Tag: Leo Burnett

  • Birla Opus Paints ropes in  Vicky Kaushal & Rashmika Mandanna for new campaign

    Birla Opus Paints ropes in Vicky Kaushal & Rashmika Mandanna for new campaign

    Mumbai: After foraying into the decorative paints sector earlier in the year, Birla Opus Paints housed under Aditya Birla Group’s Grasim Industries, has now launched its latest campaign – ‘Naye Zamane ka Naya Paint’ i.e. ‘New Paint for the New era’. Conceptualised by Leo Burnett India, the film features two of India’s most loved actors – Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna, as brand ambassadors talking about its unique and distinctive features and quality, along with veteran and versatile actors like Neena Gupta and Saurabh Shukla. The unique idea, stellar cast and strong conceptualisation is aimed towards making Birla Opus Paints “new” and “desirable”.

    The campaign will be amplified in Hindi and all major regional languages and backed by a 360-degree activation across TV, Digital, OOH, Print, and Radio to drive awareness and induce trials.

    Commenting on the campaign, Birla Opus Paints CEO Rakshit Hargave said – “With our new campaign, ‘Naye Zamane ka Naya Paint,’ which is getting launched this festive season, we highlight our product’s performance through a dynamic cast, blending the fresh energy of Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna along with the timeless charm of Saurabh Shukla and Neena Gupta. We’re confident this campaign will deeply resonate with our consumers, showcasing our innovative and inspiring approach!”

    Indian actor Vicky Kaushal mentioned – “I’m thrilled to be a part of the Birla Opus Paints family and looking forward to spreading vibrancy and colours in the lives of consumers. The campaign is creatively brought to life through these films in a really differentiated manner. I had a lot of fun shooting the ad with veteran actor Saurabh Shukla whose improvisation during the shoot was a treat to watch.”

    Indian actress Rashmika Mandanna mentioned – “I believe one should evolve with changing times. The latest campaign by Birla Opus Paints is a reflection of my belief to make choices backed by facts and not following the general practice. I am happy to partner with Birla Opus as their ambassador and shooting the ad with Neena Ji was a great experience. I look forward to a great association with Birla Opus Paints.”

    Speaking about the campaign  Leo Burnett – South Asia chairman Rajdeepak Das said “We live in a world that’s constantly transforming, reshaping our homes, needs and perspectives. Our film featuring an ensemble cast brings an entertaining perspective of how while old school paints worked in the past, it’s time to embrace the next generation of paints which are meticulously designed to meet new India’s ever-changing needs.”

  • Rajdeepak Das & Sompat Trisadikun join One Club International board

    Rajdeepak Das & Sompat Trisadikun join One Club International board

    Mumbai: The One Club for Creativity has appointed Publicis Groupe South Asia CCO and Leo Burnett South Asia chairman, Rajdeepak Das, to a three-year term on its International board of directors. Grey Thailand CCO, Sompat Trisadikun, also joins the board this month.

    Board members are responsible for providing input and feedback on the club’s ongoing global programming, supporting The One Show and ADC Annual Awards in their region, elevating the annual global creative rankings, connecting the club with advertising and design universities and schools, and recommending outstanding candidates to serve as awards judges.

    “The One Club’s International Board of Directors is a platform with immense responsibility where great minds come together to chart the future narrative for the industry,” said Das. “As part of the board, I am looking forward to the opportunity to nurture the next generation of talent to make creativity more impactful.”

    Das firmly believes that the true potential of creativity and technology is finding human-centric solutions for the biggest brands. He has cultivated a distinctive reputation over the years for driving impactful innovations for some of the country’s iconic brands.

    Das’ unprecedented work on brands like P&G Whisper (Missing Chapter) has facilitated change in the age-old Indian education system and enabled the world’s largest school program for girls. His work on PepsiCo Lays (Smart Farms) has revolutionized farming with the help of AI to increase food security for the country.

    Das believes creativity is the currency for developing nations and his work has demonstrated that. He and his team are currently working with some of the country’s largest brands to deliver high-impact solutions for gender ergonomics for farming, water sustainability, girl child education, healthcare, female hygiene and more.

