Category: Brands

  • L’Oréal Paris announces Kendall Jenner as new global ambassador

    L’Oréal Paris announces Kendall Jenner as new global ambassador

    Mumbai: In what is surely one of the biggest announcements in beauty, L’Oréal Paris, the number one beauty brand in the world, has welcomed Kendall Jenner to the family.

    Jenner is a powerful, successful, and talented young woman who continues to captivate audiences around her. A constant figure in the fashion industry, an entrepreneur, and a media icon, Jenner has become a role model for her generation.

    “L’Oréal Paris is honored to announce our partnership with one of the most powerful women in the world. It’s a new high in our mission to empower every woman, everywhere. At any other time, Kendall Jenner might have been as successful as she is now, but her worth and her choices and her image might have been defined or even controlled by others. But nobody defines Kendall Jenner but Kendall Jenner. She is the embodiment of everything Gen-Z stands for, owning her image, proudly growing in her self-worth, and inspiring others to do the same,” says L’Oréal Paris global president Delphine Viguier-Hovasse.

    “I’m honored to be part of a new sisterhood of strong, powerful women and to be able to say those iconic words, I’m worth it,” said Jenner.  “Joining the L’Oréal Paris family and having the opportunity to embody everything the brand stands for feels like a true full-circle moment.”

    Jenner joins L’Oréal Paris to be the lead of the brand’s makeup campaigns starting in September 2023.

  • Say Yes to Fresh- Mentos & Fanta team up to create exciting new Mentos Fanta chewy candy

    Say Yes to Fresh- Mentos & Fanta team up to create exciting new Mentos Fanta chewy candy

    Mumbai: Mentos, the iconic chewy candy, has come together with the fruity taste of Fanta Orange in a one-of-a-kind collaboration. In its endeavor to bring innovative, delectable offerings to its consumers, Mentos, from the house of confectionery major Perfetti Van Melle India, is back with yet another delicious new twist on Mentos: Mentos Fanta!

    Following the success of Mentos Fanta flavor globally, the brand launched a limited-edition single and multipack offering that was rolled out in India recently and has been receiving remarkable response so far.

    Speaking on the new launch, Perfetti Van Melle India managing director Rajesh Ramakrishnan said, “The collaboration between Mentos and Fanta represents a strategic partnership aimed at expanding our business in India. By combining the zesty and effervescent taste of Fanta orange with the much-loved chewy texture of Mentos, we are offering a refreshing summer treat that is sure to resonate with Indian consumers. This limited-edition product has already received global recognition, and we are receiving positive response by our customers in India.”

    Mentos Fanta Orange flavor is available in various pack formats to target different consumer occasions and to make sure that there is a Mentos Fanta candy for everyone – whether it is for on-the-go, or for sharing purposes – with the iconic Mentos roll being the unmistakable hero.

    Commenting on the launch communication, Perfetti Van Melle India marketing director Gunjan Khetan said, “This exciting collaboration between Mentos and Fanta represents a strategic brand mashup that aims to create cross-category appeal. With both Mentos and Fanta having a long history of delivering refreshment and fun, this partnership perfectly aligns with our goal of providing innovative and delightful experiences for our customers. Our unique and delicious summer treat, which bridges categories, necessitated an innovative and dynamic campaign that captures the spirit of both brands.”

    The Coca-Cola Company senior category director – sparkling flavors, India & Southwest Asia Tish Condeno commented on the collaboration stating, “We are thrilled to announce the exciting collaboration between Mentos and Fanta, bringing the unique and delectable Mentos Fanta product in India. This partnership perfectly aligns with our goal of providing fresh, innovative experiences, infused with a touch of refreshment and fun, to our consumers. The zesty and effervescent taste of Fanta orange is relished by consumers across markets, we have observed that along with Mentos it has become a refreshing summer treat for our consumers in India as well.”

  • StockGro onboards Gaurav Sachdeva as COO

    StockGro onboards Gaurav Sachdeva as COO

    Mumbai: StockGro, India’s largest stock market experiential learning platform has appointed Gaurav Sachdeva as its COO. With 19 years of experience in technology, business strategy, and product management, Sachdeva was the chief product officer at SPH (Singapore’s largest publications company) where he drove SPH’s diverse media products portfolio through growth and subscriptions business model transformation.

