ITV

Category: Brands

  • Charged on spirits, ThunderPlus unveils ethanol power

    Charged on spirits, ThunderPlus unveils ethanol power

    MUMBAI: Looks like India’s electric future just got a shot of “liquid courage.” In a move that’s set to energise the country’s green mobility drive, ThunderPlus and Trinity Cleantech have launched the world’s first ethanol-powered, mobile 150 kW DC fast charger, the ME energy rapid charger 150, in Hyderabad.

    Forget heavy grid setups and endless approvals, this clean, portable powerhouse can be up and running in just 72 hours, and it runs entirely on ethanol, a bio-fuel made from plants. The result? Up to 80 per cent lower CO2 emissions and half the operational costs of diesel generators.

    “This innovation is all about collapsing timelines, cutting diesel dependence, and giving India a cleaner, instantly deployable charging solution,” said ThunderPlus director and CEO Rajeev YSR. “We proudly call it liquid electricity.”

    Unveiling the charger, Olectra Green Tech Ltd. managing director Mahesh Babu hailed it as a “game-changer” for India’s electric bus and fleet ecosystem. “It’s a breakthrough that slashes costs and wait times while boosting sustainability. Perfect for roadside assistance and depots as the grid catches up,” he said.

    Trinity Cleantech executive director Raj Kumar added that the product is made under a patented licence from Germany’s ME Energy GmbH and is ready for rollout across India. “It offers a scalable, economical path for companies serious about decarbonising their operations,” he noted.

    Inspired by Nitin Gadkari’s ethanol mission, the launch was attended by leaders from India’s clean mobility sector, including Chandramouli Vemula from SIDBI, who praised it as a perfect fit for the nation’s green-finance goals.

    The rapid charger 150 isn’t just for EVs stranded on highways. It’s also ideal for remote depots, logistics hubs, mining zones, and even construction sites where grid access is tricky. Beyond transport, it could replace diesel gensets in residential and commercial spaces, offering both power and charging in one eco-friendly package.

    With over 1,000 chargers across 60 cities, ThunderPlus has already become one of India’s fastest-growing EV charging companies, working with giants like Tata Motors, Olectra, and Mahindra. Trinity Cleantech, meanwhile, continues to push the boundaries of clean energy innovation.

    Together, the two firms are proving that India’s future runs not just on electricity, but on ethanol-fuelled ingenuity. It’s not just a new charger on the block; it’s the start of a cleaner, cleverer India on the move.

  • Sandwizzaa’s cRAVE party toasts 40 years of flavour

    Sandwizzaa’s cRAVE party toasts 40 years of flavour

    MUMBAI: This World Sandwich Day, Mumbai’s beloved sandwich brand Sandwizzaa is serving more than just its signature chutneys. The city’s iconic pure-veg chain is celebrating with a full-on cRAVE Party, a flavour-packed bash that fuses food, music, and Mumbai’s unmistakable vibe.

    Hosted at Sandwizzaa’s flagship outlet in Vile Parle (East), the invite-only celebration is a nod to the global trend of “sandwich raves,” where food meets festivity. For loyal fans, it’s a delicious mix of nostalgia and novelty, topped with that signature Sandwizzaa freshness.

    The event also kicks off the brand’s 40th anniversary journey. From a humble sandwich shop to 20 bustling outlets across the city, Sandwizzaa has built an empire one chutney-layered bite at a time. Known for its inventive vegetarian creations and crowd-favourite classics, it remains a cornerstone of Mumbai’s fast-food culture.

    “We wanted to celebrate World Sandwich Day in a way only Sandwizzaa can, with flavour, energy, and the people who made this journey possible,” said Sandwizzaa founder Pankaj Sharma. “The cRAVE Party is our thank-you to Mumbai as we step into our 40th year.”

    As the world raises a toast to its favourite handheld meal, Sandwizzaa’s cRAVE Party reminds Mumbai why a good sandwich never goes out of style, especially when it’s made with a little love and a lot of chutney.
     

