News Headline
Could Mediacom come into Group M fold?
MUMBAI: With the takeover of Grey Global by the (now) world’s largest media conglomerate, the WPP Group, could Mediacom, which is Grey’s media arm, in time become one of the many M’s of WPP’s media management holding company Group M?
According to the official WPP release on this $ 1.5 billion mega takeover, it very clearly states that Grey’s advertising agency business will run as an independent unit within the WPP group of companies, increasing the group’s ability to manage sector and network conflicts; the business operating brands reporting to the chairman and CEO of Grey. It has also very clearly been stated that Mediacom, Grey’s planning and buying unit, will be exploring opportunities to leverage the media buying scale of Group M.
This appears to point to Mediacom in the near future becoming a part of Group M globally. Speaking about the latest developments, Mindshare managing director South Asia Ashutosh Srivastav who takes charge as Group M CEO South Asia on 1 October, says, “With this takeover, Mediacom will become part of Group M at the global level, which will lead to leveraging the overall scale, the benefit then also applying to Grey’s clients.”
If this should stand true, the interesting question would be regarding how the conflicting interest of Mediacom’s and Mindshare’s largest advertisers, P&G and Unilever respectively, would be handled. This seems to be a major concern currently for both companies and hence for the time being things might just be left at status quo. Still, there have been umpteen examples to validate how two competing brands have worked quite well within the conglomerate. For instance, if one looks at the creative agencies under the WPP Group, O&M handles the the ICICI Bank business whereas JWT handles Standard Chartered Bank. Similarly, on the media front Group M companies Mindshare and Maxus; the former handles ICICI Bank and the latter handles Standard Chartered.
What there is no getting away from however, is that there are no easy answers here. But as WPP group chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell has oftentimes said, “let there be resource consolidation where required and competition where required.”
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
