MUMBAI: Publicis Communications has elevated the incumbent Leo Burnett South Asia CEO Saurabh Varma as the CEO of Publicis Communications India. Varma’s appointment comes on top of his existing responsibilities.
To be based in Mumbai, Varma, as well other country leaders — Nakul Chopra and Praveen Kenneth, will continue reporting to Loris Nold, global COO of Publicis Communications, in charge of the APAC & MEA region. In the Indian sub-continent, Publicis Communications comprises Leo Burnett, Publicis India, Law & Kenneth | Saatchi & Saatchi, Orchard India, MSLGROUP, Publicis Ambience, Publicis Capital, Indigo iStrat and Publicis Beehive.
Nold commented, “With Saurabh leading our India efforts, I am very confident that we will drive significant acceleration across Publicis Communications, ultimately for the direct benefit of our clients.”
Varma added, “I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to help our creative brands fully leverage the strength of our collective expertise around digital, shopper marketing, PR and production platforms. In my mind, Publicis Communications is first and foremost about giving our clients full access to our capabilities, talent and resources across the country, as our aim is to deliver end-to-end solutions to all of our clients.”
Varma was appointed the CEO of Leo Burnett India in 2013, and, a year later, was elevated to the current south Asia role. He has about 20 years of industry experience, seven of which were spent as the chief strategy officer for south Asia, in Singapore.
MUMBAI: Publicis Communications has elevated the incumbent Leo Burnett South Asia CEO Saurabh Varma as the CEO of Publicis Communications India. Varma’s appointment comes on top of his existing responsibilities.
To be based in Mumbai, Varma, as well other country leaders — Nakul Chopra and Praveen Kenneth, will continue reporting to Loris Nold, global COO of Publicis Communications, in charge of the APAC & MEA region. In the Indian sub-continent, Publicis Communications comprises Leo Burnett, Publicis India, Law & Kenneth | Saatchi & Saatchi, Orchard India, MSLGROUP, Publicis Ambience, Publicis Capital, Indigo iStrat and Publicis Beehive.
Nold commented, “With Saurabh leading our India efforts, I am very confident that we will drive significant acceleration across Publicis Communications, ultimately for the direct benefit of our clients.”
Varma added, “I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to help our creative brands fully leverage the strength of our collective expertise around digital, shopper marketing, PR and production platforms. In my mind, Publicis Communications is first and foremost about giving our clients full access to our capabilities, talent and resources across the country, as our aim is to deliver end-to-end solutions to all of our clients.”
Varma was appointed the CEO of Leo Burnett India in 2013, and, a year later, was elevated to the current south Asia role. He has about 20 years of industry experience, seven of which were spent as the chief strategy officer for south Asia, in Singapore.
MUMBAI: Maurice Lévy, the eccentric creative genius and Publicis Groupe’s chief executive officer is at it again! Going viral with his traditional ‘end-of-year’ address to everyone at the media agency, and the advertising community at large. Except, this will be his last such address. Maurice Lévy is set to retire by May 2017.
Anyone familiar with Lévy’s festive videos in the past eight years knows that they are anything but a dull monologue on business and growth. Just last year, Lévy surprised everyone by donning a wig and posing for shampoo ad!
But, before anyone could get their hopes up for something similar, Lévy starts the 2016 video in his heavy French accent, by quickly putting the overzealous viewers at bay with “No wigs, no tricks this year.”
Lévy plans to sign off in ‘good old fashion style.”
Touching up on the good and bads of 2016, Lévy admits that the agency’s numbers were seriously impacted by account losses. A reference to the US media accounts of Procter and Gamble and Walmart.
“Never take your eye off the board,” was the tough lesson the agency learned.
On the pros side of 2016, Lévy mentions winning Asda’s UK creative and media business, HP Enterprise’s global account and Coty. Referring to the major structural re-haul that the group undertook in 2016, Lévy adds that implementing ‘Power Of One’ may have been challenging for those who took on new roles, but it is working for the agency. “No Silo, No Solo, No bojo,” he reiterates.
As Lévy goes on share a few tips on client retention, viewers are immediately made aware of some overzealous movers and packers clearing out his cabin. However, he was able to point to winning GSK, Asda’s UK creative and media business, as well as HP Enterprise’s global account and Coty.
