Starcom begins search for IMX successor

Shanker leaves to pursue interests outside of the media industry, according to a Publicis Groupe statement. A search for a replacement, led by Starcom MediaVest Group’s South and Southeast Asia CEO Ravi Kiran, is underway.

“Shyam has been instrumental in making India Media Exchange a success and helping us build momentum in the region,” said Kiran.

IMX was set up in 2007, with Shanker as president, to pool the media buying resources of ZenithOptimedia and Starcom MediaVest Group.

Meanwhile, Starcom has relaunched its branded content arm Starcom Entertainment as The Bridge. The unit’s services include product placement, brand integration and advertiser funded programming the worlds of movies, TV, celebrities and music.

The Bridge will operate under three hubs in Asia - Mumbai for South Asia, Singapore for Southeast Asia and Shanghai for North Asia.

Kiran said: “It is our conviction that in the future, as consumer attention becomes even scarcer, we will need to use content and entertainment to connect brands and their customers.”