    His humankind approach to creativity has led Leo Burnett India to win multiple Grand Prix’s and awards at prestigious shows including The One Show, Cannes Lions, D&AD and Spikes Asia.

  • Lay’s partners with the Indian fashion label HUEMN

    Lay’s partners with the Indian fashion label HUEMN

    Mumbai: Lay’s has partnered with the Indian fashion label HUEMN to launch a limited-edition merchandise collection. This collaboration combines Lay’s vibrant colors with HUEMN’s distinctive fashion design, offering a bold new take on style.

    Lay’s, known for its innovative products and flavors, is extending its playful spirit to fashion. HUEMN, recognised for its handcrafted pieces, merges artistry with bold expression. The collection provides a unique experience that reflects both brands’ commitment to cultural relevance.

    The collaboration includes a special promotion where consumers might find HUEMN merchandise inside select Lay’s bags. Lay’s announced the partnership with a teaser and created an interactive treasure hunt in a department store’s Lay’s aisle. Selected loyal customers, identified through social listening, received golden tickets giving them the chance to find exclusive HUEMN merchandise hidden in Lay’s packs. This initiative combined the excitement of a treasure hunt with the appeal of high-end fashion, engaging Lay’s fans in a memorable way.

    Expressing her delight on this association, PepsiCo India category lead – potato chips, Saumya Rathor said, “At Lay’s, we’re always looking for innovative ways to bring joy to our consumers, and our collaboration with HUEMN is a perfect example of that. By drawing inspiration from Lay’s vibrant colors, we’ve created a unique merchandise collection that speaks directly to our Lay’s fandom. For the launch, we’ve introduced an element of surprise, transforming the simple act of snacking into an exciting treasure hunt. Partnering with HUEMN, we are delivering an experience that goes beyond traditional snacking. We can’t wait for our fans to discover these limited-edition pieces and make them a part of their everyday style.”

    Speaking on this HUEMN co-founder Pranav Misra said “As a brand, HUEMN has always championed wearable art that speaks to individualism and creativity. Inspired by the massive fandom surrounding Lay’s, this partnership is a celebration of the love and connection people have with their favourite potato chips. It’s about bringing the world of Lay’s and HUEMN together, offering the community a chance to wear something that represents both comfort and the joy of snacking. Creating this together with an iconic brand like Lay’s has been an incredible experience for all of us. We’re excited to see our communities embracing this unique association.”

    “Lay’s is a brand that is part of culture and now with the HUEMN partnership we will be a part of pop-culture. This is a great example of how we believe partnerships can create magic,” said Publicis Groupe South Asia CCO and Leo Burnett South Asia chairman Rajdeepak Das.

    The exclusive merchandise features classic sweatshirts, t-shirts and bodysuits adorned with playful Lay’s prints, offering a cool, visual appeal, that showcase Lay’s iconic branding. Each piece is crafted with high-quality materials, making them fun, comfortable, and perfect for the colder months approaching. The merchandise will be sold at HUEMN stores and HUEMN.in, starting today.

  • ACKO unveils second edition of car insurance campaign

    ACKO unveils second edition of car insurance campaign

    Mumbai: Following the success of last year’s campaign, ACKO has launched the second edition of its car insurance campaign, again featuring the father-daughter duo Saif Ali Khan and Sara Ali Khan.

    Conceptualised by Leo Burnett, the campaign continues to challenge conventional views of car insurance and offers a new perspective on the insurance buying and usage process. It addresses common concerns in the insurance business, such as the misconception that insurance must be purchased from the car dealer when buying a new car. The ad films also highlight the confusion caused by numerous calls and varying prices during renewals. ACKO’s straightforward renewal process allows customers to see the price, understand coverage, and renew easily.

    The campaign also showcases value-added services available on the ACKO app, including paying traffic challans and checking car resale value, enhancing the overall customer experience.

