Tag: Rana Barua

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.

February 2, 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.”

January 23, 2024
Mondelez India and McCann Worldgroup India win big at The Advertising Club’s EFFIE India Awards 2023

Mumbai: The Advertising Club hosted the latest edition of the coveted ‘EFFIE India AWARDS 2023’ with Celebrity Cricket League as the Associate Sponsor, Craving Digital as the Imagination Partner, Diageo India as the Celebration Partner, and Heineken Silver Beer as the Beverage Sponsor. Mondelez India was judged the EFFIE India Client of the Year, while McCann Worldgroup India was named EFFIE India Agency of the Year. The coveted Grand EFFIE was won by Enormous for Jaquar’s campaign ‘Unimaginable Brand Extensions.’

Announced at a celebratory event at Taj Lands’ End, Mumbai, the awards acknowledged the impact of success through work done by agencies and clients that set new benchmarks in effectiveness in marketing and advertising communication. Setting a new milestone, EFFIE India garnered a record-breaking 1276 entries this year, the highest in its 23-year history, with participation from 79 agencies.

Speaking at the EFFIEs, The Advertising Club president Rana Barua said, “The EFFIEs stand as a testament to the power of impactful storytelling and strategic brilliance in our industry. My heartfelt gratitude to the advertising fraternity for their unwavering support, making these awards a celebration of creativity and effectiveness. Congratulations to all the winners for crafting campaigns that not only captivate but also leave a lasting impact on our audiences. Your creativity continues to shape the future of our industry. Here’s to another year of pushing boundaries and inspiring innovation in the world of advertising.”

Elaborating on the awards, EFFIE India chairperson Mitrajit Bhattacharya said, “EFFIE India continues to showcase its unwavering commitment to celebrating excellence in advertising, honouring both exceptional work and the talented individuals behind it. I’d like to extend my gratitude to the esteemed judges who dedicated their time and expertise to assess a remarkable 1276 entries, setting a new record. Their commitment is truly commendable. A heartfelt thank you also goes out to our sponsors, the entire Ad Club managing committee, the EFFIE committee, EFFIE New York, and The Ad Club secretariat for their tireless efforts in making it a resounding celebration of creativity and innovation in the advertising industry.”

EFFIE India co-chairpeson Pradeep Dwivedi added, “In yet another splendid year of the EFFIE India Awards, what stands out is how agencies and brands continue to put in their hard work. Their meticulous contributions in ideation, flawless execution, and the art of brand-building are truly commendable. EFFIEs has always added and will continue to add a profound insight into the concept of advertising awards. A big congratulations to all the winners and the participants.”

EFFIE INDIA 2023 RESUTLS CLICK HERE

EFFIE INDIA 2023 CLIENT OF THE YEAR CLICK HERE

EFFIE INDIA 2023 AGENCY OF THE YEAR CLICK HERE

January 19, 2024
Havas India elevates Jaibeer Ahmad as chief transformation & growth officer

Mumbai: Havas India, part of Paris-headquartered advertising network Havas, has elevated Jaibeer Ahmad, formerly managing partner – North at Havas Worldwide India to the role of chief transformation & growth officer. In this newly created role in India, Jaibeer will set transformative strategies, driving business growth through integration and collaboration across all 18 Havas India agencies.

Based in Gurgaon, Jaibeer brings a wealth of experience and an impeccable track record, and will report to Havas India, Group CEO, South East Asia & North Asia (Japan & South Korea) Rana Barua.

Havas’ unique village model and unmatched integration offerings has been an industry differentiator around the globe and has seen sweeping success in markets including Paris, London, North America, Spain, Portugal, and the UAE. The network is deeply invested in building the same expertise in India which will be led by Jaibeer.

Jaibeer, a well-respected and seasoned industry professional, joined Havas Worldwide India in December 2022, leaving an indelible mark as Managing Partner – North. Under his leadership, the agency secured key accounts and welcomed renowned clients, reinforcing Havas India’s position in the market. Known for his business growth acumen, Jaibeer has been a driving force behind Havas Worldwide India’s new business growth in the North India market. He managed some of the biggest accounts of the agency including Reckitt, Suzuki 2 Wheelers, Dabur and IFB, and won some marquee clients including Mamaearth, IFB, Badshah, Blinkit, IQOO, amongst others, contributing significantly to brand strategy, creative development, and overall revenue expansion.

