicon Valley is further accelerating the state’s digital economy, attracting substantial investment in future-facing technologies such as AI, IoT, and fintech.

    Report link: https://www.dentsu.com/in/en/reports/asset_single_article___the_roaring_bengal_report

    Narayan Devanathan, president & chief strategy officer, South Asia, dentsu said, “Bengal is not just part of our Bharat strategy, nor are we merely dipping our toes into the East. We are making a bold, long-term commitment. With this report and our partnership with BCC&I, we are planting our flag in a region where legacy meets leap – a centre of gravity for what is next. The Roaring Bengal Report is not commentary; it is our call to co-create Bengal’s future.”

    Abheek Biswas, AVP, consumer insights, dentsu India added, “This is a moment of inflection. From AI clusters and clean energy investments to inclusive skilling, Bengal is building with precision and purpose. The Roaring Bengal Report does not just map this momentum. It aligns us to it, firmly and fearlessly.”

    BCC&I is a long-standing catalyst for industrial growth in the region, welcomed the report’s launch. “This collaboration couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Arnab Basu, president, BCC&I. “Bengal is rising with intent, and the Roaring Bengal Report is more than insight: it is a navigational tool. It invites businesses to anticipate Bengal’s future and act on it today. Dentsu’s global expertise, paired with sharp regional relevance, makes this alliance both timely and transformative. This collaboration arrives at exactly the right moment. Bengal is building at scale, and the Roaring Bengal Report is more than insight; it is a roadmap. It equips brands to look beyond today and anticipate Bengal’s future. Dentsu India brings global scale with razor-sharp local relevance – a potent combination to deepen impact across industry, government, and civil society. Now is the time to act, and this report lights the way”, he added.

    Harsha Razdan, CEO, South Asia, dentsu commented, “This is not just a report. It is a roadmap backed by resolve. We are here to build real impact with Bengal, and our approach is deeply action-oriented. We will embed Eastern insights into Dentsu Lab India to shape innovation strategies at scale. We will convene co-creation workshops in Kolkata and across the state, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and creators to solve real-world challenges. And we will double down on skilling and capability-building efforts to empower Bengal’s next generation to lead in technology, media, and innovation. These are not gestures or slogans. They are measurable, mission-driven commitments. With Bengal, we are not just imagining the future. We are committing to building it together.”
     

  • Rohit Jangra rises to senior director, integrated planning at dentsu

    Rohit Jangra rises to senior director, integrated planning at dentsu

    MUMBAI: Rohit Jangra has been promoted to senior director, integrated planning at dentsu, marking another milestone in his steadily rising career within the agency’s planning and strategy ranks.

    Jangra, who joined dentsu in 2017 as lead media manager, has worn many hats since, climbing to group head in 2018, associate director in 2021, and director in 2022, before stepping into his newest role. His journey is a masterclass in consistency, curiosity, and campaign craft.

    Academically, Jangra holds a postgraduate diploma in advertising and public relations from K.C. College, Churchgate, specialising in media planning, along with a bachelor’s degree in mass media (advertising) from Birla College of Arts, Science & Commerce.

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  • Rahul Rajput takes the hot seat as VP–Investment at Dentsu India

    Rahul Rajput takes the hot seat as VP–Investment at Dentsu India

    MUMBAI: Dentsu India has elevated Rahul Rajput to vice president–investment, a move that cements his position as a key driver of the network’s media buying and planning muscle. The promotion comes after a one-year stint as associate vice president, during which Rajput steered the ship on high-stakes investment deals and cross-platform campaigns.

    Based in Gurugram, Rajput brings over a decade of experience to the role, including a six-year run at Dentsu Aegis Network as investment director and nearly three years at Mindshare, where he held the title of director–The Exchange. His career began at VivaKi and Havas Media, where he sharpened his chops as a media buyer.

    A self-described music enthusiast and natural networker, Rajput blends strategic thinking with people-first leadership. His mantra? “Everyone you meet has something to teach you.”

    With India’s digital and TV adex in flux, Dentsu’s bet on Rajput signals its intent to double down on smart, agile investment leadership in the months ahead.

