MxMIndia

Author: mxmadmin

  • For its Auto and Farm Business

    Mahindra to sponsor ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 on Disney Star

    By Our Staff

     

    Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd farm and auto sectors announced the expansion of its cricketing association as the Associate Sponsor with Star Sports for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and ‘co-powered by’ sponsor on the digital platform, Disney+ Hotstar. In addition to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, this collaboration ensures visibility for Mahindra’s Automotive and Tractor brands during the Asia Cup 2023.

     

    Said Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director & CEO – Auto & Farm Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd: “We are excited to be a sponsor for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 on Star Sports and Disney+ Hotstar. This sponsorship is a key milestone in our mission to connect deeply with the passion of millions of Indians. We see a strong synergistic resonance between our SUVs and Tractor brands and the vibrant spirit of Indian cricket. Through this sponsorship and our upcoming engagement activities, we aim to create cherished memories and strong bonds with our customers.”

     

  • To further amplify its influence and impact

    CashKaro onboards Genelia Deshmukh as Brand Ambassador

    By Our Staff

     

    CashKaro, the cashback and coupons app, has announced its collaboration with actor Genelia Deshmukh, as its brand ambassador.

     

    Commenting on the announcement, Rohan Bhargava, Co-Founder, CashKaro and EarnKaro said: “We are delighted to welcome Genelia Deshmukh to the CashKaro family. Her infectious energy, authenticity, and widespread appeal make her the perfect ambassador for CashKaro, as we continue our journey of reshaping the online shopping experience for millions of Indians. This partnership starts a new and exciting chapter as we remain committed to our  promise of offering our users unmatched value, convenience, and savings.”

     

    Further adding to this, Swati Bhargava, Co-Founder, CashKaro & EarnKaro added: “Our association with Genelia will further solidify CashKaro as the country’s go-to savings destination for shoppers. Through this campaign, our attempt is to build awareness about CashKaro and demonstrate how it is super easy to save 1000s every month via CashKaro. Online shoppers can get extra Cashback from us on top of all Diwali sale discounts, and that’s why this campaign is rightly called #CashKaroAishKaro!”

     

  • With Anil Kapoor

    Lowe Lintas unveils campaign for Dosti 1 Mumbai

    By Our Staff

     

    Lowe Lintas Mumbai unveils an advertising campaign in partnership with Dosti Realty for its latest Dosti 1 Mumbai project. The campaign features actor Anil Kapoor.

     

    Commenting on the campaign, Anuj Goradia, Director of Dosti Realty, said: “Our mission was to create an exciting opportunity for homebuyers across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region to become a part of this grand township project. I am extremely pleased with the distinctive campaign that has emerged from our partnership with Lowe Lintas, our strategic marketing and sales partner, The Guardians Real Estate Advisory, and our enduring brand ambassador, Anil Kapoor. I believe this campaign will establish new standards in the real estate sector.”

     

    Added Likhit Pamarti, CMO of The Guardians Real Estate Advisory:  “The Guardians aims to make a significant impact in the real estate arena with the launch of Dosti 1 Mumbai. To achieve this, we embarked on creating a bold campaign that celebrates the emotions of homebuyers, reaching across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region with a well-planned media blitz. We relied on Anil Kapoor’s timeless charisma to infuse an effortless sense of trust and reliability into the campaign, aligning perfectly with Dosti Realty’s long-standing image of trust and transparency cultivated over several decades. I am delighted to say that the campaign has shaped up beautifully, and I am confident that the launch of Dosti 1 Mumbai will be a resounding success.”

     

    Sharing the enthusiasm on the launch, Sagar Kapoor, CCO, Lowe Lintas said: “When we received the brief from Dosti. It was very clear from day one to us that the Dosti 1 Mumbai is one of its kind and a unique project. The challenge therefore for us was to derive a campaign which would break the clutter in the category and something that people are not used to seeing. With Anil Kapoor the campaign development therefore became a lot more interesting for us. As it allowed us to conceive the idea that made it seamless to connect both Anil Kapoor and Dosti 1 Mumbai as both have the unique qualities and offering to the consumers and viewers.”

