MAM
WPP arms foray into content globally, healthcare in India
MUMBAI: Ad agencies are making forays into new areas in a bid to increase revenues. The leader WPP and its arms have taken the lead. Globally, JWT has already entered the content business and producing shows for television.
Closer home, WPP’s Sudler & Hennessey, one of the leading global healthcare communications firm, has launched its operations in India in lieu for the forthcoming WTO (World Trade Organisation) norms which will change the name of the marketing and communication game for India’s pharmaceutical companies.
Glossy men’s magazine Gear and ad agency J Walter Thompson are teaming up to produce pop culture TV programming.
The first project is a half-hour music series called Conversations which will be hosted by Gear editor in chief Bob Guccione Jr. Guccione founded Spin magazine in the ’80s and still has many contacts with musicians. There is no word yet on where the show will run.
The crossover from magazines to TV and film has become an increasingly popular trend. From CosmoGirl to Outdoor Life, magazines have been lending their names to TV programs to expand revenue streams and to expand brand awareness. Leading men’s magazine Maxim recently inked a deal to produce movies.
Meanwhile, WPP’s Sudler & Hennessey (S&H) has entered the Indian market through 50:50 tie-up with Rediffusion DY&R. The JV firm will offer communication services for the healthcare segment. Formed nearly 60 years ago, S&H has a presence in more than 17 countries with an annualised billings of over $900 million. The group boasts of several global clients such as Glaxo Smithkline, Pfizer, J&J, Novartis, Roche – all of which have a presence in India.
S&H will have two divisions – S&H Communications and Intramed. The first division will focus on OTC (over the counter) and prescription brands whereas Intramed will develop educational and awareness programmes. The various services on offer include brand positioning, medical education and communication, professional marketing and promotion, consultative assessment, consumer marketing and promotion, corporate brand identity, package design and market research.
The unorganised sector comprises of a major chunk of the Indian healthcare segment and the absence of inadequate laws (related to patents) add to the woes of the organised players. S&H will offer a viable alternative to companies who wish to communicate and educate the consumers. S&H has also developed models to enable pharma companies to work with doctors and directly with consumers.
MAM
Kate Rouch steps down as OpenAI Chief Marketing Officer
Marketing leader prioritises health after late-stage breast cancer diagnosis.
MUMBAI: When the toughest battle moves from the boardroom to the personal front, even the sharpest minds know it’s time to step back and focus on winning the most important fight of all. Kate Rouch, chief marketing officer at OpenAI, has announced she is stepping down from her role to focus on recovery following a diagnosis of late-stage breast cancer.
In a heartfelt LinkedIn post, Rouch revealed she was diagnosed around a year and a half ago, shortly after taking on the CMO position. Despite undergoing intensive treatment, she continued to lead the company’s marketing function through what she described as one of the most challenging periods of her career.
She explained that while she remained deeply committed to her role and team, she had reached a point where prioritising her health and recovery had become essential. Rouch called the decision difficult, noting it required acknowledging personal limits and shifting priorities. She reflected that the experience had reshaped her understanding of courage not always about pushing harder, but sometimes about stepping back to focus on long-term wellbeing, family and sustainability.
Rouch expressed gratitude to her team and colleagues for their support. She mentioned that Gary will step in to help lead the function and recruit a successor. She plans to support the transition and remains open to returning in a different capacity in the future, depending on her health.
Prior to joining OpenAI, Rouch served as the first chief marketing officer at Coinbase and spent over a decade at Meta, where she was vice president and global head of brand and product marketing.
She also thanked well-wishers for their messages and shared that stories from fellow survivors had a meaningful impact during her treatment journey.
In the high-stakes world of tech marketing, Kate Rouch has always been known for her strategic brilliance. Now, she is showing a different kind of strength, one that reminds us that even the most driven leaders sometimes need to pause, heal, and come back stronger when the time is right. Wishing her a full and steady recovery.
