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Tag: Publicis

  • Publicis acquires Beehive Communications

    Publicis acquires Beehive Communications

    MUMBAI: The Publicis Groupe has acquired six companies since mid-2012 and today, it was time to take one more leap. In a new development, the French multinational advertising and PR major announced the acquisition of Beehive Communications, one of the country’s foremost independent integrated communications agencies, which serves clients across South Asia.

    With this deal, Beehive will be rebranded Publicis Beehive, to operate as a unit within Publicis Worldwide’s global network. The agency’s current team will continue to lead it under the direction of founder and CEO Sanjit Shastri, and will report in to CEO South Asia Publicis Worldwide Nakul Chopra.

    Without disclosing the value, Shastri said both companies were happy and added that the deal gave Beehive a wider platform, better growth prospects and overall appeal as the agency was entering a totally new league. He pointed out that the work strategy would be pretty much similar to what has been the norm so far.

    “I think we will continue with our same old approach, focusing on building steps and verticals and providing integrated solutions through digital media and other creative platforms. Employees will be benefitted too as they will get much more exposure and will get to work at a higher level. We have clients from four different buckets including retail, education, travel and tourism and we have recently started handling a few clients from real estate as well. We are also in the process of signing deals with a few more real estate people,” he said.

    For Publicis, the Beehive acquisition marks a significant step in becoming the leading communications network in India.

    “Beehive brings both scale and strategic value to the Publicis offering in India. The verticals that they have are complimentary. Like, Publicis currently has very good exposure in sectors such as food, beauty, fashion, personal sector etc. While Beehive comes with exposure in other sectors, they are not exposed to the areas that we handle. So, the association is going to be a learning experience for both the companies,” said Chopra and added that their employees would be benefitted as well. “Employees of the smaller company gain by being a part of the larger organisation. They gain because they are exposed to better platforms and newer opportunities,” he added.
    B Sanjit Shashtri (L) and Nakul Chopra (R) are expecting their association to reap profits

    Founded in 2003, Beehive Communications today employs more than 130 staff, and provides integrated solutions in creative, reputation management, media, digital, brand activation and research. Beehive’s clients (over 50) include the likes of Malaysia Tourism, General Motors, Korea Tourism, Jubiliant Retail, India Bulls Finance and Bisleri among others. Headquartered in Mumbai, it has a presence in Delhi and Bangalore as well. Known for its ability to build expertise in important vertical markets with speed and efficiency, the agency has built a reputation for growing and winning over their clients.

  • Publicis launches Razorfish in India with Neev acquisition

    MUMBAI: France-based media communications group Publicis Groupe has acquired Bengaluru-based technology services provider Neev as part of launching its digital entity Razorfish in India.

    The agency will operate as Razorfish Neev led by Neev CEO Saurabh Chandra. He will report into Razorfish and Digitas India managing director Kanika Mathur with a direct connection to Razorfish global CTO Ray Velez.

    Neev specialises in eCommerce, SaaS (Software as a Service) and cloud applications across web, social and mobile.

    Founded in 2005 and based in Bangalore, Neev employs a team of 250 specialists, of which over 220 are technologists, with experience and expertise in leveraging cloud and mobile technologies and promoting innovation that drives business success.

    Neev serves a growing list of prominent brands and technology companies mainly in India and the US. Neev has increased revenues on average 45 percent year-on-year since 2007.

    “Razorfish can now offer scaled expertise in India, complementing its already strong presence in Greater China and Australia,” Razorfish and Digitas networks APAC president Vincent Digonnet.

    “At the core of Razorfish lies innovation and technology, and we can only launch the brand in a market with a very deep tech development capability. Neev is providing us with the right engine, including an ability to deliver sophisticated state of the art web, ecommerce, mobile and social solutions. In addition, the acquisition will support the development capabilities of Razorfish technology teams in the US,” he adds.

    Neev CEO Saurabh Chandra said, “Neev has always delivered its work by leveraging leading edge technologies in cloud and mobility. With Razorfish we are looking at taking this to a larger portfolio of clients. Our focus remains delivering solutions to our clients that solve real business problems with the best combination of creativity and technology.”

    Publicis Groupe‘s goal is to create the world‘s leading concentration of digital skills and competencies and to that end is committed to doubling its size in India between 2010 and 2015.

    This year, the Groupe acquired the leading digital agency Convonix based in Mumbai and back in 2012 made significant acquisitions with iStrat (December 2012), Resultrix (August 2012) and Indigo Consulting (April 2012).

