Tag: Prasanth Kumar

  • Lets get comfortable with  the ‘Grey’: an invitation to marketers in the age of AI – Inspire, innovate, integrate with MMA Impact’ 2024

    Lets get comfortable with the ‘Grey’: an invitation to marketers in the age of AI – Inspire, innovate, integrate with MMA Impact’ 2024

    Mumbai – MMA Global India’s IMPACT Mumbai event concluded recently, and it was a huge success. The event took place on 24 April in Mumbai and focused on the impact of AI on marketing. It delivered a series of groundbreaking insights that redefined AI-driven marketing strategies and expanded the horizons of traditional marketing frameworks through new partnerships and insightful discussions. The event received industry-wide accolades for the cutting-edge quality of content and the stellar line-up of speakers who provided valuable insights to the attendees.

    MMA

    Key Highlights from MMA IMPACT Mumbai:

    . Kickstarting with an inspiring address by Prasanth Kumar, MMA India Co-Chair & CEO, South Asia, GroupM, this session also featured Tushar Vyas, Chief Strategy Officer, WPP India & President, GroupM South Asia, moderated by Shibani Gharat, Anchor, CNBC – TV18. They dissected the AI adoption lifecycle, providing a clear pathway for marketers to evolve with AI-driven capabilities.

    MMA

    . Parul Bajaj, Managing Director & Partner, Boston Consulting Group, delivered a compelling keynote session on AI-Powered Marketing and Commerce. The session dove deep into how CMOs are thinking about AI, the highest impact AI-led use cases and the most critical factors that will be needed to succeed in this journey.

    Parul

    . A panel featuring Senior Marketers from HDFC Bank, Marico, DSP Mutual Fund, moderated by Devika Sharma, MMA India Board Member; VP and GM – India, InMobi, explored beyond conventional AI applications, showcasing how AI fosters deeper consumer connections and smarter experiences.

    MMA

    . Vijay Iyer, MMA India Board Member; Director, Amazon Ads India, illuminated the shift to Retail Media 2.0, emphasizing its transformative impact on marketing funnels and consumer interaction.

    Vijay Iyer

    . Rohit Bhasin, MMA India Board Member; President and CMO, Kotak Mahindra Bank, articulated the strategic integration of AI in business practices. “AI is not just a technological upgrade; it is a paradigm shift in understanding customer intricacies and delivering on their expectations with unprecedented precision,” commented Bhasin.

    Rohit Bhasin

    . Rajeev Raja, Founder and Soundsmith, BrandMusiq, began his address with enchanting tunes, going on to then delve into the emotional dimensions of AI in sonic branding and highlighting its profound impact on digital consumer engagements.

    Rajeev Raja

    . Experts from Nielsen, ITC, and India Today tackled the evolving metrics of media measurement in a ‘crumbling’ cookieless world, outlining the next steps for data privacy and accuracy with a tinge of humor.

    Experts from Nielsen

    . The session with AI Advisory members from Netcore Cloud, Tata Consumer Products, Microsoft, and JioAds and ReBid broke down real-world AI applications, offering tangible examples that underscore AI’s versatility across market sectors.

    AI Advisory members

    . A pivotal discussion on ethical AI deployment featured Marketing Leaders from Glassbox Ventures, Mondelez, House of Masaba, and Publicis Production, moderated by Pratik Gupta, MMA India Board Member; Founding Partner, Zoo Media, emphasizing the much-debated responsible AI use within marketing frameworks.

    AI deployment

    . Sunita Bangard, MMA India Board Member; Group Head – Consumer Insights and Brand Development, Aditya Birla Group, and leaders from Federal Bank, TATA AIA, Beam Suntory, Raymond, and EY outlined why marketers have a “seat at the table” in the growth of AI. This session have a cutting-edge perspective on the AI-marketer relationship in India – shedding light on how “marketers are evolving to media companies”.

    sunita

    . Leading practitioners of Generative AI from Affle, SAS, Haptik, and Accenture tackled frequently asked questions about GenAI. They provided clarity and actionable insights for marketers looking to adopt these tools, showcasing how AI will augment marketers rather than replace them.

