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Tag: VML

  • Infectious Advertising appoints Smriti Tewari business head

    Infectious Advertising appoints Smriti Tewari business head

    MUMBAI: Infectious Advertising, one of India’s leading independent agencies, has named Smriti Tewari as business head, marking a strategic move to sharpen client focus and expand new business opportunities.

    With 13 years in advertising and marketing, Tewari has worked across categories including automobiles, FMCG, home paints, fashion, real estate and financial services, at agencies such as Ogilvy, FCB, The Minimalist and VML. She has partnered with brands like Honda Cars, BMW, KFC, Dulux Paints and Colgate Palmolive, managing integrated campaigns across ATL, BTL and social media.

    Managing partner & chief operating officer Siddhartha Singh said, “Smriti will play a pivotal role in strengthening client relationships and unlocking new opportunities. Her vast experience lays a strong foundation for driving work that is both effective and highly shareable.”

    On her appointment, Tewari said, “Stepping into this role is both an honour and a thrilling responsibility. Infectious has always believed in ideas that spark energy and drive meaningful change. I’m eager to elevate the agency through creativity, collaboration and client focus.”

    Infectious Advertising continues to focus on delivering bold, effective campaigns that connect with audiences across platforms.

  • Sportskeeda CTO Sankalp Sharma exits after 10 years at the helm

    Sportskeeda CTO Sankalp Sharma exits after 10 years at the helm

    MUMBAI: You can’t spell Sportskeeda without code. And for the last decade, Sankalp Sharma has been the man behind the machine, the chief technology officer who took a broken codebase, a skeletal team, and a laundry list of experiments, and turned it into a battle-hardened platform serving millions of sports fans worldwide. Now, after 10 years and 7 months, Sharma is moving on, leaving behind a tech legacy etched into the site’s DNA.

    Sharma’s tenure has been one of audacious scale. From six hot codebases and a dozen services, his lean team engineered a system that now handles a billion API calls a day with near-million concurrency. As CTO since December 2020 (after stints as VP of technology and tech lead), he not only scaled from “0 to 1, 1 to 10, and on to 100” but also reshaped how Sportskeeda approached experimentation, reliability, and growth.

    Reflecting on his philosophy, Sharma describes his approach as “going wide, going deep, and going around” spotting unnoticed patterns, rolling up his sleeves to refine systems, and navigating future goals through the fog of war. Along the way, he fostered a culture of curiosity, killed fluff projects early, and championed open-source contributions. His earlier career saw roles at Essencemediacom, Mindshare, VML, Foxymoron, TCS, and even a freelance stint helping startups and Fortune 500 companies alike.

    From one-click deployments to site reliability engineering, from streamlining legacy microservices to mentoring LGBTQIA+ professionals and startup founders, Sharma’s playbook has been as much about people as it was about platforms. As Sportskeeda now looks ahead to its next growth chapter, it does so with a tech foundation built on Sharma’s decade-long vision of harmony amid chaos.

     

  • Madison logs into digital future with Vivek Das as chief digital officer

    Madison logs into digital future with Vivek Das as chief digital officer

    MUMBAI: When the digital world calls, Madison Media answers with a double click and its newest hire is set to hit refresh on the agency’s future. Madison Media, part of Madison World, has roped in Vivek Das as chief digital officer, a role in which he will report to Ajit Varghese, partner and group CEO, Madison Media and OOH. With more than 20 years of experience spanning entrepreneurship, integrated media, and digital transformation, Das is no stranger to reshaping how brands connect with audiences.

    Most recently, he was on the India leadership team at Essencemedia.com, where he helmed Google India and Southeast Asia WPP’s second-largest account globally. His résumé also features leadership stints at Mindshare and VML (formerly Wunderman), besides a CEO turn at Foxymoron. Beyond the boardroom, he mentors LGBTQIA+ professionals and startup founders, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and new-age entrepreneurship.

