Media

Why 2026 will belong to the premium open internet

The "walled garden" era is giving way to a new ecosystem where consumer attention and trust are highest.

In 2026, the honeymoon is officially over for creator content and GenAI

The era of the accountable, standardised ecosystem is beginning.

Why we’re trading 17 opens tabs for one good conversation

Between comparison charts and keywords searches, the humble product page has begun to lose its shine.

Media fragmentation: The unfair opportunity marketers are missing out on

What we call 'media fragmentation' is simply reality catching up with an industry that prefers linear planning templates.

India’s digital ecosystem needs an overhaul

The recently notified Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules could result in a more robust, transparent, trust-led ecosystem.

When Don met John

John Wren now reigns at the helm of the world’s largest advertising holdco. What if the last king of Madison Avenue made a bid for one of the best creative minds? Rahul daCunha imagines a conversation between the two

Omnicom must show new structure is about more than cutting its way to growth

Changing how Omnicom operates and collaborates in post-IPG era requires shift in mindset and incentives.

Why the future belongs to digitally-native, full-funnel agencies

Agencies that see marketing as one coherent journey rather than a sequence of disconnected tasks will win the game.

Why LLMs should be “decolonised”

LLMs today need to speak a variety of languages, not just English with an accent.

How India’s VFX and post studios are powering global storytelling

India is no longer an outsourcing destination; it is a trusted, creatively mature partner in the global content supply chain.

What the Cloudflare outage reveals about digital fragility

This outage, alongside similar incidents at major cloud providers, signals a rising pattern of vulnerabilities and structural degradation.

Approach Gen Z by mindset, not age

Raised in an era of constant reinvention, this generation has developed a keen instinct for what’s real and what’s performative.

Duplication blindness: Why India urgently needs unified media measurement

The rise of digital technology has splintered media consumption across multiple platforms and devices. The problem is no longer a lack of data, but a lack of interoperable data.

India’s video split: Short clips surge, long form holds ground

As reels dominate daily habits, brands face a sharper choice: use short-form for reach, long-form for trust, or master both together.

From messaging to movement: Why policy advocacy is the future of brand communications

To be successful, policy advocacy must be a part of a broad brand narrative, working in collaboration with PR, content, design, and stakeholder teams, argue Jajabor Brand Consultancy's executives.

Lights, camera, privacy!

Tsaaro CEO and co-founder illustrates how India's new consumer data privacy rules are shaking up media and entertainment sector.

India isn’t just consuming influence; it is exporting it

Indian creators are quietly becoming the new faces of global marketing and the world is finally taking notice, says Fame Keeda co-founder.

Influencing policy change through simple messaging

CBSE’s Sugar Board mandate for schools is an example of how simple communication can lead to policy change, says PersonaKraft founder.

Did the strategic planner just kill the advertising agency?

It's time for the strategic planning profession to be redeployed, at the very least, to improve efficiency and creativity, writes the founder of Australian independent agency, Thinkerbell.

The scroll effect: How Instagram marketing is shaping new-age consumer behaviour in India

In a post-scroll world, brands must do more than advertise; they need to embed themselves into the rhythm of everyday digital life, says Jigsaw Brand Consultants founder.

Why reframing the ad agency-client relationship can help creativity

The evolution of ‘the client’ from a straightforward descriptor — someone receiving services — to a phrase laced with frustration or negativity is easy to understand.

Is your brand ready to ride the social search wave?

With over-dependence on search engines becoming passé, brands that embrace social discovery will reap future rewards, says GALE India president.

Is corporate silence on Trump tariffs really golden?

Despite a chaotic week for PR figures handling the fallout from US President Trump’s tariff changes, the corporate world has remained relatively silent—but is this the right comms move?

At its core, ‘Careless People’ is a cautionary tale of disillusionment

Sarah Wynn-Williams’ memoir lifts the lid on life inside Facebook, exposing a culture where ambition eclipses ethics, and authenticity is welcomed only when it's convenient.

A tale of two campaigns: Borrowing from the past without looking at recent history?

It is easy to get trapped in nostalgia. But Famous Innovations’ creative head cautions that brands and agencies need to maintain a fine line between cultural tribute and creative redundancy.

India’s OTT boom: Big streams, bigger monetisation hurdles

India’s OTT platforms face a tough balancing act—compelling content, smart pricing, and data-driven ads—all while battling churn and piracy, notes Moloco’s director of product management for MSM business.

Dark humour, desensitisation, and the Gen Z disconnect

Raised in chaos, shaped by algorithms, Interbrand India and South Asia’s CEO wonders whether the young truly cynical, or just mirroring a world we built for them?

