Moves and wins roundup: Week of 26 Aug

Legends League Cricket appoints Buffalo Soldiers for creative and influencer marketing

Legends League Cricket (LLC) has selected Buffalo Soldiers as its creative and influencer marketing agency for the 2024 season. The agency will handle LLC’s social media, influencer marketing, TV commercials, digital content, out-of-home (OOH) campaigns, and digital media strategies.

The partnership aims to boost LLC's engagement and reach, coinciding with the return of iconic cricketers like Harbhajan Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, and Chris Gayle. Matches will take place across Jodhpur, Surat, Jammu, and Srinagar from September 20, 2024.  

Hettich India appoints Wondrlab as creative partner 

Hettich India, a key player in the furniture fittings industry, has appointed Wondrlab India as its creative partner. The partnership aims to strengthen the company's brand positioning in the Indian market, focusing on furniture fittings, door hardware, and built-in appliances. Wondrlab will leverage its marketing expertise to enhance Hettich's brand presence and engage with target audiences through creative storytelling across multiple platforms.

Wondrlab's alignment with Hettich's seeks to convey how the latter's solutions can enrich everyday living, making the brand synonymous not only with functionality but also with enhancing lifestyles. The agency will capitalise on the growing demand for premium home and office solutions in India’s expanding real estate sector. It plans to implement fresh ideas and strategic approaches to help Hettich India connect more effectively with its customers, emphasising quality and innovation to reinforce the brand’s market leadership.

Mahindra Lifespaces partners with The Womb for brand development

Mahindra Lifespace Developers, the real estate arm of the Mahindra Group, has appointed The Womb as a strategic and creative partner to develop its master brand proposition. The agency's role will be to shape the brand's strategic and creative direction, with work on the new campaign already underway and expected to launch in the coming months.

Viral Oza, chief marketing officer at Mahindra Lifespaces, noted the significant growth potential in India's real estate sector compared to markets like China. The collaboration aims to address evolving consumer expectations and market dynamics, positioning Mahindra Lifespaces as a leading branded player in the industry. Heval Patel, COO of The Womb, highlighted the ambitious growth plans for the sector, projecting a market expansion from $240 billion to $1 trillion over the next seven years, with Mahindra Lifespaces aiming to capture a significant share.

Collective Artists Network and TTT launch StoryPacks for enhanced brand storytelling

Collective Artists Network has teamed up with Terribly Tiny Tales (TTT) to launch StoryPacks, an initiative aimed at boosting brands' social media presence through authentic storytelling. StoryPacks leverage TTT’s storytelling expertise and Collective’s talent network, providing brands with the opportunity to collaborate with top creators and celebrities to reach TTT’s 5 million followers, enhancing audience engagement and brand visibility.

The StoryPacks initiative is designed to deliver targeted content to a wide audience, encouraging user-generated content and genuine engagement. This service includes a series of collaborative posts on both TTT’s and the brand’s Instagram handles, combining creative storytelling with data-driven results. It aims to connect brands with young Indians across various regions, including metro areas and expanding cities like Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, and Pune, while offering a streamlined process from content creation to performance analysis

Signature Global appoints Poulomi Ray as head of digital marketing and CSR

Signature Global has appointed Poulomi Ray as the new head of digital marketing and corporate social responsibility (CSR). With over 16 years of experience in marketing and communications, she has previously worked with companies like Metro Goldwyn Mayer (USA), DLF Camellias, and Paras Buildtech.

At Signature Global, Ray will be responsible for driving digital marketing efforts and spearheading CSR initiatives, focusing on strengthening the brand's market presence and community impact. She emphasised her intent to integrate innovative marketing strategies, technological advancements, and impactful CSR programmes, reflecting the company's ongoing dedication to setting new benchmarks in the real estate sector.

SW Network secures creative mandate for Udaan

SW Network, an integrated advertising agency, has been selected to handle the creative mandate for Udaan, an business-to-business (B2B) platform. This partnership will see SW Network developing and executing social media strategies to enhance udaan's brand presence and drive business growth. The mandate will be managed from SW Network's Delhi office.