    Sachdeva will spearhead StockGro’s product strategy and development on the ambitious mission of helping every young investor master the art of trading and investment. Sachdeva has built, coached, and grown several products and product teams in his technology career. He led the product teams at Grab, Autodesk, and Adobe, where he drove  moonshot growth and needle-moving outcomes.

    StockGro Founder & CEO Ajay Lakhotia said, “It is our pleasure to have Gaurav as a part of the StockGro family. He fits the bill of a dynamic and flexible leader to keep up with this ever-evolving industry. While Gaurav’s technical prowess is responsible for major innovations, his startup agility, big company experience and empathy give him the edge as a true product leader, and we are elated to have him on our team.”

    Sachdeva adds, “StockGro tackles head-on one of the most relevant and practical problems for the youth.  Creating a delightful and strong product experience for the young audience, one that listens to and is empathetic towards both their needs and changing preferences, is a challenging and super exciting mission for me. I’m looking forward to working with the superbly driven and ambitious team to scale StockGro to new heights.”

    Sachdeva is an MBA graduate from the Indian School of Business with a Computer Science and engineering background from Cambridge University and Delhi College of Engineering. In addition to being an accomplished technology professional, he is also a music, art, and photography enthusiast, and co-founded rock bands in which he performed as a lead singer.

    Sachdeva has frequently spoken at esteemed conferences such as WAN-IFRA, INMA, Splice Beta, and Digital Media Asia. He advises tech startups and contributes to advisory councils like the INMA Product Initiative for Media Companies.

  • Raintree Group onboards Swati Bhattacharya as the group vice president – marketing and communications

    Raintree Group onboards Swati Bhattacharya as the group vice president – marketing and communications

    Mumbai: The Raintree Group has appointed Swati Bhattacharya as group vice president – marketing and communications. Raintree is committed to tackling India’s chronic social issues through a hybrid model of a socially conscious investing arm and a private philanthropic foundation.

    Bhattacharya is a storyteller and a marketing communications strategy professional. She comes with an experience of over 26 years in corporate relations, branding, internal and external communications, and market creation expertise in diverse fields such as engineering, technology, retail and auto.

    Previously, she was the chief communications and brand officer at the Bajaj Group in her last stint. In her prior roles, Bhattacharya served as vice president, corporate communications at General Motors India and chief marketing and communications officer at CK Birla Group. She was also vice president of corporate relations, public affairs and branding at Ingersoll Rand India.

    Over the course of her career, she has held senior positions in companies such as Agilent Technologies, Jindal Stainless among others across various industries. Bhattacharya is a founding member of Global Women in PR in India. She also served as a guest lecturer at the University of Denver.

    The Raintree Group global CEO Kiran Vernekar said, “We are very happy to have Swati on board. With her width and depth of experience she will strengthen the current operation and add huge value to our expansion plans.”

  • Modi Naturals launches Oleev Kitchen Junior Peanut Butter

    Modi Naturals launches Oleev Kitchen Junior Peanut Butter

    Mumbai: Modi Naturals Ltd, a leading food and beverage company in India, has announced the launch of a new product category of Junior Peanut Butter under its brand Oleev Kitchen. The product is specifically designed for children aged 4-12 years old and is fortified with GrowX formula containing essential vitamins & minerals making it the only peanut butter brand in the country which is exclusive for children.

    The GrowX formula in Oleev Kitchen Junior Peanut Butter contains vitamins – A, E, D, and minerals – iron & calcium. Vitamins A, E, along with Iron strengthen the body’s immunity. Whereas calcium and vitamin-D improve bone-density and make muscles stronger.

    Speaking about the launch of Oleev Kitchen Junior Peanut Butter, Modi Naturals Ltd., Jt.- managing director, Akshay Modi said, “We are excited to launch Chota Bheem Junior Peanut Butter, which is a delicious and nutritious way to help children grow and develop. We believe that it is important to start early when it comes to making healthy choices for children, and this product is a great way to do that. We are confident that Oleev Kitchen Junior Peanut Butter will be a hit with children and parents alike. It is a delicious and nutritious product that is sure to become a staple in many modern households.”

    Oleev Kitchen Junior Peanut Butter is available in three variants – Crunchy, Creamy, and Choco Hazelnut. The Choco Hazelnut flavoured peanut butter has 75% lower sugar levels than other chocolate spreads in the market, making it particularly healthy for children. The product is affordably priced at MRP of Rs 249 for a jar of 350 gms and is currently available on Amazon and nearby grocery stores.

