MAM
Aritra Chaudhuri is Grey’s new senior creative head
MUMBAI: Grey group India has appointed Aritra Chaudhuri as new senior creative director in its Bangalore office. Chaudhuri will be responsible for driving the agency’s creative mandate for its impressive mix of clients based out of Bangalore.
Grey group India chief creative officer Sandipan Bhattacharyya said, “While a lot is said about the need for experimental, medium-bending work in our industry, very few actually walk the talk. Aritra displays that rare knack for exploring the new and finding ways to create pop culture that makes brands famous”
He joins with 10 years of extensive experience in various sectors including strategic planning, advertising, integrated campaign design, trans media storytelling, digital marketing, social media, art direction and graphic design.
Before joining Grey, he has worked with Leo Burnett as the creative director, where he was responsible for creating a yardstick and setting up the creative team in Delhi. Brands he handled there includes Olx, Snapdeal, Bacardi and SBI Cards. Enormous, Commonwealth and Mccann Worldgroup, Ogilvy and Mather, JWT, TBWA are the other agencies he worked with. He has been creatively associated with various brands like SBI, Zaffran, Baskin n Robbins, Chevrolet, The Economist, Sony, Taco Bell, Tropicana, Mountain Dew, National Geographic, History Channel, Pedigree, Adidas, etc.
Chaudhuri added, “Grey is changing, in terms of its people, systems and work culture. I look forward to the new challenges and do some intriguing work in a city that is intriguing in itself as far as business is concerned”
AD Agencies
Havas hits 2025 targets, posts 3.1 per cent organic growth
Net revenue rises to €2.78 bn as AI push and acquisitions lift performance
PUTEAUX, FRANCE: Havas delivered a solid set of full-year results for 2025, beating its own guidance as steady organic growth, tighter cost control and an aggressive push into artificial intelligence lifted margins and cash flow.
The advertising and communications group reported organic net revenue growth of 3.1 per cent for the year, slightly ahead of its guided range of 2.5 to 3.0 per cent. Net revenue rose to €2.78 billion, while adjusted Ebit climbed to €358 million, translating into a margin of 12.9 per cent, up 50 basis points from last year.
Net income increased 11.1 per cent to €210 million, with group share of net income rising 9.2 per cent to €189 million. Operating cash flow after working capital jumped 53 per cent to €360 million, reflecting improved collections and disciplined spending.
The fourth quarter capped the year on a strong note, with organic growth of 3.7 per cent, driven by momentum across Europe and North America. For the full year, North America led with organic growth of 4.9 per cent, while Europe posted 2.0 per cent growth. Latin America returned to growth, and APAC and Africa were supported by India.
Chairman and CEO Yannick Bolloré, said 2025 marked a “transformative year” for Havas, its first full year as a listed company. He credited the rollout of the group’s Converged.AI operating system and a client-centric model for delivering on guidance in a highly competitive market.
Havas continued its acquisition spree, buying majority stakes in 11 agencies during the year across Europe, Australia and New Zealand, strengthening its media, creative, health and data capabilities. The group also struck strategic partnerships with AI players Vurvey Labs and Akkio to deepen its agentic AI capabilities.
Looking ahead, Havas guided for organic growth of 2.0 to 3.0 per cent in 2026 and an adjusted Ebit margin of between 13.2 and 13.5 per cent. The group plans to maintain a dividend payout ratio of around 40 per cent and pursue five to ten bolt-on acquisitions during the year.
Havas also confirmed its medium-term ambition of lifting margins to between 14 and 15 per cent by 2028, underlining confidence in its AI-led strategy and diversified geographic footprint.
