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Tag: Saatchi & Saatchi

  • Saatchi & Saatchi India turns gamers into drivers with Renault Kiger challenge

    Saatchi & Saatchi India turns gamers into drivers with Renault Kiger challenge

    MUMBAI: Saatchi & Saatchi India has given car launches a fresh spin with a gamified on-ground activation for the all-new Renault Kiger, designed to bring the brand’s “Rethink Performance, Rethink Kiger” positioning to life. The campaign turned bystanders into players, transforming a digital billboard into a live gaming experience that showcased the Kiger’s speed, agility, and responsiveness.

    Conceptualised by Saatchi & Saatchi India and executed by Digitas India, the activation ran from 23rd to 29th September at Dlf Cyberhub, Gurugram. Participants simply scanned a qr code to sync their smartphones as controllers and navigated a fast-paced, one-minute virtual course, complete with sharp turns and obstacles that mirrored the Kiger’s dynamic capabilities.

    To fuel the buzz, RJ Naved joined the challenge, inviting fans to beat his high score, a move that lit up social media. The activation trended as the 4th most talked-about topic on X, generated over 500,000 views, and drove strong engagement through influencer collaborations.

    “With the new Kiger, we wanted to shift the conversation from design to performance,” said Saatchi & Saatchi India chief creative officer Kartik Smetacek. “The playable billboard combined the reach of outdoor with the interactivity of gaming, an eye-catching way to make people experience performance rather than just hear about it.”

    Renault India VP – sales & marketing Francisco Hidalgo Marques added, “Innovation for Renault isn’t just in our cars, but in how we connect with people. Under the ‘Rethink’ umbrella, this activation turned a product showcase into an immersive gaming experience that redefined how consumers engage with the brand.”

    Following its on-ground success, the Kiger Challenge hit the digital racetrack, rolling out as playable ads online, allowing users to test their reflexes and experience the car’s performance anywhere, anytime.

  • Assembly Global appoints Vivekanand Kini as regional director APAC

    Assembly Global appoints Vivekanand Kini as regional director APAC

    MUMBAI: From Yahoo to Hungama, from HP to Akzonobel and now, the Assembly hall. Vivekanand Kini has joined Assembly Global as regional director for client experience, a move that marks the next chapter in a 15-year-plus career spent shaping digital journeys for some of the world’s biggest brands.

    Kini, who steps into the role this September, brings 18 years of experience across digital marketing, e-commerce, and client strategy, including 8 plus years in leadership positions. Most recently, he was regional head of digital & e-commerce at Akzonobel (2022–2025), where he spearheaded digital growth across Asia. Before that, he helmed HP’s digital marketing for over six years (2016–2022), leading campaigns and customer experience initiatives out of Gurgaon.

    His career foundation was laid at agencies and media firms: Havas Media (2013–2016) as associate director for media, Saatchi & Saatchi (2012–2013) as senior manager for client servicing, and Yahoo (2011) where he drove online media spends in retail. He began his digital journey at Hungama (2010–2011), managing brand solutions for marquee clients such as 7UP, Bacardi, LG, and Maruti Suzuki.

    At Assembly Global, Kini will be tasked with deepening client relationships, scaling regional strategies, and ensuring Assembly’s philosophy of Showup, Makechange, and Winwell translates into measurable client success. His portfolio of skills spans Adobe experience manager, marketing mix modelling, conversion optimisation, growth marketing, customer insight, and media trends expertise Assembly hopes will fortify its client-first positioning in Asia.

    Kini described the new role as a “perfect fit” for his passion for partnership and impact: “Mobility, technology and customer behaviour are evolving rapidly. This is an opportunity to reimagine client experience at scale, powered by both empathy and innovation.”

    For Assembly, a company known for its digital-first, culture-driven marketing approach, Kini’s appointment comes as it doubles down on APAC expansion and builds on its strong momentum with global clients.

    Looks like Assembly has found its newest building block and Kini is ready to cement lasting partnerships.

  • Wit & Chai stirs up a creative storm, ropes in Saurabh S as chief creative head

    Wit & Chai stirs up a creative storm, ropes in Saurabh S as chief creative head

    MUMBAI:  Wit & Chai Group, the funky creative agency known for culture-fuelled campaigns, has brewed a strong cuppa by appointing Saurabh S as its chief creative head. With a rollicking two-decade run across big-name agencies and brands, Saurabh steps in to lead the creative charge—and shake things up.

