ITV

Category: Brands

  • Seoul searching as FOY brings Korea’s cult skincare straight to India

    Seoul searching as FOY brings Korea’s cult skincare straight to India

    MUMBAI: If your skincare shelf feels more like a graveyard of half-used promises, FOY might just be your skin’s soulmate. The experiential K-beauty discovery platform has kicked off its Korea campaign with a bang and a serum or two bringing India a curated treasure trove of Korean skincare that’s less about hype and more about what works. Think ingredient-led products handpicked for Indian skin, from humid-heat hydration heroes to barrier-boosting repair serums.

    While K-beauty has been reshaping global beauty standards with snail mucin, glass skin goals, and 10-step rituals, FOY (short for For Your Skin) cuts through the confusion with clever curation and smart tech. From AI-powered skin quizzes to an ever-evolving Global Store, FOY is on a mission to make skincare feel less like science class and more like self-care.

    The Korea curation features premium cleansers, toners, serums, and sunscreens from breakthrough brands like Haruharu Wonder, Mary & May, Wha’Yunsul, Revcall, One Thing, Cosrx, Tfit, Hyaah, Nine Less, Hince and more delivered to Indian doorsteps before they become the next viral obsession.

    “K-beauty is setting the pace for global beauty innovation, and Indian consumers are seeking more than just trends they’re demanding the best,” said FOY founder Bhavika Kothari. “At FOY, we’ve carved a niche by bringing the finest, most effective Korean skincare directly to India, curated with an understanding of Indian skin needs. Our Korea Campaign marks just the beginning FOY is set to become the ultimate destination for all things K-beauty, where global innovation meets personalized beauty.”

    Whether you’re a dew-drop devotee or a toner sceptic, FOY’s Korea campaign reimagines the beauty browsing experience: no fluff, no fads, just a glow-up that gets you.

  • Blum’s the word as furniture fails get a funny fix on screen

    Blum’s the word as furniture fails get a funny fix on screen

    MUMBAI: When furniture starts groaning louder than your Monday blues, it’s time to check what’s ticking or rather, sticking behind those sleek surfaces. Blum India’s latest ad campaign takes a delightfully droll route to spotlight the unsung heroes of furniture design: the fittings. Yes, those tiny hinges and drawer runners you never think about until they squeak, jam or downright revolt.

    With a trio of chuckle-worthy films, the Austrian fittings giant turns everyday domestic drama into relatable comedy. There’s the drawer that refuses to glide, the door that slams like a moody teenager, and the overhead cabinet that needs two hands, a prayer, and a balancing act to open. Each ad ends with a simple fix: Blum’s quietly brilliant engineering.

    From the feather-light glide of the Legrabox drawer system to the whisper-soft closure of Clip top Blumotion hinges, and the gravity-defying ease of the Aventos lift-up mechanism Blum’s fittings promise to make your furniture behave, beautifully and silently, for years.

    Explaining the need for the ad campaign, Blum India managing director Nadeem Patni said, “While our business primarily targets B2B customers, end consumers are at the heart of everything we do at Blum. We wanted a new campaign that could appeal to a broader audience, particularly everyday furniture users. While communicating about the convenience of using our fittings remained the central message, we were determined to put it across with a touch of humor.”

    National award-winning filmmaker Bauddhayan Mukherji, aka Buddy, expressed his excitement about the campaign, saying, “When Nadeem and Neelam from Blum India suggested the humor route, I was pleasantly surprised. It meant we needed a cracker of a campaign. This set of films for Blum are those rare ones where everything just falls in place. Hope the viewers love the films as much as we did while making them.”

    The humour-packed spots come courtesy of National Award-winning filmmaker Bauddhayan Mukherji, aka Buddy, who called the collaboration one of those rare campaigns where “everything just falls into place” unlike most poorly-fitted cabinet doors.

    Catch the campaign on Blum India’s Youtube and Instagram, and the next time your drawer throws a tantrum, you’ll know exactly what not to blame: the carpenter.

  • Borosil serves hot news with launch of ‘Desh ka Dabba’ lunch box

    Borosil serves hot news with launch of ‘Desh ka Dabba’ lunch box

    MUMBAI: If your dabba’s still leaking and your sabzi’s gone cold, Borosil has news you can chew on. The kitchenware giant has just rolled out its superb stainless steel lunch box,a sleek, sturdy, and sentimental ode to the classic Indian tiffin at a cosy affair held at ITC Grand Bharat, Gurugram. And who better to unveil it than chef Harpal Singh Sokhi, who knows a thing or two about packing flavour with flair.

    This isn’t just another container, it’s a culinary wingman for rural India. Built with the hustle of long commutes and the nostalgia of ghar ka khana in mind, the Rs 1,599 lunch box features steel containers, a matching water bottle, and a smart lunch bag. The design speaks fluent practicality: leak-resistant lids, enough room for a full Indian meal, and the strength to survive a bumpy tractor ride or a packed bus.

