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Tag: Havas Creative India

  • 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.

  • India ends Cannes Lions 2025 on a high, bags 32 metals in a roaring run

    India ends Cannes Lions 2025 on a high, bags 32 metals in a roaring run

    MUMBAI: India wrapped up its Cannes Lions 2025 campaign in style, pocketing a cool 32 Lions—nearly double last year’s tally of 18. The final medal, a Silver Lion on Day 5, came in the Sustainable Development Goals category for BBDO India’s long-running Ariel #ShareTheLoad campaign. It capped a festival that saw Indian agencies sprint, leap and roar across the Croisette.

    The BBDO campaign, now a decade-old crusade challenging patriarchal laundry norms, was hailed for its creative consistency and cultural clout. Josy Paul, chairperson and chief creative officer at BBDO India—also this year’s SDG Lions jury president—called it “a movement, not just a message.” Well, the jury agreed.

    Though Day 5 brought just the one metal, the closing spotlight stayed firmly on impact. FCB India’s blockbuster “Lucky Yatra” for Indian Railways, already a Grand Prix and multi-Gold winner, made the Titanium shortlist but didn’t convert. The Womb’s nostalgic “We Broke the Jinx. We Won the World Cup” for Jim Jam Pops also reached the Film shortlist but walked away empty-handed.

    Still, India’s medal chest sparkled: 1 Grand Prix, 9 Golds, 9 Silvers, and 13 Bronzes. That’s a barnstorming 32 Lions. FCB India led the pride, while Ogilvy, Leo India, Havas Creative India, Talented and others made strong showings in categories ranging from Brand Experience & Activation to Creative Commerce.

    What clicked? A sharp mix of culture and conscience. From turning train tickets into lottery dreams, to custom-tailored heart health awareness, to menus that doubled as eye tests—Indian creativity pulled off the rare trick: selling with soul.

    Cannes Lions 2025 proved the Indian ad world is no longer an emerging force—it’s arrived, swagger and all.

  • 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”.

     

  • Shilpa Shetty and Palak Tiwari shine in Mamaearth’s ubtan glow campaign

    Shilpa Shetty and Palak Tiwari shine in Mamaearth’s ubtan glow campaign

    MUMBAI: The movie glow squad just got stronger! Mamaearth, India’s leading toxin-free personal care brand, has roped in Palak Tiwari as its newest brand ambassador, joining the ever-radiant Shilpa Shetty Kundra. The mother-daughter energy (well, almost!) shines through in the brand’s latest campaign, celebrating the age-old goodness of Ubtan for a sun-kissed glow minus the sun damage.

    The campaign, conceptualised by Havas Creative India, features a fun and relatable TVC where Palak realises her once-radiant skin has dulled due to pollution and tanning. Enter Shilpa Shetty Kundra, glowing (as always) and ready with a solution—Mamaearth’s Ubtan Face Wash. Infused with turmeric and saffron, the product taps into traditional skincare wisdom to bring back lost radiance. With the tagline ‘Tan Hataye, Glow Lautaye’, the campaign reinforces Mamaearth’s promise of blending nature’s goodness with science-backed skincare.

    Honasa Consumer Ltd EVP & chief marketing officer Anuja Mishra stated, “Ubtan has been an integral part of Indian skincare for generations, and our Ubtan Face Wash has become a favourite among consumers. Palak’s youthful energy and strong connect with Gen Z make her the perfect addition to the Mamaearth family alongside Shilpa, who has been a trusted face of the brand. Together, they create the ideal mix of experience and fresh appeal to reinforce our commitment to natural and effective skincare.”

    Palak Tiwari shared, “Mamaearth stands for Goodness Inside, not just in its products but also in its sustainability efforts. As someone who swears by natural skincare, being part of this journey is incredibly special especially alongside Shilpa Shetty Kundra, whose timeless glow is proof that nature always wins.”

