MAM
Vandana Katoch launches creative agency ‘Clayground’
MUMBAI: Former DDB Mudra Delhi creative director Vandana Katoch has formally announced the launch of her creative agency – Clayground.
She had quit DDB Mudra in April to start her own venture, and had started the Delhi based agency a couple of months ago. The name, Clayground, Katoch said, is a toss-up between the words ‘clay‘ and ‘playground‘ – in other words, substance mixed with fun.
“After over 15 years in the industry I was still enjoying every bit of it. The idea of starting something of my own was brewing in my head for a while, but in i‘ll-do-it-one-day kind of way. Then an opportunity presented itself and I decided to take the plunge. The idea is to bring together like-minded people and create communication that is insightful and engaging,” Katoch told Indiantelevision.com.
She said that Clayground is a place where the process of creation is playful, while at the heart of it there is something solid. “For me, creativity begins with a truth or an insight and then one plays with it and enjoys the process. If either is missing, the work doesn‘t tick,” she added.
Katoch, who started alone, has a team of four people now.
Clayground is handling Jaypee Group as first client. Katoch has been working on the Jaypee account for six years now, over two agencies. “One fine day, I got a call from the client asking if I had thought ofturning entrepreneur. I felt honoured when Jaypee gave me the opportunity to start up by offering to be my first client. Clayground is on the roster of Jaypee Group‘s ad agencies. We look forward to doing projects across its different verticals,” Katoch said.
AD Agencies
WPP and Ogilvy top the global charts as India joins the creative elite: Warc rankings
A record five-year streak for Ogilvy while India secures a top five global spot
MUMBAI: The global advertising world has a familiar king, but a new powerhouse is gatecrashing the palace. In the latest Warc Creative 100 rankings, the industry’s definitive audit of excellence, WPP has once again been crowned the top holding company. Not to be outdone, its crown jewel, Ogilvy, has secured the top network spot for a staggering fifth consecutive year.
It is a “five-peat” that proves Ogilvy’s creative engine is not just running but purring. While many networks rely on one or two superstar offices to carry the load, Ogilvy’s dominance is a team effort across the globe. Hot on their heels is sister agency VML, which took the silver medal for networks, ensuring a WPP clean sweep at the very top of the podium.
The biggest noise, however, is coming from the East. India has officially vaulted into the top five most creative nations on Earth. Once viewed primarily as a back-office for production, the country is now a front-row leader in imagination. Driven by the brilliance of agencies like Ogilvy Mumbai and Leo Burnett India, the nation is proving that its work does more than just look good on a trophy shelf. In a market where every rupee must work twice as hard, Indian campaigns are blending high-concept artistry with ruthless commercial effectiveness.
The individual accolades saw Heineken toast to success as the top brand, finally knocking Apple off its perch. Unilever remains the world’s most awarded advertiser, proving that big business can still have a big heart through its work for Dove and Vaseline.
The title of the world’s most creative campaign went to Publicis Conseil Paris for their AXA “Three Words” initiative. By subtly adding “and domestic violence” to insurance policies to provide immediate relocation cover, the agency proved that the best advertising doesn’t just sell a service, it provides one.
The 2026 rankings also signal a shift in the industry’s DNA. The era of boring business-to-business marketing is dead, with B2B campaigns cracking the top ten for the first time. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence has moved past the gimmick stage. The winners this year used tech not for the sake of a trend, but to drive genuine human emotion.
Whether it is Paris providing a safety net for the vulnerable or India redefining the global creative order, the message from this year’s Warc rankings is clear. The best work in the world is no longer just about catching the eye, it is about changing the world.