Bengaluru-based Udaan was established in 2016 to transform the trade ecosystem by using technology to support small and medium businesses. It covers various sectors, including FMCG, staples, fruits and vegetables, and pharma, and maintains a significant market share.

Swiggy Instamart names Amitesh Jha as new CEO

Swiggy has appointed Amitesh Jha as the new CEO of Swiggy Instamart, its quick commerce division, effective September 4. An industry veteran with over 20 years of experience, he previously held key roles at Flipkart, including leading categories like smartphones and large appliances and managing logistics operations. Swiggy’s co-founder, Phani Kishan, will transition to a broader role within the company, overseeing Swiggy's Central Growth unit.

Jha expressed enthusiasm about his new role at Swiggy Instamart, emphasising the potential for innovation in India's consumer internet space. His background includes significant contributions to Flipkart’s growth, particularly in mainstreaming e-commerce in India, and he holds degrees from IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad.

Asymmetrique secures marketing mandate for Ginza Industries

Mumbai-based marketing firm Asymmetrique has been appointed to handle brand management and marketing for Ginza Industries, a company with 38 years of experience in India's textile and apparel sector. The ageny will work on building strong brand identities and enhancing the digital presence of Ginza’s flagship brands, including SOIE, a luxury women's lingerie and activewear line, Aqua, a premium swimwear brand, and a new menswear brand set to launch soon.

The partnership aims to boost Ginza’s market position through strategic brand identity, packaging design, and digital marketing initiatives. As part of the agreement, Asymmetrique will create video-first content and manage all digital media and e-commerce for Ginza’s brands. The collaboration is set to elevate Ginza’s presence in the competitive Indian market, ensuring its products resonate with consumers. 

Aniket Kulkarni appointed managing director of Pioneer India

Pioneer India has appointed Aniket Kulkarni as its new managing director. He joined the company in December 2023, bringing 20 years of experience in automotive sales and business development from his previous roles at Premium Sound Solutions, Harman, and Cerence. He will report directly to Shiro Yahara, President & Group CEO of Pioneer Corporation, Japan. Kulkarni takes over from Ken Takagi, who will continue to support him in implementing Pioneer’s growth strategies in the Indian market.

Kulkarni’s appointment comes as Pioneer aims to strengthen its presence in India’s expanding automotive sector. His focus will include introducing products tailored to the preferences of Indian consumers, leveraging the company’s recently established Advanced R&D setup in India.  

India TV reshuffles sales team to boost growth

India TV is restructuring its sales team to align with the company’s expanding footprint across television, connected TV, and streaming platforms. The aim is to enhance the network's ability to offer targeted advertising solutions and respond effectively to market demands.

The restructured team, led by Sudipto Chowdhuri, chief revenue officer, is divided into three key divisions. Mini Harrison, with her extensive experience at News24 and Zee Media Corp Ltd, will lead the India TV Television segment. Supporting her are regional heads: Manan Sheel Bhasin for North, Supreeth S Gondkar for South, Shyamotpal Chanda for East, and Arghya Roy Chowdhury for West, all bringing years of expertise in television monetisation and ad sales.

Leading the connected TV and streaming platforms division is Avdhesh Kumar, leveraging over 15 years of experience from his roles at Inshorts, Star Jalsha, Channel V, and The Walt Disney Company. He will be supported by Pratibha Mishra for North and East regions, and Shriram Devati for South and West. For the Speed News division, Sourav Dev will take charge, with a team that includes Subhadip Bandopadhyay overseeing North and East, and Sreyashi Banerjee covering South and West.  

FCB Ulka names Suchitra Gahlot as national creative director

Suchitra Gahlot has been appointed as the national creative director at FCB Ulka, part of the FCB Group agencies in India. In her new role, she will be responsible for driving FCB Ulka’s creative vision, working closely with the agency’s leadership to enhance creative output across its network.

