The Hindu Business Line : Sir Martin Sorrell

Wondered why the top brass of the WPP Group of companies (to be read as half the advertising agency industry) were kicking around in Mumbai instead of living it up at the AdAsia in Singapore?

Well, Sir Martin Sorrell was in town for a rather extended stay (by his standards) and he was attending the review and budget meetings of each of his companies. Firstly, our respect for Sir Martin rises. He seems to know on which side his bread is buttered, and it is definitely on the Asian side for the next few years.

Also, his clutch of agencies which include (take a deep breath) JWT, O&M, Bates, Grey, Group M, Rediffusion DY&R, Equus and many more I am sure, are all doing rather well, thank you. Which is more than the astute accountant can say for his agencies on the other side of the pond. (I am told it is fashionable to refer to the Atlantic Ocean as "the Pond.") And for a great white shark like Martin, any ocean would look like a pond anyway.

Reflections

So what's the verdict on the big man from all the boys who attended the meeting? Well, he seems to be a pretty affable chap, not the "odious little jerk" that David Ogilvy referred to him as. But at that time he was making what David thought was a hostile bid for his company. This time around, every agency he owned was showing him a bulging bottomline, and a promise of more good things to come. He is also someone who is very good with numbers (being an accountant that is hardly surprising). He does not tolerate any B.S. and he likes his white wine in the afternoons. So did Ranjan Kapur as Country Manager sit in at all the agency meetings? Certainly not! Looks like he is now concentrating on his role as Chairman of Bates for the Asian operations and thus made sure he was there for the Bates review.

Martin on stage

For all those unlucky non-WPP souls who have not seen Sir Martin there's good news. So what if Mr Harris (JWT's CEO) could not get him to speak at the Advertising Agencies Association of India's recent symposium in Mumbai. The Dubai Chapter of the International Advertising Association has listed him (with an asterisk) as one of the possible speakers at its World Congress to be held in Dubai in March 2006. Sir Martin may not be able to get any worthwhile agencies to pick up on his desert safari, but the call of the city of gold must be difficult to ignore. We'll keep you updated on this international seminar that is holding out great promise with its impressive array of speakers, not to speak of the easy air fares from India and the lure of the souks and malls.

AdAsia Singapore

Talking about international seminars, the majority of the over 175 Indians who winged their way to Singapore for the AdAsia 2005 have returned. Some, one gathers, are still soaking up the delights of the region. We spoke to a few of the delegates and present a little tableaux of their impressions, views and comments. What you read may be hearsay, but our sources are normally impeccable.

As we have said earlier, Bharat Patel, Chairman P&G, led what was the single largest delegation to the AdAsia Singapore. He duly went up on stage for his moment in the Asian sun and got acknowledged by the approximately 1,400 delegates.

The AdClub Bombay, which had mobilised a major part of this delegation, received its share of brickbats (mostly from those who had not, in fact, registered through the AdClub) for the lack of vegetarian food on a couple of nights. In fact, the delegates were shocked when they learnt that finger food (starters) was all they would be served on the `gala' opening night. This was evidently further aggravated by the wine culture that prevailed on most nights. Our Indian worthies were sorely missing the hard liquor they have got used to. Local bars reported good business.

Speakers?

The speakers were not the stars they had hoped to see and hear but a large number of first-time delegates ensured that the hall was relatively full through all sessions. The seasoned AdAsia veterans were either on Orchard Road, Mohammed Mustafa Centre or snoozing in their hotel rooms.

It seems the Indian contingent faithfully showed up for all sessions where Indians like Anil Kapoor, Pradeep Guha, Ramesh Narayan and Bhaskar Das were present on stage. We read media reports that our speakers kept the flag flying. The delegation thanked their Gods for small mercies.

And, finally ...

Hottest discovery on the speaker circuit ... Bhaskar Das. The man rocked the audience. The Indians, one gathers, came away saying "We are loving him!" in true McDonald's style.

And is it true that Pradeep Guha walked into the Bhaskar Das session just as Mr Das was called upon to speak? And is it true that he walked right out? Tsk tsk!

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