Moves and wins roundup: Week of 28 April

Havas Media wins Magicbricks media mandate

Havas Media India has secured the integrated media mandate for Magicbricks. The appointment designates Havas as the agency on record responsible for handling the brand’s end-to-end media strategy, planning, and buying. The mandate's scope spans media touchpoints including print, television, radio, cinema, digital, and below-the-line (BTL) activities such as out-of-home, mobile, movie integrations, celebrity management, and activations. The agency’s data-driven strategy, proprietary tools, and technology-led planning were central to winning the account, offering refined audience targeting and optimised media investments. Staring with online property listings, Magicbricks now offers services such as home interiors, home loans, and site visits. Havas Media India will also enhance Magicbricks’ media presence using its Converged OS and meaningful brands framework.

BBDO India appoints Kirti Sharad as SVP – strategy

BBDO India has appointed Kirti Meera Sharad as senior vice president – strategy. Sharad brings over 15 years of experience in brand strategy across client and agency roles. Most recently, she served as the strategy lead for Studio X at The Coca-Cola Company, focusing on digital-first brand strategies. Her past work includes strategic roles with global brands such as Unilever, Starbucks, Reckitt, and Bata. In her new role, Sharad will oversee strategic planning at BBDO India and will be responsible for driving marketing outcomes through insight-based and culturally resonant narratives. Her appointment aligns with BBDO's recent global repositioning under the ‘Do Big Things’ mantra and follows a year of accolades for the agency, including South Asia Agency of the Year at AdFest. The agency, part of the global BBDO network, operates across Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, and serves clients in various sectors through advertising, brand consulting, and digital marketing solutions. Sharad’s arrival is expected to bolster the agency’s competitive positioning as it continues to deliver results-driven strategies for major clients.

Team Pumpkin secures FloraSoul’s social media mandate

FloraSoul, an Ayurvedic skincare brand, has selected Team Pumpkin to manage its social media presence. The agency will oversee content strategy, campaign development, and digital storytelling for FloraSoul. The collaboration aims to establish a digital identity that reflects the brand's commitment to conscious beauty. Team Pumpkin's Bangalore office will lead the mandate, ensuring alignment with FloraSoul's ethos.

JetSynthesys launches live experiences unit

JetSynthesys has launched JetAlive, a new business unit focused on live, technology-enabled experiences that combine physical and digital formats. Industry veteran Kumar Razdan, formerly with BookMyShow and Nesco, has been appointed to lead the initiative, bringing over two decades of experience in building large-scale live platforms. Razdan will oversee JetAlive’s strategy and execution, guiding the creation of experiences across digital entertainment and live engagement. JetAlive aims to engage younger audiences through immersive events that combine culture, community, and innovation. It will produce a range of experiences, including the Lucky Ali India Tour, which offers a reimagined concert format; K-Town, a Korean culture-focused event; and JetFest, which merges gaming, lifestyle, and technology into a single interactive festival. The unit will also develop original intellectual properties designed to foster community participation and thematic engagement. The unit’s national rollout will involve collaborations with ticketing platforms, membership systems, and loyalty programmes. Functioning as an extension of JetSynthesys’ existing digital ecosystem, it will offer new touchpoints for fans in gaming, music, esports, and lifestyle domains.

HerKey unveils marketing platform targeted at women professionals

HerKey has launched BEE (brand engage experience), a marketing platform aimed at helping brands engage with India’s fast-growing segment of women professionals. The platform is designed to help brands build meaningful connections with women professionals who are increasingly driving purchase decisions and shaping workplace dynamics. The BEE platform will leverage HerKey’s network of over 50 lakh women professionals, 20,000 companies, and two lakh mentors and experts. It provides tools for data-driven and personalised brand engagement, enabling companies to address various life stages and professional contexts—ranging from returnees and working mothers to aspiring leaders. To help brands move beyond transactional advertising, BEE  incorporates immersive engagement formats, including expert-led sessions, masterclasses, and fireside chats to deliver value-led communication. Over 20,000 companies have already collaborated with HerKey for branding initiatives. The platform is now live and available for brand partnerships through HerKey’s digital channels.

YouTube names Gunjan Soni as country managing director for India

YouTube has appointed Gunjan Soni as its new country managing director for India. She succeeds Ishan Chatterjee, who exited the company last year. Soni brings more than two decades of leadership experience across business, technology, marketing and e-commerce. She has joined YouTube from Zalora, where she served as group CEO based in Singapore for six years. During her tenure, she introduced new categories and business models, and enhanced user experience through personalisation and a loyalty programme. Her career also includes leadership roles at Star India as Executive Vice President and Myntra as chief marketing officer. Before that, she was a Partner at McKinsey & Company in the consumer and marketing practice. She currently serves on the board of CBRE Group, a Fortune 500 company. In her new role, Soni will lead YouTube’s growth and innovation efforts in India, focusing on creator development, user engagement and video commerce expansion. YouTube cited Soni’s deep understanding of the creator economy and the Indian digital landscape as crucial to accelerating its platform initiatives in the country.