     

  • To drive investor awareness around Large & Mid- cap category

    Tata Asset launches campaign

    By Our Staff

     

    Tata Asset Management company, as a part of its ‘Desh Kare Nivesh’ initiative has launched its new investor education campaign – ‘Yeh Jugalbandi Hai Sahi’, to spread awareness on large and midcap category. The asset management company emphasises that stability and growth in investments can be achieved through investments in large and midcap category.

     

    The brand has used various art forms, such as music and dance, as a central theme to illustrate the advantages of large and midcap category. The campaign is based on the insight that, much like different instruments come together to create harmony in music, a balanced investment portfolio can be achieved by investing in large-cap and mid-cap category.

     

    On the launch, Ashish Pawar, Head – Marketing, Tata Asset Management, said: “We are delighted to launch our new campaign – ‘Yeh Jugalbandi Hai Sahi’, as a part of ‘Desh Kare Nivesh’ initiative. We have leveraged various art forms like music and dance, to explain the art of investment and further educate investors about large and midcap category. The fusion of large-cap and mid-cap investments meets the current demand, combining the stability of established companies with the growth potential of emerging ones to create a sustainable and moderately rewarding financial composition.”

     

  • To manage strategic corporate communications for India

    Collinson partners Pitchfork for its comms

    By Our Staff

     

    Collinson, the global leader in providing airport experiences, loyalty and customer engagement solutions and the operator of the world’s leading airport lounge programme Priority Pass, has selected Pitchfork Partners as its new communications partner in India.

     

    Through this appointment, Pitchfork Partners will assist Collinson and Priority Pass with their ambitious growth plans and vision of delivering the world’s most valuable travel ecosystem. Pitchfork Partners will collaborate closely with Collinson’s Asia Pacific team to develop a robust communications strategy and programme for the Indian market that includes executive communications, media relations, thought leadership, and crisis and issue management.

     

    Collinson is a global, privately-owned company that has been dedicated to helping people travel with ease and confidence. The company works with the world’s foremost payment networks, and over 1,400 banks, 90 airlines, and 20 hotel groups worldwide. Collinson operates Priority Pass, the world’s original and market-leading airport experiences programme, offering travellers access to over 1,400 airport lounges and travel experiences across 650 airports in 148 countries.

     

    Commenting on the appointment, Jaideep Shergill, Co-Founder, Pitchfork Partners, said: “Collinson has been operational in India for over 16 years and has worked with brands, particularly within the financial services industry, to create meaningful customer engagement through delivering market-leading airport experiences, loyalty and customer engagement programmes. With extensive experience in collaborating with global clients and having a profound understanding of India’s travel and hospitality sector, we as Pitchfork Partners are confident that we will be able to support Collinson’s growth and its communication strategy in India.”

     

  • Hires ex-co founders of Fabsquad Media along with A-list creators

    Monk Ent strengthens footprint in South India

    By Our Staff

     

    Monk Entertainment (Monk-E), a content marketing and creator management company, is all set to expand its footprint in talent representation and digital marketing in South India by onboarding the core team of Fabsquad Media. Aju Philip,ex-COO will now be looking after the creator program and Aishwarya Gunjal, ex-CFO will be looking into the business operations in the south division.

     

    With this strategic expansion, Monk Entertainment is primed to work with creators to help bridge the gap between regional acclaim and nationwide recognition and with brands in this market to help them unlock the potential of content marketing with the help of creators.

     

    Armed with their proficiency in four key South Indian languages (Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada), the newly recruited team will ensure a strong presence for the company in those markets. By establishing a South division, Monk Entertainment aims to nurture and collaborate with talents in the region to boost the creator economy across India as part of their larger vision.

     

    Viraj Sheth, Co-Founder and CEO of Monk Entertainment said: “Our vision entails a future where creators from South India not only present their unique culture, diversity and skills through their content but are also justly compensated like their peers in Mumbai and Delhi for the value that they create. We also intend to work in tandem with the brands and companies operating in this region to help them unleash the power of content and influencer marketing.”

     

  • A pro bono social consulting practice on its 12th foundation day

    PR Professionals launches ‘Raise’

    By Our Staff

     

    Commemorating 12 successful years in the field of PR and communications, PR Professionals, the flagship of PRP Group, has launched ‘RAISE,’ a social communication practice aimed at supporting grassroots-level NGOs with their communication requirements. This practice will be a part of the PRP Foundation and will provide pro bono communication services to NGOs and individuals across the country who are engaged in impactful work, particularly at the grassroots level. These organizations often face constraints in hiring communication firms or consultants due to limited budgets and resources.

