Category: Brands

  • PepsiCo India triumphs at Cannes Lions 2024 with four wins

    PepsiCo India triumphs at Cannes Lions 2024 with four wins

    Mumbai: PepsiCo India has once again distinguished itself in the marketing world by winning four awards at this year’s Cannes Lions, making it the brand with the highest number of awards.  

    Gatorade earned one gold and one bronze award for its groundbreaking Turf Finder initiative, recognised in the creative data category and entertainment for sports under live experience subcategory. Launched earlier this year, the Turf Finder Initiative is designed to ignite a passion for sports among residents of India’s bustling metropolitan areas. This initiative reflects Gatorade’s dedication towards promoting active lifestyles and fostering a love for sports in urban environments.

    Speaking on the win, chief marketing officer, India beverages, Tarun Bhagat said, “We are immensely honored and thrilled by Gatorade’s success at the 71st Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Winning top honors such as the Gold in the Creative Data Lions for Data-enhanced Creativity, and a Bronze in the Entertainment Lions for the Sports category is a significant achievement that highlights our innovative approach and dedication to fostering an active-lifestyle culture in India.

    Our Turf Finder initiative, leveraging Google Maps data, perfectly aligns with our mission to promote active lifestyles. In bustling metropolitan cities, there is a significant challenge in finding adequate spaces for playing sports. Despite a strong intent to engage in playing sports, individuals often find it difficult to locate suitable spaces due to a lack of adequate play areas. With Turf Finder, Gatorade seeks to solve this issue by leveraging the data from Google Maps to identify potential areas and transform them into playing areas, thereby providing sporting access for everyone. This initiative underscores Gatorade’s commitment to addressing real-world challenges and fostering community engagement in meaningful and impactful ways. We are grateful for the support and collaboration that made this possible and look forward to furthering our mission to promote sports and an active lifestyle.”

    Similarly, Lay’s achieved remarkable success, winning two awards, including one silver and one bronze in categories such as Glass: The Lion for Change and Sustainable Development Goals under live experience subcategory, along with the prestigious WARC Creative Effectiveness Grand Prix. The ‘Drops of Joy’ campaign, launched to reclaim water vapour during potato frying to achieve water-positivity, and ‘Farm Equal’, a project empowering over 2,500 women farmers in India with specialized tools in collaboration with USAID, were recognized for their innovation and impact.

    Commenting on the occasion, Lay’s India – PepsiCo category lead Saumya Rathor said: “We’re overjoyed to have our efforts recognized at Cannes. At our core, Lay’s is rooted in agriculture and deeply values the communities we work with and the environment we depend on. Our ‘Drops of Joy’ campaign highlights our efforts in water positivity by reclaiming water during production. Additionally, through Project Farm Equal, we’ve had the privilege of empowering over 2,500 women farmers, providing them with the tools and support they need. Winning Cannes Lions for these initiatives is a humbling reminder that our dedication to making a positive impact is resonating and making a difference.”

    Publicis Groupe, South Asia chief creative officer & Leo Burnett, South Asia chairman Rajdeepak Das added “With PepsiCo we have found the right partners who are aligned to our vision of using the power of creativity to make a real difference. All the campaigns from Gatorade Turf Finder, Lays Farm Equal and Drops of Joy use modern-day technology and tools to make a difference to our communities, and we couldn’t be prouder of our partnership with PepsiCo. And we are thrilled that some of the most creative minds from around the world who are part of the prestigious Cannes Jury also resonated with our work, winning us these precious Lions.”

    These achievements by Gatorade and Lay’s highlight PepsiCo India’s commitment to innovation and its ability to create impactful campaigns that engage audiences and drive positive change. 

