Category: PRODUCTS

  • Criteo launches Commerce Max DSP into general availability

    By Our Staff

     

    Criteo, the commerce media company, announced the general availability of its self-service demand-side platform (DSP), Commerce Max, giving brands and agencies a single point of entry to retail media inventory onsite and across premium publishers offsite. Complementing Commerce Max, Criteo is also expanding its retailer monetization solution suite, offering retailers the means to tap previously unattainable demand by paving the way for the integration of marketplace and in-store monetization technologies.

     

    Retail media has proven extremely successful for retailers looking to grow additional revenue streams and brands and agencies looking to engage consumers actively in a buying mindset. Until now, however, fragmentation across the industry has held retailers, brands and agencies back from reaching their full potential with retail media.

     

    Said Megan Clarken, CEO at Criteo: “Our focus is enabling all commerce-driven companies to buy and sell audiences engaged in shopping. The process has to be frictionless, and it has to solve for fragmentation,” “With today’s launch, we’re equipping our clients with the right tools to cut through and connect in a more unified retail media ecosystem that ultimately creates more unity across the broader advertising marketplace.”

     

    Driving Commerce at Scale

    Commerce Max entered market testing in 2022 with leading consumer electronics retailer, Best Buy, and the world’s foremost media investment company, GroupM, as exclusive Alpha partner. Over this period, Commerce Max enrolled 10 retailers including Best Buy, Macy’s and Shipt. Retailers who have completed campaigns have more than doubled conversion rates on average when running both onsite and offsite advertising though the platform.

     

    Industry praise for Commerce Max

    Added Billy Dyer, Club Team Shopper Marketing Lead at Unilever: “Through Criteo we now have one point of entry to a pivotal retail media network, all within a single platform – Commerce Max – that applies the same KPIs to retail media as those we use for our programmatic buys. Combining onsite and offsite targeting enables us to focus media spend across a broader part of the shopper funnel while finding the most suitable audiences wherever they are.”

    Now in general availability, brands and agencies across the globe can use Commerce Max to access data and inventory across multiple retailers and marketplaces, finding valuable audiences on these sites and extending these audiences offsite. This is underpinned by closed-loop measurement, enabling advertisers to quickly and efficiently determine the effectiveness of campaigns and optimize accordingly.

     

  • Ceat signs Shafali Verma as Brand Ambassador

    By Our Staff

     

    CEAT Ltd., tyre manufacturer, signs Shafali Verma as its latest brand ambassador. With this, Shafali joins the list of CEAT’s cricketing brand ambassadors, which includes stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Mathew Hayden.

     

    Lakshmi Narayanan B, Chief Marketing Officer, CEAT Ltd., said: “At CEAT, our dedication to cricket runs deep, and our association with the sport has only grown stronger over the years. From our annual CEAT Cricket Ratings to our strategic partnerships, we have always prioritized recognizing and rewarding outstanding performance. As we welcome Shafali Verma to the CEAT family, it’s her exceptional on-field performance that stands out. While the personality of a player is significant, it’s their consistent achievements across various formats that truly resonate with our brand’s values. Shafali embodies the spirit of excellence and determination that CEAT champions. We are thrilled to have her on board and look forward to a successful partnership, furthering our commitment to support and uplift the sport of cricket.”

     

  • Neena Gupta features in TVC of Godawari Electric Motors

    By Our Staff

     

    Godawari Electric Motors releases its first TVC for Eblu Feo carrying the tagline ‘India’s First Family e-scooter’ with the Neena Gupta. The new TVC has been conceptualized by Hats On Advertising.

     

    Speaking about the TVC, Hyder Khan, CEO, Godawari Electric Motors said: “We are extremely proud to roll out our first TVC for Eblu Feo. Ms. Neena Gupta who is known for her versatile acting and timeless elegance, has been chosen as the face of this TVC due to her resonance with our core values of sustainability and progress. Her powerful presence and impeccable talent align seamlessly with our mission to redefine the way people commute in cities. We are confident that this TVC will be able to capture the audience’s attention with its simple yet innovative narrative to switch to electric mobility for a sustainable future.”

