Moves and wins roundup: Week of 14 Oct

Vertoz hires leaders to strengthen media representation business

Vertoz Limited has appointed Shashank Verma and Sudha Wadhwa to enhance its media representation business. Verma joins as head of sales, bringing over 14 years of experience in sectors such as media publishing and banking. He previously worked at The Indian Express Digital, where he developed key verticals and will now oversee sales initiatives across various sectors, including healthcare and government.

Wadhwa has been appointed national head of business growth, with over 16 years of experience in driving revenue growth and managing client partnerships. Her background spans print to AI-driven digital media, and she will focus on innovative marketing strategies to enhance brand visibility and revenue. These strategic appointments are aimed at strengthening Vertoz’s market position and driving growth in its digital advertising operations.

Sony Pictures Networks announces leadership change in kids and animation portfolio  

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has announced a leadership transition within its Kids and Animation portfolio. Leena Lele Dutta, who has led the portfolio since launching Sony YAY! in 2017, will step down as business head at the end of the fiscal year. Under her leadership, Sony YAY! became a popular destination for children's entertainment, producing original content and expanding into animation production and related business ventures.

Ambesh Tiwari, currently business operations Head at Sony YAY!, will succeed Dutta. With experience at Star India, Life OK, and Zee Entertainment, Tiwari is well-equipped to lead the channel forward.  

Interactive Avenues gets Home Centre’s social media mandate

Interactive Avenues, the digital arm of IPG Mediabrands India, has secured the social media mandate for Home Centre. The win comes after a multi-agency pitch and will be managed by the agency’s Bengaluru office. Home Centre, with 95 stores in India, offers furniture, home furnishings, accessories, bed and bath products, and kitchenware.

Interactive Avenues will lead the brand’s social media strategy, focusing on content that drives engagement and growth. The agency plans to use influencer partnerships, platform expertise, and community building strategies to increase brand visibility and consumer connections. Home Centre aims to leverage social media to enhance its digital presence in the current market landscape.

Naagin hires Mint and Milk PR to boost brand visibility

Mint and Milk PR has added Naagin, India’s first homegrown hot sauce brand, to its client roster. The PR agency will focus on elevating Naagin’s visibility and shaping its communication strategy through media outreach, influencer collaborations, and campaigns. Founded in 2019, Naagin produces hot sauces from indigenous Indian chilies and has expanded into other pantry staples.

The brand is available in over 700 premium outlets across India and internationally through platforms like Amazon USA, Walmart Canada, and Carrefour UAE. Naagin emphasizes sustainability through responsible sourcing and is plastic-neutral. Mint and Milk PR aims to amplify Naagin’s story and flavours, highlighting India’s culinary heritage in the market.

Way2News appoints Mansi Shah as west region head

Way2News, a hyperlocal news platform, has appointed Mansi Shah as Region Head for Western India. With 18 years of experience in media and advertising sales, Shah will lead monetization strategies and build brand partnerships to accelerate growth in the region. Her appointment comes as Way2News capitalizes on the increasing demand for hyperlocal content across India.

Shah’s experience in Hindi-speaking and regional language markets is expected to drive innovative advertising solutions for local audiences. Previously, Shah served as Director of Ad Sales at Viacom18 Media Pvt Ltd for over 12 years, managing revenue for major television properties. Her role at Way2News will support the platform’s expansion efforts in the Western region.

Lubi Industries partners with Telugu Titans for PKL

Lubi Industries LLP, a manufacturer of pumps and motors, has partnered with the Telugu Titans for the 11^th season of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). As an Associate Partner, Lubi Industries aims to increase its brand visibility in one of India’s popular sports leagues.

The partnership allows Lubi to connect with the Telugu Titans and PKL fan base, while the team benefits from enhanced brand exposure in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana markets. Lubi’s logo will appear on the shoulder blades of the Telugu Titans’ playing kits throughout the season. The collaboration aligns with Lubi’s strong presence in the domestic and agricultural pump sector, as PKL enjoys significant viewership in both rural and urban regions.

BORN HI Digital wins Sakra World Hospital’s digital mandate

Sakra World Hospital has appointed BORN HI Digital as its digital marketing agency. The integrated agency, with offices in Gurgaon, Mumbai, and Bangalore, will manage Sakra Hospital’s entire digital strategy.

This includes social media management, creative campaign development, digital and social media communications, and offline material design. Sakra World Hospital, known for its advanced Japanese technology in medical care, aims to enhance its digital presence and engage more effectively with current and prospective patients.