Havas India, Group CEO, South East Asia & North Asia (Japan & South Korea) Rana Barua said, “The last 5 years have been a period of exponential growth for Havas India, having grown steadily from 3 to 18 agencies, both organically and inorganically delivering nine differentiated services to our clients. While this momentum will continue, and we will be adding a few more expertise, it is now critical that we consolidate and leverage the strength of our offering to enlarge the services and accelerate business growth. Jaibeer has the nuanced understanding of the One Havas ethos, the strategic knowhow to turn opportunities into tangible outcomes, and strong, people-focused leadership, and I am confident that he will make Havas India one of the top growth markets within the Havas ecosystem through integration.”

Commenting on his elevation, Jaibeer Ahmad said, “At Havas India, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to collaborate across an array of functions, including, Media, CX, Experiential, PR, UI/UX, E-commerce, Programmatic, Brand Design, Health, and many more. The beauty and the strength of this model is that all these expertise are under one roof. This experience crystallized the vital need for an integrated ecosystem like our Havas Village, navigating today’s complex marketing landscape. In this new role, my mission is clear: foster convergence and collaboration among our 18 agencies and the growing ecosystem, and craft customised, integrated solutions for our clients.”

With over 23 years of experience in advertising and marketing brand-building, Jaibeer has held leadership positions for the past 12 years, during which time, he has significantly contributed to brand strategy, creative development, new business acquisition, overall revenue growth, and team mentoring. Jaibeer has extensive experience spearheading integrated marketing campaigns for prominent international, start-up, and domestic brands. His primary strength lies in driving business growth which also reflected in the growth of Havas Worldwide India in the north market.

January 18, 2024
Havas announces new leadership appointments

Mumbai: Havas has announced the elevations of two senior leaders. Rana Barua, based in Mumbai, will extend his remit to include Southeast and North Asia. Barua’s career spans nearly three decades, including the last five years spent overseeing Havas’ India operations, comprising over 2,000 people across Havas Creative Network and Havas Media Network. The expansion of Barua’s scope adds nine additional markets under his leadership in his new role as group CEO India, South East & North Asia.

Speaking about his new role, Barua said, “I am extremely excited and thankful to the global leadership team for entrusting me with this additional responsibility. These nine distinct markets in South East & North Asia, provide multiple and diverse occasions for collaboration for both our global and local clients. I look forward to working closely with the regional teams and each country’s leadership to create more meaningful engagements and opportunities for our talent and clients.”

In parallel, Alberto Canteli, based in Dubai, will continue as chairman and CEO Havas Nordics, Benelux, Central & Eastern Europe, and Middle East, while taking on new responsibilities driving special projects in coordination with Donna Murphy, Global CEO, Havas Creative Network and Havas Health & You. This new area of focus will include identifying growth levers and developing actionable strategies at the global level, including new client opportunities, services, expansion, and cross-selling. A long-time veteran of Havas, Canteli has been serving as a key pillar in the international expansion of Havas for more than twenty years.

“During moments like these of continued disruption and transformation, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to combine my regional responsibilities in Europe and the Middle East with a new role that will facilitate a closer collaboration with our global leadership team. AI, Web 3.0 and Blockchain among other advancements, will have a strong impact on our industry and it will be a privilege to contribute to the transformation and turnaround of our business moving forward,” shared Alberto Canteli.

“I would like to warmly congratulate Alberto and Rana on their new, expanded roles. Their proven leadership skills, vast expertise and innovative thinking will create new synergies and accelerate growth, allowing our teams to further build on Havas’ integrated approach and offer our clients the best possible outcomes,” commented Havas chairman and Global CEO Yannick Bolloré.

January 11, 2024
Movers & shakers of advertising in 2023

Mumbai: The year 2023 witnessed a significant upliftment for all industries, and advertising experienced noteworthy changes on the people movements’ front. Indiantelevision.com observed it as a year of churn for the advertising industry, marked by numerous exits and entries to and fro Ogilvy India, Dentsu India, BBH India, Havas group, Omnicom, and more…

Before we go ahead with the list, here’s our heartfelt tribute to some of the advertising veterans we lost in 2023.

Most recently we lost advertising veteran Helen Anchan who passed away on 3 December. She was the former head of media planning at Lintas. Anchan is highly esteemed in the industry, serving as a role model for numerous young media professionals. With over 50 years in the media, she witnessed significant transformations, many of which occurred during her dedicated tenure at Lintas.

