DDB MudraMax Helps Western Union Celebrate 25 years of Presence in India by Launching WUTEC

by  EVENTFAQS Bureau Marketing | February 8, 2018 | News

DDB MudraMax Western Union

Western Union, a leader in global payment services with a strong foothold in North America and Europe is now also increasing its reach across the Middle East and the Asia Pacific at a fast pace. The brand is also a market leader in India, helping the economy with incoming foreign remittances through their digital platform.

For their 25th anniversary celebrating their establishment and presence in India, Western Union launched their first Technology Engineering Center (WUTEC) in Pune, Maharashtra. This high tech center joins the list of WU’s other three key technology centers across the globe.

The WUTEC was inaugurated in Pune on January 29, 2018, by Hikmet Ersek, President, and CEO of Western Union and other key dignitaries from the organisation. This new world-class, 125,000 square feet facility in Pune will serve as company’s innovation and engineering hub in the region, employing more than 1,000 skilled individuals. On this landmark occasion, Western Union and DDB MudraMax organised a grand celebration, amalgamating the innovation and technology prowess of the brand with customised local flavors of the launch location. 

The majestic welcome for Hikmet Ersek, on his arrival at the Pune airport, commenced the series of events for this gala ceremony. The Abdagiri welcome with Puneri tutari (musical instrument) and the brand banners created quite a royal vibe; followed by an elite convoy of Navari sari-clad women bikers accompanying his vehicle to the launch location. The Navari-clad, women riders were an uber-cool representation of the Pune city, which proudly claims to have the largest number of women bikers in India.

DDB MudraMax also arranged for an exhibition of thematic paintings and an elaborate Pune style Rangoli at the entrance of the technology center. These elements gave the guests a visual tour of the rich cultural heritage of the city, as they walked down the ‘yellow carpet’ which represented the yellow hues of the brand.  

The center inauguration was done with a virtual ribbon cutting ceremony wherein the laser beams replaced the typical ribbons, to set a flower shower, curtain lifting and background music in motion. The office tour was a lavish affair; with enthusiastic flash mobs by the employees. These were followed by jamming sessions and candid interactions of the employees with the Global CEO at different key venues of the center. The phrase from one of the key brand’s values ‘Better comes from everywhere’ was displayed boldly on arches throughout the venue. 

Additionally, a gala evening held at the Conrad Ballroom in Pune celebrated the landmark achievements of the brand. The event was led by the popular Indian celebrity - Gauhar Khan. The TEC logo was introduced by a LED interactive dance sequence performed on the swanky stage set up, adding to the glamour quotient of the event. Various other activities like video journey depicting the inception journey TEC office in India, felicitation of the employees who contributed to the success etc. were part of the gala night. 

The celebrations were further extended through the campus programs which invited students from top three engineering colleges in the country to visit the TEC office and seminars which celebrated the spirit of women empowerment through inspiring stories shared by the employees.

Talking about the event post-execution, Sanjay Shukla, President OOH & Experiential, DDB MudraMax remarked, “It’s a proud moment for the team to have created a grand and successful launch for the TEC, Western Union. They have left no stone unturned in winning the mandate and we are elated to have created an eclectic experience for them.”