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Tag: WPP

  • Wunderman India names Manoj Mansukhani as managing director

    Wunderman India names Manoj Mansukhani as managing director

    MUMBAI: WPP’s digital and direct marketing agency Wunderman International India has named Manoj Mansukhani as managing director with immediate effect. 

     

    Succeeding Rahul Guha, Mansukhani is based in New Delhi and reports to Wunderman Asia Pacific president Martin Conneen.

     

    Mansukhani will lead Wunderman India’s operations, as well as consolidate the network’s current offerings and expand agency expertise and capabilities. He will work to further develop Wunderman’s e-commerce offering, leveraging the agency’s data, analytics and creative expertise to help clients deliver more impactful cross-channel consumer experiences.

    Bringing with him over 18 years of experience, Mansukhani is well-versed in moving brick and mortar companies into the digital space, developing omni-channel solutions and connecting online and offline sales. He was most recently senior vice president and head of e-commerce at Razorfish India, where he ran the Mumbai and Bangalore offices. 

     

    Prior to that, Mansukhani served as associate vice president of MRM (part of McCann Worldgroup), working in both B2B and B2C spaces.
     

    Conneen said, “Wunderman India has built award-winning teams and firm foundations for the future. We warmly welcome Manoj, and feel his extensive expertise will be instrumental in Wunderman’s strategy to expand agency capabilities and offerings in India. We thank Rahul for his significant contribution over the past five years.”

    Mansukhani added, “It’s exciting to be joining Wunderman International India as the network looks to build on existing strengths to incorporate new assets. I look forward to helping helm the agency to the next level of its development.”

  • MediaCom acquires minority stake in Australian media agency

    MediaCom acquires minority stake in Australian media agency

    MUMBAI: WPP’s MediaCom has acquired a minority stake in Rapid Media Services Pty Ltd, a media communications agency in Australia with offices in Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. 

     

    Founded in 2001 as part of full service advertising and communications agency, Rapid Media, Rapid Media Services specialises in media planning, strategy and buying across all traditional, digital and emerging channels. 

     

    Rapid Media Services has been affiliated with MediaCom in Australia since 2001. The company will continue to operate as an independent and stand-alone business led by managing director Vaughan O’Connor. 

     

    This acquisition marks a further step towards WPP’s declared goal of developing its networks in fast-growth markets and sectors.

     

  • Buzzfeed and GroupM ink global advertising deal

    Buzzfeed and GroupM ink global advertising deal

    MUMBAI: Technology driven media company BuzzFeed and WPP’s GroupM have inked a global partnership to provide GroupM’s and WPP’s agencies and clients with unprecedented access to BuzzFeed’s creative and data assets.

     

    Led by GroupM, WPP agencies will benefit from: 

     

    • The first beta partnership with Pound, BuzzFeed’s proprietary data technology that offers insights and analytics around how content shares across the social web;

    • A dedicated creative group at BuzzFeed Motion Pictures to produce branded video content for WPP clients;

    • A creative residency allowing WPP creative teams access to BuzzFeed’s expertise producing social content for all platforms; and

    • Preferential media pricing for clients of GroupM agencies.

     

    GroupM chief digital officer Rob Norman said, “The future of advertising lies at the intersection of creativity, data, media and technology; that’s where BuzzFeed has built its business and proved its value to brands. This is a terrific opportunity for our clients to move swiftly and succeed in the fastest growing media platforms. We have appointed partnership leaders from each GroupM agency, and other WPP agencies will do the same.”

     

    GroupM president Dominic Proctor added, “WPP’s investments in content demonstrate its commitment to creating socially and culturally resonant content for millennials. GroupM’s partnership with BuzzFeed adds a new dimension to this capability and amplifies our other partnerships.”

     

    BuzzFeed president Greg Coleman said, “This is an exciting time for our company. Our audience is growing on and off platform. Our Motion Pictures studio is booming and now reaches 1.5 billion video views a month – from shorter than short form on Snapchat, to original scripted series. We’re excited to take our unique approach and voice in branded content, data and iterative learning in a big way with GroupM and their clients.”

     

    The arrangement involves no investment or equity exchange between the companies.

  • J. Walter Thompson acquires majority stake in digital agency Webling

    J. Walter Thompson acquires majority stake in digital agency Webling

    MUMBAI: WPP company J. Walter Thompson Australia has acquired a majority stake in Webling Interactive, an independent digital agency based in Sydney. 

     

    Webling offers an end-to-end service covering strategy, ideation, design and development across web, mobile, social, digital OOH and experiential channels. The agency has delivered milestone projects winning major awards including IABs, AIMIA and the Festival of Media. 

     

    Founded in 2004 by Deniz Nalbantoglu and Darren Clark, the agency’s clients include Acer, Amex, Coca-Cola, Coles, CommSec, Fuji Xerox, Google, Mirvac, QIC Shopping Centres, and Australian gardening supplies company, Yates. 

     

    For the year ending 30 June, 2015, Webling’s revenues were A$4.4 million, with gross assets of A$1.3 million, as at the same date.

