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Tag: JWT

  • JWT wins Louis Philippe’s creative biz

    JWT wins Louis Philippe’s creative biz

    MUMBAI: JWT India has won the creative mandate of apparel brand Louis Philippe following a multi-agency pitch.

    This win consolidates two of Madura Fashion & Lifestyle (MFL) brands, Louis Philippe and Van Heusen, under the same roof.

    The account will be serviced from JWT‘s Bangalore office.

    JWT India CEO Colvyn Harris said, “The business was awarded to JWT based on a strong strategic recommendation and a sharp point of view on positioning the brand in the competitive premium branded apparel market. This win deepens our relationship with one of our most admired clients and is testimony to the confidence they have in JWT. We are very proud of this win.”

    JWT Bangalore has been handling Van Heusen with sub brands like Van Heusen for Women and club wear offering V. for over a decade. Louis Philippe is another addition to the agency‘s roster of brands that include Nike, Lifestyle and Denizen (from Levi‘s) and Kingfisher.

  • Digitas taps ESPN Star Sports marketing head as COO

    Digitas taps ESPN Star Sports marketing head as COO

    MUMBAI: Digitas, Publicis‘ digital marketing agency, has appointed Nirmal Dayani as its chief operating officer in India.

    Dayani will report directly to Digitas India president Kanika Mathur.

    His last stint was at ESPN Star Sports as head of marketing. He contributed to the successful launch of new channels – Star Cricket, ESPN HD and Star Cricket HD and led the company‘s diversification into new properties such as espnstar.com and ESPN Mobile.

    Dayani has vast experience in the field of advertising and marketing, particularly in the digital space. He has over 21 years of work experience and has spent significant time at McCann Erickson, JWT and ESPN Star Sports (12 years).

    Dayani has worked with leading brands such as Pepsi, Horlicks and Harpic and his experience with digital started with the launch of the famous “Super Selector” cricket game and several other properties for espnstar.com.

    Mathur said, “We are looking forward to Nirmal leading Digitas India. We believe that with his experience and skills he will play a key role in nurturing client relationships, and driving growth.”

    Dayani said, “This is an amazing opportunity and I am incredibly excited to be a part of the Digitas India team. In this new digital era we have a great opportunity to integrate our offerings and adding value to our customers/clients portfolios. I am looking forward to working closely with our clients and together developing their digital roadmaps and taking them to the next level in their growth curve.”

  • Sheel Saket quits Euro RSCG India

    MUMBAI: Sheel Saket, Euro RSCG India (Delhi) vice-president, client servicing, has decided to move on after a nearly four-year stint, to start his own venture related to brand communications.

    Saket has been battling health issues for about three months and finally decided he needed to bid adieu to his advertising career.

    Saket informed indiantelevision.com, “I have spent a fruitful four years here and now feel the need to move on. I feel it is now time to go beyond the advertising norms and venture into something innovative.”

    He revealed that he plans to start something related to brand communications that explores more innovative and creative measures. The announcement of his new venture may be expected in the very near future.

    Saket has almost 16 years of industry experience during which he worked on the marketing side briefly before starting his agency career. He worked with Denver-based telecom company Executive TeleCard for around a year and a half before joining McCann Erickson Delhi as account manager in 1998.

    After spending four years at McCann Erickson Saket moved to JWT in 2003 and was involved with brands like Pizza Hut, Monte Carlo and Hero Cycles here. He then shifted to Ogilvy India a couple of years later. Here he handled clients such as LG, Maruti, Dabur, Nestle, Schnieder, Oswal and WWF.

    After three years at Ogilvy, Saket moved to Euro RSCG in 2008. While at Euro, he managed several key accounts including Voltas, Volvo, makemytrip.com, NewsX, Future Brands, Max New York Life, Quest Diagnostic, Government of Gabon and Cyberwalk.

  • NDTV sues TAM, Nielsen for manipulation of data

    NDTV sues TAM, Nielsen for manipulation of data

    MUMBAI: Television news broadcaster NDTV has filed a lawsuit in New York seeking injunction against publication of television ratings by TAM Media Research and also compensation and damages, a move that can have major implications if the allegations are proved right.

    The lawsuit has been filed against TAM, its parent companies Nielsen and Kantar Media Research and senior officials of the companies in the Supreme Court of the State of New York.

