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Tag: Havas Media Network

  • Horizon and Havas forge $20bn media giant to shake up agency world

    Horizon and Havas forge $20bn media giant to shake up agency world

    NEW YORK: Two heavyweights of the advertising world are joining forces to take on the industry’s entrenched giants. Horizon Media Holdings and Havas have launched Horizon Global, a joint venture that instantly vaults into the top tier of global media investors with $20bn in combined billings spanning more than 100 countries.

    The New York-based network arrives as a pointed alternative to what the partners call an increasingly “constrained” market dominated by a handful of holding companies. Horizon Global will hunt for American-centric global clients, whilst Horizon Media and Havas Media Network continue to operate independently on their existing books of business.

    At the venture’s core sits BluConverged, a mash-up of Horizon’s Blu platform and Havas’s Converged.AI that promises clients an “AI-native experience” delivering faster insights and genuine transparency—a perennial gripe in an industry notorious for opacity.

    “Built exclusively for the needs of the modern global marketer, Horizon Global is rewriting the agency network playbook,” said Horizon Media Holdings. chief executive and founder Bill Koenigsberg. “As the first agency network built in the AI era, we’re leading with future-forward ways of working.”

    Havas chief executive and chairman Yannick Bolloré  called the partnership “a significant moment” in a shifting industry landscape. “I’ve known Bill for years, and I’m incredibly proud Horizon has turned to Havas as its global partner.”

     Horizon Media Holdings president Bob Lord takes the helm as interim chief executive of Horizon Global whilst keeping his current role. Renata Spackova, based in Paris, becomes global chief operating officer, overseeing the rollout across more than 100 markets.

    The pair will report to a board including Koenigsberg, Bolloré, Peter Mears (global chief executive of Havas Media Network) and other senior leaders from both shops.

  • Rohit Shaw boards Havas Media Network as senior vice president

    Rohit Shaw boards Havas Media Network as senior vice president

    MUMBAI: Rohit Shaw has rejoined Havas Media Network as a senior vice president, a significant move for the integrated marketing strategist. Starting this July, Shaw will be part of Arena Media, focusing on agency relations and key client management.

    Shaw’s return to Havas follows a year as senior vice president at Bharat Media & Entertainment group (BMEG), where he spearheaded national planning and strategy, driving client growth and revenue. Before that, he spent two years as a strategic client lead consultant at Havas Media group.

    His extensive career includes a three-year tenure as senior marketing manager – consumer marketing strategist at Dabur India Ltd, where he managed marketing strategy and media deployment for multiple successful brands. Prior to Dabur, Shaw was the senior manager and head of media marketing at Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd., overseeing marketing communications for Domino’s India and providing strategic recommendations based on market intelligence

    Shaw’s agency experience also includes roles at GroupM, where he was an associate director of business and business group head, managing media requirements for brands like Paytm and Dabur. He also served as a business group head at Dentsu Aegis Network, handling accounts for Microsoft, Nokia, and General Motors. 

    Early in his career, he worked as a media planner for Emami Ltd, managing brands such as Boroplus and Navratna, and held an assistant manager position in business development at Consim Info Pvt Ltd.

    Shaw’s appointment is expected to bolster Havas Media Network’s client engagement and strategic capabilities, leveraging his deep understanding of digital marketing, media planning, and consumer behaviour.

  • Anuj Gupta climbs the media ladder, takes charge as sr vice president at Havas Media Network

    Anuj Gupta climbs the media ladder, takes charge as sr vice president at Havas Media Network

    MUMBAI: Media maven Anuj Gupta has stepped into the big league as sr. vice president at Havas Media Network, marking another high in a 20-year career that’s seen him steer some of the country’s top media accounts.

    Gupta, who was previously vice president at Havas, has been part of the agency since 2021, helping shape strategy, planning and buying across marquee brands. His promotion is a nod to his deep-rooted expertise and consistent delivery in the ever-evolving world of media.

    He’s no stranger to the circuit, having spent time at DDB Mudra, Starcom Mediavest, Carat, Cheil, and Maxus. Whether it was launching Reliance Big TV, shaping the media story for Samsung’s white goods, or rolling out Nokia’s telecom blitz, Gupta has worn the strategist’s hat with flair.

