AD Agencies
Dr Mukul Jain joins LG-affiliated agency HS AD as digital head
MUMBAI: The Dr in Dr Mukul Jain’s name is because he has completed his Ph.D in information technology working for his thesis between 2011-2018, showing his degree of patience in getting it. The degree is in the past now for Dr Mukul has joined Seoul-headquartered HS AD, an LG Electronics affiliated global ad agency as its digital head of strategy & operations. He will be based in Noida.
Dr Mukul’s last posting was in AGL Hakuhodo where he rose from group head in March 2021 to account director in April 2022 and to director – account management & marketing strategy in April 2024. Whilst at AGL Hakuhodo he managed accounts like Startup India, Indian Airforce, Alliance Air, and others.
Prior to that he spent a year as a client servicing director at Crayons Advertising (Jan -Dec 2020), almost five years at Internet Moguls as head of digital marketing and a good seven years and some months as a research associate at the Jaypee Institute of Information Technology from where he also completed his Phd.
He has had brief stints with the Asian Business School as an assistant professor (Apr 2013-Jun 2014); GL Bajaj Institute of Management & Research as an assistant professor (Jun 2012-March 2013); as a business analyst at Google (Jan 2011-Jun 2011).
Dr Mukul has other educational credits to his name: an MBA in business management, marketing and related support services and a B. Tech in electrical, electronics and communications engineering.
He considers himself a dynamic marketing strategist, a digital transformation leader and a growth architect. He also is a start up investor.
“With over 14 years of experience, I’ve partnered with leading global brands, driving growth and enhancing visibility through strategic marketing initiatives, says Dr Mukul. “ My expertise spans digital marketing, brand strategy, public procurement, and project management, with a proven track record of delivering measurable results for clients like the Indian Air Force, Thai Airways, Startup India, Bira, Alliance Air, ITDC, Ministry of Shipping, MP Tourism, Leela Hotels.”
AD Agencies
Microsoft shifts global media account from Dentsu to Publicis Groupe: Reports
Closed review ends decade-long tie-up; Xbox remit may remain with Dentsu
MUMBAI: Microsoft has reassigned its global media planning and buying business to Publicis Groupe, according to media reports, ending Dentsu’s long-standing stewardship of one of the advertising industry’s biggest accounts.
The move follows a closed review and marks a notable shake-up in the global media landscape. Dentsu, which managed the account through Carat, had held the mandate since 2014 and successfully defended it in a 2018 review.
While the broader business is shifting, Dentsu is expected to retain media responsibilities for Xbox, according to media reports, though the exact contours of that arrangement remain unclear. None of the parties involved have publicly outlined the transition timeline or the full structure of the handover.
The scale of the account underscores the significance of the change. Estimates from COMvergence, cited by Ad Age, peg Microsoft’s global media spend at roughly $700 million last year.
For Publicis Groupe, the win deepens an already expanding relationship with the tech giant. Earlier this year, Microsoft Advertising partnered with Publicis Media Exchange and Epsilon to integrate Epsilon’s data into its platform, aiming to sharpen targeting across search, native and display formats.
The decision reflects a broader industry shift, as large advertisers increasingly favour agency partners with strong first-party data capabilities, AI integration and platform-led solutions. Publicis Groupe has been leaning into this model, positioning its data assets and technology stack as a central differentiator.
For Dentsu, the loss is significant. Media remains a core pillar of its global business, and the development comes close on the heels of leadership changes, including the appointment of Takeshi Sano as global chief executive officer.
The shift also carries a touch of irony. Microsoft and Dentsu have worked closely beyond the client-agency relationship, including collaborations around AI tools such as Copilot to support media and creative workflows.
As the dust settles, the message is clear: in today’s data-driven, AI-powered media world, relationships may be long, but they are rarely permanent.
