MAM
Publicis Groupe appoints Deepak Pant as head of data science
MUMBAI: Publicis Groupe India announced today the appointment of Deepak Pant as head, data science practice. In this role, Deepak will be in-charge of enhancing capabilities on measurement, research, advanced analytics, digital analytics, data strategy including data integrity and automation, and also developmental work on Publicis people cloud.
Externally, the Data Science Practice provides data strategy and advanced analytics solutions in the area of market mix models, digital analytics and attribution analytics. It works extensively with Groupe clients not only in India but through its centre of excellence also provides services to marketers across the world. With more than 100 experts, it leverages Publicis Groupe’s expertise in marketing, media, digital, data and technology to craft solutions that enable marketers with smart business decisions and predictive models that maximise returns on investment.
Deepak, a B-Tech graduate, and an MBA from Booth School of Business, Chicago, comes with over 24 years of rich experience in data science, advanced analytics, digital analytics, digital transformation and AI/ML across diverse sectors like FMCG, BFSI, manufacturing and logistics. He has worked in Chicago for about 18 years across diverse organisations including long stints with Neilson and 4i Consulting. His last stint was with Cognizant, where he worked as the director AI and analytics – Cognizant Digital Business.
Publicis Groupe South Asia CEO Anupriya Acharya says, “Data is what fuels our marketing transformation solutions across creative, media and tech. In the last six years, we have made significant progress in our Data Science Practice and today it competes with the best specialist shops. While it started as a centre of excellence providing advanced analytics solutions to our global clients, in the last three to four years we have seen increased appetite and hence huge uptake even in the local market. As margins of companies come under pressure the focus on ROI of marketing is only increasing. With 2000+ experts across digital and tech in the Groupe, our Data Science Practice has unmatched ability on multiple domain solutions.
“It is both an honour and a huge responsibility to lead the Publics Groupe India’s Data Science Practise. The exciting possibilities that the scale and diversity of the Groupe and its clients present are unmatched. I look forward to making a difference here and bringing disruptive solutions that enable strong business results for clients and the Groupe alike”, says Pant.
Brands
Unilever nears $60bn merger of its food arm with spice giant McCormick
A cash-and-stock deal, structured to be tax-efficient, could be announced as early as this week, but the ink is not yet dry
LONDON: The world’s condiment cupboard is about to get a whole lot more consolidated. Unilever, the Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant, is closing in on a deal to carve out a large chunk of its food business and merge it with McCormick & Company, the American spice-maker, creating a combined entity worth roughly $60bn, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.
The proposed transaction would be structured as a cash-and-stock deal, with Unilever shareholders expected to retain about two-thirds of the new entity. A cash component of approximately $16bn is set to be included. The vehicle of choice is a Reverse Morris Trust, a structure beloved by corporate lawyers for its ability to shield such transactions from US federal income taxes.
Not everything is on the table, however. Unilever has made clear that its India operations would be excluded from the arrangement, preserving one of its most prized and complex emerging-market businesses from the merger’s reach.
If finalised, the deal would rank among the largest consolidations the global food industry has seen in years, yoking together two of the biggest names in packaged foods and seasonings. The combined group could significantly bolster its clout in international markets, particularly in branded consumer products.
Unilever, though, is playing it carefully. The company reiterated that talks are continuing and that final terms have yet to be agreed, adding that it would provide further updates as negotiations progress.
Watch this space, but do not reach for the mustard just yet.
