Category: Advertising

CCI crackdown on major media agencies may spur advertisers’ shift to ‘hybrid in-housing’

Rather than a move away, experts foresee a recalibration of expectations, with clients seeking more transparency and agencies responding with stronger governance and accountability from media buying agencies, after the CCI probe into ad firms.

Competition Commission of India’s probe into GroupM, Publicis, Madison, dentsu, and IPG, along with regulatory scrutiny, has led some advertisers to rethink their media buying and planning strategies. But will this accelerate the shift toward in-house capabilities, reducing reliance on external ad and media agencies? Experts argue.

WPP’s Mark Read stresses on ‘more efficient operations and strict capital allocation’ amid market pressures

The world’s largest holding company’s CEO is betting big on tech and creativity amid market pressures. In his annual statement, Mark Read said the company plans to increase annual investment in WPP Open from £250 million in 2024 to £300 million in 2025.

Misfits and machines: Ipsos’ Shaun Dix on why human insight still drives advertising success

“AI can generate content, but without human insight, it often misses the mark. It lacks the ability to truly understand human emotions, storytelling, and cultural context,” said Dix.

Ipsos’ Shaun Dix delivered a compelling message at the Global Pioneers Summit 2025 on ‘Misfits and the Machine: The role of AI in creative advertising’.

TV ad market down 6%, fewer ads, 12% brand drop cited: Report

BrandPulse report underscores the need for dynamic and engaging content that can quickly capture and hold audience attention.

YouTube’s reach in India has grown to 63% of TV’s reach in 2024 (it was 61% in 2023), driven by increased internet adoption in HSM states like Bihar, Jharkhand, UP, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, and the Northeast where 95% of its users consume content in local languages.

Rs 9 billion cinema ad surge driven by PVR-INOX: FICCI-EY Report

Very low cost theaters (with a capital investment below INR4 million each) will also come into being across approximately 88 cities with populations between 100k and 500k, and in the next 300 to 500 even smaller towns with populations below 100k. These theaters, which will thrive on mass and spectacular films, will have lower ticket and food and beverage prices, and will help in growing footfalls from underserved markets.

Given the environment of caution in 2025, fewer films will be produced on account of rising production costs, less digital and broadcast pre-funding/ pre-sales of rights, and higher dependence on theatrical revenues, especially for certain categories of small or mid-budget films.

Talented sets new benchmark with ESOP buyback, Rs 8 lakh minimum pay and profit-sharing

Unlike in the tech industry, ESOP buybacks are uncommon in the advertising sector, making this move a significant step toward building long-term financial security for employees.

Gautam Reghunath, co-founder and CEO of Talented.Agency, highlighted that these initiatives mark a significant milestone for the company, now in its third year.

Digital ad spend surges 17% to Rs 700 bn, e-commerce leads growth: FICCI-EY Report

As per the FICCI – EY report, digital media in India has overtaken television to become the largest segment within the M&E sector, contributing an unprecedented 32% to the overall revenues.(Representative Image: Alexander Shatov via Unsplash)

The online gaming segment could struggle unless illegal offshore platforms are not curbed, and Indian companies could look to build out business in foreign countries with a more conducive regulatory environment

Dream team behind Dream11’s blockbuster IPL campaign joins Storyboard18’s Global Pioneers Summit

Creative leaders Adarsh Atal and Shriram Iyer joined celebrated filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari to discuss the creativity and power of great ads at Storyboard18's Global Pioneers Summit on March 28 in Mumbai.

Creative leaders Adarsh Atal and Shriram Iyer will be joined by celebrated filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari. They will take the stage at Storyboard18’s Global Pioneers Summit on March 28 to discuss the making of Dream11’s iconic campaign.