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Category: Brands

  • Reliance’s Campa Cola secures major IPL deal, setting stage for summer cola wars

    Reliance’s Campa Cola secures major IPL deal, setting stage for summer cola wars

    MUMBAI: Reliance Consumer Products’ Campa Cola has secured the co-presenting rights for this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) for nearly Rs 200 crore, reports The Economic Times. The deal marks one of the tournament’s most visible sponsorship positions, previously held by Coca-Cola’s Thums Up. However, Indiantelevision.com sources informed us that the actual figure is about 50 per cent  higher than what The Economic Times estimated. 

    The acquisition signals Campa’s national ambitions, as the brand prepares for its first summer of pan-India competition in the cola market. Reliance is also planning to debut advertising for its sports drink Spinner and RasKik Gluco Energy, both priced at Rs 10, during the tournament.
    Spinner, co-created with former Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan, has separately partnered with five IPL teams – Lucknow Super Giants, SunRisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians. Meanwhile, Coca-Cola will maintain its partnerships with Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders.

    The combined advertising revenue from television and OTT platforms for IPL 2025 is expected to rise by 8-10 per cent over last year to approximately Rs 4,500 crore, according to media buying executives quoted by the newspaper.

    The tournament, scheduled from 21 March to 25 May, coincides with peak summer sales period, which typically accounts for over 50 per cent of annual soft drink sales

    Tata Motors remains the title sponsor, having retained the rights for five years for Rs 2,500 crore, making it the tournament’s most valuable sponsorship deal to date.

  • Love and offers are in the air for brands this Valentine’s Day

    Love and offers are in the air for brands this Valentine’s Day

    MUMBAI:  Cupid’s arrow  is getting ready to strike again this  14 February.  From candlelit dinners to surprise proposals, romance is in the air as India marks another Valentine’s Day with both traditional gestures and modern twists. It’s hearts and flowers  that are exchanging hands as Valentine’s day returns in style. India’s romantics are bringing out the chilled champagne and wrapped chocolate boxes as they  prepare to celebrate love’s special day as Valentine’s celebrations begin. 

    And brands are tracking the mushiness that’s pouring out: from solo travel rewards to luxurious getaways, brands across India are crafting innovative Valentine’s Day campaigns that are celebrating both romance and independence this February.

    Cadbury is leading the charge with a tempting Turkish holiday promotion for purchases above Rs 850, whilst confectionery rival Hershey India is taking a more emotional approach with its “Sometimes, Love Sounds Like…” campaign, featuring six short films celebrating everyday expressions of love.

    For those seeking culinary indulgence, Social outlets are offering retro-themed celebrations with KitKat-infused desserts and attractive “1+1” beverage deals. ITC Sunfeast Baked Creations is unveiling a limited-edition collection starting at Rs 179, featuring specialities like chocolate heart bento cakes and strawberry noir pastries.

    Fashion retailers are joining the celebration, with Pantaloons offering Rs 1,000 off on purchases above Rs 3,999, while Relaxo footwear is presenting tiered discounts up to 20 per cent across its brands. Beauty giant Nykaa’s “Pink Love Sale” is promising up to 60 per cent discounts on premium brands through 16 February.
    In a refreshing twist, redBus is celebrating singlehood with its “Sabse Single Kaun?” campaign, offering the winner free lifetime solo travel. Similarly, boAt and Flipkart Minutes are partnering with actor Arjun Kapoor for a witty campaign targeting singles, promoting noise-cancelling headphones as the perfect escape from Valentine’s Day festivities.

    FNP’s “Pyaar Aisa Karo” campaign is emerging as a marketing triumph, attracting 165 brand partnerships within 48 hours, demonstrating how the season of love is evolving into a significant retail opportunity across sectors.

    Says a marketing consultant: “Normally, Valentine’s Day only works for certain product categories and services in terms bumping up sales. This year, however, there’s a lot of optimism around as the government has given a heavy income tax incentive in the hope consumers will pump the extra savings back into the economy.”

    It’s  the consultant’s job to see  the cup as  half full, not half empty. 

    We shall only know if love triumphed, or the pocket did – a few months down the line.  Until then, fall in love, or at least enjoy the feeling of being in love with YOURSELF!

  • ITC Mangaldeep distributes 100,000 jalbattis at Mahakumbh

    ITC Mangaldeep distributes 100,000 jalbattis at Mahakumbh

    MUMBAI: Incense sticks are a part of most Indian’s daily worship rituals. Whether in temples or at home, the beautiful perfume that permeates the place lends to a calmness of the spirit. ITC’s Mangaladeep has been among the more favoured national incense brands in the Maha Kumbh 2025.