    Having done the rounds at FCB, Saatchi & Saatchi, DDB, Publicis and even Redder Vietnam, Saurabh  isn’t just another adland veteran. He’s the brain behind award-winning ideas for Volkswagen, MTV, Chupa Chups, Set Max and Virgin Mobile. Add stints at House of Anita Dongre and Nykaa, and you get a CV that blends sizzle with serious strategy.

    Saurabh’s remit at Wit & Chai? 
     

    To dream big, lead louder, and build a culture where risky ideas meet razor-sharp storytelling. He’ll work hand-in-hand with strategy and brand leads to ensure the creative spark translates into business firepower. From nurturing young guns to rolling out integrated campaigns, he’s set to steer the shop’s next big act.

    “As a chief creative head, I see Wit & Chai Group as more than just an agency—it’s a sandbox for fearless thinkers,” says Saurabh. “My vision is to turn up the volume on ideas that are disruptive yet deeply human. We’re building brands that resonate in the real world—work that gets people talking, sharing, and remembering.”

    The man isn’t afraid to take risks either—his creative playbook leans into experimentation, youth insights, and cultural resonance, all while keeping one eye on impact and scale. It’s a move that signals the agency’s intent to stay fresh, edgy, and unmistakably relevant.

    Wit & Chai group co-founder & partner Nihar Kolapkar  shared: “Saurabh’s track record of creative leadership and disruptive storytelling brings incredible value to our team. His ability to merge bold creativity with strategic clarity is exactly what we need to push the boundaries of what we deliver for our clients. We’re excited to see him shape a new era of work at Wit & Chai Group.”

    With Saurabh  now in the mix, Wit & Chai Group looks set to dial up the drama, crank the creativity, and cement its spot as a go-to name for bold, business-savvy storytelling.

  • Advertising veteran and HR leader pivot to new roles At McCann

    Advertising veteran and HR leader pivot to new roles At McCann

    MUMBAI: Kamal Basu, former CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi India, is embarking on a fresh chapter after a series of high-profile marketing positions in the automotive sector. Meanwhile, Jyoti Mahendru is “coming home” to McCann Worldgroup India as chief talent officer and national communications officer after a stint at VML.

    Basu, who cut his teeth at marquee advertising agencies including Young & Rubicam and Ogilvy before becoming one of the youngest CEOs at Saatchi & Saatchi India in 2008, later headed marketing for Volkswagen Group in India and Nissan India. His tenure at Saatchi & Saatchi saw the agency break into India’s top 10, overseeing launches for brands like Olay, Pampers and the creation of what he calls “the iconic brand OLX India”.

    Since 2021, Basu has been working as a business consultant focusing on brand development projects and serving as a board member for “a leading finance company”. His career trajectory represents the classic adman’s evolution—from agency creative to corporate marketer to independent consultant.

    Mahendru, who describes herself as a “DE&I champion” and “certified mental health ally”, returns to familiar territory at McCann after serving as chief people officer at VML. She previously spent four years at McCann as executive vice president of human resources before her departure in July 2022.

    Her CV boasts an impressive mix of HR leadership roles across diverse sectors—from Bharti Wal-Mart and Star TV Network to the refreshingly frank “sabbatical” period from 2012 to 2017, which she describes simply as “focusing on self & family”.

    The appointments underscore the ongoing talent shuffle in India’s advertising landscape, where agency veterans continue to find new homes even as the industry grapples with transformation.

  • Škoda shifts into high gear with Ranveer Singh and the all-new Kylaq

    Škoda shifts into high gear with Ranveer Singh and the all-new Kylaq

    MUMBAI: When dreams meet the open road, the journey is anything but ordinary. Škoda Auto India, in collaboration with Publicis India, has unveiled its latest campaign, ‘Own Your Dream’, featuring Hindi movie powerhouse Ranveer Singh and the all-new Škoda Kylaq. More than just a car commercial, the campaign is a celebration of bold ambition, resilience, and European engineering that’s now within reach for a new generation of Indian consumers.

