MAM
Havas CX launches in Singapore, expands reach in Southeast Asia
Mumbai: Havas CX, the global customer experience network of Havas, has expanded its operations into Singapore as of 13 November 2024, bolstering its presence in Southeast Asia. This move enhances Havas CX’s regional footprint, integrating its established UI/UX and experience design expertise from Think Design with the technical strengths of Ekino, which has operated in Singapore since 2017.
Havas India, Southeast and North Asia (Japan & South Korea), group CEO, Rana Barua emphasised the strategic nature of this expansion: “Expanding our CX capabilities in Southeast Asia, with Singapore serving as the strategic hub, is a key part of our broader Converged growth strategy in the region. While we establish a robust UI/UX design capability through Think Design, in the coming months, we’ll be introducing more of Havas CX Network’s services into Southeast Asia—reinforcing our commitment to delivering transformative customer experiences in one of the world’s most dynamic digital economies.”
Havas CX Network global CEO, David Shulman noted the growing importance of integrated brand experiences: “As brands seek to create deeper, more meaningful connections with their audiences, the need for seamless, integrated experiences has never been greater. By expanding our CX capabilities in Southeast Asia, starting with Singapore, we are reinforcing our dedication to customer-centric innovation throughout the region, providing solutions that resonate with audiences at every step of their digital journey.”
To deliver cohesive brand experiences combining creativity, design, and technology, Think Design will collaborate closely with BLKJ Havas, supported by Ekino’s extensive technological capabilities. This integrated approach will be led by Think Design CEO, Deepali Saini and BLKJ Havas, CEO, Rowena Bhagchandani of both reporting to Barua.
Sharing their enthusiasm, Saini and Bhagchandani stated, “We are excited to integrate our CX capabilities into the region, positioning Singapore as a leading hub for digital innovation to drive significant growth across the region.”
Brands
Faber-Castell India appoints Sunaina Haldar as director – marketing
With stints at Tata, SleepyCat and ADF Foods under her belt, Haldar is primed to redraw Faber-Castell’s brand story
MUMBAI: Faber-Castell India has poached Sunaina Haldar from ADF Foods, appointing her director – marketing as the German stationery brand looks to muscle up in a category that is rapidly reinventing itself around creativity and self-expression.
Haldar hit the ground running. “My first couple of weeks have been incredibly energising, understanding consumers, visiting markets, engaging with retailers and immersing myself into the world of Faber-Castell Group,” she said.
She arrives with considerable firepower. At ADF Foods, Haldar ran marketing across India and international markets for a portfolio spanning Ashoka, Aeroplane, Camel and ADF Soul. Before that, she was vice-president – marketing at direct-to-consumer mattress brand SleepyCat, where she helmed brand, content and performance marketing. Her résumé also includes a stint leading marketing, new product development and CRM for Tata SmartFoodz at Tata Consumer Products, no small proving ground.
Between corporate roles, Haldar also operated as a fractional CMO for early-stage startups, building marketing strategy and operational structures from scratch, a signal that she knows how to move fast with limited resources.
With 18 years straddling FMCG, D2C and the startup world, Haldar now takes the reins at a brand that has long owned the classroom but is clearly hungry for the living room. In a stationery market where the pencil has become a lifestyle statement, Faber-Castell has picked someone who knows exactly how to sell that story.