     

    As part of its CSR commitment, PR Professionals will offer a comprehensive range of communication services pro bono, including public relations, digital marketing, and website management. The goal is to empower these NGOs to raise awareness about their endeavours. This will be a two-way process, allowing organizations seeking these services to directly approach PRP. Concurrently, PRP will actively identify relevant organizations and campaigns to support.

     

    Dr. Sarvesh Tiwari, Founder and Managing Director of PR Professionals, said: “Since PRP’s inception, we have supported numerous social campaigns pro bono. We have collaborated with various organizations and stakeholders driving developmental initiatives in the country, providing assistance in promoting their ideas and contributing to a robust civil society. On our 12th foundation day, we formalized this approach as a practice, enabling us to support more campaigns and grassroots-level NGOs through our initiative, RAISE.”

     

  • As part of its Innovation testing suite

    Kantar launches Sensory eValuate in India

    By Our Staff

    Kantar, marketing data and analytics company, launches Sensory eValuate in India as a part of Innovation testing suite. It uses sensory research to help evaluate consumer products using the human senses – touch, smell, sight, sound and hearing.

     

    Driven by scientific expertise, Sensory eValuate helps to develop and optimise superior products; explore, design, or optimise new and existing products to drive consumer satisfaction, repeat purchase and brand loyalty – giving marketers the ability to protect and maximise the value of their brand equity. The solution covers a broad range of categories including food & beverage, fragrance, personal care and beauty, cleaning products, automotive, physical environments, and consumer goods. Catering to three critical stages of innovation aligned to growth – Identify, Build and Launch, Sensory eValuate provides insights through the process in a layered approach. The new offer complements other solutions from Kantar’s eValuate suite of innovation tools, including Idea eValuate, Concept eValuate, Pack eValuate and Product eValuate, to help clients identify growth opportunities. These solutions are highly flexible and can be customized according to client needs.

     

    Speaking about Sensory eValuate, Ranjana Gupta, Lead – Innovation, South Asia, Insights Division, Kantar said: “Understanding what product formulation best meets expectations requires specific sensory expertise and methods. Sensory eValuate brings insight to the detailed attribute level of formulations, empowering the R&D capability within client organisations for the creation of the ultimate sensory experience. Understanding how flavour, fragrance, surfaces, or sounds interact with consumer perception is crucial for the success of a product. Getting these elements right has the power to positively impact brand equity, demand a premium price, create memories, and establish a sensory signature that underlies long-term success in the market. Complimenting this with salience and a congruent total offer is the secret.”

     

    Soumya Mohanty, MD & Chief Client Officer, South Asia, Insights Division, Kantar added: “Innovation requires continual, ongoing effort to ensure that your pipeline delivers the products that will create growth opportunities. Since 1998, Kantar BrandZ has consistently identified three qualities that are the hallmarks of the strongest brands- meaningful, different, and salient. With the launch of Sensory eValuate in India, brand owners will benefit in staying meaningfully different and ahead of the pack. With a 30+ year history in sensory and technical innovation and a total of 1 million plus consumers surveyed across 90+ markets, Kantar’s Sensory eValuate solution can revolutionize product development in India.”

     

  • Conceptualised by Kondurkar Studio

    Irth from Titan launches new digital campaign

    By Our Staff

     

    Irth from the House of Titan, has launched a new digital campaign showcasing its canvas bags. It is conceptualised by Kondurkar Studio.

     

    Said Kanwalpreet Walia, CMO of Titan Company Limited: “Every woman’s journey is unique and truly theirs to define. IRTH canvas bags are perfect for days when women want to express their unique selves. The campaign is an extension of the same thought, expressing moments that are easy, breezy and light. The new IRTH Canvas Bags film beautifully represents those carefree moments while you carry all your joyful things in the light white bag.”

