MAM
Ishrath Nawaz joins Publics India as ECD
MUMBAI: Publicis India has appointed Ishrath Nawaz as its new executive creative director.
Nawaz joins Publicis India from McCann Worldwide where he was senior creative director. He will be based out of Mumbai and report to Bobby Pawar, CCO and MD of South Asia for Publicis India.
As part of his remit, Nawaz will manage the creative mandate and drive the next phase of growth for a host of brands under Publicis India.
Nawaz is a seasoned creative professional whose illustrious career spans nearly two decades across agencies. At McCann Worldwide, he has managed brands like Saffola and Parachute from Marico, Jet Airways, Asian Paints, Radio Mirchi 98.3, Western Union and Bosch amongst others. Prior to that, he was the creative director at Soho Square where he lent his ideas and creative skills in launching the Tiago from Tata Motors, YES Bank, Aprilia and Franklin Templeton. Ishrath has also worked in senior roles across other agencies including Saatchi & Saatchi, Draft FCB + Ulka and Rediffusion DYR. He has worked on a range of brands including Airtel, Bajaj Electricals, P&G – Head & Shoulders, Pampers, Ariel; Skoda, Carlsberg, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Jet Airways and Thomas Cook.
Welcoming him to the agency, Bobby Pawar says: “We’ve been on this journey of upping our creative game for the last three, four years. It’s resulted in some landmark campaigns. Ishrath adds to our talent pool, leadership pool and our drive. He’s a bright guy with a body of cool stuff in his bag, and I’m confident he will help us raise our game even more. Plus, he shares my love for poetry.”
Commenting on the appointment, Publicis India MD Srija Chatterjee adds, “Ishrath comes with a rich creative background having handled a host of brands across multiple agencies. His knack to come up with quick and customisable solutions on any given creative brief is what makes him a talent to watch for. Not to forget the many laurels his works have won across multiple award shows. We are happy to have him in our fold and look forward to a creative transformation on the brands that he will handle.”
Sharing his views on joining the agency and also his role, Nawaz mentions, “There are but a few times in your life when you get an opportunity to make a difference. To change, create, shape and mould things, into something extraordinary. To me, this is one of those times. Because Publicis India is on the brink of something special. The market is ripe for the vision that the agency has. And I, therefore, count myself lucky. With a powerhouse leadership team in Bobby Pawar, Srija Chatterjee, and Ravpreet Ganesh, there are great things in store in the days to come. My mandate is simple: take Publicis to the next level. And with their support, I hope to be able to do that, and more.”
Brands
Hyundai and TVS Motor partner to develop electric three wheelers
Joint development pact targets last mile mobility with localisation push
MUMBAI: Three wheels, one big ambition and a charge towards the future. Hyundai Motor Company and TVS Motor Company have signed a joint development agreement to co-create electric three-wheelers (E3Ws), aiming to crack India’s complex last-mile mobility puzzle. The collaboration moves beyond concept talk into execution mode, building on the E3W prototype first showcased at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. The goal now is clear, design, develop and commercialise a purpose-built vehicle tailored to Indian roads, riders and realities.
Under the agreement, Hyundai will lead design and co-development, bringing its global R&D muscle and human-centric engineering approach to the table. TVS Motor, meanwhile, will anchor the product on its electric platform, leveraging deep three-wheeler expertise and local market insight. It will also handle manufacturing and sales in India, with an eye on exports down the line.
The timing is strategic. India remains the world’s largest three-wheeler market, where affordability, durability and adaptability often outweigh sheer innovation. The upcoming E3W aims to strike that balance combining advanced technology with practical features such as adaptive ground clearance for monsoon-hit roads, improved thermal management for tropical climates, and flexible interiors suited for passengers, cargo or emergency use.
A key pillar of the partnership is localisation. Major components will be sourced and manufactured within India, a move expected to strengthen the domestic supply chain, create jobs, lower costs and improve after-sales support.
The shift from prototype to production will involve rigorous testing, certification and refinement to meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations. Dedicated cross-functional teams from both companies are already in place to accelerate timelines.
At a broader level, the tie-up reflects a growing trend in mobility, global players partnering with local specialists to navigate emerging markets. For Hyundai and TVS, the bet is that combining scale with street-level insight could unlock a new chapter in sustainable urban transport, one that runs not just on electricity, but on relevance.
