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Tag: Havas Media

  • Rakesh Jha steps in as Eyeota’s unit sales head for North

    Rakesh Jha steps in as Eyeota’s unit sales head for North

    NEW DELHI: Eyeota has tapped Rakesh Jha to lead sales across northern India, a hire aimed at bulking up the Dun & Bradstreet subsidiary’s reach in the country’s fastest-growing advertising corridor.

    Jha spent more than seven years at Times Internet, climbing from senior officer to senior manager of ad sales. He managed headline clients including CoinDCX, Atomberg Technologies, The Sleep Company and Optimum Nutrition, and cut deals with agencies such as Dentsu, Mindshare, Havas Media and Edelman. His remit covered everything from native and programmatic media buys to content-marketing projects on platforms such as Spotlight and Colombia Ads.

    Before Times Internet, Jha worked on publisher alliances at LocoVida, helping more than 120 publishers across 11 languages drive audience engagement and programmatic revenues. Known for a forensic eye on CPM, CPC and CPL models, he has a record of negotiating high-yield contracts, running multichannel campaigns and squeezing extra performance from digital budgets.

    At Eyeota, Jha will marshal revenue growth and data partnerships across Delhi and neighbouring states, marrying his pitch-perfect sales craft with Eyeota’s audience-enrichment and targeting tools. The company sees India’s northern belt—home to the country’s biggest advertisers—as a critical frontier for its global expansion

  • Assembly Global appoints Vivekanand Kini as regional director APAC

    Assembly Global appoints Vivekanand Kini as regional director APAC

    MUMBAI: From Yahoo to Hungama, from HP to Akzonobel and now, the Assembly hall. Vivekanand Kini has joined Assembly Global as regional director for client experience, a move that marks the next chapter in a 15-year-plus career spent shaping digital journeys for some of the world’s biggest brands.

    Kini, who steps into the role this September, brings 18 years of experience across digital marketing, e-commerce, and client strategy, including 8 plus years in leadership positions. Most recently, he was regional head of digital & e-commerce at Akzonobel (2022–2025), where he spearheaded digital growth across Asia. Before that, he helmed HP’s digital marketing for over six years (2016–2022), leading campaigns and customer experience initiatives out of Gurgaon.

    His career foundation was laid at agencies and media firms: Havas Media (2013–2016) as associate director for media, Saatchi & Saatchi (2012–2013) as senior manager for client servicing, and Yahoo (2011) where he drove online media spends in retail. He began his digital journey at Hungama (2010–2011), managing brand solutions for marquee clients such as 7UP, Bacardi, LG, and Maruti Suzuki.

    At Assembly Global, Kini will be tasked with deepening client relationships, scaling regional strategies, and ensuring Assembly’s philosophy of Showup, Makechange, and Winwell translates into measurable client success. His portfolio of skills spans Adobe experience manager, marketing mix modelling, conversion optimisation, growth marketing, customer insight, and media trends expertise Assembly hopes will fortify its client-first positioning in Asia.

    Kini described the new role as a “perfect fit” for his passion for partnership and impact: “Mobility, technology and customer behaviour are evolving rapidly. This is an opportunity to reimagine client experience at scale, powered by both empathy and innovation.”

    For Assembly, a company known for its digital-first, culture-driven marketing approach, Kini’s appointment comes as it doubles down on APAC expansion and builds on its strong momentum with global clients.

    Looks like Assembly has found its newest building block and Kini is ready to cement lasting partnerships.

  • 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.

  • Havas kicks off Q1 2025 with a 2.1 per cent growth spurt

    Havas kicks off Q1 2025 with a 2.1 per cent growth spurt

    MUMBAI: Havas has announced a solid start to 2025, with organic net revenue growth of 2.1 per cent in the first quarter, aligning with its full-year projections. Reported growth surged to 5.2 per cent, driven by recent acquisitions and favourable currency effects.

