AD Agencies
The Advertising Club unveils new brand identity
71-year-old industry body repositions itself as marketing’s guiding beacon
MUMBAI: The Advertising Club has revealed a refreshed brand identity, signalling a new chapter in its 71-year journey at the heart of India’s marketing and media ecosystem.
Created in partnership with global brand consultancy Landor, the rebrand is less about reinvention and more about realignment. It builds on decades of credibility while sharpening the Club’s role in an industry being rapidly reshaped by technology, artificial intelligence and shifting consumer expectations.
For generations, The Advertising Club has been the meeting ground for ideas, ambition and industry-defining conversations. From flagship platforms to benchmark-setting awards, it has helped script the story of modern Indian marketing. Now, as algorithms influence artistry and data sits alongside design, the Club is leaning into change with clarity.
At the core of the new identity is a simple but powerful idea: TAC as “The Beacon”. In a time of constant disruption, the industry needs more than applause lines. It needs direction. The refreshed positioning casts the Club as a steady guide, illuminating what lies ahead while honouring the milestones behind it.
The new visual system is designed to be flexible and future-ready, adapting seamlessly across awards, partnerships, platforms and digital touchpoints. It carries the weight of legacy, yet speaks in a contemporary voice that feels confident, global and distinctly Indian.
The Advertising Club president and McCann India CEO Dheeraj Sinha, said the refresh reflects both responsibility and opportunity. “Our seven-decade legacy demands that we lead with purpose. This new identity reaffirms our intent to serve as a beacon at a time of high volatility. TAC will continue to set benchmarks, spark meaningful conversations and champion the ideas shaping the future of marketing and advertising.”
The evolution is not about discarding the past, but about using it as fuel for what comes next. As culture, commerce, creativity and code increasingly converge, The Advertising Club is positioning itself as the platform that connects the dots and keeps the industry moving forward.
AD Agencies
Microsoft shifts global media account from Dentsu to Publicis Groupe: Reports
Closed review ends decade-long tie-up; Xbox remit may remain with Dentsu
MUMBAI: Microsoft has reassigned its global media planning and buying business to Publicis Groupe, according to media reports, ending Dentsu’s long-standing stewardship of one of the advertising industry’s biggest accounts.
The move follows a closed review and marks a notable shake-up in the global media landscape. Dentsu, which managed the account through Carat, had held the mandate since 2014 and successfully defended it in a 2018 review.
While the broader business is shifting, Dentsu is expected to retain media responsibilities for Xbox, according to media reports, though the exact contours of that arrangement remain unclear. None of the parties involved have publicly outlined the transition timeline or the full structure of the handover.
The scale of the account underscores the significance of the change. Estimates from COMvergence, cited by Ad Age, peg Microsoft’s global media spend at roughly $700 million last year.
For Publicis Groupe, the win deepens an already expanding relationship with the tech giant. Earlier this year, Microsoft Advertising partnered with Publicis Media Exchange and Epsilon to integrate Epsilon’s data into its platform, aiming to sharpen targeting across search, native and display formats.
The decision reflects a broader industry shift, as large advertisers increasingly favour agency partners with strong first-party data capabilities, AI integration and platform-led solutions. Publicis Groupe has been leaning into this model, positioning its data assets and technology stack as a central differentiator.
For Dentsu, the loss is significant. Media remains a core pillar of its global business, and the development comes close on the heels of leadership changes, including the appointment of Takeshi Sano as global chief executive officer.
The shift also carries a touch of irony. Microsoft and Dentsu have worked closely beyond the client-agency relationship, including collaborations around AI tools such as Copilot to support media and creative workflows.
As the dust settles, the message is clear: in today’s data-driven, AI-powered media world, relationships may be long, but they are rarely permanent.
