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Tag: Uday Mohan

  • Havas Media India shakes up leadership ranks with bold new moves

    Havas Media India shakes up leadership ranks with bold new moves

    MUMBAI: Havas Media India is mixing things up at the top, elevating a clutch of seasoned insiders in a bid to fuel its growth spurt and flex its media muscle.

    Ramsai Panchapakesan, a media maven with 28 years under his belt, has been bumped up to president – investments & partnerships. Since joining the agency in July 2024, Ramsai has been steering the ship on integrated investment strategy and scaling up client alliances across the board.

    Meanwhile, managing partner – investments & buying is now the new badge for Binu Thomas. A Havas veteran of nearly two decades, Binu’s got a sharp nose for investment strategy and a track record of wrangling performance-driven outcomes across sectors.

    Also stepping into the limelight is Manish Sharma, who takes over as president – Arena India, the specialised arm under Havas Media Network India. Over the past nine years, Manish has built a reputation for crafting content-first client engagement strategies, driving growth for big-ticket names like Kia, Bumble, Realme, Zupee, and Kajaria Tiles.

    Commenting on the development, Havas Media Network India CEO Mohit Joshi said, “Ramsai, Binu, and Manish have been instrumental in driving our investment and business strategy, unlocking consistent growth for our clients and the network. Their expertise, leadership, and commitment to innovation continue to shape the success story of Havas Media. I am confident that in their new roles, they will further accelerate our progress and deepen our market leadership.”

    Havas Media India COO Uday Mohan added, “These well-deserved elevations reflect the strength and depth of our leadership team. Ramsai and Binu have been the backbone of our investment function, while Manish has led Arena India with great vision and execution. Their contributions embody the Havas ethos of Meaningful Media, and I look forward to collaborating closely with them as we steer the next phase of growth.”

    The elevations are in line with Havas Media’s continued focus on empowering internal talent and scaling leadership across core and emerging verticals.

  • Swiggy Instamart & Hamleys partner to deliver toys in 10 minutes

    Swiggy Instamart & Hamleys partner to deliver toys in 10 minutes

    Mumbai: Swiggy Instamart, a quick commerce platform, has recently partnered with Hamleys, world’s popular toy store, offering doorstep delivery of toys in just 10 minutes. Havas Media Tribes, the OOH arm of media conglomerate Havas Media Network India, marked this collaboration through a striking outdoor display, featuring an installation comprising a Swiggy delivery bike carrying Hamleys toys. The vibrant setup with the iconic Hot Wheels brand in the form of the Swiggy delivery bike brought alive nostalgic memories for spectators, standing as a testament to the innovative idea behind the installation.

    The eye-catching installation at DLF Cyber Hub, Gurugram offered a visually compelling display of this new service. Delhi NCR residents also availed an exclusive 25 per cent discount on online orders.

    This partnership aims to enhance customer convenience in metro cities by making premium toys from top brands like Disney, Mattel (Barbie), Kingdom of Play, Simba, Mattel Games, Paw Patrol, Hot Wheels, and Play-Doh delivered within minutes. This innovative service is the first-of-its-kind in India offering a wide range of toys for all ages, promoting fun and learning for both children and adults. Currently, there are122 SKUs of Hamleys Toys on Swiggy IM.

    Speaking on this collaboration, Swiggy Instamart marketing lead Abhishek Shetty said, “At Swiggy Instamart, our vision has always been to bring convenience and joy to our customers’ lives. We are the first QC platform to partner with Hamleys, allowing us to extend our mission to a new realm, ensuring that children and families can enjoy premium toys delivered right to their doorsteps in a matter of minutes. The installation encouraged high customer engagement, especially from kids as they were drawn to the vibrant and playful corner.”

    Speaking on this partnership, Havas Media India COO Uday Mohan said, “Havas Media India is best known for its innovation and creating Meaningful media experiences for the brands that we work with. Our goal with this campaign was to blend nostalgia with modern-day convenience. The matchbox installation is a symbol of the magical experience Hamleys has stood for over the years, combined with the speed and efficiency of Swiggy Instamart. It is a perfect way to showcase this unique partnership.”

