Campaign India

FCB Six enters India blending 'math and magic' for a notable client roster

As the fastest-growing capability within the FCB Group, Six enters the mobile-first, digital-first India market with a 35% business growth rate target in Y1

Elon Musk has found a new CEO to run Twitter

Without announcing a name, the billionaire tweeted, “She will be starting in ~6 weeks!”

Twitter Inc. is dead, it’s now X Corp

The latest move is seen as an accelerant for creating X— Elon Musk's vision of the 'everything app' and is consistent with the new owner's bid to let go of the old company and its brand value

Dentsu, Hakuhodo, ADK to face criminal charges in Tokyo Olympics bid-rigging case

Charges are centered around companies and individuals illegally colluding in assigning contracts for the test events and the actual Games—trial and sentencing to follow

Dentsu barred from bidding for Tokyo, Osaka government contracts

As Japan continues the crackdown on all parties tainting the Tokyo Olympics 2020, Dentsu stands to be suspended from bidding for Tokyo and Osaka government contracts for a year

Tokyo Olympics bid-rigging: ex-Dentsu, other ad execs arrested

The arrests come after months of investigations into alleged corruption in the planning and sponsorship of the Tokyo Games held in 2021 after a pandemic-driven postponement

Dentsu admits to bid-rigging in Tokyo Olympics; charges for other arrests made

Dentsu joins rivals Hakuhodo and ADK in admission to collusion in the widening Tokyo Olympics bid-rigging and bribery case, but says there is "no factual basis for claims any employees have been arrested"

Amazon's ad revenue surges to US$11.6 billion in Q4

While Google and Meta deal with slowdowns, Amazon's advertising business, still a small fraction of the overall sales, grew 19% in the fourth quarter

Unilever's Samir Singh on joy, purpose and approach to legacy branding

Available in over 100 countries, Lux has had a remarkable turnaround in revenue and revived its brand power. Celebrating the centenary on a high, global CMO of personal care, Samir Singh spills the recipe for success and breathing new life into time-honoured brands

Havas wins Shell's media account, deal sparks backlash as Red Havas loses client

Climate campaigners had called on agencies to drop out of the media review, saying PR and advertising firms are aiding oil companies in delaying climate action

Wunderman Thompson names new APAC CEO

Audrey Kuah takes over the role left vacant by the exit of Annette Male in 2021. Global president and EMEA CEO Ewen Sturgeon was heading both regions in the interim period

HSBC bats for belonging to woo overseas students with cricketer Virat Kohli

From wickets to wallets, HSBC and agency partner Wunderman Thompson nurture nostalgia in their latest global work. Campaign exclusively chats with the brand's global CMO on the creative journey and hitting an all-rounder with Virat Kohli

Tokyo Olympics bribery verdict: Former ADK president gets jail time

The Tokyo District Court has found Shinichi Ueno guilty of bribing a Tokyo Olympic official for soliciting favours and noted

Embrace disruption or become history, says Mastercard global CMO Raja Rajamannar

Mastercard's global CMO tells Campaign that if marketers don't rise above the sea of sameness and the clutches of traditional marketing, they'll be history

A 'priceless' feast: Mastercard debuts APAC's first restaurant in Hong Kong

Luma, opening on 29 June in collaboration with the distinguished local F&B giant Lubuds, will host chefs, mixologists and experiences from around the world

Why HSBC is betting on simplicity to stand out in its first-ever global corporate banking campaign

EXCLUSIVE: HSBC CMO Nicole German on the thinking behind the bank’s first global CIB campaign—live in 20 markets, its biggest marketing investment yet.

World Earth Day 2024: 1,000 agencies say no to fossil fuels

Asia Pacific joins the Clean Creatives movement with 67 regional pledges. To mark this occasion, the anti-fossil fuel campaign group has released a new film, lampooning the advertising industry.

The Monkeys rebranded as Droga5, Mark Green named global CEO

Green, who currently leads Accenture Song's Australia and New Zealand operations and holds the CEO title at The Monkeys, will relocate to New York to take the helm.

Top agencies abandon Campaign Brief amid growing controversy

Leo Burnett Australia, Saatchi & Saatchi Australia, and Publicis Worldwide Australia are among the agencies who have severed ties with the publication triggered by a male-dominated 'Work 2024' feature.

The AI energy crisis: Who bears responsibility?

SOUNDING BOARD: Sustainable innovation in AI is no longer optional. Campaign examines who must step up to ensure a responsible future for the planet: big tech, the agencies using it, or the brands profiting from it?

Wieden+Kennedy retreats from India, shuttering its Mumbai office and scaling back Delhi operations

The agency's leadership in India including Ayesha Ghosh, Santosh Padhi and Shreekant Srinivasan have resigned.

Tokyo 2020 bribery scandal: Hakuhodo reportedly confesses to rigging bids as probe widens

The news comes less than a month after ADK Holdings voluntarily confessed its culpability in the widening scandal, meanwhile Dentsu denies any knowledge of collusion

Unwrapping Spotify Wrapped: What is the industry listening to?

