MAM
WPP’s Sorrell bearish about print media as an ad medium
MUMBAI: When WPP group CEO Martin Sorrell speaks, the world listens. And he does not pull any punches.
Sorrel, while speaking at the FT Digital Media Conference in London yesterday, said something that should make owners of traditional print media like newspapers and magazines sit back and do some introspection about their future. Sorrell said that advertisers should think about reducing the amount that they spend on newspapers and magazines and focus more on online and digital media.
The WPP group and its clients are already doing that. Come next year, and Google could well overtake News Corp next year as the place where the agency spends most of its clients‘ money.
Citing numbers, he said that 34 per cent of WPP‘s $72 billion media investments on behalf of clients went towards digital last year.
ews Corp – a relatively more traditional print media player with oodles of magazines and newspapers – was the biggest media outlet for its clients‘ communications at $2.5 billion last year. But Google is coming on strong and WPP spent $2 billion on ads across its products, which was a 25 per cent jump over last year.
By the end of next year Google could push News Corp away as being at the top of the list of media outlets where WPP spends its client money, he highlighted.
Citing data from the US, where WPP spends $40 billion a year on media, Sorrell said that there is a big disparity between advertisers‘ print spend and consumers‘ print usage. “We are investing 20 per cent of WPP clients‘ media budgets on magazines and newspapers, but consumers are only spending seven to 10 per cent of time consuming print. That has to change.”
He pointed out that the share of ad spend in other media such as TV, outdoors and radio is matching the time that consumers spend on them “TV viewing is about 43 per cent of consumers‘ time, (ad) investment is 43 per cent” he said.
He has also accused Google, Facebook and Twitter of being media owners masquerading as tech companies. “I do regard Google as a media owner, yes. These are media owners masquerading as technology companies. Google sells Google, Facebook sells Facebook. Twitter sells Twitter.”
Brands
Kingfisher bets big on music culture with Karan Aujla’s 2026 India tour
Water Partners with Karan Aujla for P POP Culture India Tour 2026
MUMBAI: Kingfisher Premium Packaged Drinking Water from United Breweries Limited, part of the Heineken Company, has announced its association as the co-presenting partner of Karan Aujla’s P POP Culture India Tour 2026. The collaboration places music and culture at the centre of the brand’s iconic “Good Times” philosophy, integrating the brand seamlessly into one of the most dynamic live music movements in the country.
As co-presenting partner, Kingfisher Premium Packaged Drinking Water will play a significant role across the tour’s on-ground and digital ecosystem, creating immersive consumer experiences and driving meaningful engagement at every touchpoint. The partnership is designed to strengthen the brand’s cultural relevance among young and expressive audiences who see music as a core part of their identity and celebrations.
At the heart of the association is a series of three brand films featuring Karan Aujla, where the global music artist reimagines Kingfisher’s iconic “Oo La La La Le O” jingle across Afro, Punjabi and Funk genres. The Afro-inspired film sets a relaxed jam-session tone, with Aujla warming up, finding his rhythm and delivering a smooth rendition that builds anticipation. The Punjabi version draws from his cultural roots, transforming the jingle into a high-energy Punjabi pop track marked by confidence and commanding stage presence. The Funk interpretation introduces a playful yet bold edge, driven by contemporary beats and groove-led production that highlights his versatility while amplifying the epic Good Times spirit. Together, the films blend spontaneous performance moments with music-led storytelling, reinforcing Kingfisher Premium Packaged Drinking Water’s long-standing association with celebration and culture.
Commenting on the partnership, United Breweries Limited chief marketing officer Vikram Bahl, said that music remains a powerful cultural connector and a core passion point for consumers. He noted that the brand has always focused on creating moments that bring people together, and reimagining the iconic jingle across diverse musical styles offers a fresh expression of the Good Times philosophy. He added that the association with Karan Aujla’s P POP Culture India Tour enables the brand to embed itself authentically within one of the most exciting music movements in India today.
Expressing his excitement, Karan Aujla said that partnering with Kingfisher felt like destiny, as music and celebration are deeply embedded in both their identities. He described reinterpreting “Oo La La La Le O” across different genres as a creative high, allowing him to respect the legacy of the iconic tune while infusing it with his own energy and contemporary sound. He emphasised that the collaboration goes beyond a remake, presenting a fresh vibe that audiences can experience live as the tour travels across cities.
The P POP Culture India Tour 2026 will roll out across major cultural hubs including Delhi on 28 February, Mumbai and Pune on 3 March, Chandigarh on 14 March, Indore on 21 March, Bengaluru on 29 March, Kolkata on 3 April, Jaipur on 5 April and Lucknow on 10 April. At every stop, Kingfisher Premium Packaged Drinking Water aims to deliver its signature Good Times experience, celebrating creativity, community and unforgettable shared moments.
With this partnership, Kingfisher Premium Packaged Drinking Water continues to strengthen music as a central pillar of its brand identity. Fans can experience the collaboration by watching the brand films across Kingfisher’s official digital and social media platforms.