    Moneka Khurana

    Moneka Khurana, Country Head & BOD Member, MMA Global India, set a transformative agenda, encouraging the industry to get comfortable with the ‘grey’ .As she said in her opening remarks, “Let’s embrace the grey areas and ambiguity, as it is in these spaces where true innovation and wisdom lie. It might not be easy to do this alone, so the best way is to join hands and walk the path together, enabled through MMA communities and platforms like Impact. As we know, AI will continue to permeate our lives and be our co-pilot, with you being on the driver’s seat. At Impact, we debunk numerous myths, decode hard questions, and bolster confidence to navigate through uncertainties with collective intelligence. This allows us to see ambiguity as a growth opportunity, backed by a curated agenda to address deep-rooted aspects of how marketers can walk the talk and leverage it for business outcomes.”

    AI is fundamentally reshaping the way we approach business. It’s not just enhancing our existing processes; it’s revolutionizing how we envision growth and success. With AI, we can make informed decisions that minimize costs and maximize efficiency. By integrating AI into our core strategies, we unlock unprecedented growth opportunities and move beyond traditional boundaries to discover new potentials in marketing and customer engagement.

    As IMPACT Mumbai 2024 drew to a close, participants left not just with enhanced knowledge but with actionable strategies to harness AI within their marketing frameworks. The day-long conference cooled off with a lavish soiree with drinks, snacks and networking – an exclusive marketer-only gathering of C-suite execs.

  • Goafest 2024 and ABBY Awards by One Show 2024 to be held from 29-31 May in Mumbai

    Goafest 2024 and ABBY Awards by One Show 2024 to be held from 29-31 May in Mumbai

    Mumbai: Keeping in mind the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club (TAC) have taken a conscious and collective decision to host Goafest 2024 and ABBY Awards Powered by One Show 2024 in Mumbai. The 17th edition of the festival will take place from 29 to 31 May, 2024 at Westin Powai, Mumbai.

    Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) president and GroupM, South Asia CEO Prasanth Kumar said, “We’re excited to announce that Goafest is happening in Mumbai this year, despite a few logistical challenges. Our collective decision reflects our unwavering commitment to this esteemed event, which has evolved into a cornerstone platform for shaping the future of our industry. It’s become a vital platform for industry, becoming a nexus where industry leaders converge to explore, innovate, and chart the course for a progressive journey. We’re committed to maximizing participation, curating insightful sessions, and ensuring attendees leave with invaluable knowledge. Plus, mark your calendars: Goafest returns to Goa in 2025! Join us for an unforgettable experience at Mumbai Goafest 2024!”

    The Advertising Club present and Havas India, South East and North Asia group CEO Rana Barua said, “The ABBYs has always been a platform dedicated to recognizing and celebrating outstanding achievements in the advertising and marketing industry. We look forward to honoring the best work of 2023 at the ABBY Awards Powered by One Show 2024 this May, in Mumbai. With Westin Powai as the venue we are working towards putting together a dynamic agenda that  will be announced in due course. We are grateful and thankful to the entire fraternity for their continued support and enthusiasm.”

    The Goafest organising committee extends gratitude to all partners, members, and stakeholders for their understanding and support. The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club (TAC) assure the fraternity of their commitment to replicate the Goafest experience in Mumbai.

    Agenda, speakers, and the sessions to be announced shortly.

    For more information on the festival, follow the Goafest handle at @goafestlive and for ABBY Awards Powered by One Show, follow The Advertising Club at @theadclubindia

    Entries for ABBY Awards Powered by One Show 2024 can be submitted through the following link: https://abbyawards.com/

    Stay tuned for further updates.

  • GroupM India’s 2024 TYNY Report unveils surprising trends and insights

    GroupM India’s 2024 TYNY Report unveils surprising trends and insights

    Mumbai: GroupM India has released its annual This Year Next Year (TYNY) report on 13 February 2024. The overall ad revenue is expected to reach Rs 1,55,386 crore in 2024, with an incremental Rs 14,423 crores compared to 2023.

