MAM
FCB Worldwide undergoes organisational restructuring
MUMBAI: Marketing communications firm, FCB Worldwide, is replacing its regional-centric structure, in both the US and international operations, with what it is calling, global centers of excellence.
The company says, that the new structure will increase the autonomy of the operating offices while producing significant cost savings that can be reinvested in areas of the business that will enhance FCB’s offering to clients and help generate growth in the individual offices. Importantly, the new structure will help foster and facilitate an overall focus on the quality of the global creative product.
The FCB Centers of Excellence will initially include India, Brazil, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the UK and other countries. All the FCB Centers of Excellence meet the overall criteria of 1) Global client base. 2) Fully integrated offering. 3) Strong local market position. 4)
Excellent creative product. 5) Superior local management.
FCB Worldwide president and CEO, Steve Blamer, says, “Today’s global marketplace is changing rapidly. Old school agency networks and structures simply don’t work anymore. Agency networks need to adapt. Our global clients want better integrated creative solutions and a delivery system that makes it happen. The most significant element of this new structure is that it will allow us to target our resources closer to where they’re of most value to our global and local clients.”
In conjunction with the restructuring Blamer has named, Rafael de Guzman, as FCB International president and CEO who will report directly to Blamer. Gene Bartley, CEO of North America,will be retiring in January 2006 as planned. the Asia/Pacific & Africa CEO, Ben Barnes, and Europe/Middle East CEO, Scott Hollingsworth, will be leaving the company to pursue other interests.
The company says, that the newly established Centers of Excellence outside of the US will be overseen by de Guzman. . Blamer will directly oversee all US operations. Blamer added, “Rafael’s past successes have clearly demonstrated that he has the energy, vision and skill base necessary to lead FCB’s global efforts going forward”.
The leaders of the Centers of Excellence will form an international management board reporting directly to de Guzman and will help coordinate global and regional clients and pitch new ones.
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Hyundai launches updated Ioniq 5 with 84 kWh battery, 690 km range
Priced at Rs 55.7 lakh, adds design, tech and safety upgrades.
MUMBAI: Charge it up, stretch it out, Hyundai’s latest electric upgrade is going the distance, quite literally. Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has introduced an updated version of its Ioniq 5, packing in a larger 84.0 kWh battery that delivers a claimed range of up to 690 km (ARAI-certified), marking a significant leap in everyday usability for its flagship electric SUV.
Built on Hyundai’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the refreshed IONIQ 5 aims to balance performance with practicality, reducing range anxiety while making long-distance electric travel more viable. The upgrade builds on a model that has already secured global recognition, including the World Car of the Year title.
The changes aren’t just under the skin. On the outside, the SUV gets a sharper, more futuristic look with redesigned front and rear bumpers, new skid plates, sporty alloy wheels, a revised rear spoiler and updated V-garnish lighting, all while retaining its signature Parametric Pixel design.
Inside, Hyundai has focused on making the experience more intuitive. The cabin now features a redesigned three-spoke steering wheel with illuminated pixel elements, dual 12.3-inch displays, and a reworked wireless charging pad integrated with physical controls for seat functions small tweaks that aim to improve day-to-day usability.
On the tech front, the IONIQ 5 gets Hyundai’s Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC), Controller Over-the-Air (C-OTA) updates, and now supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. New additions such as Active Sound Design and in-car payment integration for EV charging reflect a push towards a more seamless, connected ownership experience. Remote immobilisation via Bluelink has also been introduced as an added security layer.
Safety sees incremental upgrades too, with features like Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (Rear) and side parking distance warnings enhancing manoeuvrability in tight urban spaces.
The updated IONIQ 5 is available in four colour options Gravity Gold Matte, Midnight Black Pearl, Titan Grey and Optic White with an Obsidian Black interior theme.
Priced at Rs 55.7 lakh (ex-showroom), the new IONIQ 5 positions itself as a more rounded offering, less about futuristic promise, and more about making electric mobility fit seamlessly into everyday life.
