MAM
MediaCom tops COMvergence New Business Barometer for 2018
MUMBAI: MediaCom has been named as the world’s most successful agency network of 2018 in the COMvergence New Business Barometer Full Year 2018 report.
MediaCom’s net gains of $2.2 billion in new business billings (which includes $2 billion in the top 12 countries) factors in $893 million of retained business. Key account wins for MediaCom during this period included Adidas, Bose, Mars and Hilton, while the agency also retained the Shell account after competitive pitches, along with Sky in the UK.
The COMvergence report assesses more than 2,250 media account moves and retentions across 34 countries totalling $30.4 billion.
In addition to topping the global table, MediaCom was the most successful agency in North America and APAC.
This performance maintains MediaCom’s incredible growth of the last two years. In 2017, COMvergence reported that the agency won $2.1bn of new business billings, winning clients such as PSA Peugeot Citroën, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Richemont, and Falabella.
MediaCom worldwide chairman and CEO Stephen Allan said: “This is a really fantastic result and one we are very proud of. At MediaCom, we believe in putting people first to get better results – for us and our clients – and our consistent performance over the last year goes some way to proving that we are delivering on this promise. We’re going to continue working hard to stay at the top in 2019 and keep growing our clients’ businesses!”
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.
