MAM
HUL’s ad spend up 15.7% to Rs 28.3 bn in FY’11
MUMBAI: For broadcasters who are clamouring for increase in advertising rates, there is a piece of good news.
Hindustan Unilever, the largest ad spender in the country, has upped its spending on a consolidated basis for the fiscal ended 31 March 2011, more than offsetting Marico‘s marginal drop.
India‘s largest household products and consumer goods maker has increased its spend on advertising and promotions by 15.68 per cent to Rs 28.33 billion during the fiscal, up from Rs 24.49 billion in the year-ago period.
Ad spending on a standalone basis also rose 15.59 per cent to Rs 27.64 billion for the fiscal, from Rs 23.91 billion.
However, HUL has cut down its standalone ad spend for the fourth quarter, albeit marginally. The company, which owns brands such as Dove soap, Clinic shampoo and Closeup toothpaste, spent Rs 6.23 billion towards advertising and sales promotion, down from Rs 6.26 billion a year ago.
For the quarter, HUL increased brand investment in the personal products and food segment.
“A&P spends, at Rs.6.23 billion, remained competitive at 12.7 per cent of sales, with increased brand investment in personal products and foods,” the company said in a statement.
The company said net profit in the fourth quarter ended March fell to Rs 5.69 billion, from Rs 5.81 billion a year ago.
The company‘s cost of goods sold went up by 290 basis points in the quarter.
Marico had earlier announced a marginal drop in its ad spend for the fiscal. The company, which manufactures hair-oil brand Parachute, had spent Rs 3.46 billion towards advertising and sales promotion for the year ended 31 March 2011. In the previous fiscal, Marico had an ad spend of Rs 3.51 billion.
MAM
Infectious Advertising promotes Siddhartha Singh to CEO and managing partner
Leadership reshuffle sees Nisha Singhania shift focus to strategy and growth
MUMBAI: Infectious Advertising has elevated Siddhartha Singh to chief executive officer and managing partner, marking a key leadership transition at the independent agency.
Singh, who previously served as chief operating officer, has been credited with strengthening the agency’s operational framework and deepening client relationships during a phase of sustained growth. His elevation signals a continued push towards integrating strategy and creativity while scaling the business.
As part of the reshuffle, Nisha Singhania, co-founder and managing partner, will step away from day-to-day executive responsibilities to focus on strategic initiatives and the agency’s next growth phase.
Infectious Advertising co-founders and managing partners Nisha Singhania and Ramanuj Shastry said, “Siddhartha understands both the ambition and the soul of this agency. This elevation reflects the trust he has earned over the years.”
Infectious Advertising chief executive officer Siddhartha Singh said, “Infectious has always been about creating work that people care about. I’m humbled by the trust and excited to lead the agency at a time when there is a significant opportunity to create real impact.”
In his new role, Singh will work closely with the founders to steer the agency’s next phase, with a focus on deeper strategic integration, long-term client partnerships, and continued investment in talent and culture.
The transition underscores the agency’s emphasis on internal leadership development as it looks to build a future-ready organisation anchored in its core values.
