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Weekend Unwind with Social Panga’s Manan Malik
Mumbai: With another weekend upon us, it is time to unwind with the latest Q&A edition of Indiantelevision.com’s Weekend Unwind—a series of informal chats that peek into the minds of business executives through a fun lens in an attempt to get to know the person behind the title a little better.
In this week’s session, we have
Social Panga’s director of strategy and growth Manan Malik.
Without further ado here it goes…
Your mantra for life
I will summarise this with a quote, and I have an abstract tattoo for the same as well.
“We all have our time machines, don’t we. Those that take us back are memories… And those that carry us forward, are dreams.” from the book ‘The Time Machine’ by H.G. Wells
A book you are currently reading or plan to read
I am currently reading ‘Landour Days’ by Ruskin Bond. It’s a book on a lot of Ruskin Bond’s personal stories and experiences of living in the hills. Both Ruskin Bond and Ladour have a special place and emotion in my heart. I am a slow reader, whenever this finishes, I am going to pick ‘Cat People’ by Devapriya Roy
Your fitness mantra
While I am still working on this front. In the end it boils down to the enough movement, portion control, setting boundaries and saying no. If these are in check, consistency and discipline will take you places! Secondly, learning the science behind things help me.
Your comfort food
Technically, I should be averse to this idea, but Giani’s Caramel Mocha Sundae wins this category. It definitely delivers comfort right to the soul! And who doesn’t like a plate of perfectly cooked rajma chawal and momos.
A quote or philosophy that keeps you going when the chips are down
“And Until Death Comes, All if Life.” – Lines by Ruskin Bond. It has been my email signature for years.
Your guilty pleasure
Making endless lists about things and organising data and every information. Also, documenting various aspects of my life which might be of no use or now are mere memory.
The last time you tried something new
I have recently started making Protein Pancakes, which is new dish. I hope that counts ?
A life lesson you learned the hard way
I should have prioritized health over anything else in my younger years and acknowledge the things I feel and want.
What gets you excited about life?
That there’s so much more to this world. So many places to travel, and so many things to experience – people, culture, food and all things life, and so many hobbies to follow and skills to learn.
What’s on top of your bucket list?
Having a simple house built as per what I have imagined in the quaint foot of the hills, with all things that makes a house a home! But that’s a long shot, so publishing my poetry-photography book which I would want to make it happen soon.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
It’s so easier than it looks to manage my fears, and I should have managed them without wasting much time, whenever needed. Secondly, to always prioritize myself.
One thing you would most like to change about the world
The world could use more compassion and kindness and see beyond just work and deadlines. Things are not as hard, difficult and daunting as people make them because of their wiring.
An activity that keeps you motivated and charged during tough times
Hitting the gym, and very recently playing Table Tennis.
What lifts your spirits when life gets you down?
Talking my heart out to the wonderful, sensible bunch of friends that I am blessed to have.
Your go-to stress buster
The attention and space that my beautiful Calico-Indie cat, Arya demands by sitting with me or on my lap, does the job perfectly well.
AD Agencies
WPP and Ogilvy top the global charts as India joins the creative elite: Warc rankings
A record five-year streak for Ogilvy while India secures a top five global spot
MUMBAI: The global advertising world has a familiar king, but a new powerhouse is gatecrashing the palace. In the latest Warc Creative 100 rankings, the industry’s definitive audit of excellence, WPP has once again been crowned the top holding company. Not to be outdone, its crown jewel, Ogilvy, has secured the top network spot for a staggering fifth consecutive year.
It is a “five-peat” that proves Ogilvy’s creative engine is not just running but purring. While many networks rely on one or two superstar offices to carry the load, Ogilvy’s dominance is a team effort across the globe. Hot on their heels is sister agency VML, which took the silver medal for networks, ensuring a WPP clean sweep at the very top of the podium.
The biggest noise, however, is coming from the East. India has officially vaulted into the top five most creative nations on Earth. Once viewed primarily as a back-office for production, the country is now a front-row leader in imagination. Driven by the brilliance of agencies like Ogilvy Mumbai and Leo Burnett India, the nation is proving that its work does more than just look good on a trophy shelf. In a market where every rupee must work twice as hard, Indian campaigns are blending high-concept artistry with ruthless commercial effectiveness.
The individual accolades saw Heineken toast to success as the top brand, finally knocking Apple off its perch. Unilever remains the world’s most awarded advertiser, proving that big business can still have a big heart through its work for Dove and Vaseline.
The title of the world’s most creative campaign went to Publicis Conseil Paris for their AXA “Three Words” initiative. By subtly adding “and domestic violence” to insurance policies to provide immediate relocation cover, the agency proved that the best advertising doesn’t just sell a service, it provides one.
The 2026 rankings also signal a shift in the industry’s DNA. The era of boring business-to-business marketing is dead, with B2B campaigns cracking the top ten for the first time. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence has moved past the gimmick stage. The winners this year used tech not for the sake of a trend, but to drive genuine human emotion.
Whether it is Paris providing a safety net for the vulnerable or India redefining the global creative order, the message from this year’s Warc rankings is clear. The best work in the world is no longer just about catching the eye, it is about changing the world.