    Speaking about the campaign, ACKO CMO Ashish Mishra shared, “ACKO’s auto business experienced a breakout year in FY’24, with demand significantly surpassing previous benchmarks. The Saif & Sara campaign helped in landing what could be boring car insurance messages in a quirky yet informative manner.” He added, “We are absolutely delighted to bring this dynamic duo back on screen. I am happy that we have stuck to our core principle of having humor in our advertising. The campaign has come out really well and I am sure our customers will love watching them as well as benefit from new information that we are trying to communicate.”

    “Saif and Sara embody the new-age father-daughter dynamics where we see the younger generation teaching the older gen how to embrace technology for good. In our case, car insurance is traditionally seen as a dealer/agent driven process, and ACKO is transforming this with its value-added services which make insurance in the modern day more valuable. Our films leverage the bond between Saif and Sara; keeping the signature ACKO humor and lighthearted approach to addressing important insurance-related issues for consumers,” said Leo Burnett South Asia chief creative officer Vikram Pandey (Spiky).

    The ad films are live and will be promoted across various platforms, including television, social media, OTT, and digital channels. The campaign’s media mix, which also includes radio and OOH, has been strategically selected to align with the tone and message of the films, ensuring broad reach and impact with the target audience.

  • PepsiCo India triumphs at Cannes Lions 2024 with four wins

    PepsiCo India triumphs at Cannes Lions 2024 with four wins

    Mumbai: PepsiCo India has once again distinguished itself in the marketing world by winning four awards at this year’s Cannes Lions, making it the brand with the highest number of awards.  

    Gatorade earned one gold and one bronze award for its groundbreaking Turf Finder initiative, recognised in the creative data category and entertainment for sports under live experience subcategory. Launched earlier this year, the Turf Finder Initiative is designed to ignite a passion for sports among residents of India’s bustling metropolitan areas. This initiative reflects Gatorade’s dedication towards promoting active lifestyles and fostering a love for sports in urban environments.

    Speaking on the win, chief marketing officer, India beverages, Tarun Bhagat said, “We are immensely honored and thrilled by Gatorade’s success at the 71st Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Winning top honors such as the Gold in the Creative Data Lions for Data-enhanced Creativity, and a Bronze in the Entertainment Lions for the Sports category is a significant achievement that highlights our innovative approach and dedication to fostering an active-lifestyle culture in India.

    Our Turf Finder initiative, leveraging Google Maps data, perfectly aligns with our mission to promote active lifestyles. In bustling metropolitan cities, there is a significant challenge in finding adequate spaces for playing sports. Despite a strong intent to engage in playing sports, individuals often find it difficult to locate suitable spaces due to a lack of adequate play areas. With Turf Finder, Gatorade seeks to solve this issue by leveraging the data from Google Maps to identify potential areas and transform them into playing areas, thereby providing sporting access for everyone. This initiative underscores Gatorade’s commitment to addressing real-world challenges and fostering community engagement in meaningful and impactful ways. We are grateful for the support and collaboration that made this possible and look forward to furthering our mission to promote sports and an active lifestyle.”

    Similarly, Lay’s achieved remarkable success, winning two awards, including one silver and one bronze in categories such as Glass: The Lion for Change and Sustainable Development Goals under live experience subcategory, along with the prestigious WARC Creative Effectiveness Grand Prix. The ‘Drops of Joy’ campaign, launched to reclaim water vapour during potato frying to achieve water-positivity, and ‘Farm Equal’, a project empowering over 2,500 women farmers in India with specialized tools in collaboration with USAID, were recognized for their innovation and impact.

    Commenting on the occasion, Lay’s India – PepsiCo category lead Saumya Rathor said: “We’re overjoyed to have our efforts recognized at Cannes. At our core, Lay’s is rooted in agriculture and deeply values the communities we work with and the environment we depend on. Our ‘Drops of Joy’ campaign highlights our efforts in water positivity by reclaiming water during production. Additionally, through Project Farm Equal, we’ve had the privilege of empowering over 2,500 women farmers, providing them with the tools and support they need. Winning Cannes Lions for these initiatives is a humbling reminder that our dedication to making a positive impact is resonating and making a difference.”

