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GM consolidates US media biz with Starcom; six agencies in fray for India account
MUMBAI: Automobile behemoth General Motors Corp. has moved its lucrative US media buying account worth an estimated $3.5 billion to GM Planworks, an arm of Chicago-based Starcom MediaVest Group.
The account transition will be completed by 1 October.
GM Planworks boasts of a five year association with GM as it had been handling a separate $2.9-billion media planning business for the company since its inception in 2000.
General Motors called a pitch for its national and regional media-buying business this year on 11 March. Reportedly, the decision to review the account was triggered by an alarming situation of falling sales margins and narrowing market share. The outgoing agency, Detroit-based General Motors Mediaworks (a division of the InterPublicGroup) had been handling GM’s media buying business along with New York-based LCI for the past 11 years.
Coincidentally, General Motors India has also called for a fresh pitch for its media buying and planning. A GM spokesperson, who confirmed the development clarified to indiantelevision.com that the account review was not linked to the US shift.
“Universal McCann, the incumbent agency had a contract with us for three years which has now come to an end,” says vice-president and general manager Amit Dutta. He added that Universal McCann was defending the account.
He, however, refused to divulge the names of the other agencies.
Speculation is that six agencies – Starcom, Zenith, Carat, Maxus and Optimum Media Solutions – have pitched for the account which is estimated to be worth Rs 400 million.
Dutta revealed that a final decision would come by August.
The good news for Universal McCann India is that GM’s European division consolidated media planning and buying duties for car and truck brands like Chevrolet and Saab in 45 markets with it, eliminating three other agencies (but including Initiative). Recently, GM India head Aditya Vij was promoted to the European unit with COO Rajeev Chaba being moved to the corner office as president and managing director.
General Motors India, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors Corp, sells Chevrolet Tavera, sedans Chevrolet Optra and Opel Corsa in the Indian market. It also sells the imported Opel Vectra and Chevrolet Forester.
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.