Advertising veteran and Chairman of daCunha Communications – Sylvester daCunha, who designed the iconic 1966 Amul Girl ‘utterly butterly’ campaign, passed away in Mumbai. He was a doyen of Indian advertising industry who was associated with Amul since 1960s.

We then lost another man who played a key role in shaping advertising in India who is none other than Pratap Bose. Bose was the former DDB Mudra and Ogilvy veteran and lastly the founding partner and chairman of Social Street.

Ad and marketing veteran Aurobindo Mohanty passed away on October 24.

Following are some of the key people movements:

Ogilvy India:

Ogilvy India announced an important leadership transition that will take effect from 1 January 2024. Piyush Pandey, currently chairman global creative & executive chairman of Ogilvy India will serve as the chief advisor.

Hephzibah Pathak will take on the role of executive chairperson of Ogilvy India. She will be Ogilvy India’s first-ever woman in this role.

SN Rane, group executive co-chairman India & COO South Asia, will work as business advisor to Ogilvy Asia Pacific.

The Advertising Club:

The Advertising Club elected Rana Barua as president. Partha Sinha will serve as immediate past president on managing committee for the ensuing year.

IAA:

Avinash Pandey was re-elected as president of India chapter of IAA.

BBH India

BBH India appointed Ashwin Palkar as ECD and head of experience. Palkar is a seasoned creative leader with 17 years of experience in advertising.

BBH India appointed Anupam Chauhan as senior vice president – account management. He has over 18 years of proven success in leading advertising agency teams across India, Southeast Asia, the UK, and Canada.

Havas media group:

Havas India chairman and chief creative officer Bobby Pawar stepped down from his role. He joined the network in November 2018.

Havas Worldwide India appointed Kundan Joshee as managing partner & head – West & South. He has nearly 25 years of experience in the advertising industry and stints at Wunderman Thompson, Ogilvy, FCB, Cheil Worldwide, and Grey Group.

Mohini Varma has joined as executive vice president & planning head – North, and Jasravee Kaur Chandra has been appointed as senior vice president of Havas Worldwide India.

dentsu:

Dentsu Creative India appointed Shweta Khosla and Punit Singh as executive vice president (EVP) – strategy & planning.

Dentsu Creative India appointed Aneesh Jaisinghani as Sr group executive creative director.

dentsu X, the media agency from dentsu India, appointed Jose Leon as chief executive officer (CEO).

Dentsu Creative India onboards Surjo Dutt as CCO – West & South.

Shisham Digital

Shisham Digital onboarded Ankoor Dasguupta as their chief marketing officer.

QYOU Media India

QYOU Media India CEO Simran Hoon stepped from her current role at the company.

QYOU Media Inc appointed Raj Mishra, as group CEO of QYOU Media’s India.

Sociowash

Sociowash has appointed Amisha Gulati as its new business head to lead Mumbai operations. He has over 13 years of extensive experience as a seasoned marketing professional.

Omnicom

Aditya Kanthy as CEO of the newly formed Omnicom Advertising Services group in India.

Alex Lubar has been elevated as global CEO of DDB Worldwide.

Leo Burnett

Dheeraj Sinha stepped down from his roles of Leo Burnett South Asia co-chief executive and BBH India chairman and joined FCB as group CEO India & South Asia.

Publicis Groupe appointed Rajdeepak Das as South Asia CCO and Leo Burnett, South Asia Chairman.

Enormous Group:

Moumita Pal joins Enormous as head of creative Delhi

December 13, 2023
The Advertising Club collaborates with MICA

Mumbai: The Advertising Club has announced a partnership with India’s leading marketing and communication management institute, MICA – The School of Ideas, for an online programme on Performance Marketing. Kickstarting in January 2024, the collaborative initiative is aimed towards empowering individuals with industry-relevant skills and knowledge through a specially curated leadership and management development module on Performance Marketing. The programme is designed to help experienced professionals as well as freshers develop contemporary need of the hour capabilities that employers are seeking in order to maintain their competitive advantage.

The 36 hours intense live online programme is curated in a workshop format by the industry and academic experts and will include a significant level of self-study. Designed for advertising and marketing professionals, creative specialists, digital marketing experts, and learning enthusiasts, the Performance Marketing programme will include live teaching sessions, self-learning, group-learning and will culminate with an evaluation which will include assessments, presentations and quizzes. Spanning 9 weeks, the programme will cover the basics and advanced technicalities of performance marketing, social media marketing, display advertising, email and affiliate marketing, SEO & SEM, targeting and audience segmentation, Generative AI, Machine Learning and much more, ensuring a holistic learning experience.

