Tag: Zoo Media

  • Zoo Media & KraftJar partner to boost experiential marketing and IP development

    Zoo Media & KraftJar partner to boost experiential marketing and IP development

    Mumbai: In a strategic move within the Indian Experiential Marketing industry, Zoo Media, an Indian agency network, and experiential marketing agency KraftJar are partnering to deliver seamless, end-to-end experiential marketing solutions, combining offline (on-ground) and digital strengths to drive business growth & end-user experience. Here’s a look at their joint vision and its impact on the Indian market.

    Brands often face the challenge of maintaining a unified narrative while managing multiple agencies. One of the primary motivations behind this partnership is the need for a consistent and cohesive marketing strategy that spans both offline and online platforms. This partnership offers a streamlined end-to-end solution, ensuring that brand messaging remains consistent and impactful across all channels.

    “Offline and digital marketing have often operated in silos, and our partnership with KraftJar is set to change that. By integrating consumer touchpoints both offline and online, we are in a unique position to weave consumer stories that transition and integrate the digital world,” emphasised Zoo Media Network co-founder Suveer Bajaj.

    Leveraging Experiential Marketing for Indian Brands

    KraftJar’s core expertise of conceptualizing & curating long-term experiential intellectual properties for brands will now be accessible to Zoo Media’s extensive client base across the Indian subcontinent.

    ‘‘We are really excited about our partnership with Zoo Media,’’ stated KraftJar co-founder Sandeep Pandit. ‘‘We strongly believe that there is immense opportunity in India when it comes to Intellectual Properties (IPs) in Experiential Marketing and brands are yet to tap into the full potential of this space. In Zoo, we have found a partner that shares our DNA and core values. Combining Zoo’s immense experience and specialized tools in digital marketing with KraftJar’s IP approach & experience, we form a powerful team. Together, we can devise cohesive strategies that help brands scale to the next level while creating a loyal tribe of followers through experiential marketing initiatives.’’

    KraftJar co-founder Parth Desai expanded on that, “Our philosophy has always been to work alongside brands as partners to impact brand visibility and genuine engagement with their target audiences. This partnership gives us the ability to leverage Zoo Media Network’s extensive client base and set up the platform to create new experiences for the end consumers.”

    In an era where marketing is becoming increasingly complex, this partnership stands as a symbol of simplicity and efficiency. Brands no longer need to juggle multiple agencies and points of contact. Instead, they can rely on this unified powerhouse to solve their complex marketing problems with a cohesive strategy and execution plan.

    The teams at Zoo Media and KraftJar share a remarkable synergy, bringing together a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the market dynamics. Their combined expertise will enable clients to receive service and strategic insight to the highest standards, making this partnership a natural fit

    Talking about the partnership, Suveer said, “Zoo’s growth strategy has involved diversification from a services company to building products and IPs, and this partnership is aligned with our goals. By helping our brand partners establish Intellectual Property for themselves, we ensure that we are intrinsically building value for them (and for ourselves).  Sandeep and Parth demonstrate the key traits of entrepreneurship that align well with our culture and values at Zoo.”

    This strategic alliance between Zoo Media and KraftJar is set to offer a comprehensive, unified solution that bridges the gap between offline and online marketing.

  • Goldmedal’s New Year campaign highlights senior citizens’ loneliness

    Goldmedal’s New Year campaign highlights senior citizens’ loneliness

    Mumbai: Goldmedal Electricals, one of India’s leading fast moving electrical goods (FMEG) companies, announced the launch of their New Year’s ad campaign, which aims to highlight the increasing loneliness amongst senior citizens. As per reports, almost 75 per cent of seniors feel alone despite having families. Social isolation and loneliness among seniors are widespread and are recognized as a priority health problem.

    Conceptualized and executed by FoxyMoron, the flagship agency of Zoo Media, campaign invites the audience to reflect on the emotional needs of the elderly, often overshadowed by the relentless pace of modern life. The busy lifestyles of the younger generation mean that they are often unable to give the time and attention that their elders need. Goldmedal’s ad depicts volunteers sprucing up the interiors of an old-age home with the brand’s products and then spending time with the elderly residents to brighten up their day. It suggests a special New Year’s resolution – giving the gift of time to seniors who might be longing for companionship.