    Havas CEO & chairman Yannick Bolloré, highlighted the agency’s performance, particularly in North and Latin America. He added: “We continue to focus on the group’s development, through the global roll-out of our “Converged” strategy and operating system – which is powered by the best data, tech and AI – the expansion of our capacity in high-growth sectors, and an unwavering commitment to creative excellence. We are therefore confirming our objectives for 2025, while keeping a close eye on the global geopolitical and economic situation, in order to respond quickly and effectively, supporting our clients and teams in this context. I’d like to thank our clients for their trust, and highlight the dedication of our talented teams worldwide, who are key to our success.”

    In Q1, Havas acquired CA Sports in Spain, Channel Bakers in the US, and Don in Argentina, strengthening its presence in sports, e-commerce, and creative sectors.

    Europe experienced a slight 0.2 per cent dip, while North America saw a 3.2 per cent increase, led by Havas Health. Latin America delivered a robust 16.6 per cent growth. APAC & Africa continued to post satisfactory organic growth, with net revenue up 1.9 per cent year on year, driven by Havas Media. 

    Despite economic uncertainties, Havas maintains its 2025 guidance: organic net revenue growth above two per cent, an adjusted EBIT margin between 12.5 and 13.5 per cent, and a dividend payout ratio of approximately 40 per cent. The agency also confirmed its 2028 medium-term financial targets.

    Havas agencies continue to receive industry recognition, with Uncommon New York named “Agency of the Year” by Campaign, and Havas Play topping the French agency list in the WARC Media 100 Ranking.

     

  • Poulomi Saha Joins Havas Media Network India as associate vice president

    Poulomi Saha Joins Havas Media Network India as associate vice president

    MUMBAI: Poulomi Saha has been appointed associate vice president at Havas Media Network India. She has over 13 years of experience in marketing, media strategy, and integrated communication planning, 

    Prior to this role, she served as deputy general manager at Madison World, overseeing media operations for Max Life. Her professional journey also includes roles such as director at Publicis Groupe and associate business director at Mediacom, where she led media strategies for major brands including Mars, Subway, and Adidas.

    Saha has previously held leadership positions at Zenith, Mindshare, and Madison World, managing high-profile accounts such as LVMH, Swarovski, H&M, and ITC.

    She holds a professional diploma in digital marketing from SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) and a postgraduate degree in marketing from the International School of Business & Media.

  • 87 of India’s best modern marketing campaigns honored at MMA Smarties

    87 of India’s best modern marketing campaigns honored at MMA Smarties

    Mumbai – MMA Global India unveiled the winners of the 13th edition of Smarties India 2024 at a glittering gala event in Mumbai on 11 October, recognizing the country’s most impactful and innovative marketing campaigns. These campaigns have demonstrated exceptional creativity, strategic brilliance, and measurable business impact across various industries. With 87 total metals given including 10 most prestigious industry awards, SMARTIES India continues to set new benchmarks in marketing excellence.

    SMARTIES winners are ranked on the Business Impact Index developed in collaboration with WARC, which highlight the top brands, agencies, publishers, media agencies etc per the true business impact they created through their campaigns. Winners are also now certified in partnership with RECMA, the leading media agency research organization, ensuring that they are recognized in globally acclaimed platforms.

    This year’s awards showcased outstanding work across diverse categories ranging from FMCG, OTT, retail, BFSI to technology, B2B and more. Among the top categories this year were AI Marketing, Connected TV, Creator/Influencer Marketing, Brand Experience and emerging tech categories all reflecting the industry’s rapid shift towards technology-driven and consumer-centric strategies.

    MMA APAC & Global Head, CEO Rohit Dadwal shared: “It’s always inspiring to see how creativity and data can come together to create truly remarkable campaigns. This year’s SMARTIES winners have done just that, embracing AI and new technologies to deliver results that speak for themselves. Congratulations to all the winners, and a big thank you to our jury chairs, jury and screeners for their hard work and dedication. As we recognize these achievements, I’m reminded of the critical importance of continually innovating and adapting in today’s fast-paced marketing landscape.”