Collective Artists Network unveils media arm

Collective Artists Network has launched its new media division, the Collective Media Network, expanding its operations across digital content, creators, and cultural platforms. This move formalises the company’s activities across content creation, distribution, and audience engagement. The new entity brings together existing platforms including Terribly Tiny Tales, Under 25, Big Bang Social, and Galleri5, offering digital IPs, social content, and live creator-driven experiences. New initiatives include regional and genre-specific projects such as Rashmika & Ru, Marathi Minded, and Not Funny. The network has introduced two AI-powered creators, Kavya Mehra and Radhika Subramaniam, focused on parenting, youth culture, and digital identity. It has also launched Sanatani Dharma, a content destination focused on Indic heritage, religious traditions, and cultural interpretation. Sudeep Lahiri has been appointed head of channels and distribution, tasked with scaling creator and business-facing content across platforms. The company leverages its owned platforms, creator network, and newsletter ecosystem to distribute content at scale. Its creative tech unit, Galleri5, will continue to develop tools for content benchmarking, trend detection, and synthetic storytelling.

Confiance bags Sprih's communications mandate

Confiance Communications has secured the strategic communications mandate for climatetech platform Sprih. The agency will lead Sprih’s overall communications strategy, targeting improved market positioning across manufacturing, mobility, agriculture, chemicals, and other sectors. Sprih, founded in 2022, offers an AI-driven platform to help businesses measure and manage their environmental footprints, including carbon emissions, water usage, and waste generation. Its tools also benchmark performance and support collaboration with ecosystem partners. As part of the mandate, Confiance Communications will develop a public relations framework, shape brand messaging, and create targeted communication strategies to increase visibility for Sprih’s sustainability solutions. The agency aims to strengthen Sprih’s presence among enterprises seeking environmental compliance and competitive advantage through sustainability initiatives. Sprih’s leadership team includes Akash Keshav, Ravi Singhal, Rohit Toshniwal, and Hemant Joshi. The company positions itself as a provider of sustainability transformation tools for businesses navigating climate accountability and regulatory changes. Confiance Communications has worked with brands such as Euronics, Bureau, and The Quorum Club, and with venture capital firms like Leo Capital and Transition VC.

Marriot names Quirk Head as its social media and creative design partner

Marketing agency Quirk Head has been appointed official social media and creative design partner for Marriott’s new properties in Udaipur and Jim Corbett. The partnership will focus on enhancing digital presence through storytelling-led campaigns. The agency will manage online communications and creative strategies for Marriott Udaipur Hotel and Jim Corbett Marriott Resort and Spa. The collaboration aims to increase visibility and engagement for both properties in the digital space. Quirk Head was founded in 2018 and serves clients across industries, with a concentration in luxury hospitality. It provides branding, digital, and influencer marketing solutions. The agency’s approach combines performance metrics with creative execution tailored for premium travel audiences. With this new partnership, Quirk Head adds to its existing hospitality portfolio, which includes five-star hotels and resorts across India. The mandate includes the development of digital narratives and the facilitation of collaborations with influencers and public figures to strengthen brand identity and online engagement.

Branded reimagines global identity for Mezete

Design agency Branded, formerly Bombay Design Centre, has led a global rebranding effort for Mezete, a Jordanian food brand with a presence in over 40 countries. The rebrand centres on translating the energy and vibrancy of Middle Eastern souks into a packaging system that resonates across international markets. The new identity was developed through on-ground immersion in Amman, Jordan, where the team sought to capture the textures and dynamics of local culture. The visual language draws from Arabic poetry and uses expressive typography to evoke the busyness and boldness of Middle Eastern markets. The rebrand spans 40 SKUs, with multilingual packaging tailored to regions including Canada and Latin America. The updated look has received attention globally, including a feature by Forbes at Expo West 2025 in the Food & Beverage category. Mezete’s products do not require refrigeration and aim to deliver authentic Middle Eastern flavour in shelf-stable formats. The new identity aims to help meet claim space in the global food industry by pairing authenticity with a modern visual approach.

