ITV

Category: Digital

  • Grapes Worldwide secures digital mandate for Livwell

    Grapes Worldwide secures digital mandate for Livwell

    MUMBAI: Grapes Worldwide has been awarded the digital mandate for Livwell. The Bangalore-based team will oversee the brand’s digital strategy, focusing on strengthening its online presence and refining its branding and positioning.

    Grapes Worldwide will manage Livwell’s comprehensive digital framework, including owned, earned, and paid media integration. With a strong emphasis on user engagement, the agency will also be responsible for UI/UX design, ensuring a seamless and visually appealing website experience.

    The partnership aims to expand Livwell’s reach, drive audience engagement, and create a deeper connection with consumers. By leveraging its expertise, Grapes Worldwide seeks to support Livwell’s long-term growth and market positioning.

    “Onboarding Livwell marks another significant milestone for us. This collaboration highlights our commitment to delivering impactful strategies that enhance brand presence and visibility.” Grapes Worldwide co-founder & global CEO Shradha Agarwal.

    “While selecting an agency, we sought a partner that truly understood our vision and brand ethos. Grapes Worldwide aligned perfectly with our objectives, setting a strong foundation for our communication strategy. We look forward to an exciting journey ahead to elevate our market presence.” Livwell co-founder & group CTO Vikas Dhar.

  • Network18 ropes in digital entrepreneur Angad Bhatia to helm Firstpost and Creator18

    Network18 ropes in digital entrepreneur Angad Bhatia to helm Firstpost and Creator18

    MUMBAI: Network18 has appointed seasoned digital entrepreneur Angad Bhatia as chief executive of Firstpost and its freshly minted creator-focused venture, Creator18.

    Bhatia, who founded and scaled the influential men’s lifestyle platform MensXP before its acquisition by Times Internet, brings over 15 years of digital media expertise to the role where he’ll steer India’s international news brand while simultaneously building a creator network across Network18’s digital properties.

    His appointment marks a strategic push by the media conglomerate to capitalise on the booming creator economy while strengthening its news credentials.

    The digital veteran most recently served as chief executive of India Lifestyle Network and spearheaded brand and marketing growth initiatives at Mensa Brands. His career has spanned content, technology and digital commerce, including the development of influential digital-first consumer brands such as iDiva and Hypp.

    Industry observers note Bhatia’s reputation for identifying growth adjacencies and applying entrepreneurial thinking to established media businesses – precisely the toolkit Network18 appears keen to harness as traditional and social media boundaries continue to blur.

    “Bhatia represents the new breed of media executive who understands both content creation and commercial models in the digital sphere,” said a media analyst at a leading consultancy firm. “His experience with MensXP demonstrated he can build audiences while driving commercial success.”

    In his new role, Bhatia will report directly to Rahul Joshi, managing director and group editor-in-chief of Network18, as he attempts to bring fresh thinking and audience growth to the organisation’s digital portfolio.

  • Tata Capital opens digital doors wider with accessibility upgrade

    Tata Capital opens digital doors wider with accessibility upgrade

    MUMBAI: In a groundbreaking move, Tata Capital has redefined digital inclusivity by becoming the first financial services firm to enhance its website with accessibility features tailored for differently abled individuals. This initiative underscores the company’s commitment to ensuring seamless access to financial services for all.

    Tata Capital chief operating officer for digital & marketing Abonty Banerjee stated, “At Tata Capital, we are committed to fostering an inclusive digital environment that ensures equal access to financial services for all users. This initiative reflects our dedication to leveraging technology to remove barriers and empower individuals.”

    The upgraded website now features an accessibility menu designed to cater to diverse user needs. With reading assistance for the blind and improved readability for visually impaired users, the platform ensures that financial services are just a click away for everyone regardless of ability.

  • AI Writes, brands shine as 0101.Today unveils 121 Comms for marketers

    AI Writes, brands shine as 0101.Today unveils 121 Comms for marketers

    MUMBAI: In the fast-scrolling world of digital marketing, brands battle to create content that cuts through the noise. Enter 121 Comms, the latest AI-powered tool from 0101.Today, designed to revolutionise how businesses craft marketing messages across email, WhatsApp, SMS, and RCS effortlessly, instantly, and with precision.