    Grand Unveil of Smarties musical logo or ‘Mogo’

    MMA Global India also established the sonic identity of Smarties worldwide by launching the official Smarties musical logo or ‘mogo’ at the Gala. It was unveiled with a delightful performance by Rajeev Raja, and the mind behind the MMA-member company BrandMusiq that helped create the mogo. Not only does the mogo have a catchy ring to it, but also strong resonance with the distinguished values that Smarties represents. It drives the Smarties ethos of marketing excellence back home, and was very well received by the audience with its dynamic and impactful launch.

    Key partners for the event included ShareChat & Moj, Silverpush, Glance Advertising, Blis, Hybrid, and Storyboard18, amongst more.

    10 Industry Awards Given

    SMARTIES honored top performing brands, agencies and companies across categories recognising them as industry wins of the year.

    Grand Prix / Best in Show – Gatorade Turf Finder

    Most Resilient Brand of the Year – Olay

    Advertiser of the Year – Mondelez India Foods Pvt. Ltd

    Brand of the Year – Cadbury Celebrations

    Publisher of the Year – Amazon Ads

    Media Agency of the Year – Wavemaker India

    Creative Agency of the Year – Leo Burnett India

    Digital Agency of the Year – Interactive Avenues & Performics India

    Holding Agency Company of the Year – WPP India

    The jury was led by three esteemed jury chairs – Shailendra Katyal, Managing Director of Lenovo; Deepika Bhan, President – Packaged Foods, Tata Consumer Products; and Rohit Bhasin, MMA India Board Member; President, Head – Affluent, NRI, Business Banking and CMO, Kotak Mahindra Bank.

    Tata Consumer Products president – Packaged Foods, & Smarties Jury Chair Deepika Bhan said: “As a jury chair, it was a privilege to witness the extraordinary caliber of work submitted. In an era where innovation and consumer engagement are key, these campaigns showcased the true potential of creativity combined with data to drive significant business results in the FMCG sector.”

    Key Trends Highlighted in Smarties India 2024:

    1    AI Marketing & Connected TV: These emerging categories saw a remarkable number of entries, indicating the industry’s growing focus on leveraging AI and new media to drive marketing innovation.

    2    Retail Media: As retail media continues to evolve, the winning campaigns demonstrated how brands are tapping into phygital experiences and omnichannel strategies to connect with consumers in meaningful ways.

    3    Creator/Influencer Marketing: This category remained a magnet for creative excellence, with campaigns that effectively engaged niche communities and built authentic connections through influencers and celebrities.

    MMA Global India Country Head and BOD Member Moneka Khurana shared her thoughts:
    “Congratulations to all the winners of SMARTIES India 2024. The campaigns we’re celebrating are truly shaping the future of marketing excellence. Each winner showcases the very best of not only creativity and innovation but true business impact. At MMA, we’re committed to a future proof showcase of campaigns that empower marketers and brands to continue driving digital maturity and transformation at scale in our rapidly evolving industry.”

    The gala was preceded by Smarties Unplugged to decode the future of marketing excellence witnessed within the work submitted at Smarties, a pre-gala conference that saw thought leaders discussing AI marketing, creative tech, and the evolving consumer mindset in the digital age. It was a day well spent with sessions and masterclasses that inspired attendees with actionable insights on shaping the future of marketing.

    Jury Highlights

    Lenovo & Smarties Jury Chair, managing director, Shailendra Katyal remarked: “Judging the SMARTIES entries this year reinforced the importance of integrating technology into every aspect of marketing. The winning campaigns stood out for their ability to seamlessly blend creativity and technological advancements, especially in categories like AI Marketing and Connected TV. These campaigns represent the future of marketing excellence and set high standards for the year to come.”