    VivaKi India country chair for Srikant Sastri, who is overseeing the acquisition of Neev added, “With the acquisition of Neev, we have added cutting-edge tech capabilities. We are now twice as large as any other global network in terms of digital team-strength and revenues, and unparalleled in breadth and depth of digital skills.”

  • Publicis Capital bags HPL’s creative biz

    MUMBAI: Publicis Capital, a division of Publicis Communications, has won the creative duties of HPL Electric and Power following a multi-agency pitch that took place in Delhi.

    Publicis Capital‘s responsibility will be to take care of the corporate brand as well as packaging design and creative communications for HPL‘s range of products.

    The brand‘s spends on above and below-the-line activities are in the range of Rs 150-180 million.

    Publicis Capital CEO Hemant Misra said, “The phenomenal growth of HPL is a harbinger of the brand value waiting to be unlocked. I look forward to this opportunity of partnering with the brand owners to take the brand to its rightful place in the consumer space.”

    HPL joint managing director Gautam Seth said, “We have been aggressively introducing various products and innovations in the market. This made it imperative for us to associate with an agency which understands and connects with our diversified target group. We are excited to partner with Publicis Capital and look forward to create a distinct identity for HPL and for our various products, keeping in mind the essence of the brand.”

  • Pankaj Arora is now Triton national planning director

    MUMBAI: Triton Communications has elevated Pankaj Arora to the position of national planning director.

    Arora moves on to head planning in the agency from his current role of executive director of Triton Mumbai.

    The agency aims to redefine planning as a line function that will strategise for brand business building.

    Triton Communications CEO and NCD Renton D‘Sousa said, “One of my key focus areas is to enhance resources in the knowledge domain to enable the best end product. In my view a planning head needs to have been a senior business head to provide business insights for effective brand solutions. All with the aim to provide the right inputs to the creative for an insight laden end product. Pankaj‘s vast experience on the business of advertising along with his flair for strategic initiatives is the right fit for my vision”.

    Arora added, “When I started out it was all about the USP. With changing times, it evolved to the SMP (single minded proposition). Today with product parity across categories and intangible differentiators dwindling by the day, it boils down to the insight based creative that can make or mend a brand. It is my firm belief that the core of every planning activity is the immersion of client, category and consumer. Planning models merely revolve around this fact. A good planner reads between the reams of data and researches. But a planner with a business experience can unearth the insight that will lead to an effective end product and benefit the client in the market place”.

    Arora has over two decades of experience in advertising. Prior to joining Triton he has also worked with Lintas, Contract Advertising, Grey and Publicis.

  • McCann Delhi appoints Sambit Mohanty as ECD

    MUMBAI: McCann Delhi has appointed Sambit Mohanty as the executive creative director.

    His last stint was with Bates- New Delhi as creative head where he worked for clients like Hitachi and Virgin Mobile.

    McCann Worldgroup chief executive officer Prasoon Joshi said, “I am extremely happy to have Sambit join us at McCann. I have not worked with him earlier but in my interaction with him sensed that he brings in a unique dimension. It‘s rare these days to find people with craft. Sambit has honed his craft and is a superb writer. I am positive that the creative prowess of McCann will get further strengthened with Sambit on board.”

    Mohanty has over 12 years of experience in advertising and design. Starting out as a copywriter at McCann Erickson, he‘s worked in agencies such as Lowe, Publicis, Leo Burnett and Elephant Design.

    He was also behind the ‘Where‘s the Pulp?‘ campaign for Minute Maid Pulpy Orange – a juice drink from Coke. His film for MMPO – ‘deflating oranges‘ – is a part of the Leo Burnett showreel and has been aired internationally in countries like Indonesia, Philippines, Kazakhstan and Mexico.

    Mohanty has worked for clients like Dettol, Mortein, Harpic (part of Reckitt-Benckiser), Tanishq, Britannia, Nestle (Maggi), HP, Indian Express, BBC World, Religare and Chevrolet.

  • Publicis acquires digital marketing agency Resultrix

    Publicis acquires digital marketing agency Resultrix

    Mumbai: The Publicis Groupe has acquired Resultrix, a digital marketing agency founded by two Indians.

    This is Publicis‘ second digital agency acquisition in India this year, after snapping up Mumbai-based digital agency Indigo Consulting in April.

    Resultrix has an international footprint with presence in India, Singapore, the UAE and the USA.

