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Tag: Rana Barua

  • Havas India launches Gate One consultancy in Bengaluru

    Havas India launches Gate One consultancy in Bengaluru

    BENGALURU: Havas India has launched Gate One, its global business and digital transformation consultancy, signalling that the Indian consulting market is too large—and growing too fast—to ignore. India becomes the fourth market for Gate One after the UK, Ireland and the US, with France lined up next. For Havas, it also marks the sixth global agency launch in the country, underscoring India’s rising weight in its worldwide network.

    Gate One India will be led by Karan Ingle, client director, based at Havas’s integrated village in Bengaluru. He will report to Rana Barua, group chief executive of Havas India, South East Asia and North Asia, and to Ben Tye, managing partner, Gate One.

    The consultancy will offer expertise in customer experience, marketing transformation, digital, data and AI strategy, as Havas looks to position itself as a full-service player combining creativity, media and consultancy. 

    The expansion aims to help Indian brands unlock new opportunities and reimagine customer engagement at a time when digital transformation budgets are ballooning.

  • Deepali Saini steps up as global chief experience design officer at Havas CX

    Deepali Saini steps up as global chief experience design officer at Havas CX

    BENGALURU: Think Design chief executive Deepali Saini has been elevated to global chief experience design officer at Havas CX, the customer experience arm of Havas Group. In her expanded brief, Saini will continue to run Think Design in India while shaping the network’s worldwide experience design (XD) practice.

    The move signals Havas CX’s ambition to place design leadership from India at the centre of its international growth. Saini now joins the global CX leadership board, where she will be responsible for harmonising experience design standards across markets, deepening integration with client programmes, and accelerating growth in new service areas.

    Her mandate also includes strengthening design methodologies across geographies, mentoring talent, building proprietary frameworks, and setting ethical guidelines for deploying artificial intelligence in the design process — a theme gaining urgency across global networks.

    Saini, who co-founded Think Design in 2004, has spent over two decades shaping design-led strategies for organisations in healthcare, banking, telecom, and public services. A graduate of NID Ahmedabad and ENSCI Paris, she is known for championing research-driven design and has taught methodology at NID.

    “This is an opportunity to both honour the foundations we have laid in India and push the boundaries of what experience design can achieve globally,” Saini said. She credited Havas India chief Rana Barua and Havas CX global chief David Shulman for their backing in creating what she called “a truly borderless design practice.”

    Her appointment underscores a wider trend of Indian design talent gaining global prominence within multinational networks, with Havas signalling that southeast Asia, India, and the middle east will be pivotal growth regions for its CX portfolio.

  • Mohit Joshi named media agency head of the year at IAA Leadership Awards 2025

    Mohit Joshi named media agency head of the year at IAA Leadership Awards 2025

    MUMBAI:  Havas Media Network India  chief executive Mohit Joshi has been awarded media agency head of the year at the International Advertising Association (IAA) Leadership Awards 2025, held in Mumbai on 7 August. The honour caps a stellar run for Joshi, whose leadership has propelled Havas into the top tier of India’s media and advertising ecosystem.

    With nearly three decades in the industry, Joshi took charge at Havas in November 2020 and has since driven a transformation built on digital scale, data-led strategy, and deep integration. His efforts have not only expanded the network’s client portfolio but also embedded its global converged philosophy across teams, operations, and disciplines.

    ‘Mohit has evolved Havas into an integrated powerhouse, aligning media, digital, data, tech, and content into a unified strategic vision,’ said Havas India, Southeast & North Asia  group CEO Rana Barua. ”His leadership, focus on collaboration, and purpose-driven culture make this recognition richly deserved.”

    The IAA, a global body celebrating excellence in marketing and communications, lauded Joshi’s contributions to the industry. ‘Mohit’s track record speaks for itself. He is respected not just for results, but for his collaborative, warm, and helpful approach,’ said IAA India chapter & The Free Press Journal group president Abhishek Karnani.

    ‘This award is a collective win for all of us at Havas Media Network India,’ said Joshi.” It reflects our relentless drive to build an intelligent, impact-driven ecosystem. I’m grateful to my colleagues, clients, and partners for their trust and belief.”

     

  • Tina Mansukhani Garg joins Havas Creative as president

    Tina Mansukhani Garg joins Havas Creative as president

    MUMBAI: Havas Creative India, part of the wider Havas Creative Network, has made a cracking appointment, bringing Tina Mansukhani Garg on board as its new president. Formerly the chief executive officer and founder of Pink Lemonade Communications, a rather sweet-sounding agency, one might say – she arrives with a clear mandate: pump up the volume on growth and cement Havas Creative’s footprint in the ever-shifting South India market.

