MAM
SEEDS PROUDLY ANNOUNCES ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH START NETWORK
SEEDS, a leading humanitarian organisation that has worked extensively on every major disaster in the Indian Sub-continent, announced joining of the Start Network, today. A group of over fifty aid agencies, Start Network is spread across five continents, ranging from large international organisations to national NGOs.
SEEDS has been constantly driving discussions for pooling of resources and expertise at national level in India for improved disaster response, and this partnership is a contributing step towards making this vision a reality. At the same time, SEEDS strongly advocates for making the platform a democratic space where there is equal participation and benefits that are felt by local members.
Christina Bennett, CEO, Start Network said, “I am delighted to welcome SEEDS into the Start Network. This growing movement of NGOs recognises the importance of creating a new era of humanitarian action. Start Network seeks to catalyse change within the humanitarian sector and NGOs are at the heart of shaping the change that is needed. Together we’re working drive and catalyse the change that is urgently needed in the global aid system”.
Dr Manu Gupta, Co-founder, SEEDS said, “We believe, it is important to de-centralise decision-making power within the humanitarian sector at all the front lines – particularly from national to sub-national level (at the grassroots). We look up to Start Network and its members for guidance in this regard”.
Within the sector, transfer of power is still in its beginning stage as localisation is still a regional or international level issue and hasn’t really percolated down.
While the collaboration is set to contribute towards the establishment of a national humanitarian hub in the times to come, it will be the members who decide how the hub will shape itself. Though it is difficult to predict its evolution over the next few years given the country’s democratic setup, it will have its own unique characteristics. There are resources available within the country from government agencies, corporations and individuals for supporting humanitarian causes, and the initiative aims to tap into these, and to do so in a way that improves speed of disaster response, reduces associated costs, and enhances appropriateness to local contexts.
Dr. Gupta further added, “The founding objectives of the Start Network very much align with our thinking about localization of humanitarian response, new financing mechanisms including pooled funding, and humanitarian innovations as a ways for driving positive change in the humanitarian sector. We particularly look forward to the additional value that Start Network can provide towards bridging the gap between rising needs and shrinking resources for humanitarian work.”
SEEDS looks at the collaboration as a healthy start towards being able to empower and equip leadership at the local level. The front-line members at the grassroot level can be individuals, organisations or the local government. However, this can be achieved only through consistent efforts over next few years.
As a disaster preparedness and risk reduction organisation based out of Delhi, SEEDS is acknowledged for its consistency in reaching out to the worst affected populations in every significant disaster, and an attitude for always wanting to learn and improve disaster management theories and practice with new innovations. It works to serve those directly or indirectly affected by the disasters and the climate crisis, with an underlying approach of community based resilience building.
MAM
Kenneth Roman, former Ogilvy CEO and ad industry veteran, passes away at 95
Longtime Ogilvy & Mather leader and David Ogilvy biographer leaves lasting legacy
NEW YORK: Kenneth Roman, the former chairman and chief executive of Ogilvy & Mather and a defining figure of Madison Avenue’s golden era, has passed away at the age of 95. He died on 22 April 2026 at his home in Manhattan.
Roman spent more than two decades at Ogilvy, joining in 1963 as an account executive and steadily rising through the ranks to lead the agency as chairman and CEO from 1985 to 1989. His tenure coincided with a pivotal period in the company’s history, including its acquisition by WPP.
Beyond the boardroom, Roman was widely respected as the definitive chronicler of the agency’s founder, David Ogilvy. His biography, The King of Madison Avenue, remains one of the most authoritative accounts of modern advertising’s evolution. He also co-authored influential titles such as How to Advertise and Writing That Works, both regarded as essential reading in the industry.
In a tribute, Ogilvy described Roman as a “quietly determined” leader and a lifelong custodian of the agency’s culture. Even after retirement, he remained closely connected to the firm, contributing articles, mentoring talent and serving as a trusted voice on its history and values.
Colleagues remember him not just for his leadership, but for his generosity and commitment to the craft of writing and storytelling. His presence at industry events and continued engagement with the Ogilvy community reflected a career that never quite slowed down.
Roman’s passing marks the end of an era for the original Madison Avenue generation. He leaves behind a legacy shaped by leadership, authorship and an enduring belief in the power of ideas and people.
