
Havas Group India has entered into a joint-venture with Conran Design Group to launch the design-led branding agency in the country.
Conran Design Group is a part of Havas Group in the USA and UK too. Its Mumbai office will be the third globally, after London and New York.
The agency's dedicated team of 15 specialists will be led by Geet Nazir, managing partner, Conran Design Group Mumbai. She was leading strategic branding and brand marketing initiatives for Indian Hotels Company (The Taj Group of Hotels).
Headquartered in London, Conran Design Group was founded by Sir Terence Conran 65 years ago. Its clients include Danone, Shell, Rolls-Royce, Coca-Cola European Partners, Associated British Foods and Sottini among others.
Conran Design Group is creating a design innovation unit in Mumbai to research, pilot, and test new design ideas and to partner with local design institutions and colleges to nurture design talent.
Rana Barua, group CEO, Havas Group India, said, “We are very excited to join forces with Conran Design Group (CDG). This joint venture complements our aggressive growth strategy and our mission to create meaningful work for clients. CDG’s competitive advantage of building brand strategy with deep consumer insights will add an enviable strength to Havas Group's portfolio. I am delighted to welcome Thom and the team to the Havas Group Family.”
Thom Newton, CEO, Conran Design Group, said, “I’m very excited about this partnership. India has vibrant creativity at its heart and rich design heritage. The forward-looking Indian consumer demands that global brands re-imagine their experiences and build a relevant local connection. This creates the perfect opportunity to test the impact that design-driven brand experiences can have to inspire, engage, and build long-term brand loyalty. We are confident that this joint-venture with Havas Group will help us become an even stronger identity and we look forward to a meaningful journey ahead, together.”