BORN HI Digital plans to use its expertise to strengthen Sakra’s online communication, develop health-focused campaigns, and create informative content. The partnership is expected to amplify the hospital’s vision and drive deeper engagement with its audience.

Roarrr Media appoints Ganapathy Viswanathan as chief mentor

Roarrr Media and Public Relations has appointed Ganapathy Viswanathan as its chief mentor, while completing 10 years of its operations. Founded in 2014, Roarrr serves Indian and global businesses offering public relations and branding services. Viswanathan, a communications veteran with over 30 years of experience, brings expertise from sectors like FMCG, pharmaceuticals, and tourism.

His role is expected to drive Roarrr’s growth, complementing its efforts in storytelling and brand building. Roarrr aims to continue its expansion, offering services across media relations, digital marketing, and crisis management.

Famous Innovations names George Kovoor as CCO

Famous Innovations has appointed George Kovoor as Chief Creative Officer, South. Kovoor, who previously worked at Wavemaker, brings over 30 years of experience in creative leadership across traditional and digital advertising. He has led successful campaigns for brands such as Tata Sky, Coke, and BMW, receiving national and international recognition

Kovoor’s expertise in blending creativity with media innovation aligns with Famous Innovations’ goals of pushing creative boundaries. His appointment is expected to enhance the agency’s capabilities as it continues to grow its client base and expand its creative reach.

Wrap2Earn secures Cityflo bus ad rights

Wrap2Earn has partnered with Cityflo to gain exclusive advertising rights on its buses across Mumbai and Hyderabad. The partnership offers brands access to a premium advertising platform on over 40 Cityflo routes, targeting key commercial and residential areas.

In addition to external bus ads, advertisers can reach thousands of passengers through internal branding and digital ad campaigns via the Cityflo app. This collaboration extends Wrap2Earn’s expertise in transit advertising, providing businesses with an impactful way to connect with their audience as cities grow and demand for engaging strategies increases.

SRV Edge appoints Raveendra Singh as national sales head

SRV Edge has appointed Raveendra Singh as its national sales head to drive growth in the education sector. Singh brings extensive experience in B2B sales and account management, having held leadership roles in several EdTech platforms.

In his new position, Singh will be responsible for developing and executing strategic sales initiatives aimed at expanding SRV Edge's presence within the education market. He will collaborate with educational institutions and partners to enhance client relationships and deliver value.

Nitro Commerce, Disney+ Hotstar introduce AI ad platform

Nitro Commerce has launched Nitro Ads, an AI-powered advertising platform designed to provide an alternative to traditional digital marketing avenues such as Meta and Google. The platform uses Nitro’s proprietary algorithm to target high-intent users across multiple publishers, enhancing the precision of advertising campaigns.

By leveraging advanced first-party data, Nitro Ads claims to improve Return on Ad Spend (RoAS) by up to five times. A key partnership with Disney+ Hotstar allows Nitro Ads to reach consumers where they are most engaged, broadening its impact in the digital marketing landscape.

Nitro Commerce aims to reshape the advertising environment in a privacy-compliant manner, adapting to the decline of third-party cookies. The company says that its technology delivers ads and drives customer engagement and conversion.

Crayons Advertising appoints Rohit Thakkar as VP

Crayons Advertising has appointed Rohit Thakkar as vice president of revenue and growth. In this role, Thakkar will focus on new client acquisitions and strategies to drive business growth and revenue. With over 22 years of experience in advertising, he will play a significant part in the agency's future plans.

Thakkar previously worked at Crayons and has experience at agencies such as Mirum, MX, and BMEG. His return is seen as a strengthening move for Crayons as the agency aims to innovate and expand its market presence. Based in the Mumbai, Thakkar will be tasked with advancing the agency's growth initiatives.

C Com Digital wins HealZen's digital marketing mandate

C Com Digital has secured the mandate to manage the digital marketing and creative services for HealZen Quantum Cure Private Ltd, a healthcare company focused on pro-therapeutic therapy and patient care. The agency will handle HealZen’s website development, social media management, SEO, online advertising, WhatsApp marketing, packaging design, and all creative content.

HealZen aims to transform healthcare by addressing chronic non-communicable diseases through an integrated approach that combines modern medicine with holistic therapies. This collaboration is expected to enhance HealZen’s visibility in the Indian healthcare market, facilitating patient engagement and brand awareness as it launches its first clinic in Pune

AnyMind Group appoints co-leads for India and MENA

AnyMind Group has appointed Siddharth Kelkar and Aditya Aima as co-managing directors for its India and MENA operations. The move follows the departure of Rubeena Singh. AnyMind aims to leverage the extensive experience of the duo to drive business expansion in these regions.