    Speaking about the New Year’s ad campaign, Goldmedal Electricals director Kishan Jain commented, “Our New Year’s campaign goes beyond simply highlighting our electrical solutions. We want to create a meaningful impact by addressing the issue of senior citizen loneliness and emphasizing the need to show appreciation to those who have given us so much. It’s a small gesture that can make a huge difference and bring immense joy to the lives of the elderly.”

    Goldmedal invites the public to join the movement and share their stories of spending time with seniors. The campaign is part of their #GharGharLagtaHai campaign which brings out the various facets of Indian family life that makes every home special.

  • WhatsApp Channels: A brand’s new frontier for enhanced engagement!

    WhatsApp Channels: A brand’s new frontier for enhanced engagement!

    Mumbai: Earlier this month, Meta chief Mark Zukerberg has announced the launch of WhatsApp Channels to over 150 countries including India. With channels, WhatsApp’s goal is to build the most private broadcast service available, according to the company statement. Channels are separate from chats, and who you choose to follow is not visible to other followers.

    A WhatsApp Channel allows companies to send messages to a large number of customers at once. This broadcast feature makes the communication easier and saves resources, as you only need to send one message to reach a lot of people at once.

    Companies can send, for example, important information, updates, product launches, special deals, and company news on the channels. This direct style of communication can improve customer loyalty and brand awareness.

    Several movie stars including Katrina Kaif, Diljit Dosanjh, Akshay Kumar, and Vijay Deverakonda, have already unveiled their WhatsApp Channels. Also, the Indian Cricket Team has also launched its WhatsApp Channel, aligning with the excitement building up around the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

    With all this, we will see what the industry experts have to say regarding Channels, on whether this platform will be a boon for brands and content creators or is it just another gimmick? Let’s find out!

    Edited excerpts

    Chtrbox VP Karan Pherwani

    The introduction of WhatsApp Channels represents an exciting development for both brands and creators within the digital landscape. This feature promises to be a game-changer in terms of community building, offering a unique platform for engagement. While platforms like Discord and Instagram have made strides in this area, WhatsApp’s extensive reach holds the potential to resonate even more profoundly with India’s tier 2 and Tier 3 audiences.

    WhatsApp Channels will serve as open channels for brands and creators to foster meaningful interactions with their followers and consumers. It provides a seamless avenue for keeping the audience informed and engaged. The ability to communicate directly through WhatsApp, a widely used messaging app in India, will undoubtedly enhance the accessibility and intimacy of these connections. This innovation is poised to redefine how brands and creators connect with their target demographics, offering a fresh, dynamic channel for engagement and communication.

    FoxyMoron (Zoo Media) business director Shubit Rakshit

    The platform is a game-changer for content creators and marketers alike, providing an intimate space to connect with audiences. With its enhanced features and commitment to privacy, WhatsApp Channels opens new doors for personalized engagement and authentic communication. It would also be interesting to see how businesses leverage this platform, especially in a diverse market like India, by delivering content in regional languages and vernacular.

    With WhatsApp Channels, the industry at large gains a versatile tool to amplify brand visibility, engagement, and ultimately, ROI.

    TheSmallBigIdea CEO & co-founder Harikrishnan Pillai

    I have reservations against any feature that mimics another platform, especially when the genesis of the existence of the app is far away from that.

    WhatsApp is primarily used for direct and personal conversations with people you know, and you don’t see the need for it to become a platform for one-to-many communication. The core of the platform is interactivity and conversations, which the feature gives a complete miss in the current avatar.

    An extension to the absence of interactivity is the absence of a comments section on WhatsApp, which is a feature that drives engagement on other social platforms. While WhatsApp can argue it as a feature or a limitation, in a one-to-many scenario, there has to be a door for a 2-way conversation.

    WhatsApp is an already overwhelming space. Work conversation, personal conversation groups, status and now this.

