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Tag: VICE Media Group

  • Virtue Worldwide appoints Saumya Baijal as director of brand strategy

    Virtue Worldwide appoints Saumya Baijal as director of brand strategy

    Mumbai: Virtue Worldwide, a new-age creative agency powered by VICE Media Group announces the appointment of Saumya Baijal as Director of Brand Strategy, further strengthening its leadership team in India. Virtue specialises in helping brands discover an authentic voice at the epicentre of culture.  With a presence in 17 cities across 13 countries, Virtue operates as a ‘borderless’ agency, putting together bespoke teams with diverse skills, backgrounds, and perspectives to drive creativity and innovation.

    Saumya Baijal brings a wealth of multifaceted experience to Virtue. Renowned for her roles as a feminist, ad woman, bilingual writer, storyteller, poet, radio presenter, theatre personality, and activist, Saumya has held prominent positions in major advertising networks including Ogilvy, McCann Erickson, and MullenLowe Lintas Group. Her portfolio includes impactful collaborations with esteemed brands such as Absolut, Google, and Fabindia. Saumya has also served on the jury of the Effies for several years and has been an integral part of the Laadli Media Awards for Hindi Journalism jury since 2021.

    Virtue APAC head of strategy Huiwen Tow shared her thoughts on Saumya’s appointment, stating, “In a world that is more divided than ever before, Saumya is one of those rare individuals that sees the world, not for what it is, but what it can be. She is a force of nature, unafraid to confront the real or challenge the status quo to move the conversation forward in culture. We are beyond ecstatic to have her with the Virtue India leadership team to take us into our next era of growth in India.”

    In response to her new role, Saumya Baijal, the newly appointed Brand Strategy Lead, India commented, “I am very excited to be a part of Virtue. The idea of diving deep into constantly evolving culture, extracting the insight, and then giving it a distinct flavour, is a very very interesting challenge. In a world that changes so quickly and so drastically, finding anchors for a brand, embedded in culture, is not only important but necessary. Virtue understands this, and I can’t wait to explore more with the very talented team that has already set up a young, energetic, spirited place, committed to the same endeavour.”

    Virtue Worldwide is making significant strides in the Indian advertising arena, enhancing its team and leadership. The company is committed to pushing boundaries, embracing innovation, and forming strong partnerships. They have teamed up with notable brands such as Diageo, poppi, Delta, Vanguard, P&G, General Mills, H&M, Volkswagen, McDonald’s, eToro, Red Bull, and Converse. Virtue is also the creative force behind award-winning campaigns including Backup Ukraine, Weedmaps’ Museum of Weed, Dove’s Dear Future Dads, Q the Genderless Voice, and Carlings adDRESS the Future. At Virtue, they believe in appointing team members not only based on their experience but also on the unique talents and perspectives they bring to the table, nurturing a culture of diversity and innovation.

  • White partners with Rohit Tugnait to launch White Label

    White partners with Rohit Tugnait to launch White Label

    Mumbai: White, the brand experiences company, is proud to announce a significant advancement in its business expansion efforts within the realm of integrated marketing. Partnering with Vice Media Group former commercial director of Rohit Tugnait. White unveils its latest venture, the “White Label” division to start a new content solution division with the company.

    White Label is poised to cater to the diverse creative, strategic, and production requirements of clients operating in the dynamic video space. The arm will serve clientele with operations spanning across Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, which is where White is operational currently.

    Drawing from Tugnait’s experience of over 22 years across culturally impactful media platforms such as MTV, 101 India, and Vice Media, Rohit Tugnait brings invaluable expertise to White Label. His track record of spearheading some of the biggest IP’s for media houses such as Coke Studio@MTV, and MTV Unplugged, and setting up Virtue (a creative agency borne of Vice), positions him as a visionary leader in content solutions.

    Expressing his enthusiasm about the partnership White Label chief executive officer Rohit Tugnait said “Vishesh Sahni (Founder – White) has a clear vision of where he wants to take White as an organisation and what it needs to stand for; which resonates perfectly with what I envision for White Label, so it is a great collaboration together for us. We have got most of the Vice team aboard and are ready to create magic for clients.”

    Speaking on the strategic partnership, White Founder & CEO Vishesh Sahni said “We have grown rapidly as an organisation, by creating some of the industry’s most talked-about experiences. Our profound understanding of culture equips us to offer meaningful, new-to-the-world thinking for our partner brands. Amidst some conscious, strategic moves as an organisation; the next organic step was to round out the integrated marketing approach by bringing Rohit and the team on to start White Label.”