    NDTV has demanded $810 million as compensation for the loss in revenues it has suffered over the years and $580 million in penalty for negligence by Nielsen and Kantar officials.

    In the petition, NDTV has accused the companies of knowingly allowing manipulation of viewership data in favour of channels that are willing to provide bribes to its officials.

    According to NDTV‘s complaint (a copy of which is with Indiantelevision.com), “rampant manipulation” of viewership data has been going on for at least eight years. “The loss of revenue caused to NDTV on account of the false, fabricated and manipulated data released to the public by Nielsen, Kantar and TAM over the past eight years is not less than $810 million,” it states.

    “This is a case, brought under New York State laws, of negligence, gross negligence, false representations, prima facie tort and negligence per se… This is also a case of a once noble company, Nielsen…exhibiting unabashed short term greed and reckless disregard of its duties and of its noble origin. It is a case of the two largest audience measurement conglomerates in the world, Nielsen and Kantar, formerly competitors, operating worldwide through a deliberately complex web of subsidiaries and joint ventures, creating, at least in India, a monopoly and abusing the power of that monopoly,” the lawsuit reads.

    NDTV has also stated that it presented evidences to Nielsen and other parties and its senior officials promised to take remedial actions. However, all promises to make changes proved to be a “sham” and bad data continued to be released “recklessly and in pursuit of profits.”

    At a meeting NDTV had with Nielsen and TAM officials on January 20 2012, NDTV had arranged a detailed presentation by a whistleblower, who was a consultant providing on ground services to TAM. The consultant informed those present that he used to bribe TAM personnel as well as peoplemeter homes in order to manipulate ratings for TV channels and he was successful at doing so. The consultant further stated that he was also able to bribe TAM officials to select him as a sample PeopleMeter home and had a PeopleMeter installed in his own premises.

    NDTV has not disclosed the identity of the consultant in the lawsuit. The 20 January meeting was also attended by Robert Messemer, Chief Security Officer at The Nielsen Company.

    NDTV is being represented by attorneys Adam Finkel and Rohit Sabharwal.

    “The primary reason that data could be so easily manipulated in India was due to the persistent refusal of Nielsen and Kantar to provide adequate funds for TAM to increase its sample size and invest in the systems/quality/security procedures,” the lawsuit says.

    Apart from TAM, Nielsen Group, Kantar Media Research, WPP, JWT, IMRB International, and the Nielsen directors are also made party to the lawsuit.

    NDTV claims that TAM is employing an inadequate sampling size for the Indian market, and also of using inadequate security measures to protect its data. It has also alleged that the lack of security has led to an atmosphere of widespread corruption, with different networks bribing sample households to watch them, and TAM employees taking bribes in exchange for helping to game the numbers.

    The lawsuit lists 42 counts against Nielsen, Kantar, TAM and other defendants, ranging from breach of fiduciary duty and gross negligence to tortious and negligent interference with prospective economic advantage.

    “TAM India doesn‘t comment on any litigation,” said a spokesperson of TAM, a joint venture of Nielsen, Kantar and Cavendish Square Holdings B.V.

    Earlier in 2001 Outlook Magazine and later in 2002 Zee Group had carried exposes on manipulation of TAM ratings.

  • Taproot launches new division TRIP

    MUMBAI: Taproot is launching a new division, Taproot India Plus (TRIP).

    TRIP, headed by Purushottam Joshi, will handle creative execution and services, specialising in non – mass media and production activities for the advertising, publicity and marketing industry.

    The new division will be based out of Mumbai but the agency’s multi city network tie ups will support national level requirements too.

    Joshi, a partner in TRIP, will be leading it as a director and will be the face of this unit with an experienced team under him.

    Joshi said, “There is a disconnect between what kind of state-of-the-art technology available in the market versus what’s being used or rather how it‘s being used to reach consumers. In fact he is positive that ventures like TRIP can bridge the divide between brands and consumer across non mass-media touch points in a more relevant and effective way”

    The division will not only talk about the standard BTL but every single experience point where a brand has a connect with its consumer, for example POS, brand signage, in-shop displays, merchandise, exhibitions and events.

    Taproot India co-founder Santosh Padhi said, “The industry spends on retail / on-ground/ merchandise are already steep but sadly, the quality needs to improve much more to honestly justify those spends. The industry has moved ahead quite a bit on film production in last five years with our television work looking far better than what it was a decade back. But we are yet to do the same in other areas”.

