AD Agencies
After 12-year stint, Madison Media exits Sri Lanka
MUMBAI: The directors of Media Factory have just announced that they have purchased the majority stake held by Sam and Lara Balsara of Madison World in Madison Media SriLanka and the company will now become a fully owned subsidiary of Media Factory. With this, the Balsaras have exited the Sri Lanka business. Sam Balsara has also resigned as a director and the company’s name has been changed to Midas Media.
Both parties have agreed that Midas Media and its affiliates, associates and owners, Media Factory will immediately stop using the Madison name in any manner whatsoever nor claim ownership to the name Madison. It was further announced that Sam and Lara Balsara and Madison in India or Sri Lanka will no longer be liable for any actions or financial liabilities or damages past, present or future of the company nor will they benefit from any financial assets or accruals to the company of the past, present or future for which they have not been compensated. The duo will also not claim any right or ownership to the name Midas Media.
Madison World India chairman Sam Balsara said, “We entered the Sri Lanka market 12 years ago with the launch of Airtel in the country. Over the years we have built some great relationships both personally and professionally and I hope to continue those. I wish the current directors of Media Factory and Midas Media all the very best.”
Media Factory director Kapila Vidanagamage said, “Our relationship was based on mutual trust and respect. We understood the expectations at a very early stage and were able to deliver to the complete satisfaction of our local clients, but more importantly our partners in India. I would like to thank Sam and Lara for their trust and eventual friendship and would like to wish them both the best in all their future endeavours.”
AD Agencies
Havas Life Mumbai & Shobiz team up to offer experiential healthcare solutions in India
Alliance blends science-led strategy with immersive experiences for pharma brands
MUMBAI: In a move aimed at reshaping how healthcare brands connect with their audiences, Havas Life Mumbai and Shobiz have joined forces to deliver integrated experiential solutions for India’s healthcare and pharmaceutical sector.
The partnership brings together two distinct strengths under Havas India. On one side is Havas Life Mumbai’s deep grounding in medical and scientific communications, and on the other, Shobiz’s expertise in large-scale experiential design and execution. The aim is simple but ambitious: to bridge the long-standing gap between science-heavy strategy and high-impact on-ground experiences.
As healthcare communication grows more complex, the industry is shifting away from traditional messaging towards engagement that is immersive, measurable and compliant. This collaboration seeks to meet that demand by offering end-to-end solutions that connect with healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers in more meaningful ways.
The joint offering will tap into emerging technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality and AI-led interactive platforms. These tools are expected to help simplify complex medical information while making engagement more dynamic and outcome-focused.
Havas Health global chief client officer and CEO Apac-Latam Charles Houdoux said, “By bringing together scientific depth and experience design, we are creating a new model of engagement where knowledge and emotion work hand in hand. This is about improving understanding, building trust and ultimately driving better patient outcomes.”
Havas India group CEO Rana Barua added, “This partnership allows us to move beyond conventional formats and create experiences that are more relevant and impactful for the health and wellness space. It reflects where the future of healthcare engagement is headed.”
Havas Life Mumbai managing director Dorelle Kulkarni noted that brands today need more than just communication. “They need experiences that make complex science easier to understand and inspire action. This collaboration enables us to deliver exactly that, with measurable impact.”
Echoing the sentiment, Shobiz CEO Sameer Tobaccowala said, “The future lies in combining credibility with creativity. Together, we can offer integrated platforms that not only engage but also deliver real business outcomes.”
With this alliance, the Havas network is betting big on experience-led healthcare communication. If executed well, the partnership could set a new benchmark for how medical science is not just communicated, but truly experienced across India.
