Astus Group, a media trading company that enables clients to grow their marketing exposure by part-paying for their advertising using their products or services, has announced the launch of its first office in India in Mumbai. It will be headed by Sparsh Ganguli, who joins as India Head.
Sparsh has over 25 years’ experience working for agencies and media houses including Star, Sony and BAG Films, and has been instrumental in creating the partnerships required for launch, informed an official statement.
His expertise in the Indian advertising ecosystem and launching media trading companies in India will help Astus in creating the value for clients and media owners, the statement added.
Astus was founded in London in 2003. Including India, it has a presence in 20 countries with over 300 clients and accounts for US$ 400 m of trading annually.
The company works with clients across sectors in collaboration with their agencies. The media agency remains in control of the media planning and buying process ensuring quality is not compromised, explained the Astus note.
The company also works with media owners across channels, enabling media owners to trade their soft currency or media space for goods and services they need.
On the development, Frances Dickens and Paul Jackson, Joint Chairmen and founding members, Astus, said, “We are fully committed to India as a market where we can help deliver incremental value for advertiser, agencies and media owners alike, ensuring that all parties get what they want as part of the process. We look forward to deepening our existing relationships and growing many more new ones over the coming years.”
Dickens was awarded the OBE on the England King’s Birthday Honours List for services to media trading.
Ganguli, added, “Astus solves a real problem for clients who had to previously compromise on media to offset redundant or slow-moving products. In my experience working with clients and media houses in India, Astus business model can create synergies to enhance the efficiency of each media plan and add value to both parties.”
Ganguli will report to the founding members.
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