    Taproot India chief creative officer Agnello Dias added, “This sort of service does exist in international markets where once the big idea is arrived at, the creative services execution team, with their practical knowledge of on-ground and retail space takes the idea forward in a more engaging, entertaining and effective way. To the extent that at times most clients do brief these set of team independently like one does to a research or a digital agency”.

    Joshi has over 25 years of experience in the advertising and print industry. He has worked in agency networks such as JWT, Euro RSCG and Mudra.

  • Helix’s ‘Waste Time’ brand message to woo youth

    MUMBAI: 150-year-old watch company Timex has launched the latest advertising for its youth brand Helix.

    JWT is the creative force behind this campaign. The communication aims as projecting Helix a brand that youth can own, both in attitude and style.

    With the youth watch market growing at 15 per cent and limited brands that provide trendy and affordable merchandise, global watch manufacturer Timex decided to launch a sub-brand that specifically targeted the college going segment.

    The campaign is built around the concept of time according to the young generation, which is the TG for the brand. It takes inspiration from the insight that ‘from school to college, a new sense of freedom begins to unfold, when the young begin to explore limitless time with limited money in their wallets.’

    According to this insight, the youth today sees the present time, i.e. ‘now’ as the only time hang out and just be, make fabulous friends, do spontaneous things and be free spirited and uninhibited. The campaign, thus, tries to reflect the youth’s sentiment — ‘I want to spend time exploring and enjoying the present but I am expected to join the rat race to ensure my future is bright when I am already confident that it will be.’

    Since the brand communication is aimed at college going youth, the theme of the campaign is also derived from the different aspects of college life like the summer holidays and the time collegians spent in the canteen having a good time.

    The idea was to go against the tradition where everybody keeps advising the youth to ‘do something, this is your time, stop wasting it.’ Instead the camoaign says, “Go Ahead and Waste Time.’ It is a new way of telling the youth that this is the only time they have the luxury to explore their options and have a good time.

    The campaign includes a one minute thematic film accompanied by two launch ads that celebrate the philosophy of ‘Waste Time’. Following these, the brand launched followed up ads spanning 20 seconds each that showed innovative ways of ‘wasting’ time. The videos and TVCs were supported by online presence through a Facbook page, print ads and cinema advertising at various theatres. The films have been produced by Flying Pigs Production.

    JWT SVP and executive planning director said, “The campaign idea is truly provocative for a watch brand. In a fresh and disruptive way, it blends the truth about youth lives with the category. Young consumers have responded really favourably to the boldness of a liberating brand thought – Waste Time. This campaign sets the tone for Helix – a cool young brand with a distinct attitude and distinct designs.”

    Timex India head marketing Vinit Kapahi explains, ‘With an active and growing youth watch market, we wanted to offer trendy and international range of watches at an affordable price point. Designed by internationally acclaimed and Milan based designer, Giorgio Galli, the collection is targeted to the global youth of today, men and women in the age group of 18-24 years. The campaign is clutter breaking, bold and attempts to resonate with the lives of young people in college. The core team at JWT including Account Management, Creative and Planning with their understanding and passion, along with us, believe in the power of – Waste Time, You Will Never Be Young Again’.

  • JWT strengthens presence in Finland; acquires majority stake in Activeark Oy

    MUMBAI: Continuing on its acquisition spree, global media communications giant WPP has acquired majority stake in Finnish digital ad agency Activeark Oy through its global agency network JWT.

    Following the deal, Activeark‘s staff of 80 people will merge with JWT Helsinki‘s staff of 30 to become Activeark JWT Oy. The Activeark operations in the UK and India will also assume the new name.

    Activeark Oy is a nine year-old full-service digital agency based in Helsinki and has operations in the UK and India.

    JWT said in a statement that this is one of the most significant European acquisitions for JWT in recent history and will create a new brand for clients seeking an exciting proposition for their communication.

    JWT Europe CEO Toby Hoare said, “This is a major step towards us achieving our ambitions in Finland. The merger catapults Activeark JWT to a top three marketing agency in Finland and brings together a respected global, well-established brand expert with a leading, fast growing, digital marketing agency. We know we will do great and exciting things together as one team.”

