ITV

Category: Brands

  • Poco partners with Akshay Kumar ahead of X7 series launch

    Poco partners with Akshay Kumar ahead of X7 series launch

    MUMBAI: In a blockbuster move straight out of a high-octane action scene, Poco India has roped in Indian cinema’s quintessential Khiladi, Akshay Kumar, as its brand ambassador.

    Just as daring and dynamic as its ambassador, Poco is gearing up to unveil its highly anticipated Poco X7 series, promising a launch event as thrilling as an Akshay Kumar stunt. His association aligns seamlessly with the X7 series campaign, “Xceed Your Limits,” which aims to motivate users to challenge conventions and aim for extraordinary possibilities.

    Set to take place on 9 January at 5:30 pm, this collaboration isn’t just a partnership—it’s a story of two forces, ‘Made of MAD’, joining hands to redefine the way India sees smartphones.

    The Poco X7 series promises revolutionary features in the premium affordable segment. The Poco X7 stands out with the most durable 1.5K AMOLED 3D Curved Display in its class, while the X7 Pro boasts the segment’s largest 6550mAh battery featuring advanced Silicon Carbon Technology and a solid electrolyte. Both models run on the cutting-edge Xiaomi HyperOS 2.0, delivering next-gen AI capabilities for an enhanced user experience. Engineered for durability, efficiency, and superior performance, the Poco X7 5G and X7 Pro 5G redefine value and innovation at pocket-friendly prices.

    Speaking about the announcement, Poco India country head, Himanshu Tandon said, “At Poco, we’ve always embraced bold choices that reflect our vision of delivering innovative technology and empowering the next generation. Akshay Kumar’s fearless persona and mass appeal make him the perfect fit for a brand that thrives on breaking boundaries and redefining value. His partnership, coupled with the X7 series launch, highlights our strategic focus on scaling new heights and delivering transformative experiences as we gear up for an exciting 2025.”

    Kumar shared his excitement, “Partnering with Poco is an exciting new chapter for me. I’ve always admired brands that dare to be different, and Poco’s fearless approach to innovation and its ‘Made of MAD’ philosophy truly resonate with my personality. The X7 series campaign, ‘Xceed Your Limits,’ reflects the energy and determination I believe in – pushing boundaries and striving for excellence. I’m thrilled to be part of this journey as Poco inspires India’s youth to embrace bold choices and redefine possibilities in technology.”

    This dual announcement signals Poco’s growth trajectory and intent to dominate India’s tech landscape. With Akshay Kumar amplifying the brand’s visibility and the X7 series launch imminent, Poco is poised to deliver a bold and transformative user experience, capturing the market’s excitement.

  • CS Tech AI: The right way to rebrand a technology solutions provider

    CS Tech AI: The right way to rebrand a technology solutions provider

    MUMBAI: You are a technology solutions provider. Your company and the solutions  you provide are well known to those involved in the automotive, architecture/engineering, transportation, telecom, water management, energy and geospatial engineering spaces.  And to top it all your company name is Ceinsys Tech. And most people find the name strange and difficult to pronounce. Especially in the domestic sector; internationally, things are good as the name looks fancy enough for a tech firm.

    So what you do?

    Do you run a campaign telling customers the right way to pronounce the company’s name?  Or do you  totally change your moniker? Or  do you take the tack that  Rs 250 crore plus turnover Ceinsys Tech India operations managing director  Kaushik Khona did?

    What Kaushik and team did is they took the C and the S from the name and removed the redundant “einsy.”  So they were left with CS Tech. Well, to everyone that looked like a great change , but they also wanted to make the  brand look edgy and very design-driven  like many a tech company  takes the effort to look (remember Apple and its classy designer look in everything it does).

    In line with its  strategy to grow globally and be seen as a cutting edge global technology company which is adding dollops of artificial intelligence into its solutions and processes, a decision was taken to add the words AI next to the logo as a suffix.  This change, for the company,  marked a strategic shift to underscore its  focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in driving technological innovation.

