DDB Mudra Group's Maatra joins Gutenberg Networks

Pre-media production solutions specialist agency Maatra will be rebranded as Gutenberg Networks India.

DDB Mudra Group's pre-media production solutions specialist agency Maatra has joined the global integrated production powerhouse Gutenberg Networks, a part of Omnicom Group Inc. Maatra will now be rebranded as Gutenberg Networks India and become the 4th global centre after France, UK and USA.

Gutenberg Networks is a global integrated marketing production organisation with core expertise in the development and execution of cost effective communication campaigns in broadcast, web, press and print. With an expert workforce of more than 1,200 employees globally, Gutenberg Networks works closely with some of the biggest brands, leveraging and creating value through tightly executed global campaigns. It has worked with more than 75 clients for an average tenure of over a decade. Some of its partners include Philips, Star Alliance, PepsiCo Tropicana, Volkswagen and Canadian Tourism Commission, generating substantial savings for clients.

Speaking about this development, John Zeigler, chairman and CEO, DDB Asia Pacific, India and Japan, says, "We have a strategic vision of taking Maatra from India and transporting its service offering across Asia Pacific. With its robust platform and work flow technologies, it is a natural fit with Gutenberg Networks. As a combined force, Gutenberg Networks India will be able to build on and will clearly offer benchmark services and value to all clients across the region. Gutenberg Networks can arguably be the third partner for any client: after the creative partner, the media partner and now, the implementation partner."

Madhukar Kamath, group CEO and managing director, DDB Mudra Group, says, "Maatra is a pioneering and strategic effort in offering pre-media services from the DDB Mudra Group. Teaming with the best in the business, Gutenberg Networks and leveraging what Maatra has already achieved, Gutenberg Networks India will no doubt become a valuable hub and a part of a global presence. It is exciting to be Gutenberg Networks' 4th global centre and the first in Asia."

Radhakrishnan Swaminathan, who will head Gutenberg Networks India, has been spearheading Maatra as its president. He feels that the first centre in Asia, Gutenberg Networks India is strategically positioned to leverage and expand on Maatra clientele and provide a growth platform.

"We already work with a host of clients of the DDB Mudra Group and others. Our multi-location capability allows us to look at delivering pre-media production services across geographies," he adds.

Recently, the DDB Mudra Group network in India adopted a new structure, brand identity, colours and brand architecture. The logo and the structure clearly bear strong DDB presence.

After the restructure, the group comprised of eight branded agencies, namely DDB Mudra, DDB MudraMax, Mudra, Water, DDB Health & Lifestyle, Maatra, RAPP and Tribal DDB India.