Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) India today announced the appointment of Amith Prabhu as Associate Director for Corporate and Brand Communications, responsible for spearheading the execution of SMG India’s internal and external communications programmes. Based in Mumbai, Prabhu will report to Ravi Kiran, CEO-South Asia for Starcom MediaVest Group and this position will be aligned to SMG’s global communications team. SMG is one of the first media network in India to have a dedicated communications lead, which is a reflection of its commitment to this important function.
Said Ravi Kiran, “As our business continues to grow rapidly in scale and scope, we feel that there is a need to further consolidate the development and activation of our communication strategy. We owe it to both internal and external stakeholders to manage our conversation with them in a consistent and productive manner, about Starcom MediaVest Group at a corporate level as well as about our two media company brands, four full service offices and nine specialist solutions units. Amith brings to us a professional experience that will help us leverage the strength of our whole portfolio of solutions.”
Before joining SMG India, Prabhu was a senior consultant with APCO Worldwide, where he played an instrumental role in setting up the Mumbai operations. Besides providing strategic communications and counseling, Prabhu also assisted in business development and worked on thought leadership positioning and event planning for key clients. Prior to APCO Worldwide, Prabhu was at Genesis Burson-Marsteller, working in Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai, on blue-chip clients that included Hutch, Hindustan Unilever, United Spirits, Kellogg’s and Pepsico India.
In this newly created position, Prabhu will work closely with senior management at SMG India in developing a strong communication strategy, as well as delivering programs that are consistent with network's global position to reinforce SMG’s brand and values in the Indian market.
About Starcom MediaVest Group [www.smvgroup.com]
Ranked one of the largest brand communications groups in the world, Chicago headquartered Starcom MediaVest Group encompasses an integrated network of highly specialized consumer contact companies. SMG's global organization includes strategic marketing communication architects who are highly specialized in media management, response media, internet and digital communications, as well as multicultural, entertainment, gaming, sports, sponsorship, event marketing and media. With over 6,000 employees in 110 offices worldwide, SMG delivers brand-building results for many of the world's leading companies. It is now part of VivaKi, the newly formed global communications entity within Paris-based Publicis Groupe.
Starcom MediaVest Group in India
Ranked consistently as one of India’s most admired media networks by Brand Equity, Starcom MediaVest Group is one of the youngest, largest and most diversified media networks in the country. It has over 240 contact architects and activators across its four full service offices and twenty other offices where its specialist units have an operation. It prides itself on its ‘people first’ approach at workplace and is known in the industry and in campuses as one of the best places to work in. It has one of the best retention rates amongst media networks in India.
Using proprietary planning frameworks such as Passion Group Marketing, internationally proven tools such as TARDIIS and ABACUS, local research and superior analytical skills, the agency attempts to build lasting connections between its clients’ brands and their customers.
Since 2007, the network has been represented to the media owners by India Media Exchange, formed after a strategic merger of its buying scale with that of sister VivaKi unit ZenithOptimedia, making it the second largest buyer of media in the market now.
In addition to communication strategy development through its two networks Starcom and MediaVest, the group offers solutions in the area of out-of-home and ambient media [Navia], entertainment and embedded marketing [The Bridge], digital and wireless marketing [Starcom IP], sports and cause enabled marketing [Relay Worldwide], activation and media supported amplification [ACE] and small town and rural marketing [Xpanse], ambient assets, navigational signage, and retail branding [Enhance] and lifestyle marketing and communication [C].
SMG South Asia operations, headed by CEO Ravi Kiran, report to Chicago based Andrew Swinand, President-Global Operations for the network.