From TV to OTT: Redefining brand advertising with AI and personalisation

With OTTs dominating TV advertising space, brands must adapt to AI-led, precision-targeted campaigns for deep engagement, says Mashrise co-founder.

Time to tune in: Why digital audio must be in your media mix this year

Often underrated, digital audio provides brand marketers with a powerful way to connect with audiences, says Pocket FM's vice president of branding and communications, in this myth-buster.

A marketer at the Maha Kumbh: Faith, footfall, and brand lessons from Earth’s grandest gathering

Attending Maha Kumbh as a marketer revealed a masterclass in brand engagement for Haymarket Media Group—India’s country head.

The great corporate pretence is finally over

From Meta's masculinity pivot to the mass corporate retreat from DEI, flexibility, and parity commitments, 2025 is exposing the friction between corporate values and valuations, revealing what happens when trust is deemed to have outlived its market worth.

Stare wars: The CEO, the wife, and the internet that roared

As memes and backlash amplify L&T's 90-hour fiasco, Tute Consults’ founder highlights the need for empathy, communication finesse, and modern workplace values.

Apple Siri settlement: A discretion jolt for advertisers

Active listening tech offers potential and peril, forcing advertisers to balance innovation with user trust in a privacy-first world, notes Famous Innovations’ CEO.

Why 5G broadcasting could be the next big opportunity for agencies

VideoVerse’s CRO reveals how 5G transforms broadcasting into dynamic, interactive experiences for today’s evolving audiences.

Read, learn, create: 10 must-read books for adland

Response India’s director suggests essential reads tailored for advertising professionals aiming to excel and enhance their creativity.

From leaks to locks: Ensuring piracy-free OTT content to maximise advertising ROI

The co-founder and CEO of VdoCipher explains why brand marketers must advocate for DRM to help OTT platforms secure streaming content and boost their own advertising returns.

The $31 billion Omnicom-IPG deal has industrial logic but also many caveats

The biggest beneficiary might not be the two companies involved, but the wider agency sector itself, writes Campaign UK editor-in-chief, Gideon Spanier.

How big can big get?

Animal’s senior partner opines that the Omnicom-IPG merger pressures independents to double down on creativity, offering a unique edge against automated mega-agency dominance.

The importance of 'being real' in marketing today

Global marketing isn't just about translating words; it is about understanding different cultures, adapting and relating to them.

‘Vada Pav Girl’ and ‘Dolly Chai Wala’: Signalling the surge of regional social media stars

As audiences choose raw snatches of life from regional influencers over superficial content from influencers in urban pockets, a new medium for brand marketing has opened up.

Himalaya’s Ragini Hariharan suggests how gaps between sustainability goals and execution in organisations can be bridged

On World Environment Day 2024, she reveals how Himalaya Wellness Company has incorporated its sustainability ethos into every function, process, product and customer communication initiative.

Why Gen Z prefers influencers over A-list celebs

Prioritising authenticity over glamour, many within younger cohorts are spurning celebrities in commercials in favour of narratives built on genuine and relatable storytelling.

Beyond the box: The future of television in the OTT era

Renowned movie producer and television maverick Rabindra Narayan shares his insights on why over-the-top (OTT) platforms are poised to change the TV game now, and forever more.

Navigating Gen Z: Balancing tech, tradition, and identity in a connected world

By integrating cultural components into their communication and offerings, brands can foster a feeling of familiarity and rapport with Gen Z, opines Himani Pundir of Quantum.

Apple Vision Pro is making headlines, but may be a premature choice for brands

With an eye-watering price tag, it's easy for advertisers to be dismissive of Apple Vision Pro as an ad platform. But extended reality has the future potential to reach consumers in ways other channels can’t reach

Ameen Sayani ji leaves behind a legacy of music and memories: Ashit Kukian

The CEO of Radio City gets nostalgic as he relives the golden era of radio that Sayani embodied with his memorable show and trademark style that surpassed generations

The dark side of AI: When 'seeing' is not 'believing'

SOUNDING BOARD: Experts weigh in on the risks associated with the rise of AI tech such as deepfake after the deepfake viral video of actor Rashmika Mandanna and centre's response to it

Opinion: Media agencies need to change their mindset for survival

It's time for media agencies to integrate fully into client marketing processes and work between holding companies says the CEO of PHD Hong Kong

Has Viacom18 paid over the top for the IPL digital rights?

The author shares his thoughts on the IPL bidding war for media rights

Raahil’s blog: Dear Star, where are all the Indian tennis stars?

Star Sports, the broadcaster of the US Open, has chosen to ignore the games featuring Indian tennis players