MxMIndia

Author: mxmadmin

  • Now, as the timeline on its website notes, 2023 is the year when Chateau Indage has made a comeback

    Remember Chateau Indage? It now has a new identity

    By Our Staff

     

    In a world where there was no Sula or York or Soma or Fratelli or some of the other various homegrown brands, there was Chateau Indage with its Riviera and various other wine brands. Or the premium champagne clone, Marquise De Pompadour.

     

    Chateau Indage boasted of one or more wine bars (Ivy Bar?) where you could pair their wines with some cool eats. Its outlet at Narayagaon near Pune too had an interesting wine bar where one could consume the Chantili wine with country (gavthi) chicken).

     

    Somewhere along the years, the wine maker’s brands faded away and the company reportedly went down under. But now, as the timeline on its website notes, 2023 is the year when Chateau Indage has made a comeback.

     

    Now the late Shamrao Chougule-founded Chateau Indage has unveiled a new brand logo. In February 2023, according to a report on IndianWineAcademy.com, Integra Essentia Ltd announced that it had acquired the assets of Indage Vintners, earlier known as Chateau Indage for Rs 40 crore.

     

    In a filing to the stock exchanges, the company (Integra Essentia) noted: “Integra Essentia Limited recently acquired the Chateau Indage Winery, as a part of its long-term business growth strategy and to strengthen its presence in entire supply chain spectrum of consumable goods. With the rise in disposable incomes, rapid urbanisation, access to reasonably priced domestic wines, the perceived health benefits of consuming low alcohol beverages, and changing consumer attitudes have led to a significant increase in wine consumption.”

     

    On Wednesday (November 22), we received a communique on the brand refresh which is spearheaded by Asawari Pande, Marketing and Brand Manager at Oniv Beverages. Pande, as per her LinkedIn profile, has trained in wine and spirits and has worked with wine major Grover Zampa in the past.

     

    Sharing his thoughts on the brand’s next chapter, Ajinkya Bidkar, Chief Designer Officer of Bidkar (which presumably has worked on the refresh), said:  “As we chart an exhilarating new path, the unveiling of the new logo stands as a resounding testament to our commitment to heritage conservation, fearless innovation, and our profound connection to roots. We whole-heartedly invite everyone to embark on this thrilling journey where tradition merges seamlessly with innovation as we share our passion for wine with the world.”

     

  • To support Generative AI startups

    Zee & Nasscom forge partnership

    By Our Staff

     

    Nitin Mittal, President – Technology & Data, ZEE and Ankit Bose, Head of Nasscom AI

    Entertainment conglomerate Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd has partnered with software and services companies apex body National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom*) for its recently-launched Generative AI Foundry programme, that aims to foster innovation and growth in the start-up ecosystem. Through the strategic partnership, Zee’s Technology and Innovation Centre will primarily focus on enabling and supporting co-piloted generative AI solutions for India’s media and entertainment ecosystem.

     

    Said Nitin Mittal, President – Technology and Data, Zee: “We are delighted to embark upon this exciting journey in collaboration with Nasscom, aiming to shape the future of India’s AI community. The synergy between our endeavours, Nasscom’s commitment to nurturing tech startups, and Zee’s leadership in media innovation signifies more than just a convergence of minds—it represents a fusion of futuristic visions poised to define the industry’s next chapter. As a frontrunner in India’s M&E ecosystem, this partnership stands as a testament to our commitment towards elevating consumer experience by leveraging digital technologies. At Zee, we believe that collaborations of this nature are instrumental in propelling the growth of startups and fostering innovation in the India’s AI landscape.”

     

    Added Ankit Bose, Head of Nasscom AI: “The partnership between both organisations is a significant one for the Generative AI startups. It is heartening to witness excellent initiatives from the industry to collaborate with these startups. The innovative solutions possess the potential to transform various sectors including media and entertainment (M&E).”

     

    *Ed: Since December 2022, Nasscom writes its name entirely in lower case. Hence: nasscom

     

  • Across Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Jaipur

    Excitel launches OOH campaign on safe driving

    By Our Staff

     

    Excitel, the home internet startup, is taking its ‘Drive Safely’ Out-of-Home (OOH) campaign to Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Jaipur. This campaign aims to encourage safe and attentive driving, with messaging like “Calls are more exciting at home, Chats are more exciting at home,” and “Games are more exciting at home.”

