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Tag: JWT

  • JWT elevates Mohit Hira to head digital ops

    Mumbai: JWT India has elevated Mohit Hira to head of its digital operations and he will be responsible for managing and growing JWT’s digital offering to clients across all markets in addition to his current responsibilities on Airtel.

    He had joined JWT India last year as SVP and regional business director in Delhi.

    Meanwhile, the current digital head at JWT India Max Hegerman is moving on to pursue other opportunities.

    “As the new head of JWT Digital, he brings in long-term brand-building with rich digital experience, both online and offline. This, along with the ability to tap a rich eco-system of partners, like Hungama Digital Services and a global network that will bring the best of class for a client’s digital ambitions gives JWT Digital a unique advantage,” the company said.

    Hira has over 26 years of experience in advertising, marketing, print and digital media. He had joined JWT from NIIT, where he was the President of the B2C global online learning business that he started. He was also the chief marketing officer for their retail individual training businesses and the NIIT University.

  • Interface Business Solution picks up the first grand prix at Abbys 2013

    VARCA: Day two of Goafest 2013 saw Interface Business Solutions emerge as the sole Grand Prix winner at this year‘s Creative Abbys. The agency took away the top honours for the World‘s first CRM powered personalised web banner it created for TATA Docomo in the Digital category of the Creative Abbys.

    The winners of the Digital, Direct and Design categories of the CreartiveAbbys were announced on 5 April at Zuri White Sands in Varca, Goa where the annual ad fest is being held. A total of 104 metals were awarded across the three categories – 46 in digital, 15 in direct and 43 in the design category.

    The digital category saw 46 entries take away metals which included one grand prix, four gold, 11 silver and 30 bronze Abbys.

    Hungama Digital was the forerunner in this category with a total of eight metal wins to brag about. The outfit which was recently acquired by JWT took home two gold, two silver and four bronze metals. The gold wins came for its work on the Mahindra Quanto and Mahindra XUV500 brands.

    BC WebWise and Thmbstrk won one gold each for their campaigns created for Sunsilk and Axis Bank respectively.

    Webchutney won five metals in the category – three silver (for work on Bacardi India,Mohan Music Palace and desimartini.com) and two bronze (for work on Bajaj Auto and desimartini.com). Other winners included Creativeland Asia, Grey Worldwide, Iprospect India, Scarecrow Communications, Contract Advertising and Ignitee Digital Services.

    In the design category, seven gold Abbys were awarded – three each to McCann World Group and XOX Designs and one to Leo Burnett. McCann won the metals creating Dish TV‘s Learnings campaign (in the poster category and the craft in design category) and Young Presidents Organisation‘s The Lighter Side of Heavy Weights campaign (in the best design in direct mail category). XOX Designs snagged the gold for its campaigns Confessions of a Typoholic (in book/diaries category and the craft of design category) and Creative Beings (in book/diaries category) for Paaper by Kyoorious. Leo Burnett‘s gold came for its work on Reflection of Music (installation) for MTV‘s Coke Studio in the environment design category.

    Fourteen silver Abbys were given out and 32 entries won Bronze Abbys. Taproot India won three bronze metals in the design category while JWT won six metals (four bronze and two silver) and Leo Burnett took home five metals apart form the gold (four silver and one bronze). Other agencies to win metals ion the category include Publicis Communications, Creativeland Asia, Umbrealla Design, Dentsu India Group, Grey Worldwide, Happy, DDB Mudra Group, andideas@work advertising.

    In the direct category, a total of 15metals were awarded which include two gold, four silver and nine bronze. McCann and Publicis Communications won a gold each. The former won the metal for the Cross Connection 1,3 campaign it created for Big CBS Spark in the direct response mobile marketing category while the latter won it for its campaign for Park Avenue Beer Shampoo in the direct response digital category.

    Silver winners included McCann (two silver metals in the direct response radio category), Taproot (in the direct response TV category) and Creativeland Asia (in the direct response digital category). Other winners in the category were BBDO Proximity and JWT.

  • Bobby Pawar: Post JWT

    MUMBAI: He may be out of JWT India, but he definitely is not down and out. We are referring to former JWT India managing partner and chief creative director Bobby Pawar who put in his papers after Vijay Simha Vellanki, creative director at Blue Hive, a WPP unit dedicated to managing the Ford business, was asked to resign for creating a few posters with which got the client auto company Ford all choked up after some consumers got upset with the so-called sexist depiction in the ads.