The marcomms industry understood the assignment, followed the brief, and let music stay rent free in their head, just like an NFT. Here’s what the industry folks have been listening to this year

WPP goes 'Beyond the Rainbow' to better understand queer audiences

Done on more than 7,500 respondents, the study aims to be a practical guide to bridge the gaps in the current Pride marketing model

Dentsu, Hakuhodo raided as part of Tokyo 2020 corruption scandal

The ever-widening graft case of last year's Tokyo Olympics has Dentsu, ADK and Hakuhodo's offices being searched on grounds of rigging bids for test events

Should agencies insist on a 9 am start time for creatives?

If inspiration and ideas don’t follow the clock, and the ad industry is itself built on all-nighters and takeaway dinners, should creatives be measured against output or by a 9am presence in the office?

Sorrell's S4 Capital dodges tech turmoil, Q3 revenue and profits climb

The company "maintained momentum" in the third quarter, however, Asia-Pacific affected by China’s zero-Covid policy-driven slowdown remained the slowest growing region for the agency

Elon Musk acquires Twitter, reaches out to advertisers

Musk assures advertisers that Twitter ads won't be linked with any inflammatory content, saying: "Let us build something extraordinary together"

Richa Goswami leaves HSBC

This marks the end of the marketer's second stint with the global bank

Sustainable labels: How can fast fashion emerge from an ethical mess?

With more brands slapping on eco-friendly promises that may, or may not be true, can sustainable marketing be a bigger part of the solution and less of the problem?

Coca-Cola sponsors COP27: Buying its way into ESG or a chance for real change?

By cashing in on Coca-Cola's cheque, is COP27 inviting conversation and giving an opportunity for reflection or is the climate change summit becoming a part of the greenwashing problem?

McDonald's Asia CMO on his first-ever global World Cup campaign and more

Eugene Lee opens up in a wide-ranging interview about its upcoming 2022 FIFA campaign, leveraging creativity, the metaverse, their menu and his own marketing role

Furry and fabulous: Why brands shouldn't overlook pet influencers

The evergreen appeal of a cute animal can easily translate to ad deals, lucrative brand partnerships, and hundreds of thousands of followers. Here's why pet influencers are a goldmine for brands

“Not coming to an iPhone near you”: Samsung trolls Apple in latest ad

There won’t be any innovation when Apple unveils the latest iPhone 14 on September 7, at least that’s what Samsung wants you to believe

Serena Williams: Inspiring brand lessons from the GOAT

Williams is as much a master on court as she is off-court when signing major brand deals and honing her personal brand. Brand experts pick out lessons to pick up from the tennis legend

Budget retailer Miniso will drop Japanese styling after Chinese outcry

The brand is the latest retailer to come under flak amid a surge in consumer patriotism in China and growing geopolitical tensions

Pride without pandering: HSBC’s Richa Goswami on purpose and 'pink-washing'

The bank's global head of customer on why brand support for the queer community can risk being 'performative' when initiatives start and end during Pride Month

Cricket Australia celebrates what makes cricket, cricket

The campaign celebrates cricket's contribution to culture, samosas, snags and sweet memories

'Fuzzy Feelings' is Apple's delicate touch to festive advertising

Apple doesn’t advertise, it narrates. Watch the nearly four-minute film that is easily a contender for the year's best Christmas ad

B Lab initiates formal investigation into Havas' B Corp status amid Shell controversy

26 B Corp certified agencies demand B Lab to reconsider Havas' B Corp status over the Shell partnership

Pepsi unveils new logo and identity; colours 120 markets in electric blue

The bold logo shift after 14 years resonates with the “ripple, pop, and fizz” effect. To celebrate, Pepsi has activated over 120 CGI moments across the globe in a coordinated first

Skyn desires to touch souls, not just bodies this Christmas

For a generation losing interest in sex, Skyn creates whispers of intimacy and hushed desires for a deeper connection in its latest Christmas offering. Here’s an exclusive peek

Tatler withdraws HK$16 million government grant for Messi no-show

The promotional blitz by Tatler featured Messi’s face right in the middle of all marketing material, leading fans to expect his magic on the field. Minister Kevin Yeung says spectators can contemplate independent legal recourse

Despite layoffs, Amazon dominates Q4 with $14.7 billion in ad sales

After a year of mass layoffs, the company is more profitable than ever

Apple CEO Tim Cook gushes over latest 'Shot on iPhone' Bollywood film

WATCH: TBWA rolls out the second 'Shot on iPhone' film of 2023, this time in partnership with multi-award winning Indian director Vishal Bhardwaj

Meta removes 635,000 predator-linked accounts, rolls out new teen safety tools on Instagram

“Limiting DMs is basic. If Meta cared about teen safety, accounts would be hidden by default and only visible to approved contacts. That’s just common sense.” As Meta touts new protections, critics call the update surface-level and overdue.

