MAM
DDB Mudra elevates Iraj Fraz Batla to creative head-North
Mumbai: DDB Mudra has elevated Iraj Fraz Batla to the position of creative head – North, in order to strengthen its creative leadership structure. Prior to this, he served as executive creative director (ECD) – West for over three years in the company.
As ECD, Fraz successfully led the creative mandate for brands like Kwality Walls Kids, Meesho, Cars24, and Protinex. In his new role, he will drive the creative output from the North office under the leadership of DDB Mudra Group chief creative officer Rahul Mathew, said the statement.
In a career spanning over 18 years, Fraz has worked with some of the biggest creative agencies in the world including Scarecrow M&C Saatchi, Y&R Dubai, JWT, Lowe Lintas, among others. He brings in a wealth of knowledge from his experience of working with 35+ Indian and international brands. His work has won several accolades at Spikes Asia, Adfest, Kyoorius, Effies and Goafest.
“As we grow our creative ambition and reputation, it’s critical for us to have leaders who possess the same vision and standards across the group,” stated Rahul Mathew. “Having worked with us at our hugely celebrated West office for 3 years, Fraz is just the person to carry forward our torch for creative excellence. His blend of creativity and resilience will surely help us reach our creative potential in North and touch even greater heights as a Group.”
Talking about his new mandate, Fraz said, “DDB Mudra’s North office is producing strong advertising and is headed in the direction to be the agency of the future. And I am lucky to be part of this exciting phase. From here on, may the best work win.”
MAM
Time brings TIME100 Next franchise to India with Reliance
List to spotlight 100 emerging leaders, gala set for December 2026 in Mumbai.
MUMBAI: It’s about time India’s next wave got a global spotlight and now, it’s on the list. New York-headquartered Time is expanding its TIME100 Next franchise to India, partnering with Reliance Industries Limited to launch TIME100 Next India, its first international extension of the rising leaders platform. The announcement was made at the Time100 Gala in New York by Jessica Sibley and Nita Mukesh Ambani, signalling a strategic push to tap into India’s growing influence across sectors.
The India edition will recognise 100 emerging leaders from the country and the global Indian diaspora, spanning business, science, sports, arts and social impact. The list will be curated by Time’s editorial team and published online, continuing the franchise’s focus on identifying individuals shaping the future.
The initiative will culminate in a gala event scheduled for December 2026 at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, anchoring the platform within India’s cultural and business ecosystem.
TIME’s broader Time100 franchise has steadily expanded its global footprint since 2021 through events and impact-led initiatives. Executives noted that India’s growing pool of influential voices and innovators made it a natural next step for the platform’s international ambitions.
For Reliance, the partnership aligns with its broader push to support emerging talent and ideas on a global stage. For Time, it marks a timely bet on India not just as a market, but as a talent engine shaping the next chapter of global leadership.