    SoCheers group head – outreach Kunal Khandelwal

    WhatsApp’s transition into this territory feels more natural and promising, considering its wide user base. The vision is to offer brands a distinct avenue for connecting with their audience in a more personalized and exclusive manner. However, it would require brands and creators to establish their subscriber base from scratch unlike Instagram’s ‘Broadcast Channels’, where brands and creators can get their existing follower base.

    Thus, to make the most of WhatsApp Channels, brands can captivate their audience by offering special promotions, exclusive insights into upcoming products, and showcasing variations within their product line. This strategy cultivates a sense of exclusivity, ensuring that the audience remains engaged and eagerly anticipates what the brand has to offer. Particularly in industries like entertainment, where frequent updates and releases are the norm, WhatsApp channels prove highly effective. Moreover, brands in this sector can share relatable content, engage directly with fans, and maintain a consistent stream of updates.

  • Zoo Media appoints Satya Koniki as head of global delivery

    Zoo Media appoints Satya Koniki as head of global delivery

    Mumbai: Zoo Media, India’s largest independent digital agency network, is pleased to announce the appointment of Satya Koniki as the head of global delivery. Satya will be responsible for establishing global delivery centres (GDCs) that will leverage India’s finest talent and offshoring capabilities to serve independent agencies worldwide.

    Satya Koniki is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of multi-faceted industry experience and expertise in global operations. Previously, he held key positions in global companies such as HCL, Wunderman, and Hogarth in India and e-commerce startups like Chegg and A1Books in the USA. His efficiency in offshoring, fostering robust agency partnerships, managing high-profile clients, and navigating the complexities of digital marketing will add tangible business value to the Zoo Media team.

    Satya commented on his new role, “Setting up global delivery hubs is about identifying talent, building teams at scale, tailoring processes and adapting to changing market dynamics to deliver client solutions – with Zoo Media, most of these are covered, so I am excited to push forward”.

    Satya’s responsibilities will encompass various regions within the Zoo Media Network, with a critical focus on Zoo global delivery. The network already has a team based in the US aiming to centralise offshore services.

    Satya’s role involves overseeing seamless operations worldwide, beginning with  Indian centres and later expanding to different regions.  He is adept at creating customised delivery centres to meet client needs and requirements, “It’s about fostering flexibility and preparedness, ensuring that business operations can thrive regardless of external challenges, thereby delivering valuable services to clients,” he added.

    Satya will work closely with cross-functional teams across sales, HR, finance, and client servicing. He will be reporting directly to Zoo Media co-founder Suveer Bajaj.

    “Our Global Delivery Centres (GDCs) aim to create value for independent agencies worldwide by providing high-quality output through resource augmentation. Considering Satya’s expertise in building offshore centres of excellence, we look forward to him strengthening Zoo Media’s global positioning as a reliable partner,” said Zoo Media co-founder Suveer Bajaj.

    Satya’s previous work includes successfully establishing Microsoft ad-support centres in Costa Rica in 2022 and four WPP Hubs globally within a year for team Nokia in 2010. Before moving to India, he was instrumental in setting up the critical rental publisher infrastructure for Chegg Inc. He also played a pivotal role in establishing a pioneering independent book marketplace in 2004.

  • Zoo Media joins Dawn; announces the launch of global office in New York

    Zoo Media joins Dawn; announces the launch of global office in New York

    Mumbai: Independent agency network Zoo Media Network has announced the launch of its first global office in New York, in partnership with independent agency collective Dawn.

    The Zoo Media network is a multi-specialty, integrated media network. It consists of 11 agency brands, including the flagship full-funnel creative and performance digital agency, FoxyMoron, and web3 rights and services company, Metaform, amongst other prominent agencies.

    Founded by Pratik Gupta and Suveer Bajaj, the network comprises homegrown, acquired, and  joint venture agencies across content, media, data, and technology. Zoo Media houses a team of over 600+ specialists servicing both domestic and international clients, including Netflix, YouTube, Tinder, Kellogg’s, P&G, and Unilever.

