BBDO India to handle Ford's creative duties in India

The shift comes as a result of a five-month-long review and is part of the brand's plan for redesigning its global marketing operations.

BBDO India has been assigned to handle the creative duties for Ford India. The news was confirmed to afaqs! by the Ford India team. Globally, Ford appointed advertising agency BBDO as its lead creative shop in an attempt to revamp its marketing operations.

In a statement with response to our queries, the team at Ford India said, "Ford is redesigning its marketing operations globally to elevate the 115-year-old iconic brand. With this transformation, BBDO has been named as the lead creative agency globally, as well as in India. BBDO will be fully in place from January 1, 2019. Their influence will be seen next year."

"WPP will continue to be the agency that handles activation for us - including media planning, media buying, shopper and performance marketing, website development, customer relationship marketing as well as multicultural, and Tier 2 dealer advertising," the Ford India team further outlines.

ALSO READ: After-shocks for WPP: Ford to open up bids for some parts of the business

Earlier this week, WWP, owner ad network of dedicated Ford agency GTB (Global Team Blue) that has been handling the brand's creative duties, issued a statement saying, "Over the past five months, WPP has been working with Ford Motor Company on its future marketing and advertising relationships. At the conclusion of the review, WPP will be responsible for activating the Ford brand through key channels and regions, through its global Ford agency GTB, as well as other WPP agencies while Ford has appointed another agency as its lead creative agency."

The WWP statement also states, "WPP agencies will continue to handle activation, including media planning and buying, digital and production. These responsibilities also include Tier 2 advertising work in the US, China advertising operations with its joint venture partner, all Lincoln advertising and all the Ford public relations business. WPP will work closely with Ford on the shape of its future relationship and the impact on its people."