    Since early 2011, Performics, Publicis‘ digital agency, has expanded its presence and now operates in 18 countries. This new partnership with Resultrix will further enable clients to not only tap into new areas of digital expertise, but benefit from an even more integrated and consistent global offering.

    Post the acquisition, Resultrix will operate as a unit within Performics, under the name ‘Resultrix, a Performics Company‘. Its founders, Vidur Luthra and Gulrez Alam, will continue to be CEO and COO and will report into Global Performics CEO Daina Middleton and Performics Asia Pacific managing director Gareth Mulryan.

    Founded in 2008, Resultrix employs over 100 specialists across its global offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Singapore, Seattle and Dubai. The agency provides a full suite of services including search engine optimisation, search engine marketing, online media, web-design, analytics, media buying, social media strategy, and mobile marketing, with a differentiated set of performance-based business models.

    Resultrix‘s list of clients include international and local brands including Corbis Corporation, Max Bupa, Standard Chartered Bank, Airtel, Cleartrip, DBS Bank and Emirates National Bank.

    Daina Middleton said, “Clients are demanding best-in-class specialized skills and seamless digital integration at scale. Resultrix has an impressive track record as a leading search and interactive services agency. Their highly sophisticated suite of digital solutions perfectly complements our offering and will solidify our leadership position around the world.”

    Resultrix CEO Vidur Luthra said, “We were founded on the belief that digital advertising provides the opportunity to disrupt the traditional media business models and this is a great opportunity to join a network that is renowned for being at the forefront of the industry. It allows us to realise our ambitions and leverage our skills, strengths and experience across a larger group footprint which is of huge benefit to our clients and teams.”

  • Publicis acquires German communications agency CNC

    MUMBAI: Soon after buying out BBBH, Publicis Groupe has acquired Germany‘s strategic communications consultancy Communications & Network Consulting AG (CNC).

    The acquired company will become a part of Publicis’ flagship strategic communications network, MSLGROUP.

    CNC will, however, continue to be led by current CEO Dr. Christoph Walther. The CNC supervisory board will see the addition of MSLGROUP CEO Olivier Fleurot and MSLGROUP president for the EMEA region Anders Kempe with the latter taking the mantle of chairman.

    CNC is group headquartered in Munich and has offices in 14 other cities including one at New Delhi. Started in 2002, the agency employs close to 100 professionals across its offices in Europe, Asia, North and South America.

    The German clients will be offered the services of two consultancies. On the one hand, clients can avail of the services of CNC with its particular focus on strategic, financial and corporate communications as well as public affairs and on the other, they also can use the services of MSL Germany, with its broad capabilities across the communications spectrum including social media, corporate communications and reputation management.

    CNC advises large corporations, mid-cap companies, institutions and individuals on all aspects of strategic communications within their specific markets providing services like strategic communications and reputation management, financial communications, crisis counseling including litigation advisory, branding and public affairs.

    In the IPO market, CNC has been the market leader in Germany since 2005. The consultancy has been involved in more than 100 transactions with a total volume of more than 180 billion Euro and has a particularly strong focus on cross-border mandates.

    Publicis Groupe chairman and CEO Maurice Levy said, “CNC is one of the premier strategic and financial public relations firms in Europe, with a client base that is outstanding. I have followed CNC‘s success story with interest and I am impressed by the company‘s entrepreneurial spirit. The skill set will fit perfectly into our group and our strategy to make Germany one of our key hubs.”

    Fleurot said, “Bringing CNC into MSLGROUP makes us one of the top three networks in Germany, and at the same time gives us very valuable additional strategic capabilities in other key markets. We see considerable potential in matching and leveraging our collective competencies and relationships.”

    Walther added, “We are very excited to team up with Publicis Groupe‘s strategic communications network MSLGROUP as it provides us with a truly global footprint. While our current clients will enjoy continued high-class service by the existing CNC offices, we will be able to tap into the significant benefits offered by being part of MSLGROUP.”

  • Publicis enters Palestine, buys 20% of Zoom Advertising

    MUMBAI: Publicis Groupe has become the first publicly-listed international communications group to enter the Palestinian market space, purchasing 20 per cent equity stake in Massar International‘s subsidiary Zoom Advertising based in Ramallah.

    This announcement comes close on the heels of Publicis‘ announcement of the acquisition of Israeli advertising and communications firm BBR.