    Dawn is the portfolio of 15+ independent, specialist marketing services agencies with a focus on centralised data science, advanced analytics, and econometric measurement. The collective includes renowned agencies like Barkley, Crossmedia, Definition 6, Co: Collective, and Rethink, amongst other illustrious agencies.

    Speaking on the partnership and the foray into global expansion, Zoo Media co-founder Suveer Bajaj said, “After having consolidated a stronghold position for ourselves in India and the Middle East as a leading integrated marketing technology network, expanding our offices into North America was the natural next step. Our prowess in the North American market lies in the range of integrated services that include our best-in-class web3.0, metaverse, and blockchain offerings. In light of this vision, we are happy to have partnered with Dawn and find ourselves among the leading independent agencies in and outside the US to bring our best-in-class marketing technology services to the shores of the US.”

    Zoo Media co-founder Pratik Gupta said, “We’re well on our way to globalising our ambition of taking Indian creativity and technology to the world. We’re excited to work with the agencies within Dawn and bring them the scale of offshore Indian talent.”

    Dawn CEO Bob Kantor said, “Zoo Media has industry-leading technology and development expertise critical to today’s marketers and the modern marketing model. Our agency partners and clients recognise that modern marketing includes the complementary combination of brilliant strategy and creativity with marketing technology.”

    Crossmedia CEO Kamran Asghar said, “We have been collaborating with the Zoo Media team to integrate proprietary technology to accelerate our global expansion. We’re excited to have Zoo Media join Dawn and continue to integrate advanced technology to deliver superior business results for our clients.”

  • FoxyMoron elevates Keerthi Kumar as business head – South

    FoxyMoron elevates Keerthi Kumar as business head – South

    Mumbai: Zoo Media Network’s FoxyMoron has elevated Keerthi Kumar as business head – south. He will be responsible for leading business operations and fostering business development across the region, contributing to the overall growth of the Zoo Media conglomerate.

    Keerthi will continue to report to FoxyMoron national head of client partnerships Prachi Bali.

    In the last 16 months since joining FoxyMoron as group account director, Keerthi has grown the business by 2x while onboarding clients across sectors with multinational corporations, startups, and Indian-owned businesses alike. His current clients include AO Smith, the OTT giants Aha Tamil and Aha Telugu, new NFT brand Fancraze, Bestseller India-JDY, ProduKt & i.scenery, Wrangler, TVS Motor Company and projects with brands such as Zebronics, Arrow & Maharaja Trophy.

    Over the months, under Keerthi’s leadership, the team size has grown considerably, with key senior appointments across art, strategy, and copy being made over the past year.

    Speaking on the development, Bali said, “Keerthi has championed every curveball thrown his way, with hard work and the ability to lead a team effectively. His stellar contribution in growing the business in the market while also maintaining existing client relationships has been a big win for us. Furthermore, what we value most, being a people-first organisation, is that Keerthi leads with empathy.”

    Commenting on his new role, Keerthi added, “I am thrilled to take up the new mantle at FoxyMoron! The South is booming with legacy industries and unicorn companies alike, giving us ample scope to scale our business in the region as a network with the promise of integrated solutions. While I am looking forward to this wonderful new endeavour with FoxyMoron and Zoo Media, I am positive about nurturing a tribe of individuals whose work will define them.”

  • XP&D, Zoo Media, and Noesis.tech launch web3.0 platform ‘xp&adland’

    XP&D, Zoo Media, and Noesis.tech launch web3.0 platform ‘xp&adland’

    MUMBAI: XP&D, Zoo Media & Noesis.tech have launched on Wednesday xp&dland, a next-generation platform for brands on the metaverse.

    xp&dland will enable web3.0 strategies for brands and look at evangelizing communities and companies from the real or web2.0 world to pivot to the metaverse, for their product showcases, events, and activations.

    The xp&dland platform is focusing on building the O2O2M (Offline ⇋ Online ⇋ Metaverse) consumer experiences for brands. This platform is using technology (Noesis. Tech) as a common enabler, building community strategies (Zoo Media), and enabling shared and social experiences for consumers (XP&D).

    xp&dland co-founder Sukrit Singh said, “Metaverse is said to be the next big technology platform and is expected to become an $800 billion market by 2024. It is expected to see the collision of three worlds – Web 2.0 (or the Mobile and social internet as we experience it today), Web 3.0 (powered by 5G, enhanced computing, and the blockchain), and Live Social and Shared experiences. With xp&dland, we want to harness this opportunity, by bringing together the best in each of these domains and giving brands the best opportunity to succeed in the Web3.0 world.”