    “The move comes as Ceinsys positions itself for a future shaped by AI-driven solutions. The addition of “.ai” to the new rebranding reflects the company’s roadmap to integrate newer technologies including AI into the geospatial and technology solutions that enable smart infrastructure and utility development,” said the company.

    Hence the name of the company was changed to CS Tech AI.  

    Said Khona: “The rebranding of Ceinsys into CS Tech with inclusion of suffix ‘.ai’ is more than just a rebranding exercise—it represents our focus on the adoption of advanced technology into providing of solutions to our esteemed clients. AI is becoming the backbone of smart solutions, and this rebranding reinforces our commitment to innovation and relevance in a rapidly evolving landscape. It also allows us to communicate our vision more clearly and differentiate ourselves in the market.”

    A decision was taken to maintain the icon next to the logo as well as the tagline “Enhancing possibilities” as both only reinforced the high-tech look for the branding.  

    The corporate name Ceinsys Tech Ltd was maintained with  only the URL being changed to www. cstech.ai from www.ceinsys.com

  • Real estate developer Puravakara appoints Deepak Rastogi as group CFO

    Real estate developer Puravakara appoints Deepak Rastogi as group CFO

    MUMBAI: It’s strengthening its foundation. Real estate developer Puravankara has appointed Deepak Rastogi as the group chief financial officer (CFO), with effect from 15 January 2025

    Rastogi brings over three decades of extensive experience in finance, strategy, and transformation
    across diverse industries and international markets. He has held leadership positions, including
    president & group CFO at Deepak Fertilisers & Petrochemicals and president & group CFO at
    Tata Autocomp Systems. His expertise encompasses driving profit and loss, growth strategies,
    mergers and acquisitions, digitisation, and enterprise risk management. 

    He has been exposed to working with markets like  China, Asean , Australia, Korea, Japan, Middle East, Sweden and the US to lead and develop diverse teams and hands on experience in debt raising. managing investors relations, investors road shows, enterprise risk Management, SAP implementation and business integration.

    Rastogi is a chartered accountant with an MBA from S P Jain Institute of Research & Management.
    He has a distinguished history of leading financial strategies and implementing transformative initiatives
    that drive efficiency and profitability. His insights and skills will help drive the company’s expansion and
    growth plans.

    Neeraj Gautam, who has been serving as the president – finance at Puravankara, has been
    elevated to the post of deputy chief fnancial officer.

    “We are excited to have Deepak on board to strengthen our operating efficiencies and financial
    controls in line with our future plans,” said Puravankara managing director Ashish Puravankara. ”His vast experience and strategic acumen will be instrumental as we pursue expansion opportunities. We are confident his leadership will contribute significantly to our ongoing success.”

  • ITW Playworx gets communications mandate from furniture firm Furlenco

    ITW Playworx gets communications mandate from furniture firm Furlenco

    MUMBAI: Furniture rental and lifestyle brand Furlenco has signed ITW Playworx, the brand solutions arm of ITW Universe, as its strategic communications partner.  The partnership will focus on driving Furlenco’s communication strategies to enhance its brand narrative and build stronger connections with its target audience.

    As part of this mandate, ITW Playworx, which says it is India’s only full-stack agency offering a complete range of services through a single window,  will craft and execute a comprehensive PR strategy for Furlenco, leveraging innovative approaches to elevate the brand’s visibility. Additionally, ITW Universe will work closely with its  marketing team to amplify the brand’s presence through outdoor advertising (OOH) and sports marketing platforms, ensuring an integrated and impactful outreach.

    Said Fluorenco CEO & fonder Ajith Karimpana: “Furlenco has always strived to create exceptional experiences for the customers by offering premium, flexible home solutions. Partnering with ITW Playworx aligns with our goal of engaging meaningfully with our audience. We are confident this collaboration will help us achieve greater visibility and strengthen our brand’s positioning in the market.”