    The diverse pan-industry selection jury comprised leaders from Havas Media, Lionsgate Play, FCB, Jio, Domino’s, Abbott, Flipkart, WPP, Dentsu, Mindshare, Niti Aayog, Times Network, LoveChild by Masaba, Zee5, Genpact, amongst many.

    The final set of deliberations spread over a 3-day enriching jury meet to decide on the metals by our marketer-only jury comprising diverse categories represented by marketers from Myntra, Hindustan Unilever, Tata, HDFC, Marico, Aditya Birla Group, Pepsico, MakeMyTrip, Godrej, Castrol, Wipro, Nivea, Perfetti, Leela, Hershey, HP, amongst more; with Kantar, serving as the official jury observer, ensuring the highest standards in evaluation.

    Embed: Explore the full jury roster here.:

    Here are the winners:

     

    Award Sub Category

    		 Gold

    Silver

    Bronze

    PURPOSE DRIVEN MARKETING

    Brand Purpose / Activism

    Gatorade Turf Finder – PepsiCo (Leo Burnett India)

    Meet AI-SHU – P&G (PG One)

    YiPPee Create Magic – ITC Ltd (Interactive Avenues)

    Social Impact Marketing

    LULUMELON EOSS – HDFC Bank (FCB Kinnect)

    Castrol Pragati Ki Paathshaala – Castrol (Mindshare India)

    Google Search “Bolne Se Sab Hoga” – Google Search (EssenceMediacom)

    &

    Gatorade Turf Finder – PepsiCo (Leo Burnett India)

    Diversity & Inclusion

    Meet AI-SHU – P&G (PG One)

    EatQual Colours – Hardcastle Restaurants (DDB Mudra)

    Google Search “Bolne Se Sab Hoga” (EssenceMediacom)

    &

    #ItAllStartsWithAName – Tata Starbucks (Wavemaker India)

    MARKETING IMPACT

    Brand Experience

    Gatorade Turf Finder – PepsiCo (Leo Burnett India) & Cadbury Silk Story of Us – Mondelez India (Wavemaker India)

    NA

    Maa’s Message – A Divine AR Intervention – Unilever (Mindshare India)

    Instant Impact / Promotion

    ITC Masterchef’s Snacking Revolution – ITC Ltd (Performics India)

    The RAZORPRENEUR Challenge – Bombay Shaving Company (Revolio)

    &

    Halloween Hacks – Perfetti Van Melle (Wavemaker India)

    KitKat – Snap In Half – Nestle India (Eleve Media)

    Customer Journey Marketing

    A surprise for 8 Billion People – Mondelez India (Wavemaker India)

    LEGO launches lifted market share – LEGO

    &

    Aashirvaads Data-Driven Approach to Premiumization – ITC Ltd (Performics India)

    SIWO: Turning speechless India into Playful India – Mondelez (Wavemaker India)

    Product and / or Service Launch

    Every cricket enthusiast will play on Dream11 – Sporta Technologies (Wavemaker India)  & CaratLane Service Launch – CaratLane (BBH India)

    NA

    LEGO launches lifted market share – LEGO

    Real-Time Marketing

    Ghar Ek Mauka Ek – UltraTech Cement (Mindshare India)

    Thums Up Utha Apni Side Bata – Coca-Cola (EssenceMediacom)

    Gatorade: Turf Finder – PepsiCo (Spark Foundry Publicis Media)

    Small Budget Big Impact

    Gatorade: Turf Finder – PepsiCo (Spark Foundry – Publicis Media)

    Innovative Use of Paid Search – Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles (Havas Media India Private Limited)

    Pediasure: Nurturing Healthy Growth for Children – Abbott Healthcare Pvt Ltd (Starcom)

    IMPACT MEDIA

    Omnichannel Marketing

    Oreo Bola Mat Bol (Oreo says don’t jinx it) – Mondelez India (Wavemaker India)

    Your Stage; Your Story – Coca-Cola India (EssenceMediacom)

