MAM
Rediffusion – Y&R appoints Parag Shahane as creative head – art
MUMBAI: Rediffusion – Y&R has further strengthened its creative team in Mumbai by hiring Parag Shahane as creative head – art department.
Shahane will report to Rediffusion Y&R national creative director N Padmakumar.
Shahane has previously worked with Mudra Communications, Lowe, FCB Ulka, Percept and Forefront. He also had an international stint with JWT Colombo for a span of three years.
Rediffusion – Y&R VP Neville Medhora said, “Parag brings a lot of energy and passion in to our Mumbai team. His cross-category experience will surely add a lot of value to our clients’ brands. I am confident that Parag will continue to carve out some great work and add value to our clients.”
Shahane started his career with Forefront Advertising in Mumbai and later moved to FCB Ulka. After a two-stint at FCB Ulka, Shahane joined Lowe, from where he moved to Sri Lanka to join JWT Colombo.
Shahane returned to India three years later and joined Percept H. After working for close to three years at the agency, he moved Mudra in August 2007 and worked there for over three years.
Shahane stated, “The scope of work that most of Rediff’s brands have to offer is remarkable. They have built some great iconic brands and continue to partner them in their journey. I am glad to be a part of a very positive and visionary creative team headed by Paddy. I am looking forward to this new phase in my career and am optimistic that it will indeed be fruitful.”
In a career spanning more than 15 years, Shahane has handled various brands such as Union Bank, MTDC, Pepsi, Sunsilk, Unilever Corp, Idea, Red Cross, Novartis, Mahindra Two Wheelers, BNP Paribas Mutual funds, HCC, Inorbit Mall, Filmy, Gini & Jony and Mother‘s Recipe.
Brands
Philips Avent appoints Yami Gautam Dhar as brand ambassador
New campaign urges parents to choose science-backed sterilization over traditional boiling.
MUMBAI: Indian parents have long believed that boiling baby bottles keeps germs at bay, but Philips Avent is gently suggesting it’s time to turn up the heat on that tradition with science. Philips has launched a new campaign highlighting the importance of sterilization in infant care, positioning its Philips Avent Sterilizer as a more effective solution than the age-old practice of boiling. The campaign, which also announces acclaimed actor and new mother Yami Gautam Dhar as the brand ambassador for Philips Avent in India, draws on a powerful cultural insight: the deep-rooted Indian tradition of protecting children from the evil eye (nazar).
The film cleverly connects familiar customs such as using salt, chillies, applying a black tika, or evil eye bracelets with modern parenting realities. While these traditions offer emotional comfort, the campaign gently points out that they may not be enough to protect against germs and infections. Backed by a recent survey, Philips claims the Avent Sterilizer delivers up to 2X better germ protection compared to boiling, along with fewer reported illness episodes among infants.
Philips Personal Health, Country Head Shukla said many parents still rely on boiling without realising the difference in effectiveness. “Our survey findings indicate fewer reported infant illness episodes in homes using the Philips Avent Sterilizer. With this campaign, we want to empower parents with knowledge and solutions that combine science with care,” he noted.
Welcoming Yami Gautam Dhar, Shukla added that as a new mother herself, she brings authenticity and relatability to the message, balancing trusted traditions with informed choices.
Yami Gautam Dhar said motherhood makes every decision feel significant. “Learning about proper sterilization was an important part of my journey. The Philips Avent Sterilizer offers up to 2x better germ protection compared to boiling, making everyday baby care safer and easier. I’m proud to partner with a brand that supports parents in making informed choices.”
The Philips Avent Sterilizer is available across leading e-commerce and quick commerce platforms including Amazon and Firstcry, major baby care retailers, and select electronics stores across India.
In a country where protecting little ones is both a cultural duty and a daily ritual, Philips Avent is serving up a modern twist: keep the love, add the science because when it comes to germs, a little extra protection can go a long way.
