MAM
Publicis India strengthens creative leadership team in New Delhi
MUMBAI: In a major boost to the creative function in New Delhi, Publicis India has announced the appointment of two seasoned creatives to drive the mandate for the Northern region. Joining the enthusiastic fold in New Delhi are Vikash Chemjong and Basabjit ‘Tito’ Majumdar, who have been appointed National Creative Directors respectively. The duo would be assisting the team in driving creative transformation and growth for a host of brands including Nestlé India, FunFoods by Dr. Oetker, Monte Carlo, Nescafe Sunrise, Jindal Stainless Steel, Ebro Foods, Goodricke Group among others.
The duo would be reporting to Ajay Gahlaut, CCO & MD of Publicis India.
Between them, Vikash and Basabjit are armed with over three decades of creative experience having proved their mettle across multiple advertising agencies. Their combined creative ideation and work execution has enabled numerous brands gain amazing strides across various categories. Not to forget the numerous award accolades that have come their way over the course of their professional advertising stint.
Commenting on their joining, Ajay Gahlautsaid: “It is with great pleasure and excitement that I welcome Vikash Chemjong and Basabjit ‘Tito’ Majumdaras NCDs and creative heads of the Delhi office. I am sure their joining will give us a new energy and help in transforming our creative product. I have been fortunate enough to have worked with them for more than a decade and I can vouch for their talent, passion and commitment to the highest creative standards.”
Sharing her views, Srija Chatterjee, MD, Publicis India added: “Our creative offering in New Delhi now receives a huge boost with the coming in of Vikash and Tito. Based on the work they’ve put out in the past, I’m confident that the teams will gain from their immense eye for newness and put out inspiring and transformational work in the marketplace. And doing this while keeping the Power of One philosophy at the heart of every brief that they crack.”
Both Vikash and Basabjit – aka Tito by his peers and colleagues, have been jointly charming several clients with their brand of work. Prior to joining Publicis India, Basabjit and Vikash were both Group Creative Directors at Ogilvy India managing work for a host of clients including Mother Dairy, MaxLife Insurance, Motorola, Campus, Philips, Eicher, Wills Life Style, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut among others. Together, they have garnered multiple accolades across several advertising festivals including Cannes Lions, Effies, One Show, D&AD among others.
Sharing his reasons for joining Publicis India, Basabjit said: “I guess, sometimes too much of a good thing is bad. So after all the work we did and the awards we won, we were getting a little too comfortable in Ogilvy! So with this opportunity, I felt it was the perfect way to shake that lethargy and get down to do what we do best – start cracking some sizzling ideas…!”
Adding his views, Vikashsaid: “After 12 fabulous years, nobody thought I would ever leave Ogilvy, including me! But thenPublicis happened. It was too good an opportunity to let go – in terms of our growth, the people we were getting to work with andalso the vision for the type of advertising that was exciting. Well, here’s to another 12 fabulous years here!!”
Basabjit has dedicated over 19 years to advertising having worked most of his life at Ogilvy India and previously at Leo Burnett. Vikash has over two decades experience in advertising having started his career at Bates in 1999. He has also worked across Capital Advertising, Saatchi & Saatchi, Rediffusion DY&R & Ogilvy & Mather over his illustrious career.
MAM
BLR Airport Launches ‘Connections’ Service to Ease Transit Travel
New initiative targets smoother transfers as Bengaluru hub traffic rises 30 per cent.
MUMBAI: Missed connections may be a traveller’s nightmare but Bengaluru is trying to make them a thing of the past. Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has rolled out ‘Connections by BLR’, a new transfer programme designed to take the friction out of connecting journeys. Built around three pillars ease, efficiency and experience,the initiative aims to simplify what is often the most stressful leg of air travel.
The move comes as transfer traffic at BLR Airport climbs sharply, up more than 30 per cent year-on-year. Transfers currently account for around 15 per cent of total passenger traffic and are projected to touch 20 per cent by 2026, signalling a clear shift in how the airport is positioning itself within airline networks.
At its core, the programme focuses on making navigation intuitive and downtime more comfortable. Dedicated transfer desks have been set up across terminals, supported by colour-coded wayfinding blue and yellow signage designed for quick recognition. Inter-terminal movement is being streamlined through complimentary shuttle services with predictable wait times, while designated transfer zones aim to reduce passenger confusion.
Beyond logistics, the airport is leaning into experience. Travellers in transit now have access to a wider choice of lounges, curated retail and food and beverage options, as well as sleeping pods for short stays. For longer layovers, transit hotels in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 offer boutique in-terminal accommodation, an increasingly sought-after feature as global travel patterns evolve.
The timing is strategic. BLR Airport now connects to 114 passenger destinations 80 domestic and 34 international with key routes spanning Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune domestically, and Singapore, London Heathrow, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur internationally. Recent additions such as Hindon, Bidar and Silchar within India, alongside Dammam, Hanoi and Riyadh overseas, are further expanding its reach.
Infrastructure is also catching up with ambition. Developments including the West Cross Taxiway, Terminal 1 refurbishment and Terminal 2 expansion are laying the groundwork for higher capacity and smoother operations critical for any airport aiming to become a serious transfer hub.
Bangalore International Airport Limited chief operating officer Girish Nair framed the initiative as both a response to demand and a forward-looking play. He pointed to the growing depth of the airport’s network and the opportunity to build a more reliable transfer ecosystem that benefits both passengers and airline partners.
In an era where travel is as much about transitions as destinations, BLR Airport is betting that a seamless connection might just be the journey’s most important upgrade.
