ITV

Category: Brands

  • Air India expands Lufthansa partnership to spread its wings across Europe

    Air India expands Lufthansa partnership to spread its wings across Europe

    MUMBAI: Air India is soaring to new heights in its partnership with the Lufthansa Group, expanding its codeshare network to offer seamless connectivity between India and Europe. The enhanced deal, which now includes Austrian Airlines, adds close to 60 new codeshare routes, bringing the total to nearly 100 flights across 12 Indian and 26 European cities.

    For Indian travellers, this means greater access to 26 European destinations and three key American cities beyond Air India’s hubs in Frankfurt, Vienna, and Zurich. Passengers can now book Air India-coded flights on Lufthansa, Swiss, and Austrian Airlines, making travel to cities like Amsterdam, Barcelona, Munich, and Stockholm smoother than ever.

    On the flip side, Lufthansa Group customers can now connect to 15 Indian destinations with Air India, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Goa, Kolkata, and Pune. The partnership also extends to Air India’s international routes to Kathmandu, Melbourne, and Sydney from Delhi and Mumbai.

    Air India chief commercial officer Nipun Aggarwal stated, “Our goal is to enable our customers to travel seamlessly across the world via Air India and its partner airlines. Expanding our partnership with Lufthansa Group strengthens this mission and elevates the travel experience for our passengers.”

    Lufthansa Group chief commercial officer Dieter Vranckx said, “We are thrilled to enhance our cooperation with Air India. This partnership will offer greater travel flexibility and reinforce Lufthansa Group’s commitment to the Indian market.”

    As both airlines are part of Star Alliance, frequent flyers can continue to earn and redeem miles, while elite members enjoy priority services, additional baggage allowances, and access to premium lounges.

    Subject to regulatory approvals, the expanded codeshare flights will soon be available for booking, promising a smoother and more connected travel experience for passengers across India and Europe.

  • Artists and Coca-Cola India use comics to inspire change at Maha Kumbh 2025

    Artists and Coca-Cola India use comics to inspire change at Maha Kumbh 2025

    MUMBAI : At Maha Kumbh 2025, comics and visual art are driving a powerful environmental message, turning the event into a catalyst for change. Led by Gaysi Family in partnership with Coca-Cola India and its foundation Anandana, the Maidaan Saaf campaign brings together renowned artists, including Aravani Art Project and Priyankar Gupta, to craft compelling visual narratives. Through striking illustrations, the initiative promotes waste segregation, recycling, and recognition of sanitation workers, making sustainability both engaging and impactful.

    These illustrated panels, integrated into women’s changing rooms made from recycled plastic waste, span a 12-km stretch of the river ghats. They depict relatable characters and everyday scenarios, demonstrating the impact of responsible waste management. The initiative not only educates visitors but also highlights the dignity of sanitation workers, emphasizing how proper waste segregation supports their essential work.

    “Using art to communicate complex ideas in a simple, accessible way is key to inspiring behavioral change,” said Gaysi Family creative director Priya Dali. Illustrator Gupta added that comics, like traditional Patachitras, are powerful tools for mass communication.

    With millions attending the Maha Kumbh, Coca-Cola India’s ESG Value Creation senior director Saloni Goel, sees this as a unique opportunity to instill lasting environmental responsibility. “By blending art, culture, and sustainability, this campaign fosters meaningful shifts in public attitudes,” she stated.

    Through creative storytelling, the Maha Kumbh is not just witnessing history it’s shaping a more sustainable future.

  • Tuco Kids appoints former Curefit executive as co-founder

    Tuco Kids appoints former Curefit executive as co-founder

    MUMBAI: Children’s personal care brand Tuco Kids has appointed Chanakya Gupta as co-founder, bolstering its leadership following a £1.6 million seed funding round led by Fireside Ventures and Whiteboard Capital.

    Gupta joins from Curefit, where he served as business head of play and CHRO. His 23-year career includes senior roles at Flipkart, where he spearheaded strategic partnerships and launched initiatives including the D2C brand accelerator Flipkart Boost. He previously spent a decade at Hindustan Unilever, managing retail partnerships and soap brand development.

    Founded in 2023 by Aishvarya Murali, Tuco Kids produces natural personal care products for children aged 3-12, including soaps, lotions and deodorants. The company emphasises environmental responsibility, using reclaimed plastic for all packaging.

