ITV

Category: Brands

  • Zee reimagines Yamaha anthem with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa contestants

    Zee reimagines Yamaha anthem with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa contestants

    MUMBAI: Subtle branded content is all the rage. And Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zee) has been working overtime to give that value-added oomph to advertising partners and sponsors. One such partner is Yamaha Motors, India.

    Yamaha Motors has an iconic anthem The Call of the Blue which was first launched in 2018 and has gone through various iterations, the latest being in September 2024 as the 4.0 version, which was tailored to resonate with the musical preferences of today’s youth. A new TVC was also released along with the song featuring young folks getting captivated by a film in the theatre, showcasing Yamaha’s iconic two-wheeler models, including global favorites. As they step out, they are thrilled to find these models right in front of them on the road.

    And of course, there is Zee’s legendary path-breaking original singing talent  show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa which is probably regaling a fourth or fifth generation of young viewers. Zee roped in the contestants of the reality show to sing the celebrated Yamaha anthem. For the first time ever, the young budding, musical talents reimagined the anthem, composed and performed their own renditions of it. This helped create a powerful and emotionally resonant experience that captivated audiences across the Punit Goenka-led network’s channels Zee TV, Zee Tamil, Zee Telugu. 

    Sa Re Ga Ma Pa has now become the canvas for a first-of-its-kind integration, where contestants from across India bring their unique style to the Yamaha anthem. This initiative extended beyond traditional marketing, allowing the spirit of Yamaha to echo through music and storytelling in an innovative, refreshing way.

    Sa Re Ga Ma Pa trio

    A press released from Zee stated that the collaboration strikes at the heart of music’s universal power to connect, inspire, and create lasting memories. As the contestants infused Yamaha’s anthem with their passion, energy, and individual creativity, the result was an electrifying mix that embodied the brand’s core values of adventure, freedom, and brotherhood. The partnership therefore went beyond mere promotion—it was a celebration of creativity, artistry, and individuality.

    The campaign garnered a massive cumulative reach of approximately 25 million viewers across Zee’s platforms, amplifying Yamaha’s message of adventure and passion and making it resonate with music lovers, especially the youth, adds the press release. Through this collaboration, Yamaha and Zee have forged a meaningful connection with their audiences, proving once again that music and storytelling can transcend the ordinary and create extraordinary experiences.

    Zee chief growth officer-digital & broadcast revenue  Ashish Sehgal points out that the Yamaha partnership is the perfect embodiment of the network’s philosophy of bringing brands closer to their audiences.

    He adds: “The synergy between Yamaha’s adventurous spirit and the creative energy of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa contestants has led to an exciting and impactful collaboration that has not only amplified Yamaha’s core message but also created a truly memorable experience. This campaign has resonated deeply with viewers, bringing the brand’s values to life in a way that is both engaging and inspiring. It’s a perfect example of how music and storytelling can come together to create something remarkable.”

    Yamaha Motor India general manager marketing Vijay Kaul is of the view that  motorcycles and music are two wonderful ways to connect with the world around. He adds: “Through this association, we look forward to connecting with young music lovers at a more intrinsic level, celebrating the shared values of freedom, passion, and self-expression. The thrill of the open road mirrors the rhythm of music, creating experiences that inspire and energize. For the first time on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, contestants have crafted their unique renditions of a brand anthem, each piece capturing the essence of freedom, individuality, and the joy of riding.”

    Motivator India  chief growth officer & managing partner Aman Kochhar  highlights that the partnership worked better than using overt brand placement.  He adds:  “Reimagining The Call of the Blue anthem in their unique styles helped us connect with younger audiences, seamlessly integrating the brand into the content with fresh, vibrant energy.  The talented contestants on the platform showcased immense potential in understanding the brand’s requirements and delivering them with style. Hence, the collab was exceptional.”

    To watch the latest version of The Call of the Blue TVC click here: The Call of the Blue

    As The Call of the Blue anthem continues to strike a chord with audiences nationwide, Yamaha and Ze reaffirm their commitment to pushing creative boundaries. This collaboration marks just the beginning of what promises to be a lasting partnership that fuses music, storytelling, and brand values to deliver impactful, unforgettable experiences, the Zee press release elaborates.