  • BOULT x Mustang: A bold partnership that simply gets your heart racing

    BOULT x Mustang: A bold partnership that simply gets your heart racing

    Mumbai: BOULT, an audio brand has unveiled an exhilarating partnership with Ford Mustang in India. Both BOULT and Ford Mustang are committed to making powerful technology accessible to everyone. BOULT’s ethos revolves around striving for better performance and delivering an unmatched experience. This partnership aims to provide buyers with a sense of adventure through cutting-edge technology and exceptional features. The tie-up with Ford Mustang is a testament to the shared pursuit of style, excellence and speed. With the introduction of the new BOULT Torq, BOULT Dash, and BOULT Derby, the brand intends to target the young, tech-savvy and luxury car enthusiasts buyer segment.

    This partnership with Ford Mustang gives BOULT access to the heritage and superlative design insights of the brand enabling Indian wearable manufacturer to work with the Ford Mustang team on bringing alive the years of unique Mustang designs to the new audio range by BOULT. The product line also opens up new avenues to leverage the aspirational audience segment who look forward to design supremacy in their favorite audio products.  

    “We are thrilled to partner with Ford Mustang, a brand that shares our dedication to style, excellence, and speed,” said BOULT co-founder Varun Gupta. Through this collaboration, we aim to captivate the young and tech-savvy buyer segment with our new offerings: BOULT Torq, BOULT Dash, and BOULT Derby. This long-term partnership not only opens up doors to a new audience segment but also gives an opportunity to look at product design in a new way.”

    “Partnering with Ford Mustang is a groundbreaking moment for BOULT, igniting a new era of innovation and excellence,” said BOULT senior brand & category manager Tom Stany. “Together, we are not just launching products; we are crafting experiences that embody the thrill of speed and the essence of cutting-edge technology. The BOULT Torq, BOULT Dash, and BOULT Derby are more than audio devices; they are a testament to our commitment to inspire and elevate the everyday lives of our consumers. This collaboration is a celebration of our shared vision to push boundaries and create something truly extraordinary.”

    The partnership commenced earlier this year and will see the launch of multiple products throughout the coming months, each designed to elevate the audio experience. The design partnership will be a driving force for BOULT for the years to come making it unique for the audio industry.

    To celebrate this exciting collaboration, BOULT has produced a captivating digital film entirely conceptualized and shot in-house by BOULT’s creative team. This film not only highlights the synergy between BOULT and Ford Mustang but also showcases the innovative spirit driving both brands forward and brings in a new era of design language for BOULT. The film opens up with shots of Ford Mustang racing through a track with each frame highlighting how the new products have been meticulously designed taking inspiration from the various elements of the car.

     
     

  • Virgio earns PETA certification for ethical fashion

    Virgio earns PETA certification for ethical fashion

    Mumbai – Virgio, the pioneering sustainable fashion brand, is proud to announce that it has officially received the PETA Approved Vegan certification. This significant milestone underscores Virgio’s unwavering commitment to ethical practices, animal welfare, and pro-planet fashion.

    People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India is the best known animal rights organisation in the country with over 2 million members and supporters. Global PETA entities combined have more than 9 million members and supporters. Every year, billions of animals suffer and die for clothing and accessories. The fashion industry has long been criticised for its exploitation of animals, involving practices that are often hidden from the public eye. From the use of fur, leather, wool, and silk to testing products on animals, the industry has a substantial impact on animal welfare. Animals are subjected to cruelty and inhumane conditions to meet the demands of fashion consumers.

    Virgio has been at the forefront of transforming the fashion industry by embracing sustainable & ethical fashion.  Achieving PETA approval is a testament to Virgio’s mission. Virgio uses cruelty-free vegan materials such as natural fabrics, recycled fabrics, and other alternatives to traditional animal-derived products. This ensures that no animals are harmed in the creation of the collections.

    “We are thrilled to be recognized by PETA for our commitment to cruelty-free and ethical fashion,” said Amar Nagaram, Co-founder and CEO of Virgio stated. “This certification aligns with our core values of ethics, transparency, innovation, and responsibility towards our planet and all its inhabitants. It is a significant step forward in our mission to create fashion that respects the environment and its inhabitants.”