    The brand retails through major e-commerce platforms including Amazon, Flipkart and Nykaa, alongside quick commerce channels. The recent funding round was led by Fireside Ventures and Whiteboard Capital.
    “His expertise in scaling consumer businesses will be invaluable as we expand our presence,”  said Murali of the appointment.

     

  • Incred Group acquires Arrow Capital, expands middle east presence

    Incred Group acquires Arrow Capital, expands middle east presence

    MUMBAI : Incred Group has acquired Dubai-based Arrow Capital (DIFC), a premier financial services firm known for its expertise in wealth management, investment advisory, & asset management. Founded in 2016 & regulated by the DFSA, Arrow Capital’s capabilities perfectly complement Incred’s vision for international growth, strengthening its foothold in the middle east.

    With this acquisition, Incred Global Wealth, which operates in Dubai, Singapore, & London, will now manage assets exceeding $2 billion, a significant milestone for the firm.

    Incred Group founder & CEO Bhupinder Singh commented, “This acquisition enhances our global capabilities, especially in the middle east & Africa, allowing us to serve our clients with greater expertise & depth.”

    Arrow Capital CEO Rohit Nanani added, “Joining Incred offers us the opportunity to expand our service offerings & strengthen our client relationships.”

    Incred Global Wealth CEO Srikantan Selvamani emphasised the middle east’s potential as a rapidly growing wealth market, with plans for expansion & further platform development in the region.

    This strategic move accelerates Incred’s growth across wealth management, investment banking, & asset management, reinforcing its position in the global financial services sector.
     

  • Adidas kicks off game-changing campaign to back athletes with encouragement

    Adidas kicks off game-changing campaign to back athletes with encouragement

    MUMBAI: Adidas has launched a bold new chapter in its global brand campaign, reaffirming its commitment to reducing negative pressure in sport and championing the power of encouragement. Featuring India’s cricketing elite, the campaign aims to foster a culture where support, not criticism, fuels an athlete’s journey.

    New global research has laid bare a troubling reality—four in five athletes endure unhelpful sideline behaviour, often leading them to abandon their sport altogether. Adidas is stepping in with a clear message: positivity matters. The campaign, ‘You Got This’, underscores the transformative power of encouragement in sports, proving that a well-timed word of support can turn self-doubt into confidence.

    Set to launch ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the campaign film stars India’s cricketing stalwarts—Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, and Virat Kohli. Adding an emotional punch, the film features a reimagined version of I’m Sticking With You by The Velvet Underground, produced by James Blake, capturing the essence of unwavering support from the sidelines.

    Beyond the film, Adidas is introducing its sideline essentials, a toolkit offering practical guidance on how coaches, parents, supporters, and teammates can encourage athletes and help them thrive. This initiative stems from Adidas’ global study on the sideline effect, which examines the impact of both positive and negative sideline behaviours on athletes’ performance and mental well-being.

    Adidas India GM Neelendra Singh reinforced the brand’s commitment to athlete support, stating, “At Adidas, we have always stood by our athletes, both on and off the field. Recognising that pressure is an inherent part of sport, our ‘You Got This’ campaign aims to inspire positive influence on every pitch, track, and court. A simple gesture of encouragement can transform self-doubt into confidence.”

    The campaign will roll out across multiple media platforms worldwide, amplified further through retail activations that drive home Adidas’ mission: to make sports a space where encouragement outshines negativity. Because, in the end, a little bit of belief—especially from the sidelines—can change the game.

  • JioStar ropes in Nidhi Maheshwari as senior brand manager

    JioStar ropes in Nidhi Maheshwari as senior brand manager

    MUMBAI: JioStar has appointed Nidhi Maheshwari as senior brand manager for brand marketing strategy at JioHotstar, following the recent transition of Disney+ Hotstar operations to JioStar in India.

    Maheshwari, who moved to JioStar in December 2024, has been instrumental in the platform’s relaunch strategy. In her previous role at Disney+ Hotstar, she served as senior marketing manager for content marketing, where she led several successful campaigns including the award-winning launch of The Night Manager which achieved record awareness scores with optimised marketing spend. The campaign secured gold at the 2023 Promax Asia awards.

    Her experience includes launching streaming platforms in India, having previously led Lionsgate Play’s market entry in December 2020. Her career spans roles at major consumer brands including Parle Agro, where she managed the Appy Fizz portfolio and key partnerships including Bigg Boss, and Unilever’s Lakmé division, where she handled fashion week marketing and strategic alliances.

    In her current role, Maheshwari is spearheading JioHotstar’s brand expansion initiatives across entertainment, sports, and regional content segments as the platform establishes itself under new ownership.

