AD Agencies
Wavemaker India & ABP ride crest of Creative & Publisher Abbys by One Show
GOA: One Show’s Abby Creative Awards 2025 has crowned its champions, and Wavemaker India has surfed to victory with a staggering haul. The media powerhouse dominated the agency battlefield, amassing an eye-watering 124 points through a medal collection that would make an Olympian blush—six golds, eight silvers and four bronzes.
In a ceremony held in Goa during Day one of the annual industry confab GoaFest 2025, the finest in advertising and marketing gathered to discover who had clinched advertising glory.
Mindshare India made a respectable splash, securing second position with 76 points through a balanced medal cabinet of four golds, four silvers and five bronzes. EssenceMediacom rounded out the podium with a modest 36 points.
The competition saw ABP Pvt Ltd emerge victorious in the publisher category, netting 30 points through a crafty combination of one gold, three silvers, one bronze and—perhaps most impressively—no requirements for a calculator to tally their score.
Bennett & Coleman, the venerable media house, strutted away with 28 points, while Jagran Prakashnan Ltd secured a neat 22 points with two golds but a notably barren bronze cabinet.
FCB India, despite having a worldwide reputation that could intimidate the competition, managed a humble 10 points, tying with TheHindu Group. Both proved that legacy doesn’t always translate to hardware.
The ceremony, powered by One Show, continues to be the advertising industry’s moment to preen, posture and occasionally be pleased that competitors are winning, delighted at the excellent work being rewarded.
AD Agencies
Havas Media Network India bags integrated media mandate for Aakash Educational Services Limited
PivotRoots and Arena Media to drive 360° strategy for student outreach
NEW DELHI: Havas Media Network India has secured the integrated media mandate for Aakash Educational Services Limited, following a competitive multi-agency pitch, signalling a fresh push by the education major to sharpen its reach among students nationwide.
The mandate will be jointly handled by PivotRoots and Arena Media, both part of the Havas network. Together, they will roll out a full-spectrum media strategy designed to boost AESL’s visibility across digital and traditional platforms.
At the heart of the partnership lies a simple idea: making the brand not just seen, but sought after. The agencies will blend data, technology and creative storytelling to craft campaigns that resonate with students and parents navigating an increasingly digital-first education landscape.
Aakash Educational Services Limited SVP marketing Kanika Kumar Nijhawan said, “At Aakash, we believe success is built through a structured, long-term and data-driven approach. As we expand across the country, adopting a more integrated approach to media is essential. This partnership marks a significant step towards building stronger connections with our audiences.”
Under the arrangement, PivotRoots will spearhead digital and performance marketing, covering social media, influencer collaborations and data-led optimisation. Meanwhile, Arena Media will focus on traditional channels including print, television, radio, cinema and outdoor advertising, ensuring consistent messaging across touchpoints.
Havas Media Network India chief executive officer Mohit Joshi said, “Delivering for a powerhouse like AESL requires both scale and precision. By combining Arena Media and PivotRoots, we are deploying our Converged.AI platform to create a 360-degree strategy that drives engagement, conversions and long-term growth.”
Echoing the sentiment, PivotRoots founder and chief executive officer Shibu Shivanandan added that the collaboration would focus on building “impactful, full-funnel experiences” powered by deep analytics and performance-led marketing.
With a strong legacy in coaching for medical and engineering entrance exams, AESL is now doubling down on integrated media to stay ahead in a crowded, fast-evolving education market. The partnership with Havas signals a clear intent: to turn visibility into meaningful engagement and, ultimately, student success.
