Category: Top Stories

  • Tata AIA ad for shaadi season

    Tata AIA Life Insurance Company Ltd has launched a new campaign titled ‘Karlo Shaadi Ki Poori Taiyaari’.

    Explaining the thought behind the campaign, Girish Kalra, Chief Marketing Officer, Tata AIA Life Insurance, said: “Marriage is an auspicious event that marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in one’s life. It also means the need to prepare for a financially secure future, for our life-long partner. Our new campaign “Karlo Shaadi Ki Poori Taiyaari” aims to blend the excitement of wedding and the importance of long-term financial security in a playful way. Our endeavour is to partner our consumers and enable them to be Taiyaar (prepared) for all the moments (positive or negative) that life has to offer. With our term insurance solutions, guarantee income products, wealth creation plans or retirement offerings, we ensure our consumers live a fikar-free (worry free) life.”

    Added Yash Chandiramani, Founder & Chief Strategist, Admatazz: “With this campaign, we decided to crash weddings in a good way! We connected a life insurance plan as a natural element of the wedding checklist. Our approach was simple yet effective: place life insurance right where the wedding shopping is happening, with ads that catch your eye without weighing down the mood. We are thrilled with the response and glad to play a part in Tata AIA’s communication strategy that addresses serious stuff but in a light-hearted manner”

  • P&G’s Ariel unveils next edition of #ShareTheLoad campaign

    Now in its ninth year, P&G’s laundry brand Ariel’s ad asks: “How Strong is your HomeTeam?” by urging men to #ShareTheLoad.

    Said Mukta Maheshwari, Chief Marketing Officer, P&G India, and Vice President – Fabric Care, P&G Indian subcontinent: “In response to the evolving dynamics within households, driven by the increasing representation of women in the formal sector, we recognize the need to adapt our approach to laundry care. With higher incomes, increased mobility, and growing aspirations, households are experiencing changes in laundry patterns, time constraints, and a heightened demand for convenience. At Ariel, we are committed to creating an ecosystem at home that empowers women by easing their domestic responsibilities. Our mission goes beyond providing superior cleaning products; we aim to foster genuine partnership and equality within households. By understanding the evolving needs of consumers, we strive to rewrite the narrative of gender roles and empower both men and women to share responsibilities equitably. This year. We are attempting to spotlight the never-ending to do lists, a sign of the mental load, that women continue to disproportionately bear. Together, through initiatives like #ShareTheLoad, our aspiration is to cultivate households where it’s equally common for men and women to not only share the physical chores like laundry but also share the mental load of household responsibilities.”

    Added Josy Paul, Chairman & Chief Creative Officer, BBDO India: “#ShareTheLoad is not just an advertising campaign; it’s a silent revolution that’s changing the way Indian society perceives household chores between couples. Each year we uncover a hidden truth. Our deep listening process, in collaboration with the team at P&G Ariel, helps us sense the mood of the nation, the home, and the individual. This year we are hearing more and more women say they are giving up on growth opportunities because of the mental and emotional load of domestic responsibilities. This holds many women back and stops them from achieving their full potential. But things are changing. There are so many moments in the film that show us this reality and how the shift is happening. In the end, the film captures the realization of the husband and the effort he puts in to ensure his wife doesn’t have to take a step back at work. A giant step for equality at home.”

  • Bajaj Electricals’ Nex unveils IoT & BLDC ceiling fans with digital campaign

    Nex, the latest appliance brand launched by Bajaj Electricals Limited, unveiled its high-end models of Internet of Things (IoT)  and Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) ceiling fans – the Dryft and Glyde series – though a digital campaign.

    Said Ravindra Singh Negi, COO at Bajaj Electricals Ltd. commenting on the launch: “We are thrilled to introduce our latest innovation, the Nex range of high performance, smart ceiling fans. Through research, we have actioned what our consumers want, and have created a range that goes beyond expectations in style, function, and energy efficiency. A range that offers 20% higher air thrust, coupled with low noise operation, sleek designs, and customisable settings, it’s perfect for any modern home. Join us in reimaging summer, join us to feel the future with Nex!”

  • News9 launches U-14 football talent hunt

    TV9 Network’s English news brand News9 has announced the launch of ‘Indian Tigers & Tigresses’, billed as the largest-ever football talent hunt aimed at girls and boys below 14 years of age.

    The occasion witnessed the participation of stalwarts of German football including Kay Dammholz, Head of International Media at the German Football Association (DFB), Peter Leible from Bundesliga, Gerhard Riedl, CEO of Riespo in Austria, Julia Farr of Borussia Dortmund in Asia, Anselm Küchle from the International Football Institute in Germany, Philip Klöckl, CEO of Strykerlabs in Austria, and Valentina Putz, also from Strykerlabs.

