MxMIndia

Author: Our Staff

  • As a Service Platform, ‘Razorpay PaaS’

    We got fooled by Razorpay on the Podcast release!

    Our apologies for carrying this release. We missed the disclaimer that it was an April Fool’s Joke. It was a PDFed document, and we missed reading the disclaimer, which we admit was not exactly in fine print. We take the content that we publish very, very seriously, and we are extremely embarrassed by our act. We ought to have read the entire release. We assure our readers that we’ll be more careful in future. – Editor

     

    Razorpay, Omnichannel Payments and banking platform for businesses, launched a Podcast as a Service Platform, ‘Razorpay PaaS’*. This platform by Razorpay will enable users to create a podcast within minutes on a topic of their choice, at a time most convenient to them, with over 20 Celebrity Guests including Mark Zuckerberg, Joe Biden, Batman, Ironman, Rihanna, Morgan Freeman, Rafael Nadal, Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga, Serene Williams among others.

    Check

    Excited to launch a platform such as this, Razorpay Spokesperson said: The recenī surge in consumpīion of in-depīh insighīful conversaīions in īhe form of podcasīs has been asīounding. An avid podcasī lisīener myself, I have resorīed īo some of īhe besī podcasīs, be iī while commuīing īo work, walking my dog, or having a ‘Sleepless In Seaīīle’ momenī. I’ve always been fascinaīed by īhe enriching knowledge and experience īhey offer, expanding one’s menīal horizons and sparking unconvenīional īhinking. After immersing myself in countless podcasts, the idea of empowering others to create their own podcasts felt like the next logical step. With Razorpay PaaS, we’re not just introducing a service; we are unleashing a platform that will seamlessly integrate into the fabric of daily life of every human.”

    Razorpay PaaS will solve the problem of waiting for new episodes every week, month, or even a year, by serving them with instant episodes at the click of a button! The platform also features a section called ‘Our Picks’ which has a sample of favorite podcasts, curated and handpicked by Razorpay’s top leadership for the users who are indecisive about where to begin their podcast consumption journey. One of the most well-received and celebrated episodes of this section features Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in a never-before-heard avatar, exclusively sharing their views on why the term GOAT should be retired and some new animals should be given the spotlight.

  • Collaborates with Onads Communications

    Onida launches summer campaign for ACs

    Onida, home appliances brand, has launched its summer campaign for 2024, Thande Dimaag ki Soch, conceptualized by Onads Communications.

    Said Nitin Navalkar, Head of Marketing, Onida: ‘While most Air Conditioner campaigns portray the physical discomfort of the summer heat, we were looking to communicate something different. Onads had an idea which really resonated. Back when electronic brands were chasing celebrity endorsements, Onida had its own celebrity in the Devil that could be owned by the brand for many years to come. This visionary approach led to the birth of the iconic Onida Devil in 1984. Recognizing the enduring power of this established property, we opted to revitalize it.”

    Jignesh Maniar, Founder, Onads Communications added: “Onida is a brand with a rich legacy and we believe humour can work wonderfully in this category. Since this is the season of cricket mania, we created a story keeping the flavour of the season in mind. We wanted to revitalize their iconic Devil and use him as the connection between the story and the product.”

    Vivek Saran, President – COO – Sales & Consumer Business said, “Keeping the Indian summer conditions in mind we have introduced a wide range of Air Conditioners to cater to the Tropical regions of India where temperatures soar to maximum humidity conditions. Onida’s tropical Heavy-Duty Inverter ACs offer a perfect blend of Powerful Cooling, Energy Efficiency, Durability and Advanced Features. With a rapid growth in AC sales in the last 2 quarters, we are targeting a 40% increase in AC sales turnover.”

  • To add value to the brand and business

    Hari Krishnan joins Quotient Ventures as Group Chief Business Officer

    Mumbai-based Quotient Ventures (Tilt Brand Solutions and Vector Brand Solutions) appoints Hari Krishnan as Group Chief Business Officer.

    Speaking about the appointment, T. Gangadhar (Gangs), Group CEO, Quotient Ventures said: “I am delighted that Hari joins us at this crucial juncture. As a Group we have completed five full financial years, and as we embark on the next five, we need high-quality leadership to navigate what is to come. As someone who has worked closely with Hari, I have no doubt that he will be a stellar addition to our leadership team. He has a proven track record when it comes to adding value to brands and businesses, and to agency growth.”

