MAM
Starcom MediaVest Group leads on RECMA’s list
MUMBAI: Paris-based research agency RECMA (Research Company Evaluating the Media Agency Industry) has named Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) the number one ranked global media network in its 2013 Global Billings Rankings Report for the fourth consecutive year. This report evaluates the overall activity—including buying billings and specialised services—of all global media agencies across 62 countries.
In 2013, SMG increased its billings by 18.3 per cent, with an industry share of 12.5 per cent. RECMA also named the network number one in the ‘Top 14 Countries’ ranking, which is a key chart in the overall report that accounts for 81 per cent, of the media agency industry. In addition, SMG retained its position in the overall regional evaluations, including its top rank in north America and was named the number two agency in Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa and Latin America.
“Leading RECMA’s Global Rankings report is both an honor and a validation of our work at SMG. Everything we do, in partnership with the greatest brands in the world, is with an eye toward innovation. And RECMA’s report confirms that our ‘MakeNextNow’ approach is successful in both engaging consumers and helping steer our industry toward ‘what’s next,” said SMG Global CEO Laura Desmond.
SMG had its most celebrated year on record in 2013, with 525 product award recognitions. Award highlights included 15 agency and network of the year awards, 24 Cannes Lions, 35 Festival of Media awards (across all galas) and two Effie Grand Prix. Through July 2014, SMG has already been awarded media network of the year at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, along with being named the most effective agency and most effective agency network by the Effie Index at the North American Effie Awards Gala in New York, where Publicis Group also took top honors as Most Effective Holding Company.
Brands
Uidai partners with Google to help users locate Aadhaar centres
Verified Aadhaar centres to appear on Maps with services and access info
MUMBAI: Finding an Aadhaar centre may soon be as easy as finding your favourite café. In a move aimed at making public services more accessible, the Unique Identification Authority of India has partnered with Google to display authorised Aadhaar centres on Google Maps. The feature, expected to roll out in the coming months, will allow residents to locate verified centres quickly and confidently.
More than 60,000 Aadhaar centres, including state of the art Aadhaar Seva Kendras, will be mapped. When users search on Google Maps, they will be directed to authorised facilities rather than unverified listings, helping curb misinformation and confusion.
The listings will do more than drop a pin. Users will be able to see the nature of services offered at each centre, whether it is adult enrolment, child enrolment, or limited to address and mobile number updates. Details such as operating hours, parking availability and divyang friendly infrastructure will also be shown wherever applicable.
Uidai CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar, said the collaboration is part of the authority’s continued effort to improve ease of living for Aadhaar holders by making authorised centres simpler and faster to navigate.
The partnership will deepen in its next phase, with Uidai using Google Business Profile to manage information and respond directly to public feedback. Looking ahead, the two organisations are also exploring the option of enabling appointment bookings through the Google Maps interface, potentially allowing residents to plan their visits with greater efficiency.
Google India country head, strategic partnerships Roli Agarwal, said integrating verified Aadhaar centres would help millions access trusted services with confidence, bringing essential government infrastructure closer to the people who need it most.
If all goes to plan, a routine Aadhaar update may soon begin not with a queue, but with a search bar.