Investing in 90 different start-ups to mark its 90th anniversary was the most adventurous thing, Lévy admits in the video. Lévy’s delivery of these hard-hitting facts with a poker face, as one of the removal man tries hard to take off his signature ‘I am the boss’ coffee mug off the table in vain is a comic masterpiece. One can’t miss the fact that only Lévy is able to lift the mug with ease. Is that a hint?
As a truckload worth of ‘chocolate jars’ is retrieved from his locker, Lévy makes a few forward-looking statements. “Now, we must more than ever act as one, think as one and work for our clients as one in order to win and succeed. The group needs you, clients need you and, as always, I’m counting on you. So what’s next? ”
Being optimistic about the group’s future he adds, “We have built an incredibly strong foundation both, in culture and expertise, that runs deep through the foundation of the group. The founder of Publicis Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet, whom I admire enormously, once said: ‘The trick to realising your dreams is to remain a child your whole life.’
“I have applied this to my Publicis dreams and that is my wish for you this year. May 2017 bring you and your families happiness, health and plenty of dreams. Plenty!” he says before walking off the empty room.
The video concludes with his empty room being rented off on Airbnb. For real! Click on the ‘Book Now’ button and you’d be taken to Airbnb’s promotions page where they are away a day in the office of Maurice Lévy as part of the Airbnb Night At program.
The prize is packaged as an Airbnb ad for two guests to stay at an apartment in Paris. Now isn’t that a fine parting gift to an esteemed client?
MUMBAI: Maurice Lévy, the eccentric creative genius and Publicis Groupe’s chief executive officer is at it again! Going viral with his traditional ‘end-of-year’ address to everyone at the media agency, and the advertising community at large. Except, this will be his last such address. Maurice Lévy is set to retire by May 2017.
Anyone familiar with Lévy’s festive videos in the past eight years knows that they are anything but a dull monologue on business and growth. Just last year, Lévy surprised everyone by donning a wig and posing for shampoo ad!
But, before anyone could get their hopes up for something similar, Lévy starts the 2016 video in his heavy French accent, by quickly putting the overzealous viewers at bay with “No wigs, no tricks this year.”
Lévy plans to sign off in ‘good old fashion style.”
Touching up on the good and bads of 2016, Lévy admits that the agency’s numbers were seriously impacted by account losses. A reference to the US media accounts of Procter and Gamble and Walmart.
“Never take your eye off the board,” was the tough lesson the agency learned.
On the pros side of 2016, Lévy mentions winning Asda’s UK creative and media business, HP Enterprise’s global account and Coty. Referring to the major structural re-haul that the group undertook in 2016, Lévy adds that implementing ‘Power Of One’ may have been challenging for those who took on new roles, but it is working for the agency. “No Silo, No Solo, No bojo,” he reiterates.
As Lévy goes on share a few tips on client retention, viewers are immediately made aware of some overzealous movers and packers clearing out his cabin. However, he was able to point to winning GSK, Asda’s UK creative and media business, as well as HP Enterprise’s global account and Coty.
Investing in 90 different start-ups to mark its 90th anniversary was the most adventurous thing, Lévy admits in the video. Lévy’s delivery of these hard-hitting facts with a poker face, as one of the removal man tries hard to take off his signature ‘I am the boss’ coffee mug off the table in vain is a comic masterpiece. One can’t miss the fact that only Lévy is able to lift the mug with ease. Is that a hint?
As a truckload worth of ‘chocolate jars’ is retrieved from his locker, Lévy makes a few forward-looking statements. “Now, we must more than ever act as one, think as one and work for our clients as one in order to win and succeed. The group needs you, clients need you and, as always, I’m counting on you. So what’s next? ”
Being optimistic about the group’s future he adds, “We have built an incredibly strong foundation both, in culture and expertise, that runs deep through the foundation of the group. The founder of Publicis Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet, whom I admire enormously, once said: ‘The trick to realising your dreams is to remain a child your whole life.’
“I have applied this to my Publicis dreams and that is my wish for you this year. May 2017 bring you and your families happiness, health and plenty of dreams. Plenty!” he says before walking off the empty room.
The video concludes with his empty room being rented off on Airbnb. For real! Click on the ‘Book Now’ button and you’d be taken to Airbnb’s promotions page where they are away a day in the office of Maurice Lévy as part of the Airbnb Night At program.