    Hari, together with Rajiv Chatterjee, Group Chief Growth Officer will lead business operations at the Group.

    Said Hari Krishnan, Group Chief Business Officer, Quotient Ventures: “Quotient’s journey over the last five odd years has been both spectacular and inspiring, not just in terms of growth, but also in terms of body of work, client portfolio and talent. What impresses me even more is the roadmap that has been laid down for the next phase. It is intimidating and exciting at the same time because it provides me a very exciting opportunity to play for both scale and impact”.

  • Also forged a strategic partnership with Avanzia Consulting

    Way2News appoints Amit Chopra to its Board of Directors

    Way2News, a hyperlocal digital news platform, appoints Amit Chopra, co-founder of Avanzia Consulting, to its Board of Directors. In line with this, the platform has also forged a strategic partnership with Avanzia Consulting, which will serve as a key advisor as the company accelerates its growth trajectory. These strategic initiatives will mark the dawn of a new chapter of innovation and growth for the platform in the digital news landscape.

    Welcoming Amit and Avanzia Consulting on board, Raju Vanapala, Founder & CEO, Way2News, said: “We are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to Amit as he joins our board of directors. With his deep expertise in media and technology and a remarkable track record of driving growth, his joining not only signifies a strategic elevation but also marks a significant milestone in our journey towards pioneering excellence in digital news. Amit’s expertise and strategic acumen will undoubtedly propel us towards sustainable growth. With him on board, we are well-positioned to navigate the complexities of the digital news landscape with precision and agility, ensuring Way2News continues to lead in delivering unparalleled news experiences to our audience nationwide.”

    Commenting on his onboarding, Amit Chopra added: “Joining Way2News’ Board of Directors is a tremendous honour. I am eager to collaborate with the exceptional team to capitalize on new opportunities and contribute to the platform’s continued evolution and success in the digital news landscape.”

  • The creative duties of the brand will be handled by the agency’s Mumbai office

    Scarecrow M&C Saatchi adds Gopal Snacks to its FMCG Clientele

    Scarecrow M&C Saatchi adds Gopal Snacks to its FMCG Clientele. The full service creative duties of the brand will be handled by the agency’s Mumbai office.

    Since its inception 14 years ago, Scarecrow has managed over 150+ brands, representing a diverse range of businesses. Being a full service agency it caters to some of India’s biggest brands and conglomerates like Reliance, Viacom, Zee, BJP and Sony Network handling their flagship brands like Reliance Jewels, Nickelodeon, Zee Zest, and Sony Sports Network to name a few.

    Manish Bhatt, Founder Director, Scarecrow M&C Saatchi said, “Gujarat is a goldmine of entrepreneurship and breeding ground for great brands. Success story of a visionary family with first generation & second generation entrepreneurs is fascinating as other such business families from Gujarat. At Scarecrow, we have worked for such great brands that emerged from Gujarat like Reliance, Wagh Bakri, Rasna, Varuna Pumps, Vasu Healthcare and more, and walked along on a growth journey with some. Gopal Snacks is one such brand – Not just Scarecrow but I am personally also looking forward to contribute in its growth journey. Fingers crossed.”

    Commenting on a partnership, Raj Hadvani, Wholetime Director & CEO, Gopal Snack Limited added: “In the highly competitive and impulse buying snacking category, we believe that Gopal Snacks has the potential to cater every consumer across India and globe with our unique taste and quality. We are glad to have Scarecrow M&C Saatchi onboard as our strategic and creative partner. Their competency in understanding brand, contemporary strategising and storytelling makes them perfect growth partners.”

  • To Equentis – Research & Ranking, with a new corporate identity

    Research & Ranking rebrands

    Research & Ranking, the equity investment advisory brand and a part of Equentis Wealth Advisory Services Limited, announces a strategic rebranding as “Equentis – Research & Ranking”. Encompassing a new corporate identity, logo, and tagline, the rebranding brings the mother brand, Equentis Wealth Advisory Services Limited, to the forefront and underscores its commitment to democratizing wealth creation and revolutionizing the investment landscape. This strategic move is a step towards building brand salience and owning the Investment Advisory category through thought leadership.

    Manish Goel, Founder & Director of Equentis – Research & Ranking, said: “At Equentis – Research & Ranking, we envision a future where every Indian participates and leads in shaping their financial destiny. Our commitment lies in prioritizing education, thereby making equity easy. The rebranding is very close to our hearts and minds. It is one of the many things we are doing as a part of our roadmap for accelerated growth. As we streamline, we will evolve alongside our subscribers’ needs. Thinking big and innovation across our services will be the key factors to ensure we provide the best possible value. We believe our efforts to transform while embracing our incredible heritage will keep us relevant for generations.”

