AD Agencies
dentsu India makes merry in 2024
MUMBAI: It’s been a dramatic turnaround of sorts for dentsu India’s media practice – the calendar year 2024 that’s just ended. The agency has added 80 brands to its portfolio and achieved a remarkable 10 per cent growth in billings.
This accomplishment marks a strong recovery from the previous year’s challenges and sets a goal for ambitious double-digit organic growth in 2025.
The success can be attributed to dentsu’s unique blend of marketing, technology, and consulting, which has driven innovation and impactful results.
“This year has been transformative,” stated dentsu CEO south Asia Harsha Razdan. He pointed out to the use of cutting-edge technology and data insights that helped it enhance its core offerings and unlock new growth opportunities.
Added dentsu Media south Asia CEO Anita Kotwani : “Our success hinges on delivering measurable results for our clients. With data-driven insights, we continuously adapt to market demands and strive to set new benchmarks.”
Throughout the year, dentsu focused on strengthening client relationships and acquiring new marquee brands, including General Insurance Council, LG Electronics, Skechers, Flipkart, Myntra, and Amazon Seller Services, Akasa Air, Vero Moda, Sintex, Amazon Seller Services, CK Birla Healthcare, Kotak Mutual Fund, Ardex Endura, Shopper Stop, D DÉCOR, Godrej Properties, HAMDARD, Tata Mutual Fund, Tata Realty, Quick Heal Technologies, Unity Small Finance Bank, Meesho, Waree Energies, Vi-John, Berger Paints, Suzuki, and Be-Rite (Gemini Edibles & Fats), among others.
The agency’s array of solutions spans traditional and digital media, performance marketing, influencer campaigns, and out-of-home (OOH) advertising. dentsu’s Media Innovations & Solutions team also made notable advancements in branded content, influencer marketing, gaming, and sports, registering a fourfold increase in the business. Collaborative efforts with companies like Meta and Google led to the development of global capabilities in consumer intelligence and retail products.
The agency introduced some tools in 2024 which gave it that edge over others, leading to higher client satisfaction and acquisition. These included Retail Media, Performance Practice 2.0, Total Commerce and Spark—an advanced marketing mix modeling tool. With its offerings broadened, dentsu Media achieved some outstanding results, particularly with dentsu Retail experiencing fivefold growth.
The Media Practice’s integrated approach, highlighted by the proprietary Media++ Framework, has established dentsu as the industry leader, providing comprehensive strategies for every customer journey stage.
“We are targeting a higher double-digit organic growth in 2025,” said Harsha. “Our focus remains on raising the bar, delivering breakthroughs, and staying true to dentsu’s global vision of Innovating to Impact.”
With that kind of commitment in place, competitors and the industry had better keep a sharp eye on dentsu’s moves in 2025. For the agency is sure learning to dance and make its clients dance to its market- and customer-winning advertising and marketing solutions tunes. And it’s learning it pretty fast under its new leader Harsha and team dentsu India. .
AD Agencies
Havas hits 2025 targets, posts 3.1 per cent organic growth
Net revenue rises to €2.78 bn as AI push and acquisitions lift performance
PUTEAUX, FRANCE: Havas delivered a solid set of full-year results for 2025, beating its own guidance as steady organic growth, tighter cost control and an aggressive push into artificial intelligence lifted margins and cash flow.
The advertising and communications group reported organic net revenue growth of 3.1 per cent for the year, slightly ahead of its guided range of 2.5 to 3.0 per cent. Net revenue rose to €2.78 billion, while adjusted Ebit climbed to €358 million, translating into a margin of 12.9 per cent, up 50 basis points from last year.
Net income increased 11.1 per cent to €210 million, with group share of net income rising 9.2 per cent to €189 million. Operating cash flow after working capital jumped 53 per cent to €360 million, reflecting improved collections and disciplined spending.
The fourth quarter capped the year on a strong note, with organic growth of 3.7 per cent, driven by momentum across Europe and North America. For the full year, North America led with organic growth of 4.9 per cent, while Europe posted 2.0 per cent growth. Latin America returned to growth, and APAC and Africa were supported by India.
Chairman and CEO Yannick Bolloré, said 2025 marked a “transformative year” for Havas, its first full year as a listed company. He credited the rollout of the group’s Converged.AI operating system and a client-centric model for delivering on guidance in a highly competitive market.
Havas continued its acquisition spree, buying majority stakes in 11 agencies during the year across Europe, Australia and New Zealand, strengthening its media, creative, health and data capabilities. The group also struck strategic partnerships with AI players Vurvey Labs and Akkio to deepen its agentic AI capabilities.
Looking ahead, Havas guided for organic growth of 2.0 to 3.0 per cent in 2026 and an adjusted Ebit margin of between 13.2 and 13.5 per cent. The group plans to maintain a dividend payout ratio of around 40 per cent and pursue five to ten bolt-on acquisitions during the year.
Havas also confirmed its medium-term ambition of lifting margins to between 14 and 15 per cent by 2028, underlining confidence in its AI-led strategy and diversified geographic footprint.
