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Articles by Titus Upputuru
Vale Upputuru JayaChandra Rao (JC Rao): The quiet architect behind India’s “First Family of Advertising”
The Indian advertising fraternity bids farewell to a gentle force whose influence far exceeded the titles he held. Upputuru Jayachandra Rao – fondly known across agencies and corridors as JC Rao – has passed away, leaving behind not just a professional legacy, but a deeply human one that shaped people, ideas, and an entire generation of advertising minds.
Neil French: The last matador bows out
Just when many of us were still trying to steady ourselves after losing Piyush Pandey, another giant has left the arena. Neil French has passed away. And with him goes a style of advertising, a brand of courage, and a way of being that this industry will never see again. For me, it is personal. I met Neil when I was a young creative in Ogilvy—raw, restless, and absurdly impressionable. He was the Worldwide Creative Director then, and once a year he would arrive in India like a storm front.
Cannes Lions 2024: Strategy to great creativity
One of the big winners this year at Cannes is Coca-Cola 'Recycle Me' by Ogilvy. The ads show twisted logo of the iconic brand. Twisted, crushed, mutilated. All the same, we can recognise the world famous logo with the aid of the white typography (albeit twisted) against the backdrop of the bloody-red background. The mangled logo was as evident as the old Neil French’s bold Chivas Regal ads that showed the unique bottle without the logo.
Lok Sabha polls: BJP ropes in McCann Worldgroup & Scarecrow for creative duties: Report
Thums Up has unveiled an action-packed Toofani campaign, “Soft Kya Jaane Toofan ka Swaad”, featuring the actor and Kannada sensation, Kichcha Sudeep. Thums Up has truly stood the test of time to emerge as one of the strongest and most loved beverages of India.
vivo launches 'Be the Pro' campaign
FIITJEE, a coaching institute specialising in JEE training and other competitive exams, has received intense backlash over its recent ad where the company has used pictures of a former student to make a point. The ad has come into the crosshairs of the internet for its insensitivity towards a student who left the institute to join a rival, going as far to share her private details and marks.
Lok Sabha polls: BJP ad spend crosses Rs 31Cr; Congress trails at Rs 14L
FIITJEE, a coaching institute specialising in JEE training and other competitive exams, has received intense backlash over its recent ad where the company has used pictures of a former student to make a point. The ad has come into the crosshairs of the internet for its insensitivity towards a student who left the institute to join a rival, going as far to share her private details and marks.
‘I'm sure he's regaling his buddies up there with his wicked sense of humour’
Ad industry oldhand Fali Vakeel passed away this morning, presumably due to a heart attack. Born in the year 1952, Vakeel died just two months shy of his birthday on May 6th at age 71. "Our beloved Fali passed away peacefully at 4.10 am. His soul rests in peace," said the family. Vakeel played a pivotal role in charting the growth of Lowe Lintas, often called the ‘Last of the Mad Men in Indian advertising’ by his colleagues and peers.
Thums Up & Kichcha Sudeep take Toofan to new heights
Usha Hephzibah Upputuru, my sister, is a Hero of our modern times. She was born on the 18th of April. Twenty years later, on the same day, our mom died in a Train Accident. Usha was with her on that fateful day. Now this could have a huge psychological impact on ordinary souls. But Usha is made of a stronger mettle. She came through this very tragic circumstance in her life with aplomb.
'Steely will and a heart of gold, my sister Usha'
ABBY Awards powered by One Show in 2024 has added new categories this year. “We continue to stay connected with global festivals like The One Show, Cannes, and ADFEST by adding categories that are trending in the world,” stated a press release. Introduction of Best Use of AI sub-category, keeping in mind the trending subject of the year, has been added in both Digital and Technology Verticals. Copywriting for web and digital craft has been added in Still Digital and Digital Verticals.
And the Grand Prix for creative effectiveness goes to the ‘ugly’ monument
When it was first conceived, the Eiffel Tower faced immense opposition. It was termed as a giddy, ridiculous tower dominating Paris like a gigantic black smokestack. Most years, I would land in Nice and, from there, drive down to Cannes. This year, I decided to land in Paris and do the usual sight-seeing with my family. What I discovered was rather unusual. The City of Lights, as it is known across the world, houses incredible creativity.
Guest column: Titus Upputuru on the book that’s guided his life
GURUGRAM: The best book I ever read is the book I read daily. I have been reading it since I was a child, but it is so unputdownable that I can’t help but read it every single day. I carry it everywhere, in the flights, in the cabs, I sleep with it, even. It’s a love letter actually. And the love shines through to anyone who believes in the author. The name of the book is Holy Bible, the largest selling book in the world till date.
The emergence of essential consumerism in the times of COVID-19
When the psalmist David wrote in the first verse of the famous Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want”, he meant that he shall not be in want. Through the years, we’ve all studied the difference between one’s needs, and one’s wants. Advertising was largely attributed with fuelling the desire to want more. We have also learnt that one man’s luxury could be another man’s necessity. But this pandemic has offered us a world view that is not just simple but also absolutely brutal.
Titus Upputuru
And the Grand Prix for creative effectiveness goes to the ‘ugly’ monument When it was first conceived, the Eiffel Tower faced immense opposition. It was termed as a giddy, ridiculous tower dominating Paris like a gigantic black smokestack.
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