Campaign India

Paul Polman: 'If we don't do advocacy, we will not have credibility any more' - IAA World Congress

Paul Polman began his morning address with a clarion call to advertising and marketing leaders

Choosing your wardrobe on the way to work

A consulting major is changing the way customers interact with brands

'The last line of defence for mainline agencies has definitely blurred': Sidharth Rao, Dentsu Webchutney

An agency that did not even bag a single shortlist at Cannes Lions in the past, has topped the league of Indian agencies winning at Cannes Lions this year. Campaign India interviews Sidharth Rao, CEO and co-founder, Dentsu Webchutney on the way forward for the agency

Why First Direct Bank hired caretakers and kindergarten teachers

In an interaction with Campaign India, Dr Susanne O'Gorman, global customer experience domain lead, Kantar and Soumya Mohanty, managing director, North and chief client officer, insights division, Kantar India, talk about the top trends in customer experience globally and what Indian companies can learn from it.

Rediffusion wins over WPP in control of its Indian JV

The WPP group has sold its stake in the Rediffusion JV. In a separate development WPP has hiked its stake in Madhouse to 100 per cent

'Brainstorming is not a good thing': Sheena Iyengar, Columbia Business School

Sheena S Iyengar, the S T Lee professor of business at the Columbia Business School spoke to Prasad Sangameshwaran of Campaign India at the sidelines of the IAA World Congress, Kochi. Excerpts from the conversation:

Comment: More copycat Pakistan ads tumble out of the closet

This time an ad by consumer goods giant, Hindustan Unilever has been plagiarised by a Pakistani personal care brand

The man who did not let Arnab Goswami speak

Sacred causes should not be touched to sell brand stories. That’s spread like an epidemic in advertising, says the man who took on Goswami at Goafest 2015

The mantra called 'forget and borrow'

In the final part of this series, Bharat Anand, the Henry R. Byers professor of business administration in the strategy unit at Harvard Business School, and the faculty chair of the HBX initiative speaks about how online media is exploring how it can use its readers to help other readers

Opinion: Slumdogs and their pedigree

Every time this writer visited slum pockets, their evolving consumer behaviour has never failed to surprise him

IAA WorkToLiveToWork: Great concept, but requires greater execution expertise

Sandeep Goyal and Prasoon Joshi have some suggestions on the way forward

"I was never wary of Thinkistan being anywhere similar to Mad Men": Padmakumar N

Thinkistan is the story of two contrasting characters slugging it out in the seductive, mad world of advertising. One is an English copywriter from a metropolis and the other, a Hindi copywriter from the heartland. Advertising man turned film-maker N Padmakumar 'Paddy', the creator of the series, tells Prasad Sangameshwaran of Campaign India that the making of the series was like setting up an agency of his own. Excerpts:

'Marketers have to be a data Guru, a digital Ninja and the voice of the customer'

In a chat with Campaign India, Gemma Greaves, CEO, The Marketing Society outlines the plans for the India hub and about the future of marketing

Mother of modern media makes a clarion call to the ad world

Roda Mehta, the first lady to receive the AAAI Lifetime Award raised some critical issues for the business during her acceptance speech

'A good story works everywhere': Ravish Kumar

In a conversation with Campaign India, Ravish Kumar, head, regional entertainment, Viacom18 speaks about the underlying strategy behind the channel's foray into Tamil Nadu

Do networks waste money with on-air promos?

The first part of a special series with Bharat Anand, the Henry R. Byers professor of business administration in the strategy unit at Harvard Business School, and the faculty chair of the HBX initiative

Curiosity can give marketers nine lives: Harish Bhat

How to be curious and not get killed like the proverbial cat

'Don't chase the numbers. Go micro,' says IPG's Terry Peigh

In a conversation with Campaign India, Terry Peigh, senior vice president and managing director at Interpublic Group gives useful tips on what companies should do while engaging with influencers

IAA World Congress: Piyush Pandey hones in on the bitter truth

Ogilvy's global CCO Piyush Pandey brought down the curtains on day two of the IAA World Congress leaving the audience with moist eyes

Opinion: Humility scores the least in making a good client agency relationship

A sneak preview into the findings of the client-agency relationship study

Opinion: Love in the times of war

When boardrooms are at war, do brand custodians duck for cover?

Most advertised brand in the ICC World Cup is not the most recalled

Kamla Pasand has taken the highest number of ad insertions in the ICC World Cup so far, but its recall is much lower than brands that have taken half the number of spots

Images from AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony

The Advertising Agencies Association of India handed the Lifetime Achievement Award 2018 to legendary ad man Ram Sehgal at a function in Mumbai yesterday. Here are images from the event.

DDB's Wendy Clark in conversation with Campaign India

DDB's global CEO: "I know what it feels like to be passed over for an opportunity."

