MAM
Havas Media’s ‘digital at the core’ strategy has paid off, says Anita Nayyar
MUMBAI: Havas Media Group India posted a stellar performance in 2014. As per the company, it won new business worth over Rs 200 crore in 2014.
Last year witnessed the integrated business wins of clients like Emirates, World Kabaddi League Yepme, MTS (re-win), LIC, BBC, Borosil, Assetz Property Group, OCM India and Hi Care among others. Havas Media also won digital specific mandates of Xolo Mobiles, BusinessWorld and Starbucks.
The RECMA mid-year 2014 Qualitative Evaluation reported Havas Media India growing at 35 per cent, much higher than the industry average.
Havas Media India and south Asia CEO Anita Nayyar said, “Havas Media’s ‘digital at the core’ strategy has richly paid off. Our integrated offering and approach has been appreciated by our clients as well as prospects. Clients have loved our Meaningful Brands Study and the Meaningful Connections Planning process along with our challenger brand attitude has been the key differentiator in the market. However, we at Havas Media are not just about business but also about people. We are known as the ‘Happy Agency’ in the market and many of our ‘old employees’ are eager to join back the Havas family – this according to me is our greatest strength.”
“We are known in the industry for our passion and transparency. We ensure significant senior management involvement in all our clients. Our view of media is integrated and this is further demonstrated by the fact that most of our recent wins have all been integrated. 2015 is a new year with new challenges, however given our strong leadership we are all set to make this year too a remarkable one,” added Havas Media India MD Mohit Joshi.
The Havas Media Group India client roster includes Parle Products India, Hyundai Motor India, Quikr.com, LGE India, Tata Motors, VLCC, AMWAY Beauty, Taj Hotels, Dupont India, Sleepwell, R.K. Marble Group, Voltas India, Ista Hotels amongst others.
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
