Mumbai: Havas Creative India, the creative powerhouse of Havas India, has made a resounding impact at Cannes Lions 2025, bringing home one Gold and two Bronze Lions for its evocative and purpose-driven campaign ‘Ink of Democracy’, created in collaboration with The Times of India.
The campaign was honoured with a Gold in the Print & Publishing category and two Bronze Lions in the Direct and Best Use of Media categories, marking a proud milestone for the agency. Rooted in the visual and symbolic significance of India’s iconic purple electoral ink, Ink of Democracy transformed The Times of India’s editorial page into a full-purple spread—a creative call to combat voter apathy ahead of the national elections. It urged citizens to exercise their democratic right through a compelling and culturally resonant act of silent protest.
Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas India, South East Asia, and North Asia, expressed his pride, saying, “Our momentum at Cannes Lions 2025 has been incredible with one Gold in Print & Publishing and two Bronze Lions in Direct and Media for Ink of Democracy. These wins reflect the kind of culture we’ve been nurturing at Havas, a culture rooted in meaning, collaboration, and fearless creativity. It is also a testament of the product and ecosystem we’ve built over the last 7 years. I’m incredibly proud of Anu and our young talents who brought home the lions. A big thank you to Joji and our global teams for the continuous support. Our hearts are full, and I believe this is just the beginning for us.”
Anupama Ramaswamy, Joint MD & Chief Creative Officer, Havas Creative India, added, “We’re incredibly overwhelmed and humbled to bring home two more Bronze Lions for Times of India – Ink of Democracy in Direct and Best Use of Media, along with our Gold in Print & Publishing. For a country that still begins its day with the newspaper, this was more than a campaign — it was a responsibility. And what could be more direct than telling 1.4 billion people to leave their homes and go vote? We didn’t chase engagement; we sparked participation. We didn’t count likes; we counted inked fingers. This is creativity serving democracy.”
She further acknowledged her team and partners, saying, “A heartfelt thank you to our incredible partners at The Times of India, and a big shout out to my brilliantly talented young team — Soham, Ravinder, and Annie. You made this real. These wins matter. They bring visibility, open doors, and most importantly, they shine a light on the next generation of talent. At Havas we are committed to making sure they’re seen, heard, and celebrated.”
