MAM
Ground Zero Consulting unveils new brand identity
Mumbai: In a strategic move to promote Sustainability Communications, Ground Zero Consulting is excited to announce a significant transformation after being originally established in 2021 as a data research agency. The company has now dedicated itself to address the global challenges arising from the adverse effects of rampant Climate Change, thereby emerging as India’s first pure-play Climate-focussed and Sustainability Communications agency in this critical space.
Headquartered in New Delhi, Ground Zero Consulting aspires to redefine the landscape of climate and sustainability communications. The agency will advocate pro-environment and sustainable business practices among a diverse set of clienteles, including private and public stakeholders that also comprise governmental entities.
Ground Zero Consulting founder & managing editor Rahul Tekwani commented on the evolution, stating, “As a firm, we observed a growing awareness towards Climate Change when undertaking various research projects for both government and corporate sectors. It became evident that the issue is being taken seriously at both governmental and corporate levels. Over the past 12-15 months, we have diligently worked towards this transformation, witnessing the unfolding dynamics of Climate Change both domestically and globally.”
“We further anticipate a significant shift towards sustainability across various industries. There is a need to emphasize and raise widespread awareness at all levels, in addition to substantial investments by the Government in initiatives like Mission LiFE as part of the Net Zero vision. This underscores the need for a comprehensive approach in addressing climate-related challenges,” Tekwani added.
Ground Zero Consulting’s new suite of services includes Communication Strategy development, Sustainability Audits, Sustainable Branding, Global Outreach Programs, Memberships, Collaborations with associations and industry bodies, and Research and Content Creation. The agency is particularly excited about its global outreach initiative, bringing experienced communicators from developed markets in Climate Change to India. The firm’s plans to collaborate with various academia and universities are also underway.
Ground Zero Consulting will continue its operations from existing offices in New Delhi and Mumbai as the firm gears-up to make fresh announcements regarding its leadership team in the near-term. This strategic move positions Ground Zero Consulting at the forefront of the Climate and Sustainability Communications landscape, reflecting a commitment to a greener and more sustainable future.
MAM
VML India lands two finalist spots at Cairns Hatchlings 2026
The Mumbai agency is back in Australia with two teams, a UN brief and 24 hours to impress
MUMBAI: VML India is heading to Australia again. The Mumbai-based creative agency has secured two finalist spots at the Cairns Hatchlings 2026 competition, one in the Audio category and one in Design, making it the only Indian agency to have reached the finals in both editions of the contest since its launch in 2025.
Four people will make the trip. Senior copywriter Shilpi Dey and senior art director Raj Thakkar will compete in Audio. Art directors Shabbir and Shruti Negi will go head-to-head with the world’s best in Design. The finals take place at the Cairns Convention Centre from 13th May, culminating in an awards ceremony on 15th May.
The work that got them there is worth examining. For the Audio category, Dey and Thakkar tackled a brief for LIVE LIKE MMAD with a campaign called Inner Voice, Interrupted. Using spatial audio techniques, the campaign recreates the overwhelming self-doubt that descends after a long workday, physically panning negative thoughts left and right before cutting the noise entirely to reveal a confident inner voice. Strategically targeted at commuters via Spotify during evening rush hours, the campaign reframes the hours after work as an opportunity for personal growth and charitable action.
For the Design category, Shabbir and Negi worked on a brief for Canteen’s Bandanna Day, a campaign highlighting how cancer pushes teenagers out of their own defining moments. Using a pixelated design language to create stark contrast between a blurred world of isolation and a focused world of connection, the campaign, titled The Flipside of Cancer, shows teenagers fading into the background of birthdays, skateparks and school proms. As a Canteen bandanna appears, the blur flips and the teenager snaps back into sharp focus.
Kalpesh Patankar, group chief creative officer of VML India, made no attempt to disguise his satisfaction. “We are immensely proud to see our teams consistently excel on the Cairns Hatchlings platform since its inception,” he said. “They have masterfully tackled challenging briefs across diverse categories, demonstrating both layered storytelling and a unique creative approach. This exceptional teamwork is truly inspiring.”
Dey and Thakkar, returning to the finals after last year’s run, were candid about the demands of the audio medium. “It’s one of the most demanding mediums, where we only have a few seconds to capture a listener’s world with sound alone, so absolute clarity is essential,” they said. “The true measure of creative work is its ability to create positive change, and our audio submission was made to help those who need it most while encouraging people to silence the inner voices that hold them back.”
Shabbir and Negi, competing in Design for the first time, described the experience as “a completely different beast.” “We see it as an opportunity to showcase our expertise, raise the bar, and challenge ourselves in new ways, while also learning from creative minds from across the globe,” they said.
In Australia, the four finalists will face a live 24-hour brief from the United Nations before presenting in a live pitch session. Twenty-four hours, one brief, one shot. VML India has been here before. It knows exactly what is at stake.