  • Saumya Agarwal is appointed as vice president – Madison Media Plus

    Saumya Agarwal is appointed as vice president – Madison Media Plus

    MUMBAI: Madison Media Plus, a unit of Madison World, is delighted to announce the appointment of Saumya Agarwal as vice president. He will report to Madison Media Plus COO Mimi Deb.

    Saumya brings over 18 years of diverse experience in Integrated Marketing Communications. He has previously held leadership roles across GroupM, Dentsu and Publicis Groupe, and has worked with marquee brands such as Nykaa, HUL, Jaguar Land Rover, ICICI Group, HDFC Bank, Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, Allied Blenders and Spotify. Prior to joining Madison Media, he served as AVP at Starcom. Along with his deep brand-building expertise, Saumya brings a strong passion for new business initiatives, nurturing talent and crafting purpose-driven narratives.

    “As our client portfolio continues to expand and brand needs evolve, we are realigning our team structure to stay agile, strategic, and future-ready. Saumya’s addition to the leadership team marks a significant step in this direction, strengthening our capabilities to deliver impactful solutions and drive sustained business growth,” said Deb.

    Sharing his excitement, Agarwal said, “I’m excited to join Madison Media Plus at such a dynamic time of growth and transformation. The energy of the team is truly inspiring. I look forward to contributing meaningfully to our clients.”

  • Dentsu reveals it tipped off CCI in ad cartel investigation

    Dentsu reveals it tipped off CCI in ad cartel investigation

    MUMBAI: Who blew the whistle on Indian advertising’s best-kept secret? Turns out, it was the house of Dentsu. Three months after the Competition Commission of India (CCI) swooped down on the country’s top ad agencies over alleged rate-fixing, Japanese media conglomerate Dentsu has confirmed it was the one to pull the plug—filing a suo motu disclosure under CCI’s leniency framework in February 2024. The move, Dentsu claims, wasn’t about crisis control, but about triggering “reform from within.”

    In March, CCI teams raided nearly 10 locations, targeting big-league players including GroupM, Publicis, Havas, IPG, and Madison, along with industry associations like AAAI, ISA, and IBDF. The focus? Alleged cartelisation through fixing ad rates, discounts, and possibly stifling competition, an apparent violation of Section 3(3) of the Competition Act, 2002.

    While the industry speculated, Dentsu in a statement to Storyboard18 said, “We had a choice to remain passive or drive change… This was a decision to support reform from within.”

    Dentsu also claimed to have already implemented stricter audits, tighter controls, and sharper governance. “Change can’t be effected by walking away,” it added, calling this a turning point for the entire sector.

    CCI’s leniency programme, a powerful tool in its arsenal, incentivises cartel members to come forward in exchange for reduced penalties. Think immunity for honesty, if you snitch first. This has been critical in cracking covert coordination, especially in complex industries like media buying where cartels may not leave an obvious paper trail.

    Legal experts say proving cartelisation under Section 3(3) isn’t just about similar pricing, it requires evidence of intent. That can come from emails, meeting notes, or even circumstantial cues like identical bid patterns or synchronised rate shifts via industry associations.

    What’s next? If the CCI finds strong evidence, the repercussions could be seismic: hefty penalties, shattered reputations, and a fundamental reordering of media-buying norms. Already, industry stakeholders are watching this case as a litmus test for regulatory muscle in India’s high-stakes ad market.

    As one industry veteran put it off the record: “This isn’t just an investigation, it’s a wake-up call.”

    In an industry where everyone knows everyone, Dentsu’s move may have ruptured long-standing silences. Whether it ends in punishment or reform, one thing is certain: Indian advertising’s old ways just met a very public reckoning.

     

  • John Thangaraj joins Dentsu India as CSO for creative and media

    John Thangaraj joins Dentsu India as CSO for creative and media

    MUMBAI: Dentsu India has snapped up one of the industry’s sharpest minds. John Thangaraj, the veteran planner and brand whisperer, has been appointed as chief strategy officer – creative & media, marking a bold move in the agency’s push for tighter integration across its verticals.

