AD Agencies
Weekend Unwind with: Media Care Brand Solutions’ Yasin Hamidani
Mumbai: With another weekend upon us, it is time to unwind with the latest Q&A edition of Indiantelevision.com’s Weekend Unwind—a series of informal chats that peek into the minds of business executives through a fun lens in an attempt to get to know the person behind the title a little better.
In this week’s session, we have Media Care Brand Solutions director Yasin Hamidani.
Yasin possesses a diverse range of skills and expertise, including: brand building & positioning, Integrated Marketing with a specialisation in PR & media communications, digital marketing, performance marketing, influencer marketing and market research, with a deep understanding of consumer buying behavior and market trends across India and the Middle East markets.
Yasin’s career in integrated marketing and communications spans over a decade. In 2016, he co-founded Media Care Brand Solutions in Mumbai, where he serves as the co-founder and director. His professional journey has exposed him to clients across various industries, including FMCG, IT, retail, beauty & lifestyle, start-ups, e-commerce, media & entertainment, healthcare, real estate, automobile, hospitality, F&B, and education.
So, without further ado, here it goes…
Your mantra for life
“Embrace change, seek growth, and spread kindness.”
A book you are currently reading or plan to read
I’m currently reading The Age of Influence: The Power of Influencers to Elevate Your Brand by Neal Schaffer
Your fitness mantra, especially during the pandemic
“Stay active, even if it’s just a little bit every day. Your body and mind will thank you.”
Your comfort food
A bowl of homemade grilled chicken with exotic veggies
A quote or philosophy that keeps you going when the chips are down
“This too shall pass.” It’s a reminder that both the good and the bad moments in life are temporary.
Your guilty pleasure
Hazelnut chocolate and binge-watching suspense-thriller series.
The last time you tried something new
Learning & implementing ChatGPT in Microsoft tools.
A life lesson you learned the hard way
The importance of setting and maintaining healthy boundaries to protect your well-being.
What gets you excited about life
The opportunity to learn new things, meeting & networking with interesting people, and make a positive impact towards people around me.
What’s on top of your bucket list
Growing and getting new business opportunities and traveling to different countries, enjoying the culture and savor authentic cuisine.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be
“Embrace failure and mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow, not as reasons to be discouraged and use the given time to increase knowledge and productivity.”
One thing you would most like to change about the world
I would like to see greater global efforts to address climate change and promote sustainable living to protect our planet for future generations.
An activity that keeps you motivated and charged during tough times
Prayers and mindfulness practices help me stay centered and maintain a positive outlook, even in challenging moments.
What lifts your spirits when life gets you down
Spending quality time with loved ones, whether it’s sharing a meal, a conversation, or a simple moment of connection.
Your go-to stress buster
Taking a long walk in nature, preferably in a peaceful park or near water, to clear my mind and de-stress.
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.