    GroupM South Asia CEO Prasanth Kumar said, “Despite facing macroeconomic challenges, we remain optimistic about the industry. At 10.2% India will be the fastest growing top market. 2024 will also see an upside from the spends leading to the General Elections. Digital particularly retail media and digital extensions of TV are expected to drive the growth. SME continues to fuel the growth. Linear TV is at a point of inflection and needs to be enabled with rapid deployment of technology to stay relevant.”

    GroupM – India president – Investments, Trading, and Partnerships Ashwin Padmanabhan said, “The advertising landscape is evolving with the fragmentation of search, rapid rise of influencer marketing and retail media. Reflecting this, at INR 88,502 crores of the overall INR 1,55,386 crore, digital will contribute to 57% of all ad revenue. Within digital ad revenue, search contributes 22%, retail media 18% and the rest 60%. Sectors like Auto, Realty and Offline Retail are expected to power the overall advertising growth.”

    GroupM India business Intelligence head Parveen Sheik said, “Global advertising presents a steady picture: a projected 5.3% global growth in ad revenue for 2024, reaching $936 billion, with digital leading the charge at a commanding 79% share of all ad revenue. India continues to be ranked 8th globally and its ad revenue growth among its peers is a testament to its potential and resilience. Adaptability is key to navigating an evolving advertising landscape amidst inflation and geopolitical tensions.”

    The GroupM TYNY report also unveiled several evolving trends for 2024.

    Key trends include:

    1   Increasing influence of gen-alpha will drive distinctive marketing strategies

    2   Attention Planning – customising insights for actionability

    3   21% of television homes to be addressable in 2024

    4   Sports to focus on immersive experience journeys

    5   Brand marketing becomes more accountable on performance, breaking silos

    6   Step-up on search

    7   Ecommerce drives deeper into organisations

    8   India’s general & modern trade getting digitized leading to rise of omni channel commerce

    9   Rapid developments in AI will transform media, messaging, and measurement

    10   AI & technology dominate the content landscape & creator economy

    11   Importance of niche consumer segments will power the growth of micromarketing

    12   With consent becoming critical, zero party data will empower various areas of marketing

    https://indgrm.com/TYNY/

  • The Advertising Club & AAAI the Awards unveil governing council for ABBY One Show Awards 2024

    The Advertising Club & AAAI the Awards unveil governing council for ABBY One Show Awards 2024

    Mumbai: Marking its 55th edition, the ABBY One Show Awards continues to strengthen its position as South Asia’s biggest advertising awards that honours creative excellence. Scheduled to take place on 29, 30, and 31 May 2024 during Goafest at Grand Hyatt, Bambolim in Goa, the ABBY One Show Awards is known to honour, inspire and uplift the creative community. Gearing up for an edition that is led by creative inspiration, The Advertising Club and Advertising Agencies Association of India, now announce its esteemed Awards Governing Council (AGC).

    Following is the complete list of AGC members for the ABBY One Show Awards 2024:

    The Advertising Club:

    1.    Ajay Kakar, chairperson, Awards Governing Council, ABBY One Show Awards 2024 and managing committee member, The Advertising Club
    2.    Dheeraj Sinha, Group CEO – India and South Asia, FCB, and co-chair Awards Governing Council, ABBY One Show Awards 2024
    3.    Ajay Chandwani, strategic brand consultant and management committee member, The Advertising Club
    4.    Alok Lall, executive director, McCann World Group India
    5.    Sonia Huria, head communications – APAC, Prime Video
    6.    Subramanyeswar S, group CEO, MullenLowe Lintas Group & chief strategy officer – APAC, MullenLowe Global

    Advertising Agencies Association of India:

    1.    Prasanth Kumar, president of the Advertising Agencies Association of India and CEO of GroupM, South Asia
    2.    Jaideep Gandhi, chairperson, Goafest 2024
    3.    Mohit Joshi, CEO, Havas Media
    4.    Sam Balsara, chairman, Madison World
    5.    Rohit Ohri, FCB global partner
    6.    Anupriya Acharya, CEO South Asia, Publicis Groupe

    Speaking on its highly esteemed Awards Governing Council, Havas India, South East, and North Asia Group CEO and The Advertising Club president  Rana Barua, “Over the years the ABBY One Show Awards has not only honoured creative excellence but has helped strengthen South Asia and especially India’s position in the global arena. It is imperative that we turn the spotlight on work that is deserving, innovative and socially and culturally relevant with creativity at its heart. The awards has encouraged talent and brought to light work that was impossible to even imagine. We are excited for this edition and are certain that the Awards Governing Council has a tough task at hand given the level and amount of work showcased over the last year.”

