Write Order Publications has announce that it will now be known as Indie Press, an autonomous publishing imprint of Westland Books.
Said Gautam Padmanabhan, Business Head, Westland Books, “The decision to rebrand as Indie Press and integrate with Westland Books is part of our strategic evolution and is meant to enhance the publishing experience for both authors and readers. This collaboration allows us to leverage the strengths of Westland Books to provide authors with broader exposure and readers with more diverse literary works,” adding: “Indie Press, drawing strength from the vibrant community within Pratilipi, is planning to extend its publishing horizons across various formats, including comics, audiobooks, podcasts, and more. This reflects our commitment to innovation and ensuring a dynamic and inclusive platform for the literary community.”
Vigor Media Worldwide has won the Public Relations (PR) mandate for Alstone, a leading metal composite brand.
Said Nikhil Singhal, Founder, Vigor Media Worldwide: “We are pleased to join hands with Alstone, known for its exclusive range of exterior and interior solutions. Our goal is to highlight Alstone’s innovative products and its position in the industry as a trendsetter.”
Added Sumit Gupta, Managing Director, Alstone Manufacturing Pvt Ltd:”We are delighted to take Vigor Media Worldwide on-board for our PR needs. With their expertise and strategic approach, we are confident that this collaboration will strengthen our brand presence and help us reach new heights.”
Leading educational institution BITS Pilani announced the launch of BITS Design School with much fanfare recently. The design school’s website interface has been spearheaded by Mumbai-based Bombay Design Centre.
Said Nandita Abraham, CEO and Interim Dean at BITS Design School: “The objective was to create a benchmark site that met the high expectations of the design community, including design students. And we are delighted that the team at Bombay DC has delivered. Since the website was launched, we have received a lot of compliments from the industry. I am very happy that we decided to go with Bombay Design Centre.”
Added Ankur Rander, CEO, Bombay Design Centre: “BITS Pilani is one of India’s leading higher education institutes, an intellectual powerhouse. Designing high-quality design and communication for their design school website brings us immense joy, and we are delighted to make our mark. The website design needs to have exceptional design aesthetics, as it serves as the focal point for building a vibrant design community. Our goal was to keep things simple, effective, and highly innovative.”
Coto, the social community platform for women, has announced the appointment of Ankhi Das as its Community Advisor for their diverse communities of key opinion leaders (KOLs) and influencers. (Note: the ‘C’ in Coto is lower-cased (hence coto). However, as per the MxMIndia style, we always uppercase the first letter of a brand/company name – Ed).
Das is a tech investor and a public policy expert, and for nearly a decade, she held the role of Facebook’s public policy leader for India and South and Central Asia. That stint was fairly controversial which eventually led to her exit from the internet giant. Noted a report in Hindustan Times on October 27, 2022: “Ankhi Das, Facebook’s head of public policy who was in the eye of storm over alleged bias in blocking of hate content on the social media platform, has quit the company.”
Commenting on Das’s onboarding, Aparna Acharekar, Co-Founder, Coto said: “As a creative women-only platform, we are thrilled to welcome Ankhi Das to the Coto team. Her expertise in advancing women’s causes and her commitment to fostering safe and supportive online communities make her an invaluable addition to our team. With Ankhi’s leadership, we look forward to empowering women worldwide through Coto’s ever-evolving platform. Her passion, personality, and thoughts will help us curate high-quality content to empower and educate women about various topics. I am confident their contributions will inspire and encourage women and build a truly empowered digital ecosystem.”
Added Das in a communique:, “I am delighted to be part of a platform that prioritises the voices and experiences of women. Coto’s dedication to creating a safe, inclusive, and empowering space matches my values. By joining the platform’s Community Advisory Board, I look forward to contributing to inspiring women to achieve their best, have faith in their capabilities, and pursue the unique paths they are drawn to. I’m certain that we’ll cultivate a supportive community of women creators brimming with innovative ideas for becoming digital entrepreneurs. I am confident Coto’s mission of connecting and empowering women economically will strengthen both the sisterhood economy and our community of women.”
Everymedia Technologies, a digital marketing and communications agency, and Plus 1 Communications, an integrated communications agency with a strong presence across Europe and the UAE, have announced a strategic alliance to expand global partnering opportunities for brands and businesses.
Key leadership appointments have been made to drive this collaboration: Karen Lane – Currently Managing Director of Plus 1 Communications, will act in a dual capacity as Director of Global Partnerships, Everymedia. And Pooja Thakker, who previously served as Director, Client Partner, has been appointed as Global Director- Strategy, and Innovation.
Commenting on the development, Gautam B Thakker, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Everymedia Technologies, said: “I am thrilled to announce this global alliance with Plus 1 Communications and these strategic appointments that reflect our commitment to nurturing top talent within the organisation and advancing our mission to enhance global communications reach. With their extensive experience and leadership qualities, I am confident that Karen and Pooja will play instrumental roles in driving success in the years to come, strengthening our ability to connect with consumers worldwide.”
Added Ricky Ghai, Chairman, Plus 1 Communications: “Although a relationship between Everymedia and Plus 1 Communications has existed for over a decade, these changes and the general intent signifies an exciting time for us. India is a complex and booming marketplace and without ‘boots on the ground’, many struggle to reach the growing consumer base. We can now offer an incredible one stop shop as a completely integrated communications agency for global clients.”
Future Generali India Life Insurance Company Limited (FGILI), has launched a series of digital films as part of its Tax Saving Campaign, aligning with the hashtag #TaxBachaoWithFGILI. These films emphasise life insurance as a crucial tool for optimizing tax savings, particularly amidst the year-end financial rush.