    Virgio’s PETA Approved Vegan status assures consumers that no animal-derived materials are used in the creation of its products. The certification process involved rigorous scrutiny of Virgio’s supply chain, materials, and manufacturing processes to ensure compliance with PETA’s stringent standards.

    “PETA India is thrilled to have Virgio proudly declare its compassion for animals and respect for the environment by obtaining ‘PETA-Approved Vegan’ certification,” says PETA India Senior Corporate Affairs Assistant Priyanka Bhoj. “Consumers are increasingly rejecting fashion that involves animal suffering and death, and the harmful environmental impact of leather, wool, and other animal-derived materials is well-documented. By choosing vegan, Virgio is setting the standard in the industry and leading the way in ethical and sustainable fashion.”

    “We believe in fashion that lasts longer, looks better, and does no harm,” Amar Nagaram added. “Our partnership with PETA strengthens our resolve to lead the industry towards a more humane and sustainable future.”

  • Manah Wellness unveils new brand identity

    Manah Wellness unveils new brand identity

    Mumbai: Manah Wellness, a leading organisation offering employee mental well-being services, has announced the launch of its new brand identity. This significant change reflects the company’s emergence as an organization that is redefining the employee mental wellbeing space through path-breaking approaches and innovative frameworks.

    “For far too long, workplace wellbeing has focused on individual employees. At our workplaces, we can’t nurture a mental wellbeing culture unless we all are in it, together. Our new identity is about togetherness, the key to achieving our goals of employee mental wellbeing. This foundation to our work sets us apart from the rest in the workplace mental wellbeing space.

    “Our strength is our community. And within these communities, we have champions that embody, celebrate and support us in our wellbeing journeys. Manah’s new identity is a celebration of champions of wellbeing, worldwide,” said Manah Wellness co-founder and CEO Dr Ashwin Naik.

    Fittingly, Manah calls its new visual identity ‘the champ’.

    “Our focus on community building and supporting champions of wellbeing has led to industry-leading impact across Maritime, Aviation, Banking Financial Services and Social Impact sectors across six countries. Our new visual identity reflects our beliefs and the approaches we have taken to build success stories for our customers,” added Manah Wellness co-founder and COO Ritika Arora.

    “Manah’s new visual identity is a testament of our commitment to our customers. Acknowledging the trust they place in us, we will continue to act in an agile manner, going the extra mile for the mental wellbeing needs of their employees,” said Manah Wellness CMO Manoj Chandran. “The unique logo not only demonstrates the inclusion of everyone at the workplace but is also a reaffirmation of our mission to affect fundamental shifts in the global workplace mental wellbeing.”

  • Oriflame aims to empower 1M Indian micro-entrepreneurs by 2029

    Oriflame aims to empower 1M Indian micro-entrepreneurs by 2029

    Mumbai: Oriflame, the leading Swedish beauty brand with a global presence, has announced India as one of its top-priority markets. Building on its current success, the premier cosmetic brand aims to onboard one million brand partners within the next five years, thereby promoting micro-entrepreneurship and nurturing a dynamic start-up culture across the country. This ambitious target aligns perfectly with India’s growth trajectory and the government of India’s emphasis on employment generation and self-reliance.

    Oriflame is committed to promoting the entrepreneurial spirit. By enabling individuals to become brand partners, the brand instils entrepreneurial ethics and empowers the workforce, especially women, by offering the flexibility to design their own work schedules. This approach facilitates the creation of a fulfilling career that prioritises both social and mental well-being, creating the way towards financial independence.

    At the forefront of the ‘Made in India’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives, Oriflame is actively establishing research and development capabilities within the country to produce products tailored for Indian consumers, infused with Swedish quality and innovation. This approach adheres to global quality standards and European safety regulations while also promoting domestic manufacturing.

