AD Agencies
Hitachi onboards BBH as creative partner
Mumbai: Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Ltd, India’s premium air-conditioner brand Hitachi, has appointed BBH India as its creative strategy and advertising agency partner. With this appointment, Hitachi aims to create a high decibel brand awareness and strengthen its brand leadership amongst the new informed world consumer.
The agency won the business as part of a contested multi-agency pitch and will manage full-service responsibilities for strategic creative design and advertising. As Hitachi’s agency of record, BBH India will now spearhead the development of both consumer-focused and business-driven marketing campaigns for Hitachi’s HVAC and refrigeration solutions.
Hitachi senior vice president – business planning & marketing Nilesh Shah said, “At Hitachi, our brand communication is always focused towards the changing needs and preferences of the new-age consumers who aspire for innovative product offerings. We wanted a strategic creative partner who can help us in strengthening our brand positioning as an Aspirational Premium brand by bringing in a fresh perspective to our brand proposition. We look forward to this creative partnership with BBH and further building on our track record of memorable, creative campaigns across the target audience.”
Commenting on the win, Leo Burnett – South Asia CEO & BBH India chairman Dheeraj Sinha said, “Air conditioning has become a crucial part of modern life, and, Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited is an undisputed leader in creating world-class air conditioning products. As a team, we are very proud and humbled to be chosen as a creative partner of India’s most aspirational and premium air conditioning brand. We have a big task in front of us, as the brand is known for its stunning consumer campaigns and has consistently rolled out great pieces of creative work over the years. We are excited to co-create the next chapter of the brand story and level up the brand salience.”
With over 35 years of legacy in India, Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited manufactures a wide range of products under the Hitachi brand, such as room air-conditioners (split & window ACs) to commercial air-conditioners including chiller, cassette air conditioners, ductable air-conditioners & VRF systems. A part of Publicis Groupe, BBH is a full-service global creative agency network offering strategic brand ideas, integrated communications, pure-play digital solutions, and much more to some of the world’s best-loved brands.
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.