     

  • Lowe Lintas promotes Veedol lubricants

    By Our Staff

     

    Lowe Lintas has conceptualised a new brand campaign for Veedol, lubricant brands. The campaign is built on the core idea that a clean heart is a symbol of honesty, transparency, and trust, which are values that distinguish the Veedol brand. This message is encapsulated in the campaign tagline ‘Rakhe Saaf… Dil Se’.

     

    Arijit Basu, Managing Director, Tide Water Oil said: ‘’We feel that the time is right to reinforce Veedol’s standing as one of India’s most respected automotive and industrial lubricant brands of choice for consumers and mechanics alike. This campaign does this beautifully, also weaving in our international standing into the storyline. We believe this campaign will strengthen our brand as we embark on a journey to take Veedol to the next level of growth.”

     

    Commenting on the campaign, Sagar Kapoor, Chief Creative Officer, Lowe Lintas added: ‘The new campaign reinforces the brand’s commitment to providing high-quality engine oils for all segments of vehicles including Car, Bike, Tractor & Truck. With its focus on keeping engines clean from the inside, Veedol’s products are an excellent choice for anyone who wants a long-lasting engine and a hassle-free journey.”

     

  • Blue Dart rebrands delivery service to Bharat Dart

    By Our Staff

     

    Blue Dart Express Limited, express air and integrated transportation & distribution logistics company, unveiled its newly revamped service, formerly known as Dart Plus, as Bharat Dart. This strategic transformation marks a momentous milestone in Blue Dart’s ongoing journey, underscoring its unwavering commitment to serving the diverse needs of Bharat.

     

    Of the initiative, Pablo Ciano, CEO – DHL eCommerce, said: “As India approaches its centenary year in 2047, the focus on e-commerce and logistics has become paramount. Our DHL Group Strategy 2025 has identified e-commerce as a megatrend, and we are committed to our objective of ‘Connecting People, Improving Lives.’ We firmly believe in the immense potential to spotlight the unique products and services offered by India’s small businesses and MSMEs in tier II and tier III cities on a global stage, enabled by our seamless delivery solutions. This vision harmonizes seamlessly with the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.”

     

    Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart, added: “During India’s recent G20 Presidency, the need to harmonize growth, efficiency, and resilience as one large family was brought forth. The government’s vision of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future,’ which underscores unity and purpose, aligns seamlessly with Blue Dart’s forward-thinking approach, cementing its position as a trailblazer in the logistics industry. This rebranding represents an exciting transformation for us as we continue to serve the length and breadth of the country. Bharat Dart is the first step in a new and exciting chapter for our company and our nation. We are dedicated to leveraging our expertise to elevate our capabilities and enhance the overall customer experience.”

     

  • Aditya Birla Group forays into decorative paints business

    By Our Staff

     

    Grasim Industries Limited, flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, unveiled the brand name of its paints business, ‘Birla Opus’. The market launch of Birla Opus is scheduled for Q4FY24. Grasim will offer a full suite of high-quality products in the decorative paints segment.

     

    Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group said: “Our foray into decorative paints is a strategic portfolio choice that enables us to tap into a high-growth market and expand our presence in the vibrant Indian consumer landscape. Our paints business will build on the power and trust associated with the Aditya Birla brand. The Company has over the last couple of years built a strong foundation to enable a successful business launch. We endeavour to become a profitable No. 2 player in the coming years and announcing our brand name is the first of many steps that will follow in this direction.”

     

  • Philips launches campaign for OneBlade

    By Our Staff

     

    The New Philips OneBlade launches brand campaign film. The ‘Move Fearlessly’ campaign is targets India’s Gen Z and is driven by the mission to empower young males and inspire confidence throughout their journey. At the core of this campaign is the New Philips OneBlade, a grooming innovation designed to make a difference.