The prize is packaged as an Airbnb ad for two guests to stay at an apartment in Paris. Now isn’t that a fine parting gift to an esteemed client?
MUMBAI: Adfest has announced that one of the world’s most esteemed creative leaders, Droga5 chief creative officer Ted Royer, will join the festival’s 20th anniversary celebrations next year as the Grand Jury president overseeing the 2017 Adfest Lotus Awards.
Ranked by Business Insider as number one of 30 of the most creative people in advertising in 2016, Royer has won more than 100 major awards in a career spanning 20 years. He joined Droga5 in its early days, but has worked all over the globe from Singapore to Argentina, Australia and New York.
“Adfest celebrates its 20th Anniversary in 2017 so it is fitting to welcome a grand jury president who has made such an enduring mark on our industry over the past 20 years. Ted is a true visionary who continually taps into current trends to create the industry’s most talked-about campaigns. It’s an honor to welcome him to Thailand next year,” says Adfest president Jimmy Lam.
Royer has played a pivotal role in growing Droga5 from fledgling start-up to an agency of 600 employees, which last year won both the AdAge and Creativity Agency of the Year accolades. Prior to joining Droga5, he sat on the worldwide creative boards of Ogilvy & Mather and Publicis Groupe.
Says Royer: “I’m sincerely excited to be joining Adfest in its 20th year. It is a festival that celebrates local cultures, yet demands global standards – I think this will make it a uniquely rewarding show to judge. I’m looking forward to seeing the ideas that are shaping the region’s future, and meeting some of the creators behind them.”
Adfest 2017 celebrates ‘20 Years of Diversity’ from 22 to 25 March in Pattaya, Thailand.
Adfest chairman Vinit Suraphongchai says, “Adfest 2017 will be a true celebration of all that has been accomplished in this rich, colourful region over the past two decades. We are so pleased Ted has accepted our invitation to come along and celebrate in the style Adfest is now famous for.”
MUMBAI: Adfest has announced that one of the world’s most esteemed creative leaders, Droga5 chief creative officer Ted Royer, will join the festival’s 20th anniversary celebrations next year as the Grand Jury president overseeing the 2017 Adfest Lotus Awards.
Ranked by Business Insider as number one of 30 of the most creative people in advertising in 2016, Royer has won more than 100 major awards in a career spanning 20 years. He joined Droga5 in its early days, but has worked all over the globe from Singapore to Argentina, Australia and New York.
“Adfest celebrates its 20th Anniversary in 2017 so it is fitting to welcome a grand jury president who has made such an enduring mark on our industry over the past 20 years. Ted is a true visionary who continually taps into current trends to create the industry’s most talked-about campaigns. It’s an honor to welcome him to Thailand next year,” says Adfest president Jimmy Lam.
Royer has played a pivotal role in growing Droga5 from fledgling start-up to an agency of 600 employees, which last year won both the AdAge and Creativity Agency of the Year accolades. Prior to joining Droga5, he sat on the worldwide creative boards of Ogilvy & Mather and Publicis Groupe.
Says Royer: “I’m sincerely excited to be joining Adfest in its 20th year. It is a festival that celebrates local cultures, yet demands global standards – I think this will make it a uniquely rewarding show to judge. I’m looking forward to seeing the ideas that are shaping the region’s future, and meeting some of the creators behind them.”
Adfest 2017 celebrates ‘20 Years of Diversity’ from 22 to 25 March in Pattaya, Thailand.
Adfest chairman Vinit Suraphongchai says, “Adfest 2017 will be a true celebration of all that has been accomplished in this rich, colourful region over the past two decades. We are so pleased Ted has accepted our invitation to come along and celebrate in the style Adfest is now famous for.”
MUMBAI: Leo Burnett Worldwide announced the acquisition of a majority stake in the Solutions Group, a communications company based in Sri Lanka. As part of the acquisition, Leo Burnett Sri Lanka and Arc Worldwide Sri Lanka will now be fully integrated into Publicis Communications, one of Publicis Groupe’s four Solutions hubs regrouping all creative communications activities.