     

    This acquisition marks a further step towards WPP’s declared goal of developing its networks in fast-growth markets and sectors. 

  • WPP to make tender offer for digital marketing co Syzygy.

    WPP to make tender offer for digital marketing co Syzygy.

    MUMBAI: WPP, which currently holds shares representing just below 30 per cent of the issued share capital in Syzygy AG, is planning to make a tender offer for the digital marketing firm. 

     

    WPP has been a long term investor in Syzygy AG and continues to believe in the future of Syzygy AG. With this tender offer, WPP’s management is keen to help the company expand and to work with WPP’s major clients in Germany and internationally. 

     

    “This would be easier if the Group had a greater ownership. WPP would also like to capitalize on Syzygy AG’s strong relationships with leading German multinationals and local companies,” the company said.

     

    WPP believes that its existing facilities can provide Syzygy AG with offshore capabilities in low cost locations, which are becoming increasingly important in providing the effective and efficient solutions needed by clients. 

      

    “All of these goals will be supported by a larger or potential majority shareholding,” WPP said.

     

    According to the company, Syzygy’s current valuation is at an advantageous level for share owners but is based on very low average daily volumes. The WPP offer will provide the market liquidity for share owners who wish to take advantage of the current price by tendering their shares.

  • WPP and Providence acquire Chime for ?374 million

    WPP and Providence acquire Chime for ?374 million

    MUMBAI: Martin Sorrell’s WPP and buyout firm Providence Equity Partners have agreed to acquire British communication and sports marketing group Chime Communications for ?374 million.

     

    As per the deal terms, Chime shareholders will receive 365pence in cash for each share they own. In addition, shareholders who are on the Chime shareholder register on 11 September, 2015 will be entitled to receive an interim dividend for the current year of 2.53 pence per share.

     

    WPP and Providence are acquiring Chime thorough Bidco, which is a newly-incorporated vehicle controlled by funds managed by Providence. WPPwill acquire an indirect minority interest in Bidco in exchange for transferring its existing 20.03 per cent stake in Chime to Bidco’s parent company – Bell Topco. The remaining ordinary shares in Topco will be held indirectly by funds managed by Providence.

     

    As WPP is a joint offeror, it will not be entitled to vote its Chime shares at the Court Meeting. However, WPP will be entitled to vote at the general meeting and Bidco has received an undertaking from WPP in the Bid Conduct Agreement to vote in favour of the resolution to be proposed at the general meeting in respect of, in aggregate, 20,158,421 Chime shares, representing approximately 20.03 per cent of the share capital of Chime in issue on 30 July, 2015.

     

    Commenting on the offer, Chime chairman Lord Davies of Abersoch said, “Chime has achieved great success to date in building a leading position in the global sports marketing and communications industry, which is reflected in the attractive premium being offered to shareholders. However, to fulfill Chime’s considerable growth potential, significant new capital is required. Providence and WPP offer Chime both the capital and the industry expertise to fast-track our ambitions to build a full scale, global sports marketing and communications business. Taking this into account, Chime’s independent Directors unanimously recommend that shareholders vote in favour of the resolutions at the General Meeting and in favour of the Scheme at the Court meeting.”

     

    Bidco director Andrew Tisdale added, “Chime’s history is one of innovation, creativity and consistent delivery of superior results for its clients. We believe Chime’s true assets are its people, and are excited to have the opportunity to partner with them as we embark on the next phase of the company’s growth.”

     

    Chime, which was founded in 1989 by Margaret Thatcher’s media adviser Lord Bell, will be delisted from the London Stock Exchange on completion of the deal.

  • WPP acquires majority stake Belgian digital healthcare agency

    WPP acquires majority stake Belgian digital healthcare agency

    MUMBAI: WPP’s Wunderman Health has acquired a majority stake in ABS MM NV (ABS Creative) in Belgium.

     

    Founded in 1999, based in Brussels and employing 24 people, ABS Creative is a digital marketing communications agency with solid expertise in medical content marketing. ABS Creative has developed strong relationships with healthcare companies such as Abbott, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, MSD, GSK, Novartis, Boehringer Ingelheim and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

     

    This acquisition further strengthens Wunderman Health’s healthcare capabilities in Brussels, a key location in European health affairs.

     

    ABS Creative, led by CEO Michael Verschueren will operate as an integrated centre of excellence within Wunderman Health.

     

    ABS Creative’s consolidated revenues for the year ended 31 December, 2014 were approximately €2.8 million, with gross assets of approximately €2.6 million as at the same date.

     

    This acquisition continues WPP’s strategy of investing in fast growing and important markets and sectors and strengthening its digital capabilities. WPP’s digital revenues were $6.9 billion in 2014, representing 36 per cent of the Group’s total revenues of $19 billion. WPP has set a target of 40-45 per cent of revenue to be derived from digital in the next five years. In Belgium, WPP companies (including associates) generate revenues of around $130 million.

  • WPP’s Kantar Media invests in data analytics firm BIScience

    WPP’s Kantar Media invests in data analytics firm BIScience

    MUMBAI: WPP’s wholly owned operating company Kantar Media has invested in BIScience (2009) Ltd, a data analytics firm that specializes in platforms for cross-channel and multi-country digital media monitoring, planning and optimization.