  • Ankur Raghav levels up with Indian.now buzz

    Ankur Raghav levels up with Indian.now buzz

    MUMBAI: Ankur Raghav, the mastermind behind some of India’s biggest meme sensations, has switched gears from laughs to headlines. The digital veteran and entrepreneur has launched Indian.now, an Instagram-first news and motivation page that’s already crossed the one million–follower mark.

    Known for running Naughty World, a meme empire boasting 11 million followers, and Epic 69, with over three million fans, Raghav has long ruled India’s online entertainment scene. Now, with Indian.now, he’s out to inform and inspire, not just amuse.

    The page serves up global news bites, motivational quotes, and viral trends in snappy, scroll-stopping formats built for Gen Z. Whether it’s a world event, a sports update, or a business breakthrough, Indian.now delivers it in under a minute with bold visuals and cheeky captions that make even serious stories shareable.

    Raghav describes his new venture as “content that informs and inspires,” aiming to bridge the gap between traditional news and social media storytelling. It’s a space where current affairs meet creativity, turning daily updates into addictive digital moments.

    The results speak for themselves. In just weeks, Indian.now has become one of India’s fastest-growing Instagram news pages, lighting up feeds with viral engagement and a steady stream of story shares.

    As Raghav teases “exciting and ground-breaking” new projects on the horizon, one thing’s clear, the man who made India laugh is now making it think.
     

  • Zepto ties the knot with Britannia for a shaadi that wasn’t real

    Zepto ties the knot with Britannia for a shaadi that wasn’t real

    MUMBAI: Who says you need a bride and groom to have a big fat Indian wedding? Zepto just proved otherwise with its Great Indian Fake Shaadi, a no-nuptials bash that turned Chattarpur’s Ira Luxe into the wildest wedding that never was. In partnership with Britannia, the event saw 300 plus guests, top creators and brand partners show up for a night where nothing was real, but everything was reel.

    Britannia, the title sponsor, quite literally led the baraat kicking off the evening with the Britannia Pure Magic Baraat and a flash mob to Bingo!’s viral Tedhe Medhe Bhojpuri anthem. The result? A spectacle that felt like a cross between a shaadi, a music video, and a meme come to life.

    Shaadi.com joined the fun with a digital roast by founder Anupam Mittal, taking a hilariously self-aware dig at India’s dating scene, while Manforce Epic Condoms added some cheeky sparkle with a vibrating bed installation that had guests blushing and grinning in equal measure.

    The celebration was co-powered by a who’s who of brands Nivea, Haldiram’s, Bingo Tedhe Medhe, Manforce Epic Condoms, Shaadi.com, Close-Up, ITC Fabelle, and Minimalist making it less of a wedding and more of a brand baaraat. Rebound – Detox Shot, Hershey’s, Sugar, and Wildstone joined in as supporting partners, ensuring the party stayed powered through the night.

    The creative chaos was choreographed by Meragi, a real wedding planning startup that turned Zepto’s tongue-in-cheek concept into a content goldmine. With sangeet performances, spoof rituals, and brand-led installations, the venue became a playground for creators with over 100 influencers flooding social feeds in real time.

    “The fake shaadi trend isn’t just a meme anymore, it’s a cultural moment,” said Zepto chief brand officer Chandan Mendiratta. “We wanted to kick off the wedding season by owning that moment and turning it into something bigger. The fake shaadi reflects how Gen Z celebrates with irony, energy and endless content.”

    For Britannia general manager for marketing Siddharth Gupta the evening was a perfect fit for their indulgent new range. “The Great Indian Fake Shaadi was such a fun and unexpected way to start the wedding season. It was full of laughter, energy, and indulgence, much like Britannia Pure Magic. Guests experienced our new choco creations that turn every bite into an irresistible delight.”

    At the end of the night, there were no pheras, no tears, and definitely no bidaai but there was plenty of laughter, content and chaos. Zepto’s Fake Shaadi wasn’t just a stunt; it was a sly mirror to how India’s wedding season has gone from ceremonial to cinematic. Because who needs “I do” when you’ve got “I post”?
     