Throughout her career, Gahlot has earned recognition for her creative work, with accolades from Cannes, One Show, and D&AD. She has contributed to campaigns for prominent clients like Hindustan Times, Vodafone, The Economist, BBC World, and Coca-Cola. Gahlot's background also includes setting up the Media Lab at Sapient, where she focused on alternative media and innovation.

Almond Branding collaborates with D-tech to develop the ‘Purifry’ brand 

Almond Branding, a Mumbai-based branding and packaging design agency, collaborated with D-tech to develop the ‘Purifry’ brand, from naming to visual identity and packaging. The packaging features a split-image design showing a traditional frying pan before and after using ‘Purifry,’ effectively communicating its impact.

The sides and back of the packaging provide infographic-style explanations, highlighting the product's use, benefits, and answers to common questions. Developed by Dr. Deepa Bhajekar and her team over four years of research, ‘Purifry’ has gained traction, attracting over 10,000 customers on platforms like Amazon and Flipkart within just four months of its launch.

Captify names Jane Wolfson as president-international

Captify, a company specialising in real-time audience insights through Search Intelligence, has appointed Jane Wolfson as president-international. Wolfson, formerly the Chief Commercial Officer at Hearst UK, will oversee Captify's business operations outside North America, including key markets in the UK and Australia. Based in London, she will assume her role on 17th September and report directly to CEO Mike Welch. The move aims to strengthen Captify's presence and growth in international markets.

With extensive experience in digital advertising, Wolfson has held leadership roles at Hearst UK and media agency Initiative. At Hearst, she managed advertising revenue and media partnerships for 20 multi-platform brands. Her new role at Captify will see her leading international commercial teams and fostering growth. Wolfson's appointment follows Jaclyn Hadida’s hiring as managing director for Captify Australia, who will now report to her.

Prabhakar Mundkur appointed advisory director at Miami Ad School

Miami Ad School has appointed Prabhakar Mundkur as its new advisory director, focusing on expanding the brand and improving system efficiencies. A seasoned advertising professional with over 42 years of experience, he has held key roles at J Walter Thompson (now VML), Havas, and Hakuhodo. His career spans work across three continents, advising digital companies and NGOs, and serving as chief mentor at HGS Interactive, a Hinduja Group company.

Mundkur’s industry knowledge will help elevate the school’s standing in advertising education. He has extensive brand experience with both global and Indian names, including Unilever, Nike, Philips, Toyota, and Hero Motors. Beyond his advertising career, Mundkur is also a commentator and writer, with his video cast, ‘Turning Point’. His musical compositions are available on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.

Madison Media welcomes Rohin Desai back as chief client officer

Madison Media, part of Madison World, has appointed Rohin Desai as its chief client officer for Media Buying. In this role, he will report directly to Vinay Hegde, CEO-investments at Madison Media.

Desai brings with him a wealth of experience from his previous roles at organisations like GroupM, Lintas Media Group, and ICICI Prudential Life Insurance. He previously worked at Madison Media between August 2013 and May 2016, where he managed media buying for major clients such as Pidilite, Raymond, CEAT, and McDonald’s.

Desai's career has also seen him handling media strategies for prominent brands, including Unilever, Snapdeal, and Tata, across sectors like FMCG, telecom, and retail. He holds a post graduate diploma in business administration, specialising in marketing and finance, from IES Management College and Research Centre.

Neha Mishra named chief talent officer at FCB Kinnect

FCB Kinnect has appointed Neha Mishra as its new chief talent officer, a role she will also undertake for FCB/SIX India. Mishra joins from VMLY&R, where she served as chief people officer for India. In her new role, She will focus on developing and implementing talent strategies across FCB Kinnect's offices in Mumbai, Delhi NCR, and Bengaluru, aiming to strengthen the agency's people-centric culture.

