MAM
Publicis co MSL bags gold, silver & two bronze Lions
MUMBAI: MSL India (Publicis Groupe’s Strategic Communications and Engagement Firm) is honoured to share the spotlight with its sister agencies, in four wins at the recently concluded Cannes 2017.
The winning campaigns of #GiveHer5-The Ammada Trust, HPCL Roads That Honk and Vicks #Touchofcare, involved crucial strategic communication approach to drive conversations and impact. It has thus made MSL India’s role and involvement significant.
“The wins are a true reflection of the power of strategic PR counsel in creating the right conversations that lead to measurable impact. As we continue to work with greater collaboration under Publicis Groupe’s ‘Power of One’, our mission is to consistently raise the quality of our work and partner our clients to deliver integrated solutions. All in-line with our promise to be a communication partner that provides strategic counsel and creative thinking,” said MSL India CEO Amit Misra.
The wins include: #GiveHer5, The Ammada Trust – Gold Glass Lion, entered by Law & Kenneth Saatchi & Saatchi.
In rural India, ‘period’ is a dirty word. Women are not allowed to water plants, wash her hair, sleep in the same room as anyone else, or enter religious spaces, kitchens. Period-shaming had stunted necessary dialogue about menstrual hygiene. Lack of affordable protection, and culturally-ingrained practice of segregation, meant that over 400 million rural women are being forced to miss 5 days every month. India’s women are falling behind for being women. So, the campaign turned to the urban advantaged to help bridge the gap. For just 2.5$ with Saafkins – the 12-hour, antimicrobial, reusable menstrual protection could help these women. Thus #GiveHer5 was born.
Acknowledging MSL India’s significant involvement which contributed to the win, Praveen Kenneth, Chairman, Co-owner and MD at L&K Saatchi & Saatchi said, “I am a firm believer that passion and hard-work always deliver great results. Born from a self-interest to support betterment of girl child in India, the mission and goals of #GiveHer5 have surpassed all our expectations. In a campaign of such nature, while it was definitely imperative for us to drive mass reach to crowdsource support, the more important and tougher task was bringing to light the issue and creating awareness with action; a task more than well managed by MSL. Their strategic communication counsel and approach, makes them an equal partner in this win.”
Roads that Honk, HPCL – Silver Innovation Lion, entered by Leo Burnett India and Bronze Lion in Design (Promotional Item Design) Category.
#RoadsThatHonk is aimed at safer highways across Indian roads. The innovation, was launched on NH1 in North India, along the Jammu-Srinagar Highway (a road that is touted as one of the most precarious highways by National Geographic). The idea of “Roads that Honk,” was to build the world’s first ever road that honks at drivers to avoid head-on collisions and casualties. With the use of radar and sound, the product was the first of a kind solution to respond directly with speeding drivers, getting them to slow down and drive safely around deadly hairpin turns.
“A great example of how collaboration and the right strategic communication mix can create a big impact. MSL’s role was instrumental in the win, since it was imperative for the campaign to create the right conversations around the idea and its innovation and earn credibility. MSL delivered and deserves as much credit for the win as Leo Burnett,” said Saurabh Varma, CEO, Publicis Communications India and CEO, Leo Burnett South Asia.
Vicks #TouchofCare – Bronze, Entertainment Lion: Vicks, for decades, has centered its communication on ‘family-care’. With changing lifestyles, Vicks understood that contemporary families are no longer defined by biological ties alone. Acknowledging this evolving dynamic, Vicks decided to be a beacon for redefining the modern family in India through #TouchOfCare. The centerpiece of the campaign was a film that shared the heartwarming real-life story of Gauri Sawant, a transgender woman who takes on the responsibility to care for a young girl, Gayatri.
Endorsing MSL’s contribution Nitin Darbari, Chairman and CEO P&G Teva JV China, Marketing Director Asia, Middle East and Africa said, “Vicks #TouchofCare work by MSL is a great example of how power of an idea coupled with strong agency can delivery wonders even at low budgets. The MSL team tapped creatively into the full network of celebrities and influencers with virtually no budget and based on the strength of the idea delivered outstanding value in amplifying the story of Vicks Touchofcare.
So, did Ritu Mittal, Country Brand Marketing Manager, Procter & Gamble, “MSL team was exemplary in working the end to end PR plan & execution on TouchOfCare campaign. The team managed everything within a very limited budget and demonstrated superb agility. The campaign received an overwhelming response across global and national publications as a result of the relentless efforts made by this team.”
Brands
Sun Pharma to acquire Organon in $11.75 billion deal at $14 per share
Acquisition to create $12.4 billion pharma giant with global scale and biosimilars push
MUMBAI: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Organon & Co. in an all-cash deal valued at $11.75 billion, marking one of the largest cross-border pharma acquisitions by an Indian firm.
Under the terms of the agreement, Organon shareholders will receive $14.00 per share in cash, with Sun Pharma set to acquire 100 per cent of the company’s outstanding shares. The transaction, approved by the boards of both companies, is expected to close in early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder consent.
The deal significantly expands Sun Pharma’s global footprint and strengthens its position across women’s health, biosimilars, and branded generics. The combined entity is projected to generate revenues of around $12.4 billion, placing it among the top 25 pharmaceutical companies globally.
Organon, which was spun off from Merck in 2021, brings a portfolio of over 70 products spanning women’s health and general medicines, with operations across more than 140 countries. Its established presence in key markets such as the US, Europe, and China complements Sun Pharma’s existing strengths and growth ambitions.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited executive chairman Dilip Shanghvi said, “This transaction represents a significant opportunity for Sun Pharma to build on its vision of reaching people and touching lives. Organon’s portfolio, capabilities and global reach are highly complementary to our own.”
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited managing director Kirti Ganorkar added, “This transaction is a logical next step in strengthening Sun Pharma’s global business. Together, we will become a partner of choice for acquiring and launching new products.”
From Organon’s side, Organon & Co. executive chair Carrie Cox noted, “This all-cash transaction offers compelling and immediate value to Organon stockholders, while positioning the business for continued growth under Sun Pharma.”
Strategically, the acquisition gives Sun Pharma entry into the global biosimilars space as a top 10 player and strengthens its innovative medicines portfolio, which is expected to contribute around 27 per cent of combined revenues. The deal is also expected to nearly double EBITDA and cash flow, supporting long-term deleveraging and investment capacity.
Sun Pharma plans to fund the acquisition through a mix of internal accruals and committed financing from global banks, while maintaining focus on disciplined integration and operational continuity post-merger.
If completed as planned, the deal signals a clear shift in India’s pharmaceutical ambitions, from scale at home to leadership on the global stage, with Sun Pharma positioning itself as a more diversified and innovation-led healthcare powerhouse.