Spikes Asia 2019: 'You have to fight back at all costs'

Chief creative officer and Chairmom of Dentsu Jayme Syfu, Merlee Cruz-Jayme recounts the days of harassment and how she fought back

Mark Pritchard on Gillette: Necessary to have a hard conversation

Despite the heat generated by the recent Gillette campaign, P&G's global chief brand officer, says that it's necessary to have a hard conversation.

The Internet is not just another distribution channel

How Harvard Business School eased the tension between reach and engagement and what can media learn from it.

Madonna Badger: 'Ads that objectify women harm the brand’s reputation'

Advertising's leading lady, Madonna Badger, CCO, Badger & Winters, who created unprecedented media and social engagement with her #WomenNotObjects campaign is championing a new cause. Campaign India gives you a ringside view of her latest purpose and engages in a conversation on key takeaways from the #MeToo movement.

India's top local brands

In-country experts weigh in on the success of local Indian brands like Tata, Patanjali and Flipkart.

Opinion: The Advertising Kurukshetra

If you had to choose between the army and the general, whom would you pick?

Thank You Ad Land

Despite the weather conditions, agencies turned out in full strength at the Campaign South Asia Agency of the Year Awards 2017. We at Campaign India applaud and appreciate their efforts.

Cannes Lions 2019: How brands can use comedy and not bear the brunt

Writer-director Jonathan Lynn and Teddy Lynn, founder and CCO, Episode Four lay down some golden rules for using comedy in brand communication

India's top 100 brands for 2018

Consumer electronics and shopping brands dominate India's top 10, with other brand moves indicating Indians aren't prioritising health yet to the extent some headlines might suggest.

Asia's top 1000 brands: What’s unique to India’s consumer market

We consulted market experts for their insights into Indian consumers.

Dhunji Wadia retires from Rediffusion

Wadia has been president of the Rediffusion group since December 2014 will retire from the agency next week.

News analysis: Condom Advertising banned from 6 AM to 10 PM

The decision by the I&B ministry comes across like a knee-jerk reaction with its more than fair share of loopholes

Opinion: Goafest 2017, the world’s largest democracy for ad agencies

The rise of the younger agencies at Goafest 2017 is the high point of this year's festival

Cannes Lions 2017: Jury speak

Amit Akali, chief creative officer, Medulla Communications speaks about his experience as a juror for the Health Lions

Why is Ogilvy putting toothpaste back into the tube?

An analysis of the consolidation in Ogilvy

Comment: Will ASCI's fence eat the crops?

The elevation of an alcohol industry executive to lead the advertising regulator raises some questions

'I was eight months pregnant and working on a pitch until 3 AM'

Merlee Cruz-Jayme, chairmom and CCO of Philippines-based, Dentsu Jayme-Syfu, provides a first person account of gender stereotyping in the advertising business and how women can fend it off. This is the second part of the article, taken from her address at Spikes Asia 2019

Opinion: Breaking tradition with kabaddi

Traditional sports are on the wane. How did Kabaddi beat the trend?

View: 'Every great brand has to have a good purpose'

In an uncertain world, do purpose led brands have an advantage over the others who merely focus on product attributes. Jez Frampton, global CEO, Interbrand Group, provides his point of view

Spikes Asia 2019: '60% of the ads do not travel well across Asia'

As cultural shifts continue to happen at a rapid pace, Irene Joshy of Kantar provides some tips to stay ahead of the curve and build iconic brands

Opinion: Domino's, don't count your chickens...

When marketing has takes leaps and giant strides, why are marketers still using a spray and pray attitude?

Available soon: valet parking for your phone

Vodafone India's #LookUp initiative might soon find more takers in tea chains and ice-cream parlours

Opinion: A fairness tale ending?

Fairness creams are in the news for all the wrong reasons. Is this time for India to re-evaluate its bias towards fair skin?

"F1 takes the environmental challenge extremely seriously": Mark Gallagher

When everyone is busy debating about the new Formula 1 logo, Campaign India takes a look at the future of the sport.

Cannes Lions 2019: Atika Malik of Cheil calls for awakening the lioness

Three women leaders from Cheil speak about the evolution of women in the workplace

Spikes Asia 2019: Mindshare India strikes Platinum and Golds at Tangrams

Mindshare India won a Platinum, two Golds at the Tangrams Effectiveness & Strategy Award

'We are not having an imperialist approach': Cheil's Global CCO

For an agency that grew up in the 21st century, it is not about geographic replication, says Cheil's global CCO, Malcolm Poynton

India's top local brands

Local brands tend to cool off, but their story is far from over.