    The initial focus of xp&dland is to build experiences for brands in the Metaverse and get consumers to interact with them. xp&dland is built on Spatial.io giving brands an opportunity to experience the metaverse firsthand. The motive is to build similar experiences for brands and bring communities from the real world (events & activations) and the web2.0 world to the Metaverse.

    Elaborating on the past experience with brands testing the Metaverse space, xp&dland co-founder Pratik Gupta said, “Whilst these are very early days of the metaverse, we already have proof of concept. Our sports-focused vertical, TCM Platform has enabled over 70,000 people to enter the metaverse and interact with the Gujarat Titans during their logo launch. Our hypothesis of taking engaged communities and building long term web3.0 strategies has paid off and we have now launched the Titans Locker Room on Spatial where players such as Shubman Gill & Rashid Khan do live meet and greets with fans, we have the history of the franchise and are continuing to build on their success. We are confident of being the go-to web3.0 platform for brands given the diverse skill sets we all bring to the table.”

    The platform has curated a team of over 100 people, focused on delivering metaverse community strategies and outcomes for brands. The team includes animators, artists, developers, web3.0 planners, and community managers across Discord, Twitch & Reddit.

    xp&dland co-founder Siddharth Bhansali said, “We are in talks with all major platforms and marketplaces to collaborate. xp&dland will be platform-agnostic and will enable consumers and brands to play, socialize and transact in the metaverse world. Version 1.0 of xp&dland is built on Spatial.io. Currently, there are no barriers to experiencing xp&dland. It will be accessible on all devices including mobiles, tablets /devices, and wearables. We hope to change the landscape for brand marketing in times to come.”

    With its headquarters in the Metaverse and physical offices in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Gurgaon, Dubai, and New York. xp&dland plans to own and build spaces on all metaverse platforms, including Spatial, Decentraland, Sandbox, Roblox, Horizons, Mesh, and Alt VR among others.

  • Foxymoron’s Suveer Bajaj launches digital publication Man’s Life

    Foxymoron’s Suveer Bajaj launches digital publication Man’s Life

    Mumbai: Suveer Bajaj, co-founder of independent digital advertising agency FoxyMoron and the media network Zoo Media on Thursday announced the launch of a digital publication – Man’s Life which will be exclusively dedicated to men’s lifestyle. 

    The publication will feature internet-based video, and written content on various segments that include sports, lifestyle, auto, and entertainment. 

    Popular television presenter and sports commentator Suhail Chandhok will lead the sports editorial. Consulting editor and actor Eva Pavithran will lead the lifestyle editorial, while presenter and content creator Chinmaya Sharma will be in charge of entertainment editorial.

    The first phase of the publication will be a video-first content approach by creating video IPs and branded content solutions with upcoming influencers, who will act as digital brand ambassadors. The platform currently offers brand services like creating video IPs, advertiser-funded programmes, advertorials, white labelled content, affiliate marketing, native advertising opportunities, and influencer marketing.

    The second phase will introduce the e-commerce aspect of the business model and the introduction of regional content.

    “We observed a massive gap in advertising options exclusively for men. We thought if we have successfully built brands for our clients through the network over the years, why not create our own brand leveraging our own skills and experience? I believe that Man’s Life community will be integral in dictating the consumer journey from the discovery to the trial phase,” said Bajaj. 

    Man’s Life sports editor Suhail Chandhok said, “Sport always brings a sense of upliftment and with everyone being home and video content consumption being at an all-time high, I’m excited about leaning on my experiences to engage with millennial and Gen-Z sports fans through relatable content and also spark some really interesting conversations.” 

    Man’s Life is published by Mammoth Media, the media publishing house of Zoo Media.

