AD Agencies
Leo Burnett, BBDO shine at The Epica Awards 2016
MUMBAI: Leo Burnett India has bagged India’s sole gold at the 2016 edition of the Epica Awards for its ‘Reuniting Memories from 1947’ (Dastaan) campaign for OLX.
Excited about the wins, Leo Burnett south Asia chief creative officer RajDeepak Das said, “When we realised that OLX is the no. 1 marketplace for used goods in India and Pakistan, we saw an opportunity to help people reunite with their priceless pre-Partition belongings and memories; we received thousands of stories from both sides in no time.”
Additionally, its work for Bajaj V, ‘Sons of Vikrant’, too bagged a bronze. The Epica Awards celebrate work from advertising, design, media, PR and digital that has been chosen by renowned journalists from the marketing and communications fraternity, across the world.
The work for OLX bagged the Gold under the ‘Native Advertising’ category, while Bajaj V’s campaign won for ‘Films & Series’.
The wins have even played their part in helping Leo Burnett secure the coveted ‘Network of the Year’ title this year, by bagging 49 metals to its name including 12 gold.
On the other hand BBDO New York claimed the agency of the year title with 19 wins which includes a gold.
The Epica Awards were established in 1987, and is the only award that is judged by marketing and communications specialist journalists from over 60 publications, including magazines and websites, globally. The prize attracts entries from over 70 countries, each year. The ceremony was held in Amsterdam on 17 November.
AD Agencies
Havas Media Network India bags integrated media mandate for Aakash Educational Services Limited
PivotRoots and Arena Media to drive 360° strategy for student outreach
NEW DELHI: Havas Media Network India has secured the integrated media mandate for Aakash Educational Services Limited, following a competitive multi-agency pitch, signalling a fresh push by the education major to sharpen its reach among students nationwide.
The mandate will be jointly handled by PivotRoots and Arena Media, both part of the Havas network. Together, they will roll out a full-spectrum media strategy designed to boost AESL’s visibility across digital and traditional platforms.
At the heart of the partnership lies a simple idea: making the brand not just seen, but sought after. The agencies will blend data, technology and creative storytelling to craft campaigns that resonate with students and parents navigating an increasingly digital-first education landscape.
Aakash Educational Services Limited SVP marketing Kanika Kumar Nijhawan said, “At Aakash, we believe success is built through a structured, long-term and data-driven approach. As we expand across the country, adopting a more integrated approach to media is essential. This partnership marks a significant step towards building stronger connections with our audiences.”
Under the arrangement, PivotRoots will spearhead digital and performance marketing, covering social media, influencer collaborations and data-led optimisation. Meanwhile, Arena Media will focus on traditional channels including print, television, radio, cinema and outdoor advertising, ensuring consistent messaging across touchpoints.
Havas Media Network India chief executive officer Mohit Joshi said, “Delivering for a powerhouse like AESL requires both scale and precision. By combining Arena Media and PivotRoots, we are deploying our Converged.AI platform to create a 360-degree strategy that drives engagement, conversions and long-term growth.”
Echoing the sentiment, PivotRoots founder and chief executive officer Shibu Shivanandan added that the collaboration would focus on building “impactful, full-funnel experiences” powered by deep analytics and performance-led marketing.
With a strong legacy in coaching for medical and engineering entrance exams, AESL is now doubling down on integrated media to stay ahead in a crowded, fast-evolving education market. The partnership with Havas signals a clear intent: to turn visibility into meaningful engagement and, ultimately, student success.