    Publicis Groupe, South Asia chief creative officer & Leo Burnett, South Asia chairman Rajdeepak Das added “With PepsiCo we have found the right partners who are aligned to our vision of using the power of creativity to make a real difference. All the campaigns from Gatorade Turf Finder, Lays Farm Equal and Drops of Joy use modern-day technology and tools to make a difference to our communities, and we couldn’t be prouder of our partnership with PepsiCo. And we are thrilled that some of the most creative minds from around the world who are part of the prestigious Cannes Jury also resonated with our work, winning us these precious Lions.”

    These achievements by Gatorade and Lay’s highlight PepsiCo India’s commitment to innovation and its ability to create impactful campaigns that engage audiences and drive positive change. 

  • Birla Opus launches new thematic communication ‘Make Life Beautiful’!

    Birla Opus launches new thematic communication ‘Make Life Beautiful’!

    Mumbai: Birla Opus Paints, housed under Aditya Birla Group’s Grasim Industries, has released its first thematic communication. The film brings to life the brand philosophy of Birla Opus articulated through the tagline ‘Make Life Beautiful’. With this new thematic communication, Birla Opus showcases the brand’s transformative power, which helps create a more beautiful world.

    The film showcases a never done before Hi-Definition, 3D feature animation with realistic silhouettes, an industry first for any brand within the paints category in India. It has a melodious track created by renowned Indian composer, Ram Sampath which captures the essence of the campaign with the resounding message – ‘Duniya Ko Rang Do’ (Colour the world). This landmark campaign marks a significant milestone for Birla Opus Paints as it continues to expand its footprint across the nation. The film will be advertised in Hindi and all major regional languages and backed by a 360-degree activation across TV, Digital, OOH, Print, and Radio to drive awareness and induce trials. The communication has been conceptualised by Leo Burnett India and produced by Zombie Studio; a leading global animation studio based out of Brazil.

    In February 2024, the Aditya Birla Group made a significant entry into the paint industry with the launch of Birla Opus. Committed to expanding its paints business, the company plans to establish six manufacturing facilities nationwide by 2025.

    Commenting on the film launch, Birla Opus CEO Rakshit Hargave said, “We understand the discerning tastes of today’s consumers who seek products and experiences that resonate with purpose and value. With this film’s playful rendition which personifies our brand belief of ‘Make Life Beautiful’, we are excited to embark on this journey of transformation with our customers, inspiring them to embrace beauty with purpose.”

    Birla Opus head – marketing Inderpreet Singh added, “We’re thrilled to unveil our first-ever brand film for Birla Opus. The film exemplifies beauty which comes alive through one of the best animation styles in the world, comparable to HD animation in Hollywood movies, a first in the paints industry in India. The message, ‘Duniya Ko Rang Do’ crafted by renowned music composer, Ram Sampath, resonates with a powerful idea of finding hope, happiness and beauty in life.

    Rajdeepak Das, CCO, Publicis Groupe – South Asia & Chairman, Leo Burnett – South Asia said, “Birla Opus is a brand that is designed for today’s dynamic new Indian audiences. And we wanted to give the campaign a fresh and innovative approach. Using animation for storytelling, our film is an artistic approach to express how our audiences can surround themselves with colour that inspires and transforms.”

  • An OREO could be your ticket to space!

    An OREO could be your ticket to space!

    Mumbai: Imagine space travel being within your reach by just buying an Oreo cookie. This is exactly what we’re offering consumers with Oreo’s latest launch: Space Dunk cookies. Oreo—World’s No.1 and India’s favourite cookie brand—is giving consumers an opportunity to become the second Indian to go to space by simply buying and scanning an Oreo Space Dunk cookie pack. This limited edition pack will be available in the market during May & June of this year, and is an extension of a successful global campaign.

    India’s recent space exploration missions have captured the imagination of young and old across the nation. There is an increased curiosity and adulation for what the country has managed to achieve in the realm of space exploration. In the 40th year anniversary of the first Indian to go to space, Oreo is giving one lucky Indian the opportunity to experience space for themselves! Through this campaign, Oreo is giving billions of Indians a chance to make their dream come true with an out-of-the-world reward – a chance to become the next Indian in space.