    #ThisAdIsMyStore Lights Up Diwali for Homepreneurs – Mondelez India (Wavemaker India)

    Cross Digital Media Marketing

    Cadbury 5Star Nothing University – Mondelez India Pvt. Ltd. (Wavemaker India)

    SIWO: Turning speechless India into Playful India – Mondelez India (Wavemaker India)

    When India had its #fingerscrossed!- Nestle India (Zenith Media)

    &

    Truly ‘Open’ By Axis Bank Axis Bank (Performics India)

    Social Media Marketing

    When GenZs took a breaking love break! – Nestle India (Zenith Media)

    Offline (OOH) to Online (Social) Search Movement – Google Search (EssenceMediacom)

    Squeezing back the summer fun – PepsiCo India (Leo Burnett India)

    Creator / Influencer / Celebrity Marketing

    Every cricket enthusiast will play on Dream11 – Sporta Technologies (Wavemaker India)

    Karan ‘Badtameez’ hai_Amazon miniTV show launch – Amazon miniTV (SoCheers)

    &

    Doctors Day – Hopes restored, heroes honoured – Sun Pharmaceuticals (Wavemaker India)

    How Cadbury 5 Star ‘Erased’ Valentine’s day – Mondelez India (Wavemaker India)

    Gaming, Gamification & E-Sports

    4th Umpire – Britannia Industries Ltd (Schbang)

    Multi-Screen Reality drives dividend for Domex – Hindustan Unilever (Mindshare India)

    ConFUSEing Controller -Game On, Parents Off: The S – Mondelez India (Wavemaker India)

    EMERGING TECH MARKETING

    Data Insights / Contextual Marketing

    Gatorade Turf Finder powered by Google Maps – PepsiCo India Holdings Pvt Ltd (Leo Burnett India)

    India’s 1st Voice Enabled brand experience on OTT – Google Search (EssenceMediacom)

    Aashirvaads Data-Driven Approach to Premiumization – ITC Ltd (Performics India)

    &

    Castrol MAGNATEC – Gaadi Chalao, Tractor Nahi – Castrol India (Mindshare India)

    Connected TV

    Castrol MAGNATEC – Gaadi Chalao, Tractor Nahi – Castrol India (Mindshare India)

    Banega Toh Badhega India – AsIndiaBuildsIndiaGrows – UltraTech Cement Ltd (Mindshare India)

    Fire TV Drives Brand Uplift for a L’Oréal Launch – L’Oréal (Wavemaker India)

    Programmatic

    #MyBirthdaySong a Personalized AI Symphony – Mondelez India Pvt. Ltd. (Wavemaker India)

    Maa’s Message – A Divine AR Intervention – Unilever (Mindshare India)

    1947 per cent more history – Britannia Industries Ltd (Talented Agency)

    E-COMMERCE MARKETING

    Integrated Ecommerce Innovation & Live Streaming

    		 NA

    LEGO launches lifted market share by 53 per cent @23X RoI – LEGO

    &

    Building EV category on Amazon: Achieving 77x ROAS – Hero MotoCorp.)

    Engaging Baby Audiences: Baby & Toddler Store – Himalaya Wellness Company

    O2O / New Retail / Innovative & New Tech Sales Channels

    Co-creating festive campaigns on Quick Commerce – Mondelez India Foods Pvt. Ltd. (Wavemaker India)

    Blinkit Single Mode x Erase Valentine’s Day – Mondelez India Foods Pvt. Ltd. (Wavemaker India)

    Reshaping the EV landscape – Matter EV (Flipkart)

    CREATIVE

    Customer (CX) / User Experience (UX) & Design

    Cadbury Silk Story of Us – Mondelez India Pvt. Ltd. (Wavemaker India)

    Personalizing Celebrations with AI #MyBirthdaySong – Mondelez India Pvt. Ltd. (Wavemaker India)

