MAM
McCann’s Mathew on Adfest jury
MUMBAI: McCann ECD Rahul Mathew has been picked to be on the Ad Fest 2013 Film Lotus and Radio Lotus jury panel.
Adfest 2013 will be held during from 17 to 19 March at the Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall, Royal Cliff Hotels Group, Pattaya, Thailand.
Mathew said, “Adfest has been my favourite hunting ground. In fact, my first-ever-international award was a bronze at Adfest. And I also won one of my Grand Prixs there in 2008, incidentally in radio. With Adfest being the first show to be judged in the year, it‘s also the first peek at Asia‘s biggest contenders for the shows to come. So it‘s an exciting show to judge. But with film & radio as my category, it‘s going to be as exhausting as it will be exciting.”
Mathew has been in advertising for about 15 years, eight of which have been with McCann Mumbai. He has been involved in many award winning campaigns that have gained acclaim at both domestic and international arenas. These include Grand Prixs at the Adfest and New York, and metals and honours at Cannes, One Show, Spikes, Adfest, Clio, London International and Goa fest. He has also been ranked amongst the top five creative professionals in India in 2009 by Campaign Brief Asia and was ranked the 8th most awarded copywriter in Asia (as per Haymarket Publications and Campaign Asia) in 2012.
Adfest is a non-profit organisation, which run the largest annual advertising festival in Asia & the Pacific celebrating and raising the standard of creativity in the region. ADFEST is a platform designed not only to promote and recognise creative excellence, but also provides a unique learning opportunity for participants through seeing the best works, listening to inspiring speakers, and exchanging ideas. Adfest embraces and celebrates local culture and heritage. With the rich history of heritage and legacy in this region, Adfest aims for the recognition and preservation of such local value.
MAM
McDonald’s India NE names Sara Arjun brand ambassador
Actor returns for nostalgic Buddy Meal campaign at Rs 119 for two.
MUMBAI: Sara Arjun just came home to McDonald’s because some love stories start with a childhood ad and end with sharing fries as grown-ups. McDonald’s India – North and East has appointed actor Sara Arjun as its brand ambassador, bringing her back to the brand that first captured her on screen as a child. The collaboration launches with a playful TVC introducing the Buddy Meal, a value offering priced at Rs 119 for two burgers (McAloo Tikki or Veg Surprise), two Cokes and one medium fries.
The film recreates the classic “girlfriend-boyfriend” banter from her original McDonald’s ad, with Sara joking about today’s “demanding” relationships before her buddy admits he just wants a simple McAloo Tikki. The voiceover lands the punch: “Shukar hai McDonald’s Buddy Meal for 2 hai… starts at just Rs 119,” closing on the tagline “Khao Meal, Baat Karo”, a celebration of uncomplicated joy and shared moments.
MMG Group and CPRL vice chairman Anant Agarwal said, “Sara’s return to McDonald’s is a wonderful reminder of the deep emotional connections many customers have grown up with. With the Buddy Meal, we are celebrating friendship, nostalgia and the simple joy of sharing a McDonald’s meal together at great value.”
Sara Arjun added, “McDonald’s has been a special part of my journey since childhood. Returning to the brand for this campaign feels incredibly nostalgic. The Buddy Meal captures the simple joy of sharing food and laughter with friends.”
Available for a limited period across McDonald’s restaurants in North and East India via dine-in, takeaway, drive-thru, the McDonald’s App and leading delivery platforms, the Buddy Meal taps into the brand’s legacy of creating relatable, feel-good moments.
In a fast-food world chasing trends, McDonald’s brings back a familiar face and a simple truth: sometimes the best dates don’t need grand gestures just good burgers, cold drinks and great company at a price that leaves everyone smiling.
