It’s a futile rat race to bank on digital media in India: Dhaval Mehta
In conversation with exchange4media, Dhaval Mehta, CMD, Kreate Advertising traces the agency’s journey so far, new wins, what sets it apart and also why he feels digital is overhyped…

Dhaval Mehta, CMD, Kreate Advertising Pvt Ltd, completed 25 years in the field of Indian advertising in October 2010. Over these 25 years, he has not only been a successful first generation entrepreneur, but also an inspiring mentor with many of his employees now heading advertising agencies of their own. A commerce graduate, Mehta has been responsible to expand the advertising sector with grooming youngsters to set up their own agencies, while establishing agencies like Ubique, Ubiquitas, Omnipresent, Kreate and Kreateubiquitas through his 25-year career.
In conversation with exchange4media, Mehta traces Kreate Advertising’s journey so far, what sets it apart and also why he feels digital is overhyped…
What was the idea with which Kreate was set up in 2002? How far has that idea evolved over the years?
It has been fantastic! A lethal bomb was created – strategy & creative’s! So many new things happened... All of us here are crazy and mad people; Keeping the boundaries of culture in place, Kreate has made us breath the way we wanted! And whatever we have done till date, we have got tremendous respect from all our business partners.
How has Kreate Advertising’s journey been so far? What have been the key points in this journey?
It has been an interesting and remarkable journey so far! We have been fortunate to have worked with some of the big brands, delivering efficient results that could not have been delivered by bigger agencies. We have been featured in the Limca book of records for an event, have organized the largest kids exhibition in India etc. We have also been honored by our clients as the only agency that does NOT promote any tobacco or liquor related brands in any form. We are a clean agency, respected as much for our work as for our ethics, and have our clients and vendors swear by us for our professionalism and commitment.
What have been the new account acquisitions at Kreate?
We have recently added to our portfolio, the following accounts: Acquarius Capstorm Ltd, Violight UV Sanitizers, Unisafe Fire Fighting Services, and Jeevaa Spa & Salon.
Kreate is into advertising, PR, events and interactive – any plans to expand into new verticals?
We are a creative shop and believe in doing high end creative work for promoting our brands. We currently handle creative work for various media like print, outdoor, TV & interactive. We do not intend to expand into any new vertical as of now. We wish to further strengthen our position in these fields.
What has been the annual billing for Kreate in the previous financial year? What is the growth target set for the current financial year?
We are not a billing agency as we do not do media. The financial billing for last year was Rs 2 crore and the next financial year we are looking at a 20 per cent growth. This includes only creative and PR billing in all forms.
What are you looking at the key growth drivers for the year 2011?
Direct marketing and experiential marketing will take over all forms of media as every brand today is looking for results, more than anything else.
The Kreate website mentions that it is the “First ever to shoot a record of 16 TV commercials in a day for MKCL-MSCIT’. Could you elaborate on that, how did you go about it, what prompted the need for shooting so many TVCs in one day…
It was a challenge given by the client as the product “MSCIT” had to be communicated to every age group and segment. Hence we made 10 secs testimonials depicting housewife to college student, an executive and a businessman... et al. When we gave this idea to the client, they were not so keen but with the strategy that we presented, it made them understand what these TVC’s could do for them. Till date, no one has ever produced so many commercials in a day.
Today we have nearly every agency foraying into digital media in some form or the other, do you have similar plans? Could you elaborate on that?
Unfortunately digital media has flopped in India. For brands, it merely brings forth the presence. But the results, by way of convergence and sales, is hardly anything. There are a few lifestyle products that will bring some kind of convergence, but it will take a very long time to accept this medium of information and communication in India. We should also take into consideration that only 2-3 % Indians are exposed to the internet today as against the rest of the world. It is a futile rat race to bank on the digital media in India. We will have to look at new methods or new areas of communication.
What is Kreate’s USP – what sets it apart from other agencies?
Speed, persuasion, honesty, transparency & sharing knowledge with every client. Clients get obsessed with us and come to us for solutions where they stumble in their business.
Kreate’s dream…
The belief is to have owners than employees in kreate. Every individual who has contributed to the growth of kreate would be called as the owner. We wish to set an example to the world that for any organization to succeed and flourish, the aspirations of people in the workplace have to be ownership driven.
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
E4M Our strategy is to target younger audiences through Sports: Rajiv Dubey, Dabur
The Head of Media at Dabur India spoke exclusively to exchange4media on the World Cup, associating with Indian Idol, the company’s digital spending and much more
With quirky campaigns, memes and moment marketing, timed with the ongoing World Cup and particularly the India-Pakistan matches, Dabur India has got considerable consumer attention for its popular brands – Red Paste, Cool King Hair Oil, Chyawanprash, Dabur Vita and the recently launched Bae Fresh Gel toothpaste.
The 140-year-old company is going big on key sporting events, World Television Premiere (WTP) movies and reality shows. It is now gearing up to become the title sponsor of popular talent show ‘Indian Idol’ on Sony TV for the first time, shared Rajiv Dubey, who leads the media strategy at Dabur.