     

    Added Amrish Kondurkar, founder of Kondurkar Studio: “The campaign mirrors the canvas itself! “Light, easy, white” not merely showcases products, but truthfully captures the spirit of the material itself. Rooted in brand thought, “Yours to define”, this campaign is simply another taste of freedom felt on a breezy day, where natural light illuminates the bags’ texture and nuances, bringing out their timeless elegance as they get carried away with their best friends – the women”.

     

  • Prabhuji Sweets and Namkeens

    SRK & Rashmika partner to promote snacks

    By Our Staff

     

    Prabhuji Sweets and Namkeens, has announced an exclusive partnership with Shah Rukh Khan and Rashmika Mandanna.

     

    Commenting on the partnership,  Manish Agarwal – MD, said: “Prabhuji Sweets and Namkeens have long been treasured as a cornerstone of India’s snacking tapestry. While our delectable creations have remained India’s delight, our association with Shah Rukh and Rashmika is a testament to our aspiration to showcase the essence of our flavors to the Indian Palette. Our commitment to delivering unparalleled taste experiences remains unwavering.”

     

  • We should be careful not to impose lazy stereotypes that which oversimplify complex realities, write Geeta Lobo and Ashwini Sirsikar

    Beyond Stereotypes: The Complex Realities of Generational Differences

     

     

    By Geeta Lobo ad Ashwini Sirsikar

     

    In the contemporary discourse, generational differences are a compelling explanation for the ever-shifting landscapes of values and perspectives. Marketers are increasingly targeting generations with the belief that these are consistent cohorts. Gen Z and Boomers being at loggerheads, is an ever-present meme. At the same time, reasonable arguments are also made about how these generational differences are actually a myth. That these reflect differences in life-stages. Why shouldn’t the mindset of a twenty-something be different from those who are in their 60s or 70s?  Other arguments are about how these global stereotypes sweep aside stark differences in local realities in terms of social, economic and cultural context. How can the youth in Delhi, Manila, Kyiv, and Johannesburg be painted with the same brush simply because they share a 15-year birth window?

    With access to long-term data on opinions and attitudes from our work across different countries to understand the nature of generational differences, we have uncovered some interesting insights.

     

    Generational differences are not just life-stage differences: Our omnibus studies have been tracking people’s outlook on the state-of-affairs in their country and the direction of change it is taking. Using this data, it is possible to look at what various generations believed when they were at the same life-stage. We could compare the present Gen Z who are in their late teens and twenties with Millennials when they were at a similar age. Likewise, we could compare the Millennials at present in their 30s and early 40s with Gen X when they were at a similar age band.

    In both these cases, we see that at the same stage in life, newer generations are more positive about the current situation and more optimistic about the future. These are true generational differences. It is also completely understandable given that economic conditions have steadily improved world over (with a few exceptions) The sunnier outlook of the newer generations are rooted in the better economic circumstances these generations have inherited. In India too, this is the generation which has lived in an era of relative economic and political stability.

     

    Generational differences don’t always match stereotypes: The spotlight often casts Gen Z – the woke generation, as the torchbearers of change, fervently championing causes from climate activism to grassroots governance. However, our research has shown that Indian Gen-Z are quite apathetic even when it comes to politics.  They carefully select causes which are close to their heart and where they feel they can make a difference. Research conducted during Earth Day 2023 finds that though a large proportion of Gen Z are disheartened by the visible ravages of climate change, they exhibit a reluctance to modify their own behaviour in the fight against it. On the flip side, they are passionate activists when it comes to gender issues.

    The common trope of self-centred Gen Z – mesmerised by social media, who does not care for lasting relationships, also does not match reality. In study after study, we have found that Gen Z in India are as family oriented as other cohorts. They value and cherish their relationships with their parents and close friends. They consider family a key priority and parents their new 4-AM-friends. In India, Gen Z claims a lower internet dependence than Millennials. This is as many believe they can control their digital behaviour and can switch on and off at will.

    In our increasingly interconnected world, it’s plausible that the common threads that unite a generation might trump the differences in their local realities. Each digital interaction, each virtual exchange, contributes to a shared repository of ideas, culminating in a shared ethos that shapes values, influences perspectives, and moulds behaviour. Generational differences are real and may be gaining dominance over other macro factors. And this will enable brands to echo values that resonate with each generation that takes centre-stage. Gen Z may be the first generation who can be targeted in a globally cohesive way.   But factors such as cultural, social and economic realities have a strong play in shaping mindsets and cannot be ignored. And even with generational differences we should be careful not to impose lazy stereotypes – which oversimplify complex realities.