    Known for turning consumer insights into sharp, actionable media playbooks, he blends old-school rigour with new-age digital agility. Over the years, he’s mastered media mix modelling, cross-platform integration, competitive analysis, and ROI-driven planning.

    Now, with Havas doubling down on India’s growth engine, Gupta’s elevation signals a sharper focus on full-funnel media strategy. As he gears up for the next chapter, one thing’s clear – this VP knows how to turn impressions into impact.

  • Gaurav Saxena steps up as associate director at Havas Media Network

    Gaurav Saxena steps up as associate director at Havas Media Network

    MUMBAI: Gaurav Saxena is riding a wave of momentum at Havas Media Network, clinching a promotion to associate director after nearly four years of sharp planning, strategic buys, and delivering results that clients love to brag about.
    Armed with more than nine years of experience in optimising, negotiating, and snapping up prime media real estate across TV, radio, and print, Saxena has earned a reputation for mixing market insight with financial discipline — squeezing every drop of ROI from client budgets.
    His journey has criss-crossed some of the industry’s biggest names, with stints at Omnicom Media Group, GroupM, and Vizeum, before parking himself firmly at Havas, where he rose through the ranks from buying manager to media group head, and now associate director.
    Known for his calm critical thinking and strong vendor relationships, Saxena has consistently translated high-stakes briefs into high-impact campaigns. Whether crafting media plans or negotiating killer rates, he brings the same passion to every challenge — and it’s clearly paying off.

  • Havas promotes Hagen to global tech czar, Seltzer steps up to helm media network

    Havas promotes Hagen to global tech czar, Seltzer steps up to helm media network

    MUMBAI: Havas has announced a double-header of senior appointments, shuffling its data and tech deck to turbocharge its “converged” strategy. Dan Hagen has been promoted to global chief data and technology officer, while Jamie Seltzer steps up to take the reins at Havas Media Network. Think of it as a digital power play, a  tech reshuffle.

    Hagen, previously the media network’s tech guru, is now tasked with developing Havas’s AI-powered “converged” operating system. He’ll be wielding the digital baton, ensuring the agency’s 23,000 employees are working smarter, not harder. He also will be responsible for “strategic data and tech alignment,” which, in plain English, means making sure all the digital cogs are turning smoothly.

    Havas’s CEO and chairman Yannick Bolloré, declared that “data and technology are the cornerstone of our converged global strategy.” He praised Hagen’s “award-winning audience planning platform,” suggesting he’s the man to lead Havas into the digital future.

    Seltzer, meanwhile, steps into Hagen’s old shoes at Havas Media Network, charged with developing the “converged media product and roadmap.” She’ll also be overseeing CSA, Havas’s global tech, data, and analytics consultancy arm. 

    Havas Media Network global CEO Peter Mears  said Seltzer has been “critical” in ensuring the agency is “data-led and outcome driven.” 

    Both Hagen and Seltzer bring a wealth of experience to their new roles, with over 20 years in the data and tech trenches. They’re tasked with ensuring Havas stays ahead of the curve in an increasingly digital world, where clients are demanding “future-forward” agency partners.

  • Havas Media Network ropes in Pankaj Nayak from Dentsu

    Havas Media Network ropes in Pankaj Nayak from Dentsu

    MUMBAI: Havas Media Network has appointed Pankaj Nayak as CEO – Singapore & president – southeast Asia, effective immediately. With over two decades of experience in marketing and media across Asia, Nayak is set to drive the network’s strategic growth and innovation in the region.

    Nayak’s career encompasses leadership roles at prominent agencies. He served as managing director of the media group at Dentsu Singapore, where he enhanced product offerings in insights, commerce, experience, and analytics. Prior to Dentsu, Nayak held positions including OMD APAC chief marketing officer and Omnicom Media Group Asia Pacific, director of business development.

    An alumnus of the University of Mumbai, Nayak holds a Master of management studies in marketing and a Bachelor of Science in statistics from St. Xavier’s College.

    In his new role, Nayak will oversee Havas Media Network’s operations in Singapore and Southeast Asia, focusing on delivering integrated media solutions and fostering client partnerships.