    Ultimate Gaming SetUp: A Multi-Brand Success Story – Intel
    Personalization

    Royal Stag: A Billion Films for a Billion Fans – Pernod Ricard India Private Limited (Wavemaker India)

    SIWO: Turning speechless India into Playful India – Mondelez India (Wavemaker India)

    		 NA

    Short or Long Form Video

    How Cadbury 5 Star ‘Erased’ Valentine’s day – Mondelez India Pvt. Ltd. (Wavemaker India)

    Meet AI-SHU – Your New STEM Mentor – P&G (PG One)

    Google Search – Dhoondege Toh Milega – Google India (Toaster India)

    &

    Castrol MAGNATEC – The Bombay Journey – Castrol (Mindshare India)

    AI MARKETING

    AI-Powered Audience Engagement

    Join The Copverse – Prime Video’s AI adventure – Amazon Prime Video (Interactive Avenues)

    Personalizing Celebrations with AI #MyBirthdaySong – Mondelez India Pvt. Ltd. (Wavemaker India)

    #Riseupfrombeingfriendzoned with Pepsi – PepsiCo (Spark Foundry, Publicis Media)

    Innovative Use of AI in Advertising

    Dark Fantasy – Biting into a million fantasies – ITC Ltd. (Interactive Avenues)

    Cadbury Silk Story of Us – Mondelez India Pvt Ltd (Wavemaker India)

    1947% more history – Britannia Industries Ltd (Talented Agency)

    &

    Half CA enabled ‘Full’ Income tax return filing – Amazon India (SoCheers)

    AI-Driven Creative Excellence

    Personalizing Celebrations with AI #MyBirthdaySong – Mondelez India Pvt. Ltd. (Wavemaker India)

    Cadbury Silk Story of Us – Mondelez India Pvt Ltd (Wavemaker India)

    SIWO: Turning speechless India into Playful India 0 Mondelez India (Wavemaker India)

    &

    Half CA enabled ‘Full’ Income tax return filing – Amazon India (SoCheers)

    Next Stop: Smarties Global

    The India winners now move on to the regional and global SMARTIES stages, competing alongside campaigns from over 45 countries, with 10,000+ global entries vying for top honors in modern marketing excellence.

  • Industry unites to draw massive delegation for Goafest 2024

    Industry unites to draw massive delegation for Goafest 2024

    Mumbai: Goafest, South Asia’s premier festival celebrating creativity excellence, continues to drive industry growth and collaboration. This year, the festival has achieved remarkable success with a surge in delegate entries and unprecedented support from industry leaders. Scheduled to take place from 29 to 31 May at the Westin Mumbai, Powai Lake, this year’s event has drawn increased participation from agencies and clients of all scales, underscoring its expanding influence and reach.

    The 17th edition of Goafest boasts of an impressive line-up with delegation from media agencies including Havas Media, Publicis Media, Group M, Madison Communications, Initiative Media, OMD, and Zenith Optimedia, among others. Creative powerhouses TLG India, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, Leo Burnett, FCB Group, Havas Worldwide are also on board, along with brands like Nestle, Tips Industries, Kotak General Insurance, and Airtel. Media giants Bennett Coleman, ABP Group, Zee Media, Navabharat Media Network, et al have also shown unwavering registration support. The festival’s appeal spans multinational agencies to smaller firms, showcasing its inclusive ethos.

    Goafest remains a pivotal industry event, driving innovation, creativity, and collaboration year after year. It’s a hub for professionals to share ideas, learn from experts, and showcase groundbreaking work. The festival’s impact resonates throughout the industry, inspiring creativity and enhancing professional networks.

    Goafest 2024 chairman of the delegates committee – Sam Balsara expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming event, stating, “Goafest has always been a beacon of creativity and innovation in the advertising industry. This year’s entries have set a new benchmark for excellence. The support from the industry has been overwhelming, and the record number of registrations is a clear indicator of the vibrant and dynamic nature of advertising media and marketing industry.”