    The special edition ‘Space Dunk’ packs with space themed cookies come with a QR code which, upon scanning, will redirect the consumer to a microsite – www.oreospacedunk.in – and give them a chance to be the first person to Twist, Lick, Dunk in space. The brand is partnering with Space Perspective to offer a chance to embark on a transformative six-hour journey to the edge of space in Space Perspective’s Spaceship Neptune—a pressurized capsule propelled gently by a SpaceBalloon™. Their reimagined spaceflight experience will allow the winner to safely enjoy unprecedented views of planet Earth with no special training required, no weightlessness and no heavy g-forces. The winner can also expect breathtaking views from the largest windows ever flown to space, a world-class meal and complimentary Oreo cookies, Wi-Fi and even a Space Spa with a bathroom — all the comforts of the world’s first Space Lounge. In addition to this, consumers can also win exclusive space related experiences at a reputed space center and luxurious stargazing experiences at Astroport Sariska.

    Speaking about this, Mondelez India VP- Marketing Nitin Saini said, “Oreo brand has always been synonymous with unlocking playfulness and through this campaign, we want to transport consumers to a place full of excitement and childlike curiosity!  All of us at some or the other point in time have wondered what it would be like in the outer space and I am very happy that as a brand we are able to offer an Indian a chance to embark on this journey and experience the grandeur of space.”

    Publicis Groupe, South Asia & Chairman – Leo Burnett , South Asia CCO Rajdeepak Das added, “Everyone of us has dreamt of going to space as a kid. And Oreo is on a mission to turn this dream into a reality. This literally ‘out-of-this-world’ experience needed a campaign that’s just as iconic. We have crafted a story which plays on Oreo’s iconic Twist, lick, Dunk, but with a cosmic flavour to capture the audience attention.”

    Wavemaker India chief client officer & office head, West, North & East Shekhar Banerjee said, “We are elevating the ritual of Twist, Lick and Dunk to newer heights with this initiative. By leveraging cutting-edge tech and immersive experiences across media channels, we are making this extraordinary opportunity a tangible reality. As our campaign unfolds, expect quite literally some out of the world experiences as we get the nation to suit up for space.” 

    To celebrate the launch, Oreo is releasing a captivating film that takes the brand’s iconic proposition, Twist, Lick, Dunk, on a spacewalk! Witness a simple yet dramatic narrative that reimagines the classic Oreo ritual with a touch of space-age wonder. The campaign will be supported by elements across social, print, outdoors and  travel apps.

  • Whisper teaches young girls – periods ka matlab healthy hai aap!

    Whisper teaches young girls – periods ka matlab healthy hai aap!

    Mumbai: India’s leading feminine-care brand Whisper, from the house of Procter & Gamble, is raising awareness about— the early onset of menstruation among young girls — as part of the fifth edition of its #KeepGirlsInSchool (KGIS) movement. With girls starting periods as early as eight years of age, the need to create awareness early on is crucial, as 26 million girls can be at risk of dropping out of school without period education and access to period products.* Studies have found that one out of five girls could be dropping out of school due to a lack of period education and access to period products.**

    In India today, girls as young as eight years of age are beginning their menstrual cycle, as per several reports, and so are at a higher risk of dropping out from school due to lack of period education. This could lead to escalation in absenteeism and increased drop out rate if they do not learn and are made aware at the right time. Whisper is at the forefront of educating girls across the country about the importance of menstrual hygiene, normalising any myths and taboos about periods, with an aim to decrease dropout rates caused by insufficient information and lack of access to period products. To date, Whisper’s Keep Girls In School program has taught over 100 million schoolgirls and mothers about periods and period products, and provided free sanitary napkins to girls.

    Whisper’s new emotional film features young eight-year-old girls who know nothing about menstruation and think up the worst possible scenarios as the cause of unexpected bleeding in one of their friends. The film aims to normalise this natural biological change in their body by educating young girls in school about the early onset of periods with a fun, catchy jingle that reiterates, “periods ka matlab healthy hai aap (periods means you are healthy)”.