    As part of its activities, ITC Mangaldeep has introduced a unique and innovative offering, Mangaldeep Jalbatti, an underwater incense stick designed to honor the sacred rivers while preserving their sanctity. The total number of jalbattis distributed has been increased to a whopping 100,000 from 10,000 after witnessing a huge demand among the devotees. 

    Crafted from alum (phitkari) powder, a traditional water purifier, Jalbatti dissolves in water upon contact, contributing positively to water quality. By incorporating Jalbatti into their offerings, devotees can now uphold their devotion while ensuring that the rivers remain as pure as their faith.

     As the world’s largest spiritual congregation, Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj continues to stand as a proud testament to India’s deep-rooted spiritual traditions.

    Millions of devotees have been gathering at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the sacred Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, to partake in rituals such as Ganga aartis, shahi nnaans, and deep daans, all symbolising their profound reverence for these ancient rivers. 

    ITC Mangaldeep has been an integral part of this devotion, enhancing spiritual experience through various initiatives. 

    Through this initiative, ITC Mangaldeep has  reinforced its commitment to enabling devotion and empowering devotees by blending tradition with meaningful impact. As millions take their holy dip at the Triveni Sangam, jalbatti serves as an emblem of devotion that not only honors but also safeguards the sacred waters

  • Rishabh Pant strides back to adidas as campaign face

    Rishabh Pant strides back to adidas as campaign face

    MUMBAI: From boundary-smashing innings to fearless comebacks, Rishabh Pant has always been a cricketer who plays on the front foot. Now, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman is back with adidas, as the sportswear giant signs a multi-year partnership with the Indian cricket star. This collaboration sees Pant rejoin adidas’ elite athlete roster, which already boasts names like Jude Bellingham, Noah Lyles, Kuldeep Yadav, and Nikhat Zareen.

    Pant, who previously partnered with adidas from 2016 to 2019, returns to the fold, further strengthening the brand’s deep-rooted legacy in Indian cricket—one that has seen collaborations with legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma. With his never-give-up attitude and unwavering self-belief, Pant perfectly embodies the adidas ethos of resilience and excellence.

    Adidas India general manager Neelendra Singh said, “At adidas, we stand by athletes through every high and low, supporting their journey to greatness. Rishabh’s fearless spirit and dedication to the game make him a perfect fit for our brand. We are thrilled to have him back in the adidas family.”

    Pant said, “adidas is a brand I have always admired. We share a vision of inspiring athletes and pushing boundaries. I look forward to this journey, empowering the next generation and making a lasting impact in the world of sports.”

    With a history of championing top athletes across cricket, football, athletics, and tennis, adidas continues to be at the forefront of sporting excellence. The addition of Pant to its roster reaffirms its commitment to shaping the future of Indian sports, ensuring the next generation has the support they need to dream big and play bigger.
     

  • Coca-Cola reports strong quarter as Maaza joins billion-dollar brand club

    Coca-Cola reports strong quarter as Maaza joins billion-dollar brand club

    MUMBAI: The fizz in the Coca-Cola Co continues to be strong. It has reported a six per cent  rise in  its latest quarterly revenue to $11.5 billion in the period to 31 December 2024, with Indian beverage Maaza becoming its 30th billion-dollar brand. Thums Up and Sprite are the other Indian brands in the billion dollar club.

    The company saw unit case volumes increase by two per cent  in the fourth quarter of 2024, while full-year volumes grew one per cent, driven by strong performance in India, Brazil and Mexico.

    “In India, our business rebounded nicely during the quarter and we grew volume. We recruited consumers with innovative marketing campaigns that link Coca-Cola with music, Sprite with travel and Thums Up with movies”, said  The Coca-Cola Co chairman and CEO James Quincey.

    The company’s digital transformation in India added approximately 440,000 outlets to its customer platforms in 2024. The beverage giant also completed a significant refranchising of its Indian bottling operations, recording net gains of $303 million for the year.

    Chief financial officer John Murphy, following a recent visit to India, said: “The Indian market has got a tremendous amount of runway ahead. We believe that the Jubilant group coming in is going to add tremendously to our abilities to continue to step change our execution in the marketplace”.