Ambalika Sen joins Fundamental as managing partner

Fundamental has appointed Ambalika Sen as its managing partner as it enters its third year of operations. Sen brings 15 years of experience across client partnerships, people management, process efficiency and consumer business across the food, fashion, lifestyle, FMCG and media sectors. She previously held the role of senior vice president – business at Tilt Brand Solutions. Her appointment aligns with Fundamental’s focus on strengthening its core capabilities while maintaining its selective approach to talent acquisition. The agency, which has been positioning itself around solving complex marketing problems with clear, single-minded solutions, sees Sen’s expertise as vital for its next phase of growth. Founded two years ago, Fundamental continues to prioritise quality over scale as it expands its team and service offerings. Sen’s addition marks a strategic move to enhance operational rigour and client delivery without altering the agency’s original vision.

Buzzlab opens multipurpose studio in Bengaluru

Buzzlab has launched a new multipurpose content studio in Bengaluru aimed at content creators and brands across India. The facility offers a professional recording environment for advertising, YouTube, Instagram and other digital platforms. It is the first Buzzlab studio built specifically to create content using artificial intelligence and the company’s proprietary content playbook. The studio features a soundproofed room, ambient lighting, acoustic panelling, and high-end camera and microphone setups designed to ensure premium production quality. It also provides in-house production support with a Director of Photography and an audio assistant available for recording sessions, podcast creation, green screen shoots and conversations.

Volkswagen awards communication mandate to Ruder Finn India

Volkswagen India has awarded its press communication mandate to Ruder Finn India, effective May 1, 2025. The scope includes strategic counsel and planning, corporate storytelling, media relations and integrated campaign support. Ruder Finn will work alongside Volkswagen India’s communications team to highlight the brand’s focus on innovation, performance, sustainability and the future of mobility. The agency will deliver insight-led messaging across earned and owned channels. Ruder Finn is a global communications and creative agency with its India headquarters in Gurugram and offices in Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai. It operates a network of affiliates across 62 media hubs nationwide and offers services in corporate, consumer, health and technology sectors.

PR Professionals appoints Sunny Jain as AVP – digital

The communications and digital marketing services provider PR Professionals (PRP) has appointed Sunny Jain as associate vice president – digital, effective 28 April 2025. Jain joins with more than 15 years of experience in digital marketing, performance strategy and integrated brand communications. He will lead the expansion of performance marketing capabilities, oversee digital, content and public relations strategy integration, and optimise client campaigns for return on investment. Jain will focus on search engine optimisation, social media marketing, lead generation, affiliate marketing and campaign execution across multiple markets. Before joining PRP, he held leadership roles at SpiceJet, VLCC Healthcare, Brentwoods Education, Greenply Industries, and IndiaMART. He has planned and executed digital campaigns across India, the Gulf Cooperation Council, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. His portfolio covers digital media planning and buying, search engine marketing, online reputation management, product management and customer acquisition. Established in 2011, PR Professionals, a part of PRP Group, holds digital mandates for Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority, Rail Land Development Authority, IIM Mumbai, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, Sunkind, Chaitanya, Finance Industry Development Council, Bihar School Examination Board, Department of Revenue and Land Reforms (Bihar), Samagra Shiksha Andhra Pradesh, and other public sector entities.

Sam & Andy wins marketing mandate for Jadeite Developers

Sam & Andy has secured the integrated marketing mandate for Jadeite Developers, to be executed by its Mumbai office. Using a phased approach, the agency will launch Jadeite’s new real estate project, Kaveri. Under the mandate, the agency will position Kaveri to distinguish it from competing developments and support sales through a detailed brand and communication strategy. Creative and tactical outputs will cover above-the-line media—print inserts, outdoor and audio-visual—below-the-line materials—brochures, site branding and events—and digital channels including social media and WhatsApp engagement for channel partners and customers. Activities will be rolled out in phases to provide full-spectrum support for launch and ongoing promotion. Jadeite Developers is led by Manish Sawant and Litesh Gada and focuses on safety, quality and community engagement. The company complies with environmental standards and works with local communities to enhance social responsibility.

CloudTV appoints Harshad Wadivkar as monetisation lead

CloudTV has named Harshad Wadivkar as Business Head – Monetisation, effective 28 April 2025. He will drive revenue strategies, forge media partnerships and expand monetisation channels on the Smart TV operating system. CloudTV’s platform reaches over 12 million viewers across regional markets in India. Wadivkar brings more than 15 years of experience in digital sales, account management and client partnerships. His previous roles include positions at Adscholars, Xapads Media and Mediascope, serving brands such as DSP Mutual Fund, IDBI, ESPN, Hotstar, Mahindra Auto, Jaguar Land Rover and Rebel Foods. He has developed partnerships with GroupM, Madison, LS Digital, IPG and Publicis.