    Welcoming him aboard, Varghese noted, “Vivek joins us at a pivotal time… At Madison, we are building an AI-first planning framework and embedding digital-first thinking into everything we do. His rich experience makes him the perfect leader to accelerate this journey.”

    Das added his own perspective: “I am thrilled to join Madison at a time of great opportunity and change… In the era of platforms, LLMs, and Artificial Intelligence, I look forward to strengthening Madison’s leadership in new media and enhancing the value we bring to clients and the industry.”

    For Madison, this appointment isn’t just about filling a role, it’s about future-proofing its position in a market where AI, creativity, and consumer-first strategies are rewriting the playbook

  • 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.

  • Empowering brands with data-driven marketing: The 0101 Today approach

    Empowering brands with data-driven marketing: The 0101 Today approach

    Mumbai: In an age where the digital landscape is rapidly evolving, businesses are faced with an array of challenges—particularly in media buying and performance measurement. Navigating this complexity can be daunting, and that’s where 0101 Today steps in as a crucial partner for growth. With a strong focus on data-driven strategies, this agency is reshaping the way companies approach digital marketing.

    According to the ‘India MarTech & CommerceTech Report 2024’ by Mirum India and VML, the significant shift in budget allocation towards MarTech, with over 65 per cent of brands now investing more than 16 per cent, compared to only 18 per cent of brands doing the same in 2023. Further, into the report, multiple proof points indicate that the MarTech landscape has now matured. As per IMARC Group report, they expect the market to reach $2,130.6 billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 19.38 per cent during 2024-2032. It also stated that the rising demand for social media management tools, along with the widespread adoption of chatbots, is primarily propelling the market.

    At its core, 0101 Today operates as a conversion enabler, specializing in Martech (Marketing Technology), Adtech (Advertising Technology), data analytics, and effective communication strategies. The agency is committed to leveraging technology and data insights to optimize costs while ensuring that marketing KPIs are met efficiently. This approach has proven invaluable to leading brands such as Reliance General Insurance, Tata Capital, Aditya Birla Capital, and Adani Capital.

    In a discussion with the agency’s managing partners Jayraj Jadhav and Mihir Mehta, 0101 Today is at the forefront of driving digital transformation across diverse sectors. Their leadership is characterized by a deep understanding of digital strategies, enabling businesses to not only adapt to changes but thrive within them. Both have cultivated a culture of innovation, positioning the agency as a trusted partner for companies looking to harness the power of digital marketing.

    Both explained that digital transformation is more than just adopting new technologies; it’s about fundamentally changing how businesses operate and deliver value to their customers. 0101 Today excels in guiding companies through this transformation by providing insights into best practices and strategies tailored to individual needs.

    An element of digital transformation is gaining a deep understanding of the customer journey. By utilizing advanced analytics, 0101 Today helps brands identify key touchpoints and optimize the customer experience at every stage.

    The importance of data cannot be overstated. 0101 Today employs cutting-edge data analytics tools that enable businesses to make informed decisions based on real-time insights, ultimately leading to improved outcomes. Jayraj specifically mentioned that dark data can be challengingsince dark data refers to the information assets organizations collect, process and store during regular business activities, but generally fail to use for other purposes, such as analytics, business relationships and direct monetizing. Most companies today store vast quantities of dark data.

    The agency advocates for the seamless integration of various marketing technologies, which allows businesses to streamline their processes and improve overall efficiency. This holistic approach ensures that all marketing efforts are cohesive and aligned with business objectives.

    The digital marketing realm is in a constant state of flux, influenced by emerging technologies, consumer behavior shifts, and market dynamics. Jyaraj and Mihir provided valuable insights into the current trends that are shaping the industry. As consumers increasingly demand tailored experiences, brands are turning to personalization as a key differentiator. 0101 Today emphasizes the importance of utilizing data to create highly personalized marketing strategies that resonate with target audiences. Despite the technological advancements, content remains a crucial element of digital marketing. The agency focuses on creating valuable, engaging content that not only attracts but retains customers. By leveraging data, 0101 Today helps brands identify what content resonates most with their audiences, driving both engagement and loyalty.