    Based out of the bustling tech hub of Bengaluru, Garg will report directly to Rana Barua, the group chief executive officer for Havas India, South East Asia & North Asia. She’ll be spearheading a team of over 70 dedicated souls at Havas Creative Bengaluru, wrangling key clients and, more importantly, plotting to expand the agency’s creative and strategic reach across the entire southern region. Think of it as a strategic southern offensive.

    Ms. Garg isn’t going it alone. She’ll be working by jowl with Kundan Joshee, managing director, Havas Creative India, and Anupama Ramaswamy, joint managing director and chief creative officer, Havas Creative India, all with the shared goal of igniting and accelerating the agency’s growth.

    With almost three decades of experience under her belt, spanning branding, content, design, and digital strategy, Garg brings a formidable arsenal of integrated marketing know-how to the table. During her time at Pink Lemonade, she reportedly tangoed with over 1,000 global and Indian brands, including heavy hitters like Swiggy, Dell, GE Healthcare, Hyundai, PwC, and Mercedes. Havas, it appears, has bagged itself a marketing maestro ready to paint the town red, or rather, the south green with new business.

  • Havas Creative India paints Cannes purple with ‘Ink of Democracy’ campaign

    Havas Creative India paints Cannes purple with ‘Ink of Democracy’ campaign

    MUMBAI: Havas Creative India has left an indelible impression at Cannes Lions 2025, taking home one Gold in Print & Publishing and two Bronze Lions in Direct and Best Use of Media for its bold campaign ‘Ink of Democracy’, created in partnership with The Times of India.

    The campaign transformed the newspaper’s editorial page into a wall of silent protest — printing it entirely in electoral ink purple, the same hue used to mark voters’ fingers. The striking visual served as a powerful reminder ahead of the general elections: democracy thrives when ink hits paper and the ballot.

    Havas India, Group CEO, South East Asia and North Asia, Rana Barua said, “Our momentum at Cannes Lions 2025 has been incredible with one Gold in Print & Publishing and two Bronze Lions in Direct and Media for Ink of Democracy. These wins reflect the kind of culture we’ve been nurturing at Havas, a culture rooted in meaning, collaboration, and fearless creativity. It is also a testament of the product and ecosystem we’ve built over the last 7 years. I’m incredibly proud of Anu and our young talents who brought home the lions. A big thank you to Joji and our global teams for the continuous support. Our hearts are full, and I believe this is just the beginning for us.”

    Havas Creative India, joint MD & CCO, Anupama Ramaswamy added, “We’re incredibly overwhelmed and humbled to bring home two more Bronze Lions for Times of India – Ink of Democracy in Direct and Best Use of Media, along with our Gold in Print & Publishing. For a country that still begins its day with the newspaper, this was more than a campaign, it was a responsibility. And what could be more direct than telling 1.4 billion people to leave their homes and go vote? We didn’t chase engagement; we sparked participation. We didn’t count likes; we counted inked fingers. This is creativity serving democracy. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible partners at The Times of India, and a big shout out to my brilliantly talented young team — Soham, Ravinder, and Annie. You made this real. These wins matter. They bring visibility, open doors, and most importantly, they shine a light on the next generation of talent. At Havas we are committed to making sure they’re seen, heard, and celebrated.”

    Stripped of headlines but not of intent, the campaign challenged apathy with colour and symbolism, proving that sometimes, silence shouts the loudest.

  • Havas Creative India wins India’s First Gold at Cannes Lions 2025 for ‘Ink of Democracy’

    Havas Creative India wins India’s First Gold at Cannes Lions 2025 for ‘Ink of Democracy’

    MUMBAI: Havas Creative India, the creative agency of Havas India, has brought home the country’s first Gold Lion at Cannes Lions 2025 for its powerful campaign ‘Ink of Democracy’, created in partnership with The Times of India.

    Rooted in the symbolic power of electoral ink, Ink of Democracy, which won in the Print 
    & Publishing category, was a visceral call to action for India’s citizens ahead of the general elections. By printing The Times of India’s editorial page entirely in purple – the very colour used to mark fingers of those who vote – the campaign served as a silent yet powerful protest against voter apathy. No headlines. No logos. Just a stark reminder of the voices that were never heard.

    Havas India group CEO South East Asia and North Asia, Rana Barua said, “Winning a Cannes Lions for Ink of Democracy is a moment of immense pride—for the work, the people behind it, and what it stands for. At our core, we’ve always believed in the power of creativity. We truly believe it has the power to shape conversations and spark change.

    I’m incredibly proud of Anu, Ravinder, Soham and our team that brought this idea to life. Also, a huge shoutout to Team TOI, Joji, and our global team for their belief in the idea and all the support. Here’s to a team that continues to raise the bar, pushing boundaries with integrity, heart, and fearless creativity.”