    Advertising Agencies Association of India president and GroupM, South Asia CEO Prasanth Kumar further added, “The ABBY One Show Awards has evolved, becoming a level playing field not just for India but the entire South Asian region. We have witnessed agencies and brands of all sizes put their best foot forward, and have been humbly surprised with the kind of work that this region is home to.  We are confident that the awards will continue to empower the creative community and provide them with a global stage to showcase innovation and insight behind their creative communication.”

    ABBY One Show Awards 2024 chairperson, Awards Governing Council Ajay Kakar added, “The ABBY One Show Awards continue to bring the spotlight on great ideas that manifest into great work. I am humbled by the opportunity to Chair the Awards Governing Council, that comprises stalwarts of our industry. An award, I believe, is as good as the Jury that judges it. So, the AGC is committed to have a stellar line-up of Jury Chairs and Jury members, who have earned their spurs at a global and local level. They will help identify and recognise the best of best that the industry has created, this year. The ABBY One Show Awards 2024 will continue to encourage, empower and accredit work to find its rightful place at a domestic level, and as a stepping stone to the global stage.”

    The One Club for Creativity CEO Kevin Swanepoel said, “It is with great enthusiasm that we continue our association with The Advertising Club for the ABBY Awards. What The One Show brings to the ABBY Awards is a legacy of integrity, a reputation that resonates worldwide. Last year’s collaboration with the ABBY Awards has pushed the creative envelope further, setting new benchmarks in recognizing and celebrating creative excellence. We are delighted to be a part of this property that fosters a culture of excellence in the creative industry and are excited to witness deserving campaigns being honoured with an ABBY.”

    “Goafest and the ABBY One Show Awards have over the years crafted a premiere position bringing together the industry to learn, unlearn and celebrate. Like past editions, this year too we are confident of witnessing work that goes on to set new benchmarks of their own. While we are looking forward to a diverse creative showcase, we are confident that the task won’t be as easy for our jurors and AGC given the level of competitiveness.” concluded Goafest 2024 chairperson Jaideep Gandhi.

    Jointly organised by Advertising Agencies Association of India and The Advertising Club, Goafest 2024 will be held on 29, 30, and 31 May, 2024 during Goafest at Grand Hyatt, Bambolim in Goa.

    Stay tuned for more details on The ABBY One Show Awards and Goafest 2024!

  • 55th edition of the ABBY One Show Awards 2024 to be held from 29-31 May 2024 at Goafest

    55th edition of the ABBY One Show Awards 2024 to be held from 29-31 May 2024 at Goafest

    Mumbai: The Advertising Club gears up to announce the 55th edition of The ABBY One Show Awards 2024, South Asia’s Gold standard, acknowledging creative excellence in advertising for over five decades. Held over three days, The ABBY One Show Awards 2024, are scheduled to take place on the 29, 30, and 31 May during Goafest at Grand Hyatt, Bambolim, Goa.

    In an ongoing effort to elevate the prominence of the ABBYs, The Advertising Club strengthens its collaboration with The One Show for the third time in a row. This partnership aims to enhance the global standards of judging, jury selection, and transparency, further taking the preeminent ABBY Awards to new heights of recognition.

    With a promise to garner global acclaim for remarkable achievements in creative advertising, the ABBYs stand out as a highly revered award property. Recognized as the biggest and the most prestigious advertising award show in the nation, victories at the ABBYs have not only secured domestic acclaim but have also translated into international recognition at prestigious events such as Cannes and One Show, setting unprecedented benchmarks in terms of scale and innovation.

    The ABBY One Show Awards 2024 will represent the South Asia region that includes India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan and has been doing so since 2004.  