  • Mondelez India celebrates 75th anniversary, reaffirms long term growth in the country

    Mondelez India celebrates 75th anniversary, reaffirms long term growth in the country

    Mumbai: Mondelez India, the makers and bakers of renowned snacking brands such as Cadbury Dairy Milk, Oreo, Bournvita, etc., today marked its 75th anniversary in the country. From introducing the first taste of chocolates in 1948 with Cadbury Dairy Milk to building a robust snacking portfolio over the last seven decades, the brand has stayed true to its promise to empower people to snack right.

    India remains one of the most important growth engines for the company. The commitment to deliver exceptional quality products, fostering innovation, building a robust manufacturing and distribution ecosystem, and understanding the evolving tastes of the consumers have been key to the company’s success. As Team India celebrates this significant moment, Mondelez India will continue to pave the way for delightful snacking experiences for generations to come staying true to their values and purpose of creating the right snacks, for the right moment, made the right way, at the back of creating shared moments of joy.

    As part of the 75th-anniversary celebration, Mondelez India has planned various initiatives to express gratitude to its consumers, trade partners, and employees who have played a crucial role in the company’s success. These initiatives include engaging activities like releasing a special collector’s edition box of Cadbury Dairy Milk bars with vintage packaging on e-commerce channels, Amazon Fresh changing their platform layout for the first time in its history to the iconic ‘Cadbury’ purple colour, and partnering with Flipkart to create a dedicated metaverse experience on the platform, amongst many more.

    As the company embarks on its next chapter and accelerates its investments in the country, it will continue to innovate, adapt, and stay agile to meet the evolving needs and preferences of Indian consumers, remaining a trusted snacking companion for the nation.

  • Viacom18 Consumer Products collaborates with Point Cove

    Viacom18 Consumer Products collaborates with Point Cove

    Mumbai: Viacom18 Consumer Products, the consumer merchandising and licensing arm of Viacom18, collaborates with Point Cove, California Clothing Company to introduce a playful range of apparel for kids aged 3-14 years.

    This partnership marks a significant milestone, as MTV extends its iconic franchise into the kids’ portfolio for the very first time in India. Offering a collection that features bright and playful colours embodying the spirit of MTV, the officially licensed SS’23 collection will be available at a starting price of Rs 299 on Ajio.com and at over 500 Reliance Retail stores, including Trends and Trends Junior.

    With the theme revolving around ‘Play, Pause, Rewind’, the collection brings together MTV’s quirky imagery, bold graphics, and vibrant colours with Point Cove’s commitment to quality, comfort and impeccable craftsmanship to life.

    Speaking on the launch of the MTV x Point Cove Kids collection, Viacom18, business head, Consumer Products, Sachin Puntambekar said, “We are delighted to partner with Point Cove and introduce MTV’s first-ever kids’ collection in India. This collaboration allows us to extend the magic of MTV to a younger generation. Together with Point Cove, we aim to give fans an exciting range of products that encapsulate the essence of MTV and express their fandom.”

    Reliance Retail CMO & senior VP,  Fashion & Lifestyle, Nitin Sehgal said, “We are happy to launch our licensed collaboration range, MTV X POINT COVE. This enhances our licensing partnership with Viacom 18 with a purpose to bring a differentiated assortment to customers. This curated and collaborated special edition is playful, vibrant and offers more than one reason to cheer for our fashion seeking young audience.”

  • Canned Tomatoes – a must-have in the Indian Kitchen

    Canned Tomatoes – a must-have in the Indian Kitchen

    Mumbai: Tomatoes are ubiquitous in Indian kitchens. We may come from any region, culture or background, but these little red blobs of juice keep our food and energy going. There are so many region-specific delicacies based on tomatoes, be it shorba or rasam, thick or light gravies, stir-fries and dips, chutneys and achaars, eaten year-round.

    But with many Indian dishes or condiments, the main concern is time: from choosing and buying, cleaning and cutting, preparing, and ultimately serving them.

    At their best, the tomatoes are fresh, ripe and juicy, with their squishy, plump pulp that creates the typical umami flavour that is so important to deliver an amazing result. Dish after dish, we wish to maintain the consistency of the “wow factor” as we serve it on a platter. But as any seasoned or even amateur chef has observed, if the quality of the tomatoes varies, which they do, because after all, it’s a natural and seasonal product (sometimes we get a softer red variety, sometimes we get more of the tight green-patched ones), then the final taste of the dish can be remarkably different from one recipe to the next.

