AD Agencies
Advertising Club Madras launches 27th PGDA program to empower creatives
MUMBAI: Ever wondered how the masterminds behind the most iconic ads cracked the code of grabbing your attention? From billboards that dominate cityscapes to campaigns you just can’t get out of your head, these advertising wizards didn’t stumble upon their craft overnight.
Well, the modern world is here, and now you can study something far beyond traditional textbooks—something that promises a thrilling creative journey.
If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming the next advertising guru, with your campaigns taking over every billboard and social media feed, here’s your golden ticket.
The Advertising Club Madras is back, launching its 27th Post Graduate Diploma in Advertising (PGDA) program. A dynamic weekend course crafted for ambitious minds, it blends creativity and strategy to transform you into an industry-ready professional. It’s not just a course; it’s a gateway to a world where your ideas define the future of advertising.
The event, hosted in Chennai, was graced by notable dignitaries, including Advertising Club Madras president, Balasubramanian S.; PGDA Sub-committee, joint secretary & chair, Kavitha Srinivasan; Executive committee member, Rakesh; and Advertising Club Madras, former president & a program tutor, Jagannath Ramasamy.
This year’s 75-hour weekend program has enrolled over 25 enthusiastic students, offering a hands-on curriculum that covers diverse aspects of advertising, media, and creativity. With a focus on equipping students with real-world knowledge and skills, the program continues its legacy of producing over 500 successful alumni from its previous 26 batches.
Expressing his pride in the initiative, Balasubramanian remarked, “This program is a flagship initiative of the Advertising Club Madras and is one of the most unique in the Indian advertising fraternity. With 27 batches and over 500 alumni, the PGDA program continues to inspire and shape the next generation of advertising professionals. This year, we’ve also offered scholarships to deserving students, making this opportunity accessible to all.”
Adding to this, Advertising Club Madras secretary, Surej Salim Kumar said, “The PGDA program is a testament to the legacy of Advertising Club Madras. Each year, it evolves to reflect the changing dynamics of the industry, ensuring students receive top-notch training from some of the most accomplished leaders in advertising and media. I’m excited to see this batch embark on their journey toward professional success.”
Highlighting the program’s mission, Srinivasan stated, “This program represents our club’s core mission of fostering knowledge, creativity, and growth in advertising. The overwhelming response and enthusiasm from this year’s students are heartening, and I am deeply grateful to the tutors and mentors who bring unmatched value to this program.”
The PGDA program brings together an impressive roster of mentors, including:
. Blue Noodles, consultant, K. AnbuChezhian
. Printers Forum India president, Narayanan
. The Hindu Group, CEO, L.V. Navaneeth
. Kaybase director, Poornima Bhaskaran
. Catalyst Public Relations Pvt Ltd, founder & director, Ramkumar Singaram among others.
The esteemed faculty promises to guide students through practical insights and industry best practices, offering an unparalleled learning experience.
The Advertising Club Madras continues to set benchmarks in advertising education with its innovative and inclusive approach. By merging academic excellence with real-world industry exposure, the PGDA program empowers aspiring creatives to navigate and excel in the fast-paced world of advertising.
AD Agencies
Publicis posts €4.19bn Q1 revenue, 6.4 per cent growth; backs FY outlook
Ad giant signals Q2 acceleration as AI and new deals power momentum
PARIS: Publicis Groupe continues to outperform the industry, delivering a strong start to 2026 under Chairman and CEO Arthur Sadoun. Despite a volatile global macro environment, the company has now outpaced the industry for nearly 20 consecutive quarters.
For Q1 2026, total revenue reached €4,191 million, up from €4,161 million last year, with organic growth of 6.4 per cent. Net revenue, which excludes pass-through costs, stood at €3,460 million, reflecting organic growth of 4.5 per cent.
Exchange rates had a negative impact of €268 million, mainly due to a weaker US dollar and pound sterling. Acquisitions, including Adge.AI and 160over90, contributed an additional €46 million.
Performance across regions was largely positive, with some variation:
- North America, accounting for 59 per cent of net revenue, grew 4.7 per cent
- Europe recorded growth of 3.9 per cent, led by the UK at 6.2 per cent, while France grew 1.6 per cent
- Asia Pacific posted 5.9 per cent growth, driven by China at 11.7 per cent
- Latin America grew 13.3 per cent
- Middle East and Africa declined 5.1 per cent due to geopolitical challenges
AI-powered marketing services, which now make up 86 per cent of the business, grew 5.6 per cent. However, the technology segment, representing 14 per cent of revenue, declined slightly as clients reduced spending on large-scale transformation projects.
Sharing his outlook, Publicis Groupe chairman and CEO Arthur Sadoun said, “Publicis had a very strong start to the year, outperforming the industry for almost 20 quarters in a row despite the volatile macro environment. Organic revenue growth reached 6.4%, leading to 4.5% in net and further increasing the gap with our peers.” He added that the company remains confident of delivering industry-leading performance. “We are confirming our industry-leading organic growth guidance of 4 to 5%, with the 4% rock solid, and a sequential organic growth acceleration in Q2 despite a higher comparable.”
Publicis continued its expansion with the acquisition of Adge.AI in March, followed by 160over90 in April to strengthen its sports and culture marketing capabilities.
Net financial debt stood at €1,156 million at the end of March, reflecting a seasonal shift from the net cash position at the end of 2025. Average net debt over the past twelve months was €1,035 million.
The company has reaffirmed its full-year guidance, expecting net revenue organic growth of 4 to 5 per cent in 2026. It also anticipates an operating margin slightly above 18.2 per cent and free cash flow of approximately €2.1 billion.
With expectations of stronger performance in the second quarter, Publicis remains well positioned to sustain its growth momentum.
