MAM
Ajay Gupte’s Wavemaker tops Warc’s agency effectiveness list
MUMBAI: Wavemaker India is riding high, clinching the top spot in the WARC 100 Most Effective Global Ranking 2025—pulling off a victory with the swagger of a Madison Avenue maverick.
As the advertising industry scrambles under the Competition Commission of India’s (CCI) watchful eye over alleged price-fixing allegations, Wavemaker has flipped a potential headwind into a jet stream of success.
Ajay Gupte, chief executive for south Asia, isn’t just celebrating—he’s making a statement. “Creativity powered by insight and innovation.” That’s not just a corporate tagline—it’s a battle cry.
The numbers tell a cracking story. Wavemaker Mumbai stormed to 115.3 points, blowing past global giants. More remarkably, it stands as the only Indian agency in the top 10—a statistical unicorn in a rankings table usually ruled by North American and European behemoths.
The global podium:
1) Wavemaker Mumbai, India (115.3 points)
2) Starcom Chicago, US (107.7 points)
3) Mindhare New York, US (78.4 points)
Even as the CCI probes alleged anti-competitive practices in the advertising world, Wavemaker has flipped the script—turning scrutiny into strategy. While some players glance nervously over their shoulders, Wavemaker is already sprinting ahead.
Chief client officer and office head, west, north & east Shekhar Banerjee, calls it a journey of “consistency, evolution and relentless focus. No 1 in 2023 #2 in 2024. Back to #1 in 2025.”
The WARC 100 isn’t just a list. It’s the Everest of media effectiveness rankings—stacked with the most impactful campaigns on the planet.
A massive shoutout to GroupM and Wavemaker India’s leadership for pushing boundaries on tech, measurement, full-funnel strategies and creativity.
While the industry introspects, Wavemaker accelerates.
MAM
Coca-cola launches ‘Har Meal Aaaah’ campaign with Mamitha Baiju
Hyperlocal film turns parotta into ‘Parotaaaaaah’ to celebrate meal moments
MUMBAI: One sip, one sound and suddenly, every meal gets its moment. Coca-cola has unveiled its latest campaign, ‘Har Meal Aaaah’, aiming to turn everyday dining into something a little more memorable and a lot more refreshing. Fronted by Mamitha Baiju, the campaign leans into Coca-cola’s iconic “Aaaah” mnemonic that unmistakable expression after the first sip reimagining it as a cultural thread that ties together food, flavour and feeling across regions. The film, rooted in Tamil Nadu’s culinary culture, spotlights the beloved parotta, playfully stretching it into “Parotaaaaaah” to capture the joy of the perfect pairing.
Conceptualised by Ogilvy and extended regionally by Studio X, the campaign blends local insight with global brand cues. It reflects Coca-cola’s ongoing strategy of embedding itself into everyday rituals, this time, not through grand occasions, but through the quiet, familiar moments around food.
The idea is simple but sharply executed: position Coca-cola not as an add-on, but as an essential companion to meals. By tapping into hyperlocal food habits while retaining a universally recognisable brand cue, the campaign aims to deepen emotional recall across diverse audiences.
Early traction suggests the approach is resonating. The campaign has already sparked organic engagement online, with memes and user reactions amplifying its reach proof that sometimes, the smallest ideas travel the furthest.
At a time when brands are competing for attention in increasingly fragmented markets, ‘Har Meal Aaaah’ takes a different route zooming in rather than out. Because in the end, Coca-Cola’s bet is clear: if you can own the moment after the first sip, you can own the meal.