    Speaking on the initiative, Havas India South East, and North Asia group CEO and The Advertising Club president Rana Barua said, “We, at The Advertising Club, are proud to announce the 55th edition of the ABBY One Show Awards. Over five decades, the ABBYs have not just recognized brilliance; they have fuelled it, inspiring professionals to push boundaries and set new standards. As we celebrate this milestone, our commitment to raising the bar remains unwavering. By partnering once again with ‘The One Show,’ a global benchmark for creativity, we aim to continue to amplify the ABBYs’ global presence. This collaboration underscores our dedication to presenting an award show of unparalleled authenticity and significance. As we embark on this exciting journey, we eagerly look forward to celebrating victories and work that will undoubtedly add new chapters to the illustrious history of the ABBY Awards.”

    GroupM CEO South Asia and President, Advertising Agencies Association of India president Prasanth Kumar added, “Over the years, the ABBY Awards have grown in stature, a testament to our industry’s relentless pursuit of brilliance. Each edition has marked new milestones, recognizing outstanding work that has set benchmarks and inspired future generations. We are delighted to co-host the ABBY One Show Awards at Goafest. Our collaboration with the Advertising Club underscores our shared commitment to nurturing creativity and celebrating outstanding achievements within our vibrant community. As we eagerly anticipate the 55th edition, we look forward to contributing to the legacy of the ABBY Awards and inspiring new chapters in the narrative of creative excellence.”

    “The Abby One Show is a one-of-its-kind award that has been recognised as the gold standard in the Indian advertising, media and marketing industry, for over 5 decades. What makes it truly unique is that it is an award of our industry, and has been nurtured by the industry, for the industry. The awards have kept pace with the changing times and believe that nurturing and showcasing the work, with a spotlight on the young professionals, is integral to the growth and vibrancy of our industry. As we embark on this 55th edition, we eagerly look forward to witnessing outstanding creative work that will undoubtedly set new benchmarks and inspire the industry at large.” added The ABBY One Show Awards 2024 chairperson Ajay Kakar.

    The ABBY One Show Awards will be a part of the Goafest 2024 and will mark the fifteenth ABBY Awards at Goafest.

  • The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club announces Goafest 2024

    The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club announces Goafest 2024

    Mumbai: The 17 edition of Goafest, the advertising festival in South Asia, is set to captivate the industry from the 29 to the 31 of May 2024 at the Grand Hyatt, Bambolim, Goa. Co-hosted by The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club, Goafest 2024 promises to be an exhilarating three-day extravaganza, showcasing the pinnacle of creativity, knowledge, and networking in the advertising, marketing, and media industry.

    Drawing over 2000 industry professionals annually, Goafest has established itself as the definitive festival for the advertising and marketing industry. Anticipating increased participation from advertisers, Goafest 2024 is committed to offering an unparalleled platform for learning, recognition, and celebration.

    The Advertising Agencies Association of India and CEO of GroupM, South Asia president Prasanth Kumar said “Goafest has firmly established itself as the pinnacle of creative celebrations in South Asia, uniting the foremost talents in the creative and marketing realms. Our goal is to offer our industry peers an immersive experience over three days filled with learning, meaningful engagement, interactivity, and curiosity.”

    Havas India group CEO Rana Barua, South East, and North Asia, and President of The Advertising Club, underscored the pivotal role of industry celebration, expressing, “Every year, The ABBY One Show Awards at Goafest stand as a testament to the biggest and most prestigious awards in the Indian advertising industry, celebrating innovative and groundbreaking ideas. Once again, I invite the brilliant minds of Indian advertising to join the celebrations and embark on an exciting journey at Goafest 2024, where creativity takes the spotlight.”

    Goafest 2024 chairperson Jaideep Gandhi emphasised the continuous evolution and innovation of the festival, stating, “Persistently, Goafest has progressed and pioneered, solidifying its status as the foremost advertising festival in India. From insightful knowledge-sharing sessions to featuring distinguished speakers, we are confident in welcoming global guests who will significantly contribute to the industry, particularly benefitting younger professionals. I would also like to mention that Mohit Joshi, CEO of Havas Media has very kindly agreed to join me as Co-Chair and contribute immensely to take this event to greater heights.”

