Live blog: News updates - week of 30 August

WICCI Public Relations & Digital Marketing Council launches 2021 ‘I Lead Mentoring Program’

 

WICCI PR & Digital Marketing Council have announced the 2021 edition of its ‘I Lead Mentoring Program 2021’. The six-month program aims to bridge mentoring gaps in the communications industry to address the challenge of women employees dropping off the leadership ladder through structured and supportive mentoring.  

 

The initiative invites mid and senior-level women professionals – between eight to 15 years of experience – to apply across PR, digital, advertising, journalism, corporate affairs, content, and corporate communications. The program will cover topics like personal branding, conflict management, crisis communication, networking and influencing skills, campaign management, and, storytelling and emotional intelligence.

 

Value 360 Communications to handle PR for Audi India 

 

Audi India has appointed Value 360 Communications as its PR and communications partner. The agency will be responsible for planning and managing all PR-related activities for Audi in India.

 

Pritha Dasgupta joins Havas Group India as CMO

 

Havas Group India appointed Pritha Dasgupta as chief marketing officer, with immediate effect. She will be based in Mumbai and report to Rana Barua, group CEO, Havas Group India. Dasgupta joins from IPG Mediabrands India where she was the senior director, integrated communications. She replaces Priyanka Mehra who moved on in July 2021. Dasgupta’s new role will include driving the marketing and communications function of the Group and all the network companies. 

 

Aditya Birla Group innovation fund partners with Whoppl

 

The Aditya Birla Group innovation fund has partnered with Whoppl, an influencer and digital content marketing agency for marketing, content and influencer engagement solutions. The agency will support the ABG innovation fund in ideating and curating new-age content for its sub-brands such as Van Heusen, Eternia and Linen Club, Birla Estates, and Birla Capital, among others.

 

John Abraham is the face of the new Mercy For Animals campaign

 

Actor John Abraham appears in a new Mercy For Animals India ‘Be nice to Animals’ ad, encouraging people to be kind to animals. The ad’s tagline reads, ‘In a world where you can be anything, be nice.’ 

 

'Malaika Arora Ventures' launched

 

Malaika Arora has decided to expand her horizon and venture toward entrepreneurship with the launch of Malaika Arora Ventures (MAV). In a recent interview with Campaign India, Arora stated that she wants to partner with brands from their inception and grow together. MAV has business tie ups like the e-commerce brand The Label Life in the fashion space, Sarva Yoga in fitness and her most recent venture The Nude Bowl in the clean eating space, and aims to bring the overall wellbeing sector to the fore with investments in the coming year.

 

Efficacy Worldwide to handle social media duties for Focus Fitness

 

Efficacy Worldwide has bagged the social media mandate for Focus Fitness. As per the mandate, the agency will manage the Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and create effective social media engagement for the brand. There was no multi-agency pitch involved. The agency's office in Gurugram will handle the account. 

 

Pantene gets Manushi Chhillar 

 

Former Miss World Manushi Chhillar has joined Pantene as a brand ambassador. Chhillar features in the Pantene 2in1's campaign, a product which offers the dual benefits of a shampoo and conditioner.

Kaizzen bags Aiwa Electronics’ PR mandate 

 

Kaizzen PR Services has won the PR mandate for Japanese consumer electronics major Aiwa Electronics. As per the mandate, the agency will be responsible for providing the brand with strategic communications support, covering corporate reputation management, product publicity, brand visibility, and crisis management.