Speaking on the partnership with MICA, The Advertising Club president Rana Barua said, “The landscape of the MarTech industry is constantly evolving. With this programme, we aim to provide a platform for freshers and experienced professionals, and empower them to upskill their knowledge, thereby becoming industry ready. We believe this collaboration will foster learning, transform careers, inspire creativity, and ultimately elevate standards within our industry.”

MICA professor Mayank Kumar further said, “At MICA, we unravel the intricate layers of Performance Marketing, offering a panoramic view of its evolution and strategies. Join our experts as they decode the dynamic marketing landscape, empowering your prowess in this ever-evolving field.”

The Performance Marketing programme will commence in January 2024, starting with 2 live sessions each week conducted over Zoom. More details on the programme can be found on The Advertising Club website as well as the MICA website.

November 29, 2023
Havas announces acquisition of PR Pundit

Mumbai: Today, Havas has acquired a majority stake in PR Pundit, one of India’s foremost PR consultancy firms. This strategic move marks the debut of Havas Red, a Havas global PR network, into the vibrant Indian market. On closing, the firm will be rebranded PR Pundit Havas Red.

Winners of the Provoke Media’s Consumer Consultancy of the Year, at the recent Asia Pacific Awards in 2023, PR Pundit is an integrated communications consultancy that has built its reputation and equity as front runners in consumer lifestyle, serving more than 100 retainer clients across a variety of sectors including hospitality, F&B, corporate, CPG, start-ups, lifestyle, luxury, and beauty & skincare. The 25-year-old company boasts expertise in brand positioning and corporate communications and has a team of 160 PR practitioners across its three offices in Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi NCR.

PR Pundit has been a valued affiliate of Havas in India for some time. This acquisition cements the association and enhances Havas’ capabilities to extend public relations services in India as part of its bouquet of creative, media and healthcare offerings. In parallel, Havas Red’s continued international expansion adds important new expertise and geographic reach to the network’s global clients. The entry into the Indian market is the network’s second addition in 2023, following the opening of Havas Red South Africa earlier in the year.

PR Pundit founder and MD Archana Jain will continue to lead PR Pundit Havas Red, reporting to Havas India Group CEO Rana Barua and Havas Red global CEO James Wright.

“We are thrilled to welcome PR Pundit to the Havas family. The synergies between PR Pundit’s expertise, Havas India’s clients, and the global PR clients of Havas Red are exceptionally strong, setting the stage for many meaningful collaborations. With the backing of Vivendi and their extensive entertainment assets in India, the expansion into PR, communications and social media is a strategic move that aligns perfectly with the evolving landscape of the market and industry,” commented Havas chairman and global CEO Yannick Bolloré.

“Joining Havas will enable us to enrich our services and geographic reach for the benefit of our clients,” said Archana Jain, who founded PR Pundit in 1998. “We are excited to lend our expertise and entrepreneurial drive as well as share our local PR understanding with Havas Red in our common goal of undertaking benchmarking work and fostering long term partnerships, with our people and clients. Our relationship is based on shared values to elevate service capabilities, open doors to new opportunities and embrace best practices from around the world.”

Havas India group CEO Rana Barua said, “This acquisition once again reinforces our commitment of delivering comprehensive and impactful solutions to our clients. In our endeavour to offer integrated end-to-end communication solutions, we identified that the PR function was a missing piece. This acquisition brings together, two extremely powerful entities, Havas Red which has presence across 15 global markets with unmatched influence and reach, and PR Pundit, one of the most respected PR agencies in India with unparalleled brand reputation and a robust clientele. I welcome team PR Pundit to the Havas India family. Together with Havas Red, I look forward to the beginning of an exciting journey.”

November 7, 2023
The Advertising Club elects Rana Barua as president
Mumbai: The advertising, marketing and media industry’s apex body – The Advertising Club has announced the managing committee for the current fiscal, i.e., F.Y. 2023-2024, at its 69th Annual General Meeting. Havas India Group CEO Rana Barua has been elected to lead the body.

Partha Sinha will continue as a member of the managing committee as the immediate past president for the ensuing year.