    For years, data-driven marketing has helped brands understand consumers, yet the content itself often lags behind. 121 Comms changes that by generating hyper-personalised, high-impact copy in seconds. Marketers simply input key details like category, medium, objective, brand, tonality, and specific instructions and the AI takes over, delivering content that is tailored, brand-aligned, and conversion-focused. Whether it’s a crisp SMS or a detailed email, the tool adapts dynamically to ensure the message hits the right note.

    0101.Today managing partner Ajay Verma believes this tool is a game-changer. “Marketers have access to vast amounts of data, but crafting impactful, brand-consistent content at scale remains a challenge. With 121 Comms, we bridge this gap bringing speed, accuracy, and engagement together in a way that feels effortless.”

    What sets 121 Comms apart is its industry-specific intelligence. Trained across eight verticals including fashion, BFSI, tech gadgets, media, and F&B, the tool understands nuances in tone, from playful to professional, conversational to luxury. Plus, it’s completely free, with no sign-ups, no lead captures, and no hidden costs, just pure AI-driven content creation at marketers’ fingertips.

  • Fabric weaves a stronger data future with BB Media acquisition

    Fabric weaves a stronger data future with BB Media acquisition

    MUMBAI: Fabric is stitching together an even richer data ecosystem with the acquisition of BB Media, a global data science and market research firm. This strategic move strengthens Fabric’s position as the go-to provider of connected, actionable insights for the media and entertainment industry.

    Fabric CEO Rob Delf  called the acquisition a perfect fit, “With BB Media joining the Fabric family, we are expanding our capabilities to ensure media companies have access to the most comprehensive and actionable data available.”

    BB Media CEO Tom Gennari said, “For nearly four decades, BB Media has led the charge in media intelligence. In Fabric, we have found the perfect partner to push our insights further.”

    With BB Media’s expertise in audience analytics and market intelligence, Fabric will offer deeper global insights by tracking streaming platforms, pricing models, and content availability across 200+ countries. This integration enhances Fabric’s core solutions, Fabric Origin now benefits from BB’s measurement data, helping customers optimise content distribution decisions, while Fabric Studio sees improved automation and metadata management for better content discoverability. Additionally, Fabric’s AI-powered solutions will provide smarter, real-time insights, supporting industry professionals without replacing their expertise.  

     

  • Vikatan website blocked; MD B Srinivasan to take legal action if he fails to get block removed

    Vikatan website blocked; MD B Srinivasan to take legal action if he fails to get block removed

    MUMBAI: Tamil media publication Vikatan managing director B Srinivasan was a little taken aback when on 15 February his website became inaccessible to him and the 80 lakh readers who access it daily. A notice displayed on the home page said the website had been blocked  as per the direction of law enforcement agencies. 

    On what grounds? 

    Well, the publication had put out what it considered a harmless political satirical cartoon on 10 February, which depicted prime minister Modi in chains alongside US president Trump . This apparently upset BJP Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai who filed a formal complaint with the ministry of information & broadcasting (MIB) and the Press Council of India, claiming the cartoon was objectionable on 15 February. 

    By 6:00 PM that evening, Vikatan’s website became inaccessible to many users, though the organisation received no immediate explanation for the outage.Since then, the website either has taken forever to open or when it does, it says it is an insecure website and a security risk. 

    The 99-year-old publication, which has a history of standing up to government pressure, promptly sought clarification from the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) and the National Informatics Centre (NIC) regarding the domain blockage. Officials from the Press Bureau of India also visited Vikatan’s registered office to enquire about the print availability of Vikatan Plus, which was confirmed to be a digital-only publication.

    The MIB subsequently informed Vikatan about an upcoming inter-departmental committee meeting under the IT Rules, 2021, scheduled for 20 February to review the blocking of content. While granting Vikatan until this date to prepare their response, the ministry maintained that the emergency blocking orders would remain in effect.

    Vikatan has stated it will present its case at the hearing and is prepared to pursue legal action if the decision conflicts with press freedom principles. The publication cited its long history of speaking truth to power, noting previous instances of government action, including being shut down by the British in 1942 and having its editor imprisoned in 1987.