    BIScience’s global coverage spans over 60 geographies, with competitive cross-channel intelligence and analytics for display, mobile, video, and programmatic media covering more than 500,000 publishers worldwide.

     

    Clients include Conduit, Digilant, Funbox, Matomy and the Media Initiatives Group. Founded in 2009, BIScience employs over 35 people and is based in Tel Aviv with an office in New York.

    Kantar Media’s investment in BIScience will enable the daily tracking of 22 million publisher pages and monthly tracking of 14.5 million campaigns in over 35,000 ad platforms. Together, Kantar Media and BIScience will collaborate on cross-media and digital solutions that will help global and national advertisers, agencies and media owners make informed decisions on media investments and strategic communications.

  • WPP & ISDI partner to launch communication school in Mumbai

    WPP & ISDI partner to launch communication school in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: WPP and the Indian School of Design and Innovation (ISDI) have joined hands to establish the ISDI WPP School of Communication in Mumbai. 

     

    Located on ISDI’s state of the art campus in Mumbai, the ISDI WPP School of Communication marks WPP’s first foray into the Indian education sector. The partnership will help create India’s first professional three-year undergraduate diploma program in communication based on a unique work-study model that will bring together a strong academic and creative curriculum combined with practical application.

     

    The admissions process is currently underway through an online application form. The school recently hosted its first Accepted Students day where students and their parents had an opportunity to interact with the leadership team and faculty. The inaugural batch will commence in August 2015 with the first cohort of 60 students.

     

    The ISDI WPP School of Communication is WPP’s second education initiative globally. In 2011, WPP in partnership with the Shanghai Arts and Design Academy established the WPP School of Marketing and Communications in China. The program has just successfully completed its fourth year with 220 students enrolled. 

     

    WPP and WPP companies, which are globally recognized for their in-house training and development programs, have worked closely with ISDI to develop the school’s curriculum and hire full-time faculty. ISDI founder and director Radha Kapoor will lead the school’s board of directors. 

     

    Additionally, senior staff from WPP companies will serve as part-time faculty and act as mentors. Internship and training opportunities will also be provided to students. An Executive Council has also been set up to oversee the smooth functioning of the three-year program. ISDI is represented by HR College dean Dr. Indu Shahani, ISDI directors Radha Kapoor and Siddharth Shahani and WPP India by country manager Ranjan Kapur, country finance director Paul Mower and Ogilvy & Mather vice chairman and country head of discovery & planning Madhukar Sabnavis.

     

    While the list of visiting faculty will be marked by Ogilvy & Mather executive chairman and national creative director Piyush Pandey, Encompass Events managing director Roshan Abbas the program directors will include the likes of Sabnavis and GroupM for South Asia CEO CVL Srinivas among others. 

     

    WPP CEO Martin Sorrell said, “Amid strong growth in the wider economy and, more specifically, in our sector, India is facing a pronounced talent shortage, one that is expected to become even more acute in the future. As the leading communications group in India and the world, WPP is committed to helping India to further develop the already high level of creative and professional talent in this sector.” 

     

    Speaking on the supply-demand gap for fresh talent in the industry, WPP India country manager Ranjan Kapur added, “We employ approximately 15,000 people (including associates) and on an average, we need 3,000 new recruits every year, including replacements and first timers and this school is just a small beginning. We hope to expand this to be able to cover a significantly large part of our requirements and turnout 400-500 young men and women every year from our school. Our first batch of 60 students is just the beginning.” 

     

    Committed to introducing a new education model, ISDI had welcomed its founding batch in July 2013. Founded by Kapoor in association with Parsons The New School of Design, New York, ISDI’s partnership with WPP will help create the right mix of design, innovation and effective communication that will shape the careers of future industry leaders.

     

    Kapoor said, “The joint establishment of the ISDI WPP school to nurture world-class creative talents and the development of a new model in the collaboration between colleges and companies is a new exploration on the path of higher vocational education for the ISDI. WPP and its companies are known for their world-class internal training programs. WPP will share its experience in developing such programs and making them relevant to ISDI and its students. Upon graduation, students will have a solid academic background and creative skill sets, providing them with good employment opportunities in our industry.” 

     

    The School will offer students a three-year undergraduate program, wherein, the first year comprises basic marketing and communication subjects and the second and third year offers students four major specialisations to choose from- Advertising and Communications, Media, Activation and Digital Marketing and Public Relations. WPP Lectures will run from Monday to Saturday, in the afternoons. Throughout the three years, students will be taught and mentored by top professionals from WPP and the industry, will work on live projects, build a portfolio, develop practical work skills, and have the opportunity to intern with WPP companies and get international exposure through student exchange and study abroad programs.

     

    Graduates will receive a three year Undergraduate Program certification from ISDI and WPP, in addition to a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from the University of Mumbai, IDOL (Institute of Distance and Open Learning).

     

    Going forward, Kapur says that it will hope to replicate this model in more cities. “We would like to take it forward and open another branch in New Delhi in the future,” Kapur said.