  • Cricket Country Box Cricket League roars into action on 17 and 18 February 2024

    Cricket Country Box Cricket League roars into action on 17 and 18 February 2024

    Mumbai: IndiaDotcom Digital Private Ltd is thrilled to announce the launch of the inaugural Cricket Country Box Cricket League, slated to take place on 17th and 18th February 2024, at the prestigious Fuzolo in Gurugram. This on-ground event promises to redefine the cricketing landscape with its unique blend of sporting prowess and entertainment.

    The upcoming Cricket Country Box Cricket League redefines sporting entertainment through innovative elements that promise an unforgettable experience. By employing tennis balls, the tournament maintains a high-paced and dynamic gameplay, prioritizing safety without compromising excitement. With umpires and digital scoring systems in place, the integrity of each match is upheld, ensuring fairness and accuracy throughout.

    Featuring eight elite teams representing prominent media agencies such as Group M, Madison, Havas Media, InnOcean, Zenith Optimedia, Wavemaker, OMD, and Dentsu. The tournament will showcase thrilling encounters across seven matches. With a knockout format and matches spanning 10 overs in the round stages and 15 overs in the semi-finals and finals, spectators can expect edge-of-the-seat action from start to finish.

    Beyond the thrilling matches, the league also caters to a diverse audience, offering a range of engaging activities and tantalizing food and beverage options. This thoughtful approach aims to enhance the overall spectator experience, making the Cricket Country Box Cricket League a must-attend event for fans of all ages.

    Essel Group CTIO Idris Loya lauded the initiative, stating, “In the Cricket Country Box Cricket League, the amalgamation of sportsmanship and entertainment unfolds like a thrilling rafting adventure, captivating players and spectators alike. This initiative epitomizes a harmonious blend, propelling cricket to unprecedented heights while championing the values of respect and teamwork. With each match, the league sets a new standard for sportsmanship, fostering an environment where the essence of fair play resonates with every stroke and every cheer.”

    Zee Media Corporation Ltd marketing head Anindya Khare further highlighted, “We strongly believe in championing sports culture and enriching community engagement through dynamic experiences. The Cricket Country Box Cricket League embodies our commitment to providing innovative entertainment that unites the media fraternity. As we embark on this journey, we aim not only to entertain but also to inspire unity and camaraderie within our community, showcasing the enduring impact of shared sporting experiences.”

    On-ground integrations such as brand logo presence on team jerseys and boundary branding will provide sponsors with valuable visibility. Additionally, promotional efforts encompass editorial articles, interview videos, reels, match highlights, live commentary, and live streaming on Cricket Country’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

  • Zee Media, Havas Play and Namami Gange launch ‘Ganga Kinare’

    Zee Media, Havas Play and Namami Gange launch ‘Ganga Kinare’

    Mumbai: To celebrate the harmonious blend of music, culture, and environmental consciousness, Havas Play, Zee Media, and Namami Gange has come together to launch a unique music festival ‘Ganga Kinare’ on the ghats of Varanasi. The inaugural edition of the festival will take place on Saturday, 9 December 2023. The initiative aims to celebrate the cultural richness of Varanasi and raise awareness about the significance of the holy river Ganga.

    Nestled against the timeless ghats of Varanasi, the Ganga Kinare Music Festival promises an unforgettable sojourn, a symphony that reverberates through the sacred waters of the Ganga. Beyond being a melodic extravaganza, this grand celebration is a poignant ode to the purity and essence of rivers. Beyond the enchanting performances, the Ganga Kinare Music Festival aspires to be a catalyst for change, calling upon its attendees to become stewards of river preservation, fostering a lasting bond between the festival-goers and the sacred waters that flow through the heart of Varanasi.