     

    Commenting on the new campaign, Deepali Agarwal, Business Head, Personal Health, Philips Indian Subcontinent said: “The ‘Move Fearlessly’ campaign transcends grooming, and it is a call to empower young Indians to confront life’s uncertainties with confidence. With the New Philips OneBlade, we aspire to be their companion, enabling them to face each day unafraid. Our ‘No Nick. No Cuts’ promise epitomizes our commitment to well-being, ensuring that young individuals always present their best selves to the world.”

     

  • Sony Sports unveils campaign for 19th Asian Games

    By Our Staff

     

    Sony Sports Network launches a campaign to mark the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022.

     

    Recognizing the power of collective ambition, the campaign shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes of Indian sports.

     

    Said Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer – Distribution & International Business and Head – Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India: “The Asian Games is one of the grandest stages in the sporting world of Asia and the Indian contingent is training hard to add to our medal count. It’s a moment of national pride as we have stalwarts from every walk of life joining us for the campaign to rally behind our Indian athletes making this the grandest campaign ever for the Asian Games. Adding to that, we have also received great support from our sponsors who will surely benefit from the strategic partnership with Sony Sports Network for the Asian Games.”

     

    Sandeep Mehrotra, Head Ad Sales, Network Channels, Sony Pictures Networks India added:  “Over the years, multi sporting events have attracted significant viewer interest and we have done well to tap into the immense potential of non-cricket sports in India. Brands want to associate with content that is not only culturally relevant but also inspirational and evokes national pride. The 19th Asian Games on Sony Sports Network will provide advertisers the ideal platform to communicate their message to a wide demographic of receptive viewers from across the country through innovative advertising solutions. We are thrilled to witness a tremendous response for the upcoming 19th Asian Games with advertiser interest from across categories like Automobiles, BFSI, Beverage, consumer durables and others.”

     

    Virat Khullar, AVP & Head of Marketing, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. said: “Hyundai’s partnership with Sony Sports Network for the Asian Games signifies a strategic commitment that extends beyond the world of sports in India. Sport serves as a formidable catalyst, fostering performance, personal growth, teamwork, and discipline among our youth. By investing in events like the Asian Games, Hyundai not only promotes youth participation but also ignites their aspirations, encouraging them to dream big and realize their full potential. This initiative is one of many in Hyundai’s sports portfolio, aligned with our overarching mission of enriching vibrant and healthy communities.”

     

  • Cottonworld launches new brand film

    By Our Staff

     

    Cottonworld launches new brand film. It is the second part of the comfort trilogy titled ‘Be Comfortable with Uncomfortable’. It is directed by Gautam Kohli, Creative Director at Cottonworld’s creative advertising agency Pulp India.

     

    Said Lavin Lekhraj, one of the owners of Cottonworld: “Saying hello to the comfort within discomfort is a profound journey we’re unveiling. This is the second chapter in our comfort trilogy, a dedicated exploration of finding solace in one’s skin. For 36 years, our commitment has been unwavering: natural fabrics that echo our ethos. Committed, resolute, and passionate about delivering comfort through clothing. Our devotion remains unwavering in bringing the essence of comfort closer to our cherished audience.”

     

    Speaking about the inspiration around the film, Gautam Kohli, Founder- Pulp India added: “Embracing comfort amidst discomfort is a triumph in itself. This film, ‘Be Comfortable with Uncomfortable’, marks the second instalment of Pulp India’s comfort trilogy for Cottonworld, a tribute to the art of feeling at ease in one’s own skin. It celebrates the amazing individuals from every life path finding solace in authenticity, in being themselves.”

     

  • Hardik Pandya joins Gatorade family

    By Our Staff

     

    Gatorade announced its association with Hardik Pandya. This partnership comes on the back of Gatorade mission to reiterate the importance of hydration whilst being active.