    Oriflame senior vice president and head of India and Indonesia Edyta Kurek stated, “India is a key market for Oriflame, and we are immensely grateful for the love and trust from our Indian consumers. Oriflame products sold in India are mostly produced locally, in our own factories, creating not only employment opportunities but also contributing to the nation’s economic growth. Our plan to transform 1 million brand partners into micro-entrepreneurs in the next five years demonstrates our dedication to this vibrant market and we’re in it for the long haul. We are excited to continue this journey with our Indian community, promoting micro-entrepreneurship and supporting India’s vision of self-reliance.”

    Oriflame offers a two-fold opportunity- individuals can either become brand partners to build their own businesses or join as VIP members to enjoy products directly from the website. In both scenarios, consumers gain access to the brand’s iconic, globally acclaimed products, all formulated with the highest quality standards and adherence to responsible and sustainable practices. Notably, Oriflame has been recognised as a Climate Champion in Europe for four consecutive years which showcases the company’s devotion to the environment and its people.

  • Over 34,000 submissions for OPPO India’s Imagine IF Photo Awards

    Over 34,000 submissions for OPPO India’s Imagine IF Photo Awards

    Mumbai: Within seven weeks, OPPO India received 34,000 plus entries from photographers across India for the imagine IF Photography Awards 2024 in round one which concluded on 15 June 2024.

    OPPO launched the Imagine IF Photography Awards globally in 2023 to spark creativity in mobile photography and showcase the prowess of OPPO camera technologies. The competition made its foray into India this year after the success of the inaugural edition.

    Round one invited Indian citizens over 18 years to share their smartphone photographs across nine categories: Landscape, Portrait, Colours, Unfading Moment, Fashion, Snapshot, Light, Travel, and Collection. Of these 34,000+ entries, the ‘Portrait’ category emerged as the most popular and garnered 26 per cent of the submissions. This was followed by ‘Landscape’ which witnessed 20 per cent participation.

    OPPO India head of digital marketing Sushant Vashistha said, “We are thrilled with the overwhelming response to the platform. The high volume of entries uncovers new photography talent across India, and we are glad to present them with an opportunity and a platform to showcase their work on a global stage.”

    The top 50 photographers will move to round two by end of June and the final six winners will be announced on 25 July 2024. “The shortlisted photographers will get to shoot exclusively on our flagship OPPO Find X7 Ultra device and experience the world’s first Quad Main Camera while submitting their nominations for round two. We are excited to see the next set of photos and the creativity they will showcase.” added Sushant Vashistha.

    To generate excitement around the competition, OPPO India released a brand video on its Instagram featuring director, screenwriter, and Indian ambassador for the initiative, SS Rajamouli with TV producer and actor, Raghu Ram. The video presents Raghu as the judge of a photography contest, and in true Raghu fashion, he is shown losing his cool over the photography capabilities of the contestants. Raghu’s level of disappointment is consistently on the rise and so is his anger. Just then, SS Rajamouli enters the scene and advises Raghu to nurture creativity rather than shun it. Following this, Raghu’s attitude shifts, and he is shown sharing encouraging feedback with the contestants with a big smile.

    The Imagine IF entries are being judged by a panel of expert photographers including celebrity wedding and portrait photographer and OPPO Imaging expert Joseph Radhik, wildlife photographer Aarzoo Khurana, fashion photographer Arjun Mark, and other global jury members.

    All top six winners will get an opportunity to attend the Paris Show 2024 and collaborate with OPPO India for photography-led projects in future. The Gold awardee will receive a cash prize of Rs 5,00,000, two Silver winners will get Rs 2,00,000 each and three Bronze winners will win Rs 1,00,000.

  • MSI Laptops celebrate 20 years of innovation in portable experiences in Mumbai

    MSI Laptops celebrate 20 years of innovation in portable experiences in Mumbai

    Mumbai: MSI, a leader in the world of gaming solutions and laptops marked the 20th anniversary of MSI Laptops with a grand celebration and exhibition of some of the most groundbreaking innovations from the brand at Infinity Mall in Malad, Mumbai on 21st & 22nd June 2024. The event saw a presence of 2000 plus attendees, who had an opportunity to immerse themselves in MSI’s innovations firsthand.