    The case has drawn significant attention as it may set a crucial precedent for media freedom in India, with Vikatan emphasising the need for transparency in actions against media houses.

    The blocking has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders across party lines. Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin, along with prominent figures including MDMK general secretary Vaiko, actor Kamal Haasan, and author Arundhati Roy, have denounced the action as an attack on press freedom.

    Said: Srinivasan  “For over a century, Vikatan has been a steadfast advocate for freedom of expression and has consistently upheld journalistic integrity.”

  • TheSmallBigIdea Celebrates 11 Years of Success

    TheSmallBigIdea Celebrates 11 Years of Success

    MUMBAI: TheSmallBigIdea, a Mumbai-based digital agency, recently marked its eleventh anniversary. Founded by Harikrishnan Pillai and Manish Solanki, the agency has grown into a debt-free, independent business with over 300 employees, a multi-country presence, and a portfolio featuring prominent global brands and celebrities.

    Specialising in content marketing, social media management, web and app development, SEO, influencer marketing, and performance marketing, the agency serves clients across media, entertainment, travel, FMCG, and commerce sectors. Key clients include Zee, Disney, Marvel HQ, Sony Pictures, and Alt Balaji.

    Reflecting on the journey, Pillai expressed excitement for future milestones, stating, “Mazzaq Mazzaq main Abdul Razzaq ho gaya…Super stoked to have completed over 4000 days of entrepreneurship with Manish Solanki  Not one to bask in past glory, we’re already planning what’s next.”

    The agency continues to prioritise delivering creative ideas and seamless execution, along with unwavering client commitment.

  • Modi Illva & Mindshare India launch season 2 of The Rockford Circle

    Modi Illva & Mindshare India launch season 2 of The Rockford Circle

    MUMBAI:  Alco-bev maker Modi Illva, in partnership with Mindshare India, has announced the launch of the second season of The Rockford Circle, a talk show dedicated to celebrating entrepreneurial journeys and fostering inspiration. Following the success of its debut season, which garnered over 95 million views and 500 million impressions, Season 2 promises fresh insights from visionary founders transforming India’s consumer landscape.

    Hosted by actor Chitrangada Singh, the first season featured candid conversations with industry leaders including Yashish Dahiya (PolicyBazaar), Rohit Bansal (Snapdeal), and Shantanu Deshpande (Bombay Shaving Company). Season 2 builds on this legacy, offering a more intimate and relatable exploration of entrepreneurship with an exciting lineup of guests:

    * Nitin Saluja, Co-founder of Chaayos
    * Ankur Jain, Founder of Bira
    * Samrath Bedi, Co-founder of Forest Essentials
    * Viraj Bahl, Founder of Veeba
    * Samarth and Rashi Narang, Founders of Heads Up For Tails
    * Bhuman Dani, Founder of WickedGud

    The show delves into the entrepreneurial journeys of these trailblazers, spotlighting their creativity, resilience, and industry disruptions. Interactive elements, including live Q&A sessions and dynamic social media content, are designed to create a more engaging experience for viewers.

    Part of the Umesh Modi group which spans  pharmaceuticals (Betadine), cosmetics (Revlon), and distilleries, Modi Illva is its 50:50 joint venture with Illva Saronno. Modi Illva is known for the premium whisky brand the House of Rockford with Rockford Reserve and Rockford Classic being the two barley broos which have made their mark with connoisseurs.

    Modi Illva MD Abhishek Modi  said: “The overwhelming response to Season 1 reaffirmed the value of authentic entrepreneurial stories. Season 2 celebrates the ingenuity of new-age entrepreneurs shaping industries and redefining aspirations.”

    Mindshare South Asia CEO Amin Lakhani  added: “Our continued partnership with Modi Illva highlights the success of The Rockford Circle in celebrating India’s entrepreneurial spirit. Season 2 takes storytelling to new heights, featuring founders of emerging consumer brands transforming industries.”

    GroupM head of branded content &  creative services Ajay Mehta  noted: “Season 2 focuses on new-age consumer brands resonating with young, aspirational audiences. It’s more dynamic, relatable, and inspiring than ever before.”

    The promo for The Rockford Circle Season 2 is now live, with full episodes premiering on YouTube from 31 January 2025.

