BBDO all set to start India operations from November 1

In a significant development, BBDO is gearing up to commence its operations in India from November 1, 2007. Confirming this news, Chris Thomas, Chairman and CEO, BBDO Asia, said, “We are creating a new agency, BBDO India, and 7UP is our first brand assignment in the country. We couldn’t have hoped for a more iconic brand to launch with. BBDO India will draw on the resources of RK Swamy BBDO, Hansa and BBDO Asia.”

BBDO India has been assigned the creative duties of PepsiCo’s soft drink brand 7UP following an intensive multi-agency selection process that ran through August and September. Mudra, JWT, BBDO, FCB-Ulka and Lowe were among the agencies that had taken part in the pitch process. Sources close to the development peg the account size in the region of Rs 10 crore. Till now, JWT had been handling brand 7 UP in India.

Speaking on the new partnership, Punita Lal, Executive Director-Marketing, PepsiCo India, said, “We are pleased to welcome BBDO India to the PepsiCo family. We have large ambitions on 7UP and were very pleased with the strong creative work and strategic thinking demonstrated by BBDO India. BBDO is also a globally aligned agency for PepsiCo, which means we will be able to draw upon their international networks for learnings from across the world. With JWT India remaining as our key agency on all our other business, including Pepsi, Mirinda, Tropicana and Slice, among others, this gives us a strong stable of creative agencies to work with.”

Andrew Robertson, President and CEO, BBDO Worldwide, said, “Earning a place on PepsiCo’s agency roster in India has been a strategic goal for BBDO Worldwide for years. Earning that place in a highly competitive pitch for a brand as important as 7UP is doubly exciting. We are honoured to have been given this opportunity.”