    Havas Media Network’s leadership expressed confidence in Nayak’s appointment, citing his extensive experience and strategic vision as pivotal for the network’s expansion in the dynamic Southeast Asian market.

  • Swiggy with team Singham creates new Guinness World Record

    Swiggy with team Singham creates new Guinness World Record

    Mumbai: Swiggy along with the team of the film Singham Again has created a new Guinness World Record for delivering the largest vada pav order in a single delivery. In collaboration with the team of Singham Again, Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty, Swiggy delivered 11,000 vada pavs to children from the Robin Hood Army, an NGO that focuses on fighting hunger through surplus food distribution across multiple locations in Mumbai.

    Mumbai’s iconic vada pavs from MM Mithaiwala, were delivered using Swiggy’s newly launched Swiggy XL Fleet, designed for handling bulk food deliveries. Swiggy collaborated with the Singham Again team and delivered 11,000 vada pavs across various Robin Hood Army-supported schools in Mumbai.

    The first stop was Airport High School & Junior College in Vile Parle, where Ajay Devgn, Rohit Shetty and Swiggy co-founder Phani Kishan received the order, creating a Guinness World Record for the largest number of Vada pavs delivered in a single order. The vada pavs were distributed across RobinHoodArmy-supported schools in Bandra, Juhu, Andheri East (Chandivali and Chakala), Malad, and Borivali.

    Swiggy co-founder and chief growth officer, Phani Kishan said, “In the 10 years of Swiggy, we have delivered millions of vada pavs across Mumbai, and other cities. We’re going XL by teaming up with Singham Again to set a Guinness World Record for the largest single food order for Vada pavs. This exciting event perfectly captures Swiggy’s commitment to delivering food whether big or small—and celebrates the love for Mumbai’s iconic street food in a truly spectacular Singham style.”

    Swiggy XL, a fleet of electric vehicles introduced to efficiently handle high-volume orders, played an instrumental role achieving this Guinness World Record. This first of its kind initiative demonstrated Swiggy’s focus on leveraging technology and innovation to address evolving delivery needs while making a significant contribution to the community.

    Speaking about the record, Rohit Shetty expressed, “We are elated to have collaborated with Swiggy for this record-breaking delivery of vada pav, bringing food and joy to children. Just like Singham’s larger-than-life personality and strong ethics, this initiative has achieved a meaningful cause.”

    The event concluded with children enjoying their meals, marking the success of this collaboration between Swiggy and the Singham Again team. The record-breaking delivery was made possible by Swiggy’s newly launched XL fleet designed for large scale orders. Omega Seiki Mobility (OSM) is the vehicle manufacturer with Moeving Urban Technologies Ltd. operating the fleet on the ground.

    The idea was conceptualised and executed by Havas Play. Havas Media Network India CEO Mohit Joshi said, “We’re always driven by the ambition to create meaningful connections through meaningful media that reflect cultural shifts. With Swiggy, we’ve once again tapped into the pulse of pop culture, delivering a campaign that’s bold, innovative, and community focused. Securing the coveted Guinness World Records title for the largest vada pav delivery exemplifies not only the disruptive potential of Swiggy XL but also our strategic vision in crafting high-impact, culturally resonant campaigns that redefine the industry. ”

  • Havas PLAY launches TATA.ev Pickleball Weekend Fiesta 2024

    Havas PLAY launches TATA.ev Pickleball Weekend Fiesta 2024

    Mumbai: In a bid to bring unique and fresh sports formats to India, Havas Play India, the activation arm of Havas Media Network, is launching the TATA.ev Pickleball Weekend Fiesta. Nearly 200 Picklers from across Delhi & NCR will participate in this open team-format tournament that blends fun, food, live music, and play for a unique experience that celebrates one of the fastest-growing sports in India and across the world.

    The Pickleball Weekend Fiesta will commence on Sunday, 22 September 2024 at one of Delhi’s most premium venues –  the Vasant Vihar Club, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi. This event will feature an open team-format tournament with gender-neutral doubles, catering to both beginner and advanced players. Pickleball communities from across the country will be joining this day-long tournament, participating in competitions and activities curated by the Havas Play team in association with Aditya Oberoi, a sports marketing consultant and a seasoned Pickleball player, bringing insights from the game and ensuring a world-class experience.