     

    Said Varun Pasricha, Chief Operating Officer, Excitel: ”Six months ago, we launched the #Drive Safely initiative in Delhi, determined to tackle distracted driving, particularly related to internet usage like streaming, gaming, or texting while driving. It exceeded our expectations and we became the first internet company to address the issue. Now, as we extend our efforts to Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Jaipur our mission remains steadfast. Our marketing strategy aims for more than just publicity; it aims for a profound impact. Moving ahead, our goal is to create safer roads, cultivate responsible driving habits, and ensure that Excitel continues to lead in promoting road safety, not only as a corporate mission but as a genuine commitment to our communities’ well-being.”

     

    We hope the Excitel drive has reduced the need for car drivers to carry baseball bats or hockey sticks in case there is a need to get physical and beyond the oft-used: “Tujhe maloom nahin ki mera baap kaun hai”.

     

  • To bring SFA Championships 2023-2024 on digital and TV

    Viacom18 & Sports For All (SFA) collaborate

    By Our Staff

     

    With the presentation of SFA Championships on JioCinema, Sports18-2, and Sports18 Khel channels, school sporting competitions will now make their way to digital and television. The partnership of Sports For All (SFA), tech-enabled multi-sport grassroots competition platform and Viacom18, will together make school sports accessible to millions of sports fans, across the country.

     

    Said Head of Content, TV and Digital, Viacom 18 Sports, Siddharth Sharma: “The partnership with Sports For All (SFA) is our bid to make sporting action from the grassroots level accessible by harnessing the power of digital. We endeavour to continue spotlighting school-level talent by including SFA Championships in our portfolio.”

     

    Added SFA founders Vishwas Choksi and Rishikesh Joshi: “Partnering with Viacom18 is indeed a historic moment, in bringing Indian school sports to the centre stage.  The country will now join in to witness the incredible potential of our young athletes”, “Our aim is to enthuse viewers to witness the journey of future champions, through our broadcast content. The SFA Championships entail an international sporting experience through equitable access to world class infrastructure, match videos, analytics and insights for school athletes. Every episode will showcase the energy and sporting talent of that city, their trials and tribulations and how every athlete contributes in identifying the ‘number one school in sports’, for their city.”

     

  • The biggest and most respected names from western democracies – like The New York Times and the British Broadcasting Corporation for instance – have been despicable in the way they have dehumanised Palestinians and openly sided with Israel, writes Ranjona Banerji

    Ranjona Banerji: Racist hypocrisy of international media

    By Ranjona Banerji

     

    Ranjona BanerjiPriyadarshini Patel is head member of Ganga Ahvaan, a citizen’s forum working on conserving the ecology of the Himalayas and on the Ganga. She wrote this in the Times of India, Wednesday, November 22. For the last 11 days, 41 labourers have been trapped in a tunnel they were building into the mountains at Silkyara, in Uttarakhand. The tunnel was for the ongoing Char Dham Yatra (Char Dham Pariyojana or CDP) highway, a brainchild and pet dream of the current Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.

    “Despite assurances of mitigation on paper, CDP, Himachal and Sikkim make it amply clear that the damage to the Himalayas cannot be mitigated. It can, and will, collapse on our heads. The development model in this young, fragile mountain range gas been disastrous and needs course correction. Mega projects are not what the Himalayas are about, culturally or geographically. It is time to recognise that above all the Himalayas need protection from the approaching fury of climate change.”

    This is a simple reality of the condition of the Himalayas which has been pointed out over and over again by every anti-national environmentalist and ecologist. And by several anti-national geologists as well, although most such reports are buried under landslides which sometimes occur within government offices, usually deliberately.

    As media interest has sporadically shifted towards the tunnel rescue efforts, it has not and will not focus comprehensively on the Char Dham Yatra highway, on the reasons for the several disasters that have hit it, on the composition of the Supreme Court committee that is supposed to monitor it and on the resignations of experts from the committee, and the sudden shift in intent from a road for tourism to a road for defence, seemingly to get past a legal hurdle. These factors can all be found in media coverage, but disparately. When the reason for building the road against all odds and advice is the whims of those at the very top of the pyramid, the media falls short when it comes to informing its paying public exactly what is going on.

