Kyoorius has announced the winners of the 2024 Kyoorius Creative Awards, that was held in Mumbai on Friday. According to a communique over 1450 professionals attended the event.
While no entry was conferred the coveted Black Elephant award that recognises work deemed to be the Best Of Show, though there were two contenders – ‘Motorola Deep Connect’ for Motorola India by Dentsu Creative and ‘Megh Santoor’ for Hindustan Unilever’s Brooke Bond Taj Mahal by Ogilvy India. For the first time ever, they were awarded Baby Black Elephants.
Kyoorius also presented the cricketer Sachin Tendulkar with the Master of Creativity award. As was reported, Kyoorius received over 3600 entries from over 280 entrants to the awards this year, the highest ever in history. Only 1060 entries made it to the First List after the first round of online judging. Post the in-person jury session, 282 entries emerged as winners of the Baby Elephant (In-Book winners). Out of these 282 Baby Elephant winners, 89 entries were awarded Blue Elephants across disciplines. Seven entries were awarded Purple Elephants as part of the Zee Equality Awards.
Said Rajesh Kejriwal, founder and CEO, Kyoorius: “My heartfelt congratulations to all the winners this year. GiveBack was not just a campaign idea for us – it was a way to recognise the pain points when it comes to award shows. We’ve already started the process and entrants are receiving their GiveBack money. We took this initiative to make the Kyoorius Creative Awards more accessible to smaller agencies and have recorded the highest number of entries this year. While there was no Black Elephant winner this year, we have two Baby Black Elephant winners to celebrate.”
Added Punit Goenka, MD & CEO, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.: “I am pleased to recognise and applaud the immense creative potential of the industry, and further encourage innovation by extending our support to the Kyoorius Creative Awards year on year. At ZEE, we are humbled to play a small role in nurturing the creative quotient through the ‘GiveBack’ initiative, and we stay committed towards supporting the advertising fraternity and celebrating memorable brands and campaigns. I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to all the participants, wishing them continued success and an abundant creative spirit to create more such enthralling campaigns in the future.”
Sunfeast Dark Fantasy from ITC Store has launched a new campaign “Har Tiffin Ki Sweet Ending” starring Shah Rukh Khan.
The internet was abuzz with the question “What’s in Shah Rukh’s tiffin?” over the past few days. It is widely known to his fans that the King of Bollywood carries his own tiffin to the sets. However, no one really knows what he brings in the tiffin!
While the internet kept wildly guessing from salads to biryani, SRK finally revealed that like many Indians, he too loves to end his tiffin on a sweet note and carries his favourite Sunfeast Dark Fantasy cookie in his tiffin. Filled with decadent molten choco crème, Sunfeast Dark Fantasy is the ideal post-meal dessert.
In this campaign, Sunfeast Dark Fantasy presents a convenient and indulgent solution that fits perfectly into any tiffin.
Ali Harris Shere, Chief Operating Officer, Biscuits & Cakes Cluster, Foods Division, ITC, said: “We are thrilled to unveil our latest campaign, ‘Har Tiffin Ki Sweet Ending’ with Shah Rukh Khan. With this campaign, we aim to redefine the way people look at their tiffin. We hope to enhance their consumption habit by offering a dessert experience in a convenient format which elevates their tiffin moments.
Damodaran. M, President & Head of Office, FCB Ulka, Bengaluru added: “As Indians, our behaviour has always been to satisfy our craving for something sweet after every meal. However, when it came to our tiffins, this behaviour was missing. And, that was an opportunity for us to position Dark.
Creativeland Asia (CLA), the creative services company, has appointed Azazul Haque as its new Group Chief Creative Officer.
Haque began his career with the Lintas Group in 2001 and has since worked with agencies such as Bates, Publicis, Lowe, Mudra, McCann, and Contract and as a Chief Creative Officer with Ogilvy, Mullen India and most recently with Media Monks.
Said Sajan Raj Kurup, Founder & Chairman Creativeland Worldwide Limited said: “We are thrilled to welcome Azaz to our team. Over the last few years, at Creativeland Asia, we have been working on our next chapter that’s focused on building a robust global creative infrastructure for the future of brands and entertainment. Azaz has an impressive track record in brand building with an exceptional blend of strategic insight and creative vision. His careers spans a formidable body of notable work that includes recent projects for mainstream brands in categories such as tea, e-commerce, and fast-food chains, integrating tech, data, cultural insights, and distinctive storytelling. His approach aligns perfectly with our ethos and culture. We eagerly look forward to this exciting and ambitious new chapter together.”
