Tag: IPG Mediabrands India

Interactive Avenues wins the digital mandate of Daawat

Mumbai: Interactive Avenues, the digital arm of IPG Mediabrands India, has been awarded the full-service digital mandate for Daawat, a flagship brand of LT Foods, a leading Indian-origin global FMCG company in the consumer food space. The agency won this mandate through a highly competitive pitch process and will handle the account through their Gurugram office.

One of India’s most loved and consumed Basmati brands, Daawat today has an established global footprint across 70+ countries. Interactive Avenues is tasked with expanding the brand’s consumer reach and engagement in digital medium and ultimately strengthening Dawaat in the Consumer packaged food segment. The agency will manage content strategy, digital media, e-commerce, social media, influencer marketing and online reputation management (ORM) for the brand, powered by a data-driven approach.

Commenting on the association, LT Foods Ltd. head of marketing K. Ganapathy Subramaniam said, “We are thrilled to announce that we have selected Interactive Avenues to drive the digital marketing endeavours for one of India’s most loved rice and food brand – Daawat. In this ever-evolving digital era, Daawat has consistently embraced innovative mediums to cultivate enduring connections with consumers. We are hopeful that Interactive Avenues’ unparalleled expertise and cutting-edge proprietary tools will help us unlock exceptional business value and bring the essence of brand Daawat and its offerings to a wider digital audience.”

Interactive Avenues executive vice president – North & East Abhishek Chadha said, “Daawat is a well-established household name known for its finest quality rice, and we are thrilled to be working with them. We look forward to leveraging our cross-discipline expertise to help the brand unlock new digital opportunities and accelerate growth.”

August 22, 2023
Subhash Kamath elected as ASCI chairman

NEW DELHI: BBH & Publicis Worldwide India Chief Executive Officer Subhash Kamath has been elected chairman of the board of governors of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). The vote was held at the board meeting that followed the thirty-fourth annual general meeting this afternoon. Kamath is an industry veteran, having spent more than 32 years building brands across various sectors.

Ketchum Sampark P. Ltd MD NS Rajan, was elected the vice-chairman, and IPG Mediabrands India P. Ltd CEO Shashidhar Sinha was reappointed as an honorary treasurer at the same meeting.

The Board of Governors includes Abanti Sankaranarayanan, co-chairman & Board Member, ISWAI; D Shivakumar group executive president, Aditya Birla Management Corporation P. Ltd; Girish Agarwal, director, Dainik Bhaskar Group; Harish Bhat, Director, Tata Consumer Products Ltd; KV Sridhar, chief creative officer (Global), Nihilent Ltd; Madhusudan Gopalan, CEO, Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Hbealth Care Ltd; Rohit Gupta, president – network sales & international business, Sony Pictures Networks India P. Ltd; Prof SK Palekar, Centre For Developmental Education, IFIM Business School; Priya Nair, executive director Beauty, and Personal Care, Hindustan Unilever Ltd; Prasun Basu, president – south Asia, Nielsen (India) P. Ltd; Sivakumar Sundaram, president revenue, Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd; Umesh Shrikhande, CEO, Taproot India Comm. P. Ltd.

Incoming chairman, Subhash Kamath said: “It’s a genuine privilege to accept this role as chairman of ASCI. Having served ten years on the board, I have had the honour of working and learning from very senior and experienced leaders of the industry. More importantly, I have learned the immense value of self-regulation and the far-reaching impact of the work ASCI has done over the years. Our industry today is at a crucial stage. With the digital revolution influencing brand messaging and engagement with consumers, advertising is evolving rapidly. And with the recent formation of the Central Consumer Protection Authority constituted by the government, self-regulation will be even more crucial in promoting consumer confidence and trust. As I have always said, with great creative power, comes great responsibility. So I look forward to working closely with the ASCI team to continue the good work set up by my predecessors and to introduce some newer, more future-facing initiatives as well.”

Recalling his year-long tenure at ASCI, outgoing chairman Rohit Gupta, said: “I thank all my colleagues, ASCI members and everyone who was part of this incredible journey. I am glad I was given an opportunity to drive the body that spearheaded important changes in the advertising industry. This year has been the most eventful for ASCI as we tackled several challenges. The pandemic saw many misleading ads, which were dealt with immediately. The Ministry of AYUSH reached out for help in flagging misleading advertisements regarding prevention and treatment of COVID-19. We also signed up with TAM to monitor 3,000 digital portals for misleading claims. We successfully met the three objectives we had set: increasing our consumer base, monitoring the digital space, and working closely with government bodies. I wish Kamath and the board the very best.”

