Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 12: On the sidelines of TiEcon 2025 in Mumbai, Startup Story Media spoke to Uday Mohan, COO, Havas Media India.
Excerpts of the interview
How are you leveraging AI tools in your current workings, and how do you envision AI transforming the advertising landscape by 2025? What role will Havas Media play in this evolution?
At Havas Media India, AI is not just a tool but an enabler that enhances efficiency, creativity, and precision in advertising. We leverage AI across consumer insights, media planning, predictive analytics, and content personalization, ensuring brands reach the right audiences with the most relevant messaging.
By 2025, AI will reshape the advertising landscape, making campaigns more data-driven, automated, and hyper-personalized. At Havas Media, we are investing in AI-driven consumer intelligence, programmatic advertising, and real-time campaign optimization to help brands stay ahead in this evolution. Our focus is on blending AI with human creativity to drive meaningful brand connections.
The theme of TiEcon Mumbai 2025 is “DhandaFirst,” emphasizing business growth and economic impact. How does Havas Media align its strategies to support entrepreneurial ecosystems, especially in emerging markets like India?
The “DhandaFirst” theme resonates deeply with Havas Media’s philosophy of driving business impact through meaningful media. In emerging markets like India, entrepreneurship is thriving, and we actively support startups and challenger brands by helping them build scalable, ROI-driven marketing strategies.
We offer data-backed insights, cost-efficient media planning, and digital-first approaches that enable businesses to maximize visibility and growth. Through initiatives like Venture Capital partnerships, startup accelerator collaborations, and performance-driven media solutions, we empower new-age businesses to compete with established players and scale sustainably.
With the advertising industry rapidly evolving, how does Havas Media balance traditional media strategies with the growing importance of digital platforms and influencer marketing?
Advertising today is about achieving the right media mix—balancing traditional and new-age platforms based on consumer behavior. At Havas Media, we follow a “Meaningful Media” approach, ensuring brands invest in platforms that truly engage and influence consumers.
While traditional media like TV, print, and OOH still play a crucial role, digital and influencer marketing are growing exponentially. We integrate programmatic, social media, creator partnerships, and influencer-led storytelling with legacy media to drive holistic, omnichannel brand experiences. Our focus is on measurable outcomes, ensuring brands see tangible business impact from both traditional and digital investments.
Sustainability and social responsibility are becoming crucial in brand communications. How is Havas Media integrating these principles into its client campaigns and internal practices?
Sustainability is no longer an option—it is an expectation. At Havas Media India, we embed sustainable and socially responsible storytelling into brand campaigns. Consumers today connect with brands that have a purpose beyond profits, and we ensure that our clients’ messaging aligns with environmental, social, and ethical values.
How has the media industry evolved in terms of agency structures, and what key trends are shaping the way agencies operate today?
The agency landscape has fundamentally transformed over the past decade. Earlier, media agencies operated in silos, focusing purely on buying and planning. Today, agencies are evolving into end-to-end business growth partners, offering services across strategy, content, commerce, data, and technology.
At Havas Media India, we have streamlined structures, integrating creative, media, and performance marketing under one roof. The biggest trends shaping the industry include:
Data-Driven Decision Making – AI and big data are revolutionizing audience insights.
Omnichannel Marketing – A seamless blend of TV, digital, social, and commerce.
Influencer & Creator Economy – Brands collaborating with creators for authenticity.
Sustainability in Advertising – Green, ethical, and responsible media strategies.
Agile, Integrated Agency Models – Faster, smarter, and more flexible solutions for brands.
The future of agencies is about adaptability, agility, and outcome-driven media—and at Havas Media India, we are leading this transformation.
How do you envision this collaboration with TiE Mumbai contributing to the growth and support of the entrepreneurial ecosystem?
At Havas Media India, we believe that fostering entrepreneurship is key to driving innovation and long-term economic growth. Our collaboration with TiE Mumbai for TiEcon 2025 is a testament to our commitment to supporting the startup and business ecosystem by providing strategic media expertise, industry insights, and meaningful connections that help businesses scale effectively.
With this year’s theme, “DhandaFirst,” the focus is on practical, growth-driven strategies that empower entrepreneurs to navigate evolving market dynamics. Through this partnership, we aim to facilitate insightful conversations, knowledge-sharing, and access to industry leaders, ensuring that businesses—both emerging and established—are equipped with the right tools to succeed.
By combining our deep understanding of consumer behavior, digital transformation, and brand storytelling with TiE Mumbai’s legacy of nurturing entrepreneurship, we look forward to contributing to a thriving, resilient, and future-ready business landscape in India.