    ITW Playworx CEO Sidharth Ghosh  said, “Furlenco is redefining modern living, and we are proud to partner with a brand that resonates with urban India’s aspirations. At ITW Playworx, we craft purpose-driven strategies that elevate brands and build deeper emotional connections. This partnership is a valuable opportunity to showcase our expertise in impactful storytelling.”

    ITW Universe co-founder  Bhairav Shanth  opined, “We are excited to be working with a truly new economy brand like Furlenco on boosting its brand presence and salience. An interconnected consumer market requires strategies that are truly integrated across multiple channels and building on the work that ITW Playworx will be doing we will also be helping the brand with a holistic 360 plan spanning across multiple touchpoints such as digital/OTT, sports marketing, OOH and more.”

    ITW Playworx aims to position Furlenco as not just a furniture rental platform but a lifestyle brand that resonates with the modern Indian consumer.

  • Fundalogical Ventures offers $5 million funding for supply chain & logistics firms

    Fundalogical Ventures offers $5 million funding for supply chain & logistics firms

    MUMBAI: Are you –  or is someone you know – in any one of these business areas: optimising sourcing/ procurement and inventory management, manufacturing innovation, warehousing services, automation and robotics, 3PL/4PL services, e-commerce enablers, sustainability, green logistics (encompassing the entire EV ecosystem, and promoting a circular economy through efficient waste management practices, including plastic waste, e-waste, and battery waste recycling) and reverse supply chain management?

    Well if you are – or are planning to get into one of these promising initiatives –  then  reach out to Fundalogical Ventures (FV) and you could become a part of FV Trailblazers (it’s in its first edition), an early growth program designed to propel promising companies to industry leadership. The program offers selected companies access to:

    * Growth capital: Access to up to $5 million in funding to fuel growth

    * 1×1 mentorship: Personalised guidance from industry veterans

    * Strategy masterclasses: Expert-led sessions to refine business strategies and accelerate growth

    * Access to Fundalogical Ventures expert network (FVEN): A network of strong individuals including successful founders, industry leaders and senior consultants 

    * Service provider network: Access to a curated network of service providers for marketing, accounting, and other crucial business functions

    The fund is anchored by industry veterans such as Krishna Kotak (JM Baxi group), Tushar Jani (original co-founder of Blue Dart Express), Suryakant Parekh (Parekh group), Khalid Vohra (Sai Shipping), and Mehernosh Currawalla (Fak Cargo), while the management is led by Ratna Mehta (MD, CEO), who brings over 20 years of experience from blue-chip firms like JP Morgan Chase, BCG, and Everstone Capital (approximately US$7 billion in assets under management).

    Applications for FV Trailblazers close on 18 January 2025, at 5 PM IST. Shortlisted companies will be contacted within two weeks of the application deadline.

    Apply through this quick form – https://forms.gle/kpESXE8Su4HNwvUH6

    Says FV CEO & managing partner Ratna Mehta: “This program is designed to provide not only capital but also the strategic guidance and network access necessary to navigate the complexities that fast-evolving businesses demand. We believe that by combining our deep domain expertise with the innovative spirit of these companies, we can drive significant advancements in India’s supply chain ecosystem. Our ethos is to be India’s most credible fund driving the country’s supply chain story. We are committed to partnering with entrepreneurs in their journey from early growth to industry leadership, while simultaneously delivering strong returns for our investors.”

  • Warburg Pincus promotes Hemant Mundra to MD

    Warburg Pincus promotes Hemant Mundra to MD

    MUMBAI: He’s been given a leg up at private equity firm Warburg Pincus. Hemant Mundra who was principal at the firm has been elevated to managing director as of the new year.

    Hemant has worked over a decade in private equity across varied sectors including financial services, healthcare, consumer and auto components with a primary focus on financial services. He is on the  board of several companies including Avanse Financial Services, Vistaar Finance, Shriram Housing Finance and Parksons Packaging.

    The chemical engineering B. tech from the Indian Institute of Technology Mumbai went on to qualify as a US certified financial analyst and then did his MBA in finance from IIM Ahmedabad between 2012-2014. Rothschild hired him as an analyst  between April 2011 and May 2012, following which he joined IIM-A and did his financial . MBA.