The Solutions Group was founded in 1999. Since its inception, the company has been headed by communications leader, Ranil de Silva. Today, the company has 81 of the country’s best and brightest professionals whose work has been consistently recognised globally at leading awards shows including Cannes Lions, D&AD, London International, Clio, Adfest, Spikes Asia amongst others. Leo Burnett Sri Lanka’s success across creativity and business has led it to be awarded at Asia-Pacific’s premier Agency of the Year Awards by Campaign Asia three years in a row. This acquisition will complement Leo Burnett’s existing service in the market, delivering best-in-class work and campaigns across the value chain, and creating ideas that truly move people.
“Given the tremendous growth and creative opportunities in Sri Lanka, I am thrilled to see Leo Burnett join forces with the talent and possibility that resides within the Solutions Group,” said Leo Burnett Worldwide CEO Rich Stoddart. Leo Burnett Sri Lanka MD Ranil De Silva further added, “We are thrilled to strengthen our partnership and to continue our efforts to build Leo Burnett’s position as a leading creative force in the country. I am confident that all the stakeholders will benefit greatly from the access to our global footprint.”
As part of this acquisition, the Solutions Group also acquired 100 per cent ownership of First Media Solutions, which represented Starcom Worldwide in Sri Lanka and was the first international media independent brand to enter Sri Lanka. First Media will now be fully integrated into the Publicis Groupe.
MUMBAI: Leo Burnett Worldwide announced the acquisition of a majority stake in the Solutions Group, a communications company based in Sri Lanka. As part of the acquisition, Leo Burnett Sri Lanka and Arc Worldwide Sri Lanka will now be fully integrated into Publicis Communications, one of Publicis Groupe’s four Solutions hubs regrouping all creative communications activities.
The Solutions Group was founded in 1999. Since its inception, the company has been headed by communications leader, Ranil de Silva. Today, the company has 81 of the country’s best and brightest professionals whose work has been consistently recognised globally at leading awards shows including Cannes Lions, D&AD, London International, Clio, Adfest, Spikes Asia amongst others. Leo Burnett Sri Lanka’s success across creativity and business has led it to be awarded at Asia-Pacific’s premier Agency of the Year Awards by Campaign Asia three years in a row. This acquisition will complement Leo Burnett’s existing service in the market, delivering best-in-class work and campaigns across the value chain, and creating ideas that truly move people.
“Given the tremendous growth and creative opportunities in Sri Lanka, I am thrilled to see Leo Burnett join forces with the talent and possibility that resides within the Solutions Group,” said Leo Burnett Worldwide CEO Rich Stoddart. Leo Burnett Sri Lanka MD Ranil De Silva further added, “We are thrilled to strengthen our partnership and to continue our efforts to build Leo Burnett’s position as a leading creative force in the country. I am confident that all the stakeholders will benefit greatly from the access to our global footprint.”
As part of this acquisition, the Solutions Group also acquired 100 per cent ownership of First Media Solutions, which represented Starcom Worldwide in Sri Lanka and was the first international media independent brand to enter Sri Lanka. First Media will now be fully integrated into the Publicis Groupe.
MUMBAI: A few days back a couple of pictures were leaked on social media about two ads for MakeMyTrip starring Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh. The ads#BefikarBookKar – Taxi and #BefikarBookKar – Hotel are finally out. The attempt: to extoll the virtues of the new MakeMyTrip app and encourage travelers to download and use it to book a hotel room. Created by the Publicis Groupe, the ads also unveiled a fresh new look of the Indian travel company. Another TVC is slated to be unveiled in a month.
Produced by Amit Sharma from Chrome Pictures and shot in Mumbai, the TVCs have been created with pop-culture in mind and made in a cinematic way. The attempt has been to adopt ‘consumer behaviour’ (of what the people do in reality) in the TV spots , and spread the message in an entertaining and memorable way.
The first TVC features Alia donning a taxi driver’s avatar and Ranveer Singh as a Bengali nerd. Ranveer plays a traveler exiting a railway station and asks a taxi driver (played by Alia) for a hotel nearby. She names a few, and he asks her if there are any other ones she knows. Alia tells him to cough up Rs 500 and then passes him her phone with the Makemytrip app open for him to browse for all the hotels in the area. Ranveer surfs the app, and Alia asks him to return her phone. He cheekily demands his currency note back in exchange for the phone, clearly outsmarting her. The background by Abhishekh Arora, combined with Ranveer’s innocence and Alia’s bindaas witty approach make the TV spot quite endearing.
