Category: Top Stories

  • Das ka Dum with Dr Bhaskar Das | What does it speak of a society where you can’t be openly critical or critique someone because you are worried about being damned by the powers that be later?

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    Q: What does it speak of a society where you can’t be openly critical or critique someone because you are worried about being damned by the powers that be later?

    A: Needless to say you have perceived the feeling which was articulated in the question. The answer could be both “Yes” and “No” depending on who has what kind of episodic evidence to defend it. Hence I am, in general, against any generalisation. For example, the very fact you have asked me this question, and I am not against it, is a proof of not-so-dystopian state of affairs.

    In fact, there has been evidence of such intolerance, if you may, from antiquity. You must have read Animal Farm by George Orwell in 1945. Even today, you would find similarities, all over the world, of this satirical/ allegorical novella. So, your perception is nothing new. We experienced it during the Emergency in 1975.

    It is a fact that rage, anger, intolerance have gone up in society all over the world, albeit at different degrees. They may be unexpected in a democratic society but the very fact that we can discuss this is a sign of its vibrancy in our country. You may have many evidences to support your observation but, trust me, that in a ubiquitous digital environment that we live in, many alternative opinions are continuously communicated through the social media, which can torment both the perpetrator and the perpetrated. So, no worries.

  • IAMAI’s Digitally Native Brands committee appoints Vikas D Nahar as chairman

    The Digitally Native Brands (DNB) Committee of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has appointed Vikas D Nahar, Founder & CEO, Happilo, as the new Chair and Swagat Sarangi, Co-Founder, Smytten, as the new Co-chair, following their election to the posts.

    Said Nahar: “As I step into the esteemed position of Chairperson of the DNB Committee within IAMAI, I am profoundly grateful for the trust placed in me. The election represents not only a transition of leadership but also a reaffirmation of our shared dedication to the growth and progress of our industry. With heartfelt gratitude, I envision fostering collaboration, innovation, and ethical standards, knowing that together, we can make a lasting impact on the future of digital businesses. Let’s embark on this journey with gratitude and determination, knowing that our collective efforts today will shape tomorrow’s success.”

    The DNB Committee Co-chair Swagat Sarangi shared his perspective on the potential of India’s Digitally Native Brands sector and consumer brands, stating, “I am honoured and excited to take on the role of Co-Chair for the Digitally Native Brands Committee. There can’t be a better time in India to build consumer brands. I hope to contribute meaningfully to the ecosystem, fostering collaboration and ensuring better access and support from all stakeholders for the digitally native brands”.

  • Nisheeth Srivastava is ECD at BBH

    BBH India, the creative agency within Publicis Groupe India, has appointed Nisheeth Srivastava as Executive Creative Director (ECD). Based out of New Delhi, Srivastava’s mandate involves working across brands handled by both offices of the agency and reporting directly to Parikshit Bhattaccharya, Chief Creative Officer of BBH India.

    Welcoming him to the BBH team, Bhattaccharya said: “Nisheeth’s appointment is in line with our objective of building a high talent density team. His vast body of work is a potent combination of culturally rooted insights and progressive ideas. His experience in handling big brand mandates will add another dimension to our game, specifically in Delhi. He joins a high energy, super collaborative creative leadership team comprising Ashwin Palkar, Swati Balani and Arvind Menon. I look forward to their combined magic as they curl a few into the top right corner for our clients.”

  • Pepsi launches campaign with Ranveer Singh

     

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    A post shared by Ranveer Singh (@ranveersingh)

    Pepsi launches new campaign with brand ambassador Ranveer Singh in celebration of 125 years in India.