    Havas Creative India joint MD & chief creative officer, Anupama Ramaswamy added, “From the moment we thought of Ink of Democracy, I knew in my gut this idea needed to be made and needed to be seen by the world. It wasn’t loud or flashy, but it had truth, purpose, and heart. One thing I held onto was patience. And a quiet tenacity to see it through, no matter how long it took.

    What makes this Cannes Lions win truly special is my young team that brought it to life—Soham, Ravinder, and Annie—who poured everything into it. They carried the idea with courage and craft, and I couldn’t be prouder.

    A big thank you to Rana and the global team at Havas for believing in the work and helping us take it beyond borders. This is a shared win, and a reminder of what’s possible when we trust our instincts and support one another.”

  • Pandit hits the write note with memoir on adland, music and more

    Pandit hits the write note with memoir on adland, music and more

     MUMBAI: From the buzz of boardrooms to the rhythm of raag, Bipin R. Pandit’s journey finally finds its hardcover harmony. At Goafest 2025, amidst Abby cheers and industry nostalgia, The Advertising Club’s beloved COO Bipin R. Pandit launched his long-anticipated biography titled Impassioned. The launch wasn’t just ceremonial, it marked the culmination of 28 years spent scripting not just award shows, but a legacy in Indian advertising’s cultural corridors.

    Released by Ad Club President and Havas India group CEO for SEA & North Asia, Rana Barua, the book dropped during the 58th edition of the Abby Awards, a fitting venue, given Pandit has helmed 28 editions himself.

    But Impassioned is no dry professional recollection. Co-authored by Gokul Krishnamoorthy and supported by Gour Gupta’s Tribes, the book oscillates between Pandit’s rise from Castrol’s data division to becoming the backbone of India’s most prominent advertising secretariat and his other passions: cricket, Kishore Kumar and Khumaar, the live music IP he founded.

    It also swings into his personal innings, including a rooftop romance in Dadar that turned into a lifelong partnership. Reflections from industry stalwarts Piyush Pandey, Prasoon Joshi, Ramesh Narayan and Barua himself add emotional resonance to a story that’s both deeply personal and distinctly adland.

    The book also traces the birth of now-iconic properties like the Effies and Emvies, first conceptualised under Pandit’s watch in 2001 as part of a three-day Mumbai festival alongside the Abbys. Today, these awards stand as pillars of the Indian advertising industry.

    “Writing started with a LinkedIn blog post post-Abbys,” Pandit shared. “Rana called me and said ‘You need to make this a book’. The rest, as they say, got written.”

    Barua added, “Bipin’s been the pulse of the Club steady, smiling and always switched on. This book lets us meet the man behind the magic.”

    Adding heart to history, Pandit has pledged 10 per cent of all proceeds from Impassioned to the Light of Life Foundation, which supports underprivileged communities.

    From overseeing award ceremonies to belting out old classics, from managing committees to cricket trivia debates Bipin R. Pandit hasn’t just worked in adland, he’s lived it. And now, finally, it’s all on record with rhythm, recall and a whole lot of raag.

  • Bipin R. Pandit pens his passion in new biography, ‘Impassioned’

    Bipin R. Pandit pens his passion in new biography, ‘Impassioned’

    MUMBAI: Goafest 2025 witnessed more than just gold metals — it saw the unveiling of ‘Bipin R. Pandit – Impassioned’, a vibrant biography celebrating the Advertising Club’s spirited COO & founder of the soulful live music IP, Khumaar. The book was launched by Havas India group CEO SEA & North Asia, and Ad Club president  Rana Barua  during the 58th Abby Awards in front of an industry-packed house.

    The biography captures Pandit’s 28-year rollercoaster with the Ad Club, where he’s been the behind-the-scenes heartbeat of events like the Abbys, Effies and Emvies — awards that have since become institutionally iconic. From his early days at Baroda Rayon and Castrol India to being the anchor of over 1,000 stage shows, Impassioned weaves the personal with the professional — with equal notes of nostalgia, humour and humility.

    The book features:
    * Reflections from all 13 Ad Club presidents Pandit has worked with
    * Insights from 30 managing committee members, with a back-and-forth of perspectives
    * A tribute to Khumaar, now in its 20th year
    * A peek into the Pandits’ love story — a romance that began in school and blossomed into 40 years of marriage
    * And plenty of anecdotes that spotlight Bipin’s love for cricket, music and people

    With a foreword by Padma Shri Piyush Pandey and a special note by Padma Shri Prasoon Joshi, Impassioned isn’t just a biography — it’s a masterclass in loyalty, legacy and leading with heart.

    “I just wrote a LinkedIn blog after last year’s Abbys. Rana called, said this should be a book — and the rest is literally history,” said Pandit, thanking Gour Gupta and the team at Tribes for their support, and co-author-curator Gokul Krishnamoorthy for shaping the narrative.

    “Bipin has been the pulse of The Ad Club,” said Rana Barua. “His journey is a reminder that true leadership doesn’t always wear the loudest hat — sometimes, it sings from backstage.”