     

    Geeta Lobo is Chief Client Officer, Ipsos India and Ashwini Sirsikar is Group Service Line Leader, UU & Synthesio, Ipsos India

     

  • "The mainstream media was happy with a bland statement on Manipur by the PMi months after the violence began. And an eminent fact-finding team of journalists is attacked for searching for facts," writes Ranjona Banerji

    Ranjona Banerji: No facts allowed in Manipur

    By Ranjona Banerji

     

    Ranjona BanerjiThe Editors Guild of India did the most unconscionable thing imaginable in today’s “New India”. It sent a fact-finding mission to Manipur, to assess the situation on the ground and investigate the ongoing anarchy in the state. For this, the Manipur state government, led by Chief Minister N Biren Singh of the BJP, filed FIRs against Guild members for trying to “create more clashes in the state”. The four members who have been targeted are all very senior, respected journalists with years of experience: Bharat Bhushan, Seema Guha, Sanjay Kapoor and Seema Mustafa.

    Singh has just followed, to the T, instructions from the BJP playbook when faced with any criticism. Blame the messenger, the truth-seeker, the whistle-blower. Earlier, Congress politician Rahul Gandhi had been blamed for the violence by the BJP, egged on by sections of the “media”, because he made a visit to Manipur weeks after the violence began.

    The Editors Guild team found that the media in the state had been “transformed into a Meitei media” and wrote “one-sided” reports to favour the Meiteis. These now ceaseless clashes between Meiteis and Kukis began in May.

    The Supreme Court of India stepped in and stayed the police action until a hearing on September 11.

    https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/sc-protects-editors-guild-members-from-arrest-over-manipur-reports-541975

    https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/editorial/unconscionable-action-against-editors-guild-2675974

    Eventually, the chickens will come home to roost. Although as ever the mainstream media remains silent about the constant attacks on media freedom by Government, the consequences of these assaults will now be felt at all levels. For how long the courts can and will continue to protect us – for what it’s worth – remains to be seen.

    The actions of the Biren Singh government are blatant. The authorities remain unaffected by the outrage over continuing anarchy and violence in Manipur. The short burst of anger after videos of Kuki women being paraded naked and assaulted is now forgotten. The mainstream media was happy with a bland and meaningless statement on Manipur by the Prime Minister months after the violence began. And an eminent fact-finding team of journalists is attacked by the government for searching for facts.

    Those who were already scared by government action have received one more hammer message: all praise or else.

    Various Central governments have said as much to reporters who dared to ask pesky questions: we know your bosses, we will set the ED on you, and so on. This sort of behaviour is now accepted as normal and seen as par for the course.

    I can guarantee you that I will now get well-meaning explanations from the general public, as if I don’t know this, about how the media is “bought”, “scared”, and so on. As if any of those are acceptable excuses for the non-practice of journalism.

    It is true, as consumers of news are so kind to inform me, that the practice of journalism has been totally degraded. But this has happened largely by the TV channels which people still love to watch. In spite of the total garbage that they churn out.

    The latest travesty comes from India Today TV, the “gold standard” of journalism. According to well-known public mythology expert Devdutt Pattanaik, he was invited for an evening yelling match on the whole drama over “India or Bharat” triggered by the Modi Government’s sudden use of “President of Bharat”, instead of India, for the G20 summit’s official dinner. He could not attend so he sent a video clip.

    This clip was then edited and presented as a “debate” between him and BJP-government spokesperson on historical matters, Sanjeev Sanyal.

    This practice may or may not be followed by TV channels regularly, but it is still bad form. You cannot have a “debate” if one person is not present to refute and correct positions taken against him or her.

    It is a blatant exercise at insulting your guests and treating your viewers like fools.

    I suppose that sums up the TV media. For me at least.

    How low can we sink?

    We ain’t seen nothing yet, the rate we’re going at!

     

    Ranjona Banerji is a senior journalist and commentator. She writes on MxMIndia on Tuesdays and Fridays. Her views here are personal.