Digitas India, which is part of the Publicis Groupe, has announced a strategic partnership with MoEngage, an insights-led customer engagement platform. This collaboration will empower brands to maximise the return on investment (ROI) from their customer engagement initiatives. Digitas India will now be a part of the MoEngage Catalyst Partner programme which helps brands scale at speed.
Said Sonia Khurana, COO, Digitas India: “While brands and marketers continue investing in enhancing customer engagement, we recognise that, very often, these large investments are difficult to justify. We believe that the best ROI is possible with the right platform technology and the right depth of expertise. With MoEngage’s robust platform and our extensive martech experience, we are confident of unlocking higher customer value and driving greater return on clients’ investments.”
Added Sanjay Kupae, Head Alliances and Partnerships, MoEngage: “MoEngage is thrilled to collaborate with Digitas India to empower brands with AI-driven customer engagement insights and solutions. Together, we’re committed to helping brands unlock the full potential of their engagement efforts, driving growth, and fostering long-lasting relationships.”
Goafest 2024 has unveiled the names of partners for its 17th edition. Scheduled to take place from May 29 to 31, 2024 at The Westin Mumbai, Powai Lake, supporting Goafest 2024 as the ‘Co-presenting’ partner is Snapchat along with WhatsApp as the ‘Technology Partner’, and Hindustan Times as the ‘Digital Partner’.
Brands like Tata Motors, Mondelez, ITC Foods, Britannia, Guinness World Records, NoBroker, and MakeMyTrip, to platforms like ShareChat, Sony Liv, Flipkart Ads, Amazon Ads, Spotify, MiQ, The Trade Desk and Whisper Media are also associated as are broadcasters, publishers and content studios including ABP News, Amar Ujala, Dainik Bhaskar, Dainik Jagran, Dangal TV, Disney Star, Eenadu, Femina, Flowers TV, Goldmines Telefilms, Malayala Manorama, Mathrubhumi, News18 Network, Radio City, Rajasthan Patrika, Sakal Media, Sakshi, Sri Adhikari Bros, Sun TV, The Hindu Group, TV9, Viacom18, Vijayavani and Zee Media. Then there’s the bevereratwallahs: PepsiCo, Kingfisher, Pernod Ricard.
Speaking on these partnerships and engagements, Prasanth Kumar, President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and CEO of GroupM, South Asia said: “We are delighted to have Snapchat as our Co-presenting Partner, WhatsApp as our Technology Partner and Hindustan Times as our Digital Partner, for Goafest this year. As South Asia’s largest creative fest, Goafest’s incredible significance continues to attract brands and advertisers, presenting them with an opportunity to deepen their engagement with the industry at large. On behalf of the organizing team, we welcome and are very thankful to all our partners and look forward to forging successful long-term associations that celebrate creativity, foster knowledge and thrive with adaptability.”
After receiving a remarkable response from India and MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, esports tournament platform Gamerji today announced the launch of its operations in the South East Asia market starting with Indonesia and Philippines.
Southeast Asia stands as the epicentre of esports, experiencing rapid growth driven by several key factors. Advancements in gaming hardware, robust internet infrastructure, and cutting-edge streaming technology that have collectively elevated the gaming experience.
Ahmedabad headquartered esports company Gamerji has gone live with 8 game titles including PUBG Mobile, Free Fire, MLBB, Valorant, Clash Royale, CS:GO, Rocket League & FIFA. New users get virtual currency & a free 3 day subscription on joining as a welcome offer. Gamerji can be accessed via its website & also available on Android & iOS stores. The company plans to add 1M users from the South East Asia region over the next 12 months.
Said Soham Thacker, CEO & Founder of Gamerji: “As esports continues its exponential growth, gaining recognition globally from esteemed Olympic councils to governments, educational institutions, brands, and industries, Gamerji is committed to enhancing its presence in SEA markets which has been witnessing the soaring popularity of esports. Our aim is to offer a comprehensive experience, where gamers can sharpen their skills through daily tournaments and enjoy a safe, fair, and exhilarating gaming environment, with rewards awaiting them.”
Luminous Power Technologies has launched its new campaign #PowerAapkeHaathMein, featuring a series of thematic films to highlight its revolutionary end-to-end solar solutions ecosystem.