  • Ankkit Gupta transitions to JioStar in brand role from Disney Star India

    Ankkit Gupta transitions to JioStar in brand role from Disney Star India

    MUMBAI: JioStar has appointed Ankkit Gupta as a part of the team that oversees  brand and marketing strategy for JioHotstar and JioStar platforms.

    Gupta has made the transition to Jiostar from  Disney Star, where he served as senior manager of brand and marketing strategy for over seven years. During his tenure, he spearheaded several major campaigns, including National Geographic’s ‘One for Change’ sustainability initiative, which reached 50 million viewers across digital platforms. He also led network amplification for IPL 2023 and the release of Avatar 2.

    At Disney+ Hotstar, where he previously served as senior manager of commercial and procurement, Gupta was instrumental in the platform’s India launch, securing over 600 titles across Hindi and English content. His media career spans roles at Network18 Media, where he managed key advertiser relationships, and Reliance Broadcast Network, where he developed radio programming strategies.

    In his new role, Gupta will oversee brand development and marketing initiatives across JioStar’s expanding digital entertainment portfolio.

  • Klugklug expands globally as demand for data-driven influencer marketing rises

    Klugklug expands globally as demand for data-driven influencer marketing rises

    MUMBAI : Influencer marketing is evolving fast, & data-driven strategies are leading the charge. Klugklug, a cutting-edge Saas platform, is scaling new heights globally to meet the surging demand. Now in its third year, it has already made waves across India, southeast Asia, & the middle east, redefining how brands connect with influencers.

    Klugklug’s platform analyses over 300 million influencers across 150+ countries and 160+ languages, covering Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok (outside India), Snapchat, & LinkedIn. The company has helped businesses cut marketing inefficiencies by providing insights into influencer credibility, engagement, & audience demographics.

    “Many brands have relied on superficial metrics for influencer selection, leading to wasted budgets. Our approach brings transparency & validation, enabling brands to make informed decisions,” said Klugklug co-founder & CEO Kalyan Kumar.

    As part of its expansion, Klugklug is focusing on growth in south Asia, southeast Asia, Mena, & Latin America, with key targets including Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.

  • Stent maker SMT announces leadership appointments

    Stent maker SMT announces leadership appointments

    MUMBAI: Cardiovascular medical device manufacturer Sahajanand Medical Technologies (SMT) has appointed Bhargav Kotadia as chief executive officer and Jose Calle Gordo as chairman, effective 1 April 2025.
    Kotadia succeeds Ganesh Sabat, who is stepping down after 12 years at the helm. Company founder Dhirajlal Kotadia will transition to chairman emeritus, whilst continuing to provide strategic guidance.

    The incoming chief executive has been closely involved with SMT’s strategic direction for the past 12 years. “Our goal remains clear: to innovate, expand, and make a meaningful impact in global cardiovascular care,” said Kotadia.

    Gordo, the newly appointed chairman, expressed confidence in the leadership change: “Bhargav’s deep understanding of the industry, combined with his strategic vision, will drive SMT’s continued growth and leadership in cardiovascular technologies.”

    SMT, which operates in more than 80 countries, specialises in drug-eluting stents and structural heart disease solutions. The company is known for pioneering biodegradable polymers in cardiovascular treatments.

  • Walk a hero’s path with Bata’s Marvel-ous new collection

    Walk a hero’s path with Bata’s Marvel-ous new collection

    MUMBAI: When it comes to superheroes, it’s not just about saving the day, sometimes it’s about looking good while doing it! Bata has teamed up with Marvel to unleash a limited-edition footwear collection just in time for the release of Captain America: Brave New World in India. The collaboration promises to bring Marvel’s iconic heroes to your feet, adding a dash of superhero flair to every step.

    The collection, featuring Bubblegummers, Floatz, and North Star, has something for every age group. Young fans can embrace their inner superhero with Bubblegummers and Floatz, showcasing playful designs like Captain America’s shield and wings, perfect for little feet making big impressions. Meanwhile, Marvel aficionados can slip into North Star sneakers, which blend bold, vibrant designs with the fearless spirit of Marvel’s most legendary characters.

    With prices starting at Rs 1,499, this collection brings the Marvel universe within reach, offering comfort, durability, and a touch of superhero energy for your everyday look. Whether you’re a Marvel veteran or a fresh recruit, stepping into these shoes is a chance to express your fandom in style.

    The Bata x Marvel collection is available now at select Bata stores and online at bata.com.