    The division White Label starts operations with immediate effect and is in addition to senior hiring that White has done in the last few months. White brought on industry veteran Ashwini Gadgil as chief people officer for the company; and Liya Belliappa as general manager; to spearhead their Bangalore wing recently. 

  • Abhishek Malik joins Virtue Worldwide as associate creative director

    Abhishek Malik joins Virtue Worldwide as associate creative director

    Mumbai: Virtue Worldwide, the agency powered by VICE Media Group, proudly announces the appointment of Abhishek Malik as associate creative director (Copy) for Virtue India. This strategic move underscores Virtue India’s commitment to enhancing its creative leadership with forward-thinking and culture-driven talent. Abhishek Malik’s journey in the advertising industry began in 2017 at DigitalLB Delhi, working on clients such as Canon, Tinder, Fortis, Comedy Central, and MTV Beats.

    Taking a break from advertising in 2018, Abhishek embarked on a storytelling tour across 20 cities with Foundonallfours, an artist collective. During this time he created more than 20 spoken-word pieces, poems, podcasts, and theater scripts, that were performed in diverse settings such as streets, cafes, living rooms, art galleries, classrooms, and boardrooms. Notably, he spent a month in Gunehar, Himachal Pradesh, as part of an artist residency, where he ran a storytelling workshop called ‘Kahani Ki Dukaan,’.

    Returning to advertising in 2019 with Schbang, Abhishek started as a Sr. creative strategist and swiftly rose to become a group creative manager in 2022, working on brands such as Fevicol, Ashok Leyland, Amazon Prime, Castrol India, and Dabur. In 2023, Abhishek Malik was recognized as one of the winners of Impact’s “TOP 30 under 30” young agency professionals in the A&M space.

    Virtue India creative head Hayden Scott shared his thoughts on Abhishek’s appointment, stating, “Abhishek, or Toto as we fondly call him, is exactly the kind of talent we hope to nurture at Virtue India. He understands India and Bharat with an intuitiveness that is incredible. I’m certain that his diverse experience as a storyteller across formats will help bring a unique nuance to the stories we create for our clients. I am so excited to have Toto on board and I can’t wait to see how his own story unfolds here at Virtue.”

    In response to his new role, Abhishek Malik, commented, “As a part of the VICE network, Virtue applies a distinctive cultural approach to building brands. This coupled with my own keen interest in Indian culture and insights, offers me the chance to create work that not only distinguishes itself but also tells stories that matter.”

  • Virtue Worldwide appoints Ayushi Saria as associate creative director

    Virtue Worldwide appoints Ayushi Saria as associate creative director

    Mumbai: Virtue Worldwide, the agency powered by VICE Media Group, has appointed Ayushi Saria as associate creative director. This strategic move emphasizes Virtue India’s focus on bolstering their creative leadership with future-focused and culture-forward talent.

    Saria’s professional journey is marked by a diverse background, with contributions ranging from impactful campaigns for COVID vaccinations at Aster Hospitals to the creation of engaging games for the Singapore Tourism Board during her tenure at Wunderman and Hungama. Before joining Virtue, Ayushi dedicated her talents to illustration, where she focused on projects centered around skin and body positivity. Notably, her international experience includes collaborations with esteemed clients such as Vicks, Red Lobster, Metamucil, and Heineken at Publicis New York.

    Saria’s work has garnered widespread recognition and has been featured on prominent platforms like Design Taxi, Ads of the World, AdAge, and Brand Care. She has received accolades from Young Guns, New York Festivals, Art Directors Club, Applied Arts, and Summit Awards.

    Virtue India creative head Hayden Scott shared his thoughts on Ayushi’s appointment, stating, “Ayushi is a great example of the kind of exciting hybrid talent we want to grow at Virtue. She is a passionate advocate for design and a strong leader. I am certain her diverse skill-sets will help bring a wonderfully fresh perspective to our work. And did I mention, she’s also a damn nice person? I can’t wait to see how Ayushi helps shape Virtue India’s next growth phase.”

    In response to her new role, Saria commented, “”I’ve always been fascinated by culture and how brands become a part of this in a progressive and meaningful way. To have the opportunity to work at a place that’s powered by culture – it’s incredibly exciting. To work with some very unique and talented people, even more so.”

  • Culture is the canvas: Virtue Worldwide’s artistry in branding

    Culture is the canvas: Virtue Worldwide’s artistry in branding

    Mumbai: Virtue Worldwide, powered by the VICE media group, functions as a creative agency dedicated to constructing brands that emerge from within cultural contexts.

