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MindShare APac crowned Media Agency of the Year 2005
MUMBAI: For the third consecutive year MindShare Asia Pacific has been awarded Media Agency of the Year at the Media magazine Asia awards.
The jury stated new business wins, client and staff retention and extensive training programs as the key reasons for the win. The agency has invested more than $5 million in training in 2005 and created an internal staff exchange program.
MindShare won a total of five awards. “No agency has got this twice in a row, leave alone three times. This caps a wonderful year in which MindShare India was also resoundingly chosen as the Indian Media Agency of the Year earlier in the year. Our network is our strength and it feels wonderful to see it being acknowledged,” says MindShare South Asia managing director Vikram Sakhuja.
At the same event GroupM India’s investment director Prasanth Kumar was also awarded Asia Pacific’s Media Buyer of the year.
GroupM South Asia CEO Ashutosh Srivastava said, “The ability to consistently give clients the highest quality of service in markets as diverse as India, Australia, Vietnam, China etc., sets our network apart from every other agency network in Asia. And the award for Prasanth is a fantastic recognition for India based media talent.”
Media magazine Asia has been conducting these awards for the last 12 years, with judging being overseen by Pricewaterhouse Coopers. The awards include Agency of the Year, Agency Head of the Year-Regional and National, Creative of the Year, Marketer of the Year, Office of the Year, One-to One Agency of the Year, Business Development Person of the Year and Media Planner/ Buyer of the Year.
The awards ceremony was held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Hong Kong on 15 December and was organised by Media Magazine.
Also read:
Media Magazine names GroupM’s Prasanth Kumar as best media planner/buyer in Asia
MAM
WPP appoints Mark Taylor as chief people officer in leadership reshuffle
Marie-Claire Barker moves to culture role as Cindy Rose builds new team
MUMBAI: WPP has appointed Mark Taylor as its new chief people officer, bringing in a seasoned HR leader as part of a broader leadership reshuffle under chief executive Cindy Rose, according to media reports.
Taylor succeeds Marie-Claire Barker, who will transition into a specialised role focused on performance and culture, reporting to him. The move is seen as part of WPP’s effort to sharpen its organisational structure and align talent strategy with its transformation agenda.
With more than three decades of experience, Taylor brings a diverse track record across industries including pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, retail and digital entertainment. He most recently served as chief people advisor at The LEGO Group, where he worked closely with top leadership on board and executive appointments, governance and organisational strategy.
Prior to that, he held senior HR leadership roles at Burberry and King, where he played a key role in organisational transformation and integration efforts, including the company’s alignment with Activision Blizzard. Earlier in his career, Taylor also worked with Kimberly-Clark and GlaxoSmithKline.
His cross-sector experience is expected to support WPP’s three-year ‘Elevate 28’ turnaround plan, which focuses on simplifying operations, strengthening capabilities and driving sustainable growth.
The appointment marks the second major leadership hire under Rose in a week. Recently, WPP named Anne-Isabelle Choueiri as chief transformation officer, bringing in additional firepower to execute its strategic overhaul. Choueiri previously held a senior transformation role at Estée Lauder Companies.
The leadership changes signal a clear push by WPP to blend experience with transformation as it navigates a rapidly evolving advertising landscape. With Taylor now steering the people agenda, the company appears focused on ensuring its talent strategy keeps pace with its broader ambitions.