  • Dubai-based Landmark Reach hires Vivek Mishra as head of audience

    Dubai-based Landmark Reach hires Vivek Mishra as head of audience

    MUMBAI: He spent a good five years at Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc India) between 2017 and 2022 as vice-president digital products & business. Vivek Mishra  then moved on to Dubai to work with Aqilliz – a Saas platform – for a couple of years. At Aqilliz, he  led the development of innovative data solutions across multiple markets, building privacy-compliant audience targeting solutions and managing large-scale data implementations.

    And now Vivek has joined  Landmark Reach, Landmark Group’s retail media team as head of audience in Dubai  The Landmark group  has  over 2,000 retail stores across the Middle East, India and south east Asia.

    “Vivek will be instrumental in developing our audience strategy, leveraging our first-party data from millions of loyalty customers to create value for our brand partners across the Landmark group ecosystem and the open internet. Looking forward to the impact he’ll make in shaping the future of our retail media business across the trinity of channels,” said head of media retail Landmark group Sohail Nawaz in a post on Linkedin.

    Prior to Barc, Vivek had stints with Nielsen and Tata Consultancy Service in the US.

     

  • Eurogrip tyres signs M S Dhoni as brand ambassador

    Eurogrip tyres signs M S Dhoni as brand ambassador

    MUMBAI: Eurogrip Tyres, a two- to three-wheeler and off-highway tyre brand, has brought on board a cricketer who does not seem to tire, even though he apparently has retired.  It has signed up former India cricket captain and CSK’s old hand M S Dhoni as its brand ambassador.  

    Known for his dependability, performance and passion for riding, M S Dhoni’s values resonate with Eurogrip Tyres’ vision of empowering riders with control and confidence on every journey. MSD will be endorsing the brand Eurogrip and the entire range of products in the portfolio.

    M S Dhoni said: “Tyres is a category that is very close to my heart. My love for motorcycles and riding began long before my cricketing journey, and over the years, I have had the chance to ride a variety of bikes – from timeless classics to top-of-the-line super bikes. Choosing the right tyres is essential for a safe and enjoyable ride and Eurogrip Tyres’ expertise in this domain stands out. ”

    “M S Dhoni is a personality who truly embodies Eurogrip Tyres’ core values of reliability and performance,” said TVS Srichakra Ltd EVP marketing & sales P Madhavan.  “MSD perfectly complements our commitment to delivering innovative tyre solutions for the new age riders.  This collaboration is a milestone in our brand journey, as we continue to offer world-class products and elevate riding experiences across diverse segments”.   
    With over four decades of expertise in tyre design and manufacturing, Eurogrip Tyres offers an extensive range of products to suit varying needs and applications, with the best-in-category warranty and after-sales service. Eurogrip Tyres’ products are designed in Milan, Italy and are globally tested and certified. 

    Will Dhoni’s endorsement will accelerate sales further?

  • Singhania as chairman & Kataria as MD get nod from Raymond Lifestyle shareholders

    Singhania as chairman & Kataria as MD get nod from Raymond Lifestyle shareholders

    MUMBAI: In the evening hours of 4 December Raymond Lifestyle – part of the Raymond group– informed the Bombay stock exchange that it had received the required majority from shareholders for the company’s  special resolutions placed before  them at its AGM. 

    Amongst the most important was the appointment of Gautam Hari Singhania as executive chairman. In the  SEBI regulatory filing by the company, it was revealed that 86.85 percent of the 4,17,57,480 votes cast were in favor of the resolution for Singhania’s appointment, while 13.15 percent were against it. Special resolutions, according  to corporate rules,  require 75 per cent or more favourable shareholder votes for them to be deemed to have been approved.

    The shareholders also approved the appointment of CEO Sunil Kataria as its managing director (MD). In Kataria’s case, 89.6631 per cent shareholders were in favor of his new appointment, while 10.3369 were against. 

    Another six special resolutions relating to the appointment of independent directors also sailed through, garnering the required majority from shareholders.
     
    Media reports had expressed concern when some investor groups had lobbied Raymond Lifestyle shareholders to vote against the special resolutions. 

    Raymond Lifestyle had been listed on the stock exchanges on 5 September after demerging and being carved out from Raymond, with Singhania continuing to lead both the entities.