Over the past year, ASCI’s independent Consumer Complaints Council met 45 times and deliberated on complaints pertaining to 3,773 advertisements.

● Complaints were upheld against 2,126 advertisements (versus 1,486 in 2018-19) while those against 298 were not Upheld as the advertisements in question were not considered to be in contravention of ASCI’s codes

● 192 advertisements were found to be prima facie in violation of The Drugs and Magic Remedies (DMR) Act or The Drugs and Cosmetics Rules (Schedule J). These were promptly escalated to the Ministry of AYUSH or the Ministry of Health for their immediate attention

● In several cases, state AYUSH officials, the FDA or the Central Council for Indian Medicine issued show-cause notices to the advertisers.

It concluded with a touching tribute to Brahm Vasudeva, the non-executive chairman of Hawkins Cookers and the first chairman of ASCI, who passed away in July. His commitment to self-regulation in advertising and to the ASCI cause was recalled fondly.

September 10, 2020
Magna revises Indian Adex growth in 2016 from 18.4 to +16.2 percent

MUMBAI: Going by the recently released half yearly Adex report by IPG Mediabrands India, the Indian advertising industry is growing at a rate of +16.2 percent in 2016. The size of the industry is expected to touch $ 9 billion or Rs 564 billion (Rs 56,400 crore) equivalents by this financial year. Magna Global, an IPG resource that puts together this industry recognized report has revised the rate from its earlier prediction of 18.4 per cent in 2015, to 16.2 percent in the current report. Magna also predicts that Indian Adex will see a slight dip in 2017 and grow at a rate of +15.7 per cent.

On revising the forecast, Magna Global – India director of intelligence practice EVP S Venkatesh said, “Basis our initial read of the emerging trends we had envisaged a stronger headwind across digital formats on the mobile platform while the real numbers for H1-2016 suggests a lesser significant acceleration”

From a global perspective, India has overtaken Italy and made space for itself in the top ten list of advertising markets, and estimated to move up 4 ranks to become the 6th largest advertising market by 2020.

On India’s performance as an advertising market, IPG Mediabrands CEO Shashi Sinha said, “The outlook is extremely positive as globally India remains one of the fastest growing markets. In fact, India is now one of the top ten advertising markets in the world.”

Breaking the report further into media sectors, Television with 42 per cent market share will grow +17 percent. The biggest revenue growth drivers in the sector would be the T20 World Cup, Indian Premier League (IPL) and non-cricketing leagues buttressed by E-commerce, Telecom, Auto and CPG advertising. Addressable television and expansion of the measurement into rural India equips advertisers to reach more consumers and broadcasters to monetize now counted audience. Measurement will evolve to include addressable TV audience and though connected TV currently doesn’t pose a threat to linear advertising, it will open doors for more on demand content access. Mushrooming of both domestic and international OTT (over-the-top) players will eventually fragment TV viewing time.

Print will continue to be the second biggest medium in India with 35 percent market share and ad sales growth of +8 percent. Conventionally print heavy advertisers in CPG, BFSI, Automobile and now E-commerce will contribute to the segment growth.

Digital formats continue to disrupt traditional with the highest growth at +40 percent and increasing its share of market by 2 points to 13 percent. Videos will be the fastest growing format driven by consumption on mobile devices. Screen time will only increase as smartphones get bigger with better displays and faster bandwidth. Trailing this trend expect advertisers to ear mark higher promotional budgets.

Radio through foot print expansion along with increase in volume is estimated to grow +18 percent in 2016, whereas OOH will grow +15 percent in 2016. Both these segments will hold onto their market share of 4 per cent and 6 percent respectively.

The report also shared that India will retain its position as the fastest growing economy with real GDP (gross domestic product) growth of +7.5 percent in 2016. According to International Monetary Fund (IMF), India is likely to maintain the same GDP growth in 2017 as well. Consumer inflation slightly outside of target will force the central bank to hold onto its policy rates.

However the earlier reduction in rates gave the much needed impetus to automobile, housing, durables and education sectors. The farm sector, if favoured with a good monsoon, will set to rebound its output. The report estimates private consumption to mirror the growth rates and push for higher marketing spends.

June 16, 2016
Magna revises Indian Adex growth in 2016 from 18.4 to +16.2 percent

MUMBAI: Going by the recently released half yearly Adex report by IPG Mediabrands India, the Indian advertising industry is growing at a rate of +16.2 percent in 2016. The size of the industry is expected to touch $ 9 billion or Rs 564 billion (Rs 56,400 crore) equivalents by this financial year. Magna Global, an IPG resource that puts together this industry recognized report has revised the rate from its earlier prediction of 18.4 per cent in 2015, to 16.2 percent in the current report. Magna also predicts that Indian Adex will see a slight dip in 2017 and grow at a rate of +15.7 per cent.