  • District by Zomato brings luxury to Kotak Solitaire

    District by Zomato brings luxury to Kotak Solitaire

    MUMBAI: Fine dining just got finer, and a little more exclusive. District by Zomato has teamed up with Kotak Mahindra Bank to offer Kotak Solitaire Credit Card holders a seat at India’s most coveted culinary tables.

    The partnership opens doors to extraordinary experiences curated by some of the world’s top chefs and mixologists. Think Himalayan air meeting Malaysian flair in Naar x Dewakan by chefs Prateek Sadhu and Darren Teoh, or the soulful Bhog Table experience by chef Auroni and Bengaluru Oota Company, each event crafted for those who treat dining as an art form.

    For Solitaire cardholders, the flavour of privilege continues long after dessert. They enjoy 20 per cent savings on dining via District (up to Rs 5,000 per bill, twice a month), priority access to India’s most sought-after restaurants, and Zomato Gold membership at just Rs 1.

    “At Kotak Solitaire, we believe true luxury lies in experiences that feel personal and effortless,” said Kotak Mahindra Bank executive vice president – head of affluent and salaried propositions Jyoti Samajpati. “For our clients, dining is not just a meal, but a celebration of taste, culture and identity.”

    A District by Zomato spokesperson added, “We’re not just creating events like the Naar x Michelin series, we’re building a movement to redefine India’s fine dining culture and make these collaborations more accessible.”

    Previously reserved for those with industry access or insider connections, such dining experiences are now discoverable through the District app. For Kotak’s elite, this is more than a card, it’s a golden ticket to a world where banking meets haute cuisine.

  • Fixderma Schools teens in smart skincare habits

    Fixderma Schools teens in smart skincare habits

    MUMBAI: Fixderma is giving acne a lesson to remember. The dermatologist-prescribed skincare brand has wrapped up its engaging school campaign, Skin Investment, aimed at helping teenagers make smart, science-backed skincare choices before problems strike.

    Targeting students aged 13 to 16, the initiative reached over 20 schools across NCR through dermatologist talks, interactive workshops and hands-on learning modules powered by Fixderma’s Salyzap range, a clinically formulated line for acne-prone and sensitive skin.

    Students not only soaked up expert advice but also showed surprising creativity, coining slogans like “Skin achi toh din acha” and “Treat your skin like a plant, hydrate it every day.” The campaign made skincare fun, relatable and rooted in confidence.

    “Too often, teens start thinking about skincare only after a breakout,” said Fixderma founder and CEO Shaily Mehrotra. “With Skin Investment, we wanted to shift that mindset from reactive to preventive. Just like financial literacy, skin literacy should start early, because healthy skin is a lifelong investment.”

    Fixderma chairman Anurag Mehrotra added, “The response from schools has been phenomenal. Our aim was not sales but awareness. When children understand their skin, they become more confident and responsible. Education is at the heart of our brand’s purpose.”

    Following its successful Pimple Police campaign for college students, Fixderma continues to carve a niche as a skincare brand that leads with science, empathy and education. With its philosophy skin first, confidence always, the company now plans to take skin investment nationwide, ensuring every young face gets a healthy head start.
     

  • Honor India gets smarter with AI-powered support

    Honor India gets smarter with AI-powered support

    MUMBAI: Honor India is putting the “smart” back into smartphones with its latest move, becoming the first smartphone brand in the country to integrate the Uttik AI Answer Engine. The innovation redefines how customer support works, transforming it from reactive to real-time.

    For a generation that turns to AI for every answer, Honor is now meeting its customers where they are, across platforms like Google AI Overview, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity. The system, powered by PSAV Global, ensures that queries about Honor devices receive instant, accurate and contextual responses, eliminating long wait times and confusion.

    “We listened carefully to our customers and recognised they were facing frustration when seeking answers about our products,” said PSAV Global (official partner for Honor Smartphones) CEO C.P. Khandelwal. “The implementation of the AI Answer Engine demonstrates our ability to unite empathy and intelligence, creating long-term trust through smarter engagement.”