    The several shortcomings in the Indian media as it operates today have now been matched by the total racist hypocrisy of the international media in its coverage of the Israel bombardment of Gaza, after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. The biggest and most respected names from western democracies – like The New York Times and the British Broadcasting Corporation for instance – have been despicable in the way they have dehumanised Palestinians, reduced their deaths to statistics and openly sided with Israel war on civilians while ostensibly searching for a terrorist organisation its own government has collaborated with. Some Israeli journalists, by comparison, have shown more professionalism and gumption in coverage and comment on Israel’s heartless attacks on the civilians of Gaza.

    It is somewhat reassuring that Al-Jazeera received this letter from a few BBC journalists upset with their employer’s stance on Israel: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/23/as-israel-pounds-gaza-bbc-journalists-accuse-broadcaster-of-bias

    As journalists have pointed out, the obsession of getting all people to answer the question: “But do you condemn Hamas”, has somehow reduced the significance of all human suffering to whatever answer is given. This is a fascist trick which the best of the best which lectures the world incessantly on bad behaviour, has fallen prey to, given in to, or is actively celebrating.

    Media gaps in coverage are increasingly the biggest when it comes to the powerful and the wealthy. To come back to India, it is vital to read this brilliant, chilling account by Suparna Sharma in Al-Jazeera, on the deaths of two senior citizens in an upmarket senior facility. Arrogance and negligence and possibly official complicity stand out.

    https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/longform/2023/11/24/a-fire-two-deaths-and-the-business-of-elder-care-in-india

     

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

     

  • With 'Build a Toilet, Build her Future' campaign

    Hindware continues its mission to empower girls

    By Our Staff

     

    Hindware, the bathroom solutions brand, continues its ‘Build a Toilet, Build her Future’ campaign. Conceptualised in November 2020, under the aegis of #HygieneThatEmpowers, the brand has been working on the ground in states across India to construct toilets in schools and has built more than 300 toilets in various government schools, mainly situated in remote locations.

     

    Said Sudhanshu Pokhriyal, CEO, Bath and Tiles Business at Hindware Limited: “At Hindware, we are committed to driving positive transformation in rural communities across India. We firmly believe that every girl’s right to proper sanitation is the cornerstone of a brighter future, underpinning their access to education. Our journey towards improving sanitation commenced in 2016-17, well before the official launch of our campaign, and it brings us immense pride to continue this transformative journey. Our resolute efforts are rooted in the belief that by providing these vital facilities, we are not only elevating sanitation standards but also championing education and the overall well-being of girls. This initiative is a significant stride towards creating a healthier and more equitable future for all, a future we are passionate about forging.”

     

     

  • To promote goal-based SIP Investments

    Tata Mutual Fund launches nationwide campaign

    By Our Staff

     

    Tata Mutual Fund, as a part of its ‘Desh Kare Nivesh’ initiative, has launched a multilingual national campaign titled ‘Jab Life Maange More, Badho Mutual Funds Ki Ore’, which is designed to raise awareness about the significance of investing in mutual funds through Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs).  The film has been conceptualised and produced by Broomsticks Productions.

     

    Said Prathit Bhobe, MD & CEO, Tata Asset Management: “The mutual fund industry has experienced substantial growth, with SIP accounts reaching Rs 7.30 crore and a cumulative collection of Rs 16,928 crore as of October 2023. These numbers portray the growing popularity of SIPs among Indian investors. Through our campaign, ‘Jab Life Maange More, Badho Mutual Funds Ki Ore,’ we aim to cultivate awareness and provide guidance to potential investors in taking their first step towards Mutual Fund investments, particularly through SIPs. We firmly believe that investing in mutual funds is a way of life that empowers people to take charge of their financial well-being and achieve their life goals.”

     

  • The campaign will be rolled out on television and digital media

    Creativeland ad for ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel

    By Our Staff

     

    Creativeland Asia (CLA) has conceptualised and created a brand campaign ‘Banaunga Main, Banega Bharat’ #BMBB for ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India), a joint venture between the steelmakers ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel.

     

    Said Sajan Raj Kurup, Founder, Creativeland Asia: “Banaunga Main, Banega Bharat” is our way of uniting the nation by celebrating our collective victories while marching towards even bigger ones. Through this campaign, we aim to honour every individual who has made a significant contribution to our nation’s progress, and motivate many more to join the journey of making Bharat.”

     

    Added Bibek Chattopadhyay, head of communications at Arcelormittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India): “We have excitedly designed the campaign ‘Banaunga Main, Banega Bharat’ #BMBB in collaboration with creative partner Creativeland Asia. The film shows our commitment and passion for making India stronger. I believe the audience will resonate with the concept by seeing how ‘Skill, Dil & Steel se’ India is growing.’