    Later commenting on the development, a Raymond Lifestyle spokesperson said  its shareholders have demonstrated full confidence and voted for Gautam Hari Singhania as chairman and Sunil Kataria as the managing director. 

    “This development has reinforced the fact that the promoter is fully committed towards the organisation’s growth and creating shareholder value,” he  said.

  • CEAT appoints Debashish Roy as chief digital transformation officer

    CEAT appoints Debashish Roy as chief digital transformation officer

    MUMBAI: CEAT has announced the appointment of Debashish Roy as its chief digital transformation officer, effective 2 December 2024. This pivotal leadership move underscores CEAT’s commitment to accelerating its digital transformation and enhancing customer-centric technological initiatives.

    Reporting to CEAT Specialty, chief executive, Amit Tolani, Debashish will lead the company’s digital innovation journey, focusing on advancing customer experiences and driving technological advancements. His expertise promises to shape CEAT’s transformation into a future-ready, digitally empowered organisation.

    Debashish brings over 15 years of experience in driving innovation, digital disruption, and achieving customer-centric growth across various industries and geographies. With a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering and a management degree in IT and Operations from IIM Mumbai, his qualifications are complemented by a track record of leading multi-cultural teams in delivering transformation programs for Fortune 500 companies.

    Previously, he held key roles at industry giants such as Abbott India Ltd., PwC US Advisory, and Cognizant Business Consulting, where he focused on large-scale business transformations and sustainable revenue growth. Most recently, he served as Pfizer Ltd., director of digital transformation & customer experience, where he successfully established a strong digital foundation, driving the adoption of innovative technologies.

    Roy has earned accolades for his contributions, including the CX Leader Award at the 11th Global Edition of the World CX Summit & Awards 2024, the Leading CIO of the Year Award at the CII CIO Excellence Awards 2023, and the Economic Times CX Inspiring Leaders Award 2023. He also received the Innovator’s Award at the BIG CIO Show and Awards 2022, supported by NITI Aayog.

    Tolani expressed his excitement about Roy’s appointment, “We are delighted to welcome Debashish to the CEAT family. His extensive experience in digital transformation and innovation aligns perfectly with our vision to enhance customer experiences by driving technological advancement. I am confident that his strategic vision and leadership will significantly contribute to CEAT’s growth and strengthen our market position in the industry.”

    On his appointment, Roy said, “I am excited to join CEAT and embark on this new journey. My focus will be on innovating for a safer, better world by leveraging technology and empowering people. By connecting, collaborating, and delivering, I believe we can inspire and nurture the human spirit, building a strong foundation for sustainable growth and making CEAT a leader in digital innovation.”

  • Swiggy’s awe striking revenue surge feeds growth, but losses deepen

    Swiggy’s awe striking revenue surge feeds growth, but losses deepen

    MUMBAI: They bring us joy with a click, delivering steaming biryanis, comforting gulab jamuns, and all things delightful, right to our doors. But behind every pop notification—’Miss me?’ from our favorite desserts—lies a story of grit, ambition, and relentless pursuit. Swiggy, India’s food delivery and quick commerce titan, has filled our carts with convenience, but at a cost that has left its own coffers under strain. In its Q2 FY25 results, unveiled on 3 December 2024, Swiggy showcased an awe-inspiring surge in revenues by 30 per cent YoY to Rs 36,015 million. Yet, this celebratory crescendo is tempered by an echo of concern—net losses have deepened, reflecting the challenges of sustaining growth while keeping an expansive team and ecosystem thriving. It’s a tale as flavorful as their marketing, and as complex as their financials—balancing indulgence with accountability.

    Swiggy’s total revenue from operations increased by 30.2 per cent YoY, reaching Rs 36,015 million in Q2 FY25 compared to Rs 27,633 million in Q2 FY24. This leap reflects strong performance across key segments, particularly food delivery and quick commerce. However, the company’s consolidated losses stood at Rs 6,255 million for the quarter, marking an 8.6 per cent rise from the Rs 5,751 million loss recorded in the same period last year.

    The increase in expenses, driven by marketing, logistics, and employee benefits, strained profitability despite robust revenue growth. Total expenditure for Q2 FY25 amounted to Rs 43,095 million, a 22.8 per cent increase YoY. Swiggy’s continued focus on customer acquisition and brand building weighed heavily on its bottom line.