    Post the stake acquisition, Zoom Advertising will be renamed Publicis Zoom and will be aligned with the Publicis Worldwide global network. General manager Firas Awad and managing partner Jane Masri will continue to lead the 23 employee strong company.
    Palestine is the latest addition to Publicis Worldwide‘s expanding Middle East presence joining agencies in UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

    Founded in 2004, Zoom provides digital and interactive tools, has expertise in multimedia applications, and provides creative and brand strategy services. It has corporate clients across market sectors including Bank of Palestine, the Paltel Group, the Palestine Exchange, Coca-Cola, the European Union, UNICEF, UNRWA, Peugeot, Cairo-Amman Bank and the new Palestinian planned city of Rawabi.

    Publicis Groupe chairman and CEO Maurice Levy said, “This transaction is important on several levels. One key element, of course, is Publicis‘ desire to serve our clients wherever they work.

    But the impact of this operation extends much further than that. It is also a call to French and international companies to set up in the region and to contribute to creating the economic development without which there can be no durable peace.”

    Publicis Groupe COO Jean-Yves Naouri added, “Zoom Advertising‘s excellent track record in the Palestinian digital and interactive markets made it a natural partner for Publicis Groupe, with its focus on fast growing markets and digital as its two strategic pillars. The Arab world is embracing digital technology at an unprecedented pace, as was demonstrated during the events of the Arab spring, and Palestine is no exception.”

    Zoom board chairman Bashar Masri stated, “Today‘s deal is a key step towards the goal of fostering an enabling business environment for private sector growth and development, and I am confident that more investments like this one are on the horizon.

    The fact that a Palestinian company passed the rigorous due diligence procedures of a global, publicly-listed company like Publicis Groupe should send a very strong message to the Palestinian private sector. I am particularly proud that Zoom was the company to achieve this milestone for the communications industry in Palestine.”

  • Publicis NCD Upputuru Emmanuel quits

    Publicis NCD Upputuru Emmanuel quits

    MUMBAI: Publicis national creative director Emmanuel Upputuru has resigned in his papers at the agency.


    Upputuru joined Publicis in 2007 and has worked for more than four years with Hemant Misra, CEO, Publicis India. Before that he was employed at Ogilvy & Mather Delhi as senior creative director.


    Misra joined O&M in 2002, following which he moved to Saatchi & Saatchi in 2003. He moved back to O&M Delhi in 2005, from where he shifted to Publicis India in 2007. His total experience in the advertising world spans nearly 16 years.


    Misra started his career with Contract Advertising and has worked at agencies such as Contract, Leo Burnett and McCann Erickson. He has handled brands such as Shell, Dabur, Nokia, Mother Dairy, Gillette, Limca, Sprite, Motorola, Maruti and American Express.

  • Havas reveals rebranding plans

    Havas reveals rebranding plans

    MUMBAI: Worldwide communications group Havas chief executive of advertising David Jones has revealed plans to rebrand the agencies under the company as it repositions for an increasingly digital future.

    The group‘s new clients for online marketing include Unilever and Sony Playstation.

    Jones said that the group will be retiring the 20-year-old Euro RSCG name for Havas’ largest creative network and bringing almost the whole group under the Havas brand.

    Euro RSCG was formed in 1991 by the merger of two French agencies Eurocom and RSCG formed in the mid-1970s. The company structure will be consolidated into Havas Advertising and Havas Media. Jones was quoted in the Financial Times, “Within that we will launch Havas Digital as an umbrella brand for digital.”

    He further informed that he aimed to take on competitors like WPP and Publicis and create a model that contrasted their structures.

    According to FT, Jones said, “The rebranding of Euro RSCG will reinforce the fact that our competitors have hundreds of brands and cultures and CEOs, and ours is an incredibly clear and simple structure. We haven’t got big, old-fashioned ad agencies that just do TV ads and have a separate digital silo.”

    Havas Digital will not have its own independent leadership or financial structure. The repositioning will underline Havas‘ more integrated model for providing services for example, by bringing formerly separate media-buying and creative teams into the same buildings in Paris and New York.

    Meanwhile, Havas announced its financial results for the year ended 31 December 2011. The group has registered net income of 120 million euros, up 9 per cent from 110 million euros in 2010.

    The revenue for the year was recorded at 1.65 billion euros, which is 5.6 per cent more than the revenue for fiscal 2010 at 1.56 billion euros.

    The group informed in an official communiqué that its digital and social media grew rapidly and increased their contribution to the company’s overall revenue, as the group pursued its strategy of putting these businesses at the core of all its activities and agencies around the world. Digital and social media made up 23 per cent of the total group‘s revenue.

    The geographical revenue break up reveals that Asia-Pacific reported growth of 9.8 per cent for full-year 2011.