     

     

  • Launches campaign

    LIC Mutual Fund promotes women participation in SIP

    By Our Staff

     

    LIC Mutual Fund (LIC MF) has launched a campaign to promote increased women participation in mutual funds through Systematic Investment Plan (SIP).

     

    Said T.S Ramakrishnan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), LIC MF: “The women population in India was more than 48% in the year 2022. Historically, the country has reported a low female labour force participation rate. But the scenario is changing fast. The proportion of women among the working population has been on the rise or at least steady in recent years. About 29.4% of women, aged between 15 and 59, were part of India’s labour force in 2021-22. When more women join the labour force every year, it brings more money into their hands, which necessitates better investment avenues for their savings. There lies the importance of introducing financial products like SIP and making them aware of it. A large section of women, especially from the rural setting, still resort to conventional products to grow their hard-earned money. They have diverse life goals. Often, due to lack of information or awareness, they are denied diversified avenues. Our campaign is centred on that theme.”

     

     

  • For its Audible Campaign

    Arc Worldwide wins Black Dragon Certificate

    By Our Staff

     

    Arc Worldwide, the experiential and brand activation arm within the Publicis Groupe India, wins Black Dragon Certificate for Best Event or Experiential Marketing Campaign in this year’s Dragons of Asia advertising awards for its outstanding work on ‘Audible: Live The Story’ Campaign.

     

    Sejal Shah
    Sejal Shah

    Said Sejal Shah, Managing Director and Head – Publicis Media Exchange and Publicis In Motion: “We are thrilled to receive the Black Dragon Certificate in this year’s Dragons of Asia advertising awards for our work on Audible.in’s ‘Audible: Live The Story’ Campaign. Our goal was to make the magic of audio storytelling come alive visually, and we’re proud of the impact we’ve created at Comic Con. This recognition is a testament to the innovative ideas and dedication of our team.”

     

    Shailesh Sawlani
    Shailesh Sawlani

    Added Shailesh Sawlani, Country Manager, India, Audible:”The 2023 Dragons Asia award is an acknowledgement of our collaboration with Arc Worldwide India. With the campaign comprising of multiple immersive experiences, each highlighting different aspects of our service, we were thrilled with the outcome of the campaign. As Audible’ s service in India continues to experience exponential growth, the ‘Audible: Live the Story’ Campaign was an excellent way for Audible to directly engage with an audience who is equally passionate about the power of storytelling.”

     

  • Aims to elevate the brand's perception as a solutions provider

    Dentsu’s Merkle B2B & Posterscope campaign for Lenovo

    By Our Staff

     

    Merkle B2B, the Dentsu’s B2B marketing agency, in partnership with Posterscope India, also part of Dentsu, has launched a 3D anamorphic campaign for Lenovo. Titled, ‘Lenovo-F1®’, the campaign aimed to elevate the brand’s perception as a solutions and services provider by targeting IT decision-makers and tech optimists who are Formula 1 fans.

     

    Imtiyaz Vilatra
    Imtiyaz Vilatra

    Commenting on the campaign, Imtiyaz Vilatra, Managing Director, Posterscope India said: “We are thrilled to introduce the Lenovo F1 campaign, highlighting the brand’s unwavering dedication to innovation while establishing a fresh standard for imaginative and strategic outdoor advertising. Through this campaign, our goal is to inspire individuals to effortlessly forge, unite, and cooperate in an increasingly digitalized world.”

     

    Anubhav Tyagi
    Anubhav Tyagi

    Added Anubhav Tyagi, Client Partner, Merkle B2B India: “This activation perfectly aligns with our network’s core values of forward-thinking and innovation. What makes this even more special is the innovative technology that has been used to highlight the collaboration of two brands — Lenovo and F1, both of which are at the forefront of technology and innovation!”

     

  • Not that the ads were very interesting, writes Vikas Mehta… they competed with the matches to fight for the boredom crown!

    Men’s World Cup Cricket ad review – Zara Hatke

     

     

    With apologies to none at all

     

    By Vikas Mehta

     

    Vikas MehtaInspired by some memes and posts of ads that appeared during the World Cup Cricket, my ‘hatke’ take on the same.