    As digital marketing continues to evolve, businesses must remain agile and forward-thinking. The insights shared by Jayraj and Mihir during our discussion underline the necessity of embracing change and staying ahead of emerging trends. Businesses grapple with the complexities of the digital landscape, collaborating with an agency like 0101 Today can provide the necessary support to navigate these challenges. 

  • Britannia, Google Cloud & WPP agencies partner to launch BourbonIT

    Britannia, Google Cloud & WPP agencies partner to launch BourbonIT

    Mumbai: Britannia Industries, in collaboration with Google Cloud and  WPP’s media services company Mindshare and global creative company VML, has announced the launch of Britannia BourbonIT, a pioneering platform utilising generative AI (GenAI) technology to transform recipe creation and culinary experiences in India. This unique initiative,  spearheaded by Britannia’s iconic Bourbon, marks a significant milestone in the Indian market, underscoring the power of advanced AI to redefine consumer experiences.

    Britannia BourbonIT combines technology and creativity to enhance consumer engagement. Using Google Gemini’s multimodal capabilities, the platform adds a creative twist to traditional recipes, generating visually appealing culinary creations. It offers a smooth user experience with APIs developed using Google Cloud Functions to handle various input formats efficiently. A profanity filter is integrated to ensure content quality and brand safety.

    Users can submit recipes in formats such as YouTube videos, HTML links, images, or text. BourbonIT, with Google’s Gemini Flash, adds a Bourbon twist to each recipe, creating an engaging experience for consumers.

    Britannia CMO Amit Doshi said, “The launch of BourbonIT marks a key moment in Britannia Bourbon’s journey, demonstrating our dedication to delivering innovative and superior taste experiences. This initiative reflects Britannia’s commitment to evolving with the times while maintaining the flavors that have made Bourbon a household name. This collaboration with Google Cloud and WPP’s Mindshare and VML highlights Britannia’s leadership in adopting cutting-edge technology, setting a new benchmark for AI-driven experiences in India.  The teams have worked collaboratively to bring this initiative to life, and their efforts are set to elevate consumer engagement to new heights. The launch of BourbonIT is just the beginning,  paving the way for future innovations that will continue to redefine consumer interactions in the  culinary space.”

    Google Cloud India VP and country MD Bikram Singh Bedi said, “Our work with  Britannia and WPP is a testament to how generative AI can drive consumer engagement. The  innovative campaign BourbonIT leverages Google’s state-of-the-art generative AI capabilities to  deliver unique experiences.”  

    Mindshare CEO for South Asia, Amin Lakhani said, “We are incredibly excited to launch ‘BourbonIT’. A significant step forward in how AI can enhance our everyday lives, and in this case, our culinary experiences. This innovative application developed by WPP’s Mindshare  and VML and powered by Google Gemini, seamlessly blends cutting-edge technology with user-friendly design, making it simple for anyone to unlock their inner chef and explore a world of  flavourful possibilities.”

    VML’s CEO in India – Babita Baruah said, “We are excited to collaborate with  Britannia Bourbon on this innovative project for the iconic brand. By ‘bourbonizing’ users’ own recipes, we aim to bring Britannia Bourbon into every household in a fun and meaningful way to  deliver lasting impact, using technology to drive value with a creative twist.”

    Britannia Bourbon, long valued for its classic appeal, has evolved to meet changing consumer tastes. The collaboration with Winkin’ Cow to create Britannia Winkin’ Cow Bourbon Shake highlights this evolution. This new product combines the legacy of the original Britannia Bourbon biscuit with a fresh approach, offering consumers a novel way to enjoy their favorite biscuit.