    Alok Arya, Chief Marketing Officer, added: “Equentis serves as a Sherpa in the financial landscape, nurturing clients with expertise and care. The new logo communicates a strong brand personality, establishing a distinct voice for Equentis and emphasizing our relationship-driven business. We want to lead change in the investment landscape, solidify our reputation as a trustworthy advisor, and foster customer loyalty and trust over time. An identity change is an important milestone, especially as we march towards our accelerated growth aspirations.”

  • In association with Jio Platforms

    Narayana Health unveiled medical docu-series “InsidER”

    Narayana Health, hospital network headquartered in Bengaluru, in association with streaming platform Jio, unveiled medical docu-series “InsidER” – an initiative on Emergency Awareness. Viewers will witness the intense efforts of clinicians, the profound struggles of families, and the amazing efforts of clinical teams fighting to save lives.  All ten episodes features patients and their families, giving a deeply personal perspective on these powerful stories.

    Said Dr. Ashish Bajaj, Chief Marketing Officer at Narayana Health: “The ‘InsidER’ campaign was born from a deep-rooted desire to honour the extraordinary courage of patients and the often-unseen daily struggles of families coping with medical emergencies. We’re thrilled to join forces with Jio for the launch of this pioneering series. Their vast reach on Jio TV, Jio Cinema, and Jio TV+ maximizes the impact of this groundbreaking initiative.”

    “Over ten months in the making, our teams overcame production challenges across India to authentically portray the gripping reality of the ER. This collaboration with the clinicians, patients & their families paints a powerful picture of those critical moments between life & death and their lasting impact. This series, a first by any healthcare group in the country, is a tribute to those moments, a testament to the strength we hold within, and a reminder of the incredible work done on the frontlines of healthcare. With real patient stories from across India, we have showcased the heart-stopping urgency of the ER, the split-second decisions, and the unbreakable human spirit. The series highlights the clinicians’ preparedness and underscores the importance of knowing the ER number for immediate assistance. Something as simple as knowing your ER number and having it on speed dial could be the difference between life and death,” added Dr Bajaj.

  • Brings up `new line-up of shows to enthrall audiences this new year’

    Colors Kannada announces ‘feast’ for Ugadi

    Colors Kannada has announced a feast of entertainment for Ugadi (April 9) by way of a lineup of new shows that will mark the celebration with daily episodes, starting from Ugadi itself.

    Said Prashanth Nayak, Business Head of Colors Kannada: “This year, we celebrate this Ugadi with a theme Hosa Bannada Shubharambha (A new beginning of bonding) and we give this to our audiences. We feel very blessed that audiences of Colors Kannada across the state have always supported us with love and affection. As part of our continued bonding with our audiences, we are coming up with the launch of fresh contents. We take this pride to be part of bringing our audiences’ emotions on screen and we term this as the most perfect way to celebrate Ugadi with us.”

    Speaking about Colors Kannada’s plans, Sushma Rajesh, Cluster Head at Viacom18, added: “As a brand, Colors Kannada has always been a pioneer in bringing shows that resonate with our audiences’ emotions. We consistently present unique storylines that celebrate family bonding and values of nativity. This is evident in the fact that shows launched on Colors Kannada’s unique stories have already travelled across the country. We are confident that the new year will bring a whole new level of connection with our audience. We wish everyone a very Happy Ugadi with our exciting new lineup of shows.

  • GroupM, IPG Mediabrands and Omnicom Media Group led media groups

    GroupM leads in COMvergence 2023 New Business Barometer

    COMvergence, the independent research and data consultancy which analyses mediaspend investments and produces benchmark studies on new business performances, released its latest New Business Barometer for FY 2023 for India.

    Maruti, Reckitt, PhonePe, Proctor & Gamble (digital), Swiggy, Pernod Ricard,Vivo Mobiles, Beiersdorf, Ferrero, Berger Paints and Jaguar Land Rover were among some of the account moves and retentions that dominated the Indian market from January 2023 to December 2023.

    The Media Agency Groups were led by GroupM by a wide margin with a total new business value of +$654M, followed by IPG Mediabrands at +$200M new business value and Omnicom Media Group with a new business value of +$128M.

