MAM
Dentsu Webchutney launches #EqualsInLove for platinum days of love
MUMBAI: To set the mood for this Valentine’s Day, Platinum Day of Love, a flagship programme of PGI India, has launched #EqualsInLove campaign, a collection of films that celebrate couples who meet each other halfway. The films are conceptualized and executed by Dentsu Webchutney, the digital agency from Dentsu Aegis Network.
The campaign is fronted by a collection of films that beautifully & meaningfully expressed this emerging resolve between couples, to meet each other half way. From equally splitting the rent of a new home – something typically thought of as a man’s duty – to a man deciding that he wants to be a stay-at-home-husband, these films showcase how truly rewarding & liberating it can be to have an equal partner in each other. Making the love they share rare.
The month of February sets the mood for love, wherein couples seek ways & means to re-live and celebrate their love in a unique and memorable way. The campaign elevates this occasion for couples & asks them to celebrate their rare equal love with #EqualsInLove Platinum Love Bands. From identical motifs to complimentary designs, each pair of Platinum Love Bands is crafted to tell the story of love that’s rare & built on equality.
Sujala Martis, Director Consumer Marketing, Platinum Guild International said, “If left to its own, the conversation around love & relationships during this time of the year can get very sugary & mushy. As a brand, we stand for a certain level of maturity & wanted to approach this conversation from a slightly higher order lens. Modern couples do not look at themselves through gender defined roles & responsibilities…equality is a very valid & important value amidst them. It’s part of what can make the love you share rare.”
Making it sweeter, couples are also given the chance to win a romantic trip for two to one of six exotic destinations, on purchase of Platinum Love Bands.
Pravin Sutar, Executive Creative Director, Dentsu Webchutney commented, “The topic of equality is one that’s extremely relevant in today’s environment. We wanted to add a unique perspective to it with the themes and nuances our films bring to life. Each film strikes upon a powerful way in which couples meet each other halfway to form a rare, unmatched bond.”
Aalap Desai, Senior Creative Director, Dentsu Webchutney added, “We wanted to not just celebrate couples who match each other as equals, but to challenge the status quo with our four films. Each film overturns traditional roles, becoming a source of aspiration for young couples who’re about to set out on their journey of love.”
The campaign runs between 1st and 21st February.
AD Agencies
Omnicom posts $6.2 bn Q1 revenue, EBITDA margin rises to 14.8 per cent
AI push and cost synergies lift margins in first full quarter post-merger
NEW YORK: Omnicom has reported a robust first quarter following its acquisition of Interpublic Group, signalling early gains from integration, cost efficiencies and a sharper focus on AI-led services.
The results mark the first full quarter with Interpublic’s operations included, offering a clearer view of how the combined entity is shaping up. Revenue from core operations stood at $5.6 billion, up $345 million year on year on a combined basis, while organic growth came in at 3.9 per cent. Adjusted EBITDA margin rose sharply by 240 basis points to 14.8 per cent, reflecting early synergy benefits.
“We’ve seen momentum and cohesive growth across the organisation,” said Omnicom chief executive officer John Wren. “Our results demonstrate the benefits of realigning our portfolio and moving decisively on integration.”
A key part of that realignment involves shedding underperforming assets. Omnicom has identified businesses worth roughly $3.2 billion in annual revenue for disposal, with about $1 billion already exited in the first quarter. The company expects to complete most of the remaining divestments over the coming quarters, sharpening its focus on higher-growth, higher-margin operations.
On the bottom line, adjusted earnings per share rose 11.8 per cent to $1.90, underlining the financial impact of cost discipline and integration. The company is targeting $900 million in cost synergies by 2026, rising to $1.5 billion by mid-2028.
“We are realising significant cost reduction synergies while continuing to invest for growth,” said Omnicom chief financial officer Philip Angelastro.
Beyond the numbers, the strategic pivot is becoming clearer. Omnicom has restructured its business around “core operations”, stripping out assets earmarked for sale to highlight the segments driving future growth. More than half of its revenue now comes from integrated media, which includes data, commerce, CRM and content automation, areas that are growing faster than traditional advertising.
Indeed, integrated media led growth in the quarter with high single-digit gains, while PR and experiential businesses delivered mid-single-digit growth. Healthcare posted modest gains, while traditional advertising lagged, reflecting a broader industry shift towards performance-driven and tech-enabled marketing.
Central to this transformation is Omni, the company’s AI-powered marketing and sales platform. Rolled out across the organisation during the quarter, the system connects data, talent and services while enabling AI-driven workflows.
The platform is already delivering tangible results, improving media performance, speeding up campaign execution and enhancing measurement capabilities. Integration with partners such as Adobe and Amazon is further expanding its reach.
“We’ve put the latest agentic AI tools in the hands of all our employees,” said Wren, highlighting the company’s push towards automation and data-led decision-making.
The shift is also reshaping client relationships. Omnicom reported new business wins with major brands including IBM, GSK and John Deere, while expanding engagements with existing clients such as Unilever and Exxon. Increasingly, clients are opting for consolidated partnerships, relying on a single provider for end-to-end marketing and sales services.
“There’s a clear trend of clients choosing one partner to manage most of their needs,” said John Wren. “Our integrated model makes that easier.”
Geographically, the US remains the largest market, contributing 61 per cent of revenue, followed by Europe and the UK at 21 per cent. Growth was strongest in the US, with other regions posting modest gains.
The balance sheet remains solid despite increased debt following the acquisition. Long-term debt stood at $10.2 billion at the end of the quarter, while liquidity was supported by $4.3 billion in cash and a $3.5 billion revolving credit facility. The company is also returning capital to shareholders, repurchasing $2.8 billion worth of shares in Q1 as part of a planned $5 billion buyback programme.
Looking ahead, Omnicom remains optimistic but cautious. While the company expects double-digit EPS growth for the year, it acknowledged ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, particularly in the Middle East, though the region accounts for less than 2.5 per cent of revenue.
The integration of Interpublic is still in its early stages, but the initial signs point to a business that is not just bigger, but structurally different. With AI at its core, a streamlined portfolio and a growing tilt towards integrated services, Omnicom is betting that scale, simplicity and smart technology will keep it ahead in an increasingly complex marketing landscape.
If the first quarter is anything to go by, that bet is already starting to pay off.