Said Neelima Burra, Chief Strategy Transformation and Marketing Officer, Luminous Power Technologies: “The country’s power consumption is rapidly increasing, causing challenges with outages, voltage fluctuations, and high electricity bills for many people in India. As the nation moves towards renewable energy, consumers need to embrace clean energy solutions. At Luminous, we believe that solar is the future and we are committed to being a leading company in this energy transition journey. Luminous’ end-to-end solar solutions are designed to liberate consumers from the worry of erratic power supply and hefty bills by harnessing solar energy to power their homes, businesses, and lifestyles. We feel that the future of energy lies in the hands of consumers and with the #PowerAapkeHaathMein campaign we want to empower them to take control of their energy consumption and embrace sustainable alternatives such as solar power.”
Added Amit Nandwani, National Creative Director, Cheil India: “Millions of Indians face power cuts on a daily basis. We felt it was high time they took power in their hands and stopped being at the mercy of an erratic power supply. That’s how we arrived at the campaign line #PowerAapkeHaathMein. We wanted to tell hard-hitting, inspirational stories that would resonate with people across the country. Through slice-of-life situations and heart-warming scenarios, we highlighted the role of Luminous Solar in their journey to a brighter tomorrow.”
Day One of Goafest 2024 is all set to being a little after noon with a some music and knowledge sessions. And since it’s Goafest, albeit in Mumbai, there’s also a Champagne Launch. Co-hosted by The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club (TAC), Day 1 of the festival will feature key industry experts exploring the diverse aspects of the theme ‘The Age of Adaptability’.
The opening session titled Adapt To Thrive Not Just Survive, will see Harit Nagpal, Managing Director and CEO of Tata Play, and this will be follow by a session on Navigating The Age Of Adaptability by Sanjiv Mehta, former HUL chief and Executive Chairman of L Catterton India.
Then there’s a session titled From Setbacks to Comebacks: The Power of Persistence, with writer and film director Tahira Kashyap in conversation with Atika Farooqui. Concluding Day 1 with what adaptability means in real life, a session titled Embracing Failure to Touch Success, will feature actors Medha Shankr and actor Vikrant Massey chatting with Neha Dhupia.
The evening will see the Media and Publisher Abby awards being presented.
Cloud TV, the provider of Smart TV operations systems, has announced its newest software update, Cloud TV 3.0 designed to enhance the user experience for affordable Smart TVs.
Commenting on the launch of the new operating system, Abhijeet Rajpurohit, Co-founder and COO, Cloud TV, said: “As a homegrown brand, Cloud TV is the first and only Make in India OS supporting the growth of TV localisation. Over the past years, we have constantly endeavored to help improve the user experience for affordable Smart TVs and to simplify the Smart TV experience for our users. With the launch of Cloud TV 3.0, we enable over 170 TV device partners and 200 content partners, to reach out to their audiences and enhance the viewing experience for over 6 million users currently in India.”
HiveMinds, the digital marketing arm of the Madison Group, has appointed Pradeep Saluja as Chief Operating Officer (COO). As the COO, he will oversee the P&L and growth of the business and be responsible for the organisation’s overall operations.
Said Jyothirmayee JT, CEO and Founder of HiveMinds “We are delighted to welcome Pradeep to HiveMinds. His extensive experience and proven leadership, especially in digital transformation and operations, align perfectly with our vision for the future as we expand and evolve in the digital marketing landscape. His appointment marks a significant milestone in our journey, and I eagerly anticipate the innovative solutions and lasting partnerships that will undoubtedly flourish under his leadership.”
Added Saluja: “HiveMinds has established itself as a leading player in the Digital Marketing space. The leadership’s unwavering focus on delivering value to clients and fostering an employee-centric culture echoed well with my values. I am excited to join HiveMinds and look forward to working closely with our highly energetic and capable teams to deliver sustainable growth and impact to our clients.”
The Muthoot Pappachan Group (MPG) has announced Shah Rukh Khan as its brand ambassador.
Muthoot Pappachan Group is the promoter of India’s leading NBFCs including Muthoot FinCorp Limited (flagship Company of the Group), Muthoot Microfin Limited, Muthoot Capital Services Limited and Muthoot Housing Finance Company Limited.
Said Thomas John Muthoot, Chairman of the Muthoot Pappachan Group: “It’s a significant milestone for us. Shah Rukh doesn’t just bring his star power—he also embodies the humility and self-made success that align with our core values.” He continued, “Shah Rukh Khan’s journey mirrors our commitment to making services accessible at various touchpoints across our companies, reinforcing our mission to empower the common man across the nation. His life story perfectly illustrates the power of dreaming big and realizing those dreams.”
Added Shaji Varghese, CEO of Muthoot FinCorp Limited: “Shah Rukh Khan represents more than just fame; he embodies humility and self-made triumph. He connects with our target audience as an ordinary individual who dreamed big and turned his dreams into reality.”
