Havas Media bags media mandate of Shaadi.com

The account will be serviced by the agency's Mumbai office.

Matrimonial website Shaadi.com has awarded its media duties to Havas Media. The multi-agency pitch began towards the end of 2012, and the account will be serviced by Havas Media's Mumbai office. The portal's media requirements were handled by a local agency, earlier.

Gourav Rakshit, chief operating officer, Shaadi.com, says, "Shaadi.com is a pioneer in the online matrimonial space and is unanimously recognised as the world largest online matrimonial service. We were seeking a partner, who not just understood what we do and how we do it, but also why we do it. Havas Media reciprocated our needs with efficient ideas that reflect their understanding of the category and the brand."

Agreeing with him, Anita Nayyar, CEO, Havas Media Group, India and South Asia, adds that the agency endeavours to bring customised business solutions to its client brands and category through deep understanding of people insights and analysis along with innovation. "We are glad Shaadi.com thinks the same of us and look forward to working on the account," Nayyar says.

Mohit Joshi, managing director, Havas Media India, states, "It has been an interesting year so far with a series of wins and Havas is indeed geared for the future of brand challenges to deliver insightful and meaningful brand solutions."

Shaadi.com is founded by People Interactive and went online in 1996. The company is backed by Sequoia Capital and Anupam Mittal-owned People Group. Apart from the matrimonial portal, the company owns brands including Shaadi Centres, ShaadiTimes, Fropper.com, Makaan.com and Astrolife.com. The 16-year-old martimonial site, on its website, claims to have helped form two million matches since its inception.