In the second commercial, Alia is seen in a totally different getup as a sophisticated hotel receptionist while Ranveer plays a cool flamboyantly dressed not-so cool customer. He asks Alia for a discount which she refuses. Not satisfied with her reply, Ranveer starts negotiating with her and tries to impress her. Another client enters. The receptionist directly gives a 40 per cent discount to the new guest. Shocked, Singh asks for the reason for the difference in the discount rate. The receptionist quirkily replies “aapko ek hi discount, inko make my trip discount”. The TVC cleverly depicts how the Makemytrip application provides its services at an extremely reasonably price with great discounts for its users.
“Indians normally prefer offline hotel bookings. They reach the place and then start looking for accommodation. Many think that in this way this they can negotiate a reasonable price with the hotel. But the fact is that the MakeMyTrip application gives better deals within one’s budget which does not need any negotiation and is easy,” says Publicis Worldwide-South Asia managing director & chief creative officer Bobby Pawar.
Both the TV spots shot in Hindi have been dubbed in regional languages like Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.
With a 360 degree approach, the campaign is being heavily promoted on TV on GECs and news channels radio, social media and other digital platforms. The decibel levels for the ad are going to rise during the IPL.
“I will be happy to see people booking tickets as well as hotels through the MakeMyTrip app. About our ad, as long as people talk about it and love it, we will be happy. We will see where this ad takes us economically”, concludes Pawar.
MUMBAI: A few days back a couple of pictures were leaked on social media about two ads for MakeMyTrip starring Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh. The ads#BefikarBookKar – Taxi and #BefikarBookKar – Hotel are finally out. The attempt: to extoll the virtues of the new MakeMyTrip app and encourage travelers to download and use it to book a hotel room. Created by the Publicis Groupe, the ads also unveiled a fresh new look of the Indian travel company. Another TVC is slated to be unveiled in a month.
Produced by Amit Sharma from Chrome Pictures and shot in Mumbai, the TVCs have been created with pop-culture in mind and made in a cinematic way. The attempt has been to adopt ‘consumer behaviour’ (of what the people do in reality) in the TV spots , and spread the message in an entertaining and memorable way.
The first TVC features Alia donning a taxi driver’s avatar and Ranveer Singh as a Bengali nerd. Ranveer plays a traveler exiting a railway station and asks a taxi driver (played by Alia) for a hotel nearby. She names a few, and he asks her if there are any other ones she knows. Alia tells him to cough up Rs 500 and then passes him her phone with the Makemytrip app open for him to browse for all the hotels in the area. Ranveer surfs the app, and Alia asks him to return her phone. He cheekily demands his currency note back in exchange for the phone, clearly outsmarting her. The background by Abhishekh Arora, combined with Ranveer’s innocence and Alia’s bindaas witty approach make the TV spot quite endearing.
In the second commercial, Alia is seen in a totally different getup as a sophisticated hotel receptionist while Ranveer plays a cool flamboyantly dressed not-so cool customer. He asks Alia for a discount which she refuses. Not satisfied with her reply, Ranveer starts negotiating with her and tries to impress her. Another client enters. The receptionist directly gives a 40 per cent discount to the new guest. Shocked, Singh asks for the reason for the difference in the discount rate. The receptionist quirkily replies “aapko ek hi discount, inko make my trip discount”. The TVC cleverly depicts how the Makemytrip application provides its services at an extremely reasonably price with great discounts for its users.
“Indians normally prefer offline hotel bookings. They reach the place and then start looking for accommodation. Many think that in this way this they can negotiate a reasonable price with the hotel. But the fact is that the MakeMyTrip application gives better deals within one’s budget which does not need any negotiation and is easy,” says Publicis Worldwide-South Asia managing director & chief creative officer Bobby Pawar.
Both the TV spots shot in Hindi have been dubbed in regional languages like Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.
With a 360 degree approach, the campaign is being heavily promoted on TV on GECs and news channels radio, social media and other digital platforms. The decibel levels for the ad are going to rise during the IPL.
“I will be happy to see people booking tickets as well as hotels through the MakeMyTrip app. About our ad, as long as people talk about it and love it, we will be happy. We will see where this ad takes us economically”, concludes Pawar.
