MAM
GroupM acquires controlling interest in MediaCom India
MUMBAI: WPP’s GroupM, the world’s leading global media investment group, yesterday announced it will be acquiring a majority stake in MediaCom India, a joint venture between GroupM India and Sam Balsara, the principal shareholder of the Madison Media group. While MediaCom India will continue operating as an independent brand, the agency will have the advantage of access to GroupM’s global infrastructure.
This acquisition continues WPP’s strategy of investing in fast growth markets, new media and digital.
“The majority acquisition of MediaCom in India represents a significant evolution in one of the world’s fastest growing economies. As India becomes a very attractive business hub for global clients, we are confident our talented team in India will deliver exemplary growth and results for all stakeholders,” MediaCom Worldwide CEO Stephen Allan.
Speaking on the acquisition, GroupM South Asia CEO CVL Srinivas said, “MediaCom India has won several prestigious clients, developed a strong digital presence and has delivered award-winning campaigns for clients. As a network, we have taken giant strides globally and in India towards a more Data and Tech-led core to our business. MediaCom India can harness our world-class media infrastructure to provide more value to its clients and people.”
Founded in 2007, MediaCom India became a joint venture in 2008. Over the last eight years, MediaCom India has established itself as one of the top 5 media agencies in the market in terms of market share (source: RECMA ratings 2015). In 2016, WARC ranked MediaCom India’s Mumbai office as one of the top 10 media agencies in the world based on performance in effectiveness and strategy impact for its clients.
The Content + Connection agency, MediaCom India, delivers not just individual channel efficiencies but also connected communications system effectiveness by developing and optimising all content –as the fuel that drives high-performing systems. Furthermore, the India team has adapted the ‘People First’ philosophy very well from its global parent, resulting in the lowest attrition rate in the media industry. The agency has consistently won all major awards, both global and local including M&M, Spikes Asia, FOM Asia as well as The Global Awards, EMVIEs, ABBYs, etc.
Brands
Rapido unveils new logo as it shifts to multi-modal mobility
From bike taxis to buses, cabs and travel bookings
MUMBAI: Rapido is changing gears. The homegrown mobility platform has unveiled a new brand identity as it moves beyond its origins as a bike taxi operator to position itself as a full-stack, multi-modal mobility service.
At the heart of the refresh is a redesigned logo. The earlier bike-centric symbol has been replaced with a simplified wordmark, signalling that Rapido is no longer defined by two wheels alone. The clean new look mirrors a broader ambition: to become an everyday mobility companion for millions of Indians.
The shift reflects how far the company has travelled. Rapido now facilitates over five million rides daily across more than 400 cities. What began as a bike taxi service has expanded into auto-rickshaws and cab services, along with parcel deliveries and integrated travel bookings.
Through its in-app OTA feature, users can now book flights, hotels, buses and trains without leaving the platform. The removal of the bike icon from the logo underscores this evolution from a single-category service to a comprehensive mobility ecosystem.
Rapido works with over 30 lakh registered captains across service categories. Powered by a technology-led, SaaS-driven framework, the platform aims to offer flexible earning opportunities while strengthening its footprint in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, where it has seen significant expansion and income generation.
The new identity will be rolled out across the app, captain network, marketing channels, digital platforms and on-ground assets in the coming weeks.
Rapido chief marketing officer Pawandip Singh, said the updated visual language reinforces the company’s promise to be the “Wheels of Bharat”. He added that the brand is moving beyond its origins to deliver an integrated, homegrown solution that connects every Indian from the first mile to the last, and every getaway in between.
As Rapido trades its bike-first badge for a broader mobility mantle, the new logo marks more than a visual tweak. It signals a brand that now wants to move India in every possible way, not just on two wheels.