  • Havas Media Network India elevates Uday Mohan and R. Venkatasubramanian as COO

    Havas Media Network India elevates Uday Mohan and R. Venkatasubramanian as COO

    Mumbai: Havas Media Network India, the specialised media division of Havas India has announced the elevation of two of its senior leaders to significant roles within the organisation. While Uday Mohan steps into the position of chief operating officer of Havas Media India, R. Venkatasubramanian assumes the role of chief operating officer of Havas Play. They will continue reporting to Havas Media Network India CEO Mohit Joshi.

    In his new role as chief operating officer, Uday Mohan will spearhead the comprehensive operations and strategic growth initiatives of Havas Media India. With more than two decades of expertise in the media industry, Uday has been instrumental in driving the success of Havas Media India over a span of 16 plus years in the agency. His adept leadership has led to the acquisition of several prestigious clients and garnered acclaim for the agency’s innovation across sectors.

    R. Venkatasubramanian took charge of Havas Play last year when the specialised function was launched in India along with several other countries globally. Under his guidance, Havas Play has championed numerous successful IPs and initiatives across its Sports, Content, and Entertainment divisions, solidifying its position as a leading player in a highly competitive landscape.

    Commenting on the elevations, Havas India, South East Asia and North Asia (Japan and South Korea) group CEO Rana Barua said, “Uday and Venkat’s elevations come at an important juncture for Havas Media Network India, as the agency experiences remarkable growth. Their strategic prowess and dedication have been instrumental in driving our agency’s success over the years and their elevation reflects our confidence in their vision and ability to continue fostering innovation, collaboration, and client satisfaction. I wish them all the best.”

    Havas Media Network India CEO Mohit Joshi said, “With Uday and Venkat at the helm of their respective business divisions, Havas Media Network India has made significant strides, evident in the agency’s expanded client portfolio, new acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. This elevation underscores our unwavering dedication to fortifying our organizational framework by nurturing our in-house capabilities. Leaders like them are key to our goal of making media meaningful for our clients and the industry at large as their exceptional industry acumen is pivotal in leading a team as diverse as ours. I extend my sincerest congratulations to Uday and Venkat on their new roles and look forward to our continued trajectory of growth and success together.”

  • Karnataka Bank launches ‘Bharat Ka Karnataka Bank’ campaign

    Karnataka Bank launches ‘Bharat Ka Karnataka Bank’ campaign

    Mumbai: Karnataka Bank, one of India’s oldest and most respected Private Sector Bank, has launched its centenary campaign, ‘Bharat Ka Karnataka Bank’. This milestone campaign marks a hundred years of trust, excellence, resilience, and commitment to serving the nation.

    In commemorating a century of banking legacy, Karnataka Bank has embraced the theme of adaptability and evolution. The campaign encapsulates the idea that true legacy lies in understanding the need to evolve with the times. Karnataka Bank has not only created a legacy unique to itself but has also transcended its roots in Karnataka to become a Bank that resonates with every corner of the nation.

    Jointly executed by Havas Media India and Havas Worldwide India, the campaign underscores Karnataka Bank’s ability to adapt to the changing times while staying true to its core values. It aims to strengthen Karnataka Bank’s brand awareness, fostering a deeper connection with customers while also inviting new patrons to be a part of its storied legacy.

    Karnataka Bank has not merely stayed true to its values but has also paid homage to the culture and ethos of every state it has been a part of. It is today ‘Bharat Ka Karnataka Bank’.

    Talking about the association, Karnataka Bank MD & CEO Srikrishnan H said, “Karnataka Bank’s centenary is much more than just a celebration of a century of accomplishments; it is a bold assertion of our vision for the next hundred years. This astounding milestone exemplifies our unwavering commitment to advancing India’s agenda of national financial inclusion. We’re happy to have Havas India as our trusted strategic partner as we continue to work towards this ambition.”

    Talking about the campaign, Karnataka Bank executive director Sekhar Rao said, “For a century, we’ve been more than just a bank; we’ve been a trusted partner in millions of people’s journeys. By remaining true to our core beliefs and embracing innovation, we have remained a steadfast partner to generations of families. We’re excited to launch our new brand campaign, celebrating Karnataka Bank’s 100-year legacy while looking ahead as a Bank, not just Karnataka, but for Bharat – Namma Karnataka Bank, Delhi walo ka Karnataka Bank, Mumbai walo ka Karnataka Bank – Bharat ka Karnataka Bank… This campaign marks our journey towards a tech-driven future, blending tradition with cutting-edge solutions for customers and communities nationwide”.