    With India continuing to be MSI’s best performing market in Asia, the brand announced its further plans for expansion in the market. MSI, which currently operates in three major categories – Gaming, Creators and B&P series, with gaming leading the lion’s share aims to achieve a 2X growth by the end of 2024. Currently having 30 laptop experience centers across eminent markets like Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, and Pune, the brand intends to increase this number to 50 stores by the end of the year. Furthermore, in line with the positive performance of MSI and increasing popularity in the premium high-end laptops segment RTX 4070 & above, the brand plans addition to its existing 200 SKUs and aims at launching 100 more by the end of 2025.  

    As part of the celebration, MSI also announced significantly expanding its retail footprint through a strategic partnership with Croma, one of India’s leading electronics retailers. This collaboration will be demonstrated across 35 key Croma branches in markets such as Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Hyderabad amongst others.  

    Commenting on this significant milestone, MSI regional marketing manager Bruce Lin said “Our 20th Anniversary celebration marks MSI’s commitment to innovation and our relentless pursuit of delivering exceptional computing experiences. India continues to be one of the leading and key focus markets for us and we will continue to expand our network further to cater to a larger consumer base by launching more innovative and affordable options. We also aim to expand our experience centers to offer our consumers a more immersive and hands-on experience with the brand.”

    MSI has been in India for over 10 years, providing a blend of luxury aesthetics with cutting-edge technology and extreme performance with a special focus on customer satisfaction. Apart from selling via its experience centers, the brand’s products are also available on Flipkart, Amazon, Croma, and Reliance Digital. Currently, the brand has a presence in all the metro and tier one cities of the country and it plans to penetrate deeper into tier two.

  • Marico expands its breakfast portfolio with Saffola Muesli

    Marico expands its breakfast portfolio with Saffola Muesli

    Mumbai: Marico, one of India’s leading FMCG companies has announced the launch of Saffola Muesli with Flavour Pops, aiming to leverage the brand’s equity in the adult breakfast segment.

    Over the years, Saffola has emerged as one of the leading players with a wide breakfast range, having become #India’s No. 1 Brand in Oats and launching extensions to categories like Peanut Butter, Honey etc. Saffola has continuously innovated to meet the evolving needs of consumers to make convenient nutrition ‘exciting’. Building on its legacy and commitment, the brand peps up the category with crunchy muesli, in three new delicious and flavourful options – Kesar Crunch, Berry Crunch and Choco Crunch.

    Saffola launched their range of Muesli, keeping in mind the popular flavours associated with milk, – whether it’s the rich and aromatic kesar, the fruity goodness of berries, or the indulgent and dainty chocolate. These variants are crafted to make breakfast an enjoyable and satisfying experience with a burst of flavour and crunch delivered through the inclusion of a unique flavour pops format. Made with a natural mix of multigrain and millet, the flavour pops make Saffola Muesli irresistibly crunchy till the last bite. Moreover, each flavour is designed to satisfy the palate combined with a blend of 15-in-1 fruits, nuts, seeds, millet & more, that make it a powerhouse of nutrition.

    Speaking about the launch of the new products, Marico Ltd.  India & foods business chief operating officer Vaibhav Bhanchawat said, “Our foray into the Muesli Category marks a significant milestone in line with our brand proposition of offering consumers “better for you” products with a “taste first” approach. While there is a growing need of products that deliver convenient nutrition, we also understand that consumers equally want their breakfast to be exciting and uplifting as it sets the tone for the rest of the day. We identified the opportunity to bring excitement and familiarity to a new-age category like Muesli, much like the success we have seen in making oats exciting through Saffola Masala Oats. The idea was to deliver consumer delight through our unique flavour pops format that gives a burst of flavour and an irresistibly crunchy experience. We believe these popular flavours launched under Saffola Muesli with Crunch Flavour Pops will help consumers “brighten up their mornings to take on the day.”