    Steps to Bourbon IT the recipe:

    ● Scan the code on the Britannia Bourbon pack

    ● Share the link of your favorite recipe or simply type your favourite dish and give it a  Bourbon twist

    ● Submit your Bourbon creation and stand a chance to win a trip to Switzerland and Amazon cashback*

    BourbonIt can be accessed via mobile devices here: https://bourbonit.in/ *T&C applied

  • Nestlé India unveils “Utha MUNCH, Dikha Crunch” campaign

    Nestlé India unveils “Utha MUNCH, Dikha Crunch” campaign

    Mumbai: In a world where criticism and doubt sometimes weigh down creativity and ambition, Nestlé MUNCH has unveiled its “Utha MUNCH, Dikha Crunch” campaign, encouraging individuals to embrace their unique qualities and confidently pursue their passions. Each bite of MUNCH celebrates the “crunch,” symbolizing the inner strength and resilience within each person, reminding them of the delightful rewards that come from staying true to themselves and pursuing their dreams.

    Commenting on the campaign, Nestlé India director, confectionery business Rupali Rattan said, “Through this campaign, we want MUNCH to be an ally in crunching all the noise from the doubters and not letting anyone stop you from being your authentic self. We are hopeful that the crunch of MUNCH will emerge as a formidable force, emboldening the teens of today to rise above the noise and triumph against all odds.

    VML North managing partner Jaibeer Ahmad further added, “Through relatable narratives and seamless storytelling, set in the young and vibrant Indian towns, we have showcased how Munch’s crunch is a rallying cry for teenagers to embrace their individuality and keep moving forward with an unwavering winning attitude.”

    The campaign includes a series of digital films released across North and South India.

  • Are Those Neeman’s Shoes’: An ingenious campaign to hack voice data on smartphones

    Are Those Neeman’s Shoes’: An ingenious campaign to hack voice data on smartphones

    Mumbai: VML, the global brand, customer experience, and commerce agency has crafted an unconventional and disruptive campaign called “Are Those Neeman’s Shoes”, its first for the digital-first footwear brand.

    In a partnership that began with the idea in January 2024, Neeman’s and VML worked with The Other Half, a boutique production company, to launch an effective strategy to increase awareness and traffic to the brand’s website and reach a wider audience.

    Covered widely by media over the years, it’s no secret that marketers use voice data to target consumers with ads. The campaign taps into this insight – and hacks the algorithm.

    VML India CCO Mukund Olety reflected on the campaign, stating, “Challenged by a tight budget, we were thrilled to create this guerrilla-style campaign with Neeman’s. We’ve all experienced it at times. Our phones are listening to us. We’ll be talking about something and minutes later an ad for that pops up on your phone. Some find it eerie but we wanted to use that power for good – Neeman’s good, to be precise.”

    “Are Those Neeman’s Shoes Phone Hack” features two influencers traversing across the country, adorned in Neeman’s Shoes, drawing attention with their loud, enthusiastic question, “Are those Neeman’s shoes?”. Trying to capture not only people’s attention but also that of their always-listening phones, the cheeky awareness campaign has hit its mark with a 19% uplift in brand search queries on Google and a strong increase in organic website sessions.

    [Amar Preet Singh and Taran Chhabra, founders at Neeman’s] said of the campaign, “At Neeman’s we are constantly innovating, whether it is our products or campaigns. With the ever-evolving digital landscape, the audience expects you to deliver never-before-experienced content to entertain them. It’s in our personality to stay curious, explore, and learn new mediums of engagement that bring forth a new perspective and open up conversations with the larger community. Working with VML and The Other Half, as partners on this campaign, was a refreshing experience for their understanding of content trends and tech has truly helped us spin together a campaign that we believe will score highly on wit, and impact. With the success of the initial launch, we are already planning to bring the campaign to more cities across India – so get ready for your phone to hear: “Are those Neeman’s shoes?” in a city near you!”