    As Škoda’s first-ever ‘Brand Superstar,’ Ranveer Singh takes centre stage in the film, embodying the spirit of those who refuse to settle. The ad follows individuals chasing success athletes striving for greatness, artists creating magic, and families shaping young minds all set against a backdrop of stunning visuals, stirring narratives, and, of course, the Kylaq as the ultimate companion for the driven and determined.

    “2025 marks a landmark year for us, and the Kylaq is at the forefront of our product offensive strategy,” said Škoda Auto India brand director Petr Janeba. “This film beautifully captures the synergy between the unstoppable Kylaq, the aspirations of our customers, and the electrifying persona of Ranveer Singh.”

    Saatchi & Saatchi and Publicis India CEO Paritosh Srivastava said, “We are thrilled to partner with Škoda Auto India for the introduction of their first-ever sub-4-metre SUV in India. Aligned with roll out of the new era of Škoda Auto in India, we have built a full-funnel, consumer-first approach that ensures deeper market penetration while bringing European craftsmanship to an evolving India that’s ready for more. With ‘Team Drive’—our bespoke ‘Power of One’ unit created for Škoda Auto India, we are uniquely positioned to support their ambitious vision of becoming a dominant European player in the Indian market. The launch of the Kylaq is just the beginning, and we are excited for all that’s in store.”

    Taking a multilingual approach, ‘Own Your Dream’ has been translated into eight regional languages to deepen Škoda’s connection across India, from bustling metros to emerging Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets. The campaign is now live across TV, print, digital, and social platforms, with further extensions into out-of-home, radio, and dealership activations. This full-funnel approach ensures that the message reaches a diverse audience while inspiring consumers to dream big and drive with confidence. To connect better with consumers across the country, the ad has also been translated into 8 regional languages. With European craftsmanship meeting Indian ambition, ‘Own Your Dream’ isn’t just an ad it’s an open road to bigger possibilities.

  • Jon Austin and Kate Stanners appointed as Jury Chairs for ABBY One Show Awards 2024

    Jon Austin and Kate Stanners appointed as Jury Chairs for ABBY One Show Awards 2024

    Mumbai: Jon Austin, Co-founder of Supermassive, Sydney Australia, and Kate Stanners, Chairwoman and Global Chief Creative Officer, Saatchi & Saatchi have been appointed as Jury Chair of Branded Content & Entertainment category and Jury Chair of Film Cinema Digital OTT (above 1 min duration) category respectively, at The ABBY One Show Awards 2024.

    Jon Austin, Co-founder of Supermassive has been appointed to the Jury of ABBY One Show Awards 2024 to chair the Branded Content & Entertainment category

    Co-founder of Supermassive, Jon is a creative leader whose work has been recognized at every major advertising awards show in the world for PR, entertainment, social and influencer, music, media, and audio. Prior to co-founding Supermassive, Jon was the Executive Creative Director of Host Havas Australia. With over 15 years of work experience, Jon has helped numerous ambitious and iconic brands achieve amazing things.

    With a background in commercial music, which saw Jon playing on stages around the world, his passion for popular culture has helped him accrue far more interesting accolades than the usual industry fare. His creations, a true crime podcast for the AFP, and a Christmas carol charted at #1, with the carol still being taught in NZ schools.

    Jon’s modern contributions to the tourism industry are significant. He launched a world-first gamified model of ecotourism, that has been praised by global policymakers as a tourism game-changer. Jon also created a global brand platform for Tourism Fiji that brought new levels of authenticity and visitors to the islands. A writer of two Gold Albums, Jon has also helped get a five-year overdue release date from George RR Martin for Winds of Winter.

    Kate Stanners, Chairwoman and Global Chief Creative Officer of Saatchi & Saatchi joins ABBY One Show Awards 2024 as Jury Chair of Film Cinema Digital OTT (above 1 min duration) category

    Kate Stanners is Chairwoman and Global Chief Creative Officer at Saatchi & Saatchi. Having been at Saatchi & Saatchi for 18 years, she has been pivotal in transforming the agency. By harnessing the unreasonable power of creativity, Kate has driven the agency’s spirit of Nothing Is Impossible to deliver impossible outcomes and revolutionize clients’ businesses.