  • Wildcraft partners with Swiggy Instamart & Zepto

    Wildcraft partners with Swiggy Instamart & Zepto

    Mumbai: As schools and colleges gear up for the back to school/campus season, Wildcraft India, India’s foremost outdoor brand, is excited to announce its strategic partnership with top quick commerce platforms: Swiggy Instamart & Zepto.

    Wildcraft is a consumer-centric brand, committed to being accessible wherever customers shop. This tie-up ensures that Wildcraft’s popular school backpacks and travel accessories are now just a click away for the students, making the shopping experience seamless, convenient and hassle free.

    Apart from backpacks the brand is also launching school accessories, travel accessories, clothing accessories and its outdoor apparel range.

    “Back-to-school is a peak time for the kids and the parents, shopping for new things. We are thrilled that our partnership with leading quick commerce platforms will now make our most-loved Wildcraft backpacks accessible in a 10 min hassle-free order and delivery. Our partnership with Swiggy & Zepto reaffirms our commitment towards our target consumers and offering them the best shopping experience, ensuring that our customers can access high-quality Wildcraft products quickly and easily”, said Wildcraft co-founder Siddharth Sood.

    Wildcraft products are available on Swiggy Mall/Swiggy Instamart & Zepto in major cities including Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Kolkata & Chennai, bringing Wildcraft’s school backpacks to a wider audience for quick delivery.

    Phani Kishan, CEO of Swiggy Instamart, added, “During the back-to-school season, we understand the need for convenience, especially amidst the hustle and bustle. Our partnership with Wildcraft is about making life easier for parents and students. By offering Wildcraft’s top-notch products through Swiggy Instamart, we ensure that essential school gear is just a click away. This collaboration is not just about delivering backpacks; it’s about delivering peace of mind and a seamless shopping experience.

    On the announcement, Vinay Dhanani, President, Zepto, shared, “At Zepto, we understand that the back-to-school season can be overwhelming for parents and students alike. That’s why we’re committed to providing a wide range of essential school supplies at unbeatable prices, ensuring you get everything you need—from chart paper and maps to a complete set of back-to-school necessities—delivered in just 10 minutes. By partnering with Wildcraft, we’re not just delivering high-quality products; we’re giving parents more time to spend with their children. This season, let Zepto be your go-to for all back-to-school needs, making your life easier and more convenient.”

  • Senco Gold and Diamonds launches captivating song featuring Sushant Divgikar

    Senco Gold and Diamonds launches captivating song featuring Sushant Divgikar

    Mumbai: In a bid to support LGBTQ+ community for Pride Month, Senco Gold and Diamonds, one of the largest jewellery retail chains of India in collaboration with trailblazing Indian drag queen, singer, and actor Sushant Divgikar has launched a powerful anthem ‘Pehchaan’. The song is a deep rumination and vulnerable insight into the singer’s world and personality.

    Voicing the song for the campaign, this mesmerizing symphony signifies Sushant’s declaration of self-identity and the unapologetic acceptance of one-self. The two-and-a-half-minute video portrays a rallying cry, a lament, and a joyous declaration of their flamboyant personality. The lyrics further gives homage to the inner fire that drives and pushes one out of the shadows to stand tall in authentic glory.

    “Music unites people in much the same way that advocacy does, bringing people together to fight for a better world. Our latest campaign, ‘Pehchaan’ is driven by the insight that an individual’s journey of discovering their gender, sexual orientation and preferences is unique. Through powerful storytelling and vibrant soundtrack, we at Senco Gold and Diamonds intend to make a statement about the importance of acceptance and belonging.” said Senco Gold Ltd director and head of marketing & design Joita Sen.

    Senco Gold and Diamonds is renowned for its exceptional designs and commitment to quality. The brand has earned the trust of customers nationwide by creating beautiful memories through its jewellery. Senco Gold and Diamonds offers a wide range of modern and traditional jewellery to meet the evolving needs of its customers for every occasion and celebration.