  • ASCI, PSA Legal, & Tsaaro Consulting release white paper on cookie strategy for businesses

    ASCI, PSA Legal, & Tsaaro Consulting release white paper on cookie strategy for businesses

    MUMBAI: On Data Privacy Day, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) Academy, in collaboration with PSA Legal and Tsaaro Consulting, released a white paper titled Navigating Cookies: Recalibrating Your Cookie Strategy in Light of the DPDPA.

    The report offers actionable insights for businesses preparing to comply with India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) and aims to promote transparency and user trust.

    Building on ASCI’s 2023 paper Privacy and Progress: Pillars of Digital Bharat, this latest publication delves into best practices for cookie consent, data privacy compliance, and stakeholder engagement.

    A dipstick analysis conducted by Tsaaro Consulting found that only six per cent  of India’s top 50 websites, accounting for 30 billion visits in December 2024, were ready for specific consent as mandated by the DPDPA and draft DPDP rules issued on 3 January 2025.

    Key Highlights of the White Paper:

    * Compliance Gaps: Only six per cent  of major websites meet cookie consent requirements, underscoring the need for readiness efforts.

    * Granular Consent Requirements: The DPDPA calls for explicit, informed, and revocable consent for cookie use.

    * Global Lessons: Insights drawn from GDPR and international standards emphasise the importance of transparency and user control.

    * Industry Impact: The paper examines cookie practices across sectors such as e-commerce, social media, and healthcare.

    * Opportunities for Advertisers: Compliance is positioned as a competitive advantage, fostering consumer trust.

    ASCI CEO & secretary-general Manisha Kapoor noted: “On this Data Privacy Day, we are pleased to present this collaborative white paper with PSA Legal and Tsaaro Consulting. The paper aims to help advertisers understand and prepare for cookie consent practices that are both compliant with the new DPDPA as well as build consumer trust and transparency. The paper provides practical knowledge and insights to create effective cookie practices in a privacy-conscious world.”

    PSA Legal  partner Dhruv Suri remarked: “With the final DPDPA Rules on the horizon, advertisers are at a crossroads where privacy, technology, and the law converge. Once the law is better understood, the technology, i.e., cookies, will no longer be mere marketing tools but will serve as a means to strengthen customer loyalty. Global precedents can serve as the perfect roadmap to tailor strategies and navigate cookie consent management in a country that is just beginning its data privacy journey.”

    Tsaaro Consulting  CEO Akarsh Singh added: “Cookie consent is no longer a checkbox exercise; it’s a strategic element of modern advertising. The first step to creating a privacy-centric ecosystem that values the customer’s data rights when deploying cookies is to acknowledge that a gap exists between existing marketing tactics and the privacy laws and then to actively work towards bridging the gap between practicality and compliance.”

    The white paper is available for download on the ASCI website. click here

  • DB Corp launches Bhaskar English news app

    DB Corp launches Bhaskar English news app

    MUMBAI: DB Corp has officially launched Bhaskar English, a mobile news application aimed at expanding its reach as a trusted source of journalism in multiple languages. The company made this announcement through a regulatory filing with the Bombay stock exchange on 21 January 2025.

    This launch underscores the company’s commitment to engage a diverse global audience as it is known for serving news in Hindi, Gujarati, and Marathi, and it has four portals and three apps.It had launched the DNA English newspaper in partnership with Zee Media. It’s latest foray the Bhaskar English News app  is claimed to offer the latest news to users from 16 states.

    The app features advanced technology for real-time news updates and boasts an intuitive user interface, emphasizing DB Corp’s dedication to innovation and quality reporting. Designed for users who prefer news in English, Bhaskar English is available for download on both the App Store (iPhone) and Play Store (Android). At the time of writing it had got a rating of 4.9 on the App store and it had ranked at No 53 on the news chart.

    “With the launch of Bhaskar English, we aim to strengthen our position as a leader in the media industry and enhance our pioneering efforts in multilingual news delivery,” said a company spokesperson.

    DB Corp’s Dainik Bhaskar Hindi mobile app had 17.2 unique million monthly active users as of June 2024 while its Divya Bhaskar notched up 3.2 million unique monthly visitors.