     

    It’s not just us Indians who are proud of our culture. The Aussies were offended by the use of ‘fork’, the two fingered sign with the palm-facing inward, common in Australia as a slur, which the Bollywood stars used in the Vimal elaichi ad. The Aussies were infuriated.  How dare these stars pass off something insulting, as something acceptable? And that my readers is the simple answer as to why we were outplayed by the Aussies in the final.

     

    Can’t afford medical insurance premiums? No problems. Just yank away the plaster from your hand or simply walk away while still in your surgery gown and attached to the drip. Don’t believe me? Oh! I forgot to give you an alternative solution. Simply pay your premiums every month via PhonePay.

     

    Talking about PhonePe, if you cannot digest big payments use PhonePe lite. It’s as lite as not having to remember your PIN.

     

    Now we know the secret of how children playing badminton, can become champions. By playing alone at night on mud courts with Polycab cables lighting up the place.

     

    It’s only the older, retired, mature cricketers who can handle Kamla Pasand. Or maybe Kamla Pasand can afford them only.

     

    You thought Danube is a river? Naah! It’s a builder in Dubai.

     

    Never go to buy a mixer grinder with your wife. Unless you only want Sujata mixer

     

    If I follow Dream 11 philosophy, Indian players did not lift the World Cup as they did not do some heavy lifting. Literally. I didn’t say it. Rishabh Pant said that.

     

    Hardik could not recover from his injury as he did some strenuous shots for Jindal Panther ad which dominated the airwaves even after he retired hurt, out of the tournament.

     

    Dhoni is no more in demand as Indigo paint is a better crowd puller

     

    The Thums Up toofan did not blow away the doubts in the mind of Rohit, Bumrah, Siraj & Jadeja but the Toofan worked for SRK.

     

    Lays wanted us to stock up on the brand as Dhoni drops in to random homes to see the match, with the condition that Lays is available at those homes. I mean, Dhoni cannot afford a TV?

     

    Kit Kat fingers crossed was inspired by Rohit Sharma’s wife’s screen presence.

     

    Rahul Dravid was more dependable for MAK lubricant than for team India.

     

    The Aussies were definitely watching the world cup ads. Maybe they wanted some endorsement deals! But they took the Sprite ads very seriously. The team was Thand Rakh personified.

     

    Nobody takes Oreo seriously. They had said mat bol. And, we took for granted that the world cup is ours!

     

    Fog is a storm, not perfume.

    And even dogs sulk when they hear nationalistic spiel in such ads.

     

    Lendingkart hai toh business is good. So, no need for business schools churning out MBAs?

     

    Maybe, Lenskart didn’t give SKY the correct lens.

     

    Snickers made a noobie mistake in trying to link the brand to cricket. Err! What’s a noobie mistake, please?

     

    Good for Amul that neither SA or SL or Afghanistan defeated India. Else nationalists would have had to butter their toast with some other brand.

     

    It seems PC Chandra Jewellers is in property business too as it advises us to own a piece of Calcutta. No Kolkata baiters?

     

    Size is important for Ranvir Singh. Sorry, I mean Royal Stag. Actually, just make it large.

     

    And Dettol soap also wants us to believe the same.

     

    For Neena Gupta foreign sounding exotic names matter. No am not talking about her partner or daughter. Just look at her choice for Electronic scooters.  So, what if one cannot remember or pronounce it.

     

    Mahindra SUVs have set a very high benchmark for their breaks. If your father in law comes in front it stops. Is that why the foreign sounding protagonist looked displeased? Or because  they did not want to show an Indian son law symbolising stereotypical, son in law, father in law relationship? How very correct!

     

    And suddenly many automobiles ads are also paying lip service to women power. All being driven by women. What’s the desired response? Women have arrived? Safe driving? Women handling power? Naah! It’s just a tick box.

     

    Tide is only about colour? Not Whites? By default therefore is Ariel about whites only?

     

    Surf Excel Matic liquid is about mummy getting angry about stains. And I thought Surf Excel stood for stains are good.

     

    I had fun doing these as watching the ads seemed to be a better idea than watching all those boring one-sided matches. Not that the ads were very interesting. They competed with the matches to fight for the boredom crown. But at least I could look at their brighter side.

     

    If you have some more interesting takes on the ads telecast during the World Cup, write into the comments column.

     

    Vikas Mehta is a senior marketing and business strategist based in Dehradun. He writes on MxMIndia every other Monday. His views here are personal.