    Speaking on the ‘Yeh Dil Maange More’ campaign, Shailja Joshi, Category Lead, Pepsi Cola, PepsiCo India, said: “Yeh Dil Maange More is more than a campaign; it’s a cultural phenomenon etched in the hearts of Pepsi lovers. As we embark on this journey, Pepsi invites everyone to savour the taste of this timeless sentiment and embrace the exciting evolution that lies ahead. Ranveer Singh is the perfect ambassador to lead the charge, this iconic campaign celebrating our enduring connection with India and paying homage to the timeless pursuit of ‘more’. Through ‘Yeh Dil Maange More’, we aim to honour the youth of India who relentlessly strive for greater aspirations, encouraging them to heed their heart’s desires and aspirations, despite the limiting voices in their heads. It’s not just about celebrating our past but creating a vibrant future for the brand. Our new global branding is a symbolic fusion of our rich legacy and a dynamic future, resonating with consumers across the globe. We are excited to share this with our consumers across generations.”

  • Axis My India onboards Prateek Dubey as COO

    Axis My India, the consumer intelligence company better known for its exit polls on news television, has appointed Prateek Dubey as its Chief Operating Officer (COO). Under a full-time secondment from Google India, Dubey will, notes a communique, play an “instrumental role in spearheading and setting in motion the company’s crucial strategic initiative, a revolutionary People Empowerment Platform (PEP) – ‘a’ App and its pan-India rollout campaign”.

    Commenting on the appointment, Pradeep Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director, Axis My India said: “We are thrilled to welcome Prateek Dubey to Axis My India. With his extensive background, Prateek brings a proficient understanding and skillset in building businesses on top of tech platforms. He also displays significantly effective strategic thinking and execution capabilities.”

  • Coca-Cola Foodmarks launches with celebratory campaign

    Coca-Cola India has announced the launch of Coca-Cola Foodmarks in India, under its ‘A Recipe for Magic’ global campaign. Coca-Cola Foodmarks celebrates global “food landmarks” which are destinations and experiences with a recipe of three key ingredients: the perfect moment, the perfect meal and an ice-cold Coca-Cola.

    As its global rollout, the launch event in India was held at Embassy restaurant, an iconic standout in Connaught Place in Delhi. It was graced by Janhvi Kapoor and Karisma Kapoor who honoured the legendary Raj Kapoor. The highlight was the timeless photograph of two icons, Raj Kapoor and bottle of Coke, both in one frame!

    Said Kaushik Prasad, Senior Director – Marketing, Coca-Cola INSWA: “We are thrilled to introduce Coca-Cola Foodmarks in India, a country known for its rich culinary heritage and vibrant food culture. Coca-Cola Foodmarks embodies the essence of Coke that is to spread Real Magic of shared moments, cultural nuances and culinary excellence. We are excited to bring this experience offering patrons an opportunity to savor flavors while creating lasting memories.”

  • Livon launches digital campaign

    Livon, Marico’s hair serum brand, has launched a digital campaign titled Uncut with Livon – #ExpressInStyle. As a part of the brand’s unfiltered series, Uncut with Livon, delves into uncharted territory with a daring social experiment. The campaign questions stereotypes and societal bias on women’s appearance and hairstyles.

    Conceptualised and created by Brand David and Team Marico, the campaign by Livon showcases a social experiment where four panellists, from different walks of life, are tasked with guessing professions of four women based on their hairstyles. The four women are Mira Erda (race car driver), Indulekha (singer and rapper), Rooparna (stay-at-home mom), and Mallica (finance news reporter).

    Notes a communique: “The uncensored series is committed to challenge social conditioning in its episodes and upcoming series in the future.”

  • Cleartrip urges travellers to book in advance in new campaign

    Cleartrip, now a Flipkart Company, has launched a campaign urging travellers to book in advance.

    This is the second edition of its marquee travel event, #NationOnVacation. In its latest proposition, Cleartrip urges travellers to plan their dream vacation right now before the prices skyrocket.