  • Sudhir Sitapati to deliver AAAI Subhas Ghosal Memorial Lecture on 18 January 2024

    Sudhir Sitapati to deliver AAAI Subhas Ghosal Memorial Lecture on 18 January 2024

    Mumbai: The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and the Subhas Ghosal Foundation (SGF) announced that the Subhas Ghosal Memorial Lecture will be delivered this year by managing director and CEO, Sudhir Sitapati, as the esteemed speaker. The event will be held on 18 January 2024 Thursday at 7:00 pm at ITC Grand Central Parel, Mumbai.

    While talking about his personal and professional experiences, Sudhir Sitapati will share many valuable insights on building Brands in today’s India.

    As a memorial to one of the influential figures in the history of advertising, Subhas Ghosal, the Subhas Ghosal Foundation was established by a group of senior communication professionals who lived during his era. One of the primary objectives of the Foundation is to promote professional values. Ghosal embodied throughout his lifetime. With the support of Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI), the Foundation has been hosting its ‘AAAI Subhas Ghosal Memorial Lecture’ series, for several years, where luminaries like Rajan Anandan, Uday Shankar, Ronnie Screwvalla, Aroon Purie have delivered motivational and informative talks.

    On behalf of SGF, Sam Balsara says, “We live in a world where brands play a very important role in consumer lives and have become money spinners for those members of India Inc. who know how to create and nurture them. Sudhir, with his extensive experience of building Brands at Unilever and now at Godrej Consumer Products Limited will deliver, I am sure, a very insightful talk that will be invaluable for all of us in the Marketing, Advertising and Media World”.

    Ahead of the lecture AAAI president, Prasanth Kumar said, “Sudhir is an experienced and proven Brand builder and AAAI is delighted that he has agreed to deliver the Subhas Ghosal Memorial Lecture.”

    All members of the Advertising, Marketing, Media and Digital community are welcome. However entry is only by invitation. Please send an email to Mr. Chetan Salian at AAAI on his email id aaai@aaai.in to receive an invitation.

    The lecture is made possible by ABP NEWS’s gracious support, which the organizers are deeply grateful for.

  • Avinash Pandey re-elected president of India chapter of IAA

    Avinash Pandey re-elected president of India chapter of IAA

    Mumbai: At its Annual General Meeting held on 27 September 2023, the following members were unanimously elected:

    Avinash Pandey (CEO, ABP Network) – President

    Abhishek Karnani (President, Free Press Journal Group)- Vice President

    Nandini Dias (Independent Advisor)- Hon. Secretary

    Jaideep Gandhi (Founder, Another Idea) – Hon. Treasurer

    The following five members were elected as voting members:

    Srinivasan K Swamy (Chairman & Managing Director, R K Swamy Ltd),

    M.V. Shreyams Kumar (Managing Director, Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Co Ltd)

    Prasanth Kumar (CEO-South Asia, GroupM)

    Anant Goenka (Executive Director, The Indian Express Pvt Ltd)

    Janak Sarda (Director, Blue Logic Systems)

    Cosmos-Maya CEO Megha Tata will continue as an ex-officio office bearer as Immediate past president.

    Apart from this, five more members will be co-opted in the upcoming ManCom meeting along with other special invited members.

    Adds Pandey, “The India Chapter of the IAA is arguably the most active industry Association of its kind in the country. Its initiatives cover a wide spectrum of areas including saluting excellence in Marketing, Creativity and communicating Sustainability. In the year gone by, we also started Tech Pulse to cater to the growing digital market. The IAA has always maintained that what is good, is good for business and in that spirit it has converted its Voice of Change initiative into a nation-wide movement aimed at breaking the gender bias in advertising and the entertainment industry.

    In the year ahead we will also be spear-heading two initiatives where we walk the talk that Communication is a Force for Good, and will also once again lead a group of CEO’s to the USA to study the latest developments in communication.

    I look forward to a very meaningful term ahead.”

  • GroupM India inks a strategic partnership with ShareChat and Moj

    GroupM India inks a strategic partnership with ShareChat and Moj

    Mumbai: Media investment company GroupM India and media aggregator ShareChat, with 400 million monthly active users (MAU) across ShareChat and Moj, has announced entering into a strategic partnership to power a new era of modern marketing.

