MAM
Havas Media Group and NewsCred form global partnership
MUMBAI: Havas Media Group is taking its content offering for its clients to a new level through a global partnership with NewsCred, content marketing platform. Through the partnership, Havas clients are able to boost their content marketing capabilities to engage with consumers with greater relevancy, increased consistency, better efficiency and higher returns, at every step of the consumer journey.
Brands need to become Publishers
Significantly, the deal enables Havas agencies and clients to have access to more than 5,000 leading publishers worldwide covering a variety of topics and dozens of languages. Publishers include the Associated Press, Al Jazeera, BBC, Billboard, Bloomberg, CNN, Daily Telegraph, The Economist, EPA, Evening Standard, Forbes, The Guardian, Gawker, The Independent, Nielsen, New York Magazine, Reuters, Shutterstock, WENN and many more covering 100 countries in different formats (text, pictures, videos, infographic and audio files).
This platform will be also enhanced by the exclusive partnership between Havas and Universal Music Group announced last month during CES 2015.
Creating a leading Content Publishing Platform
NewsCred’s cloud-based software, combined with Havas Media Group’s expertise and data analytics, gives clients access to an unrivalled and fully integrated management tool covering the complete content marketing value chain across all platforms: from content strategy and planning to production and validation through to content curation and publication.
This deal comes following nine months of collaboration between Havas and NewsCred with one goal – to produce a ground-breaking solution that simplifies and scales the entire content marketing process of each client.
The NewsCred software is also being used for Havas clients to enrich corporate websites and to create meaningful thematic sites. All agencies within the Havas group, including Havas Worldwide, Havas Healthcare, Arnold Worldwide and BETC have full access to this partnership and the deal has already resulted in more than a dozen commercial leads.
Content Amplification with Socialyse
Havas global social pure player Socialyse will integrate NewsCred’s software to further increase the relevancy of social campaigns and all Havas Social Newsrooms (currently located in London, NYC and Paris with further opening during 2015) are already integrating NewsCred and its management platforms to engage with audiences.
The partnership further facilitates social media monitoring, content performance tracking and audience engagement metrics, all of which are key to generating meaningful connections.
Havas Media Group global managing director Dominique Delport said that this New York start-up, its inspiring CEO and their 210 employees have created a simple way to understand how Havas can use content to build meaningful relationships with people.
“2015 is the year of content for Havas. This has been an incredible 9 months of working together and we are so pleased to formally add the team at NewsCred to our future. Brands need more relevancy and consistency than ever. Our partnership with NewsCred provides our clients with the sort of agility and speed that can mean the difference between success and failure,” Delport added.
NewsCred CEO and co-founder Shafqat Islam said that every brand has a story to tell and firmly believed that the brands that will win in the future are those that think of content as a strategic asset across their organisation. “We’re excited to partner with such a major media network like Havas Media Group to help our joint customers reach key audiences with compelling, valuable content. Together, we will be rolling out the world’s most advanced content marketing technology, alongside the largest content network in the world. And best of all, everything will be available to all Havas customers worldwide, in a single technology platform,” Islam said.
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