    From dals to dry sabzis, every dish stays warm, snug, and mess-free. chef Sokhi called it a travel essential ensuring hot rotis and mood-lifting meals survive the journey just as deliciously as they began.

    Borosil Ltd. AVP marketing, Barnali Shankar added, “Food from home has a comfort of its own. Designed for real-life Indian kitchens, this lunchbox is more than just a container it’s a daily reminder of home-cooked comfort, no matter where your day takes you. It is a celebration of both practicality and sentiment. Keeping this simple joy in mind, every ‘Desh ka Dabba’ is a gentle reminder for those who go out each day carrying a home-packed meal with love every day. And we’re proud that this product is made in India and built for our rural kitchens, families, and daily lives.”  

    At the launch event chef Harpal Singh Sokhi said, ”As someone who travels often, I know how important it is to carry good food that stays fresh, spill-free, and neatly organized when traveling long distances. From the first bite, you know the food is just the way you packed it. Hot rotis, fresh sabzi, and the same familiar taste. That’s what makes this lunch box special. Made for Indian meals and made with care, this lunch box keeps your meals wholesome and your mood happy, even on the busiest days.”  

    So whether you’re crossing fields, factories or office floors, this ‘Desh ka Dabba’ is all about delivering taste, warmth and a spoonful of comfort just the way Mum packed it.

  • Lather rinse profit as Marico cleans up with Rs 1658 crore in FY25

    Lather rinse profit as Marico cleans up with Rs 1658 crore in FY25

    MUMBAI: When it comes to FMCG bigwigs, Marico isn’t just oiling the wheels, it’s flying on full throttle. Marico has closed FY25 with a consolidated net profit of Rs 1,658 crore, marking a 10 per cent rise over last year’s Rs 1,502 crore. The standalone numbers weren’t far behind either, with net profit at Rs 1,541 crore, reflecting a hefty 43 per cent jump from Rs 1,078 crore in FY24.

    Revenue from operations touched Rs 10,831 crore, up from Rs 9,653 crore a year earlier, while other income surged to Rs 208 crore from Rs 142 crore. That’s a total income of Rs 11,039 crore, served up with a generous side of operational efficiency.

    The Board, clearly in a generous mood, has recommended a final dividend of Rs 7 per share, bringing the total payout for the year to Rs 10.5 per equity share, including the interim Rs 3.5 disbursed in January.

    A major ingredient in this profitable recipe? Cost control. Despite global macro headwinds and raw material volatility, Marico kept total annual expenses at Rs 8,923 crore, managing margins smartly. Advertisement and promotion spends stood at Rs 1,128 crore, a modest increase from Rs 952 crore last year, showing the brand is still playing to win.

    Its international business, now contributing about 25 per cent to overall revenue, continues to ride strong tailwinds from Asia and Africa. On the domestic front, flagship brands like Parachute and Saffola, along with digital-first acquisitions like Just Herbs and Plix, helped widen the consumer base and deepen wallet share.

    The company also saw major movement on the investment and acquisition front completing the buyout of Apcos Naturals and increasing its stake in Satiya Nutraceuticals (Plix) to 51.38 per cent, transforming it into a majority-owned unit. Marico closed the year with Rs 321 crore in cash and equivalents, up from Rs 228 crore.

    Meanwhile, FMCG patriarch Harsh Mariwala, who turns 75 next year, will continue as a Non-Executive Director, with the board approving his continuation under SEBI’s age-related norms. Also onboard for the long haul is Dr K.R. Chandratre, appointed Secretarial Auditor for the next five years.

    With strong financials, smart acquisitions and a dividend that’s clearly keeping shareholders happy, Marico seems to have struck the perfect balance between tradition and transformation. In a market often running on fumes, this coconut oil kingpin is proving it’s still very much in its prime.

  • Zomato serves profits on a hot plate, but GST bite still simmers

    Zomato serves profits on a hot plate, but GST bite still simmers

    MUMBAI: Eternal Limited (yes, the artist formerly known as Zomato) has dished out its full-year results for FY25 and it’s a mixed bag of spicy growth, some bitter tax overhang, and a sprinkle of strategic acquisitions.

    Clocking in a consolidated profit of Rs 527 crore, the company posted a sharp jump from Rs 351 crore last year. Total income rose to Rs 21,320 crore, up 64 per cent year-on-year, led by robust performance across its three main revenue streams food delivery (Rs 8,080 crore), Hyperpure B2B supplies (Rs 6,196 crore), and quick commerce (Rs 5,206 crore). Even its lesser-known “Going Out” vertical (think restaurant reservations and events) contributed a modest Rs 737 crore.

    But it wasn’t all gravy. Eternal continues to battle the ghosts of legacy operations, its subsidiaries Zomato Hyperpure, Blinkit, and Zomato Entertainment racked up accumulated losses of Rs 877 crore, Rs 2,328 crore, and Rs 130 crore respectively. Blinkit alone dragged down segment results, contributing to a Rs 21 crore loss in the quick commerce vertical, though that’s a significant improvement over last year’s Rs 253 crore deficit.