    Havas India, South East Asia & North Asia (Japan & South Korea), group CEO Rana Barua said, “I would like to congratulate Karnataka Bank as it marks a century of excellence. Amidst global financial challenges, Banks in India have displayed remarkable resilience, surpassing global counterparts in growth and profitability. Hence it is the perfect time to forge a profound partnership with one of India’s premier financial institutions. We thank Karnataka Bank for placing their trust in us.”

    Havas Media India managing director Uday Mohan said, “Creating a symphony that echoes the remarkable journey of Karnataka Bank, we have meaningfully positioned the bank’s narrative via this campaign across multiple media channels.  This milestone campaign not only reflects our dedication to precision, apt messaging and targeting but also ensures that every story shared resonates deeply with audiences, cementing Karnataka Bank’s legacy for generations to come. We are immensely proud to be part of this centennial celebration and wish many more years of success for this iconic brand.

    Havas Worldwide India chief creative officer Anupama Ramaswamy said, “It is easier to count the number of days in a hundred years than to count the relationships we’ve built over that time. This thought is at the heart of our campaign. A thought driven by a steadfast commitment to customer satisfaction. A thought that is also captured by showcasing real stories of real people, who have been our bedrock for close to a century now.”

    The campaign will be live on television, digital channels, social media platforms, out-of-home displays, and print media.

  • Havas Media Group bags Firefox’s integrated media mandate

    Havas Media Group bags Firefox’s integrated media mandate

    Mumbai: In a multi-agency pitch, Havas Media Group India won the integrated media mandate for Firefox, the top premium bicycle brand in India and a subsidiary of the Hero Cycles Group.

    The mandate includes responsibilities for offline & online  media, and SEO. The account will be handled by Havas Media Group managing partner (head-North1) Roopali Sharma in the agency’s Gurgaon location, under the direction of the company’s president & chief client officer Uday Mohan.

    Firefox, a global leader in the premium and mid-premium bike categories since its establishment in 2004, offers an extensive and exclusive range of luxury motorcycles and accessories.

    The company sells high-end, stylish mountain bikes, road bikes, city bikes (or hybrid bikes), bikes for women, kids, & juniors, electric bicycles, and adventure & outdoor gear including backpacks, bike panniers & pouches, jerseys & t-shirts, and windcheaters & breakers.

    In addition to its e-commerce-enabled website, Firefox Bikes has more than 500 outlets and customer experience centres spread out across tier 1 and metro cities in India.

    Firefox Bikes CEO Sriram Sundresan said, “At Firefox, we are driven by a passion for biking and adventure. Being the pathbreakers, Firefox takes pride in revolutionising biking as a means of transformation, and we’ve seen tremendous growth in the adoption of biking as a preferred lifestyle choice. In Havas, we found a partner that shares a similar passion for connecting brands and consumers through meaningful media experiences. We are delighted to have them on board as our media partners and look forward to a great partnership.”

    Havas Media Group India CEO Mohit Joshi said, “We are proud to have bagged the integrated media mandate of Firefox, a niche category brand that has pioneered the growth of premium biking in India. With people getting increasingly aware of leading a healthy lifestyle and embracing sustainable ways of living, there has been a paradigm shift in the preferred mode of transportation – from conventional ICEs to EVs to bicycles. We look forward to an adventurous partnership by further strengthening the brand’s journey and its vision, as it forges meaningful connections with its consumers.”

  • Havas Media Group India to handle Slurrp Farm’s integrated media mandate

    Havas Media Group India to handle Slurrp Farm’s integrated media mandate

    Mumbai: Havas Media Group India announced on Tuesday that it has bagged the integrated media mandate of millet-based children’s food brand, Slurrp Farm. The mandate will include both offline and digital media duties and will be handled out of the agency’s Gurgaon office.

    Havas Media Group managing partner (head – North 2) Harbir Singh Rai will lead the duties under the guidance of the company’s president and chief client officer Uday Mohan.