    TATA.ev joins as the title sponsor, aligning with the event’s focus on sustainability. The event is powered by Realme Mobile and supported by partners such as ICICI Direct (Associate Sponsor), Eldeco (Real Estate Partner), Storia (Hydration Partner), Stay Vista (Luxury & Hospitality Partner), Fans Play (Fan Engagement Partner), Fittestclub (Sports Accessory Partner), Hudle (Community and Ticketing Partner), Franklin (Ball Partner), Medulance (Medical Partner), Fan To Park (Sports Experience Partner), Radio City (Radio Partner), Republic TV (News Partner) and Vasant Vihar Club (Venue Partner).

    Globally, nearly 80+ countries play Pickleball and in India, there are over 15,000 registered players, with 21 states that have registered Pickleball Associations across the country. The sport is hugely popular in cities including Delhi & NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru and has a growing footprint in cities including Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Indore & Bhopal, with new ranking systems, leagues, tournaments & events proliferating across India.

    Commenting on their association with the TATA.ev Pickleball Weekend Fiesta 2024, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. chief commercial officer Vivek Srivatsa, said, “For TATA.ev, the Pickleball Weekend Fiesta perfectly embodies the blend of community, sustainability, and technology—values that lie at the heart of our mission. As one of the fastest-growing sports globally, Pickleball is gaining remarkable traction in India, with over 10,000 active players and an impressive annual growth rate of more than 30%, both in participation and court development. The sport’s unique blend of accessibility, low environmental footprint, and emphasis on inclusivity deeply resonates with our commitment to a greener, more inclusive future. By supporting events like this, we not only foster healthy, active communities but also promote collaboration that drives meaningful progress for both society and the planet.”

    “Havas Play is committed to creating content and experiences that are intertwined with consumer passions and activate in the spaces that matter most to people,” shared Havas Play global managing director Charlie Farrant. “The growing passion for Pickle Ball in India demonstrates the untapped potential for brands, and we are excited to partner with TATA.ev for this event that will both provide a forum for enthusiasts to connect with fellow sports lovers and demonstrate to brands the untapped potential in this area.” 

  • Havas announces new leadership appointments

    Havas announces new leadership appointments

    Mumbai: Havas has announced the elevations of two senior leaders. Rana Barua, based in Mumbai, will extend his remit to include Southeast and North Asia. Barua’s career spans nearly three decades, including the last five years spent overseeing Havas’ India operations, comprising over 2,000 people across Havas Creative Network and Havas Media Network. The expansion of Barua’s scope adds nine additional markets under his leadership in his new role as group CEO India, South East & North Asia.

    Speaking about his new role, Barua said, “I am extremely excited and thankful to the global leadership team for entrusting me with this additional responsibility. These nine distinct markets in South East & North Asia, provide multiple and diverse occasions for collaboration for both our global and local clients. I look forward to working closely with the regional teams and each country’s leadership to create more meaningful engagements and opportunities for our talent and clients.”

    In parallel, Alberto Canteli, based in Dubai, will continue as chairman and CEO Havas Nordics, Benelux, Central & Eastern Europe, and Middle East, while taking on new responsibilities driving special projects in coordination with Donna Murphy, Global CEO, Havas Creative Network and Havas Health & You. This new area of focus will include identifying growth levers and developing actionable strategies at the global level, including new client opportunities, services, expansion, and cross-selling. A long-time veteran of Havas, Canteli has been serving as a key pillar in the international expansion of Havas for more than twenty years.

    “During moments like these of continued disruption and transformation, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to combine my regional responsibilities in Europe and the Middle East with a new role that will facilitate a closer collaboration with our global leadership team. AI, Web 3.0 and Blockchain among other advancements, will have a strong impact on our industry and it will be a privilege to contribute to the transformation and turnaround of our business moving forward,” shared Alberto Canteli.

    “I would like to warmly congratulate Alberto and Rana on their new, expanded roles. Their proven leadership skills, vast expertise and innovative thinking will create new synergies and accelerate growth, allowing our teams to further build on Havas’ integrated approach and offer our clients the best possible outcomes,” commented Havas chairman and Global CEO Yannick Bolloré.