    Ad Club past president Ramesh Narayan added, “Bipin has always had that reassuring smile and an enviable ability to juggle committees, concerts, and cricket scores with ease.”

    The biography is priced at Rs 750 and available on www.bipinpandit.com. Ten per cent of the proceeds will go to Light of Life Foundation, supporting marginalised communities — yet another testament to Pandit’s impassioned legacy, both on and off stage.

    Credits
    Publisher & co-author: Bipin R. Pandit
    Curator & co-author: Gokul Krishnamoorthy
    Cover design: Vikram Gaikwad
    Book design: Mediaedge
    Cover photo: Himanshu Mestry
    Supported by: Tribes

  • Havas’ Prose on Pixels lands Joris Knetsch to lead APAC charge

    Havas’ Prose on Pixels lands Joris Knetsch to lead APAC charge

    MUMBAI: Havas’ AI-fuelled content-at-scale agency Prose on Pixels is ready to switch on the afterburners in Asia Pacific, appointing Joris Knetsch as executive vice-president for the region, effective May 2025.

    Based in Singapore, Joris brings over a decade of experience in creative production and digital scaling—including an eight-year stint building Media Monks’ footprint in APAC. His hiring signals a sharp push by Havas to deepen its converged strategy, which unites media, creativity and content under one turbocharged roof.

    “With close to a decade of experience in the APAC region, Joris brings invaluable market knowledge and established relationships that will help us accelerate our growth.  His deep expertise in technology-driven production makes him the ideal person to lead Prose on Pixels in Asia Pacific,” said Prose on Pixels global CEO Steve Netzley. 

    The agency—relaunched globally in June 2023—is stitching together Havas’ production capabilities into a single AI-powered powerhouse, already making waves with tech-led hiring and global expansion. Joris will now spearhead the Asian playbook alongside regional leaders including Rowena Bhagchandani, CEO, BLKJ Havas and Pankaj Nayak, CEO, Havas Media Network Singapore.

    “Bringing Joris on board helps our business in two ways”, said Havas India group CEO Havas India, south east & north Asia Rana Barua. “First, to officially launch and scale Prose on Pixels in Asia with the right leadership in place. Second, it reinforces our Converged strategy across the region – anchored in media, creative and production – by fostering collaboration and empowering our teams to elevate the value we deliver to our clients.”

    “I’m thrilled to be joining Prose on Pixels at such an exciting time,” said Joris Knetsch.  “It was immediately clear that the global Prose on Pixels team sees things the same way I do—great content production isn’t just a support act, it’s central to bringing bold creativity and smart media to life in today’s marketing landscape. While many claim to be integrated, with Prose on Pixels launching in Asia, Havas is actually doing it: activating its converged strategy and bringing creative, media, and production together to truly work as one across the region. Asia Pacific is an incredibly dynamic region, and I look forward to helping brands transform how they create and distribute content with speed, efficiency, and impact.”

    With its creative-meets-code model, Havas is betting big on Asia—and Joris Knetsch is now in the pilot’s seat.

  • Havas India reels in Prashanth Challapalli to spark digital & innovation fire

    Havas India reels in Prashanth Challapalli to spark digital & innovation fire

    MUMBAI: Havas India has hired Prashanth Challapalli, a digital dynamo, to ignite its creative network as chief digital & innovation officer. Based in Mumbai, he’ll be reporting to  Havas India, SEA, and north Asia group CEO  Rana Barua. Challapalli, a veteran of the digital trenches with over 25 years under his belt, is tasked with fusing cutting-edge tech with creative wizardry, conjuring up digital-first solutions that’ll make brands pop.

    Said Barua: “Innovation is no longer an option; it is imperative. The creative industry is undergoing a seismic shift driven by technology, data, and consumer behaviour. Prashant will work closely with network leaders to drive the convergence of creative, media, and health, powered by data-driven innovation and technology, while seamlessly integrating storytelling to enhance impact.”

    Challapalli, formerly boss of Gravity Integrated, where he sprinkled his stardust on the likes of Amazon Pay, Google, and Tata Motors, reckons he’s ready for the challenge. “We’re in the ‘Attention Economy’, where AI’s rewriting the rulebook. Creativity’s still king, but innovation’s gone beyond a fancy advert. 

    Havas’s integrated model, with its AI-powered Converged OS, is like a digital Swiss Army knife. I’m chuffed to be joining a team that’s pushing the envelope, setting new creative benchmarks, and crafting a fresh narrative for Havas, its brands, and its people.”

    This appointment is a clear shot across the bow, a digital thunderbolt aimed at shaking up the advertising landscape. Havas is betting big on Challapalli’s ability to weave digital magic, and deliver solutions that are not just innovative, but downright electrifying.