Mark Penn’s challenger playbook: Cockroach DNA, pickleball and a $5 billion bet

At Cannes Lions, the challenger network’s CEO outlines a $5 billion ambition, a $ 20 million-a-quarter AI investment, the closing of the ADK Global acquisition, and why spectacle still works in marketing.

'If it doesn’t entertain, don’t even enter': Valerie Madon on films, humour, and the power of purpose at Cannes Lions

Nearly 80% of the Film Lion winners used humour as a narrative style. McCann’s APAC chief creative officer and Film juror Valerie Madon explains why funny works, short-form is trickier than it looks, and why the best films sell more than just a feeling.

Ad Net Zero updates sustainability guidelines to drive media decarbonisation

Over 100 companies contributed to these latest guidelines, including L’Oréal, LVMH and all six major holding companies.

AI won't kill advertising, it won't save it either: Apple's top marketing exec at Cannes

“Go make something wonderful,” Apple's Tor Myhren tells the creative industry as he bets on the irreplaceable power of human minds.

Coca-Cola and WPP renew global marketing partnership

Less than two months after Publicis outmanoeuvred WPP for the North American media business, WPP has renewed its multi-billion-dollar global partnership with Coca-Cola.

Ogilvy unifies social media offering in 16 APAC markets

In a major overhaul, Ogilvy has consolidated its expertise across 16 markets with 550 specialists to streamline social marketing. Jeremy Webb will lead the offering.

GroupM restructures across Asia, Indonesia leadership impacted

Staffing cuts across Asia have begun as GroupM transitions to a “single operating model” under the soon-to-be-rebranded WPP Media banner.

Beyond IWD: Marico’s CMO on why gender conversations can’t be a one-day affair

The gender gap in leadership isn’t about a lack of talent but rather about workplace biases, flawed hiring practices and rigid expectations. Marico’s Somasree Awasthi talks to Campaign on what needs to change and why companies can’t afford to wait.

Assembly achieves B Corp in six APAC markets

EXCLUSIVE: The agency sets sustainability targets to expand certification to India, MENA, and North America next.

Dentsu India offices raided amid allegations of $16.5 million embezzlement scheme

The Enforcement Directorate seized cash, gold, and documents in an alleged embezzlement case that also involves Suumaya Industries.

Omnicom posts 4% organic growth in Q1, beats expectations

The agency group beat Wall Street estimates for the March quarter, with key sectors like advertising and media, precision marketing, experiential and healthcare fueling the ascent.

Lionel Messi issues apology after Hong Kong no-show amid backlash in China

The ongoing uproar raises the stakes for Messi's brand collaborations with Louis Vuitton, dairy brand Mengniu, baijiu major Chishuihe, and delivery giant J&T Express, among others.

Formula One debuts the world’s first ‘kiss-activated’ trophy at Japanese Grand Prix

Clearly innovation at F1 isn’t just limited to what’s under the hood—it extends to every aspect of the sport, including the way in which champions are celebrated

Getty Images launches AI-driven image creator

The new tool allows customers to generate photos from word prompts and is solely trained on Getty Images’ own licensed images with full protection and usage rights

Meta's AI advertising takeover: Will it reshape APAC’s diverse ad ecosystem?

As the parent company of Facebook and Instagram plans to let advertisers generate complete AI-crafted ads, experts across APAC weigh in on the potential impact on the region's landscape and what it means for agencies.

Jaguar defends rebrand amid ‘vile hatred’ online

Jaguar could be facing its own Bud Light moment. However, its boss has defended the “bold” rebranding, saying the message had been lost in “a blaze of intolerance” online.

Apple begins selling News ads directly

The shift comes as Apple grapples with plunging iPhone sales, prompting a bold pivot to bring Apple News ad sales in-house. The big question: what’s in it for publishers?

Media inflation in India to rise by 9.6% in 2026: WFA

This might be a brutal hit for brands vying for attention in a fiercely competitive market.

PHD appoints Eileen Ooi as APAC CEO

EXCLUSIVE: Ooi, the OMG Malaysia CEO, steps into the regional role left vacant by James Hawkins' departure in April.

Google removes AI Olympics ad after backlash: 'People are resistant'

A string of high-profile ad campaigns from Google, Apple, and Toys "R" Us that prioritise automation over human-led creativity have struck a sour note. Campaign discusses brand lessons from recent debacles.

APAC ad spend growth cools as global market tops $1 trillion: WARC

China's faltering economy and a strong US dollar are creating headwinds, while India emerges as the region's shining star.

Is complete brand safety realistic?

A recent report by Adalytics exposed that many ads for Fortune 500 brands—including Amazon and Apple—were placed alongside harmful content. Campaign speaks to APAC leaders about the need for a nuanced approach that blends technology with human expertise.

Havas loses B Corp status over controversial Shell deal

Nikita Mishra