    With a track record of delivering expertise, This agency assists brands in discovering an authentic voice situated at the heart of contemporary culture.

    Through collaborative endeavors,  This agency has partnered with renowned brands such as Coca-Cola, HBO, Logitech, P&G, General Mills, Johnnie Walker, Black Dog, Fastrack perfumes, Black & White, Puma, H&M, Volkswagen, McDonald’s, eToro, Red Bull, and Beats, aiming to amplify their narratives and create a lasting impact.

    Indiantelevision.com in conversation with Virtue Worldwide creative head APAC Hayden Scott

    Hayden boasts a 15-year career in advertising, excelling at agencies like Ogilvy and DDB. Known for revitalising brands, he reinvented Raymond and championed causes like girl-child education. Leading Virtue India’s creative team, he leverages cultural insights for brand success. Beyond work, he mentors at Miami Ad School, sketches urban architecture, and produces music. Hayden’s outstanding contributions garnered 75 awards, including D&AD, Cannes, and Effies. Recognised in the “Top 40 under 40 in marketing and advertising,” he earned the Copywriter of the Year award.

    On Virtue Worldwide differentiating itself in the competitive landscape of creative agencies

    Virtue is a creative agency that builds brands from inside culture. With a history of delivering expertise, we help brands find an authentic voice at the epicentre of culture. Our expertise encompasses brand strategy, creative storytelling, content creation, digital marketing, social media management, influencer marketing, experiential activations, and more. We believe in finding a unique voice for each brand and leveraging it to connect deeply with audiences. Through our integrated approach, we craft narratives, execute campaigns, and deliver measurable results that drive brand growth and cultural impact.

    On Virtue Worldwide’s borderless approach contributing to its ability to assemble bespoke teams tailored to individual client needs

    Our borderless approach at Virtue Worldwide allows us to assemble bespoke teams tailored to individual client needs by drawing on the diverse talents and perspectives of our team members in 17 cities across 13 countries. This global presence contributes to our unique cultural insights and expertise.

    On Virtue Worldwide staying attuned to cultural trends and shifts to remain effective in building brands within evolving cultural contexts

    At Virtue Worldwide, we’re deeply committed to staying in sync with cultural shifts and trends. Being a part of the larger Vice Media Group, we invest in our own cultural research, gaining insights, and having a continuous learning mindset.

    Our proactive approach involves active participation in professional development, frequent attendance at industry conferences, workshops, and seminars. This ensures that we remain updated on emerging trends and evolving consumer behaviors.

    On Virtue Worldwide balancing the need for creativity and innovation with the practical considerations of brand building in the modern marketplace

    We do this by combining our industry-leading expertise with a passion for innovation. We embrace emerging technologies and digital platforms to enhance our creative capabilities while keeping a keen eye on the practical aspects of brand building.

    On Virtue Worldwide envisioning its role and contributions to the advertising and brand-building industry in the future

    We live in a world where users can choose to skip ads so for brands to remain visible, they need to find a role inside culture. Virtue Worldwide envisions playing a pivotal role in the advertising and brand-building industry in the future, filled with opportunities and transformative experiences by delving into insider marketing and building brands from within culture and integrating it with storytelling and innovations in technology.

  • Vice Media elevates Nilesh Zaveri as managing director, APAC

    Vice Media elevates Nilesh Zaveri as managing director, APAC

    Mumbai: Vice Media Group has elevated Nilesh Zaveri as managing director, APAC. He took to LinkedIn to share this news.

    He wrote, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as managing director, APAC at Vice Media Group.”

    Zaveri joined Vice Media Group back in 2017 as chief operating officer and chief financial officer, based out its headquarters in Singapore.

    He brings on board an experience of over twenty-two years. Prior to joining Vice, Zaveri was working for Discover Networks as chief financial officer and senior vice president of finance and corporate operations, APAC and regional CFO for Fox Sports Asia and held several roles at 21st Century Fox in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Mumbai.

  • discovery+ to premier new original ‘My Daughter Joined a Cult’

    discovery+ to premier new original ‘My Daughter Joined a Cult’

    Mumbai: discovery+ has announced the premiere of the new original My Daughter Joined a Cult, a docu-series produced by VICE Studios – the global production division of VICE Media Group about self-proclaimed godman, Swami Nithyananda in India exclusively from 2 June 2022.

    The 3×45 series will be available to stream in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, English, Kannada, and Malayalam, and is directed by Naman Saraiya.