    Publicis Groupe – South Asia chief creative officer and Leo Burnett – South Asia chairman Rajdeepak Das said “Our ongoing research about the changing conversations around menstruation identified a glaring anomaly – girls today are getting their periods much earlier than before. However, they are being educated about periods at a much later stage or oftentimes not at all. Whisper and Leo Burnett have been on a journey to keep girls in school for a long time and we wanted to bridge this gap. Our latest work talks to the 8-year-olds in a language they can understand, with a heartwarming song that teaches them that getting periods means they are healthy. The goal is to not just teach the little girls but also use the song as a tool to equip her ecosystem- parents and educators, enabling them to teach periods in an empowering manner.”

    “There is a seismic shift happening in period biology. This heightens the need to educate girls early on and to prepare them to embrace this biological process. Through this initiative, we strive to educate them about how periods are healthy and how they can take care of themselves on their period days. Every year, Whisper goes to more than 60,000 schools to create period education programs and we are now also going to younger standards. Consumers too can do their bit buying a Whisper Ultra pack which will help us educate and donate pads to one girl to keep her in school,” said Procter & Gamble Vice president & category leader – India feminine care Girish Kalyanaraman.

    KGIS is an initiative by Whisper which aims to reduce the stigma attached to menstruation, create awareness and reduce the number of girls who drop due to the lack of information around menstrual hygiene. KGIS has taught over 100 million school girls about periods and period products till date. For the first time, Whisper has used music to raise awareness about periods; through a fun  and catchy jingle, “periods ka matlab healthy hai aap”.

  • Priya Barve joins WPP as client lead for HUL

    Priya Barve joins WPP as client lead for HUL

    Mumbai: Priya Barve has joined WPP as India’s Client Lead for Hindustan Unilever Limited. Priya brings over two decades of experience in advertising and marketing, and has held leadership roles with Google, Mondelez, and Leo Burnett across Asia-Pacific. She brings a rich and diverse perspective on communications and media, having worked on both – the agency and client side, as well as with tech platforms.

    She also encompasses a rich knowledge of the fast-changing consumer and digital landscape in emerging markets across Asia. Passionate about F&B, outside of work Priya is best known for having participated in MasterChef Asia in 2015.

    Commenting on the appointment, WPP chief client officer for India, Shubha George, said: “A consummate professional, Priya brings a wealth of experience in aiding business success and digital transformation, as well as key local insights that needed to win in many Indias. HUL is one of WPP’s key clients, one with whom we have had the pleasure of working with for a number of years. We are delighted to see Priya joining the team to lead such an important client relationship and look forward to driving further business growth and innovation together with Unilever.”

  • Anupama Ramaswamy, Ashish Chakravarty, and Rajdeepak Das Named Abby Awards 2024 jury chairs

    Anupama Ramaswamy, Ashish Chakravarty, and Rajdeepak Das Named Abby Awards 2024 jury chairs

    Mumbai: Anupama Ramaswamy, chief creative officer, Havas Worldwide India, Ashish Chakravarty, executive director, and India head of creative, for McCann Worldgroup and Rajdeepak Das, chief creative officer Publicis Groupe, South Asia and chairman, Leo Burnett, South Asia, join as jury chair for Still Digital category, Audio category, and Film (below 1 minute) category respectively, at The Abby Awards 2024 powered by One Show.

    Havas Worldwide India chief creative officer Anupama Ramaswamy has been appointed jury chair of Abby Awards 2024 powered by One Show in the Still Digital category.

    Anupama is touted as one of the most celebrated creative minds in the country. She has made an indelible mark through her clutter-breaking work, passion for art direction and pure play advertising.

    Through her career, she has worked with some of the leading agencies in India and several marquee global and indigenous brands across sectors including Maruti Suzuki, Reckitt, Ikea, Vivo, Paytm, Subway, Tata Tea Digital, Samsung Mobiles, Airtel, Dabur, Lacoste, and many more.

