MAM
Bates restructures at the top
MUMBAI: Sandeep Pathak and Sonal Dabral are moving on from their positions at Bates India as the agency reshapes following the network repositioning at the end of 2011.
Dabral is all set to shift base to Mumbai and bid adieu to Singapore where he was stationed while he served as India chairman and regional ECD. He will be joining DDB Mudra as chairman – CCO.
Bates chairman Tim Isaac said, “At Bates he had resumed a close working relationship with me – we had worked together as a head of office and ECD partnership to great effect at Ogilvy Singapore. Sonal is a great storyteller and has rich creative talents. I wish him all the very best in his new role at DDB Mudra.”
“Sandeep has been with Bates for 4 years now and has done an excellent job of catapulting the Mumbai office. Sandeep hasn’t decided on his next assignment yet. I wish him the very best for his future,” he further added.
Issac said, “With our strengths in strategic planning, creativity, engagement solutions and digital along with the high quality talent pool, we are well set up to provide integrated marketing communications services that take full advantage of the new technologies at our disposal. That is what the ‘changengage’ positioning is all about. We look forward to leading the way as the model agency of the future.”
The agency said it would continue with its growth plans on the back of a strong India management and a suite of offerings across advertising, out of home and digital activation with entities like Bates WallStreet & Landscape and Bates Sercon powering Bates India group.
The management team at Bates in India currently includes Dheeraj Sinha (regional planning director), Dinesh Shetty (group CFO), Sagar Mahabaleshwarkar (NCD), Praveen Vadhera (country head OOH), Rajesh Ghatge (CEO Sercon ), Srijib Mallik (head, Delhi), Abeer Chakravarty (head, Kolkata) and Vasantha Krishnamurthy (head, Bangalore). The agency has a national presence across five offices including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Kolkata and roster of clients.
Brands
Mana Projects names Ranbir Kapoor brand ambassador amid rebranding
Bengaluru developer unveils new identity focused on design and nature.
MUMBAI: When real estate meets reel star power, the foundation for a new brand story is often laid brick by brick. Mana Projects, the Bengaluru based real estate developer, has appointed actor Ranbir Kapoor as its brand ambassador while unveiling a refreshed brand identity aimed at aligning the company with the evolving expectations of modern urban homebuyers.
The announcement marks a new phase for the developer, which has spent over two decades building residential communities in Bengaluru, particularly along emerging growth corridors such as Sarjapur Road.
The updated brand identity reflects the company’s emphasis on design led living and environmentally conscious development. According to the developer, the new positioning focuses on creating residential spaces where architecture, nature, engineering and lifestyle planning work together to shape meaningful living experiences.
Mana Projects chairman and managing director D. Kishore Reddy said the rebranding represents a natural progression as the company adapts to the expectations of a new generation of homeowners.
“This rebranding represents the natural evolution of Mana Projects as we align ourselves with the aspirations of a new generation of homeowners, particularly millennials who form the backbone of Bengaluru’s dynamic homebuyer community,” Reddy said.
He added that today’s buyers increasingly look beyond basic housing to spaces that combine design, sustainability and a strong sense of community.
“At Mana, our philosophy centres on creating homes where space is purposeful, design is intelligent, nature is respected and engineering ensures long term sustainability. Our association with Ranbir Kapoor reflects this new chapter as we continue to build communities that enable people to truly live brilliantly,” he said.
Kapoor, who has been associated with several lifestyle and consumer brands, said the partnership resonated with his own understanding of what makes a home meaningful.
“A home is one of the most meaningful investments people make in their lives, and it should reflect comfort, warmth and a sense of belonging,” Kapoor said.
“What impressed me about Mana Projects is the brilliance of their thought, the way design, nature and functionality come together to enhance everyday living. I’m delighted to be associated with Mana Projects as they continue to create homes that inspire modern urban families to truly live brilliantly.”
The collaboration will be introduced through a large scale integrated campaign spanning digital platforms, outdoor media and experiential activations, making it one of the developer’s most prominent branding initiatives in recent years.
Founded in Bengaluru, Mana Projects has built a portfolio of residential developments that emphasise thoughtful architecture, amenity rich neighbourhoods and environmentally sensitive planning. The company’s projects often integrate open spaces, green landscapes and energy efficient engineering to support sustainable urban living.
With Bengaluru continuing to attract young professionals and technology workers, the developer believes the city’s housing market is increasingly being shaped by buyers seeking well planned communities that balance functionality with quality of life.
Looking ahead, Mana Projects plans to expand its presence across the city by developing future ready residential projects designed to accommodate emerging lifestyle trends such as hybrid work culture, community driven living and multigenerational households.
By combining a refreshed brand identity with a high profile ambassador, the company hopes to strengthen its position in Bengaluru’s competitive real estate market while appealing to a new generation of homeowners seeking homes that blend design, nature and modern living.