    Founded in 2016 by Meghana Narayan and Shauravi Malik, Slurrp Farm offers healthy, yummy, and natural food options for children made using supergrains like ragi and jowar. Ranging from toddler and kids’ cereals to noodles, pastas, and pancakes, Slurrp Farm was founded when Meghana and Shauravi became mothers themselves and felt they were incredibly short of options that were both healthy and tasty to feed their own children. Following their hearts, they dug into recipes from their grandmothers’ kitchens and took ingredients from their own childhoods, such as millets, reinventing them and making them as tasty as can be. What started as an experiment in their own home kitchens has now evolved into a much-loved children’s food brand.

    Slurrp Farm currently retails in India via www.slurrpfarm.com as well as through e-commerce and quick commerce platforms such as Amazon, Big Basket, FirstCry, and Swiggy Instamart, amongst others. Products are also available across leading modern trade stores in India and the UAE, as well as online in the US and UK.

    Earlier this summer, Slurrp Farm launched its first-ever brand campaign, “Yes Ka Time Aa Gaya,” featuring investor and brand ambassador, Anushka Sharma.

    The three-part digital campaign highlights how mothers have to constantly deal with a flood of opinions and options when it comes to giving their children nutritious food. Havas Media Group India effectively amplified the campaign across multiple digital touchpoints such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Search, and other innovations.

    Wholsum Foods co-founder Shauravi Malik said, “At Wholsum Foods, we are always looking to partner with people who share the same ethos and values as us; the team at Havas does exactly that. We are pleased to partner with Havas Media Group to bolster our offline and digital media efforts, and we look forward to working with them to further evolve our storytelling and introduce new audiences to Slurrp Farm.”

    Havas Media Group India CEO Mohit Joshi added, “We are delighted to be partnering with India’s most loved, wholesome, meaningful kids’ food brand, Slurrp Farm. With rising health concerns such as malnourishment, obesity, and diabetes among children, healthy food and nutrition-based diets have become a priority. Through its innovative portfolio of millet-based food products, Slurrp Farm is successfully contributing towards inculcating healthy eating habits among children and adults alike. We look forward to further strengthening the brand’s journey and driving its vision, by building meaningful connections with the consumer.’’

  • Havas Media Group India launches Havas Content

    Havas Media Group India launches Havas Content

    Mumbai: Havas Media Group India has launched its specialized content division called Havas Content. With the launch, the media agency conglomerate will focus on leveraging dynamic content to help brands create meaningful media experiences and make a meaningful difference in consumers’ lives.

    Havas Content aims to bridge the gap by offering meaningful content solutions that not only entertain but also educate, inspire, and help consumers, map the brand’s performance to its content effectiveness and boost business returns.

    Havas Content will be led by Uday Mohan, President and Chief Client Officer, Havas Media Group India. To further strengthen the division, the agency has made two key hires. Prachi Narayan has joined as Vice President, Content and Shivani Kaushik as Content Manager, who will support Uday in scaling this offering across Havas Media Group India’s client portfolio.

    With the division’s in-house capabilities of analysing data and driving insights, Havas Content is armed with a scientific approach to developing meaningful content which in turn resonates with the Group’s core philosophy of building meaningful brands.

    Over the last few years, Havas Media Group India has witnessed a 5x growth in the content space, with some clutter-breaking content created for prominent brands like Hyundai, OYO, Swarovski, Swiggy and Tata Motors (CVBU).

    Havas Content has also adopted a future-first approach and is helping brands navigate today’s dynamic content ecosystem that is constantly evolving with new trends like AR, VR, NFTs, and Metaverse, which has led to its sweeping success in India.  

    Speaking about the launch, Havas Group India Group CEO Rana Barua, said, “We understand the power of good content and the launch of Havas Content couldn’t have come at a better time. The wide range of work that the team has done for a varied set of clients in the content space, and the impact it has made to our client’s business made it a logical step to launch this as a separate vertical and further scale it up. It’s another step towards further empowering the brands that partner with us, and help them craft more meaningful stories.”

    Havas Media Group India’s CEO Mohit Joshi said, “Content has been an integral part of Havas Group’s Meaningful Brands proprietary study each year. In the past, the study has revealed that Content is falling massively short of consumer expectations. With the current content overload, misinformation, fake news and the pandemic-driven shifts in consumer behaviour, it has become more imperative than ever to create differentiated content that not just grabs the consumer’s attention but also helps & rewards them, making the brand a seamless part of the consumer’s journey. I am confident that Uday, along with Prachi and Shivani will make the content division the best in the business in India.”

