MAM
Publicis Worldwide India ropes in Sumant Bhattacharya as EVP – strategy
Mumbai: Publicis Worldwide India (PWW), part of Publicis Groupe India has appointed Sumant Bhattacharya as its executive vice president – strategy.
With a remarkable track record spanning over two decades in the ad and marketing industry, Bhattacharya brings a wealth of experience and expertise in developing end-to-end communications strategies that seamlessly blend data-driven insights and creative storytelling. He has worked with leading Indian and global brands, establishing himself as an expert in the field.
In his new role at Publicis Worldwide, Bhattacharya will be responsible for developing brand solutions, backed by cutting-edge creativity and strategic insights across all touchpoints. Recognising the significance of comprehensively understanding the consumer journey, he aims to provide effective solutions through an integrated approach. Reporting directly to Publicis Worldwide India, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, and Saatchi & Saatchi Propagate chief strategy officer Snehasis Bose, Bhattacharya will play a pivotal role in driving the agency’s strategic planning functions.
Furthermore, in addition to his responsibilities at Publicis Worldwide India, Bhattacharya will also oversee the planning for Propagate businesses.
Prior to joining Publicis Worldwide India, Bhattacharya served as the national head for communications planning at Motivator, a GroupM agency where he made invaluable contributions to devising solutions that seamlessly integrated brand strategy, consumer culture, market prioritisation, content and activation, social media, and influencer strategies. Bhattacharya has also held positions at agencies such as Lowe Lintas, Grey, JWT, Leo Burnett, and Mudra, among others.
Throughout his career, Bhattacharya has led success stories for numerous brands across various sectors. His strategic acumen has benefited brands including Google, Nestle, Dabur, Maruti, Himalaya Wellness, Kalyan Jewelers, Absolut, Jameson, World Gold Council, and Sun Pharma, among others.
Bose said, “Sumant’s diverse experience across the spectrum of communications makes him a unique professional to work with. Looking at the intersection of culture, technology, sales, marketing, and media, his lens and therefore solutions are new and fresh. I am looking forward to partnering with him in offering our clients outstanding business growth solutions and delivering on Publicis Worldwide’s mission of ‘Creativity To Drive Brand Value.”
Bhattacharya said, “In today’s business landscape, brands must leverage all available means to amplify their voice. Publicis Worldwide’s philosophy of strategic creative ideas, backed by data and technology resonated with me the most. The agency’s leadership and the entire team embody this philosophy energetically and passionately. I am eager to contribute to the creation of brand-out, demand-generating strategies combined with conversion-oriented, demand-harvesting approaches. In short, I am committed to delivering work that upholds strategic rigour and delivers exceptional results.”
Bhattacharya’s remarkable work has earned recognition at prestigious awards such as Effies (India and APAC). He has also contributed his insights and expertise to industry publications including WPP BrandZ India, WARC, and GroupM-MMA. Furthermore, Bhattacharya has shared his knowledge by teaching modules at esteemed institutions such as MDI, MICA, and IIMC.
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.
