MAM
ZenithOptimedia bags Rs 800 mn Honda Siel cars India account
MUMBAI: ZenithOptimedia, the global media services agency from the Publicis group, has won the media duties of Honda Siel Cars India, a joint venture between Honda Motor Co Ltd, Japan and Siel Ltd, India.
The account size is pegged at Rs 800 million, according to sources familiar with the deal.
ZenithOptimedia, which handles Toyota, Honda and Lexus globally, had lost the Hyundai account in 2009 to MPG in India.
Strong in the automobile segment, the recent win will help drive ZenithOptimedia‘s growth in India. “We will first focus on Honda. We will then see how it goes for us in the rapidly growing automobile segment in India,” said ZenithOptimedia India CEO Satyajit Sen, while refusing to comment on the financial details of the deal.
Honda is a substantial player in India with brands like Honda City, Accord, Jazz, Civic and CR-V. It faces competition from several players including Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, Hyundai and Volkswagen.
Gearing up for new competition, Honda has decided to consolidate its media account under one outfit. Earlier, Dentsu and Motivator were handling the account.
Says Honda Siel Cars India Marketing Communications AVP Anita Sharma, “We selected Zenith Optimedia because of their in-depth knowledge of the automobile industry and the current competitive environment. Their scientific and process-led planning with the help of tools such as Touchpoint and Portfolio analysis were the main factors for Honda choosing them as their media partners.”
ZenithOptimedia beat agencies such as Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG), GroupM, LodeStar Universal and Dentsu Communications to be on the winning side.
Says Sen, “We are delighted to have this opportunity to work with Honda and be a partner in their success. We are committed to providing the best ROI to Honda creating solutions that stand out on media-effectiveness, media efficiency and media leadership.”
Brands
Axis Bank named Official Banking Partner of DP World PGTI
Partnership supports all tournaments this season to grow professional golf in India.
MUMBAI: Axis Bank just teed up a hole-in-one partnership because when a bank sponsors golf’s biggest swing in India, even the fairways feel more financially secure. Axis Bank has been appointed Official Banking Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (DP World PGTI), strengthening its commitment to sporting excellence and community engagement while backing the growth of professional golf across the country.
Under the partnership, Axis Bank will support all DP World PGTI tournaments this season, contributing to talent development, enhanced tournament experiences and wider fan engagement. The collaboration aligns the bank’s values of precision, discipline and trust with the Tour’s focus on performance and opportunity.
Axis Bank executive director Munish Sharda said, “We are pleased to partner with DP World PGTI as its Official Banking Partner. Golf embodies precision, discipline, and a pursuit of excellence qualities that strongly reflect who we are at Axis Bank. This association also strengthens our engagement with India’s growing premium customer segments, where the sport has a deep and enduring connect.”
Professional Golf Tour of India president Kapil Dev said, “We are extremely pleased to welcome Axis Bank as a Tour Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India. Partnerships of this stature play a vital role in strengthening the foundation of the Tour, enhancing opportunities for our players, and expanding the sport’s reach across the country.”
Professional Golf Tour of India CEO Amandeep Johl added, “Axis Bank’s strong legacy of excellence, innovation, and nationwide reach aligns perfectly with DP World PGTI’s goal to elevate professional golf in India and provide greater opportunities for our players.”
In a sport where every stroke counts and every partnership drives distance, Axis Bank isn’t just backing golfers, it’s investing in the fairway to future, turning India’s greens into a stage where precision meets passion and every drive has the power to inspire.
