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Category: Brands

  • Gaurav Gupta rides in as TVS Motor two-wheeler India biz president

    Gaurav Gupta rides in as TVS Motor two-wheeler India biz president

    MUMBAI:  Two and three wheeler maker TVS Motor Co, has announced the appointment of Gaurav Gupta as president of its India two-wheeler (ICE and EV) business. Gupta will be based in Bengaluru and report to K.N. Radhakrishnan, director and CEO of TVS Motor Co.

    With over three decades of experience across key markets including India, China, Dubai, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Asean region, Gupta is expected to play a significant role in strengthening the company’s position.

    Said Radhakrishnan: “Gaurav brings valuable experience and expertise to TVS Motor. The company is on a steady growth trajectory, delivering results ahead of the industry. Under his leadership, we are confident of further bolstering our market presence and setting new benchmarks.”

    Before joining TVS Motor, Gupta served at MG Motor India for over six years, holding roles such as deputy managing director and chief growth officer. He was instrumental in establishing the company’s commercial operations in India.

    Gupta has also held leadership roles as managing director of Bridgestone Tire Indonesia and various positions at General Motors across Asia-Pacific, including as managing director of its operations in Indonesia and Vietnam.
    A physics graduate with an MBA, Gupta has a keen interest in travel, technology, philanthropy, and golf.

  • Dhaval Masrani gets new role as sales head – general trade at Wipro Yardley

    Dhaval Masrani gets new role as sales head – general trade at Wipro Yardley

    MUMBAI: Dhaval Masrani has got the new position of head of sales for general trade (GT) for Wipro Yardley. With over 15 years of extensive experience across media planning, brand management, and FMCG marketing, Masrani brings a wealth of expertise to the role.

    Masrani has a distinguished career in leading Indian brands and driving their growth by challenging market conventions. He has played pivotal roles in marketing strategy, product innovation, and go-to-market execution across several sectors.

    Prior to his new role, Masrani served as marketing manager at Wipro Yardley for over six years, where he spearheaded successful campaigns and category expansions. His previous experience includes leadership stints at JK Helene Curtis, where he revitalised Park Avenue’s deodorant and soap lines, and Ruchi Soya Industries, where he led strategic initiatives for Nutrela.

    He also contributed significantly to Zydus Wellness, managing key brands such as Sugar Free Gold and ActiLife. His early career involved media planning roles at Mudra Communications and Madison Communications, handling major accounts like Reliance ADAG and P&G.

    Masrani holds an MBA in Marketing from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies and a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from MS University. He is currently pursuing a strategic digital marketing programme at Cambridge Judge Business School in collaboration with UpGrad, underscoring his commitment to staying ahead of evolving business trends.

  • Patanjali Foods recognised as Great Place to Work for in 2025

    Patanjali Foods recognised as Great Place to Work for in 2025

    MUMBAI: For all those who have been critical of the Swami Ramdev-Balkrishna Shroff-run Patanjali Foods, here’s some news for you. 

    The FMCG  has been certified as a Great Place to Work for 2025, marking its fourth consecutive year receiving this prestigious recognition. The company has also been ranked among the top 50 large organisations in India’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing 2025 by Great Place to Work, India.

    Yes, it may have run into controversy because of certain advertising and promotion practices but like some multinationals which have gone for Great Place to Work certification it too has been annually going  for the same and come out with flying colours. 

    The accolades highlight Patanjali Foods’ ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and positive work culture for its employees. 

    Great Place to Work is a global authority on building and recognising high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures.

  • BKT Named Official Tyre Partner of Six Nations Rugby

    BKT Named Official Tyre Partner of Six Nations Rugby

    MUMBAI: There are companies which are better known globally because of their association with sports. Amongst them is: BKT or Balkrishna Tyres.  

    The Six Nations Rugby has announced a long-term partnership with BKT, a global leader in off-highway tyre manufacturing. The agreement designates BKT as the official tyre partner for both the Guinness Men’s and Women’s Six Nations Championships, commencing with the 2025 tournaments.

    BKT, founded by Mahabir Prasad  Poddar, makes a range of tyres and has been a sponsor of several sports events like Curling Canada (Title sponsor), Euroleague Basketball, United Rugby Championship, Monster Jam, Big Bash, Ligue2 BKT, Serie BKT, and LaLiga. It has been associated with some of these events for more than 10 years on a global basis. 

    The partnership with Six Nations Rugby kicked  off with the Guinness Men’s Six Nations on 31 January 2025,  and will be followed by the Women’s Six Nations on 22 March. BKT will also introduce a new award to recognise rising stars in international rugby, reflecting its commitment to fostering future talent in the sport.

    The Six Nations Rugby  CEO Tom Harrison expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration: “The Six Nations is rugby’s most loved annual competition. We are thrilled to welcome BKT as a partner and look forward to working closely with them to enhance the experience for fans and players alike.”

