London. 6 August 2014. M&C
Saatchi Worldwide is strengthening its presence in India through a
tie-up with Delhi-based independent creative agency, February, which
will see the launch of a new Indian agency: M&C Saatchi February.
- M&C Saatchi February Opens for Business -
From Left to Right: Gopal Krishnan (Managing Director – Business), Anjali Nayar (President), Nirmal Pulickal (Managing Director – Creative)
Through the joint venture between M&C Saatchi Delhi and February, both companies will merge their operations with immediate effect to launch the brand new agency. Offering Advertising, Design, Digital, Social, Mobile, Events and Activation, M&C Saatchi February’s founding portfolio of blue-chip clients will include GE, Adidas, Nando's, State Bank of India (Cards) and Panasonic Mobility.
M&C Saatchi’s Worldwide CEO, Moray MacLennan, announcing the new partnership, said that: “India is a fundamental part of our global strategy, and we're delighted to join forces with a brilliant team to help us create a global hub in this critical market.”
The deal follows a strategic review of the agency’s Indian operations and will see M&C Saatchi’s new Indian agency – M&C Saatchi February – headquartered in February’s offices in Delhi’s up and coming creative zone of Shahpur Jat.
February's founders Gopal Krishnan and Nirmal Pulickal will be taking over leadership of the combined operation. They will be supported by Anjali Nayar, the current CEO of M&C Saatchi Delhi, who is appointed President of the new venture.
MacLennan added: “In Gopal, Nirmal and the team at February, we have found our perfect partners. They've built an agency producing world-class work for both local and international clients. They share our obsession with 'Brutal Simplicity of Thought', and our laser-like focus on building business results for our clients.”
The partners of February will initially have a majority stake in the venture, with M&C Saatchi Worldwide becoming the majority shareholder over an agreed timescale.
Gopal Krishnan, co-founder of February, said: “We're delighted to be joining forces with M&C Saatchi as we embark on the next phase of February’s exciting journey. We’ve been doing some great work for some wonderful clients over the last couple of years, and this new partnership will help us play on an even bigger stage going forward.”
Nirmal Pulickal, co-founder of February, added: “When we launched February two years ago we had a simple goal – to create great work that works for our clients’ business. It’s great to find a partner in M&C Saatchi who shares our vision entirely. We’re very excited about the future of M&C Saatchi February.”
While India is the world’s second most populous country, it is currently the fourteenth largest advertising market, and has one of the lowest advertising spends per capita. However, with the advertising marketing already growing by 8% per annum, India is showing great potential for growth.
Launched in February 2012, February has built a young, dynamic agency that has worked with a broad base of strong local and international clients, including Adidas, Ameriprise, Panasonic Mobility, GE, Typhoo, Mother Dairy, Smart Global Group, Sleepwell mattress and Avon Cycles.
- ENDS -
For more information, please contact Sarah Owen sarah@pumpkin.uk.com / +44 (0) 7958 202 990 or Edwina Boyd-Gibbins Edwina@pumpkin.uk.com / +44 (0) 7748 982 320
Notes to Editors:
About M&C Saatchi Worldwide:
M&C Saatchi is the world's fastest-growing international advertising agency network, with 25 offices in 19 countries. Most recently, M&C Saatchi has opened new offices in New York, Singapore, Stockholm, Shanghai and Abu Dhabi.
About February:
Launched in 2012 by founders Gopal Krishnan and Nirmal Pullickal, February is one of India's fastest-growing independent agencies. In its first 2 years alone, February has already attracted a broad base of strong local and international clients, including Adidas, Ameriprise, Panasonic Mobility, GE, Typhoo, Mother Dairy, Smart Global Group, Sleepwell mattress and Avon Cycles.
February acquired its distinctive name as this was the month when the concept for the agency was born. Gopal and Nirmal had their first conversation about opening the agency on 1 February. And, when they came to name the agency, ‘February’ had a nice ring to it, especially as the month is associated with spring in India.
Gopal Krishnan, Founder, Business Head at February
Gopal co-founded February with Nirmal Pulickal in 2012. He was previously at Rediffusion where he worked on the launch of Airtel, helping to build it into the world's fifth largest mobile operator with 246 million subscribers in 20 countries.
Throughout his career Gopal has managed a wide range of leading global and Indian brands including: Bacardi, the Commonwealth Games, CitiBank, Apple, Revlon, Yamaha, Canon, Taj Group of Hotels, Hindustan Times, and many more.
Gopal is also an avid traveller and dabbles in photography. He is the Chairman of the Board of Studies at Adcom, EMPI business School and teaches consumer behaviour, brand management and advertising strategy.
Nirmal Pulickal, Founder, Creative Head at February
Nirmal drives the culture at February and oversees all creative. Prior to co-founding February, he was Executive Creative Director of DDB Mudra Delhi and has worked in a range of agencies including Wieden+Kennedy and Ogilvy in India, and Y&R in Singapore.
During his time at DDB Mudra the agency was ranked as the number one agency in India, Agency Of The Year at Goafest 2011 and Highest Awarded Indian Agency at Cannes 2011. At Wieden+Kennedy he worked with Nokia across four continents, and at Y&R Singapore he was in charge of the global operations of the Uniquely Singapore brand with 158 markets reporting into him.
Nirmal also helped establish David New Delhi, a small WPP agency. In the year he left, David New Delhi was the fifth most awarded agency in the worldwide WPP network.
Nirmal has consistently been among the most awarded creatives in Asia with over a dozen One Show awards, several Cannes Lions, D&ADs and numerous local awards.
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