Moves and wins roundup: Week of 21 Oct

Umanshi Marketing partners with Lingaro, QualiZeal

Umanshi Marketing has onboarded Lingaro and QualiZeal, two global tech GCCs, to enhance their employer branding and stakeholder engagement. The partnership aims to develop tailored communication strategies that highlight the unique value propositions of both organisations.

As the demand for tech GCCs in India grows, Umanshi is focused on creating impactful brand-building campaigns. The agency's approach involves understanding client challenges and implementing effective branding initiatives.

Lingaro has re-engaged Umanshi following a successful previous collaboration, aiming to strengthen its employer brand and market presence in India. The partnership reflects Umanshi’s commitment to excellence in strategic PR and marketing.

Mitali Srivastava Hough departs McCann Worldgroup

Mitali Srivastava Hough has left her position as senior VP and head of planning at McCann Worldgroup in Mumbai after over 25 years in the advertising industry. Hough has held roles at agencies such as DDB Mudra and Ogilvy & Mather and co-founded Utopeia Communicationz, along with a CSR-focused venture, Equal.

She plans to focus on mentoring and consultancy work while also collaborating with composer AR Rahman on a new project. She aims to explore creativity and strategy in her future endeavours and seeks new challenges in her career.

Confiance Communications wins PR mandate for Stratzy

Confiance Communications has secured the public relations mandate for Stratzy, a SEBI-registered investment advisory platform. Stratzy, established in 2021 by Mohit Bhandari and Gaurav Sangle, aims to modernise investment for retail investors using a technology-driven approach. The platform has gained over 400,000 sign-ups and currently supports approximately 35,000 monthly active users, facilitating trading volumes exceeding ₹1,000 crores.

Confiance will develop Stratzy's communication strategy, focusing on a PR framework, brand messaging, and media relations. The collaboration aims to create a strong narrative for Stratzy in the retail investment sector, allowing investors to utilise advanced technology for improved returns.

FCB Interface names Noor Samra as national planning director

FCB Interface has appointed Noor Samra as national planning director, bringing her experience with both brands like Spotify, PhonePe, Visa, and HDFC Life. Known for her strategic depth and creative agility, she will also join FCB Group’s Strategy Council, focusing on elevating the agency’s strategic capabilities across the network. Her impressive accolades include Cannes Lions and Effie awards, underscoring her ability to deliver impactful, award-winning campaigns.

CEO Gaurav Dudeja praised Noor’s diverse expertise, noting her ability to balance immersive strategic work with creative agility, a key factor in driving the agency’s growth. Noor expressed excitement in joining the leadership team and contributing to FCB’s commitment to creativity as a business driver. She aims to enhance the agency’s work, producing campaigns that set industry benchmarks and foster business success.

Social Panga hires Ketki Karandikar as senior creative director

Social Panga has appointed Ketki Karandikar as Senior Creative Director in its Mumbai office. Karandikar joins from Ogilvy Mumbai with over 15 years of experience in creative strategy and branding.

In her new role, she will lead the creative vision and campaign development, while also mentoring the agency’s creative team. Her background includes work with major brands such as Colgate and Mondelez. The appointment is aimed at enhancing Social Panga's integrated marketing strategies and driving impactful results for clients.

Youngun expands into video production

Youngun has announced its expansion into video production services, adding ideation, scripting, talent onboarding, and end-to-end production to its offerings. The creative marketing agency, known for its focus on social media-first content, aims to strengthen its ability to produce engaging video content for brands.

The agency has already co-created video campaigns for brands such as AJIO, Zepto, Amazon Prime Video, and Durex. Youngun's latest projects include campaigns like 'The Rakhi School Of Reality - The Tribe' and 'Saccha Dost' (True friend) featuring Anu Kapoor'. This move is seen as a response to the growing role of video formats in driving digital engagement.

Youngun plans to leverage its new services to help brands connect more effectively with audiences across platforms, positioning itself as a key player in video marketing. The agency will continue to focus on creating content that resonates with users and encourages organic engagement.

Nodwin Gaming hires Atin Suri as global experiential marketing head

Nodwin Gaming has appointed Atin Suri as global head of experiential marketing. He will oversee the company’s efforts in experiential marketing and the management of white-label events. Suri brings experience in creating immersive brand experiences, which aligns with Nodwin’s aim to engage audiences across various entertainment sectors, including esports and gaming.

The appointment reflects the company's strategy to enhance brand recall and deepen audience engagement worldwide.

