MAM
Dentsu Aegis Network acquires VeryStar in China
MUMBAI: Dentsu Aegis Network has acquired Shanghai VeryStar Internet Science and Technology AKA VeryStar, which is a leading mobile and online retail commerce agency in China. VeryStar will become part of Dentsu Aegis Network’s digital agency Isobar China and will be known as ‘VeryStar – Linked by Isobar.’
Established in 2011, VeryStar is based in Shanghai and has now grown to more than 70 staff, servicing a diverse portfolio of leading clients, including Uniqlo, Pizza Hut and KFC.
VeryStar CEO and founder Milan Jiang, who has been responsible for client development and overall business strategy and planning, will continue to lead the newly formed VeryStar – Linked by Isobar and report to Isobar China Group CEO Jane Lin-Baden.
“This acquisition is strategically important to support our ambition to become the number one agency in brand commerce in China by 2018. I’m confident that the added strength to the Isobar China leadership team and Very Star’s specialist capabilities in mobile commerce and online retail will drive us to fulfill our goals. I look forward to working with Milan and the team to drive the business forward in this ever changing and diverse environment,” Baden commented.
On this acquisition, Dentsu Aegis Network Asia Pacific CEO Nick Waters said, “China is now the largest e-commerce market in the world and this is a key capability for the Group. VeryStar offers a rare opportunity to bring in that expertise to take full advantage of the rapid growth of the commerce market over the next few years. There is great talent within the VeryStar business and I look forward to seeing their significant contribution to both Isobar and Dentsu Aegis Network in China.”
Isobar Global CEO Jean Lin added, “China is Isobar’s centre of excellence for mobile and commerce innovation. Our global clients will benefit tremendously from the experience and innovation of VeryStar, winning in China’s digital economy.”
“We are very excited to be joining the globally acclaimed and highly awarded digital agency Isobar, and also becoming part of Dentsu Aegis Network – a rapid growth business with innovation at its heart,” said Jiang. “We’re looking forward to working closely with Jane and the team in China to develop and grow the business further and support more clients with our strength of knowledge in mobile and online retail commerce,” Jiang added in parting.
Brands
33 per cent of women believe the salary scale is rigged: Naukri report
Voices @ Work study finds rising calls for equal pay audits and lingering bias
MUMBAI: Progress may be visible in India’s workplaces, but many women still feel the need to tread carefully. A new report by Naukri reveals that one in two women hesitate to disclose marriage or maternity plans during job interviews, worried that such information could influence hiring decisions.
The findings come from the second edition of Naukri’s annual Voices @ Work International Women’s Day report, titled “What Women Professionals Want.” Drawing insights from more than 50,000 women across over 50 industries, the survey sheds light on evolving workplace aspirations alongside the biases that continue to hold women back.
One of the report’s most striking insights is the growing demand for equal pay audits. The share of women calling for regular pay parity checks has climbed to 27 per cent this year, up from 19 per cent a year ago. The demand now stands alongside menstrual leave as the most sought after workplace policy.
Interestingly, the call for pay transparency grows louder higher up the income ladder. Nearly half of women earning between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore annually say equal pay audits are a priority, suggesting that pay gaps become more visible as women move up the career ladder.
At the same time, confidence and ambition appear to be rising. About 83 per cent of women say they feel encouraged to pursue leadership roles, a significant jump from 66 per cent last year. Cities in southern India appear particularly supportive, with Hyderabad leading the way as 86 per cent of respondents there reported encouragement to step into leadership positions. The education sector recorded the highest sense of encouragement at 87 per cent.
Yet the report also highlights a growing trust deficit around pay equity. Nearly one in three women, or 33 per cent, say they do not believe men and women are paid equally at their workplace. That figure has risen from 25 per cent last year, pointing to widening perceptions of disparity as careers progress.
Bias in hiring and promotions continues to be the biggest hurdle. About 42 per cent of respondents say workplace bias is the main challenge for women from diverse backgrounds. The concern is consistent across major metros, with Chennai and Delhi NCR reporting similar levels.
Reluctance to discuss personal milestones during hiring processes is also widespread. While 34 per cent overall said they hesitate to share marriage or maternity plans in interviews, the anxiety increases with experience. Among professionals with 10 to 15 years of work experience, the figure rises to 40 per cent.
Info Edge group CMO Sumeet Singh, said the data reflects both progress and unfinished work. “Behind every data point in this report is a woman who is ambitious. The fact that 83 per cent feel encouraged to lead is something to celebrate. However, the fact that one in two still hide their marriage or maternity plans in interviews tells us the work is far from done. As India’s leading career platform, it felt not just important but necessary for us to shine a light on these gaps through the second edition of our report,” he said.
The report suggests that while ambition among women professionals is growing, structural changes around pay transparency, fair hiring and supportive policies will be key if workplaces hope to keep pace.