    The results have been nothing short of transformative. Response times have dropped from three days to under five minutes, while self-service success has climbed dramatically. Troubleshooting that once took hours now happens in minutes, supported by multilingual accessibility for India’s diverse users.

    The system’s impact goes beyond efficiency. Real customers are praising Honor’s fast, transparent and proactive service. Many cite quick repairs and replacements that have turned frustrating issues into positive experiences, reinforcing the brand’s reputation for reliability.

    The AI-driven platform continuously learns from each interaction, refining responses and even predicting potential issues before they escalate. With real-time sentiment monitoring and predictive analytics, Honor has turned data into empathy, anticipating needs before customers have to ask.

    By combining innovation with intuition, Honor India’s partnership with Uttik has not just upgraded its customer support, it has rewritten the playbook on how technology can build trust, loyalty and delight in a digital-first world.
     

  • Thirst for growth as TABP pours Rs 26 crore into Bharat’s beverage boom

    Thirst for growth as TABP pours Rs 26 crore into Bharat’s beverage boom

    MUMBAI: In a country where nimbu paani meets nostalgia and flavour fuels fortune, Coimbatore-based TABP Snacks and Beverages is bottling Bharat’s thirst, one sip at a time. The company, which turns beloved street-side drinks into hygienic, affordable, and ready-to-drink formats, has raised 3 million dollars (Rs 26 crore) in a fresh funding round led by LC Nueva, with participation from Entrust Family Office and investors Arun Mukherjee and Soumya Malani.

    Founded in 2018 by engineer duo and husband-wife team Prabhu Gandhikumar and Brindha Vijayakumar, TABP has quietly brewed a niche for itself in the value beverage market. Think local favourites from rose milk to lemon soda but in standardised, safe, and scalable packaging. It’s a refreshing formula for an underserved consumer base often overlooked by mainstream FMCG giants.

    “Our belief has always been simple, India’s beverage revolution won’t be led by metros alone,” says TABP co-founder and CEO Gandhikumar. “For millions in tier-2 towns and rural belts, there’s still a gap between taste, hygiene, and affordability. Our goal is to fill that gap with quality beverages that feel aspirational yet remain accessible.”

    And the numbers suggest he’s onto something. From a modest Rs 4 crore in FY19, TABP has fizzed its way to Rs 212 crore in FY24–25, targeting a heady Rs 800 crore in the next three years before a planned pan-India expansion and eventual public listing.

    The company plans to deploy the fresh funds to expand distribution across southern and eastern India, introduce new beverage formats, and boost manufacturing capacity. It’s a move aimed at tapping into India’s Rs 1.38 lakh crore non-alcoholic beverage market, a sector expected to swell to Rs 2.1 lakh crore by 2029, powered by affordability-led consumption and rising hygiene awareness among mass consumers.

    While global giants continue to dominate the premium urban aisles, a vast swathe of small-town and rural beverage consumption remains unorganised, often sold at roadside stalls in unhygienic conditions. TABP’s mission? To bring structure, safety, and scale to this chaos. By reimagining hyper-local favourites as packaged, standardised products, the brand is doing for drinks what Amul did for milk and Lays did for snacks.

    “Under Prabhu’s leadership, TABP has found a sweet spot between aspiration and accessibility,” said a Entrust Family Office partner. “Its differentiated flavour play and disciplined growth model show that innovation can thrive even in value segments.”

    LC Nueva’s spokesperson echoed this sentiment, adding, “We’ve been early believers in TABP’s Bharat-first approach. Its growth proves that the next wave of consumption will be value-driven yet aspirational.”

    Of course, not every sip is smooth. Climate-linked raw material volatility and rural distribution challenges continue to test the industry. But TABP is banking on regional familiarity, frugality, and a ground-up network to weather the heat.

    For now, as the company scales up its operations and prepares to go national, TABP stands as a symbol of Bharat’s changing palate, one that values both taste and trust.

