MAM
Canon ex-exec Bharadwaj launches change management co CreoVate
MUMBAI: Canon India’s former EVP-COO & later head of Canon Asia Strategy Centre in Singapore that oversees 23 countries Alok Bharadwaj has launched CreoVate.
From transforming architectures to improving performance that drive results, CreoVate offers a specialist array of services to help organizations target, lead, build and execute successful change in their first mile of transformation.The consultancy will offer solutions in the domains of Customer strategy, Go-to-Market architecture, People capabilities, India entry management and a comprehensive Retainership services.
CreoVate will also address super specialty aspects of CMBT (change management & business transformation) as it is currently building India & International partnership tie ups to cover holistic interventions.
Bharadwaj said, “In current business landscape, change management & business transformation (CMBT) is at the top of leadership agenda. As external triggers are in full swing in industry 4.0 era, continual market led transformations are the new normal. I am excited to launch CreoVate, focused on guiding, coaching, and mentoring business organizations which are at the cusp of transformational journey.
Transformation is a switch that must be always on.
CreoVatewill be the helping gloves to businesses which are planning a new entry or a renewal, a major turnaround, responding to disruptions,rapidly scaling up, seeking to build competitiveness or catapulting people’s capabilities. Organisations must navigate through constantly changing dynamics in conducting their business in challenging market environment to win.”
As per Bharadwaj, at the heart of any thriving transformation & winning organization lie three elements – Strategic direction, Organisation operating model and Capabilities. CreoVate will redefine consulting in non-BIG 6 spaces, by building holistic view to avoid ‘magic steroids’ syndrome for silo interventions. He calls it ‘Ayurvedic therapy’. The complete focus will be on results-driven CMBT.
“You don’t climb Everest without a Sherpa” he further added while responding to a query on need for consultants implementing CMBT journey.
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Omnicom posts $6.2 bn Q1 revenue, EBITDA margin rises to 14.8 per cent
AI push and cost synergies lift margins in first full quarter post-merger
NEW YORK: Omnicom has reported a robust first quarter following its acquisition of Interpublic Group, signalling early gains from integration, cost efficiencies and a sharper focus on AI-led services.
The results mark the first full quarter with Interpublic’s operations included, offering a clearer view of how the combined entity is shaping up. Revenue from core operations stood at $5.6 billion, up $345 million year on year on a combined basis, while organic growth came in at 3.9 per cent. Adjusted EBITDA margin rose sharply by 240 basis points to 14.8 per cent, reflecting early synergy benefits.
“We’ve seen momentum and cohesive growth across the organisation,” said Omnicom chief executive officer John Wren. “Our results demonstrate the benefits of realigning our portfolio and moving decisively on integration.”
A key part of that realignment involves shedding underperforming assets. Omnicom has identified businesses worth roughly $3.2 billion in annual revenue for disposal, with about $1 billion already exited in the first quarter. The company expects to complete most of the remaining divestments over the coming quarters, sharpening its focus on higher-growth, higher-margin operations.
On the bottom line, adjusted earnings per share rose 11.8 per cent to $1.90, underlining the financial impact of cost discipline and integration. The company is targeting $900 million in cost synergies by 2026, rising to $1.5 billion by mid-2028.
“We are realising significant cost reduction synergies while continuing to invest for growth,” said Omnicom chief financial officer Philip Angelastro.
Beyond the numbers, the strategic pivot is becoming clearer. Omnicom has restructured its business around “core operations”, stripping out assets earmarked for sale to highlight the segments driving future growth. More than half of its revenue now comes from integrated media, which includes data, commerce, CRM and content automation, areas that are growing faster than traditional advertising.
Indeed, integrated media led growth in the quarter with high single-digit gains, while PR and experiential businesses delivered mid-single-digit growth. Healthcare posted modest gains, while traditional advertising lagged, reflecting a broader industry shift towards performance-driven and tech-enabled marketing.
Central to this transformation is Omni, the company’s AI-powered marketing and sales platform. Rolled out across the organisation during the quarter, the system connects data, talent and services while enabling AI-driven workflows.
The platform is already delivering tangible results, improving media performance, speeding up campaign execution and enhancing measurement capabilities. Integration with partners such as Adobe and Amazon is further expanding its reach.
“We’ve put the latest agentic AI tools in the hands of all our employees,” said Wren, highlighting the company’s push towards automation and data-led decision-making.
The shift is also reshaping client relationships. Omnicom reported new business wins with major brands including IBM, GSK and John Deere, while expanding engagements with existing clients such as Unilever and Exxon. Increasingly, clients are opting for consolidated partnerships, relying on a single provider for end-to-end marketing and sales services.
“There’s a clear trend of clients choosing one partner to manage most of their needs,” said John Wren. “Our integrated model makes that easier.”
Geographically, the US remains the largest market, contributing 61 per cent of revenue, followed by Europe and the UK at 21 per cent. Growth was strongest in the US, with other regions posting modest gains.
The balance sheet remains solid despite increased debt following the acquisition. Long-term debt stood at $10.2 billion at the end of the quarter, while liquidity was supported by $4.3 billion in cash and a $3.5 billion revolving credit facility. The company is also returning capital to shareholders, repurchasing $2.8 billion worth of shares in Q1 as part of a planned $5 billion buyback programme.
Looking ahead, Omnicom remains optimistic but cautious. While the company expects double-digit EPS growth for the year, it acknowledged ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, particularly in the Middle East, though the region accounts for less than 2.5 per cent of revenue.
The integration of Interpublic is still in its early stages, but the initial signs point to a business that is not just bigger, but structurally different. With AI at its core, a streamlined portfolio and a growing tilt towards integrated services, Omnicom is betting that scale, simplicity and smart technology will keep it ahead in an increasingly complex marketing landscape.
If the first quarter is anything to go by, that bet is already starting to pay off.