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
Swapan Seth's new book 'COOL' is out
The book is a reflection of the author's 'eclectic taste across categories'
Advertising professional and art collector Swapan Seth has announced the launch of his new book COOL. The book is described as "a ready reckoner to the hip and the happening, of the known and the very unknown."
The book is a reflection of the author's "eclectic taste across categories: from boltholes to exotic hideaways."
COOL has been published by Simon & Schuster India and is available on Amazon.
Seth is an ad veteran with a long and illustrious career in the industry. He became the youngest-ever Creative Director at Clarion at age 24. He was VP at 26 at Trikaya Grey. Two years later, he started his agency Equus.
He writes for publications such as The Economic Times, Hindustan Times and India Today. This is his second book and he has previously published THIS IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY.
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
Disney Star signs 9 sponsors for Asia Cup PAK
Charged by Thums Up, Nerolac Paint+, Amazon Pay, Jindal Panther, My11Circle, MRF, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5, Wild Stone and Thums Up come on board
e4m Staff Disney Star has signed nine broadcast and digital streaming sponsors for the upcoming Asia Cup.
Charged by Thums Up, Nerolac Paint+, Amazon Pay, Jindal Panther, My11Circle, MRF, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5, Wild Stone and Thums Up have come on board for the upcoming tournament.
As reported earlier by exchange4media, Disney Star has sought Rs 26 crore for the co-presenting sponsorship on TV and Rs 30 crore for Disney+ Hotstar.
According to industry sources, the associate sponsorship on Star Sports has been priced at Rs 19.66 crore, whereas for the ‘powered by’ sponsorship on Disney+ Hotstar, the broadcaster is seeking Rs 18 crore.
As per the information available with exchange4media, Disney+ Hotstar has three sponsorship tiers-- co-presenting (Rs 30 crore), powered by (Rs 18 crore) and associate sponsorship (Rs 12 crore). The broadcaster is offering an estimated reach of 120-140 million for co-presenting sponsors, 90-100 million for powered by and 60-70 million for associate sponsorship.
A spot buy for 10 seconds has been priced at Rs 25 lakh for the India vs Pakistan matches, while for the non-India matches, the ad rate for 10 second is Rs 2.3 lakh. The India matches plus the final for ODIs has been priced at Rs 17 lakh per 10 seconds.
Asia Cup is scheduled to be held from 30 August, 2023, to September 17, 2023.
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
Sorted 360 wins creative & social media mandate of Reliance Mall
The agency will manage offline and online campaigns for Reliance Mall
Sorted 360, an integrated creative and social media agency, has won the mandate to providing brand solutions for Reliance Malls across India.
“Sorted 360 is set to enhance Reliance Malls' market presence with their unparalleled creative prowess and strategic thinking,” read a press release.
“Sorted 360's commitment to pushing the boundaries of creative communication aligns perfectly with Reliance Malls' ethos. With a pan-India presence spanning across 19 cities and growing, Reliance Malls has consistently captivated customers by offering an array of Reliance brands and third-party fashion & lifestyle brands. The mall has established an unparalleled connection with its patrons through superior quality, a remarkable value proposition, and an unmatched shopping experience,” it read further.
"We are thrilled to welcome Sorted 360 as our trusted partner in advancing our brand presence across the nation," said the Head of Marketing at Relaice Malls. "Their proven expertise in retail, shopping center management, and innovative creative strategies make them the perfect fit for our vision."
"Partnering with Reliance Malls is a testament to our commitment to shaping extraordinary brand experiences," remarked Prerana Anatharam, Co-founder of Sorted 360. "We are excited to leverage our strategic and creative acumen to further elevate Reliance Malls as the epitome of convenience, choice, and excellence."
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
test
test
test
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
test
test
test
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
KlugKlug onboards Hemang Mehta as Country Manager for Indias
Mehta was most recently Head of Agency Relationships at Network 18 Media & Investments
KlugKlug has appointed Hemang Mehta as its Country Manager for India.
Mehta will play a pivotal role in driving KlugKlug's growth and expansion within the Indian market and be responsible for Sales & GTM Strategy
Prior to that, he has also represented organisations like Exponential (now VDX.tv), India Today Digital and Rediff.com. His expertise spans various domains including digital media sales, mobile marketing, media planning, and buying, social media marketing, and more.
Hemang Mehta expressed his enthusiasm about joining KlugKlug, saying, "I am thrilled to be a part of KlugKlug, a forward-thinking platform that is reshaping the influencer marketing landscape. As much as I look forward to collaborating with the exuberant team at KlugKlug, I am super excited to interact with the brands to deliver powerful data-backed Influencer solutions that will guarantee business outcomes."
Commenting on the appointment, Kalyan Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO of KlugKlug, stated, "We are excited to welcome Hemang Mehta to our team as the Country Manager for India. His extensive experience in digital media sales and marketing will be instrumental in driving our efforts to provide influencer marketing solutions to our clients. We believe Hemang's leadership will be key in scaling our operations and expanding our reach within the Indian market."
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp