MUMBAI: It's been a good week all told for Starcom India West and South. Three accounts added to its media kitty worth somewhere in the region of Rs 350 million has certainly brought forth a good head of celebratory froth within the agency.

Beer major Shaw Wallace Breweries Ltd [SWBL], the joint venture between South Africa's SABMiller-owned Mysore Breweries and Shaw Wallace & Company, today appointed Starcom to look after its media account worth a reported Rs 150 million.

The announcement comes close on the heels of Starcom's Mumbai office winning the HDFC Bank (Rs 120 million) and Symphony Comfort Systems (Rs 50 million) AOR accounts over the last one week.

This is the first time SWBL has consolidated its media portfolio with a single media investment management agency. The appointment consolidates all brands being managed in India by the company i.e. Castle Lager, Haywards 5000, Haywards 2000, Royal Challenge and Knock Out. Knock Out, Haywards 2000, and Royal Challenge were already being handled by Starcom as part of the full service arrangement between Orchard Advertising and SWBL. Haywards 5000 and Castle Lager were previously being managed by Group M's Maximize.

Commenting on the win, Ravi Kiran, managing director, India-South & West, Starcom Worldwide, said, "As SWBL accelerates its marketing initiatives with five strong brands, it will be our privilege to be part of the action. Having all five brands of the client with us will enable us to achieve better portfolio synergy in media investment.

"The special nature of the category encourages us to apply our learning in Passion Group Marketing. We also hope to offer SWBL some of our diversified services - particularly sports, digital and entertainment, in time."

The SWBL account will be serviced from Starcom's Bangalore office, led by branch head Dinesh Rathore.

Meanwhile on the international stage as well there was some good news for Starcom to report. Sara Lee Corp last Friday consolidated its estimated $200 million media planning and buying account at Starcom USA, one of the food marketer's incumbent media shops. The Martin Agency, Mullen, MPG, OMD, Optimedia and Shahid & Co. had handled parts of the media assignment.