    Wavemaker, Mindshare and Lodestar UM led the media agencies’ ranking followed by EssenceMediacom and Havas Media.

    In 2023 COMvergence, assessed an overall of 215 account moves and retentions, with media spends estimated to be around $1.5BN.  Out of these Local pitches dominated the Indian market, whilst 55% of the total pitches held globally were local in nature ( country specific pitches), making India  well above this average with 91%  of total pitches being local whereas global and multi- country pitches made up only 9% of the pie for India.

    2023 saw a whole of 192 local pitches estimated to be around $1399M and 23 global and multi market pitches were estimated to be around $132M in India.

  • To unveil a giant mural art of movie ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’

    Warner Bros. Discovery partners with Posterscope

    Warner Bros. Discovery has teamed up with Posterscope to launch a new campaign for ‘Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire’. Posterscope has created a larger-than-life mural painting in Mumbai to generate buzz around the film.

    Speaking on the initiative, George John, Director – Marketing (Theatrical), Warner Bros. Discovery said: “We are delighted to announce the creation of a larger-than-life painted Mural featuring the iconic characters Godzilla & Kong. This awe inspiring artwork is a part of our exciting marketing campaign for the film, ‘Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire’ which brings these legendary monsters to life, capturing the imagination of fans and passersby alike. We invite everyone to witness this incredible piece of art that celebrates the size and scale of the Titans and thereafter enjoy this epic film in a cinema near them!”

    Added  Imtiyaz Vilatra, Managing Partner, Posterscope: “Despite being among the oldest forms of advertising, murals have emerged as a powerful force in OOH advertising. Pop-culture-focused brands that appeal to a youthful and energetic audience have benefited from this medium. Therefore, we believe murals would work best for Warner Bros. Discovery’s upcoming film, given the colossal stature of its characters and the ardent fan base it has. The meticulous planning and execution required to bring this vision to life are nothing short of extraordinary. With this campaign, we hope to have left an indelible mark on the pop-cultural fabric of Mumbai.”

  • Showcases the range of energy solutions including solar-based products

    Kohli is brand ambassador for Amaze power tech brand

    Amaze, the energy solutions brand, launched a new brand campaign Hamesha #ReadyToPerform featuring Virat Kohli. The campaign showcased its widest range of inverters, batteries, and solar products.

    Speaking on the occasion, Preeti Bajaj, CEO and MD, said: “Amaze has established itself as a trustworthy brand in India by providing high-quality and energy-efficient energy solutions. The retail and energy sectors are currently experiencing a new wave of growth in the new emerging Bharat, due to rising urbanization and an increase in the purchasing power of consumers. With a strategic focus on innovation, and expansion, along with a solar approach, Amaze is poised to make a significant impact on the energy landscape in India, and our target is to triple our growth and customer touchpoints in the next 3 years. We intend to continue powering the dreams and aspirations of emerging India with an uninterrupted and independent power supply.”

    Added Neelima Burra, Chief Strategy, Transformation and Marketing Officer: “The Hamesha #ReadyToPerform campaign exemplifies Amaze’s commitment to empowering consumers to excel in every aspect of their lives. The film is based on consumer insight inspiring middle India to break boundaries and chase dreams without the hassle of power cuts. We believe middle India is rising because they don’t want to be seen left behind in a rapidly changing world and they prepare themselves for everyday challenges relentlessly.”

    Said Anusha Shetty Chairperson and Group CEO, Grey: “Thanks to digital democratisation, a new wave of Indians are shaping the country. Indians who think no dream is unrealistic. Indians who think it’s not where you come from but where you’re headed those counts. Amaze believes in fuelling their aspirations with uninterrupted power.”

  • To foster responsible marketing communications

    Ants Digital unveils a social media campaign

    Ants Digital, a fully integrated marketing communications agency, has launched a campaign #TheLinesWeDraw to establish awareness around responsible communication.

    Speaking on the importance of responsible marketing communications, Sanjay Arora, CEO, Ants Digital, said: “Keeping communication ethical should be the bedrock of all campaigns. As agencies we have a very important role to play and there is a very thin line between what is right and acceptable and what is not. It is the responsibility of agencies to counsel clients and avoid communication that crosses the line. Through this campaign we wanted to create an awareness and send a strong message to the industry to responsibly use communication for their brands. Sharing this message through our social media handles, we are sure it will bring some positive change in the industry.”