MAM
Leo Burnett snaps up Indigo Consulting to grow in India market
MUMBAI: The Publicis Groupe has swallowed full-service interactive and technology agency Indigo Consulting as part of its strategy to double the size of its India business by 2015.
Publicis‘ aggressive stance comes at a time when the growth in the matured markets is slowing down and global agencies are working out strategies to gain market share in India, the world‘s 16th largest advertising market.
Indigo Consulting will operate as a unit within the Leo Burnett Group in India and retain its name. Its founder, Vikas Tandon, will remain as managing director and will report to Leo Burnett chairman Indian subcontinent Arvind Sharma.
Sharma told indiantelevision.com that this is part of a broader plan to make digital Leo Burnett‘s core strategy. Over the next two years, digital will no longer be a specialised function at the periphery and for this Leo Burnett was looking to acquire an agency with scale. Through this move, Leo Burnett plans to reorient its staff of 450 professionals across the country to think of digita.
“In the next two to three years, we believe that digital will become central to marketing plans as TV and print are today. It is apparent that in the future brands will need to be ‘always on’ on the digital medium. As a preparation for that and to synergise the media, Leo Burnett decided to acquire Indigo,” he averred.
The induction of Indigo will be carried out in a four phased manner. The first step will be to integrate the Indigo offices in Delhi and Mumbai with the Leo Burnett offices over the next few weeks. The second phase, stretching for a whole year, will include mutual sharing between the entities.
Indigo will then be completely integrated with the Leo Burnett group over the next 18 months. The fourth phase will see the two working towards planning and executing digital efforts.
Leo Burnett Worldwide chairman and CEO Tom Bernardin said, “From a global point of view, the potential and opportunities that India offers are massive. Over the years we have increased our efforts into this important market. Indigo Consulting, with its strong track record as a full-service interactive and technology agency, is the perfect strategic fit for our aspirations in India and around the world.”
The alignment means that Leo Burnett will offer Indigo Consulting‘s digital marketing capabilities to its clients. There will also be cross-training and collaboration between the two entities.
Said Tandon, “We wanted to join hands with an ad agency that understands human insights. With Leo Burnett we found that not only do they understand human behaviour, but there is also a meeting of minds between us and them. It was important for us that combined with size and scale, the people from both sides gelled and we did not feel lost in a global conglomerate.”
Indigo Consulting provides website design and development, search engine optimisation, usability research and testing, and marketing online, on mobiles and in social media.
Leo Burnett Asia Pacific president Jarek Ziebinski said, “Our growth strategy for Leo Burnett in India and Asia Pacific is based on two core pillars: digital and shopper-marketing. India is a key market for us, and it’s reporting explosive growth in the digital sector. We want to make sure Leo Burnett has the right infrastructure in place to meet the needs of tomorrow. I also see Indigo Consulting developing beyond India, to become an important player within our network in Asia Pacific and globally.”
Currently advertising and marketing online represents less than three per cent of overall ad spend in India but the sector is expected to boom, according to ZenithOptimedia. The agency estimates that over the next three years, India’s digital ad spend will increase by roughly 30 per cent a year, driven by the spread of smartphones and the youth culture of social networks.
Founded in 2000, Indigo Consulting has been involved in developing websites, software solutions and digital marketing programs for clients around the world, including Asian Paints, HDFC Bank, HSBC (India, Asia-Pacific and Middle East), Loop Mobile, Tata AIG Insurance and South Australia Tourism. The agency currently employs a team of 160 at its Mumbai headquarters and Delhi office. Their work has been recognised with Webby awards, W3 awards and Abbys.
When you plan to buy medical insurance for your family, the first question is often about savings. You may assume that buying online automatically means paying less, but that is only part of the picture. The real issue is not just whether the premium looks lower, but whether the policy gives you suitable family health insurance without adding avoidable costs later.
Buying online can sometimes appear more budget-friendly because you can compare plans, review features, and complete the process without depending entirely on offline assistance.
Still, a lower visible price does not always mean better value. To understand whether you can truly save more, you need to look at the full buying experience and the policy terms together.
Why Online Purchase Can Look More Economical
When you explore family health insurance online, you usually get access to plan details in a more direct and organised way. This can make the buying journey feel simpler and more transparent.
A few reasons online purchases may seem cost-effective include:
● Easier comparison of policy features
● Direct access to premium details
● The ability to review inclusions and exclusions at your own pace
● Fewer chances of making a rushed decision
● More control over the plan selection process
This does not mean every online option is automatically cheaper. It simply means the online route may help you assess choices more carefully, and that itself can influence how much value you get from the policy you choose.
Saving Money is Not Only About a Lower Premium
A lower premium often catches your attention first, but that should not be the only measure of savings. If you buy medical insurance based only on what looks affordable at the start, you may overlook conditions that matter later.
A family health insurance policy should be judged on overall value, including:
● The scope of cover
● Waiting period terms
● Exclusions
● Room eligibility conditions
● Sub-limits, if any
● Claim-related terms
● Renewal conditions
If the premium is lower but the policy has stricter internal conditions, the apparent saving may not feel meaningful when you actually need hospitalisation support.
So, the better question is not only whether online purchase costs less, but whether it helps you select a plan that remains financially sensible over time.
Comparing Plans Online Can Prevent Overspending
One clear advantage of the online route is that it allows you to compare different options without pressure. This can help you avoid paying for features you may not need or missing features that matter for your family.
Before you buy medical insurance online, look closely at:
● Who can be covered under the plan
● How the sum insured works for the family
● Whether day care procedures are included
● How pre-existing illness rules are explained
● Whether add-ons are optional or built in
● How clearly the policy wording is presented
This level of comparison can support better decision-making. In many cases, savings come not only from the premium itself but from choosing a policy with fewer surprises.
Online Discounts Should be Viewed Carefully
Online discounts can make a plan look attractive, but they should always be read alongside the policy details. A discount may reduce the upfront cost, yet the true worth of the policy depends on what it covers and how it responds during a claim.
When reviewing discounted online plans, check whether the policy has:
● Treatment-specific limits
● Room rent restrictions
● Co-payment clauses
● Disease-wise waiting periods
● Claim deductions linked to the hospital category
● Limited cover for selected benefits
These points are important because a policy that looks cheaper at purchase may involve more out-of-pocket spending later. That is why discount-led buying should be replaced with detail-led buying.
Final Thoughts
Yes, buying online can sometimes help you save more when choosing family health insurance, but only if you look beyond the headline price. The online route may give you better visibility, easier comparison, and more time to review the policy terms.
That can support smarter choices and may reduce the chances of paying for a plan that does not suit your family well.
If you want to buy medical insurance online, treat savings as more than a discount. The real advantage lies in choosing family health insurance that balances affordability, clarity, and meaningful coverage for your household.