    Plus, there is always the factor of time! But there is a common solution to take care of all these and more!

    Canned Tomatoes – A Must-have in the Indian Kitchen

    But with canned tomatoes, you can guarantee they have been picked at their ripest and juiciest.

    Not just any canned tomatoes, but canned Red Gold Tomatoes from Europe.

    Red Gold Tomatoes from Europe is the name of the EU (European Union) project to raise awareness of EU-preserved (canned) tomatoes 100 per cent made in Europe. These canned tomatoes from Europe are produced by a traditional process that keeps intact all the flavour of the fruit intact, picked at the peak of their ripeness and aroma.

    With a production process perfected over time, Red Gold Tomatoes from Europe come in various forms – whole peeled, cherry or chopped – bringing the finest quality European produce to our kitchen. The wholeness and goodness of canned tomatoes make such a tantalising experience through their colour and aroma. You have to see it to believe it, and we guarantee that once you have tasted the consistently rich quality of Red Gold Tomatoes from Europe, the flavour will be etched in your taste bud’s memory forever.

    So without further ado, bring home that delicious can of Red Gold Tomatoes from Europe today. Create a simple and delicious meal by opening and pouring canned tomatoes without all unnecessary chopping, cleaning, cutting fresh tomatoes and guessing if the taste will be up to your expectations. With Red Gold Tomatoes from Europe, the taste will always be reliable due to the consistent and guaranteed quality of the prime material.

    Preserved at their peak, Red Gold Tomatoes from Europe are always ready to use.

    If you are a passionate foodie, Red Gold Tomatoes from Europe are your best allies.

    Red Gold Tomatoes from Europe are available in India in all modern retail outlets and e-commerce. Experience the delicious and wholesome world-acclaimed Red Gold Tomatoes from Europe for a healthy life!

    Butter Chicken Recipe

    Ingredients:
    Half cup fresh curd, strained)
    One tbsp mustard oil
    One tbsp ginger garlic paste
    One tbsp lemon juice
    One tsp coriander powder
    One tsp garam masala
    One tsp red chilli powder
    One-fourth tsp turmeric powder
    salt & pepper to taste
    7-800 g boneless chicken thighs
    Two tbsp oil
    One tbsp butter
    One-inch cinnamon stick
    Two-three cardamom pods
    Three-four cloves
    Four-five garlic cloves, minced
    One onion, finely chopped
    400 g canned whole peeled tomatoes from Europe
    One-fourth cup cashews
    Half tsp sugar
    One-fourth cup water
    One tsp dried fenugreek leaves
    Three tbsp fresh cream
    coriander leaves for garnish

    Method

    Put the strained fresh curd, mustard oil, ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, coriander powder, garam masala, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Mix well.

    Add the boneless chicken thighs. Marinate them for 4-6 hours.

    Lightly coat the chicken pieces with oil, then sear over high heat. In a frying pan, heat a tablespoon of oil and add butter.

    Add the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, minced garlic and finely chopped onion.

    Add the canned whole peeled tomatoes. Crush the tomatoes.

    Add the cashews.

    Cook on low heat, covered, for 10-15 minutes.

    Puree the cooked tomato and onion mixture, then cook on low heat.

    Add water, sugar and dried fenugreek leaves and mix well.

    Add the chicken, cover and let it simmer on low heat.

    Add the fresh cream and garnish with coriander leaves.

    The butter chicken is ready. Enjoy !!!

  • Bira 91 collabs with Accenture to accelerate enterprise reinvention journey

    Bira 91 collabs with Accenture to accelerate enterprise reinvention journey

    Mumbai: Indian premium beer company, Bira 91, which spans 24 countries, is collaborating with Accenture to drive growth, increase business agility, and accelerate innovation through an enterprise reinvention program.

    As part of its transformation strategy, Accenture will help Bira 91 design and deploy a digital core – which includes data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning – using SAP S/4HANA to enable a total reinvention of its enterprise through the integration of disparate technology platforms. Powered by cloud, the scalable technology platform will increase visibility and accessibility of data across the organization, helping to inform decision-making and raise productivity.

