MAM
McCann Erikson appoints Suraja Kishore as head planning
MUMBAI: There’s some change at top at the McCann Erikson office. The agency has roped in Suraja Kishore from Publicis Ambience for its Mumbai office as the head planning.
Suraja comes with over 17 year of experience and has worked on Idea Cellular – What an Idea, and the iconic Tata Tea – Jaago Re campaigns. On his new role, he said, “McCann Erickson is known for its creative force and it has brands that enjoy scale and size. I think it is the right place for strategic planning to make a real difference. I look forward to creating transformational brand stories that are based on powerful human truths.”
He is a postgraduate from Tata Institue of Social Science and began his career as a copywriter at the then Chaitra Leo Burnett. He began is planning stint in Mudra Delhi. He has worked on diverse categories and brands such as Croma, Ginger Hotels, Lakme, Axa Insurance, Citibank, Park Avenue Men grooming products, World Gold Council, Renault Duster, Henko Detergent, Tata Automotive, Hershey’s Milk Mix, Electrolux, Yamaha Motorcycles, Ariel Detergent and Suzlon, among others.
McCann Erikson president Govind Pandey said, “Suraja will gainfully enhance ME’s strategic planning prowess. He is a seasoned professional and has an interesting and rich way of seeing life and people. His contribution will enhance relevance for our brands by adding depth and nuance to our solutions.”
McCann Erickson Mumbai senior VP and GM Namrata Nandan added, “McCann Mumbai’s team is strengthened with Suraja’s addition, and we look forward to working together and creating great work for our brands.”
MAM
Safal launches coconut water campaign with Tara Sutaria
Month-long push promotes 100 per cent tender coconut water, no added sugar.
MUMBAI: When life gets heated, Safal wants you to keep your cool, the coconut way. Safal, the horticulture arm of Mother Dairy, has rolled out a new campaign for its packaged Coconut Water, featuring Tara Sutaria, as it sharpens its pitch in the fast-growing ready-to-drink segment. The campaign, anchored in the idea of #TheSafalWayToRecharge, positions the product as a quick, natural and convenient hydration option for multiple everyday moments.
Conceptualised by Ogilvy, the month-long campaign is led by a digital video commercial (DVC) and is being amplified across Safal’s digital platforms to drive visibility and engagement. The communication shifts coconut water from a situational drink to an all-day companion spanning everything from post-workout recovery to on-the-go refreshment.
The film opens on a familiar note: fatigue after a shopping spree. Tara Sutaria’s character pauses for a break before being handed a pack of Safal Coconut Water, setting up a simple but effective narrative around instant, natural recharge. The moment pivots from exhaustion to energy, underlining the brand’s promise of effortless refreshment.
The campaign builds on changing consumer preferences, where convenience meets a growing demand for better-for-you beverages. Safal’s offering taps into this shift with 100 per cent tender coconut water, no added sugar, and sourcing from Tamil Nadu aimed at delivering consistency in taste and quality.
Having introduced packaged coconut water in 2025, Safal is now doubling down on positioning moving beyond functional hydration to embed itself in daily lifestyle routines. The messaging is clear, recharge does not need to be complicated, it just needs to be natural and within reach.
With this campaign, Safal is not just selling a drink, it is staking a claim in the evolving refreshment narrative, one sip, one moment at a time.