    Commenting on the initiative, Barun Das, MD and CEO of TV9 Network said: “The News9 ‘Indian Tigers & Tigresses’ initiative is a matter of great pride for us, as it takes football in a whole new direction in India. We envision a future where Indian footballers are given opportunities to be in the global spotlight akin to any of the major footballing nations in the West. This is also one of the pillars that need to be leveraged in India’s ascendancy in the global head table. That starts by giving these players a level playing field, by making football a serious career option for these talented youngsters, and training them to be world-class players from a young age. This is not just about finding out what you are good at – it is about opening doors and lighting up thousands of dreams”.

    The talent hunt will run April through July and will be amplified across TV9 Network platforms reaching an approximate audience of over 220 crore viewers nationwide. Moreover, TV9 Digital, which has over 100 million unique users, will promote the initiative across all its multi-lingual platforms including its YouTube channels.

    “As we embark on this ground-breaking initiative, we stand at the crossroads of innovation and opportunity. Together, with our esteemed partners and the vibrant talent pool of India, we are poised to redefine the future of soccer,” said Peter Leible, Senior Advisor, Bundesliga.

    Registration for the talent hunt will begin shortly, with European football scouts set to evaluate the entries. Selected candidates will undergo scouting at various venues across India by the end of June.

  • Shell Advance upgrades portfolio

    Shell Lubricants India unveiled its upgraded portfolio of Shell Advance Motorcycle oils and launched a limited-edition packaging featuring brand ambassador Shahid Kapoor, continuing a partnership on the Rukna Mushkil Hai brand campaign.

    Introducing the new and improved Shell Advance range, Amit Ghugre, Chief Marketing Officer, Shell Lubricants India, said: “For us, ‘Rukna Mushkil Hai’ is not just an emotion but a platform to empower riders to be truly unstoppable. Last year, we teamed up with Shahid Kapoor to echo the spirit of these motoring enthusiasts, and now we are taking it a step further with portfolio upgrades to offer stronger and more impactful consumer benefits. With our special edition packs, we hope to inspire more users to fulfil their passion for riding with Shell Advance engine oils.”

  • Aaj Tak takes the helicopter route for elections coverage

    What we are set to witness is the mother-of-all-elections. And for Hindi news television leaders Aaj Tak, even the sky is not the limit as far as the coverage goes. Star anchor-editor Anjana Om Kashyap will take the helicopter route for a special show titled ‘Rajtilak’. Kashyap will journey across 100 cities in India and to remote parts of the country.

    Speaking on this occasion, Rahul Shaw (CEO – TV & Radio, TVTN) said: “Rajtilak’ prioritises raw, unfiltered opinions and perspectives of citizens. As the most trusted news brand of the country, the citizens expect no less from AajTak. AajTak’s Helicopter shot in the final match of Indian politics will revolutionise the coverage, guaranteeing unprecedented reach and engagement with democracy in live action.”

    Added Sandeep Seksaria (Managing Director, LTK Industries) added: “LTK Group is proud and pleased to be associated with TV Today Network, India Today Group for this unique initiative Aaj Tak ka Helicopter Shot – ‘Rajtilak’. The communication objective of our brand Macho Hint and the Aaj Tak initiative matches perfectly well to be at the centre of the nation’s socio-political conversation. The idea of reaching out to the people across the nation aerially and bring to them the pulse of the nation is quite remarkable and Macho Hint is thrilled to be an honoured partner in this initiative.”

    Said Shashi Sinha, CEO of IPG Mediabrands India: “We are delighted to partner with Macho Hint of LTK Industries and Aaj Tak in this unique and innovative programme, Rajtilak Helicopter Shot.”

  • Silver Spun expands to include influencer marketing

    Silver Spun Brand Solutions, an integrated marketing communications firm, is expanding its services by adding influencer marketing initiatives.

    Speaking about the development, Heeta Parikh, Founder, Silver Spun Brand Solutions, said: “As the digitisation of the world continues to bring global commerce and audience together, brands must adapt and act on innovative strategies. Our decision to incorporate influencer marketing into our portfolio arises from our deep understanding of our clients’ needs and the ever-changing dynamics of consumer engagement. With social media marketing at its peak and dedicated industry influencers being the most viable choice brands to engage the targeted audience, we felt it is the right time to be the informed mediator in bridging the gap for our existing and potential clientele in helping them reach influencer mindfully to ramp up their consumer reach and in turn contribute to their ROI.”

  • FCB India appoints Ashima Mehra as CEO

    Ashima Mehra
    Ashima Mehra

    FCB India, part of the FCB Group has appointed Ashima Mehra, as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). She was last with Leo Burnett India where she served as an Executive Director.