    Accenture will help redesign the master data management (MDM) system to provide a single, integrated data model – across business processes and applications – and establish one trusted version of the truth. By integrating Bira 91’s data lake with SAP S/4HANA, the beer company will have access to intelligent search and analytics to unlock the full value of its enterprise data. Furthermore, the new platform will redefine business processes by streamlining operations, enhancing automation, and improving asset utilisation and cash flows.

    Bira 91 CEO and founder Ankur Jain said, “The collaboration with Accenture is yet another step towards catalyzing Bira 91’s digital transformation journey. We believe that going digital will play a critical role in driving efficiency, achieving business growth and fulfilling our mission to bring flavorful beers to consumers worldwide at speed and scale.”

    Accenture’s Products group in India managing director and lead Manish Gupta said, “In the current environment of market volatility and supply chain disruptions, responding to ever-changing consumer needs fast is critical to business resilience. By using a robust data-driven technology platform, Bira 91 will have the insights needed to inform core business decision-making and be better positioned to achieve its ambitious expansion targets.”

  • M5 Entertainment plays a pivotal role in Parineeti Chopra’s investment in Clensta

    M5 Entertainment plays a pivotal role in Parineeti Chopra’s investment in Clensta

    Mumbai: In a deal that was facilitated by M5 Entertainment, talented and versatile Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra has turned entrepreneur with her recent strategic investment in Clensta. Sonya V Kapoor and Amrita Mendonza, founders of M5 Entertainment are the brains behind this deal between Chopra and Clensta, a science-backed personal care brand that integrates nature with technology, is revolutionising the health and personal care industry with its affordable and innovative range of sustainable products.

    “It brings us great pride that M5 Entertainment was the driving force behind this business deal. Off the bat, we knew that this was something special and are happy that we facilitated Parineeti’s first venture into the realm of being an investor and partner with Clensta. Both Puneet and Parineeti have the same vision and this is a great fit. We are really excited to see where this association will go,” said Kapoor.

    M5 Entertainment associates itself with brands as a strategic partner and helps them connect with the right celebrities to endorse their products. M5’s core strength lies in taking the right endorsements to the right celebrities that lead to successful alliances between the two. Not only do they operate in the endorsement space but also help celebrities make the right brand investments to become partners in the business.

    “I am thrilled to announce a personal investment I’ve made in Clensta and I’m very excited to be a part of Clensta. Apart from revolutionising the personal care space in India with its innovative and sustainable range of products, Clensta is a brand that stands for attributes I personally endorse of being environmentally conscious, ethical and sustainable,” said Chopra.

    Clensta’s mission is to provide consumers with clean, effective and sustainable solutions that enhance their well-being while minimizing the carbon footprint. It offers a range of health and personal care products in the wellness, hair-care, skin- care, eye-care, lip-care and body-care categories combining cutting-edge science with eco-friendly formulations.

     “We are thrilled that M5 Entertainment has facilitated Parineeti Chopra to join the Clensta team as a partner and investor. M5 Entertainment perfectly understands the ethos of our brand as Parineeti’s aptitude as an investment banker made for a perfect fit with our brand. Its amazing to work with Sonya and Amrita as our partners in this new chapter of our journey,” said Clensta founder Puneet Gupta to welcome Chopra.

    Since its launch, Clensta has raised over $14 million in funding from investors like IAN and IAN Fund, IPV, VCats and Hem Securities which it is pumping back into the business to expand the inventory and customer base adding Parineeti Chopra as an investor and partner of the brand.

    “M5 Entertainment has earned yet another feather in its cap by bringing the world of business and entertainment even closer. I thank Clensta for trusting us with this milestone as they welcome Parineeti Chopra as the investor and partner. This becomes a huge step forward and can possibly encourage more celebrities to get involved in the business side of things,” said Mendonza.

    M5 Entertainment is an all women led celebrity and brand collaboration agency. At the helm of the agency are two female entrepreneurs, Sonya V. Kapoor and Amrita Mendonza that have extended their reach all over the North with celebrities such as Kareena Kapoor, MS Dhoni, Kiara Advani, Siddharth Malhotra, Taapsee Pannu, Disha Patani, Neha Dhupia, and southern superstars such as Samantha Prabhu, Pooja Hegde, and Rakulpreet. Along with their ongoing brand deals, M5 Entertainment have also produced ‘Ek Chup’ under the same banner which was met with critical acclaim and have a content slate that is under wraps at the moment. M5 Entertainment aims to become a powerful content studio in the upcoming years and will be soon announcing their projects in the space of OTT and films.