    BKT Europe  managing director Lucia Salmaso highlighted the alignment between rugby and BKT’s values: “Rugby embodies teamwork, physicality, fair play, and loyalty — values we hold dear. This partnership allows us to support both the prestigious Championships and the next generation of rugby talent.”

    BKT, known for its extensive range of tyres for sectors including agriculture, construction, and mining, continues to strengthen its presence in the world of sports. The new partnership underscores its ambition to contribute to the growth of rugby on a global scale.

  • Vignesh Shankar gets new product management role at Britannia

    Vignesh Shankar gets new product management role at Britannia

    MUMBAI:  From corp comm to product management, that’s a fabulous transition for Vignesh Shankar. Shankar  has taken on a new role as product manager, health innovations at food company Britannia Industries. This appointment marks his third role within the company, following his stint as product innovation manager for the iconic Good Day brand.

    In his latest capacity, Shankar will focus on category creation, product innovation, and marketing in the emerging healthy snacking space while also managing Britannia’s corporate brand reputation.

    Expressing excitement over the new role, Shankar said: “Really stoked for the new challenges and opportunities. Grateful for the support of my legendary leaders Amit Doshi and Archana Balaraman throughout this life-changing transition.”

    Shankar’s professional journey spans over a decade across prominent firms. Prior to his tenure at Britannia, he served as manager, corporate communications at Mercedes-Benz India, where he led lifestyle and product communication. He also worked as a consultant at Weber Shandwick and as an associate at Genesis BCW.

    An alumnus of the University of Leeds, where he earned an MA in advertising and marketing, Shankar also holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from the Centre for Management Studies, JGI Bangalore.

     

  • Ipsos knows ‘where-to’ go with Aussie public research move

    Ipsos knows ‘where-to’ go with Aussie public research move

    MUMBAI: It’s a ‘where-to’ next for Ipsos in Australia! The global research giant has strengthened its foothold in the public sector with the acquisition of Whereto Research, a leading player in public policy and government communication evaluation.

    Whereto, based in Melbourne, is well-known for its expertise in assessing public sector strategies. Ipsos, which has been in Australia for over 25 years, now combines this local expertise with its international capabilities. The acquisition promises to offer a wider range of solutions to clients in both federal and state governments.

    Ipsos, ceo, Ben Page stated: “Whereto Research’s expertise in public sector and federal research in Australia, combined with Ipsos’ international presence in this space, will allow us to offer a broader range of solutions to our Australian clients. We look forward to collaborating with the Whereto Research teams to build the best business in Australia serving national and state governments’ research and evaluation needs.”

    Whereto Research, co-directors, Catherine Boekel & Penny Burke added: “Joining Ipsos is a tremendous opportunity for Whereto Research. Integrating into a leading international market research group will enable us to accelerate our development and offer our clients global solutions. We share the same passion for excellence and innovation with Ipsos, and we are convinced that this collaboration will create value for our clients and employees.”

    Ipsos is a global market research and polling company, operating in 90 markets and employing over 20,000 people.

  • Rupa & Co reveals new Playsure athleisure Dry Fit collection

    Rupa & Co reveals new Playsure athleisure Dry Fit collection

    MUMBAI: You are the aura you emanate and  you attract or repel those around you depending what  you are radiating at a specific moment.  

    Colours by Rupa, a brand under Rupa & Co, has taken this philosophy quite seriously and is urging young folks to wear their energy through its latest TVC campaign. Titled Wear Your Energy,  the ad introduces the Dry Fit athleisure wear  collection within the  Playsure range. The new line aims to combine comfort, performance, and style for today’s active lifestyles.

    Designed for versatility, the Dry Fit collection offers seamless transitions from intense workouts to casual outings. Crafted from advanced polyester and elastane-based materials with strategically placed mesh panels, the range ensures superior stretchability, breathability, and a feather-light feel.

    The collection features ergonomically engineered pieces for both men and women, including women’s round neck and polo t-shirts, tank tops, leggings, and cycling shorts. For men, offerings include raglan sleeve t-shirts, polo t-shirts, tank tops, track pants, joggers, and shorts. The vibrant colour palette adds individuality, making each item both functional and stylish.

    Rupa & Co  director Mukesh Agarwal commented, “The Dry Fit collection blends innovative design with vibrant aesthetics, meeting the evolving needs of today’s dynamic consumers. We are confident it will inspire people to embrace both functionality and leisure with unmatched style.”

    The collection is available at leading retail outlets and online platforms, including Amazon, Live Colours, and the Rupa Online Store.

     

  • Qoruz report highlights explosive growth of India’s influencer economy

    Qoruz report highlights explosive growth of India’s influencer economy

    MUMBAI: India’s influencer world never had it so good. Not only is their number growing, but their sphere of influence is also expanding by the day. The latest report from Qoruz, an influencer marketing intelligence platform, reveals a remarkable 322 per cent surge in India’s influencer ecosystem over the past four years. The number of influencers has grown from 962,000 in 2020 to 4.06 million by the end of 2024, underscoring the increasing reliance on creator-driven content for brand engagement.