    He joined Kedaara Capital in March 2014  and rose to become a senior associate, Warburg Pincus called and he joined as vice-president in  November 2017.

    In between he had super short stints at Reliance, Essar, Deloitte, and Morgan Stanley.
     

  • Aanchal Manchanda joins kids talent discovery platform TalentGum

    Aanchal Manchanda joins kids talent discovery platform TalentGum

    MUMBAI: Many would like to believe she’s got the best job in the world: messaging to kids.  

    Gurugram-based Aanchal Manchanda today announced on Linkedin that she has taken on a new job as head of brand marketing at TalentGum. Unlike what many think about it being a recruitment platform, it is actually a platform which helps children discover their hidden talents through online courses.

    How cool is that?

    Aanchal too found it super cool and she decided to move to it after being employed for almost six years at the blue chip company,  Infosys, which she exited from as senior associate marketing manager (March 2019 to January 2025).  

    She spent a year at Libros Media in Christchurch,  New Zealand as a Hindi language content expert  preparing course materials for Hindi lessons  between July 2016 and March 2018. The she had a longish stint of two years  plus with LimeRoad.com as assistant manager (brand and community) between September 2013 and September 2015.

    Prior to that and in between, she had fleeting stints of 10 months or less with several organisations like Lok Sabha TV, Bang PR, DreamCatcher Films, TV South Asia , Fox Broadcasting, Meizu, CCEL College of English (Christchurch)  and  Udacity working either as an assistant  producer or a translator or as an intern or as a social media manager.

    An MBA in marketing from the University of Canterbury, Aanchal has also completed her Bachelors in Mass Comm and followed it with a post graduate diploma in PR, marketing & advertising.

  • Maddock Films snares Sonia Huria in brand, consumer & social communications role

    Maddock Films snares Sonia Huria in brand, consumer & social communications role

    MUMBAI: For long she’s been on the other side and she’s endeared herself to all who she has been associated with. Now the very familiar and affable face in the entertainment industry, Sonia Huria,  has hopped onto Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films as head brand, consumer and social communications.

    Maddock Films had a fabulous 2024 with three films raking it in at the box office: Teri Baaton mein Uljha Jiya (Rs 133 crore), Munjya (Rs 132 crore) and the biggest of them all – Stree 2 (Rs 900 crore). It has lined up a slate of films which will figure in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe , two of which are to be released in 2025: Thama (Diwali) and Shakti Shalini (31 December).

    So it definitely needs all the professional help it can to build up the brands. And Sonia has oodles of it (22 years) with her last position being that of head of communications , Asia Pacific for four years at Prime Video and Amazon MGM studios(October 2020-January 2025), where she handled the launch campaigns of over  100 shows and films in India, Japan and Singapore.

    Prior to that, she was senior vice-president at Viacom18 Media where over nearly 13 years  (April 2008-Octo 2020) she spearheaded the launch of its Hindi general entertainment channel Colors which quickly claimed the No 1 spot, beating back long-standing number one’s in the space. Additionally, she also worked on social impact initiatives with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Finally, two of the initiatives – the #OpenNewWorlds brand promise and the #OneTogether campaign – she championed helped build stability in the organisation.

    Before the two corporate assignments, she was employed with agencies like Weber Shandwick in Mumbai then Genesis Burson Marstellar first in Singapore and then in India for around six years.

    “After an enriching journey in television and streaming, I’m thrilled to embark on this new chapter with a studio that consistently sets benchmarks and redefines success in both theatrical and streaming entertainment,” posted Sonia on Instagram. “Maddock Films has always been known for its ability to craft stories that resonate deeply with audiences. In my new role, I’m eager to bring together the storytelling touch points across social, PR, and consumer communication to create immersive and engaging experiences for viewers. By connecting these threads seamlessly, we can build a dynamic and interconnected audience journey, amplifying the magic of our narratives and ensuring they captivate and delight at every interaction. With an incredible lineup of projects ahead, I look forward to collaborating with Maddock’s visionary creators and talented team to take our stories beyond screens and into the hearts of audiences everywhere.