     

    Commenting on the association, Ankit Agarwal, Associate Director, Energy and Hydration, PepsiCo India, said: “Gatorade has been a pioneer in hydration, providing athletes and people with active lifestyles with electrolytes and fluids to help replace what is lost in sweat. Hardik’s relentless spirit and unyielding determination to be physically fit, work hard and sweat it out time and again   align seamlessly with Gatorade’s philosophy of staying hydrated to help perform at one’s best. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Gatorade family.”

     

  • Parle Krackjack launches new TVC

    By Our Staff

     

    Parle Products, biscuit brand, has released its latest campaign for KrackJack. The three-film campaign created by Thought Blurb Communications tells stories of conundrums that are solved in hilarious ways by the two protagonists, Krack (played by Dharmesh Yelande) and Jack (played by Raghav Juyal).

     

    The over-the-top style of humour follows a legacy that was started in the 90s with Boman Irani and Vijay Patkar playing the titular roles. The torch then passed on to Swapnil Joshi and Gaurav Gera in the noughties, and after a decade, Krackjack has now found renewed vigour with Raghav Juyal and Dharmesh Yelande.

     

    Mayank Shah, Senior Category Head, Parle Products, speaks about Krackjack and the direction it has taken over the years. “Krackjack is the first biscuit in India to find that magical spot in the consumer’s palate with a flavour that tickles sweet and salty taste buds. When the flavour is so out-of-the ordinary, how can its communication not be unusual? Over the years, the characters Krack & Jack, have endeared themselves to audiences across the country. Every new generation resonates with these sweet and salty characters. Dharmesh and Raghav are new age celebrities with a wide fan following among the youth. More importantly, we chose them because we felt they have a spontaneity in their repartee, which is key to the brand’s communication.”

     

    Vinod Kunj, Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Thought Blurb Communications echoes the sentiment and explains the challenges: “It’s a big challenge to work on a legacy brand like Krackjack with a high decibel legacy communication. When we got the brief we were clear that we have to carry forward the torch to the next generation of audiences across India. Not only do we have to appeal to a wide section of audiences across socio economic segments, we also had to touch their funny bone. Evidenced by the viewer responses we have received, the execution seems to have hit the bull’s eye. The dash of rollicking humour coating the films make them entirely enjoyable.”

     

    Joining in with her perspective on the creative execution, Renu Somani, National Creative Director, Thought Blurb adds, “We started off with a product that is sweet but also has salty overtones. That kind of dictated the tone and tenor of the campaign. In one of the brain storming sessions when the strategy team came up with the idea of ‘contrarian views working towards a common goal’ we knew we had our campaign. This in turn finds resonance in the claim – ‘sweet aur salty saath jab aaye, baat ban jaaye’. The fun part was working with the film crew to get Dharmesh and Raghav to work in tandem to translate this strange combination of diametrically opposite views. We wanted the viewers to have fun, and I think that has come out quite well.”

     

  • Club Mahindra launches new brand film

    By Our Staff

     

    Club Mahindra, the flagship brand of Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited, has launched a new brand film, showcasing amazing holiday experiences from a child’s lens. In line with the brand’s commitment to deliver magical family holiday experiences, the new campaign, titled #HappyHolidaysHappyFamilies, places a special emphasis on providing children with enriching and enjoyable adventures alongside their families, all while discovering the beauty of India.

     

    The campaign was launched during the Asia Cup Series in September.

    Sharing his thoughts on the campaign, Pratik Mazumder, Chief Marketing Officer, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited, said: “Our new campaign, #HappyHolidaysHappyFamilies, not only celebrates the incredible moments families can enjoy at our resorts but also recognizes the power of children as storytellers. At Club Mahindra, we prioritize creating magical experiences for children and reimagining their holiday adventures. We firmly believe that when children are content, families find happiness, and this campaign exemplifies that sentiment.”