MAM
GroupM acquires majority stake in Turkey’s directComm
MUMBAI: WPP’s GroupM has acquired a majority stake in directComm Marketing Group, a leading provider of integrated direct marketing services in Turkey.
directComm specialises in digital marketing, customer relationship management, events and social media. Clients include Turk Telekom, Siemens and Sony Mobile. Founded in 2000 and based in Istanbul, directComm employs around 70 people.
Unaudited revenues for the year ended 31 December, 2014 were approximately $6.5 million, with gross assets at the same date of approximately $3.2 million.
This acquisition continues WPP’s strategy of investing in fast growing and important markets and sectors and strengthening its digital capabilities. WPP’s digital revenues were $6.9 billion in 2014, representing 36 per cent of the Group’s total revenues of $ 19 billion. WPP has set a target of 40-45 per cent of revenue to be derived from digital in the next five years.
Turkey is one of the Next 11 growth economies where WPP companies (including associates) generate revenues of over $1 billion and employ over 10,000 people. In Turkey itself, WPP companies (including associates) generate revenues of around $120 million and employ approximately 1,300 people.
Brands
Apollo Tyres names Neha Agarwalla as divisional head – marketing comms & sponsorships
Former Paytm AVP to steer brand, comms and Team India tie-ups
MUMBAI: Neha Agarwalla has taken the wheel at Apollo Tyres, stepping in as divisional head of marketing communications and sponsorships for India and Asia’s commercial business.
In her new role, she will oversee marketing communications, brand activations and go-to-market strategies, while also managing the company’s high-profile association with the Board of Control for Cricket in India as part of its Team India sponsorship.
Agarwalla arrives with nearly two decades of experience across media, marketing and business strategy, bringing a blend of analytical sharpness and brand storytelling to the table.
Before joining Apollo Tyres, she spent close to eight years at Paytm, where she last served as associate vice president. During her tenure, she led media buying and business planning, and earlier held the role of general manager marketing, heading the company’s media business.
Her career arc also includes stints at Initiative, where she worked as business director and media director, and at GroupM, where she was associate director. Across these roles, she built expertise in media strategy, data analysis and integrated marketing.
An alumna of the Delhi School of Communication, Agarwalla now takes on a role that blends sport, strategy and storytelling, with cricket as a powerful pitch.
