MAM
Havas Media India appoints R Venkatasubramanian as national head of investments
MUMBAI: Havas Media India has announced the appointment of R Venkatasubramanian as national head of investments. Venkat joins the agency from Initiative Media where he was serving as senior vice president.
A former Havas employee, Venkat has over 22 years of experience in advertising specialising in media buying. He has worked with clients across sectors such as Maruti, Suzuki Motor cycle, DishTV, RB, MG Motor, Usha International and InfoEdge.
In his new role, Venkat will be based out of Gurgaon and will be responsible for driving media investments, partnerships, and strategic thinking for all Havas Media clients across markets.
Commenting on his appointment, Havas Media Group CEO – India and Southeast Asia Anita Nayyar said, “Venkat is an accomplished, seasoned professional, with his rich experience of over two decades, Venkat will ensure that the complex media environment is well navigated and negotiated for Havas Media clients. Collaboration is the cornerstone of our unified operating model, allowing us to deliver 100 per cent accountability and ideas that flourish without boundaries. Havas Media has the team, capabilities and is well positioned to be a data-cum-content driven media partner to brands across sectors driving their overall marketing and goal strategy. We wish Venkat a happy homecoming!”
“We are delighted to have Venkat back with us once again. Havas Media has been growing at a phenomenal rate over the years. We have always been keen to get great professionals who have made a mark in the industry. Venkat is one such person who has contributed phenomenally in building brands through the creation of innovative media associations. We are looking forward to using his experience and commitment to develop our brand partnerships further,” added Havas Media Group MD – India Mohit Joshi.
Venkat said, “I am motivated to come back to Havas Media as the company is open to innovative and creative ideas. My focus will be to drive new and dynamic properties across media with an added focus in the sports arena to ensure that our brands get the best ROI under the guidance of Havas’ senior management.”
MAM
Wow Momo tests ‘world’s crispiest fries’ with influencer campaign
1,500 participants across four cities test fries at 30, 45 and 60 minutes.
MUMBAI: The fries are talking and this time, they’re crunching louder than the ads. Wow! Momo has turned a bold product claim into a full-blown public experiment, launching its “World’s Crispiest Fries” through a content-first campaign anchored in real-world validation rather than glossy promises. Instead of relying on traditional advertising, the brand staged a large-scale tasting challenge across four metros Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata bringing together nearly 1,500 participants, including influencers, food writers and everyday consumers. The brief was simple: put the fries to the test against leading QSR competitors over time.
Participants evaluated the fries at 30, 45 and 60 minutes after serving, a window where most fries typically lose their crunch. According to the brand, Wow! Momo’s offering held its texture across all three intervals, while competing products softened, turning a functional claim into a demonstrable outcome.
The exercise doubled up as both product trial and content engine. Reactions from participants ranging from surprise to outright endorsement now form the backbone of the campaign’s digital rollout, amplified through social media, creator-led content, memes and short-format films under the hashtag #EndOfDebate.
The strategy reflects a broader shift in how QSR brands are approaching differentiation. In a category often driven by price offers and visual advertising, Wow! Momo is attempting to build credibility through proof rather than persuasion letting consumers, rather than copy, make the case.
With over 850 stores across more than 90 cities, the brand is using scale not just for distribution, but for storytelling. By turning a simple question how long do fries stay crispy into a participative, city-wide experience, it is aiming to spark conversation as much as consumption.
Because in the battle of the fries, it seems, the crunch may just be the loudest argument of all.
