AD Agencies
Happy Finish created India’s first automotive virtual drive for Tata Motors
MUMBAI: Happy Finish, a global creative production studio and agency offering immersive content experiences for leading brands, advertising agencies and photographers, has successfully delivered the last phase of cross platform media assets to support an ambitious campaign for Indian automotive brand, Tata Motors.
In 2015, Tata Motors signed up Lionel Messi as its global brand ambassador and rolled out the successful #madeofgreat campaign across India. Happy Finish India brought #fantastico campaign to life for Tata Motors, by creating India’s first virtual drive experience for the Tiago car launch, including an array of cross platform media campaign assets.
In supporting this bold campaign, the assets created by Happy Finish would reach an audience of millions through Tata Motors’ mass distribution of 2.3 million branded Google Cardboards, digital campaign and print ads in The Times of India, across the highly potential automotive markets of Mumbai, Delhi/NCR and Bengaluru.
Tata Motors marketing communications and services head Delna Avari commented, “The challenge was how do we bring alive the test drive experience of a car which is yet to be launched. We felt that creating a VR experience would be the best idea and were delighted to partner with Happy Finish to introduce India’s first live action virtual drive experience. The reach has been phenomenal with great ROI and has been appreciated as one of the most innovative idea from Tata Motors for consumer experience.”
Happy Finish APAC CEO Ashish Limaye commented, “We had a keen focus on the distribution channel for all of the cross platform media assets, and created a VR solution which enabled Tata Motors to leverage the power of mobile, producing engaging content via an easy to use app, available on both Android and iOS.
AD Agencies
Publicis Groupe to acquire 160over90 from WME Group
Deal aims to build data-led platform linking brands, fans and culture at scale
MUMBAI: Publicis Groupe has agreed to acquire 160over90 from WME Group, in a move that signals a major push into the fast-growing world of sports and culture-led marketing.
The deal, subject to regulatory approvals, will see Publicis combine its existing Publicis Sports capabilities with 160over90’s global footprint to create what it calls a unified, end-to-end platform connecting brands with audiences through sport, entertainment and culture.
Founded as a division of WME Group, 160over90 has built a reputation for delivering high-impact campaigns across some of the world’s biggest sporting moments, including the Super Bowl, Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup. With over 670 employees across the US, UK, EMEA and Apac, the agency works with global brands to create experiences that resonate both on and off the field.
The acquisition reflects a broader shift in marketing, where sport has become a central pillar of premium media. With the global sports media market estimated at $150 billion and sponsorships crossing $90 billion, brands are increasingly looking for more integrated ways to engage audiences.
Publicis is betting that a data-led approach will be the differentiator. By integrating 160over90 with its own capabilities, including the Epsilon identity ecosystem and Influential network, the company aims to offer marketers a seamless way to plan, activate and measure campaigns across media, sponsorships, live events and creator partnerships.
Publicis Groupe CEO Arthur Sadoun said, “After building our industry-leading position in identity resolution, commerce, and creators, our next big bet is sport. In the age of AI, it has become one of the most high-value channels for clients.”
He added that combining 160over90’s expertise with Publicis’ data and technology stack would help “connect brands to fans in ways that are both meaningful and measurable”.
Echoing the sentiment, Publicis Connected Media CEO Dave Penski said, “Sport has become the most powerful intersection of culture, commerce and community,” highlighting the growing need to treat sports marketing as a measurable channel rather than just brand-building.
As part of the deal, Publicis will also enter into a strategic partnership with WME Group, enabling closer collaboration on talent, content and brand partnerships. WME Group president Mark Shapiro said the tie-up would open up new opportunities for talent and brands to scale their ambitions globally.
Post acquisition, the combined Publicis Sports entity will report to Suzy Deering, while Robbie Henchman will remain with WME Group to oversee the ongoing partnership.
The move builds on Publicis’ recent investments in the space, including acquisitions of Adopt and Bespoke in 2025 and a partnership with Magic Johnson Enterprises, underscoring its intent to dominate the intersection of sport, culture and commerce.
As brands chase both attention and accountability, Publicis’ latest play suggests the future of sports marketing may be less about moments alone and more about measurable impact at scale.