On revising the forecast, Magna Global – India director of intelligence practice EVP S Venkatesh said, “Basis our initial read of the emerging trends we had envisaged a stronger headwind across digital formats on the mobile platform while the real numbers for H1-2016 suggests a lesser significant acceleration”

From a global perspective, India has overtaken Italy and made space for itself in the top ten list of advertising markets, and estimated to move up 4 ranks to become the 6th largest advertising market by 2020.

On India’s performance as an advertising market, IPG Mediabrands CEO Shashi Sinha said, “The outlook is extremely positive as globally India remains one of the fastest growing markets. In fact, India is now one of the top ten advertising markets in the world.”

Breaking the report further into media sectors, Television with 42 per cent market share will grow +17 percent. The biggest revenue growth drivers in the sector would be the T20 World Cup, Indian Premier League (IPL) and non-cricketing leagues buttressed by E-commerce, Telecom, Auto and CPG advertising. Addressable television and expansion of the measurement into rural India equips advertisers to reach more consumers and broadcasters to monetize now counted audience. Measurement will evolve to include addressable TV audience and though connected TV currently doesn’t pose a threat to linear advertising, it will open doors for more on demand content access. Mushrooming of both domestic and international OTT (over-the-top) players will eventually fragment TV viewing time.

Print will continue to be the second biggest medium in India with 35 percent market share and ad sales growth of +8 percent. Conventionally print heavy advertisers in CPG, BFSI, Automobile and now E-commerce will contribute to the segment growth.

Digital formats continue to disrupt traditional with the highest growth at +40 percent and increasing its share of market by 2 points to 13 percent. Videos will be the fastest growing format driven by consumption on mobile devices. Screen time will only increase as smartphones get bigger with better displays and faster bandwidth. Trailing this trend expect advertisers to ear mark higher promotional budgets.

Radio through foot print expansion along with increase in volume is estimated to grow +18 percent in 2016, whereas OOH will grow +15 percent in 2016. Both these segments will hold onto their market share of 4 per cent and 6 percent respectively.

The report also shared that India will retain its position as the fastest growing economy with real GDP (gross domestic product) growth of +7.5 percent in 2016. According to International Monetary Fund (IMF), India is likely to maintain the same GDP growth in 2017 as well. Consumer inflation slightly outside of target will force the central bank to hold onto its policy rates.

However the earlier reduction in rates gave the much needed impetus to automobile, housing, durables and education sectors. The farm sector, if favoured with a good monsoon, will set to rebound its output. The report estimates private consumption to mirror the growth rates and push for higher marketing spends.

June 16, 2016
Lowe Lintas & Partners and Interactive Avenues set up exclusive partnership

MUMBAI: IPG Mediabrands India has decided that Interactive Avenues, its new acquisition, will partner with creative agency network Lowe Lintas & Partners.

The two entities will be engaged in an exclusive partnership intended to expand and strengthen Lowe Lintas & Partners‘ digital offering to its clients.

The brand planners, brand creatives and digital/social media planners within Lowe Lintas & Partners will work closely with the specialist teams at Interactive Avenues to provide creative strategy, content, SEO, SEM, social media management, mobile, technical development, and online media planning and buying to their clients.

The biggest advantage for the clients in this case will be that this partnership brings for them a completely integrated offering that their primary brand custodian, their creative agency, takes responsibility for.

“We were on the lookout for a partner who could complement our brand teams and enhance our execution and delivery capabilities on the digital medium. And we found Interactive Avenues perfectly placed to do so. I am also acutely aware of the fact that clients are getting increasingly frustrated about having to deal with multiple partners who are operating at varying levels of brand familiarity and brand management skills to optimally manage their brands‘ various engagement needs,” commented Lowe Lintas & Partners CEO Joseph George.

Interactive Avenues CEO Amar Deep Singh said, “We are delighted to partner with Lowe Lintas and Partners to help provide end to end digital solutions to their clients. Lowe Lintas & Partners is one of the most respected creative agencies in India and we hope to be able to improve our digital offering by working closely with them. Working with Lowe Lintas & Partners also presents a great opportunity for us to work with some of the best brands in the business.”

Interactive Avenues is one of India‘s largest full service independent digital agencies with specialist teams in Search Marketing, SEO, Social Media, Mobile, Web-Development, Creative, Content Development, Media Planning / Buying / Optimisation. With a team of close to 200 people, Interactive Avenues caters to about 200 advertisers from its offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.

March 19, 2013