    A mother wailing outside an ashram to see her daughters who have been barred from meeting her. A distraught father running from pillar to post to find answers pertaining to his missing children. A disillusioned devotee grappling with demands for nude pictures from the man she held in the highest esteem. A young man questioning the prevalence of sexual abuse and violence in a place meant for worship and reflection. These are but a few claims made by real devotees which make one wonder, who is lying and who is telling the truth? Or is there more than one version of the truth? Are these just allegations or is there something more than that? What really goes on inside a cult? Can someone claiming to be a Godman, actually turn out to be a Conman? Documenting claims made by ex-devotees and much more, My Daughter Joined a Cult follows the life of the controversial Swami Nithyananda, whilst giving a voice to individuals who were at the epicenter of it all.

    The three-part series, captures the exposure of the self-styled Godman, who allegedly deceived his believers by luring them into joining his ashram and gurukul trust Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam, and then later allegedly abused them. With a range of testimonies from devotees, lawyers, journalists and activists, the docu-series presents a narrative of the highs and lows of Nithyananda’s life in the pursuit of the reason behind his strong following despite being termed a fugitive by his ex-followers. Having lived the story themselves, the followers and ex-devotees provide an intimate perspective whilst revealing crucial details that help us better understand the entire narrative.

    Warner Bros. Discovery original content head- south Asia Sai Abishek said, “Discovery has always been synonymous with content that is raw and real. Keeping authenticity at the core of our offerings, My Daughter Joined a Cult is yet another step towards bringing alive a story that has multiple layers. This series chronicles the journey of followers of Nithyanand, and examines the vulnerabilities of humans that make them susceptible to joining cults to seek answers, sometimes leading to devastating effects. We are certain that viewers will be intrigued by this series, built on the back of hard-hitting firsthand accounts from ex-devotees, along with commentary from observers of his rise and subsequent allegations of abuse and fraud.”

    VICE Studios VP of content, APAC Samira Kanwar said, “My Daughter Joined A Cult is an uncompromising and unflinching docu-series about the internationally infamous figure of Swami Nithyananda. As is synonymous with VICE Studios, the series offers an authentic and compelling insight into a complex and controversial figure, using raw first-person testimonies and original production techniques. We are proud to be working with discovery+ to bring this series to a wide, global audience.”

    Director Naman Saraiya said, “Such a comprehensive and complex investigation into Nithyananda and his religious movement would not have been possible without the trust and cooperation of each person we crossed paths with… be it former devotees, survivors, journalists, lawyers and police officers. I hope the series resonates with audiences around the world and generates greater awareness of the events that led to his fall from grace and the indelible impact on those left in its wake.”

    He added, “My Daughter Joined A Cult has been one of the most challenging and rewarding projects of my career yet and I am incredibly proud of what the team and I have created with VICE Studios and Samira Kanwar.”

  • VICE Media and Mediascope Partner on ad Inventory Deal in India

    VICE Media and Mediascope Partner on ad Inventory Deal in India

    MUMBAI: VICE Media Group and Mediascope have entered a deal in India which will see Mediascope take on all sales for VICE’s ad inventory, signaling a new phase of growth for the youth media company in the region.

    Mediascope takes responsibility for all banners, pre-rolls, and display, which appears alongside VICE’s diverse and disruptive content. This deal allows brands and marketers to connect with VICE India’s young, digitally connected audience and align on the content they truly care about.  

    VICE launched in India in 2018 and now reaches over 10 million users on Facebook and scores more than 13 million impressions on Instagram every month. VICE Media Group is now the world’s largest independent media company, having grown its audience over 10 times in size in the last five years to now include a global audience reach of 380 million unique monthly, whilst employing 2,500 people in over 30 offices around the world.

    Mediascope launched in 1979 and has become India’s leading international media services and content consultancy exclusively representing international media brands. VICE joins a roster of leading brands from sectors including technology, retail, fashion, automobile, tourism, hospitality, and real estate. Combining technology, creativity, integrity, and meticulous planning across platforms and geographies, Mediascope offers real scale and opportunity within advertising.

    VICE Media COO Nilesh Zaveri says "Since the launch of VICE India, we have seen tremendous growth across youth audiences and built deep relations with multiple advertisers across industries. VICE is known for its award-winning content which attracts advertisers to us for authentic storytelling around their brands. Our next exciting initiative in the region is partnering with Mediascope to leverage our media inventory across multiple platforms to bring to their large advertiser base."

    Mediascope founder & CEO  Marzban Patel  says “VICE is hot. And there can be no better platform to reach the evolved GenZ and millennial Indian & their counterparts across geographies. Mediascope provides only the best premier solutions to advertisers across audience profiles and VICE fits perfectly with our portfolio, ethos, and strategy.”