    The Coca-Cola Co has been facing intense competition in the Indian marketplace which is only going to multiply with Reliance Industries putting all its might behind the Campa Cola brand to crack open the soft drink market for itself. Price has so far been the pivot which has seen its brands Campa Cola corner 10 per cent plus shares in certain markets where launches have been made 
     

  • Honeywell-AM Green partner to propel India’s sustainable aviation fuel

    Honeywell-AM Green partner to propel India’s sustainable aviation fuel

    MUMBAI: The future of clean energy just got a serious power boost! Honeywell and AM Green have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at India Energy Week 2025, laying the groundwork for a game-changing initiative that could catapult India into the global spotlight for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), green methanol, and carbon capture solutions.

    This partnership is all about big ambitions—reducing crude oil import dependence, helping shipping companies adopt low-emission fuels, and giving airlines the tools to meet Corsia mandates for low-carbon, drop-in fuel replacements. Simply put, it’s a serious play to decarbonise aviation and shipping while reinforcing India’s energy security.

    The Honeywell-AM Green alliance will assess the techno-economic feasibility of producing SAF from ethanol, green methanol from various CO₂ emission sources, and green hydrogen. But beyond the buzzwords, what does this really mean? Think next-gen fuels, fewer emissions, and a cleaner planet—all made possible with a combination of cutting-edge technology and forward-thinking strategy.

    Honeywell, known for its carbon capture wizardry and ethanol-to-jet innovation, joins hands with AM Green, an emerging leader in green hydrogen and ethanol production. Together, they’re building an ecosystem that directly supports India’s SAF blending mandates and positions the country as a global green fuel export hub.

    Honeywell India president Ashish Modi emphasised the larger vision behind this move, “The collaboration with AM Green will help advance India’s low-carbon economy and create an ecosystem that supports the government’s SAF blending mandates, positioning India as a global leader in alternative fuel innovation. By combining Honeywell’s proven carbon capture technologies and ethanol-to-jet solution with AM Green’s expertise in green hydrogen and ethanol production, we will pave the way for a sustainable future and reinforce our commitment to environmental stewardship.”

    Meanwhile, AM Green co-founder & group president Mahesh Kolli highlighted the scale of their clean energy ambitions, “We are delighted to partner with Honeywell, one of the world’s largest technology companies shaping the future of energy. This partnership demonstrates AM Green’s emerging leadership position as a global clean energy transition solutions platform while contributing to India’s ambition of emerging as an exporter of reliable, sustainable, and lowest-cost green molecules and its derivatives, accelerating industrial decarbonisation globally.”

    For the aviation and shipping sectors, this means a real path to net-zero. But there’s an even bigger win here—Indian farmers stand to benefit significantly. By creating demand for ethanol feedstocks, this partnership supports rural economies and aligns with India’s national green hydrogen mission to boost green hydrogen production via green methanol for both domestic and export markets.

    The feasibility study is set to wrap up by mid-2025, marking a crucial milestone in India’s journey toward large-scale decarbonisation. If successful, this initiative could redefine India’s role in global clean fuel production, solidifying its position as a pioneer in sustainable aviation and shipping solutions.

  • Jasprit Bumrah joins foundit: Precision bowling meets smart job matching!

    Jasprit Bumrah joins foundit: Precision bowling meets smart job matching!

    MUMBAI : India’s pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah is teaming up with foundit, a leading jobs and talent platform, in a partnership that brings together the precision of world-class cricket and the accuracy of AI-driven job search. Just as Bumrah delivers pinpoint yorkers at blistering speed, foundit aims to match job seekers with the right opportunities with the same level of focus and efficiency.

    Commenting on the partnership, foundit CEO V Suresh said, “Jasprit Bumrah’s agility, accuracy, and dependability perfectly align with our mission to empower professionals in a dynamic job market. His stellar performances, including India’s World Cup triumph in 2024, make him an ideal representative for our brand.”

    Foundit VP– marketing Anupama Bhimrajka added, “With 70 per cent of India’s jobseekers engaged in cricket, Bumrah’s influence resonates widely. His precision mirrors our commitment to matching candidates with the right opportunities through advanced AI technology.”

    The campaign featuring Bumrah will roll out across multiple media platforms in the coming months, drawing parallels between his pinpoint accuracy on the field and foundit’s data-driven job search approach.

  • Indian commercial office market hits record high, signals major shift in 2025

    Indian commercial office market hits record high, signals major shift in 2025

    MUMBAI: India’s commercial office market has reached new heights, with leasing volumes hitting a record 66.4 million square feet in 2024, a 14 per cent  year-on-year growth, according to the Ficci-Colliers report: India Office | Setting New Standards for 2025. The market is projected to grow further to 65-70 million square feet in 2025, marking a significant transition from a supply-led to an occupier-driven landscape.

