AD Agencies
Maitri Advertising shines at Goafest 2024
Mumbai: Maitri Advertising Works made history at Goafest 2024, India’s premier advertising award show, by becoming the first agency from Kerala to win the coveted Grand Prix. In addition to this top honour, Maitri earned a silver, a bronze, and three merit awards, solidifying its position as a leader in the South Indian advertising industry.
The highlight of Maitri’s success was a five-minute promotional film for Netflix’s popular series “Sex Education,” featuring popular actress Shakeela. The film, which depicts a humorous yet informative scenario of a driving lesson that turns into a sex education class, stood out for its creative storytelling and tasteful approach. The campaign went viral, drawing significant media attention and acclaim.
“Shakeela is often linked to soft porn films that distort the essence of sexual relationships. In our film, we sought to redefine this narrative by embracing a positive stance on sex education, even with Shakeela’s participation. With the boundless creativity of our young team and the unwavering support of Netflix, we achieved this vision,” remarked R. Venugopal, Ideation Director at Maitri.
Francis Thomas, Group Creative Director, noted the transformative changes in the advertising landscape over recent years. “For the last couple of years, there have been revolutionary changes in the advertising field,” he said. He emphasized the shift from producing single-language ads and dubbing them into multiple languages to creating original content in five South Indian languages. “This is a recognition of the strong support from the market towards such content,” Thomas added.
Chairman C. Muthu highlighted “Big companies starting from Muthoot Finance, Swiggy, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar to Crafton Games have partnered with Maitri because of their expertise in the creative and tactical skills developed over the years,”. Managing Director Raju Menon celebrated this achievement, stating, “This is not just a win for Maitri but for the innovation and inclusivity in Indian advertising and the beginning of a new era in advertising.”
With 28 years of experience, Maitri operates offices in Kochi, Trivandrum, Maldives, Seychelles, and Bangalore. Their extensive client list includes Mathrubhumi, Muthoot Finance, AVT, Kerala Tourism, myG, Lazza Icecreams, KLF Nirmal Industries, Brahmins (Wipro), Asianet, Swiggy, Amul, IM Galvanised Steel Pipes, Alappat Jewellery, Hyundai, Kerala Vision, KSIDC, KINFRA, Oushadhi, and Kottakkal.
Maitri’s remarkable performance at Goafest 2024 is a milestone for the agency and a testament to the innovative and inclusive nature of the Indian advertising industry.
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.
