MAM
Parthasarathy M A bids farewell to WPP after long media journey
MUMBAI: Parthasarathy M A, chief strategy officer for South Asia at GroupM, has announced his retirement, drawing the curtain on a remarkable career that spanned more than three decades across the WPP network.
In a heartfelt note, he shared that the decision follows 17 “lovely years” with WPP Media, where his journey began in 2009 at Mindshare India under the leadership of Gowthaman Gman. His early role as leader of business planning paved the way for a swift climb through the organisation, taking on mandates that ranged from heading Mindshare offices to becoming chief product officer and eventually Mindshare CEO.
Since March 2022, he has led GroupM’s strategy and consulting practice across India and South Asia, collaborating with strategy heads from each GroupM agency. His work spanned everything from nurturing communications planning talent to shaping tools, partnerships and analytics solutions for a wide spectrum of brands.
Before his WPP stint, Parthasarathy spent 14 formative years at HTA and JWT, handling marquee mandates including Ford across 11 Asia-Pacific and African markets.
Looking back, he described his time with WPP as a continuous cycle of learning and discovery, fuelled by inspiring mentors and clients who nudged him to stretch his abilities. As he steps away, he leaves with gratitude and the promise of cheering the network from the sidelines.
After three rewarding decades in advertising and media, he now looks forward to a well-deserved breather.
MAM
Lego brings Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappé, Vinicius together
Campaign clocks 314 million views ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 buzz.
MUMBAI: Four legends, one frame and not a single tackle in sight. Lego has pulled off a crossover few thought possible, uniting Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior in a single campaign ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 only this time, they’re building dreams brick by brick.
Titled “Everyone wants a piece”, the campaign features the quartet assembling a Lego version of the World Cup trophy, before placing miniature versions of themselves atop it, a playful nod to football’s ultimate prize. Shared widely across social media, the ad carries a pointed disclaimer: it is not AI-generated, a subtle but telling signal in an era where even reality is often questioned.
The numbers tell their own story. The campaign has already crossed 314 million views on Instagram across the players’ accounts, with fans hailing it as a rare, almost nostalgic moment particularly for the reunion of Messi and Ronaldo, whose last shared campaign ahead of the 2022 World Cup became one of the platform’s most-liked posts.
Beyond the film, Lego is extending the play with exclusive, player-themed sets tied to each of the four stars, part of a broader football-led programme designed to ride the global momentum building towards 2026. The idea, as echoed by the players themselves, leans into the parallels between football and play experimentation, creativity, failure, and triumph.
Messi described the sets as a way to bring on-pitch moments into an imaginative, hands-on world, while Ronaldo called the transformation into a Lego figure a rare honour, blending sport with storytelling. Vinícius, meanwhile, struck a more personal note, recalling childhood moments of building with Lego and framing creativity as a universal language that transcends borders.
The timing is no accident. With the 2026 World Cup set to run from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico, and featuring an expanded 48-team format, global anticipation is already building. Argentina, led by Messi, will enter as defending champions, adding another layer of intrigue.
For Lego, the campaign does more than celebrate football, it taps into its mythology. Because when icons become figurines and rivalries turn into play, the beautiful game finds a new kind of pitch. one built, quite literally, by hand.