    Uday Mohan further added, “In this new world order, consumers are constantly on the lookout for brands with a greater purpose, brands that can impact their lives positively. Content has proved to be an important tool in making consumers see that purpose. Havas’s reputation globally in the content space is unparalleled. With Indian brands becoming content-conscious, we believe this was the perfect time for us to officially launch our content division in India. Bringing together the combined expertise of Havas Village, and the content powerhouse within the Vivendi network, we are confident Havas Content will become a one-stop-shop for all our client’s content needs.”

  • Stashfin appoints Havas Media Group India as media AOR

    Stashfin appoints Havas Media Group India as media AOR

    Mumbai: Following the launch of its latest brand film conceptualised by Havas Worldwide India (Creative), neo-banking company Stashfin has further consolidated its relationship with Havas Group India by appointing the agency as its media AOR. 

    Havas Creative India MD Manas Lahiri and Havas Media Group India president and chief client officer Uday Mohan will jointly lead the mandate, said the company in a statement.

    “At Stashfin, we have always followed a customer-centric approach to provide unique and relevant services leading to greater financial freedom and inclusion, and we strongly believe in the power of integration,” said Stashfin co-founder Shruti Aggarwal. “We found Havas Group India to be in sync with our vision and growth plans. Their integrated capabilities coupled with market expertise made them the right choice for us to drive the brand. We look forward to their contributions in this critical phase of our growth journey.”

    “We’re building a unique brand, a brand that has a strong purpose of driving financial inclusion as well as financial freedom,” commented Stashfin VP – marketing Gaurav Nijhawan. “I also feel fintech needs to be seen as an easy and accessible place. Havas Group India can certainly help us deliver on that front.”

    “It is indeed a delight for us to win the integrated mandate of Stashfin, as it not only showcases our prowess as an integrated village in India but also enables us to deliver on the client/customer-centric model seamlessly,” stated Havas Media Group India CEO Mohit Joshi. “Using Havas Media’s Meaningful Media Experience (Mx) approach and Converged tool, we will be able to connect the brand with the right audiences at the right time whilst securing a strong brand presence in the market for them.”

  • Havas Media Group India elevates Uday Mohan as president & chief client officer

    Havas Media Group India elevates Uday Mohan as president & chief client officer

    Mumbai: Havas Media Group India on Monday announced the elevation of Uday Mohan to the role of president and chief client officer, effective immediately. This new announcement is aligned with Havas Group India’s vision of building strong leadership across each of its agencies, said the company.

    In this new role, Mohan will continue to report into Havas Media Group India CEO Mohit Joshi. “I have completed 15 years with Havas Media Group India, while Uday has spent 14 years. Uday is a friend, partner and key to the resurgence of the Media Group in the last few years,” said Joshi. “He has been working closely with me and the leadership team to turn around Gurgaon operations into one of the largest in India; and in scaling up the Mumbai operations by forging strong client relationships, wins with marquee clients such as Tata Motors CVBU, TVS Tyres, ACC & Ambuja Cement among others. I look forward to his continued support and leadership.”

    The elevation comes on the heels of Mohan’s stint of 14 years with Havas Media Group India, during which he has consolidated his role as an effective leader and a strong partner to several clients. Over the last few years, Mohan drove innovation, transformation, and meaningful media strategy for clients, during extremely volatile market conditions. It led Havas Media Group India to garner strong growth, increase market share, win prominent clients and many industry awards and recognition, the agency said in a statement.

    “We have been consolidating the senior leadership teams of each of our agencies. Going forward, these leaders will not only drive our business growth but will further fortify our vision of integration, enhance our reputation, and help secure greater milestones and accomplishments,” said Havas Group India Group CEO Rana Barua. “Uday’s experience and client partnerships make him the apt leader to drive this for HMG India with Mohit’s vision.”

    Commenting on his new role, Uday Mohan said, “I have spent a long innings with HMG India and witnessed the agency go through several transformations. However, the innovations, integration and collaborations in the past three years have been unprecedented and put us in the top league in the country. I thank the group for empowering with newer challenges and look forward to working with the leadership team, many wonderful clients and colleagues, launching newer expertise, to consolidate our strengths further.”