Hoopr unveils music-driven brand solutions for B2B growth 

Hoopr has launched Hoopr Brand Solutions (HBS), a new vertical designed to boost B2B offerings by integrating music into brand strategies. Spearheaded by Meghna Mittal and Gaurav Dagaonkar, HBS will collaborate with brands such as Himalaya, Myntra, and ITC to create customised music campaigns.

Leveraging its vast network of 250,000+ creators, HBS aims to deliver cost-effective, high-impact music content that enhances brand engagement through social media and streaming platforms. Its music-led approach aims to elevate brand recall and organic engagement, tapping into the INR 3,500 crore creator market and the INR 40,000 crore digital advertising space.

The company offers bespoke solutions, including music videos, brand anthems, and multi-language content. With strategic partnerships and a data-driven focus, Hoopr is positioning itself as a key player in the evolving landscape of music marketing.

Tute Consult wins Niraamaya contract

Tute Consult’s luxury division has been appointed as the communications partner for Niraamaya Wellness Retreats. The luxury hospitality brand, known for its holistic wellness offerings, aims to boost its visibility and expand its audience reach through this collaboration.

Tute Consult will focus on building brand salience in the luxury hospitality sector. The partnership reflects Niraamaya’s strategy to enhance its presence and elevate its profile within the wellness industry. Tute Consult’s expertise in the hospitality segment will support Niraamaya’s commitment to providing luxury and wellness experiences.

Vikram Sakhuja receives AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award

The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) has announced Lifetime Achievement award for Vikram Sakhuja for 2024. This award recognises significant contributions to the advertising industry in India. Sakhuja, an alumnus of IIT Delhi and IIM Calcutta, has nearly 40 years of experience with major companies including P&G, Coca-Cola, Star TV, and WPP. He began his career in 1984 and later became the first Indian Global CEO of a global advertising and media agency.

Currently, Sakhuja serves as the equity partner and group CEO of Madison, an independent media agency group. His leadership roles have included leadership positions at Mindshare and GroupM South Asia. Sakhuja has been influential in launching major brands such as Ariel and Sprite, and has driven initiatives that transformed GroupM into an award-winning industry leader.

The AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award is given annually to a practitioner with a minimum of 25 years in advertising and notable contributions to the industry. Past recipients include prominent figures such as Piyush Pandey and Ram Sehgal. The AAAI represents a large segment of the advertising agencies in India, promoting their interests since 1945.

The Womb secures BSH creative mandate

BSH Home Appliances, part of BSH Hausgeräte GmbH, has selected The Womb as its strategic and creative partner. The partnership aims to enhance BSH’s premium positioning in India’s home appliance market. The Womb will work across BSH’s brands—Bosch, Siemens, and Gaggenau—developing communication strategies to cater to evolving consumer needs.

This collaboration marks BSH’s effort to differentiate its offerings in the competitive landscape and reinforce its leadership in the premium segment. The Womb’s expertise will support BSH’s mission of building stronger brand equity in India.

Pepper Creative launches content studio

Pepper Content has introduced Pepper Creative, a new content studio aimed at offering agile and tailored content production for brands. This unit integrates strategy, creativity, and technology, enabling brands to build on-demand creative teams suited to their specific needs. Pepper Creative provides marketing leaders with a scalable model to quickly produce content that aligns with business goals.

The teams work as embedded units within brands, operating as in-house agencies.
Pepper Creative has already collaborated with major brands like ITC, Unilever, and HDFC Bank. The unit focuses on bridging creativity with business impact, positioning itself as a full-funnel content solution provider. Pepper aims to empower brands to scale content production efficiently.

Media Mantra opens Dubai office

Media Mantra Group has expanded into the Middle East and North Africa region with the opening of its first international office in Dubai. The strategic move marks a significant milestone for the India-based PR and communications company as it seeks to enhance its global presence

The new office will provide communication services tailored to the MENA region, focusing on public relations, media relations, and integrated communications. Media Mantra’s expansion follows its rapid growth in India and aims to meet the increasing demand for communication solutions in international markets.

StevePriya secures D'Decor creative mandate

StevePriya has been awarded the creative mandate for D'Decor Exports, the largest exporter of curtains and upholstery fabrics. The agency will oversee the company’s creative strategy, enhancing its global brand presence. Additionally, StevePriya will manage social media duties for Sansaar, D'Decor’s eco-conscious brand.

Sansaar’s focus on sustainable home décor aligns with StevePriya's vision of mindful and engaging content creation. The agency will lead campaigns for both brands, aiming to strengthen their market position and consumer connection through digital and creative strategies.
 