  • Ageas Federal Life Insurance launches Cradle to Crease campaign

    Ageas Federal Life Insurance launches Cradle to Crease campaign

    Mumbai: Ageas Federal Life Insurance, has introduces its latest brand campaign film, “Cradle to Crease,” an initiative that drives home the message that while the future might be exciting, evolving and uncertain, by focusing on financial planning and investing in life insurance, one can face the future with optimism, hope and confidence.

    In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, a child’s future isn’t as distant as it once seemed. Recognizing this, the campaign sheds light on the significance of early financial planning for parents through the lens of Sachin Tendulkar’s debut.

    Speaking about the brand film, Ageas Federal Life Insurance Sr VP & head – marketing Erum Kidwai remarked, “With “Cradle to Crease,” we aim to redefine the narrative surrounding financial planning and insurance. Sachin Tendulkar’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that there is no fixed age or time to prioritize financial security. Through this film, we seek to inspire individuals to take charge of their future fearlessly and embrace a proactive approach towards financial planning through insurance.”

    Commenting on the brand’s use of innovative technology when it comes to marketing campaigns, Kidwai added, “Be it our Young Sachin campaign, The Boy Who Dreamed, SachinVerse campaign or the present Cradle to Crease Ad, we are proud to be the first brand in the BFSI sector in India to integrate Gen AI and Deep Fake positively to educate audiences about the necessity of Life Insurance in a way that is relatable to today’s tech savvy audience.  These campaigns also ensure that they appeal to the entire spectrum of our target audience from all age groups”.

    Building on the long-term brand philosophy of #FutureFearless, the brand reminds people that with timely investment through life insurance, they can be adequately prepared for any uncertainties or disruptions that life throws at us.  The film underscores the versatility and relevance of life insurance products across all age groups, reinforcing the message that it’s never to early or late to secure one’s future, the right time is whenever one chooses to act.

    VML CCO Mukund Olety shared, “After a very successful Young Sachin campaign, we have created Cradle to Crease. The film features Sachin walking through the tunnel of life as he reaches the pitch. Using technology, we’ve created a hyper-realistic rendition of 16-year-old Sachin to recreate the moment he made his international debut. With the power of Gen-AI, we’ve told a story that could not have been told 5 years ago. We are constantly pushing boundaries and using technology to make storytelling richer and better. We’re sure seeing Sachin walk up to his debut shall inspire a lot of parents to plan better.”

    The 360 campaign will be amplified across social media platforms, including sports, news and finance channels and OOH and digital OOH across 6 cities including Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Kolkata, Kerala (Cochin, Kottayam, and Trivandrum) to effectively engage its target audience, amplifying its message of prudent financial planning. The brand’s previous campaigns have consistently won recognition including in Campaign India’s “Picks of the Week”, “New York Festival Ad Awards”, “ZEE Kyoorius Creative Awards 2023” and Exchange4media’s “Best Ads of the fortnight,” underscoring AFLI’s impactful brand presence.

    The “Cradle to Crease” ad campaign featuring Sachin Tendulkar is a testament to Ageas Federal Life Insurance’s commitment to empowering individuals to lead a life and lifestyle of their choice fearlessly. We invite viewers to join us on this inspiring journey towards prudent financial planning.

  • Elevating humanity & connection are key brand opportunities for 2024

    Elevating humanity & connection are key brand opportunities for 2024

    Mumbai: In a post Covid world that is being shaped by a bewildering amount of technology, people are craving authentic human connection more than ever before. The insight, from VML’s highly anticipated ‘The Future 100: 2024’ lays out 100 trends set to shape consumer spending over the next year.

    For the very first time, the report mentions “Brand India”, as the country emerges as a new global powerhouse. India has cemented its position as an emerging global superpower by hosting the G20 summit in September 2023 and has underlined its credentials as a major player in the new space race with missions to the moon and sun.

    Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang said, at a conference to announce a partnership with Reliance Industries and Tata Group, two of India’s largest conglomerates, the country will be “one of the largest AI markets in the world”. Bain & Co. predicts India’s domestic luxury market will “expand to 3.5 times today’s size by 2030,” as brands like Gucci, Cartier, and Louis Vuitton ramp up their Indian presence and get Indian actors as global brand ambassadors. The report says that this is “India’s moment”, and global brands, manufacturers, and consumers simply cannot ignore India as the domestic market and tech capabilities are growing at a turbo pace.

    VML India CEO  Babita Baruah said, “While economic growth is an important marker of progress, the combination of talent, technology, and grassroot innovation is what is creating something much larger for India; a positive Zeitgeist that is making this more than a ‘Moment’ and converting this into a tectonic ‘Movement’.

    One that sees brands and businesses looking to reinvent the experiences and solutions that they deliver to an increasingly discerning, demanding but also rewarding generation of consumers. At its core is integration – blending intelligent content, personalised experiences, data, technology, commerce, and India’s famous emotive storytelling – to create richer and more rewarding experiences for consumers, brands, and businesses.”

    The insight, from VML’s ‘The Future 100: 2024’ lays out 100 trends set to shape consumer spending over the next year. The report finds that consumers are in their slow living era, known as ‘The Great Deceleration’, slowing down their lifestyles and opting for a mindful approach to the year ahead. As humanity undergoes a paradigm shift with identity at the heart, advances in technology are ushering in a new reality and prompting people to question what it means to be human.

    Globally, in this new paradigm of human connection, the most successful and fastest growing brands are connected brands, as people seek emotional engagement with the brands they buy from. Data collected exclusively for ‘The Future 100: 2024’ reveals 79 per cent of people believe ‘the role of a brand has changed over the past five years’, with the top three roles of brands to ‘make the world a better place’ (40 per cent); ‘improve people’s health and wellbeing’ (38 per cent); and ‘create a more positive and helpful future’ (32 per cent).

    VML co-authors and global intelligence directors Emma Chiu and Marie Stafford said: “As 2024 unfolds, an intentional slowdown shifts the pace for people and businesses after years of rapid acceleration. Community and connection at scale are essential to 2024, with 67 per cent of people agreeing that community is more important than one individual and 76 per cent believe that technology helps bring people together. With most consumers looking for surprise, mystery, awe, and wonder in their lives, new experiences that engage a wide spectrum of emotions are in demand. A profound and enriching year awaits!”

    This year marks the 10 year of the Future 100. To celebrate this milestone and bring the report to life, VML is set to launch F.L.I.C (Future. Learning. Interactive. Connected.), a fully interactive AI avatar that can answer real-time questions about the report. Using Epic Metahuman, VML created a photo-realistic face for F.L.I.C and chose longstanding technology partner Odyssey to stream this Unreal Engine 5 based-app to users. The proprietary technology, which is exclusive to Odyssey, creates virtual personifications to give a face to AI, and allows clients to access and interact with F.L.I.C directly through their web-browser. F.L.I.C will be live on 6 February 2024 to coincide with live Future 100: 2024 launch events in London and New York.

    VML global chief marketing officer Naomi Troni commented: “The Future 100 is one of our most anticipated reports, and this year is no exception. With humans craving ‘passion and togetherness’ – particularly as we see AI becoming more and more mainstream – the time is right for brands to tap into this shift and use technology to connect with humans on a deeper level as they opt for a more mindful approach for the year ahead.”  

    The Future 100 covers 10 sectors including Culture, Technology, Travel & Hospitality, Brands & Marketing, Food & Drink, Beauty, Retail, Luxury, Health, and Innovation. Also included for the 10 anniversary is original consumer data from surveys in nine different countries, and interviews with experts across various fields to give their takes on the past decade and what to look out for in 2024.

    Download the report: https://www.vml.com/insight/the-future-100-2024