Mishra brings over 23 years of experience to the table, having worked with companies like IL&FS, Bombay Dyeing, and Birla Sun Life Insurance. She is also a clinical psychologist and a certified life and leadership coach. Her experience includes transforming performance management processes, promoting workforce diversity, and enhancing inclusive work environments.  

Reid & Taylor names Eggfirst as advertising partner

Reid & Taylor Apparel has appointed Eggfirst as its agency of record, handling creative, digital, media, and production responsibilities. This decision followed a competitive pitch process.

Reid & Taylor Apparel specialises in high-quality men's fashion, while Eggfirst has a strong presence in semi-urban and rural advertising, with expertise in digital marketing. Eggfirst will support the company's expansion across Indian markets, focusing on enhancing the brand's presence and fostering growth through innovative advertising strategies.

Subrata Siddhanta, CEO of Reid & Taylor Apparel, highlighted the brand's plans to expand into world-class casual wear, aiming to redefine men's fashion with its premium offerings. Ravikant Banka, founder and managing director of Eggfirst, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasising their commitment to contributing to Reid & Taylor's growth. 

Amagi appoints new sales director to boost Oceania presence

Amagi, a company specialising in cloud-based SaaS technology for broadcast and connected TV, has appointed Thomas Parsons as senior director of sales and business development for its APAC team. With over a decade of experience in the broadcast and entertainment technology industry, he will focus on expanding Amagi’s presence and driving revenue growth in the Oceania region.

In his new role, Parsons will work closely with broadcasters, content owners, and video service providers to enhance cloud adoption and operational efficiency. His responsibilities will include promoting cloud migration, launching and monetising FAST channels, and improving live linear sports and news solutions. Parsons previously held senior roles at Gracenote and Samba TV, where he gained extensive knowledge in content discovery and consumer experience.

Ideavore Advisory launches to navigate public policy and corporate affairs

Ideavore Advisory LLP, a new firm led by industry veterans Rohit Adya, Arvind Salunke, Amit Dogra, Proful Lall, and Manish Shyam, has officially launched. The firm focuses on helping businesses navigate India's public policy landscape and build robust stakeholder relationships.

Ideavore Advisory offers services in public policy strategy, corporate affairs, advocacy, stakeholder engagement, corporate social responsibility, and crisis management. The firm's founders emphasise their commitment to providing tailored strategies to meet each client's unique needs and foster sustainable business outcomes.

New leadership elected for PRSI Chennai chapter

The Chennai Chapter of the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI) has elected a new executive committee. Ramkumar Singaram, CEO of Catalyst PR, will serve as the chairman.

Other members include Muthu Kumar Balu as vice chairman, N Raja as secretary, S Shridevi as treasurer, and S Sampath Kumar as joint secretary. Additionally, V Kalidoss, D Om Prakash Narayan, and V Ramesh Kumar have been appointed as executive committee members.

The committee members were chosen unanimously at PRSI Chennai’s recent annual general meeting and will serve a two-year term. PRSI, established in 1958, currently has over 3,000 members across 23 cities in India.

Social Beat to lead digital marketing for Cialfo

Cialfo, a global edtech company, has appointed Social Beat to manage its digital marketing efforts. The agency will work on increasing lead generation through targeted LinkedIn campaigns and enhancing Cialfo's organic search rankings with strategic SEO initiatives.

This partnership aims to bolster Cialfo's online presence and drive business outcomes by leveraging Social Beat's expertise in digital marketing. The focus will be on improving visibility and attracting potential clients within the education technology sector.

Sindhu Gangadharan named new Nasscom chairperson

On August 26, 2024, Nasscom announced the appointment of Sindhu Gangadharan, managing director of SAP Labs India, as its new chairperson. She will take over from Rajesh Nambiar, who has been named the Nasscom president designate.

In her role, Gangadharan, along with Nambiar and the Nasscom Executive Council, will focus on priorities to strengthen India's position in the global technology sector. These priorities include advancing disruptive technologies such as AI, positioning India as a leader in digital talent, fostering innovation, creating a favourable policy environment, and enhancing engineering R&D capabilities.