    Pawar earlier today put out a post on facebook which said: “My friends, I am touched by your concern and affection. I am the luckiest man in the world, despite what the tabloids might say. I cannot repay your spontaneous outburst of support, so as my meagre offering I give you this for your viewing pleasure, a Santa Claus made with condoms. Oops, will that get me in trouble gain?”

    Pawar has not been reachable since he jettisoned from the agency he joined around 15 months ago. He had issued a comment, saying he was resigning because “as a leader, this incident happened on my watch. I have to take moral responsibility for it.”

    But he has been active on facebook since, posting pictures of his family as they take some time out in Srinagar.

    And an avalanche of support has poured in for him.

    Said Scarecrow Communications branch head and executive creative director Anindya Banerjee, “Still trying to figure out the ‘sexist‘ portion in the ads. Looks like a mystery that‘s not going to be answered.”

    Added Pinstorm Technologies boss Mahesh Murthy, “While the JWT India scam ad for Ford was dumb, sacking the ECD Bobby Pawar for it is dumber. Smacks of testicular deficiency all around I think. Stand up for your creatives, @Colwyn Harris. Don‘t sell them out at the first sign of trouble. Now who with a brain and a backbone will work for you?”

    Said Bang Bang film founder and managing director Roopak Saluja, “At the end of the day, that‘s all that matters, Bobby. And you know the whole industry knows what this is all about. A $2Billion ad budget is a tough thing to be weighed against. Yet you walk away with an unscathed rep…Godspeed!”

    Said media veteran Bhaskar Das (currently with Zee News) : “It‘s so true, Bobby. You will rock always.”

    On 23 March, Pawar had an interaction with former McCann and Ogilvy & Mather professional Rob Ichelson which went as follows:
    Rob: “Hi BubbaHave you read Kenney‘s Book”

    Bobby: “No Rob would like to. What‘s it called?”

    Rob: “Truth in Advertising”

    Bobby: @Rob. “Is there any truth to it?”

    He could not have been more prophetic.

  • Meera Sharath Chandra turns entrepreneur with Tigress Tigress

    MUMBAI: Meera Sharath Chandra, former ECD of Momentum Worldwide UK and former MD of WPP company Syzygy UK, has turned entrepreneur with the launch of Tigress Tigress.

    Tigress Tigress is a digital-centric integrated communication agency. It will engage consumers and deliver brand strategy across all communication touchpoints, with digital at the heart of the experience.

    The company will have three distinct revenue streams under it. The first will be digital-led integrated communication, which will specialise in totally joined-up communication, focusing on digital.

    Second is the trademarked Rainbow Hashtag, which is a new concept targeting corporate spends in aspects that are high on a CEO‘s governance charter with a focus on four key areas: the red cross – Healthcare and Social Causes, the blue cross – Animal Welfare and Protection, the green cross – Ecology and Environment, and the yellow cross – Fitness and Sport.

    The third is multicultural marketing, which will focus on new and emerging target segments that marketers cannot ignore – the ethnic minority groups (initially in the UK). This specialisation recognises the potential of a significant and ever-increasing diaspora, one that is growing not just in numbers but in purchasing power and advocacy.

    Tigress Tigress aims to provide creative business solutions to address advertisers‘ marketing challenges. Keeping a media neutral approach, the company will use the digital medium extensively and create a distinct edge in digital and social media.

    Sharath Chandra will be designated as founder CEO and CCO at Tigress Tigress.

    She said, “Tigress Tigress is very definitively and sharply positioned but that is what separates it from the rest of the eco-system. With a three-pronged go-to-market strategy Tigress Tigress is on the hunt for marketing challenges and creative solutions. Today‘s landscape requires a fearless and ferocious approach which is why there are three unique models of engagement with advertisers. The Just-in-Time business model, the Percentage-of-Sales revenue model and the Return-on-Innovation creative model.”

    According to the agency, the Just-in-Time business model will bring to the table the right talent specially handpicked for each assignment, the Percentage-of-Sales revenue model is a bold part fee and part percentage of sales remuneration structure and the Return-of-Innovation creative model lays emphasis on a high creative quotient and an equally high attention to outcomes.