Sungrow Europe awards digital media mandate to CDA

Sungrow Europe has appointed India-based Content Digital Agency (CDA) to manage its digital media operations across more than 20 European countries. The collaboration follows a pilot campaign and marks the formal engagement of CDA as the digital media partner. Sungrow, a global leader in photovoltaic (PV) inverter shipments according to S&P Global Commodity Insights, focuses on innovation and sustainability within the renewable energy sector. CDA will be responsible for executing digital media activations and delivering strategic marketing support to communicate Sungrow’s brand values and solutions. CDA operates across six locations including India, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The agency specialises in programmatic media and performance-based digital solutions, offering services such as strategy, creative development, media planning, and buying. The partnership is expected to enhance Sungrow’s digital engagement and marketing outcomes in the European market, aligning with its broader goals for regional expansion and increased visibility. CDA’s scope includes driving communications across multiple channels while ensuring consistency in messaging and campaign impact.

Five new jury chairs announced for Abby Awards 2025

The Advertising Club has appointed five new jury chairs for the ABBY Awards 2025 powered by One Show. The event is scheduled to take place at Goafest 2025 in Goa on 21-23 May, 2025. Nina Elavia Jaipuria will chair the Broadcaster category. She has held senior leadership roles in media and marketing, including a recent position at Viacom 18. Jaipuria has also served on various industry bodies and has been recognised multiple times among the most influential women in Indian media. Niraj Ruparel will chair the Technology category. As creative tech lead at WPP and GroupM India, Ruparel has worked on several technology-led initiatives and has received international recognition for his innovation in creative technology. Deepshikha Dharmaraj will oversee the Public Relations category. Currently the CEO of Burson Group India, she brings decades of experience in strategic communications and has served in leadership roles within key public relations organisations in the country. Chandani Samdaria will lead the Green Abby category. As executive creative director at L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, she has developed campaigns for major global brands and served as a mentor and juror at leading creative platforms. Praful Akali has been appointed to chair the Health category. He is the founder of Medulla Communications and has been widely recognised for his work in healthcare advertising, including top honours at the Cannes Lions and Clio Awards.

Whoppl names Sharan Nair and Shyamolie Parikh as creative partners

Content-to-commerce agency Whoppl has brought creators Sharan Nair and Shyamolie Parikh into its leadership team as creative partners. The move signals a shift in the creator economy, with Whoppl integrating content creators directly into agency strategy and operations. Whoppl is positioning this appointment as part of its broader goal to create a creator-led ecosystem that aligns brand, agency, and influencer interests. The agency believes that creators offer valuable consumer insights and are well-placed to deliver brand messaging with high engagement and authenticity. Sharan Nair, known for viral content and his podcast ‘This Is Not a Podcast,’ brings a high-engagement creator profile to the agency. His past work includes campaigns for major platforms such as Netflix India. Shyamolie Parikh combines brand consulting experience with a strong background in content strategy and consumer engagement. Both creators will contribute to campaign development and brand strategy at Whoppl, particularly as the agency looks to expand into international markets such as Dubai. Their roles are designed to ensure that campaign execution is not only strategic but also culturally and socially relevant to evolving consumer expectations.

Rediffusion Kolkata secures Prabhuji account

Rediffusion Kolkata has secured the creative and strategic communications mandate for Prabhuji Pure Food, a traditional snacks and sweets brand. The agency will handle end-to-end brand strategy, including positioning, integrated campaigns, and content creation across media platforms. Rediffusion's work will focus on building a differentiated brand voice as Prabhuji scales its national presence and strengthens its consumer connect. Brand ambassadors Shahrukh Khan and Rashmika Mandhana will continue to represent Prabhuji in forthcoming campaigns. The agency will develop a brand architecture that balances nostalgia with modern relevance to appeal to evolving market segments. Efforts will also target expanding Prabhuji's reach in Tier 1, 2, and 3 markets through locally nuanced messaging. In the coming months, Rediffusion plans to roll out an integrated brand campaign, introduce packaging innovations, and execute digital engagement strategies to reinforce Prabhuji’s market position. Prabhuji Pure Food is one of India’s growing FMCG brands in the traditional food segment, with plans for wider national outreach.

Team Pumpkin wins Club Hachi mandate

Team Pumpkin has won the digital marketing mandate for Club Hachi, a premium lifestyle brand specialising in travel essentials. The agency will manage social media, performance marketing, marketplace presence, and influencer collaborations for the brand. Club Hachi, launched in 2024 and headquartered in Dehradun, focuses on providing durable, innovative travel products such as luggage, thermochromic jackets, and duffel bags. The brand's luggage range features polycarbonate bodies and aluminium frames designed for strength and longevity. Team Pumpkin will deliver a comprehensive marketing strategy combining data-driven approaches, high-quality content creation, and an optimised sales funnel. The aim is to boost brand engagement, drive conversions, and help Club Hachi establish a strong presence among competitors. The agency has experience working with brands such as Prega News, Axis Bank, ITC, and Swiggy Mama Earth, and operates from offices in Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Canada.