Speaking about the appointment, The Advertising Club president Rana Barua said, “It’s an honour to serve as the President at The Ad Club, a nearly 70-year-old venerable institution, whose legacy is deeply rooted in its unwavering commitment to excellence and is a beacon of inspiration for our industry. Our mission extends beyond accolades; it’s about actively shaping belonging and how we engage and influence the larger fraternity and the newer generation. Our new management team, a mosaic of diverse leaders across sectors, embark on a journey of limitless possibilities and opportunities. Together, we commit meaningful initiatives that will enable us to attract fresh talent into the industry, championing women empowerment, nurturing future leaders, advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and fostering progressive alliances and conversations.”

The below members were elected unopposed. The Office Bearers of The Advertising Club for 2023-2024 are –
- Rana Barua – president
- Dheeraj Sinha – vice president
- Dr Bhaskar Das – secretary
- Shashi Sinha – jt. secretary
- Mitrajit Bhattacharya – treasurer
Managing Committee Members include the below industry leaders who will play a decisive role in driving synergies and ensuring the success of all The Advertising Club initiatives:
- Avinash Kaul
- Malcolm Raphael
- Prasanth Kumar
- Punitha Arumugam
- Shubhranshu Singh
- Sonia Huria
- Subramanyeswar Samayam
In addition, given below is the list of co-opted industry professionals:
- Ajay Kakar
- Pradeep Dwivedi
- Vikram Sakhuja
The below list of leaders are special invitees and bring immense value to The Advertising Club through their expertise and deep understanding of the respective industry segments:
- Ajay Chandwani
- Alok Lall
- Anusha Shetty
- Lulu Raghavan
- Mansha Tandon
- Nisha Narayanan
- Raj Nayak
- Satyanarayan Raghavan
- Vikas Khanchandani
September 16, 2023
Havas Play announces strategic partnership with sports marketing agency, Gameplan Sports

Mumbai: Havas Play, the sports, entertainment, and content agency of Havas Media Network India, has entered a strategic partnership with one of the oldest sports marketing companies in the country, Gameplan Sports Pvt. Ltd, which aims to bring together the expertise and capabilities of both agencies.

The partnership will entail managing athletes, major sports league in cricket, football, badminton, kabaddi, tennis, table tennis, golf, marathons, chess, and others. It will also include sports events like tournaments, competitions, exhibitions, matches, displays and more. The alliance will also include sports media services like media consulting, strategy, execution, sponsorship, and creating Ips in the space of content and entertainment.

Talking about the new venture, Havas India group CEO Rana Barua said, “At Havas India we place our clients at the heart of our growth journey. Our ecosystem is built and tailored to meet their business needs and to empower them. Earlier this year, Havas launched a new global agency Havas Play – uniting sports, content, culture, and entertainment expertise under one agency. In India, the booming sports sector, which goes much beyond cricket, has become increasingly crucial for brands and marketers and is quite under leveraged. Havas Play along with Gameplan will help brands explore the vast potential of this untapped market. This makes us a formidable player creating distinctive and impactful opportunities for brands and businesses.”

Gameplan Sports Pvt Ltd director Jeet Banerjee and Havas Media India president – investments and Havas Play MD R Venkatsubramanian will collaborate to construct and build this strategic alliance and jointly pursue this new venture.

Havas Media Network India CEO Mohit Joshi said, “The Indian sports sector is currently thriving with a surge in interest and funding, reflected in double-digit growth and an increased sports budget this fiscal. This underscores the growing opportunities which are lying untapped. With Havas Play and Gameplan coming together, brands and marketers can explore their unique capability to leverage this burgeoning market. This alliance further strengthens our meaningful media capability to provide tailored business solutions to our clients, through sports properties and unique Ips.”

Banerjee said, “Gameplan is one of the oldest sports marketing companies in the country. We turn 25 this year and have left our footprint across several verticals in the sports industry. Our legacy spans across numerous sectors within the sports industry, catalysing innovations that have since become industry standards, from revolutionary 3D signage to transforming chess into a riveting spectator experience. Beyond sports, we’ve ventured into literature, cinema, and the arts over the past decade, notably shaping the cultural landscape with the Kolkata Literary Meet, a cornerstone event on India’s cultural calendar. We take pride in our agility, innovation, and boundless imagination. In collaboration with Havas Play, we embark on an exciting journey, leveraging their extensive activities and cross-market exposure. Together, we aim to elevate our existing intellectual properties and forge powerful new ventures in sports and beyond.”

September 12, 2023