Type of agency: Advertising
Company ownership: WPP
Key personnel: Colvyn Harris, CEO, Dhunji Wadia, Rohit Ohri, managing partners; Tista Sen, SVP and ECD
Accounts won: SET MAX, Ford Figo, Hindustan National Glass, GSK (Chilldood), Aliva (Frito Lays), NABARD, Sony Walkman, Tata Realty and Infrastructure, Thomas Cook, Johnson & Johnson Band-aid, Listerine, STAR Fox, State Bank of India, Epson & Fiji Holdings, Sony (Vaio, Bravia, Cybershot and Handycam), Club Mahindra, Value Budget Housing Corporation, Indian National Congress (2009 Lok Sabha Elections campaign), Karnataka Global Investor Meet (JWT Consortium), Whyte and Mackay Scotch (United Spirits), Apollo Hospitals (Oncology division), Sony, Apollo DKV, Expo 2010, World Bank: Water & Sanitation (H.P), Red Ribbon Express II, Congress Party Election (Campaign for Jharkhand), Hero Honda (Hockey World Cup 2010), Obopay
Accounts lost: Unitech Real Estate
One would have to say that JWT is doing quite fine without a national creative chief.
While the agency’s hopes of the Teach India campaign repeating their 2008 success at Cannes did not materialise, it did win big at Spikes Asia, winning the agency two Grands Prix. Chennai was a significant contributor in the metal stakes. Senthil Kumar was given a wider mandate, making him responsible for Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bangalore, besides Chennai, while Tista Sen was made the creative head for Mumbai.
JWT’s Delhi office maintained a steady pace. No major losses in terms of business or people. The agency managed to retain key accounts such as Pizza Hut, TI Cycles and Nike. At the Abbys, JWT had a metal tally of 24, after O&M. The agency topped the Cannes Lions tally with a score of 24
All in all, steady business retention and great showcase at award shows.
Campaign Score: 9
How JWT rates itself: 8
Over 90 creative, planning and marketing effectiveness awards were won. A host of new clients such as INC (2009 Lok Sabha Elections campaign), State Bank of India, Thomas Cook, Sony and Club Mahindra on the roster. Colvyn Harris was elected President of AAAI, chairman GoaFest 2009. 2009 saw the new Engagement Platform – Unification being launched. JWT retained all its major accounts. Senthil Kumar was elevated to executive creative director – Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Hyderabad. The year also saw the setting up of Design@JWT Cell at Mumbai, Honk Design in Delhi, Intaglio in Kolkata and Provoke, a unit of JWT that specialises in strategic research, consulting and training.