    According to the new structure, Activeark Markus CEO Hakala will become Activeark JWT Oy CEO, while JWT Helsinki MD Jean Gallen will be chairman of the Board and will operatively be in charge of client service. Activeark founder Robin Bade will be responsible for development and overall quality of the service offering and all the current owners of the digital agency will continue in their operational positions.

    Hakala added, “The merger is a natural answer to client requests and needs. It‘s time to stop talking about digital and traditional roles. Consumers‘ media consumption is rapidly and constantly changing, and brands need to cope with this to survive. In our new set-up we will be able to deliver customer experiences in all channels, both online and offline.”

    Bade added, “Market change requires transformations at the agencies. I believe we are now in a strong position to provide holistic business solutions to our clients and to design superior experiences for consumers. I am therefore delighted for us to join such a network as JWT and together build a story around our complementary skills.”

  • Pizza Hut rolls out ad campaign created by JWT

    MUMBAI: Pizza Hut has launched a new television campaign, ‘Pasta Masti’, that has been created by JWT.

    In line with its tagline, the concept is all about trying “classic” and new flavours and formats of pasta.

    The campaign is a light, funny and warm TVC shot with friends mirroring the “Masti” they can have with the new range. It aims to make pasta a fun product, ideal for sharing with friends and takes it out of the zone of expensive Italian restaurants.

    Pizza Hut India general manager Sandeep Kataria said, “As a brand, Pizza Hut is about Pizzas and much more. This is why we are the first brand to bring fabulous tasting pastas in an accessible and affordable manner to consumers across the country and the launch of Pasta Masti is a key step in that direction. The campaign highlights the launch of an exciting new range of 11 scrumptious pastas, which comes with large helping of fun and friendliness for everyone.”

    JWT India executive creative director Surjo Dutt added,

    “The TVC is all about demystifying the pasta experience, transforming it from being a formal, uptight affair to a more fun and easy-going experience.”

    The creative execution shows four friends enjoying the new pasta range at Pizza Hut with friendly banter, leg pulling and bonding – typical of an outing with friends –and it’s all focused around new pastas at Pizza Hut. The campaign demonstrates that there is no one way to eat pasta, it is best enjoyed in your own unique, individual way with your friends – the Fun Way.

  • Omnicom in talks to buy LBi for $575 mn

    MUMBAI: Close on the heels of rival media communication house WPP buying out digital agency AKQA for $540 million, rival advertising giant Omnicom Media Group is said to be in talks to buy LBi, the independent full-service digital marketing agency, for an estimated $575 million (?368 million).

    LBi said it is in ‘ongoing discussions’ with third parties about a possible sale, but did not state whether Omnicom was among them.

    LBi International is Europe‘s largest independent marketing and technology agency having 30 operations in 16 countries and employing 2,120. The company’s turnover in 2011 was $250 million (?160 million) and net profit stood at ?22 million.

    The digital agency’s birth can be traced back to 2001 when Swedish internet consultancy Icon Medialab merged with rival Dutch web company Lost Boys to form Lb Icon. At the time, the operations were handled out of Amsterdam. Later in 2006, Lb Icon merged with Framfab and was renamed LBi. The newly formed entity then went on to acquire agencies Syrup and Special Ops in 2008 and BigMouthMedia in 2010. In November last year, the conglomerate bought youth marketing and social media agency, Mr Youth, in a deal valued at around $45m.

    With digital being touted as the medium of the future, the leading communication giants have been on an acquisition spree since the year began. Recently, WPP’s JWT bought 51 per cent equity stake in India agency Hungama Digital.

  • Nescafe Sunrise moves creative account to Publicis

    MUMBAI: As part of its global alignment, Nestle has handed over the creative duties for its coffee brand Nescafe Sunrise to Publicis Groupe.

    The account was earlier held by McCann Worldwide.

    Publicis‘ Delhi office will be handling the account.

    Publicis won the global mandate in September 2011, though the development did not affect McCann and Nescafe Sunrise in India at that time. McCann, though, will continue to partner Nestle for its Nescafe brand.

    Nestle operates in the beverage category though three main brands – Nescafe Classic, Nescafe Sunrise and Nestea. While Lowe Lintas handles the company‘s confectionary brand like Polo and Eclairs, JWT is responsible for its chocolate business.

    Publicis will also continue to handle the foods and dairy business along with Nestea.