Both executives joined AnyMind through the acquisition of POKKT in 2020, bringing years of industry expertise to their new roles. The company seeks to strengthen its market presence by enhancing strategic partnerships and innovation in marketing and e-commerce.

Cheil India bags MRF Tyres digital marketing mandate yet again

MRF Tyres has renewed its digital and media mandate given to Cheil India's Experience Commerce for the 12th consecutive year. The agency will continue to provide digital solutions, including social media management and media planning.

The tyre manufacturer relies on Experience Commerce to enhance its online presence through impactful campaigns. Past initiatives include the 'Ride The Thrill' campaign and the 'MRF Rain Day' awareness drive, which highlighted tyre safety.

The ongoing partnership will continue to focus on developing strategies that increase brand engagement and market presence for MRF. Experience Commerce aims to further bolster MRF's digital outreach and create tailored content for its target audience across various platforms.

Fixderma appoints Preetam Jena as CMO

Fixderma has appointed Preetam Jena as its chief marketing officer and head of e-commerce. Jena, who took on the role this year, has initiated marketing partnerships with the IPL’s Delhi Capitals and SplitsvillaX5. With 15 years of experience in e-commerce and digital marketing across Southeast Asia including India, Jena brings a data-driven approach to brand growth and customer engagement.

In his position at Fixderma, Jena will spearhead the marketing function, reporting to co-founder and CEO, Shaily Mehrotra. The company, established in 2010, focuses on dermatologist-prescribed skincare and has gained global recognition, exporting to over 40 countries. It aims to blend prescription treatments with over-the-counter products to address various skin issues, including aging and acne. Jena’s leadership is expected to enhance the brand's presence and effectiveness in the competitive skincare market.

Lloyds Metals hires ABND for branding

Lloyds Metals and Energy has appointed ABND as its communication design agency. The partnership aims to enhance Lloyds’ brand identity and communication efforts as the company focuses on maximizing stakeholder value and expanding market presence. Lloyds Metals and Energy is a key player in the steel, sponge iron, and pig iron industry with over 30 years of experience.

ABND, known for its expertise in B2B branding, will work on building a brand narrative that aligns with Lloyds’ industry leadership. Further details on the collaboration will be revealed in coming months.

Läderach partners with Brand Catapult

The Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group) has awarded the social media and performance marketing mandate for Läderach India to Brand Catapult following a multi-agency pitch. Brand Catapult, known for digital marketing and creative content development, will work to strengthen Läderach’s digital presence in India.

As Läderach’s exclusive partner in India, DS Group aims to deliver premium Swiss chocolate experiences to Indian consumers. The partnership emphasizes DS Group’s focus on quality and Brand Catapult’s expertise in engaging with wider audiences through digital channels.

FCB Kinnect appoints Yogesh Mani Pradhan as group executive creative director-west

FCB Kinnect has appointed Yogesh Mani Pradhan as the group executive creative director for western India. He will lead FCB Kinnect’s Mumbai office, contributing to the agency’s creative culture and client relationships.

Pradhan, who previously spent two decades at Ogilvy, has worked with prominent brands, including Castrol, Mondelez, Amazon, and Adidas. His work includes several notable campaigns like 'Truckasana' for Castrol and 'Boys Don’t Cry' for Vogue. 

82.5 Communications wins De Beers creative mandate for India

82.5 Communications has been awarded the creative mandate by De Beers Group to drive interest in natural diamonds among Indian consumers. This partnership comes as India becomes the second-largest global market for natural diamond jewellery. The focus will be on reinforcing the emotional appeal of diamonds, promoting their rarity and enduring value, and fostering category growth within the Indian market.

The campaign will also involve strengthening relationships with retailers and leveraging De Beers' proprietary diamond verification and tracing technologies to ensure authenticity. The collaboration aims to shape new narratives around natural diamonds, contributing to the development of the entire jewellery sector in India.

McCann Bengaluru appoints Jeff Thomas as assistant vice president for strategy and planning

McCann Bengaluru has appointed Jeff Thomas as assistant vice president–strategy and planning. Thomas, who has over 15 years of experience in advertising and digital marketing, brings a diverse background from working with both startups and large brands like Tanishq, ITC, and Titan.

His expertise includes digital-first strategies and business analytics. McCann sees this appointment as a key step in enhancing its strategy team and strengthening its client relationships in Bengaluru.