  • Zoo Media launches DoyenOink Consulting

    Zoo Media launches DoyenOink Consulting

    Zoo Media has launched DoyenOink Consulting, a transformation, and management consulting firm which leverages data intelligence, technology interventions, inventive strategic thinking and impactful communication to drive systematic solutions for business challenges across the spectrum.

    DoyenOink Consulting will be led by director Priyal Sheth Kilachand  who will be reporting into co-founder of Zoo Media and FoxyMoron Suveer Bajaj. Kilachand, began her journey with FoxyMoron in 2010, in the business development team and later headed the business development and strategy division. 

    She’s worked with over 50 brands such as Loreal, P&G, SAB Miller, Mahindra & Mahindra among others. 

    In 2015, Kilachand joined Sun Pharma, as a digital consultant, where she led campaigns for brands such as  Volini, Revital, Suncros, and Pepfiz. Priyal has been working on building DoyenOink Consulting from the ground up since 2019. 

    Bajaj said “Digital Transformation today has become a necessity for business continuity or risk mitigation in today’s environment. Today, 70 per cent of Indian companies either have a digital transformation strategy or are working on one. Our goal is to empower organisations to adopt digital, deep within their DNA and help them address business challenges to achieve organisational excellence, meet customer satisfaction, and most importantly stay ahead of the competition. Our team of experts or as we like to call them ‘doyens’ are the best minds in their fields, be it technology, product customer journey planning, strategic brand communications, and business and operational strategy.” 

    Kilachand shared, “While we are a new consulting firm, we are thrilled with the response we've received so far. Currently, we’re working with clients across the sectors of education, consumer products, e-commerce & industrial trading. Our depth of services has spanned from brand position to operational excellence, all the way down to structuring the optimum sales channel mix. 2020 has been the year of accelerated digital adoption and we are confident that our expertise will be of immense value to our partners that are looking for deep and integrated solutions to address their unpredictable business challenges.” 

    DoyenOink Consulting services will be available across all Zoo Media offices pan-India i.e Mumbai, Delhi-GGN and Bangalore. 

  • FoxyMoron elevates Prachi Bali as national head – client partnerships

    FoxyMoron elevates Prachi Bali as national head – client partnerships

    MUMBAI: Creative digital marketing and media solutions agency, FoxyMoron, has promoted Prachi Bali as national head, client partnerships. In this role, Bali will be handling the agency’s key client partnerships across Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore while continuing to retain her role as the agency’s business head, North. She will report to co-founders Zoo Media and FoxyMoron Pratik Gupta and Suveer Bajaj in this new role.

    Speaking on the appointment, Gupta, said, “Prachi has been one of the most integral parts of our agency journey over the last 7 years. She has some of the best client relationships owing to the fact that she invests in solving their business problems and successfully builds great teams. We want to harness her ambition of sustainably working with some of the biggest global brands and ensuring that they continue to work with us for a long period of time. I am personally excited about this role  and I believe she will take the organisation to greater heights.”

    Adding to it, Bajaj said, “FoxyMoron has been growing at a rapid pace since we started back in 2008. We are keen on not just signing clients but being their business partners in the truest sense there is, that is being as invested in the growth of their business as much as they are. Prachi, over the last 4 years as Business Head, North, has done just that. She’s proved her mettle with strong client relationships and a deep understanding of business and we are excited to use her experience and endurance across the board.”  

    Bali joined FoxyMoron, Mumbai as an account manager in 2013, where she rose rapidly through the ranks to the position of account director. She worked across the beauty, edu-tech, Alco-Bev, FMCG & lifestyle categories over her tenure. In 2016 she took on the role of business head, north, and moved to Gurgaon becoming the agency's youngest business head. Over the past 4 years, Prachi has grown the business by 6 times in the northern market and has built a strong partnership with the clients in the region. Her experience spreads across categories such as FMCG, Electronics, BFSI, Manufacturing, and Entertainment to name a few. Prior to FoxyMoron, she co-founded a social entrepreneurial venture called Project Chirag, which provides solar lights to underprivileged villages in India without access to electricity. This project has been running successfully as an NGO for the past 10 years.