    Sharath Chandra is an integrated creative professional with 30 years of experience. She has worked as the president and NCD at RMG Connect (JWT) and also at DDB where she was NCD across five units – Tribal DDB, Rapp Collins, DDB Health & Lifestyle, DDB‘s ambient/outdoor unit and its events and promotions company. Prior to Momentum Worldwide UK, she was the Managing Director at Syzygy UK.

  • WPP acquires majority stake in Thomas Idea through XM Asia

    MUMBAI: Global media communications giant WPP‘s XM Asia has acquired majority stake in digital marketing agency Thomas Idea in Thailand. XM Asia operates under JWT.

    Founded in 1995 in Bangkok, Thomas Idea employs 45 people and had total assets of around THB 50 million for the year ended 31 December 2012. Thomas Idea services include online strategy consulting, website design and development, digital marketing and applications design. Clients include Beiersdorf, Reckitt Benckiser, TIPCO, Abbott Laboratories and Pruska.

    This investment is another step in implementing WPP‘s objective of developing its businesses in the fast growing economies of Asia Pacific, as well as Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, and Central and Eastern Europe. Collectively, the Group, including associates, has revenues of $5 billion in the Asia Pacific region, and employs more than 46,000 people in that region. In Thailand, the Group, including associates, has revenues of approximately $140 million and employs around 1,600 people.

  • JWT bags K7 Computing’s creative biz

    MUMBAI: JWT has won the creative mandate for antivirus company K7 Computing.

    The account will be serviced out of the agency‘s Chennai office.

    The agency‘s work includes developing a new brand positioning strategy and 360 degree communication solutions for the brand.

    JWT Chennai will also create communication solutions to address K7’s retail and corporate customers.

    “K7 is engaging JWT to develop a strong marketing strategy that will help the brand reach out and connect with its customers and establish K7 as a leading player in the domain of antivirus and internet security systems”, K7 Computin CEO J. Kesavardhanan said.

    JWT Chennai has a portfolio of clients that include MRF, Univercell, GRT Hotels, GRT Jewellery, Sunrisers (Sun Networks IPL business), Renuka Builders, Casa Grande, Tamilnadu Mercantile Bank, TI Cycles and Reynolds pens.

  • Bates CHI & Partners to handle creative duties of General Insurance Council

    MUMBAI: Bates CHI & Partners, Delhi has bagged the creative duties of General Insurance Council, the apex body of all licensed non-life insurers in India.

    Bates has won the duties following a rigorous multi-agency pitch that saw participation from the likes of JWT and Mudra.

    The first campaign will create awareness for the general insurance category and will cover the verticals that fall under the purview of non-life insurance such as Health, home, rural and motor insurance.

    The General Insurance Council represents the collective interests of the non-life insurance companies in India and speaks out on issues of common interest; participates in discussions related to policy formulation, and acts as an advocate for high standards of customer service in the insurance industry.

    Commenting on the win, Bates CHI & Partners India Group CEO Sanjay Thapar said, “General Insurance has very little awareness & low penetration in this country. We are therefore, delighted to be working with GI Council and look forward to driving their vision.”

    General Insurance Council secretary general R. Chandrasekeran said, “We are delighted to choose Bates, CHI & Partners to handle our creative duties. Their understanding of the sector & our vision coupled with the innovative theme they presented made us choose them as our partner of choice. We look forward to a continued association with them to help us achieve general insurance business growth.”

    The campaign will comprise a mix of radio, print and television commercials and is expected to go live shortly.

  • JWT to host Portfolio Night 11 in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: JWT India will be hosting Portfolio Night 11, a platform to nurture young talent in the industry in Mumbai. The event gives them an opportunity to showcase their ideas to the most creative minds of the country.

    Portfolio Night is an annual property of ‘IHAVEANIDEA’, the creative founders and the world’s first and largest community of the international advertising industry.

    This year the event is scheduled to take place simultaneously in over 20 cities on the same date across the world, including Athens, Austin, Beijing, Boston, Costa Rica, Johannesburg, Los Angeles, Montreal, New York, Paris, Sao Paulo, Stockholm, Tokyo and Toronto. It will be held on 22 May. This is the fourth year that the event is taking place in India.

