Moves and wins roundup: Week of 31 March

Kaizzen appoints Suresh Rangarajan as senior VP - South

Kaizzen, a communications agency, has appointed Suresh Rangarajan as senior vice president – South to strengthen its presence in South India. With over 25 years of experience in both corporate and agency roles, Rangarajan brings expertise in technology, telecommunications, and automotive sectors.

In his new role, Rangarajan will oversee the agency’s efforts to expand its client base and lead strategic communications in the region. Kaizzen’s leadership team expressed confidence in Rangarajan’s ability to drive growth and strengthen the agency’s position in key South Indian markets, including Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai.

Amagi partners with Sports Studio for FreeLiveSports.tv support

Amagi, a cloud-based SaaS provider, has teamed up with Sports Studio, Inc to support its FreeLiveSports.tv platform with streaming and monetisation solutions. This partnership enables Sports Studio to distribute content seamlessly across its sports channels, offering viewers a broad selection of live sports content through 120 dedicated FAST channels.

Sports Studio, which operates under the Free Live Sports brand, aims to simplify content monetisation and enhance distribution for sports rights holders. By utilising Amagi’s technology, the platform can now offer sports channels more effectively, helping rights holders reach larger audiences. The collaboration includes full-service channel creation, providing valuable support for content owners who lack the resources to build their own channels. The Free Live Sports platform offers over 140 channels and thousands of hours of VOD, catering to a global audience.

Branquila unveils 'BrandWIDTH' advisory board

Branquila Brand Ventures has announced the launch of 'BrandWIDTH', an advisory board consisting of experts from various industries, including media, marketing, digital commerce, and entertainment. The panel includes notable figures such as Raj Nayak, Rajesh Kamat, and Dr Anurag Batra, who will provide strategic guidance to Branquila’s growth and innovation.

The initiative aims to enhance Branquila's offerings to its partners by leveraging the board’s expertise in reshaping business strategies.

Hypothesis by OML wins influencer marketing mandate for Ather Energy

Hypothesis by OML has been appointed as the influencer marketing partner for Ather Energy, an electric two-wheeler brand. This collaboration will see Hypothesis utilise its proprietary technology to craft creative campaigns that target Gen Z and millennial consumers.

The initiative aims to enhance brand affinity and audience engagement through influencer-driven content across social and video platforms. Hypothesis will combine data-driven insights with creative storytelling to amplify Ather Energy's reach and foster deep connections with its customer base.

Hypothesis has facilitated over 100 campaigns with thousands of influencers.

IOS Sports and Entertainment ropes in Vantika Agrawal

Indian chess star Vantika Agrawal has joined IOS Sports and Entertainment for professional management. The 2024 Arjuna Awardee, known for her achievements in international chess, including two gold medals at the 2024 Chess Olympiad and a silver at the 2022 Asian Games, will now be represented by the sports management company.

IOS will assist Agrawal with brand endorsements, media relations, and career development, aiming to elevate her global profile. Agrawal’s signing reflects her rising prominence in chess and the potential for further opportunities in the sport and beyond.

Grey India names Harsh Kapadia as CCO

Grey India has appointed Harsh Kapadia as its chief creative officer (CCO). Kapadia joins from MRM New York, where he held the same role since 2021, and brings with him global experience in leading creative campaigns. He will work alongside Anusha Shetty, CEO of Grey India, to steer the agency's growth in key Indian markets including Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru.

Kapadia, a Mumbai native, has a proven track record working with global brands like Google, Reckitt, and Diageo. He will focus on creating campaigns tailored to the Indian market while applying global standards. This move also marks his return to the WPP network after previous roles at VML and JWT.

In the meanwhile, Sandipan Bhattacharyya who worked at Grey for 10 years, is moving on.

Mavcomm Group and Genuus announce partnership

Mavcomm Group and Genuus have announced a partnership to offer marketing and communications solutions. This collaboration combines Mavcomm’s expertise in public relations, reputation management, and branded content with Genuus’ strengths in digital marketing, Martech, and AI-powered content creation.

Mavcomm Group, with over two decades of experience, and Genuus, a leader in Martech, plan to deliver data-driven, integrated marketing solutions to enhance client engagement and business growth. The alliance will enable businesses to leverage advanced capabilities such as AI and marketing automation to create impactful brand campaigns.

Through this partnership, the duo aims to provide clients with a one-stop solution for digital engagement, brand storytelling, and content amplification across India, Singapore, and the UAE.

Dentsu wins Forevermark's creative mandate

Dentsu Creative Isobar has secured the integrated creative mandate for Forevermark, a luxury diamond brand under the De Beers Group. Dentsu will oversee the brand’s creative strategy and communications to strengthen its market presence in India.

As Forevermark looks to redefine its brand narrative, Dentsu will work on crafting a modern identity that blends heritage with contemporary luxury. The agency’s fresh approach will include a new campaign aimed at resonating with the modern consumer and enhancing Forevermark’s status as a symbol of sophistication.

This partnership marks a significant step for both brands, combining Forevermark’s legacy with Dentsu’s expertise in transformative creativity to create innovative and impactful campaigns.

PivotRoots bags digital mandate for Bindu Jeera Fizz

Bindu, a South Indian Jeera Fizz brand, has appointed PivotRoots, a Havas Company, as its digital agency. The agency will help Bindu expand its national presence through a multi-platform digital strategy focusing on brand communications and consumer engagement.

As Bindu aims to grow beyond South India, the partnership will focus on leveraging digital innovation and culturally relevant content. PivotRoots will strengthen the brand’s visibility and position Bindu as the leading choice for Jeera beverages, highlighting its premium taste and health benefits.

Tilt Brand Solutions bags brand and communications mandate for Enamor

Enamor, a lingerie brand in India, has selected Mumbai-based Tilt Brand Solutions as its brand and communications agency of record. The appointment follows a multi-agency pitch. Enamor, launched in 2001 as a joint venture with Barbara of Paris, has established itself by focusing on fashion, functionality, and innovation.

Tilt Brand Solutions will manage the brand's strategic communication and help elevate its presence in India. The collaboration aims to engage a new generation of consumers and refresh Enamor's brand narrative.

Medicaps University unveils new brand identity

Medicaps University has launched a new brand logo and visual identity as part of its efforts to reinforce its commitment to academic excellence. The university, established over two decades ago, offers interdisciplinary programs in fields such as Engineering, Science, Management, and Law.

The new identity reflects the university's mission to produce socially responsible professionals and critical thinkers. The brand logo, which integrates geometric patterns, symbolizes intellectual and professional development and reinforces the focus on leadership, innovation, and holistic growth. The colour scheme of deep purple and burgundy represents wisdom and academic vitality. The university aims to provide students with an education that prepares them for the demands of an evolving world.

Ampverse Pulse launches digital media buying platform

Ampverse Pulse has introduced Pulse Media, a digital media buying platform aimed at advertising to gamers across Southeast Asia and the Gulf states. Pulse Media allows advertisers to target over 30,000 gaming creators’ channels and in-game inventory, offering immersive advertising formats across mobile and PC games.

The platform uses programmatic advertising solutions and AI-driven optimisation to help brands effectively reach consumers in highly engaged gaming environments. It supports services including live stream integration, AI-driven campaigns, and non-disruptive in-game ads, blending with gameplay.

Pulse Media provides advertising solutions for brands such as Tencent and Red Bull. It is operational in Southeast Asia, India, and MENA, and has offices in Bangkok, Manila, Delhi, and Dubai. The service aims to help brands engage with younger generations, including Gen Z and Gen Alpha.