Kuku FM hires Jhoomer Sinha as India Hindi Business VP

Kuku FM has appointed Jhoomer Sinha as Vice President of India Hindi Business. In her new role, Sinha will focus on expanding the platform's reach in Hindi-speaking regions of India.
She will oversee the Hindi content library and production, onboard creators, develop storytelling formats, establish partnerships for Hindi-related intellectual properties, and hire for strategic positions within her division. Sinha brings over a decade of experience in business strategy and venture capital within the consumer internet sector.

Her leadership is seen as crucial for Kuku FM as it aims to enhance revenue and profitability through its Generative AI production capabilities and new content formats. The platform has recently reported significant growth in its Hindi user base, with 66% of active listeners from Hindi-speaking areas. Kuku FM aims to leverage this growth to become a prominent name in the entertainment industry.

Hogarth India strengthens leadership with key appointments 

Hogarth India has appointed Madhurika Banerjee and Ishita Hora to its senior leadership team, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing creative and production capabilities. Banerjee, appointed vice president for the North region, brings over 15 years of experience across industries like FMCG, auto, and media. Her previous role at Schbang involved leading major campaigns and establishing the Delhi operations.

Hora, now vice president for the West, joins with 13 years of expertise in integrated marketing and account management, having worked with prominent brands like Coca-Cola and Haier. These strategic hires highlight Hogarth’s dedication to driving regional growth and elevating content experiences for its clients. Banerjee will be based in Gurgaon, while Hora will operate from Mumbai.

Viva ACP appoints Anil Kapoor as brand ambassador

Viva ACP, the manufacturer of aluminium composite panels, has appointed Anil Kapoor as its first brand ambassador. This partnership marks a milestone for the ACP industry, establishing Viva as the first brand to collaborate with a celebrity of Kapoor's stature. With over two decades of experience, Viva ACP offers high-quality cladding solutions known for their innovative technology, including a 4 colour coating system.

The company provides over 500 shades, appealing to architects and designers across various industries. Anil Kapoor will promote Viva’s products assuring accessibility and style along with sustainability and advanced technology.

Hashtag Orange wins creative mandate for KKC

Hashtag Orange has secured the creative mandate for The Krazy Kebab Co (KKC), a new brand under Sky Gate Hospitality, which also owns Biryani by Kilo and Goila’s Butter Chicken. The agency will manage the complete brand identity, including tagline, packaging, and communication across various media. The new tagline 'Wayyy Too Krazzzyy' has launched with a series of films and influencer activities online.

KKC offers a diverse menu that includes Spicy Korean Chicken, Southern Chicken Popcorn, and Chicken Seekh Kebab, blending traditional Indian kebabs with popular fried chicken options. Hashtag Orange aims to reflect the menu's unique offerings through its marketing efforts.

Sonam Gautam joins FCB Interface as creative head

FCB Interface has appointed Sonam Gautam as head of design and executive creative director. She transitions from her previous role at Good Glamm Group, where she shaped the creative direction for beauty brands, including MyGlamm and Manish Malhotra Luxury Makeup. 

With over 16 years of experience, she brings expertise in luxury and beauty, having worked with brands like Pantene, L'Oréal, and Maybelline. At FCB Interface, Gupta's design-first approach is set to enhance the agency's creative output.  

Upasana Naithani joins FCB Kinnect as senior vice president for West

FCB Kinnect has appointed Upasana Naithani as senior vice president (west), signalling a strategic push in the western market, where the agency holds its largest clients. She joins from Wunderman Thompson, bringing extensive experience in scaling businesses, fostering collaborations, and driving creative growth. In her new role, she will focus on expanding FCB Kinnect’s Mumbai client base and leading strategic initiatives.

With over 15 years of industry experience, Naithani has worked with prominent brands like Spotify, Flipkart, and Unilever. Her work has earned accolades, including Effies and Abby Awards. She brings valuable expertise in integrated creative solutions to enhance FCB Kinnect's market leadership.

Naren Patel joins OOH Capital

Naren Patel has joined OOH Capital, a global Out of Home advisory company, after his tenure at Primesight. He served as managing director of Primesight from 1995, during which he floated the business on the London Stock Exchange. Following its sale to STV, he led a management buyout, focusing on growth through acquisitions and organic development. In 2018, Patel sold Primesight to Global Radio and exited the company in 2020.

Patel has a strong commitment to enhancing ethnic diversity in the media sector. In 2018, he founded Media for All, which supports Black, Asian, and other ethnic minority talent in media and advertising. He also chairs the advertising charity NABS and received the World Outdoor Leadership Award in 2018.