    This partnership will focus on providing clients with both effectiveness and efficiencies across the pillars of the digital marketing ecosystem—reaching an uncharted Bharat audience and giving brands access to the exploding universe of short-format videos. It will also be translated into a suite of innovative products co-created by GroupM and ShareChat.

    GroupM India is looking forward to supporting the marketing solutions and allied communities to navigate through these challenges by offering privileged access to the ShareChat platforms.

    The partnership will look forward to effectively supplementing and delivering deeper engagement to GroupM India’s clientele through ShareChat’s diverse ecosystem that allows seamless integration of content to commerce and insight into Bharat’s consumption, behaviour, and digital journey. Furthermore, advertisers and brands will also be able to experience the convenience of its self-serve platform.

    The surge of short online videos creates a massive upside for growth. Businesses today need to be ready with a data-driven strategy to maximise engagement. Through ShareChat, GroupM India’s clients will gain access to a growing network of influencers and creators. As a result, brands benefit from unrivalled scale to create and promote content and drive brand engagement across digital platforms.  

    GroupM CEO-South Asia Prasanth Kumar said, “At GroupM, we have embraced the digital disruption and have instilled digital as one of the major cornerstones to drive change. The challenges thrown by digital transformation have immensely contributed to our learning and introduced us to newer consumer habits, in turn enabling us to add value to our clients by offering tailored marketing solutions. We see our partnership with ShareChat going a long way towards benefitting our clients as it effectively connects with a large population of the country.”

    The prospect of co-creating unique products with the help of innovation and technology is an added advantage. This partnership will allow brands to have greater opportunities to further harness new media and technological capabilities to effectively drive performance marketing.

    ShareChat and Moj chief commercial officer Ajit Varghese added, “Today, the consumer ecosystem is constantly evolving, however, the majority of the marketing spends continues to be parked for tried and tested platforms. It’s time for the marketing and advertising fraternity to realise the urgent need to adapt to this rapid change. We are glad to have partnered with GroupM in offering ShareChat’s expertise to enable brands to reach the Bharat and Gen Z consumers effectively and at scale.”

    The strategic partnership comes at the back of a successful association between ShareChat and GroupM India that happened earlier this year to launch the “Bharat Report.” The report classified users that prefer the Indian language on social media as “Bharat” users and “India” users as the ones that prefer using English, across all the regions of India. Since its launch, the insights from the report have introduced multiple brands to the uniqueness of Bharat and allowed them to seamlessly integrate Bharat into their overall media strategy.

  • AAAI re-elects Anupriya Acharya as president for second term

    AAAI re-elects Anupriya Acharya as president for second term

    Mumbai: Publicis Groupe CEO- South Asia Anupriya Acharya has been re-elected as president of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) for the year 2021-22 at the AAAI’s annual general body meeting held on 30 September.  

    Group M Media India CEO Prasanth Kumar was re-elected as vice-president of the association.

    Other elected members of the executive committee include Rana Barua (Havas Worldwide India), Mohit Joshi (Havas Media India), Kunal Lalani (Crayons Advertising), Rohan Mehta (Kinnect Media), Vivek Srivastava (Innocean Worldwide Communication).

    Immediate past president Ashish Bhasin will be the ex-officio member of the new AAAI executive committee, the association said in a statement.

    “It’s a privilege to be re-elected for another term as the president of AAAI and I thank all the AAAI members for placing their trust in me and for their strong support,” Acharya said. “This past one year, given the pandemic backdrop, our key priority has been to assist our members in navigating the challenging times. Our executive committee has been steadfast on this and despite virtual meetings, it made tremendous progress.”

    She shared that AAAI has also taken multiple initiatives to pivot to the new normal, make the association future-ready and drive inclusivity.

    “In fact, I am delighted to share that beyond creative and media, now digital agencies too are taking keen interest and are becoming full-fledged members of the Association. With the markets opening up, the EC and I look forward to driving these initiatives further,” Acharya further added.

    Formed in 1945, the AAAI is a not-for-profit industry-led and industry-managed trade association of advertising agencies. The association’s members include a large number of small, medium, and large-sized agencies, who together account for almost 80 per cent of the advertising business placed in the country.