    Her recent campaigns, including the Paytm Divide and Chotu, made her win the One Show, a couple of Spikes, and New York Festivals, and she was featured as one of the Impact Creative Stars ’21. During her stint at JWT Delhi as senior creative director, Anupama led the Delhi office to its first Cannes Lions and Clio Gold.

    She has also been a recipient of some of the most coveted awards including Cannes Lions, Clio, Adfest, New York Festivals, Abby, Effies, Spikes, Global Healthcare Awards, IAA Awards and The One Show and her work for Fuji Film has been featured in the prestigious Gunn Report as one of the top 20 most awarded print campaigns in the world.

    Anupama has been on the jury of several prestigious awards like The One Show and Spikes Asia and the grand jury at AME awards, and New York Festivals.

    Ashish Chakravarty executive director, and India head of creative, for McCann Worldgroup

    has been appointed jury chair of Abby Awards 2024 powered by One Show in the Audio category.

    Ashish has worked in most of the major agency networks and on some of the biggest global, and Indian brands.

    He is the recipient of more than 400 national and international awards on top advertising shows like One Show, Cannes, D&AD, Clio, Ad-fest, Spikes, Kyoorius, and Goafest, among others.

    Ashish has served as jury or jury chair, at many top international advertising awards, as well as all the top Indian award shows.

    Ashish has been recognized as one of the top 10 Creative Directors in India by Economic Times, the leading business newspaper, and was also ranked among the top ECDs in the world in industry rankings

    Rajdeepak Das chief creative officer of Publicis Groupe, South Asia and Chairman of Leo Burnett, South Asia has been appointed Jury Chair of the Abby Awards 2024 powered by the One Show in Film (below 1 minute)category.

    Raj firmly believes that the true potential of creativity and technology is finding human-centric solutions for the biggest brands because what’s good for people is good for brands. And his body of work reflects his vision for creativity.

    Raj was the force behind the iconic work for P&G Whisper ‘Touch the Pickle’ – one of the first social movements to break the taboo around periods in the Indian sub-continent. To his recent work for Whisper – the Missing Chapter which won him a Grand Prix in Sustainable Development Goals at Cannes Lions 2022 – an award which is very close to his heart as it made a real difference in the lives of young girls by breaking period taboos and getting the chapter on periods added in school books, helping 23 million girls stay in school.

    He and his team gave every Indian a piece of national treasure, by building Bajaj motorbikes out of the legendary warship INS Vikrant. In collaboration with India’s biggest petroleum brand and the government of India, they innovated the world’s first anti-collision road management system to reduce road accidents on Himalayan Roads.

    For one of India’s biggest financial brands, he created India’s 1st social media-based microfinancing system.

    Raj was featured in the Netflix Docuseries – Creative Indians Season 4 – a series which showcased the most talented Indians from Oscar winners to Bollywood Stars and artists to Grammy Awards-winning musicians. He has led and been a part of several jury cohorts at some of the biggest platforms including Cannes Lions, Spikes Asia, Dubai Lynx, and One Show to name a few.

    His HumanKind approach to creativity led Leo Burnett India to win multiple Grand Prix and metals at prestigious platforms like Cannes Lions, One Show, D&AD and Spikes Asia. But he believes his biggest creation to date is Apollo 11 a specialised division of Leo Burnett India, consisting of what he calls ‘the mutant creatives’. Team of young people in their 20s with backgrounds in aerospace engineering, product design, data analysis and environment scientists solving human and brand problems with him.

    “I have always believed that an award is as good as its jury. This year too, the Abby Awards powered by One Show have a stellar lineup of both domestic and international luminaries as Jury Chairs, across 23 categories. Over the last two years the number of women jurors has been significant, and this year, with over one-third being women masters of their craft. To win recognition from such respected Jury Chairs is a matter of immense pride for the AdClub, the participating agencies and brands.” said Ajay Kakar, chairperson of Awards Governing Council, Abby Awards 2024 powered by One Show and managing committee member, The Advertising Club.