Said Geetanjali Chugh Kothari, CMO of Future Generali India Life Insurance, commented on the campaign: “With our Tax Saving Campaign, we aim to remind individuals of the tax benefits achievable through strategic life insurance investments which can contribute to their wealth portfolio. Through these quirky shorties, in this critical quarter of the year, our aim is to reinforce awareness and empower customers, making financial well-being a seamless and achievable goal.”
The Fern Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Monks Interactive, the PR agency, to amplify its brand presence and communication across the country.
Said Deepak Kadam, General Manager, Marketing at Concept Hospitality, the parent company of The Fern Hotels & Resorts: “We are delighted to have Monks Interactive as our PR partners. The Fern Hotels & Resorts have a rich legacy of providing unparalleled hospitality experiences, and we are confident that Monks Interactive’s expertise will help us communicate our story effectively to a wider audience.”
Added Rishab Sharma, Director, Monks Interactive: “We are truly honoured to partner with The Fern Hotels & Resorts, an esteemed leader in the hospitality sector. At Monks Interactive, we are dedicated to leveraging our deep industry insights and unparalleled creativity to not only elevate the brand’s image but also to engage key stakeholders in meaningful ways. Our goal is to foster enduring connections with travellers, enriching their experiences and ensuring The Fern Hotels & Resorts remains at the forefront of their minds as a premier choice in hospitality.”
Saffola oil has launched a new ad film introducing the ‘Power of 3’ in its Saffola Gold Oil formulation. Conceptualised by Mullen Lintas, the TVC aims to promote the “adoption of better practices and a healthier lifestyle”.
Speaking about the campaign, Marico Ltd CMO Somasree Bose Awasthi said: “As a health-centric legacy brand, we’ve always prioritized consumer health. We are committed to educating them on the effectiveness of building lasting habits for healthier living including a balanced diet and an active lifestyle. The new ad reflects the brand promise and commitment towards the well-being of its consumers by encouraging them to take “Roz Ka Healthy Step” and the unique sonic identity brings with it a fresh promise of care and nurturance.”
Echoing his thoughts, Mullen Lintas CCO Ram Cobain added: “In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure world, success often comes at a price, Our health. Young people are falling prey to conditions that were once seen as afflictions of old age. Our creative idea was to land this serious insight with a ‘lightness’ of touch, pretty much like how the oil is. Truth is, while there are many external stressors beyond our control, the one big step we can own (and take) to mitigate risk, is the small one of choosing the right cooking oil. And if good health is made mostly in the kitchen and not in the gym, then the tastiest way to get healthier is with Saffola Gold.”
Alumil Group, manufacturers of architectural aluminium systems, has appointed Spin Communiqué as its Public Relations (PR) consultant for its fully-owned Indian subsidiary, Alumil India.
Said Theodoros Axouristos, Managing Director, Alumil India: “India represents a strategic market for Alumil due to its dynamic growth potential and aligns with our commitment to providing tailored solutions worldwide. We have embarked on a communications campaign to reinforce our presence, engage with local stakeholders, and deliver innovative aluminium solutions that cater specifically to the evolving needs of the Indian market.”
Added Balakrishna Pillai, Director & CEO, Spin Communiqué: “With a shared commitment to innovation and client-centric solutions, Spin Communiqué is poised to provide tailored PR strategies and communication initiatives that align with Alumil’s vision and values.”
Association of National Exchanges Members of India (ANMI), the apex body of stock brokers in India, has assigned the public relations and social media mandate to Prose Integrated for the 13th International Convention scheduled to be held on February 23 and 24 in Delhi. This is the seventh year of association between Prose and ANMI.
Commenting on the development, Hemant Kakkar, Convener of the 13th ANMI International Convention, said: “We are celebrating the success of the Indian Capital market ecosystem in wealth generation and fueling the growth of our economy. We truly believe that PROSE will continue adding immense value to this convention and we value this partnership since 2018, they have contributed to.”
Added Prabhat Ghosh, Senior Account Director at Prose Integrated: “We are honoured and excited to work with ANMI for their 13th International convention. This is a testimony of our strong relationship with ANMI and our proven track record in the financial sector. We look forward to creating a successful and impactful campaign for the convention, which is one of the most important events in the Indian capital market calendar.”
Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Company Limited launched its digital-first campaign for its Guaranteed Wealth Builder Plans (GWBPs).
Said Subhasis Ghosh, Joint President, Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Company: “Our campaign aims to empower individuals to make informed decisions and secure their financial future through the bouquet of the Guaranteed Wealth Builder Plans (GWBPs). These plans assure investors of fixed returns, thereby providing steady financial growth. Recognising the importance of financial certainty, GWBPs enable investors to strategise and budget their finances confidently, a crucial aspect given that economic uncertainties are common.”
Added Ankit Mathur, Group Creative Director at Grey Group: “With Kotak Guaranteed Wealth Builder Plans, we had the unique opportunity to combat two of the biggest concerns consumers have in regards to their investments– the uncertainty of returns and the need to invest in tax-efficient instruments. We created two films that voice out the internal thoughts of our audience in a light-hearted way.”
Rungta Steel, an integrated steel company, is revving up its branding with the launch of a TVC starring Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor.
Said Arvind Kumar, AVP- Sales & Marketing (TMT & Wire Rod), Rungta Steel: “It is always a pleasure sharing our latest endeavours with you, this time with the second TVC starring the esteemed Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor. This campaign reflects our drive and ambition to being India’s most sought-after TMT Bar brand. With steadfast focus, it is our continuous pursuit to position ourselves in the best possible light, ensuring smooth business and expand our reach to connect with both our valued and potential customers.”