MAM
Droga5 lays off 7% staff in the US office
NEW DELHI: Droga, one of the torch bearers of creativity in the global advertising and marketing industry, seem to have also been impacted by the global pandemic. It has been widely reported that the David Droga owned creative agency had let go their seven per cent employees, which turns out to be around 40 people.
The layoffs have taken place at the New York headquarters of the new age agency across departments. It employs over 500 people.
The news comes on the back of Accenture’s global plan to reduce the size of workforce by 25,000 employees. The decision has been taken due to a slowdown during the pandemic.
A report mentioned the Droga5 spokesperson saying, “Droga5 has made the decision to transition out a number of our people as we continue managing our business for the long term to best serve our clients. All of those affected will be provided severance benefits. We are grateful for all of their contributions to the agency.”
Droga5, which was founded in 2006 by David Droga, has become one of the best-known independent ad agencies in the United States. In a surprising development last year, Accenture Interactive, the creative and consulting arm of Accenture acquired the creative agency for a whooping $475 million. The idea was very clear that Accenture Interactive wanted to strengthen its creative output and take on the global advertising giants such as WPP, IPG Mediabrands, Dentsu and others.
Droga5 has been one of the most renowned creative agencies across the world. They have won big across all advertising and marketing awards and have worked on big brands. Some of its notable campaigns include Under Armour’s with the dancer Misty Copeland; Anna Kendrick’s almost-Super Bowl commercial for Newcastle Brown Ale, a digital campaign in which the beer company imagined the “mega-huge football” spot it would have made if it could have afforded one; and this year’s “Game of Thrones” Super Bowl ad with Bud Light and The New York Times’s ad campaign featuring the motto “The Truth Is Hard.”
MAM
TIME100 2026 list names Sundar Pichai, Vikas Khanna, Ranbir Kapoor among global icons
Indian leaders across tech, cinema and cuisine feature on TIME’s list
MUMBAI: TIME has unveiled its 2026 TIME100 list, spotlighting some of the world’s most influential figures, with a strong Indian presence cutting across technology, entertainment and culinary arts.
Among those featured are Sundar Pichai, Vikas Khanna, Ranbir Kapoor and Neal Mohan, alongside public figures such as Zohran Mamdani.
The profile of Pichai highlights his role in taking artificial intelligence to the masses, with Andrew Ng noting that few leaders have expanded access to AI at such scale. Since becoming CEO in 2015, Pichai has steered Google towards a more agile, innovation-led approach, rolling out products like AI Studio and Gemini that are now used by billions globally.
Chef Vikas Khanna is described as a cultural bridge-builder, with Eric Ripert praising his ability to connect people through food while championing Indian traditions on a global stage. His New York restaurant, Bungalow, is positioned not just as a dining space but as a storytelling platform rooted in heritage and memory.
In the entertainment space, Ranbir Kapoor earns recognition for reshaping cinematic storytelling with restraint and emotional depth. Writing his profile, Ayushmann Khurrana notes that Kapoor’s performances quietly redefine audience sensibilities, making him a cultural voice for a changing India.
The annual TIME100 list brings together leaders, innovators and changemakers across sectors, from politics and business to science and the arts. This year’s edition also features global figures such as Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, alongside creators, athletes and entrepreneurs shaping the future.
With influence increasingly spanning industries and geographies, the 2026 list reflects a world where impact is not just about scale, but about shaping conversations and culture in meaningful ways.