AdAsia 2017: An insider's diary

A column that looks at the sidelights of the biennial advertising festival AdAsia 2017, Bali

'When we do that, all boats will rise and life will be good’: Marc Pritchard, P&G

Addressing a select group in the IAA Cabana at Cannes Lions, the chief brand officer of consumer goods giant, Procter & Gamble lays down some ground rules for raising marketing effectiveness and renews his appeal for transparency in the digital media

'Well, I hope 2018 is about the Oscar': Pelle Sjoenell, global CCO, BBH

Excerpts from a free-wheeling chat with the global CCO of BBH

Opinion: Why Durex should have got into denim

Durex killed the suspense over its new product launch last weekend. Here's what it could have been

India and Pakistan cross swords over a BBlunt commercial

A BBlunt commercial which has been copied frame to frame by a Pakistani beauty brand Olivia Intense is causing tension across the border

What can advertising do to come out of the vicious cycle?

In a freewheeling conversation with Campaign India, McCann Worldgroup's managing director Partha Sinha prescribes an antidote for the current state of the advertising business.

'Companies are trying to build their own view of the data': Wendy Hogan, Oracle

What are the implications for the agency and media brands?

Letter from Cannes: The young and the veterans

A first timer's impression of the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity

AdAsia 2017: Images from the final day

AdAsia 2017 in Bali captured through the lens on the final day of the event

DDB's Wendy Clark: I'm not really a fan of the term work-life balance

Last month, Campaign India interviewed Wendy Ludlow Clark, global president and CEO, DDB Worldwide over a Facebook Live. As there were multiple requests for the transcript, we are sharing the text of the chat.

Opinion: Riding the crest

On the eve of the Campaign India Digital Crest Awards 2017, a few stray thoughts and a few general observations on the work that was entered at this year’s edition

Pune warriors team up at Cannes Lions

With national agencies cutting down on participation in Cannes, regional agencies are seizing the opportunity

Aneil ‘Andee’ Deepak launches Inka, an agency for SMEs

The former creative hotshot of the DDB Mudra group has relocated to Hyderabad

Comment: Agencies and their social media policies

Last week's post by an Ogilvy executive on sexual harassment in agencies kicked up a social media storm. In the backdrop of that Campaign India did a dipstick among agency seniors and the crowd. This is what we found...

How the TikTok activists are disrupting entertainment

Stefan Heinrich, marketing director, US, TikTok and two of the content creators on the platform, Anna O'Brien and Andrea Okeke speak about the need for authenticity on the TikTok platform as the Gen Z is watching everything

'Will Amazon kill the entire retail universe? Possibly.'

Jez Frampton, the global head of brand consultancy, Interbrand discusses the future of consumer brands, the impact of technological, cultural and generational transition and the truth about valuation shopping

A 'solid' battle brewing between Liqvd Asia and IPG's Liquid India?

"Expect the MNCs to be good at conducting due diligence at least," Liqvd Asia, Managing Director, Arnab Mitra told Campaign India speaking of the InterPublic Group's recent launch of Liquid India

AdAsia 2017: Technology has to lead to meaningful innovation

The session has some interesting case studies on how brands could present a more humane face to showcase technology advancements

'The Indian market will develop very differently than elsewhere': Mark Read, WPP

In an interview with Prasad Sangameshwaran of Campaign India, Mark Read, CEO, WPP outlines the future of the company and the business of advertising

Makelovenotporn.tv to look at an Indian debut

Former BBH top executive says the initiative will help Indians discover their national sexual identity

'Finding that balance between speed-to-market and getting it right': Eileen R Lynch

The global CMO of Refinitiv speaks about what inspires her, the importance of holding on to the attribute of trust and the must-dos in a rebranding exercise

Cannes Lions 2017: 'We are heading towards a Netflix world in medicine,' Jean-Marie Dru, TBWA Worldwide

Developing countries lead the world in healthcare innovation

DDB Mudra's Vineet Gupta might be turning an entrepreneur

He is believed to be teaming up with Lowe Lintas' Arun Iyer

“The future is Vivendi. And the past is Martin Sorrell”: Jacques Séguéla

At the age of 85, advertising legend, Jacques Séguéla, who claims that his English is French, continues to serve as a creative consultant and a member of the Havas Global Creative Council. In an interview with Campaign, during his recent visit to India, Séguéla has many words of caution and sagely advice to a world dominated by technology.

Spikes Asia 2019: What can advertising learn from Blackjack and Single Malts?

Sonal Dabral, CCO, Ogilvy South and South East Asia and Vice Chairman, India, Ogilvy spoke about the three things he enjoys the most in life

Images of #YTFF

A selection of images from YouTube's Fan Fest in Mumbai

'Some re-evaluation of content is happening in Tamil Nadu': Sudhanshu Vats

In an exclusive conversation with Campaign India, Sudhanshu Vats, group CEO, Viacom 18 speaks about how the viewer's willingness to change could work in favour of Colors Tamil

Opinion: A derailment and your brand

Is your brand wired up to deal with commuter troubles?