    Bengaluru led the charge with its highest-ever absorption of 21.7 million square feet, while Hyderabad recorded the strongest growth at 55 per cent. The dominance of the technology sector has declined from 40-50 per cent  to 25 per cent , with engineering, manufacturing, financial services, and flexible workspaces now accounting for more than half of Grade A office demand.

    Global capability centres (GCCs) have emerged as a key driver, leasing 25.7 million square feet in 2024, a 41 per cent   increase year-on-year. Bengaluru captured 47 per cent   of GCC leasing, while Mumbai saw a fourfold rise in uptake.

    “Office leasing is expected to grow another 8-10 per cent   in FY26, fuelled by demand from GCCs and the financial services sector,” said Ficci committee on urban development and real estate chairman & RMZ chairman Raj Menda. 

    Sustainability is also shaping occupier preferences, with over 70 per cent of leasing now in green-certified buildings, a figure expected to rise to 80-85 per cent by 2025. Menda added: “Nearly 80 per cent   of new supply over the next two to three years will be green certified. By embracing sustainability and innovation, we can contribute to economic growth, enhance well-being, and leave a lasting impact on the environment.”

    The real estate investment trust (Reit) landscape is expanding, with 80 million square feet currently under Reits and an additional 400 million square feet identified as potential Reit stock. The listing of India’s first small and medium Reit (SM-Reit) in 2024 has opened new avenues for retail investors.

    Looking ahead, new office supply is expected to reach 60-65 million square feet in 2025, with vacancy levels projected to decline to 15-16 per cent. Average rental values are forecast to touch Rs  100-110 per square foot per month.

    Ficci committee co-chairman and managing director and CEO Godrej Properties  Gaurav Pandey highlighted the residential sector’s milestone in 2024, with demand hitting 1 billion square feet, valued at Rs  8.5 lakh crore, primarily concentrated in India’s top five cities.

    “The sector needs execution build-up and brilliant talent across both white-collar and blue-collar jobs,” Pandey added, stressing the importance of labour strategy and talent management for sustained growth.

    On the investment front, institutional inflows reached USD 4.7 billion in the first nine months of 2024, with over 60 per cent directed towards industrial, warehousing, and residential assets. The government’s Rs  1 lakh crore urban challenge fund aims to transform cities into growth hubs and improve infrastructure.

    However, affordability concerns persist in the residential segment said Ficci committee co-chairman and managing director and CEO HDFC Capital Advisors Vipul Roongta: “With the average unit price at Rs  1 crore in major cities, home ownership remains out of reach for the emerging middle class, who can typically afford homes in the Rs  50-75 lakh range.”

    Meanwhile, DLF vice chairman and managing director, rental business, Sriram Khattar, noted a shift in commercial real estate priorities: “Gone are the days when offices were built at 70-80 square feet per desk and simply filled up. The emphasis now is on quality workspaces that enhance occupier and employee experience.”

    Looking ahead, Colliers India managing director office services  Arpit Mehrotra stated: “The occupier-driven Indian office market will continue to diversify in 2025, and developers will need to remain agile to meet evolving preferences.”

  • Amrut launches premium whisky at Hyderabad airport

    Amrut launches premium whisky at Hyderabad airport

    MUMBAI: This one is for those enjoy their single malts. Amrut Distilleries has introduced Kadhambam, a premium whisky exclusively at GMR Hyderabad Duty Free stores in Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.

    The whisky, bottled at 50 per cent ABV, is unique for being aged in four different casks – ex-bourbon, rum, ex-Oloroso sherry and brandy. The name “Kadhambam” means “mixture” in Tamil, reflecting its complex ageing process.

    “Kadhambam exemplifies our craft and innovation,” said Amrut Distilleries managing director Rakshit N Jagdale. “This launch reflects our ambition to expand Amrut’s presence in travel retail.”

     Monika Alcobev – Amrut’s distribution partner – managing director and chief executive Kunal Patel, noted the growing global recognition of Indian whiskies. “Kadhambam’s distinct blend is the perfect addition to GMR Hyderabad Duty Free’s exclusive offerings,” he said.

    Amrut defines the Kadhambam whisky as follows:

    Nose : Rich and floral, honeyed, nutty, new oak, vanilla, lifted fruit aromas of citrus and tropical fruits

    Taste : Candied fruits, subtle oak with a light dusting of peat and integrated spice

    Finish : Warming and complex with a dry, long finish

    A bottle of 700 ml of the bourbon is available at Rs 13,000 on the online Hyderabad Airport store.