MAM
Havas Media launches Converged to brace up for cookieless future
Mumbai: In light of the cookieless future and an increasing focus on data privacy, Havas Media Group India has launched Converged – an identity-based planning and buying platform that keeps the audience and consumer behaviour at the centre of the media process.
This is a forward-thinking and active step towards preparing businesses for the future by optimising and allowing for stronger insights, tighter targeting and a more consistent customer journey through the Group’s new operating system – Mx, which delivers media experiences through meaningful media engagement.
Converged is flexible, tech-agnostic, locally compliant, and adaptable for clients. Using a rent-not-buy approach, Converged allows it to tap into the best data solutions in each market, thereby delivering solely on what’s right for the clients, the company said in a statement.
Through a robust and thoroughly tested data management approach, Converged can seamlessly integrate disparate data sources from client’s homegrown tech stacks into a single, easy-to-use system making that data available and accessible for media executions, it added.
Commenting on the launch, Havas Media Group India CEO, Mohit Joshi said, “Volatility and change are the new normal, at least for the next few years, and to make sure we are able to seamlessly navigate these uncertainties, we need to be future-ready. Converged is our solution for brands to continue to serve meaningful content to consumers throughout the customer journey and enable them to measure success against all metrics. The fundamental goal of this collaborative approach is to ensure that both the agency and client work in a data-driven culture, where data sits at the heart of strategic and investment decision making.”
Converged fuels the Mx system at every step in the process. It enables the creation of addressable audience segments based on first, second, or third party data and helps in generating robust audience insights. It helps build target audiences across channels and is directly connected to addressable media buying channels. As Havas’ common data platform, this also enables analysis, which assesses the success of audiences selected in campaigns thereby linking to the sales performance.
Havas Media, India head – digital services, Rohan Chincholi said, “Leveraging Converged to help generate consumer insights and reach them throughout their journey has proven to be of great value to our clients. We’re excited to continue to launch with new clients and additional data sources to drive even more meaningful media experiences for consumers.”
In India, Havas has collaborated with Eyeota, a leading data partner to global enterprises, & is planning on working with additional data providers to bring in further depth and insights. Converged, currently covers data from 16+ industries and traits classified by intent, interest, past purchase, owner/employment & socio-demographics.
Brands
Chipotle appoints Fernando Machado as chief brand officer
Marketing veteran to lead brand, digital push and global expansion plans
CALIFORNIA: Chipotle Mexican Grill has appointed Fernando Machado as its chief brand officer, effective 1 June, as the company sharpens its focus on brand building and digital-led growth.
The move comes shortly after Chipotle Mexican Grill chief executive officer Scott Boatwright took charge, signalling a renewed push to strengthen the brand’s global positioning and accelerate international expansion.
Most recently, Machado served as operating partner at Garnett Station Partners, where he supported portfolio brands on marketing and growth strategies. Prior to that, he was chief marketing officer at Activision Blizzard, leading campaigns for major gaming franchises.
He has also held senior roles at Restaurant Brands International, working across brands such as Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons, and spent over a decade at Unilever in global brand development roles.
In addition to his corporate experience, Machado is associated with the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity as dean of the Brand Marketers Academy, mentoring emerging marketing leaders.
At Chipotle, he will oversee brand strategy, creative direction and digital engagement, aligning marketing efforts with the company’s evolving consumer base and technology-led ambitions.
The appointment highlights Chipotle’s intent to blend strong brand storytelling with digital innovation as it looks to scale its presence in an increasingly competitive global market.