    Key drivers:

    ●   Food Delivery: As Swiggy’s flagship segment, food delivery generated Rs 15,745 million in revenue, reflecting a YoY growth of 22.9 per cent. Enhanced customer loyalty programs and competitive pricing played pivotal roles in this growth.

    ●   Quick Commerce (Instamart): Quick commerce revenues skyrocketed by 135.4 per cent YoY, reaching Rs 4,900 million, emphasising Swiggy’s commitment to diversifying its service portfolio. Strategic investments in dark stores and supply chain logistics have fueled this expansion.

    ●   Supply Chain and Distribution: This segment contributed Rs 14,526 million, up 22.0 per cent from the previous year, as Swiggy capitalised on its warehousing and fulfillment network to streamline FMCG distribution.

    ●   Platform Innovations: Revenues from platform innovations, including initiatives like Swiggy Genie, amounted to Rs 253 million but faced a decline from Rs 494 million YoY.

    Expansion comes at a cost

    Swiggy’s aggressive growth strategy comes at a significant cost. Employee benefits rose to Rs 6,073 million in Q2 FY25, up 13.2 per cent YoY, reflecting hiring and retention efforts in a competitive labor market. Delivery charges surged by 32.5 per cent to Rs 10,949 million, as Swiggy expanded operations in Tier II and Tier III cities.

    The company’s marketing expenses also increased, with advertising and promotional costs totaling Rs 5,371 million, up 8.8 per cent from the previous year. These expenditures underline Swiggy’s push to strengthen its market presence amidst fierce competition from rivals like Zomato and Blinkit.

    IPO milestones

    Swiggy’s listing on the NSE and BSE in November 2024 marked a significant milestone. The IPO raised Rs 115,407 million through fresh issues and offer-for-sale components. Proceeds were earmarked for expanding Instamart’s operations, enhancing technology infrastructure, and bolstering working capital.

    Additionally, Swiggy’s investment in its wholly owned subsidiary, Scootsy Logistics, reached Rs 1,600 crore. This infusion aims to optimise supply chain capabilities and support quick commerce scalability.

    Swiggy’s outlook hinges on its ability to navigate the profitability challenge. With over 70 per cent of revenues stemming from food delivery, diversifying its income streams is crucial. Quick commerce, which grew phenomenally in Q2 FY25, holds promise but demands continued investment.

    The company has also signaled its intent to strengthen customer engagement through tech-driven solutions and personalised services. However, the path to sustainable profitability will require stringent cost controls and efficiency enhancements across its operations.

    Swiggy’s Q2 FY25 performance paints a vivid picture of ambition clashing with financial challenges. Swiggy stands at a crossroads, its vision clear but the journey demanding resilience and bold decisions. For now, we wait—with curiosity and anticipation—to see what this culinary trailblazer serves up next in its quest to satisfy appetites and redefine the future of food.

  • P&G Hygiene to see change in leadership in personal health care

    P&G Hygiene to see change in leadership in personal health care

    MUMBAI: There’s change at the top in Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care. The FMCG major informed the stock exchange yesterday that come 1 January 2025, Maithreyi Jagannathan will take over as vice president & category leader – personal health care.

    The reason: senior marketing director & current category leader Sahil Sethi whose tenure gets over on 31 December 2024 will not be continuing in that post.

    P&G is bringing in Maithreyi from Jakarta where she is general manager & commercial leader, consumer healthcare in the company’s Indonesian unit as Sethi’s replacement.

    Maithreyi is a bachelor of computer science engineering, from the National Institute of Technology – Surathkal, Mangaluru, India and a master of business administration (MBA) from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, India.

    With a rich and diverse experience in various commercial roles across a career spanning almost 20 years, she joined P&G India in 2005 as an assistant brand manager. She  has since worked across various roles and geographies, including the US, Singapore, Indonesia, contributing to the growth of business and people across roles. 

  •  Top notch marketer Lara Balazs joins Adobe as CMO & EVP

     Top notch marketer Lara Balazs joins Adobe as CMO & EVP

    MUMBAI: She’s found her corporate abode in Adobe. The cutting edge software firm today announced that former Intuit chief marketing officer (CMO) & general manager, strategic partner group, Lara Balazs  has joined it as CMO & executive vice president. She will be having a direct reporting line to Adobe chair & CEO Shantanu Narayen.

