The Hindu Business Line : JWT's Bob Jeffrey bullish on India

"I think the performance in India is fantastic," Mr Jeffrey said, "and my purpose for being here is to communicate appreciation to everyone for what they have accomplished and to say let's do more."

Mr Jeffrey was in India recently to meet with clients, to see the Indian operations and to get a feel of India. He cites India's growing GDP and emerging population as reasons why no company, no matter what their interests, can afford to ignore the Indian market.

"India is very significant because from the standard of growth and opportunity, for any company in the world right now, it is a huge growth market," he said.

Mr Jeffrey, who was named CEO in 2004, has been largely responsible for the revitalisation of the advertising giant. Hehas focused efforts on creativity and innovation and embraced the role of new media in shaping brands. The result has been a number of awards, both locally and internationally. Two years ago the agency picked up 17 Lions at Cannes and won 35 Lions last year, putting it in the top five category.

"The majority of those awards have been won on all of our big clients, which I think is important," Mr Jeffrey said. "When you win awards you should do it on your biggest pieces of business and you should do it on your most challenging pieces of business." He goes on to cite the Sunsilk gangofgirls.com promotion as one example of interesting communication using non-traditional media forms.

To use digital media

Going forward JWT aims to place digital media at the heart of its operation. To help achieve that end, JWT is looking to expand its India operations in 2007. Mr Michael Maedel, JWT's worldwide President, willwork closely with the Indian CEO, Mr Colvyn Harris, to identify how the organisation can build capability in areas that are innovative. The organisation plans to build capability internally and through acquisitions.

All in all, Mr Jeffrey seems to be quite bullish on India.

"There is so much optimism in this market and everyone has a sense of aspiration," he said. "I think optimism is an important ingredient in advertising because our business is about building brands and brands are based on optimism and people improving their lives. What better part of the world than India to accomplish that?"