Brands
Goibibo adds star power to Its roaster of brand ambassadors with Dynamic Duo Kalidas-Jayaram
Mumbai: Goibibo, one of India’s beloved travel brands, onboards the iconic father-son duo Jayaram and Kalidas as its brand ambassadors. This announcement furthers Goibibo’s localised approach to brand communication and product curation.
The announcement coincides with the launch of the brand’s first digital film starring the dynamic duo. The film references a popular scene from ‘Panchatanthiram’ keeping the trope of recreating iconic movie scenes, as previously demonstrated by the brands iconic #Goibebo campaign starring Kareena Kapoor Khan who was onboarded as the brand ambassador last year.
The film leverages cultural cues as much as it does language to build a connection with its audiences in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, delivering a story that resonates with audiences while infusing specific travel contexts with a fresh perspective.
Goibibo CMO Raj Rishi Singh said, “In an era where travel preferences evolve rapidly, and no two trips taken are alike, Goibibo recognizes the need for tailored experiences not just in terms of products/services, but also in terms of brand communications. Collaborating with Jayaram and Kalidas was a natural choice, given their remarkable ability to resonate with audiences of all ages. Through humour and relatability, we aspire to empower travellers in the southern states of India to make better travel choices with Goibibo.”
Jayaram and Kalidas added, “As brand ambassadors, we are delighted to embody the rich culture and cinematic heritage of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Through this partnership, we aim to integrate Goibibo’s value proposition into our community, creating memorable travel experiences that resonate with all of us. We look forward to a wonderful journey with Goibibo and our audience.”
The campaign, conceptualized by the agency Mind Your Language!, underscores Goibibo’s commitment to delivering unparalleled value to customers, offering an extensive selection of hotels, discounts and much more. The brand remains focused in its mission to facilitate seamless and informed travel experiences for adventurers, whether with friends or family.
Founder and CCO Deepan Ramachandran and Mind Your Language! co-founder and creative director Pandiyaraj M shared, “Our collaboration with Goibibo marks a significant milestone, promising an iconic journey that solidifies its standing as a leading travel player. As their South India experts, we’re thrilled to introduce the legendary duo from Panchathanthiram, Jayaram and Kalidas, as the perfect travel companions. Through this campaign, we aim to match the energy and fun of national ads, infused with local insights and flavors, ensuring a memorable experience for all.”
Brands
Havas reports solid Q1 2026 with 2.5 per cent organic net revenue growth
Advertising group maintains positive momentum and confirms full-year guidance.
MUMBAI: Havas has started 2026 on a strong note proving that even in uncertain times, its converged model continues to deliver. The global advertising and communications group reported net revenue of €638 million for the first quarter of 2026, representing organic growth of +2.5 per cent compared to the same period last year. This performance was driven particularly by a robust +7.4 per cent organic growth in the United States.
Total revenue for the quarter reached €667 million, with organic growth of +2.8 per cent. Recent acquisitions contributed a positive scope impact of +1.7 per cent, while foreign exchange movements had a negative impact of -5.8 per cent, mainly due to the US dollar and British pound.
Europe, which accounts for 50 per cent of net revenue, delivered +1.1 per cent organic growth, supported by a good performance in France. North America (36 per cent of net revenue) led the way with +7.4 per cent growth, thanks to strong contributions from both Havas Creative and Havas Media. APAC & Africa (8 per cent) saw a decline of -6.2 per cent, while Latin America (6 per cent) remained nearly stable at -0.6 per cent.
Havas chairman and CEO Yannick Bolloré said, “Havas has started 2026 on a solid footing, continuing its momentum and delivering organic growth in net revenue of +2.5 per cent. This performance, in line with our full-year 2026 guidance, was driven in particular by continued strength in the US.”
The group also continued its bolt-on acquisition strategy, acquiring majority stakes in four agencies during the quarter: Acento Public Affairs (Spain), Ctrl Digital (Sweden), Styleheads (Germany), and Eyesight (France).
Havas maintained its strong creative reputation, ranking as a top holding company in the WARC Creative 100 for the sixth consecutive year, with three agencies BETC, Havas Paris, and Havas India placing in the Top 50.
Looking ahead, Havas confirmed its 2026 guidance: organic net revenue growth between +2.0 per cent and +3.0 per cent, adjusted EBIT margin between 13.2 per cent and 13.5 per cent, and a dividend payout ratio of around 40 per cent. The group also reiterated its medium-term targets for 2028.
Despite ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, Havas enters the rest of the year with solid fundamentals and confidence in its ability to deliver sustainable, profitable growth.
In a challenging environment, Havas is proving that its integrated, client-centric model remains resilient delivering steady growth while continuing to invest in creativity and innovation. The first quarter results suggest the group is well-positioned to navigate the year ahead with confidence.