    Based at Saatchi & Saatchi’s London headquarters, Kate oversees Saatchi & Saatchi’s creative output, the creative talent of the network, and global clients that include Visa, UBS, Beiersdorf, and Deutsche Telekom to name a few. Prior to Saatchi, Kate was a Founding Partner of the groundbreaking agency, St Lukes in 1995 – famous for its revolutionary working practices, as well as progressive work.

    Recognized as one of AdAge’s ‘Women to Watch’, she also sits on the customer experience council of the V&A museum and was honored to be made President of D&AD in 2019. She is a member of WACL, an association for the most influential women in the UK Communications industry.  

    The Abby One Show Awards 2024 will be held on the 29, 30, and 31 May during Goafest 2024.

  • L&K Saatchi & Saatchi wins creative mandate of Goodricke Group

    L&K Saatchi & Saatchi wins creative mandate of Goodricke Group

    Mumbai: L&K Saatchi & Saatchi has won the creative mandate of Goodricke Group Ltd., one of the largest tea producers in India.

    The agency won the business after a competitive multi-agency pitch and will manage the company’s full-service creative mandate for a variety of products across multiple categories.

    Goodricke Group Ltd. is a popular tea manufacturer with around 29 tea gardens and manufacturing factories across Darjeeling, Assam, and the Dooars. Some of the popular brands in its portfolio include Castleton, Roasted Darjeeling Tea, Khaass, Goodricke Chai, etc.

    Commenting on the partnership, Goodricke Group vice president and head of consumer division P.T. Krishnan said, “Goodricke is a brand steeped in legacy. We wanted to collaborate with a name that’s just as rich in legacy and found the right match in L&K Saatchi & Saatchi. With excellent category knowledge and the zeal to do work that knows no bounds, we believe this partnership will bear many fruits in the days to come.”

    Sharing his views on the win,  L&K Saatchi & Saatchi executive vice president North & East Atin Wahal said, “Tea as a category is one we are extremely familiar with, having worked extensively on this category. Goodricke is a name that resonates across India, and with such a vast product portfolio, I believe we have every scope to do some really enriching work and help the brand not just shine but carve a unique niche in the marketplace.”

  • 22feet Tribal Worldwide appoints Diya Sarker & Ishan Mehta as ECDs

    22feet Tribal Worldwide appoints Diya Sarker & Ishan Mehta as ECDs

    Mumbai: In a bid to strengthen its creative core, 22feet Tribal Worldwide has appointed Diya Sarker and Ishan Mehta as executive creative directors (ECDs) of art & content.

    Sarker will use her experience in design and technology to help clients stand out on digital platforms. Ishan will marry consumer insights with technology to generate disruptive and memorable ideas. They will report to 22feet Tribal Worldwide national creative director (NCD) Vishnu Srivatsav.

    Prior to this appointment, Sarker was deputy general manager of brand design at Godrej Consumer Products. She has over 14 years of experience in design and creative direction across sectors like consumer products, fashion, publishing, real estate, retail, automotive, aviation, gaming, and the arts. Sarker also co-founded ‘The Blackout Festival,’ an annual experimental arts festival that attracts artists, scientists, and scholars from various fields around the world.

    Mehta brings with him over 13 years of experience in advertising agencies such as Saatchi & Saatchi, Ogilvy One, and Grey Worldwide. He co-founded Meter Down, a company that made rickshaw advertising mainstream. For this, Ishan won the Economic Times Power of Ideas award from IIM Ahmedabad. He was also recognised as a ‘disruptive mind’ on Agency Reporter’s 40 Under 40 list.

    Speaking on the new appointments, Vishnu Srivatsav said, “The attempt at 22feet is to build a creative company rather than an agency. Which is why it’s so important that we have leaders from varied and diverse backgrounds who complement each other’s skills. Ishan is vastly experienced and has done some great work across many organisations, as well as running a start-up. And Sarker has an eclectic background ranging from advertising to brand design and visual art. So, with them on board, I’m sure our work will get even more unique perspectives and freshness.”

    Commenting on her new role, Diya Sarker said, “22feet has always been at the forefront of digital-forward ideas. I am looking forward to leading this talented team and pushing the envelope when it comes to design and technology.”