In his role as the group’s brand ambassador, Shah Rukh Khan will be seen in MPG’s campaigns across multiple channels, promoting their services. These campaigns aim to showcase a range of financial products and services, echoing the group’s commitment towards revolutionising access and streamlining convenience for all.
Goafest 2024, the annual industry festival organised by The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club (TAC), kicked off with a performance by Bollywood playback singer Sukhwinder Singh. This was followed with members of the organising committee lighting the ceremonial lamp. Prasanth Kumar, President of AAAI and CEO of South Asia at GroupM, then addressed the attendees, marking the festival’s 17th edition. This year’s event also celebrated the third year of collaboration between The Abby Awards and One Show. Under the theme ‘The Age of Adaptability,’ delegates were welcomed to Goafest 2024 with a champagne launch, setting a celebratory and spirited tone for the proceedings. This is Goafest, and even if it’s being held in Mumbai, tea, coffee, soft drinks and beer were available through the day. No questions and monies asked.
In the first session titled Adapt To Thrive Not Just Survive, Harit Nagpal, Managing Director and CEO of Tata Play, stressed on the criticality of adaptability as a means to thrive. Delivering the keynote, Nagpal underlined the inevitability of disruption in our lives and the importance of resilience in the face of it. “Disruption can be caused by anything or anyone, but it becomes our responsibility to survive and thrive,” he said. After Nagpal, a keynote titled, Navigating The Age Of Adaptability: Leading with Vision, Flexibility, and Purpose, was delivered by Sanjiv Mehta, former CEO of Hindustan Unilever and Executive Chairman of L Catterton India. “Learning happens when you have the humility to say, ‘I don’t know?’” – by admitting so, organisations and corporations open themselves to new knowledge and understanding, fostering a growth mindset that enables them to learn and develop from others’ expertise and experiences, not just myopically thinking of profit generation ,” he said.
Later there was a session titled From Setbacks to Comebacks: The Power of Persistence presented by acclaimed writer and film director, Tahira Kashyap captivated the audience with her inspiring journey, moderated by Atika Farooqui, Celebrity Host & Actor. Kashyap shared personal anecdotes and professional experiences, illustrating how resilience and determination have been instrumental in her success. “Women go through multiple hardware upgrades; every day is so different for women, every hour is so different than the previous one,” she mentions, also candidly referring to the books she has written on womanhood and motherhood.”
And then there was a session titled Lessons of Adaptability: Embracing Failure to Touch Success, featuring Indian actress Medha Shankr and actor Vikrant Massey, moderated by the multifaceted Actor, Producer & Entrepreneur, Neha Dhupia. Medha and Vikrant, the cast of the acclaimed film 12th Fail, illuminated the audience with their insights on embracing failure as a stepping stone towards triumph.
Here’s what the Goafest 2024 leadership team said in a statement:
Prasanth Kumar
Prasanth Kumar, President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and CEO of GroupM, South Asia: “The composition of the clients has been very interesting this year with a notable presence of tech specialists. It’s encouraging to see such diversity. It’s truly heartening to witness the growing number of partners, which not only strengthens and welcomes many newcomers into the Goafest fold. While we anticipated challenges, the dedication and support of all involved have exceeded our expectations, and for that, we’re immensely grateful. We’re excited to welcome many new faces and investors to Goafest 2024; we’re also looking forward to numerous tech sessions and integrations that will enrich the experience. Our goal is to institutionalise Goafest, constantly striving to improve. By completing 60% of the work early and refining timing, we’re making practical strides toward our vision for the next year.”
Rana Barua
Rana Barua, President of The Advertising Club and Group CEO of Havas India, South East and North Asia: “Through countless journeys together, we’ve always been driven by passion, not profit. This year, our commitment to not miss out has been unanimous. The whole team rallied together, united by our love for this industry, to make Goafest 2024 happen within our tight timeframe.”
Jaideep Gandhi
Jaideep Gandhi, Chairperson of the Goafest Organising Committee: “We aim to keep this festival relevant, as we’ve successfully done in the past two years, especially in the post-pandemic era. Each year, we strive to introduce new elements, constantly raising the bar.”
Dheeraj Sinha
Dheeraj Sinha, Group CEO – India and South Asia, FCB and Co-chair Awards Governing Council, Abby Awards 2024 powered by One Show: “We’re thrilled to see a fantastic response from returning agencies, with VML, and McCann Worldgroup India, amongst others, making a comeback, along with many others. It’s a near-complete reunion, with only a handful of agencies not joining us this year!”
Day One ended with Publisher and Media Abby being presented.