     

  • Bonjour says good morning to bamboo socks

    Bonjour says good morning to bamboo socks

    MUMBAI: Socks are socks,  right?

    But no, not for the sock connoisseur! 

    They are very selective about the socks they wear. 100 per cent cotton socks, socks that breathe,  are preferred in a country like India, especially in the more hot, humid cities or towns.  

    Then some executives like – Sunil Lulla – he of MTV fame – like  to collect their highly colourful socks. Others have their socks differently coloured with the days on each. Many a company has special socks manufactured and have their brands put on them and they are given away to  senior executives  or to visitors at exhibitions. And yet others go for the plain vanilla, bland black and white socks, every day of the week. 

    The 47 year old Bonjour Socks  brand is now banking on users going for its innovative bamboo sock range.  Designed with an eco-friendly and sustainable fabric, this new collection promises a blend of comfort, style, and utility, making it a new year gift.  

    The bamboo socks range features multiple color options and boasts qualities such as odour resistance, breathability, and durability, catering to the evolving needs of today’s consumers. Bamboo, known for its natural antibacterial properties, ensures that these socks provide a fresh and hygienic experience throughout the day. 

    Simultaneously,  Bonjour has kicked off  its 7 Days No Smell campaign. The campaign features an engaging short film that highlights the remarkable odour-resistant quality of the bamboo socks, showcasing their ability to remain fresh even after seven days of wear.  (Now if the socks don’t live up to that promise, Bonjour might run into a spot of bother. Because s consumer might dare wear them for the seven days and if they smell, it might start off a viral campaign! Bonjour, are you listening?) 

    The bamboo socks range are to be made available at affordable prices (according to the company)  across Bonjour’s retail outlets and online stores. Bonjour serves more than 17,000+ retailers and over 180+ distributors across India.  

    “At Bonjour, we are committed to innovation and sustainability. Our new bamboo socks range is a testament to this vision, offering customers a product that is not only eco-friendly but also high-performing,” says Bomjour Socks MD  Rajkumar . “With the 7 Days No Smell campaign, we aim to inspire confidence and provide a delighttful solution for daily comfot and hygiene.” 

    Campaign : 
     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by Bonjour (@bonjour_socks)

     
     

  • Blinkit launches 10 minute ambulance service in Gurugram

    Blinkit launches 10 minute ambulance service in Gurugram

    MUMBAI: Blinkit is taking this quick commerce thing a bit too far. It has promised to get an ambulance anywhere in Gurugram in 10 minutes. 10 Minutes? An ambulance anywhere in Gurugram in 10  minutes? Are you kidding, when to travel  a km in Gurugram can take thrice that much time.

    But Blinkit founder Albinder Dindsa has taken the risk to make the commitment  to provide succour and reach an ambulance to anyone injured or seriously unwell in Gurugram in 10 minutes. Five ambulances fitted with  gizmos were commissioned in Gurugram on 2 January 2025 to be able to offer this service.

    Dhindsa says that the ambulances are equipped with essential life-saving equipment, including oxygen cylinders, AED (automated external defibrillator), stretcher, monitor, suction machine, and essential emergency medicines and injections. Additionally,  a para medic, an assistant and a trained driver will be on hand to push on the pedal and get there on time.

    In the next phase, as the ambulances and the services are extended into newer areas, customers will be in  a position to book an ambulance through the basic life support option in  the Blinkit app.

    “Profit is not a goal here. We will operate this service at an affordable cost for customers and invest in really solving this critical problem for the long term,” he reveals. “We are carefully scaling this service up, as it is both important and new to us. Our aim is to expand to all major cities over the next two years. Let’s do our bit and make way for an ambulance always. You never know when you may save a life.”

    Hopefully, the road rage drivers and kids of the nouveau riche who drive around like crazy in Gurugram are listening to his plea.