    Aligned with the globally recognized ‘Namami Gange Programme’ championed by the United Nations, the festival transcends the realms of entertainment, aspiring to create a dynamic community of river champions. The Ganga Kinare Music Festival aligns with the national mission for a cleaner Ganga. It seeks to build a community dedicated to championing rivers and establishing a unique bond between the younger generation and the holy river. The journey begins in Varanasi in 2023 and will continue through Rishikesh (2024), Prayagraj (2025), Patna (2026), and Kolkata (2027).

    Zee Media Corp Ltd CEO Abhay Ojha highlighted, “At Zee Media, we believe in the power of storytelling through diverse mediums. Our partnership with Havas Play and Namami Gange, stands at the forefront of a cultural and environmental movement. Through this festival, we invite our widespread viewers and readers to not just witness but actively participate in the call for river conservation and cultural preservation. Let the music be the bridge that connects us to the soul of Varanasi and the sacred Ganga.”

    Zee Media Corp Ltd CRO Mona Jain further expressed, “Ganga Kinare Music Festival is a testament to the transformative power of music and its ability to unite people in celebration. We firmly believe in the profound impact of cultural initiatives and are thrilled to be part of this initiative that harmonizes the beats of our traditions with the melodies of the Ganges, fostering a deeper connection with our roots and a commitment to the conservation of our sacred rivers.”

    Interestingly, Havas Play will ensure a seamless blend of cultural immersion and entertainment, leveraging digital and social media exposure to extend the festival’s reach. Collaborations with headline artists will include exclusive content creation and behind-the-scenes access. Speaking on the collaboration, Havas Play MD and Havas Media president investments R. Venkatasubramanian said, “India’s rich legacy continues to influence and enthral people from around the world. It is critical that we find newer ways to celebrate them and pass on the legacy to the newer generation. Music is the universal language that binds people across all age groups, and transcends geographies. Hence Ganga Kinare Music Festival blends in the power of music in the historic city of Varanasi on the banks of the holy Ganga. The Festival aspires not just to captivate audiences but to crescendo into a global festival deeply rooted in India’s history, evolving with the beats of our collective journey.”

    At its core, the event seeks to forge a unique connection between the younger generation and the holy Ganga, weaving together the threads of music and cultural heritage to illuminate the path of river preservation. This initiative encourages an enduring dedication to the preservation of our revered waters and the safeguarding of our rich cultural heritage.

  • Burger King India onboards Havas Worldwide India as its digital partner

    Burger King India onboards Havas Worldwide India as its digital partner

    Mumbai: Burger King India has assigned its digital mandate to Havas Worldwide (Creative) India. As a part of this mandate, the agency will be responsible for creating cornerstone digital campaigns, social media management, and online response management, among other things.

    Havas Worldwide India has been focusing on fortifying and updating its core expertise and offerings over the last two years. Havas Worldwide India grew by more than 30 per cent in 2021 across its Mumbai and Delhi offices, thanks to significant business wins such as Tata Cliq Luxury, Bel Cheese, P&G, Vivo, and Celio, to name a few. The agency has also been strengthening its teams to bring in the best talent. As the agency’s growth momentum continues in 2022, it will continue to come up with clutter-breaking work to deliver on its promise of making a meaningful difference in the lives of brands, businesses, and consumers.

    Sharing his thoughts on the association, Burger King chief marketing officer Kapil Grover said, “We are excited to have partnered with Havas Worldwide India, which comes with a track record of path-breaking digital campaigns for brands across markets and categories. We are confident that their expertise and market understanding will help us deliver innovative and groundbreaking digital campaigns, thereby further strengthening Burger King India’s position to become the most lovable brand in the digital space. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership.”

    Commenting on the partnership with Burger King, Havas Worldwide (Creative) India managing director Manas Lahiri said, “In today’s cluttered digital ecosystem, only brands that come up with engaging, differentiated content make people sit up and take notice and we at Havas Worldwide India have been doing exactly that over the past few years. Burger King is one of the most audacious brands in the world today, known for creating truly innovative campaigns that become the talk of the town, and we’re confident we will be able to create more such path-breaking, meaningful work for them.”