    Notes a communique: “As FCB India’s new CEO, Ashima will be responsible for overseeing the agency’s operations, driving business growth, nurturing client relationships, and fostering a culture of creativity and innovation.”

  • Frodoh World welcomes Shamsuddin Jasani as Strategic Advisor

    AdTech firm Frodoh World has onboarded former Wunderman Thompson CEO and digital native Shamsuddin Jasani as a Strategic Advisor. Jasani will help in the  teams expansion plans.  He will also play a pivotal role in the launch of Frodoh World’s digital Retail Media platform.

    Russhabh R Thakkar
    Russhabh R Thakkar

    Speaking on the development, Russhabh R Thakkar, CEO of Frodoh World, said: “Shams has always been a mentor to me and we believe that his invaluable expertise will catalyse Frodoh’s leadership in CTV innovation, Digital Retail Media and our overall company growth. With his strategic guidance, we are poised to pioneer groundbreaking advancements in the CTV space and new ventures in Retail Media further solidifying Frodoh World’s position as a frontrunner in the industry.”

  • Sony Liv to air Siddhartha Basu’s ‘Quizzer Of The Year’

    Remember Siddhartha Basu doing Quiz Time on Doordarshan in the mid-1980s? And various other shows like: Spectrum, The India Quez, The Beanstalk Quiz Summitt, Mastermind India, University Challenge, India’s Child Genius and of course Kaun Banega Crorepati.

    Basu and wife Anita Kaul Basu are now streaming Quizzer Of The Year (QOTY), a nationwide challenge on Sony Liv.

    It started from April 15 with zonal rounds hosted by seasoned quizmasters Joy Bhattacharjya and Col Vembu Shankar. Winning teams will advance to the quarterfinals, semi-finals, finals hosted by Basu, with the ultimate winner being crowned the Quizzer Of The Year.

  • Havas Media gets Anand Kumar as President – South

    Anand Kumar
    Anand Kumar

    Havas Media Network India, the specialised media agency conglomerate of Havas India, has appointed Anand Kumar as President – South, Havas Media India to spearhead the operations in the southern markets.

    Anand will be based out of Bengaluru and report to Uday Mohan, Managing Director, Havas Media India, and will work closely with the core leadership team of the agency. Kumar has worked in various media agencies in the past including Essence, Maxus, MEC, MPG amongst others.

    Said Uday Mohan, Managing Director, Havas Media India: “We are now poised to embark on our next phase of growth, as we stay committed to making a meaningful difference in the industry. Our robust operations in the south, offer immense potential for marketers and as we continue to grow our business, Anand’s rich expertise will prove to be a huge leverage for us in the region. His addition to the team aligns perfectly with our commitment to staying at the forefront of media innovation.”

    Added Mohit Joshi, CEO, Havas Media Network India: “At Havas Media Network India, our team has grown to over 1000 members, reflecting our expanding presence both in terms of capabilities, talent pool and client base nationwide. Our operations in Bengaluru serve as a hub for numerous key and successful client relationships in the region. We are deeply ingrained in the southern market, leveraging our diverse competences via teams at PivotRoots, Havas Media India, and Centre of Excellence. As our network expands rapidly, we prioritize leaders who possess a profound understanding of the industry landscape. Anand’s appointment reflects our commitment to enhancing omnichannel planning capabilities and ensuring seamless workflows from client briefs to tangible business outcomes, particularly within the pivotal South market.”

  • L&K Saatchi & Saatchi appoints Ekta Relan as CSO

    Paritosh Srivastava (Left) Ekta Relan (Center) Snehasis Bose (Right)
    Paritosh Srivastava (Left) Ekta Relan (Center) Snehasis Bose (Right)

    L&K Saatchi & Saatchi has strengthened its strategy leadership by elevating Snehasis Bose, its Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), to the role of Group Chief Strategy Officer. With this, Bose will now oversee strategy across L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, Publicis India, and Saatchi & Saatchi Propagate. Additionally, Ekta Relan takes over the reins as the new Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) for L&K Saatchi & Saatchi. Together, Bose and Relan will collaborate to enhance the agency’s strategic initiatives.

    Commenting on the appointments, Paritosh Srivastava, CEO, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi and Publicis India said: “Given the disproportionate growth all three agency brands have seen in client results, creative respect and revenue over the last few years, and the significant role the strategic function has played, it is the right time for us to introduce a force multiplier. Snehasis is a proven war horse who has been a great asset and most dependable partner to the agency. It’s a natural progression for him to bring his influence and impact across the other agencies. Ekta is a rare talent, with her wealth of experience and strategic acumen, she is the perfect strategic leader and cultural fit to take L&K Saatchi & Saatchi’s spirit of ‘Our Client’s Business Is Our Business’ to the next level.”