    JWT South Asia CEO Colvyn Harris said, “We are delighted to host Portfolio Night 11 and would like it to be an entry point for unleashing creativity in the new world order. Portfolio Night is an ideal platform that identifies and recognizes fresh creative talent and offers them a unique opportunity of getting mentored and nurtured by the best in the advertising fraternity. This is also the perfect opportunity for industry experts to give back to the industry, by guiding aspiring young creatives and helping them carve a niche for themselves.”

    JWT India chief creative officer and managing partner Bobby Pawar said, “JWT India has always encouraged budding talent and Portfolio Night 11 is a platform that celebrates creativity. It is a brilliant opportunity for us to unite the advertising and design communities as the next generation of creative talent makes an exciting foray into the industry.”

    Portfolio Night director of content and communications Brianna Graves said, “Portfolio Night is thrilled to have JWT representing Mumbai on the global stage that will be highlighted in May during #PN11. We expect JWT to execute an amazing event that supports the young creative community in Mumbai and allows its best creative leadership to give back to the industry and nurture the advertising leaders of tomorrow.”

    Portfolio Night 11 is open to young creative professionals from advertising, digital and design agencies and also senior students of art colleges. JWT India will viral the promotional campaign through broadcast and digital medium. Participants will need to register on their respective city’s page on the Portfolio Night website.

  • JWT launches Worldmakers in India

    MUMBAI: JWT has announced the launch of the Indian edition of Worldmakers, hosted by JWT Worldwide chairman and CEO Bob Jeffrey.

    Worldmakers is a Web-based talk show series created and produced by JWT, first launched in January 2012.

    The latest edition of Worldmakers, which can be viewed on JWT Worldwide’s YouTube channel, takes the conversation to Mumbai where Jeffrey meets with the leading innovators, storytellers and entrepreneurs who are influencing technology and industry in India and beyond.

    Meeting with the country’s most influential creative and business-minded thought leaders, Worldmakers: India delves into the nuances of the country and what it means to be both creative and successful in the market.

    Worldmakers: India guests include Akhil Gupta (senior managing director and chairman of Blackstone India), Prahlad Kakkar (Indian ad film director), Roopak Saluja (founder and managing director of Bang Bang Films), Ram Madhvani (ad film director), Rahul Bose (Indian actor, screenwriter, director), Dibankar Banerjee (film director and screenwriter), Tara Sharma (British Indian actress) and Colvyn Harris (CEO JWT South Asia).

    JWT’s Worldmade outlook seeks influence and inspiration from the international community, and the blossoming Indian market is an important one for advertisers and brands looking to identify emerging global opportunities.

    “India is an important driver of global economy and a key market across many industries. Our candid conversations with the influencers who are driving change and shaping culture in India offer powerful Worldmade insights into opportunities and strategies for future success in this growing market,” said Jeffrey.

  • Draftfcb Ulka Delhi gets Burma as group creative director

    MUMBAI: Sachin Das Burma has joined the Delhi office of Draftfcb Ulka Advertising as group creative director. He comes in from JWT Delhi where he was the vice president, creative. He has also worked with agencies like Contract and Bates.

    Draftfcb Ulka Advertising national creative director K S Chakravarthy (Chax) said, “Sachin is a natural-born big ideas guy who enjoys working on big, challenging brands as much as he enjoys doing fun creative stuff. I am confident he will effortlessly fit into our high quality team in Delhi, and help drive our creative agenda.”

    Draftfcb Ulka Advertising, Delhi COO Sanjay Tandon said, “In Sachin, beyond the competence, I see values that are dear to us – stability, team work & desire for excellence. He joins the senior team to push us faster towards where we want to go…creating game changing ideas that Build BrandWealth.”

    Burma said, “I have always liked the Draftfcb Ulka way of thinking and wanted to become a part of a team that cherishes common values.”

    Referring to Arvind Wable, advisor to the Board, Burma stated: “Arvind‘s long term belief in a ‘happy people culture‘ and its effect in building a strong business for over 20 years, was a convincing factor in my decision. And being hired by Chax was indeed a high.”

    He comes to the team having built his credentials across several marquee brands like Hero, Airtel, Nokia, Pepsi, Timex, GSK and Dabur and having earned recognition at all premiere advertising forums like Effies, Goafest and D&AD.