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Agency retains India brief, adds e-commerce remit and 21-market Europe expansion
MUMBAI: WPP Media has successfully retained its integrated media mandate for Reckitt India, while significantly expanding the relationship with the addition of the e-commerce media mandate. The renewed partnership builds on an association that began in 2023 and reinforces WPP Media’s position as Reckitt’s long-term strategic partner in India.
Under the refreshed scope, Wavemaker will continue to lead media strategy, planning and buying for Reckitt, while also taking charge of the newly awarded e-commerce mandate. The consolidated remit brings mainline media, digital and commerce under a single integrated operating model, aimed at delivering sharper execution, operational efficiency and measurable business impact across consumer touchpoints.
The partnership has also expanded beyond India. Effective 1 January 2026, WPP Media will manage media planning and buying for Reckitt across 21 European markets, marking a significant step in the company’s global media transformation and deepening WPP Media’s international role within the Reckitt ecosystem.
In India, the enhanced mandate will see WPP Media deploy a dedicated team of commerce specialists embedded within Reckitt’s e-commerce operations. The team will work across the funnel, spanning commerce media strategy, execution, analytics and performance optimisation, with the objective of improving discoverability, consideration and conversion across India’s fast-growing digital and quick-commerce platforms.
Reckitt executive vice president for South Asia Gaurav Jain said the expanded partnership reflects a shift in expectations from media agencies, moving beyond efficiency to accountability for growth. He noted that e-commerce has become increasingly material to the company’s topline and requires sharper rigour and execution at the digital shelf.
WPP Media South Asia president of client solutions Ajay Gupte said the mandate renewal and expansion underline the trust built through consistent delivery. He added that as media and commerce continue to converge, the focus will remain on balancing brand-building with performance, and creativity with data, to drive sustainable growth.
The expanded remit covers Reckitt’s entire Indian portfolio, including brands such as Dettol, Harpic, Durex, Finish, Lysol and Veet, ensuring they remain optimised for performance across both traditional media and India’s rapidly evolving e-commerce ecosystem.
MAM
BLR Airport Launches ‘Connections’ Service to Ease Transit Travel
New initiative targets smoother transfers as Bengaluru hub traffic rises 30 per cent.
MUMBAI: Missed connections may be a traveller’s nightmare but Bengaluru is trying to make them a thing of the past. Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has rolled out ‘Connections by BLR’, a new transfer programme designed to take the friction out of connecting journeys. Built around three pillars ease, efficiency and experience,the initiative aims to simplify what is often the most stressful leg of air travel.
The move comes as transfer traffic at BLR Airport climbs sharply, up more than 30 per cent year-on-year. Transfers currently account for around 15 per cent of total passenger traffic and are projected to touch 20 per cent by 2026, signalling a clear shift in how the airport is positioning itself within airline networks.
At its core, the programme focuses on making navigation intuitive and downtime more comfortable. Dedicated transfer desks have been set up across terminals, supported by colour-coded wayfinding blue and yellow signage designed for quick recognition. Inter-terminal movement is being streamlined through complimentary shuttle services with predictable wait times, while designated transfer zones aim to reduce passenger confusion.
Beyond logistics, the airport is leaning into experience. Travellers in transit now have access to a wider choice of lounges, curated retail and food and beverage options, as well as sleeping pods for short stays. For longer layovers, transit hotels in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 offer boutique in-terminal accommodation, an increasingly sought-after feature as global travel patterns evolve.
The timing is strategic. BLR Airport now connects to 114 passenger destinations 80 domestic and 34 international with key routes spanning Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune domestically, and Singapore, London Heathrow, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur internationally. Recent additions such as Hindon, Bidar and Silchar within India, alongside Dammam, Hanoi and Riyadh overseas, are further expanding its reach.
Infrastructure is also catching up with ambition. Developments including the West Cross Taxiway, Terminal 1 refurbishment and Terminal 2 expansion are laying the groundwork for higher capacity and smoother operations critical for any airport aiming to become a serious transfer hub.
Bangalore International Airport Limited chief operating officer Girish Nair framed the initiative as both a response to demand and a forward-looking play. He pointed to the growing depth of the airport’s network and the opportunity to build a more reliable transfer ecosystem that benefits both passengers and airline partners.
In an era where travel is as much about transitions as destinations, BLR Airport is betting that a seamless connection might just be the journey’s most important upgrade.