    Ishan Mehta added, “I am excited to combine technology, insights, and craft to build on 22feet’s legacy. Given the talent and the diverse roster of clients, the next few years will be an amazing time at the agency.”

  • Anushka Sharma features in Rajnigandha Pearls’ latest TVC

    Anushka Sharma features in Rajnigandha Pearls’ latest TVC

    Mumbai: Rajnigandha Pearls, a DS Group brand has launched its new TV ad campaign featuring its brand ambassador and Bollywood star Anushka Sharma. The film has been directed by Prashant Madan and produced by Show and Tell Productions Pvt Ltd.

    The campaign, conceptualised and created by Law & Kenneth Saatchi & Saatchi, showcases how a small act, even done anonymously, can bring a smile on somebody’s face, taking forward the thought ‘achchai ki ek alag chamak hoti ha.’ The distinct execution shows the impact of small acts of goodness in day-to-day lives and portrays the actor in a real-life scenario performing a selfless act that makes someone less privileged comfortable.

    “The brand story of Rajnigandha Pearls is built on the premise of ‘Goodness that shines’ or ‘achahai ki ek alag chamak hoti hai,’ which articulates the goodness of great-tasting product coated with shining silver,” stated DS Confectionery Products Pvt Ltd general manager of marketing Arvind Kumar. “The new campaign weaves a story on the brand’s philosophy reinforcing the message and depicting selfless goodness that shines through the smallest of acts of kindness to spread joy around.”

    The film ends with Anushka recalling her grandmother’s definition of real goodness – ‘achchai ek haath se karo to doosre haath ko pata bhi na chale.’ The campaign invokes people not to wait for great opportunities to do good, but to actually seize the moment for small acts of kindness that brings joy and happiness to someone’s life.

    This new integrated 360-degree campaign is being launched on various media vehicles, using different touchpoints in the consumer ecosystem.

  • Saatchi & Saatchi Propagate ropes in Deepak Prakash as South Lead

    Saatchi & Saatchi Propagate ropes in Deepak Prakash as South Lead

    New Delhi: Saatchi & Saatchi Propagate, the digital agency from L & K Saatchi & Saatchi has roped in Deepak Prakash as the South Lead for Saatchi & Saatchi Propagate. He has joined the agency as associate vice president and will be reporting to Sabah Iqbal, senior vice-president, head – Saatchi & Saatchi Propagate.

    Prakash’s mandate will be to drive new business growth and creative output while also strategically supporting existing clients to achieve business goals. He will also manage relationships for brands including AbInbev, Practo, Scripbox, Bharti Axa, Wipro, Stovekraft, said the agency on Friday.

    Welcoming Prakash to the agency, Sabah Iqbal said: “Deepak has high levels of strategic prowess and an unparalleled enthusiasm. His multi-vertical experience will help identify new innovative solutions for our clients. He is the perfect mix that we were looking for in this next stage of our growth journey.”

    Prior to joining Saatchi & Saatchi Propagate, Deepak was with FoxyMoron Media Solutions as account director. He was involved in driving business growth and media activities for multiple brands, and ensuring timely delivery of services and products to clients. Some of the accounts he worked for included AO Smith, Amazon Prime, Fashion & Pantry, InMobi, Ampere Electric Vehicles, Sero, Skore Condoms, Ikea, Mercedes Benz Financial, Betway, Freshworks, Swiggy etc. 

    Apart from FoxyMoron, he has also had previous professional stints with Digitally Inspired Media – Chennai, DDB Mudra and Ogilvy. He played a central role in managing brands like Saint-Gobain India, Gold Winner oil, Green Trends, Fedora Olive oil, Cardia Life, Zee Tamil, Sun Pictures, Sun Life, Sun Nxt, Vroom, TTK Prestige & Aircel, IBM among others.

    Talking about his new role, Prakash said: “An average consumer today is well connected, aware, and evolving faster, and it is a must for all brands to evolve with the consumers in tandem. This gives us an opportunity to be an enabler for brands through smart solutions and to stay relatable at every step of the user journey. Saatchi & Saatchi Propagate has been such an enabler for brands over the years by producing some great work in the digital spectrum and I am happy to be part of this journey.”