    The appointment, effective May 2025, sees Thangaraj bring two decades of battle-tested experience across advertising, media, consumer research and brand building to the Japanese holding group’s India operations. He moves from Havas India, where he served as CSO for a year.

    Dentsu’s gain is no small scalp. Prior to Havas, Thangaraj was the group CSO at FCB group India, steering strategy across multiple marquee clients, and also held senior roles at Mindshare, MullenLowe Lintas group, Rediffusion Y&R and adidas.

    Known for mixing consumer insight with street-smart cultural acumen, Thangaraj has worked on everything from fizzy drinks (Pepsi) to luxe kicks (adidas originals), search portals (Shine.com) to search-for-meaning campaigns (HT’s “It Is Time”). His career boasts a few Bronze Effies, a cult GSK ‘Innovation Lab,’ and even a side hustle decoding the super affluent Indian for LG.

    Now based in Gurugram, the strategy maven is expected to turbocharge Dentsu’s “one brand” promise with unified thinking that aligns creative sparks with media muscle.

    For an industry constantly torn between the mad men and the math men, Thangaraj’s appointment might just be the best of both worlds.

  • McCann Worldgroup appoints marketing veteran

    McCann Worldgroup appoints marketing veteran

    MUMBAI: Snehsikt Anand has been appointed business head at McCann Worldgroup, marking a return to agency life after a year of freelance consultancy. The seasoned marketing professional brings over 18 years of through-the-line marketing experience to one of advertising’s most established networks.

    Anand joins McCann after working as an independent marketing consultant, where he provided brand and communication advice to emerging agencies and production houses. Before his freelance period, he served as business head for west and HUL (rural) at Dentsu, where he managed Hindustan Unilever’s house-to-house business across India.

    At Dentsu, Anand’s client relationship skills helped create opportunities for business growth through territory expansion and cross-selling initiatives. Prior to joining Dentsu, Anand co-founded BrandBall, where as head of strategy he increased annual turnover fourfold and expanded the client roster tenfold over four years. 
    His experience includes positions at several prominent agencies including L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, Ogilvy, Triton Communications, and Civilisation Communications. He also gained client-side experience as assistant manager-marketing at ICICI Prudential AMC Ltd.

    At McCann, Anand will likely apply his RoI-driven approach to marketing communications, leveraging his expertise in advertising, integrated marketing and team management as he takes on this new leadership role.

  • Publicis and Havas in adland tug-of-war for Madison?

    Publicis and Havas in adland tug-of-war for Madison?

    MUMBAI: Publicis Groupe and Havas Network are in separate talks to snap up a majority stake in Madison World, India’s last large independent advertising group, if media reports are to be believed. 

    Founder Sam Balsara, who set up the agency in 1988, is looking for a deal that strengthens Madison’s future and aligns it with a global network.

    “Madison has always been open to a tie-up, but the terms must be right,” said chairman & managing director Balsara. He declined to reveal the valuation the agency is seeking. Publicis and Havas, meanwhile, stay tight-lipped.

    With an estimated Rs 5,000 crore in gross billings in fiscal 2024, Madison makes its money charging 15–20 per cent in fees. Its roster boasts over 500 clients across media, digital and outdoor, including Asian Paints, Saffola and Blue Star. But not all news is good—Madison recently lost the Godrej Consumer Products account.

    This isn’t the agency’s first dance with global suitors. A decade ago, talks with WPP and Dentsu over a 75 per cent stake sale fizzled out over valuation gaps. Now, with Omnicom snapping up Interpublic Group (IPG) to create an ad behemoth, other networks are scrambling to shore up their portfolios.

    Publicis, which leapfrogged WPP last year to become the world’s largest ad group, counts PepsiCo, Diageo and Skoda among its big clients in India. Havas, with brands such as Reckitt, Tata Motors and Swiggy, runs 25 agencies in India across creative, media and health.

    Madison isn’t new to parting ways with its ventures. In October 2022, the Balsara family fully exited MediaCom, a joint venture with WPP, selling its remaining 26 per cent stake.

    Now, the question is: will Madison go global, or will it like in the past stay fiercely independent and just let suitors court it?