The big interview with Ogilvy's John Seifert: "I am not even sure if I would have been hired today"

In a freewheeling chat, John Seifert, global CEO, Ogilvy speaks on a wide range of topics from his unfinished task in hunting for a global CCO to the challenges in keeping pace with change for both agencies and clients

Opinion: I Say India First

Brands made a beeline to flaunt their patriotic genes around Republic Day. Can everybody win?

'Rediffusion will have more flexibility and head room to rebuild and grow': Sandeep Goyal

In an e-mail interview with Campaign India, the former president of Rediffusion DY&R, Sandeep Goyal speaks about the past, present and future of Rediffusion

AdAsia 2017: When Global Asian turned out in its finest colours

Pictures from the welcome dinner on Day One of AdAsia2017 where all delegates turned up in their cultural attire

India first: Why American Tourister hums an Indian tune

A look at how American Tourister is Indianising the backpack

Asia's Top 1000 brands: Indian brands still challenged abroad

Local names make up a quarter of Nielsen's ranking of India's top 100 brands, but exporting them remains a challenge.

Analysis: English print media - present tense, future tense

Three recently unveiled reports indicate that the English media has trying times ahead

Opinion: Those were the days

In Greek, 'nostalgia' is the suffering caused by an unappeased yearning to return. This writer has been experiencing some of that over the extended weekend.

Cannes Lions 2019: 'Move US$19 bn from technology to creativity'

In the first of its creativity sessions at Cannes Lions 2019, Jay Pattisall, principal analyst, Forrester Research, Laurent Faracci, EVP of global category developmentm RB Health, Kimberley Gardiner, VP and CMO, Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. and Jeff Robertson, CMO, Blue Shield of California discuss the value of agency creativity

For Ashish Bhasin, the sequel becomes bigger than the first part

The career trajectory of Ashish Bhasin, the newly appointed CEO of DAN APAC, shows that it's possible to have a longer and more impactful second innings in advertising

When a 'hostel boy' became a gender champion

An exclusive chat with Nitesh Tiwari, the director of the acclaimed Star Plus "nayi soch" commercial and the Bollywood film, Dangal, both starring Aamir Khan

'Unlike competitors, we are the only PR agency in our entire network': Guillaume Herbette, MSLGROUP

Excerpts from an exclusive interaction with Guillaume Herbette, global CEO, MSLGROUP

Advertising in the times of Gurmehar Kaur

Lessons from an advertising awards jury meet that celebrates gender sensitive ad campaigns

'I have never called for a pitch in my career': Fernando Machado, Burger King

If there was a title for "the world's most awarded marketer", Fernando Machado, global CMO, Burger King would certainly qualify for the shortlist. In a conversation with Campaign India, Machado decodes the creative spirit that powers Burger King

Deepika Padukone: 'A star with her heart in the right place'

A study by the Indian Institute of Human Brands in association with Campaign India shows that Brand Deepika Padukone has emerged stronger post her appearance in JNU

AdAsia 2017: Don't worry be crappy, says Guy Kawasaki

Ten power-points from the former chief evangelist of Apple to the delegates of AdAsia 2017

Martin Lindstrom: "The most accurate forecasters depend on both big and small data."

In the age of big data, small data is the foundation for breakthrough ideas or transformative ways of turning around brands, Martin Lindstrom tells delegates at AdAsia 2017

Opinion: A bravery award for Red FM

In a day and age when marketers kneel when asked to bend, the leadership at Red FM deserves a special mention

'Leading Indian advertisers shared their growing concern on media transparency': Stephen Broderick

'Clients are eager to know more about the black box of media trading incentives,' says the CEO and managing partner of Firm Decisions Global

Blog: Will the Lion shift its den?

In a chance encounter with Sir Martin Sorrell on the red carpet at Cannes, this writer discovers that it’s the closest one gets to bearding a lion in its den

Blog: Clothless in Bali

When your airline kept you hungry and lost your baggage, keep calm and take a deep breath.

IAA World Congress: Amitabh Bachchan says Dharm, Sri Sri Ravishankar says Dharma is equally good

The kick-off session of the IAA World Congress saw Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan and spiritual guru Sr Sri Ravi Shankar

Cannes Lions 2017: Jury speak

Amrit Ahuja, managing director, 20:20 MSL speaks about her experience as a Cannes Lions juror for Lions Innovation

"There are many who are hoping AI is just a fad that'll go away"

With the increasing usage of MarTech, "the role of marketing managers is now about metrics and strategy and not about promotions and creatives," says Rajkumar Venkatesan, professor of business administration, Darden School of Business in a conversation with Campaign India

Comment: The week Ogilvy reclaimed its past and lost its present