    At Intuit, Lara was really into it, re-imagining the company’s brand and go-to-market activities to support its AI-driven financial technology platform and elevated its brand awareness and reputation to new heights.

    Balazs will lead the global marketing organisation responsible for Adobe’s renowned brand, Adobe.com, the company’s industry-leading events, campaigns, communications, social media and its best-in-class media operations and marketing insights.

    “As Adobe continues to deliver industry-leading product innovations across content creation and digital marketing, Lara’s unique experience across B2C and B2B industries and deep insights as an Adobe customer will help us engage our growing universe of users more effectively while expanding Adobe’s brand reach and impact,” voiced Narayen, 

    Balazs’ marketing career spans key leadership roles at some of the world’s most respected brands such as Amazon, Visa and Nike, delivering innovative customer-centric marketing strategies that propel transformational growth. Among her notable achievements are driving the growth of Amazon Prime and Visa globally and leading Visa into the era of digital payments, with the launch of mobile-first products such as Visa Checkout and Apple Pay. At Intuit, she led the protax group to its highest, most sustained growth in years and drove the company’s highest brand awareness and corporate reputation in its four decades.

    Named to Forbes’ list of the world’s most influential CMOs and a recipient of AdWeek’s CMO Vanguard award, Balazs is passionate about advancing the marketing profession and supporting the social impact of the industry.

    Balazs holds a bachelor of arts degree in pre-law from the university of Washington and a master of business administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

  • Apurva Jani gets expanded marketing role at Intel India

    Apurva Jani gets expanded marketing role at Intel India

    MUMBAI: He’s spent a large part of his early career in the automotive industry at leading brands and firms. However, Apurva Jani  has been at global chip leader Intel for the almost a decade, rising to director of marketing for Intel’s sales, communications, and marketing group in India. 

    Now the chip maker has expanded his remit to include the amplification of the company’s brand presence and driving growth in both consumer and B2B markets, according to a news report on storyboard18.

    A mechanical engineer and a  PGDBA in marketing from NMIMS, Apurva began his career at Tata Motors, moved onto Ford Motor as regional sales manager, then worked with Mahindra & Mahindra as DGM – marketing, crossed industries into health care as director of advertising promotions at GE Healthcare, before landing up at Intel as consumer marketing head in 2015, where he has stayed put since.

    According to Apurva, he has  have been successful in disrupting the norms in highly competitive industries over his 23-year long career. Intel probably is relying on him to do so once again!

  • Leander Paes’ Flying Man Ventures snares Apurva Sircar as CEO

    Leander Paes’ Flying Man Ventures snares Apurva Sircar as CEO

    MUMBAI: Very few sportsmen can cross the rubicon and move into running successful businesses. Tennis veteran and legend  Leander Paes is attempting the same with his outfit Flying Man Ventures (FMV). He has hired marketing veteran Apurva Sircar as the company’s CEO. The goal: grow its business in various verticals like sports, sports education, health & wellness, corporate collaborations and  entertainment.

    Sircar announced his joining at the beginning of this week. Despite his experience, he expressed his nervousness.

    Said Sircar on Linked in: “On Monday, I joined a legend in the world of sports to help him execute his vision of making the world a better place through sports and fitness. As I begin my days at at FMV, I feel excitement and nervousness in equal measure. The latter gets taken care of whenever Leander says (and says often), “I got you, champ!” It is my privilege to be Leander’s full-time professional partner off the court. He’s a global icon, having played professional tennis for nearly four decades. He is a man with amazing human values, Lee is an inspiration to so many across the globe.”

    Sircar has had a career of 20 years having headed marketing at Bandhan Bank, brand, insights, corporate communications and digital markting at Aegas Federal Life Insurance, channel marketing at Birla Sun Life Insurance, worked as a brand manager with Kotak Mahindra Bank, apart from stints with Heinz India and Blowplast.

    As he begins his journey at FMV, the gut feeling is that both he and Leander are going to hit it out of the park. Even if they are entering the sports business game a little late. That’s because the sports ecosystem is going to explode in the next decade as India works on building a sports culture.