    Talking about #NationOnVacation, Kunal Dubey, Chief Marketing Officer, Cleartrip said: “Summer is always a period of excitement for travellers across the country. #NationOnVacation was curated and created last year to make travel more accessible, easy and convenient for anyone considering a vacation. This year, we at Cleartrip are set to elevate the travel experience for users across the board. Be it Srinagar, Goa, Jaipur, Bagdogra, Kochi, Bangkok, Singapore, Denpasar, Toronto or London, Cleartrip is committed to providing travellers unparalleled offerings to make their dream summer vacation memorable.”

  • Binaifer Dulani is now founding partner at Talented

    Binaifer Dulani
    Binaifer Dulani

    Talented creative agency gets a new founding partner Binaifer Dulani.

    Co-founders Gautam Reghunath and PG Aditiya of the agency add to their leadership team Independent agency Talented has promoted Binaifer Dulani to the role of Founding Partner.

    Said Reghunath ad Aditiya: “Binaifer’s promotion reflects what the founders note as her “remarkable drive to make everyone at Talented succeed”. “It really makes us happy when amazing things happen to amazing people. Binny is a champion creative but more importantly she’s a champion ally for everyone here, obsessed with bringing the best out of those around her. While we’ve always relied on her for counsel and advice as part of our leadership team, with this, she now becomes the third person and our first creative colleague to officially join Talented’s partner track. This is us merely providing her more of the stage she deserves to be able to continue having the incredible impact she’s already had on our company, colleagues and clients.”

  • Pepperfry appoints Mahip Dwivedi as VP of Marketing

    Mahip Dwivedi
    Mahip Dwivedi

    Pepperfry, the ecommerce furniture and home goods company, has appointed Mahip Dwivedi as new Vice President of Marketing. In his role, Dwivedi will spearhead the organisation’s marketing strategy, brand communication, performance marketing, retention, and public relations functions.

    Said Ashish Shah, Chief Executive Officer at Pepperfry: “We are thrilled to welcome Mahip Dwivedi to the Pepperfry family as our new Head of Marketing. Mahip’s wealth of experience and proven track record in driving successful marketing campaigns aligns seamlessly with our vision for Pepperfry’s future growth and innovation. We are excited about the invaluable contributions he will bring to the table. We eagerly await the positive impact Mahip’s expertise will have in steering Pepperfry towards unprecedented success.”

  • Experience Commerce bags mandate for The Sleep Company

    Experience Commerce (EC), the digital agency within the Cheil Network, has won the creative and social media mandate for The Sleep Company.

    Said Ripal Chopda, Chief Marketing Officer at The Sleep Company: “As The Sleep Company expands rapidly, it’s crucial to align with a strategic partner who understands our brand and can craft compelling narratives across digital and social media. With Experience Commerce’s expertise, we aim to boost our online presence and drive tangible business results. We’re confident this collaboration will lead us to new milestones in consumer engagement and commerce.”

    Added Meera Ghare, Vice President and Business Head at Experience Commerce: “The Sleep Company’s growth trajectory presents an exciting opportunity for us to showcase our strategic prowess and creative acumen. With a team of seasoned strategists and creative minds, we are confident in delivering exceptional results that amplify brand visibility and drive business growth. At EC, we are committed to creating impactful work that resonates with billions of social media users, and The Sleep Company’s visionary approach perfectly aligns with this ethos.”

  • Indian design leaders launch Triad

    TRIAD, short for Trans Regional Indian Association of Design, was launched at Designing Tomorrow, a design event that took place on March 9, 2024, at the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing (IIITDM) Kancheepuram, Chennai, an institute fir design-centric education through the School of Interdisciplinary Design and Innovation.

    Said Sathiyaseelan G, Vice President, Styling at Ashok Leyland and Founding team member at Triad: “After conducting a pilot programme with over 10,000 students nationwide, we identified a crucial gap. There was a primary need to shift the mindset from mere technology adoption to creating unique solutions that fit exactly what is needed. Therefore, our initiative aims to engage students and equip the next generation with a ‘Design First’ mentality. India’s journey to becoming a design hub cannot be merely aspirational but a mandate for its progress and sustainability.”