    The report charts the evolution of India’s dynamic influencer landscape, with categories like gaming experiencing exceptional growth of 213 per cent between 2020 and 2022, reaching 467,000 influencers by 2024. Travel influencers rebounded strongly post-pandemic, witnessing a 212 per cent  surge in 2023, while parenting influencers steadily rose from 87,000 in 2020 to 362,000 in 2024, highlighting demand for relatable, family-focused content.
     

    Fashion maintained its leadership position with 470,000 influencers, while niche categories such as infotainment and finance also saw significant growth, reaching 203,000 and 232,000 influencers, respectively. Health and fitness influencers doubled their base to 295,000, while food influencers bounced back to 242,000 by the end of 2024.

    Looking ahead, the report projects fashion, arts and entertainment, and gaming to lead in influencer numbers in 2025, driven by evolving audience preferences.

     

    Top influencers

    Qoruz  co-founder &  head of brand alliances  Aditya Gurwara said, “Influencers have evolved from product endorsers to strategic partners for brands, creating authentic, context-driven content that resonates with audiences. Categories like gaming, travel, and lifestyle present incredible opportunities for brands to collaborate with creators who truly understand their audiences.”

    Qoruz co-founder & CEO Praanesh Bhuvaneswar noted, “The creator economy has grown from fewer than a million influencers in 2020 to over 4 million today. Influencers are no longer just content creators but cultural architects shaping trends and conversations. This is only the beginning of what the ecosystem can achieve.”
    Qoruz’s report underscores the transformative power of influencer-led marketing and highlights the immense potential for brands to engage meaningfully with audiences through long-term partnerships and data-driven insights.

  • Aayush Wellness sets aside Rs 50 million investment corpus for healthcare startups

    Aayush Wellness sets aside Rs 50 million investment corpus for healthcare startups

    MUMBAI:  Healthcare and wellness firm  Aayush Wellness has announced the formation of a strategic growth division backed by a Rs 50 million investment corpus. The initiative aims to support ambitious start-ups and existing ventures capable of transforming the health and wellness landscape.

    Beyond financial investment, the company will offer its portfolio ventures access to a vast network, industry expertise, and operational support to help accelerate growth. With a focus on scalability and innovation, Aayush Wellness is keen to collaborate with angel networks, private equity investors, incubation centres, and industry associations.

    The company aims to invest in solutions spanning healthcare technologies, artificial intelligence, products, infrastructure, and business models that promote sustainable wellness and enhance consumer health.

    Aayush Wellness  managing director Naveena Kumar:  “By collaborating with forward-thinking organisations, we’re not just expanding our portfolio, but fuelling a movement towards smarter, more personalised health and wellness solutions. Our vision is to be at the forefront of a healthier future, empowering individuals with the right tools and services to lead better lives.”

    As part of its growth strategy, Aayush Wellness seeks to harness synergies with startups to accelerate product development, boost customer engagement, and expand market reach. The company aims to cement its position as a leader in India’s burgeoning health and wellness sector.

    Established in 1989, Aayush Wellness Limited is listed on the Bombay stock exchange. It is a trusted name in health and wellness, offering innovative products and services that prioritise consumer well-being.

  • WeddingWire India launches free ring giveaway campaign for Valentine’s Day

    WeddingWire India launches free ring giveaway campaign for Valentine’s Day

    MUMBAI: Rings – to add to the romance and engagements – will be in the air  come Valentine’s day 2025. And they are coming courtesy global wedding technology platform The Knot Worldwide’s Indian subsidiary WeddingWire India. Its egging on couples to get engaged this February through its Valentine’s Day campaign, Put A Ring On It, running from 21 January to 9 March 2025.  

    Three lucky couples stand a chance to win a pair of Tanishq engagement rings  worth Rs 1.5 lakhs which it has sponsored.  The campaign coincides with February’s engagement season, when around 14 per cent  of Indian couples traditionally get engaged. It aims to resonate with couples beginning their journey towards marriage, making the milestone even more memorable.

    WeddingWire India consumer marketing manager Snigdha Johar said:  “Indian weddings are evolving, and today’s couples seek meaningful ways to mark their engagement. Through Put A Ring On It, we’re not just offering prizes – we’re celebrating the beautiful moment when two people decide to share their lives together, while providing them with the resources to plan their perfect wedding.”

    Winners can choose their ideal rings from Tanishq’s premium Soulmate collection, featuring pairs crafted from the same natural diamond, symbolising unity. The campaign also acknowledges India’s typical four to six month wedding planning window, offering couples immediate value and long-term support through WeddingWire India’s comprehensive planning services.

    Participants can enter the sweepstakes via WeddingWire India’s website or mobile app.