AD Agencies
IPG Mediabrands chief Eileen Kiernan exits as Omnicom integration kicks in
NEW YORK: The Omnicom IPG shake-up is claiming a high-profile casualty. Eileen Kiernan, global chief executive of IPG Mediabrands, is set to leave as the network disappears into Omnicom Media in early 2026. Her departure, flagged in an internal memo, underlines the scale of upheaval ripping through the newly combined empire.
The $13bn takeover of Interpublic Group has already unleashed thousands of layoffs, the retirement of three long-standing agency brands and a boardroom reshuffle across continents. India has not been spared. Shashi Sinha shifts to strategic advisor while Amardeep Singh grabs the chief operating officer remit in the redesigned structure. Mediabrands itself shuts down as a standalone unit, absorbed into a single global media machine.
Kiernan, who took charge of Mediabrands in 2023 and previously led the Johnson & Johnson account, promised more change ahead. She thanked staff for commitment during a turbulent period and plans to stay through the first months of 2026 to ensure a smooth handover to Omnicom Media chief executive Florian Adamski.
The new Omnicom Media umbrella houses six network agencies: OMD, PHD and Hearts & Science from Omnicom, plus UM, Initiative and Mediahub from IPG. Omnicom Media Investment, Outdoor Media Group and Kinesso form the commercial spine, while Acxiom and Annalect anchor the data layer. Specialist units including Omnicom Media Health, Ptarmigan, TRKKN, Optimum Sports, Fuse and Creo bolt onto the structure.
Leadership will largely come from the Omnicom bench. Justin Wroe, until now US chief of Mediabrands, becomes chief commercial officer. Daniel Fox and Jonathan Rigby retain key seats as chief investment officer and chief strategy officer.
Industry watchers expect the merged giant to flex formidable media-buying muscle and tilt the flow of billions in global ad spend. The consolidation is far from over. The disruption has only just begun and the dust is nowhere close to settling.
AD Agencies
Havas Life Mumbai & Shobiz team up to offer experiential healthcare solutions in India
Alliance blends science-led strategy with immersive experiences for pharma brands
MUMBAI: In a move aimed at reshaping how healthcare brands connect with their audiences, Havas Life Mumbai and Shobiz have joined forces to deliver integrated experiential solutions for India’s healthcare and pharmaceutical sector.
The partnership brings together two distinct strengths under Havas India. On one side is Havas Life Mumbai’s deep grounding in medical and scientific communications, and on the other, Shobiz’s expertise in large-scale experiential design and execution. The aim is simple but ambitious: to bridge the long-standing gap between science-heavy strategy and high-impact on-ground experiences.
As healthcare communication grows more complex, the industry is shifting away from traditional messaging towards engagement that is immersive, measurable and compliant. This collaboration seeks to meet that demand by offering end-to-end solutions that connect with healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers in more meaningful ways.
The joint offering will tap into emerging technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality and AI-led interactive platforms. These tools are expected to help simplify complex medical information while making engagement more dynamic and outcome-focused.
Havas Health global chief client officer and CEO Apac-Latam Charles Houdoux said, “By bringing together scientific depth and experience design, we are creating a new model of engagement where knowledge and emotion work hand in hand. This is about improving understanding, building trust and ultimately driving better patient outcomes.”
Havas India group CEO Rana Barua added, “This partnership allows us to move beyond conventional formats and create experiences that are more relevant and impactful for the health and wellness space. It reflects where the future of healthcare engagement is headed.”
Havas Life Mumbai managing director Dorelle Kulkarni noted that brands today need more than just communication. “They need experiences that make complex science easier to understand and inspire action. This collaboration enables us to deliver exactly that, with measurable impact.”
Echoing the sentiment, Shobiz CEO Sameer Tobaccowala said, “The future lies in combining credibility with creativity. Together, we can offer integrated platforms that not only engage but also deliver real business outcomes.”
With this alliance, the Havas network is betting big on experience-led healthcare communication. If executed well, the partnership could set a new benchmark for how medical science is not just communicated, but truly experienced across India.