    From steel tumblers to pet bottles, from roadside stalls to retail shelves, the message is clear: India’s thirst for affordable quality is here to stay and TABP just might be the one to quench it.

     

  • L’Oréal brings dermatologist darling La Roche-Posay to India

    L’Oréal brings dermatologist darling La Roche-Posay to India

    MUMBAI L’Oréal India is betting big on Indian skin. The beauty giant has launched La Roche-Posay, the world’s number one dermatologist-recommended skincare brand, marking a major push into the country’s booming dermocosmetics market.

    The French brand arrives with four heavy hitters: Mela B3 Serum, armed with Melasyl, a patented molecule that took 18 years to develop and claims to visibly reduce stubborn dark spots and melasma across all skin tones; Anthelios, offering broad-spectrum sun protection in a lightweight formula; Cicaplast, which repairs irritated skin; and Effaclar, targeting acne-prone complexions.

    India’s tryst with hyperpigmentation—driven by fierce UV exposure and hormonal changes—makes it prime territory for La Roche-Posay’s science. The Mela B3 Serum has been clinically proven to reduce up to 90 per cent of persistent dark spots, a claim that matters in a market where pigmentation concerns dominate dermatology clinics.

    “La Roche-Posay represents a gold standard in dermatological skincare where efficacy meets tolerance,” said Mumba-based Skinfinitii Aesthetic & Laser Clinic cosmetic dermatologist and medical director Jaishree Sharad. The introduction of Melasyl marks a milestone in addressing pigmentation concerns prevalent in Indian skin, she added.

    Each product contains La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, naturally rich in selenium and known for its antioxidant properties. The brand, founded in 1975, has built its reputation on close collaboration with dermatologists—globally partnering with over 250,000 healthcare professionals.

    L’Oréal India L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty director Rami Itani called the launch an important milestone. “We are proud to bring the most advanced dermatological knowledge and innovation to India, empowering dermatologists and consumers to achieve healthier skin and better lives,” he said.

    The products are available exclusively through dermatologist clinics, Nykaa, Apollo 24X7 and pharmacy stores. It’s L’Oréal’s second dermatological brand in India after CeraVe, which entered in 2023.

    For La Roche-Posay, which has spent five decades at the forefront of skincare science, India represents fresh hunting ground. With its focus on pigmentation and its dermatologist-first distribution strategy, the brand is positioning itself not as another beauty label but as a medical-grade solution. In a country obsessed with fair skin and plagued by pigmentation, that positioning might just work.

  • Disrptve blends AI and art for Sarab Khanijou’s ‘DHUN’

    Disrptve blends AI and art for Sarab Khanijou’s ‘DHUN’

    MUMBAI: When couture met code, creativity found a new rhythm. Disrptve Communications, the new-age marketing agency known for fusing art and technology, has unveiled DHUN, a melody in motion for designer Sarab Khanijou, an AI-crafted storytelling asset that turns luxury fashion into digital poetry.

    The project reimagines couture’s tactile artistry through the lens of generative AI while preserving the emotion and craftsmanship at its heart. Using a custom-built photo capture system, Disrptve’s tech team meticulously documented every sequin, stitch, and fold from Khanijou’s collection. These high-resolution captures trained bespoke AI models (LoRAs), enabling lifelike recreations that reflect rhythm, motion, and elegance.

    From there, the creative team composed mood-driven visual sequences inspired by DHUN’s themes of heritage and fluidity. With tools like Flux and advanced inpainting, they redefined how couture can be experienced, not just seen.

    “It’s more than digital enhancement, it’s a new form of storytelling,” said Disrptve Communications chief business officer Chetan Chopra. “AI here doesn’t replace creativity; it refines it.”

    Designer Sarab Khanijou, initially hesitant about merging couture and AI, was ultimately impressed. “Seeing the final visuals, I knew I made the right choice. Disrptve brought a contemporary flavour to traditional design,” he said.

    With DHUN, Disrptve Communications is setting the tone for a future where creativity and AI move in harmony, one handcrafted pixel at a time.