    Shilpa Shetty Kundra added, “Mamaearth has been close to my heart for years. Their commitment to safe, natural, and effective skincare is why I love being a part of this journey. With Palak joining the family, we are making sure the power of Ubtan reaches every generation!”

    The campaign is now live across TV, digital, social media, and OOH platforms, ensuring Mamaearth’s glow goals reach audiences across the country.

  • Havas Creative India wins integrated communication mandate for William Grant & Sons

    Havas Creative India wins integrated communication mandate for William Grant & Sons

    MUMBAI:  Havas Creative has started the year with a bang by winning the integrated communication mandate for William Grant & Sons, following a rigorous multi-agency pitch in December.  The agency will be handling the entire India portfolio business, which includes reputed brands like Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Grant’s, Monkey Shoulder, Hendrick’s and Drambuie.

    As part of the mandate, Havas will be responsible for the creative strategy and execution across online and offline platforms. The business will be managed out of the agency's Delhi office.

    William Grant & Sons India  marketing head Payal Nijhawan said “We are very excited to have Havas Group India on board as we head into the next stage of our journey in India. Together with the teams at Havas Group, we will continue building momentum with our brands and speaking to our consumers through an integrated marketing approach.”

    Havas Group India CEO Rana Barua said “We are delighted to partner with a legendary brand like William Grant & Sons, who have a bouquet of iconic brands like Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Grant’s, Monkey Shoulder and Hendricks, and our task will be to take the brands further with unique and meaningful ideas. With our Havas’ integrated Village model, we will continue to make a meaningful difference to the brands by providing seamless and agile business solutions. We look forward to further strengthening their legacy in the Indian market.”

    William Grant & Sons, Ltd. is an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the luxury spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favorite single malt Glenfiddich®, The Balvenie® range of handcrafted single malts and the world’s third largest blended Scotch Grant’s® as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick’s® Gin, Sailor Jerry®, Milagro® Tequila and, most recently, Tullamore D.E.W Irish Whiskey.

  • Lionsgate Play launches first marketing campaign with Havas Creative

    Lionsgate Play launches first marketing campaign with Havas Creative

    MUMBAI: Premium entertainment service, Lionsgate Play has made a grand entry into the Indian market, with its first marketing campaign. The renowned global brand has awarded its creative mandate to Havas Creative India, the business will be handled by the agency’s Mumbai office.

    For the brand’s launch campaign Lionsgate and Havas Creative decided to go with a clutter-breaking quirky out of home campaign that has gone live across Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune.

    The idea is to showcase multiple genres of movies to the same consumer emphasising the breadth of Lionsgate Play’s premium content offering hence the brand tapped into prime outdoor presence in select pockets across the city.

    The campaign is also tapping digital platforms where the call to action will be stronger and lead the user directly to the streaming partner’s app.

    Lionsgate Play India MD Rohit Jain said, “We are excited to get Havas Creative on board as our creative partner. Their thought process on the brand and the category is interesting and we look forward to building a strong brand here in India. We have always taken a bold stand, be it content where our super heroes are un-conventional like Hunger Games or while establishing a brand image, we like to be fearlessly bold in our approach. While OTT is an exciting category with many brands focusing on key titles to market themselves, we are looking at a consumer connect early in our journey so we can be relevant to our core audiences.”

    Commenting on the win and the campaign, Havas Mumbai managing partner – west & south Arindam Sengupta said, “We are delighted to partner with a renowned as well as innovative content player like Lionsgate Play, for its foray in the Indian market. In a content- first era,  Lionsgate Play brings a great mix of premium quality content to the Indian audiences, given our Havas Vivendi offering in India, which has content at its core, our partnership seems perfect. We look forward to building a differentiated and unique positioning for brand Lionsgate Play in dynamic Indian market.”

    Talking about the creative idea behind the campaign Havas Mumbai executive creative director Gururaj Rao said. “The idea emerged from the insight that one could watch blockbusters anywhere with LionsGate Play. And that too blockbusters from every genre. This led to a clutter-breaking campaign that attracts eyeballs with its witty innuendos and its quirky approach.”