    The company also weathered a Rs 420 crore GST storm, with demand orders from Maharashtra and West Bengal authorities for taxes and penalties on delivery charges from 2019 to 2022. While Eternal believes it has a “strong case on merits” and has appealed the orders, the final outcome remains up in the air.

    Adding to its expansion menu, Eternal acquired the movie and event ticketing arms of Paytm Orbgen and Wasteland Entertainment in a Rs 2,014 crore deal, booking a combined Rs 1,020 crore in goodwill in the process.

    The company isn’t shying away from splurging either. It raised a cool Rs 8,500 crore through a QIP, and ploughed much of it back into investments, with mutual fund units, bonds and subsidiaries eating up a significant portion. Yet, Eternal ended the year with a hefty Rs 666 crore in cash, even after burning Rs 7,993 crore on investments and spending Rs 8,042 crore on financing activities.

    Employee stock options continue to be a favoured dish over 477 million shares were allotted to the ESOP trust this year.

    So, while the food’s hot and the numbers are sizzling, it’s clear that Eternal is still in the kitchen cooking up clarity on the tax front and trying not to get burned.

  • Cummins eyes victory again as Carrera renews starry partnership for 2025

    Cummins eyes victory again as Carrera renews starry partnership for 2025

    MUMBAI: When you’ve got your eye on the prize, it helps to look the part. Cricket ace Pat Cummins is back in the frame literally as Carrera Eyewear extends its high-octane partnership with the Australian skipper into 2025, announcing a fresh drop from the Carrera|Pat Cummins selection ahead of schedule.

    The collaboration blends athletic grit with sporty glamour, echoing Carrera’s philosophy of bold minds and bolder moves. And with Cummins’ CV getting shinier by the over from leading Australia to ODI World Cup and World Test Championship wins, to captaining Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024 and beyond he’s not just wearing the shades, he’s embodying the brand.

    While fans wait for the next wave of his co-branded collection, Cummins is already sporting the Carrera CSport 02 model from the Carrera Sport Collection, both on and off the pitch. It’s not just eyewear, it’s a performance statement, engineered with gum nose pads, anatomically designed temples, and customisable bands that keep things locked in, even when the action heats up.

    Carrera’s latest sport drop plays in colour, taking cues from its archive and injecting vitaminic vibrance into a classic silhouette. The result? A sleek union of comfort, legacy, and locker-room-ready swag.

    It’s eyewear that doesn’t flinch under pressure much like the man wearing it. And with the 2025 cricket season gearing up, expect Pat Cummins to keep setting his sights high with Carrera along for the run-up.
     

  • Stirring up strength as Horlicks enters the senior nutrition league

    Stirring up strength as Horlicks enters the senior nutrition league

    MUMBAI: It’s time to raise a glass not just for taste, but for strength. Horlicks, the heritage health drink from Hindustan Unilever Limited, is now blending nutrition with age-defying intent as it enters the senior wellness space with its latest launch, Horlicks Strength Plus. Designed for older adults, the formulation is all about supporting graceful ageing with serious muscle behind it quite literally.

    Launched across South and East India, Strength Plus is a nutritionally dense, zero-added-sugar drink tailored for seniors. It’s packed with easily digestible proteins, leucine, calcium, vitamin D, and dietary fibre all aimed at maintaining muscle mass, bone strength, and digestive balance. And with no added maltodextrin in the mix, it’s as clean as it is conscious.

    This isn’t just a product, it’s a well-timed intervention. According to the UNFPA India Ageing Report 2023, India’s senior population is projected to rise to 15 per cent by 2036 and nearly 21 per cent by 2050. With ageing comes sarcopenia, brittle bones, and gut troubles yet many seniors remain unaware of how significantly their nutritional needs shift.

    Horlicks Strength Plus is here to change that narrative not only through formulation, but through education. The brand has partnered with Apollo Diagnostics and Apollo Pharmacy to offer subsidised health checks for seniors, a Rs 2,525 diagnostic package available for just Rs 299 at select locations. The initiative aims to nudge India’s elders towards proactive health management through both diagnostic awareness and dietary correction.

    Speaking about the launchfoods HUL executive director Rajneet Kohli said, “We are proud to build on the strong legacy of Horlicks, a brand trusted by generations for formulations that are not only effective, but also cater to consumer taste preferences. As people age, they face unique health challenges, and supplementation can help bridge the dietary gap to meet their specific needs. Horlicks Strength Plus is an easy- to-consume solution that fortifies the body and helps maintain strength. It is the latest addition to our expanding Horlicks PLUS range, with a thoughtfully developed composition that elevates muscle strength, supports bone health and enhances digestive wellness. It contains no added sugar and is a flavorful drink that can be consumed with milk or water. Through our collaboration with Apollo Diagnostics and Apollo Pharmacy, we aim to empower elderly individuals to take charge of their well-being.”

    Speaking about the need for nutritional supplementation for older adults, Indian Institute of Nutritional Sciences (IINS) chairman Prof Varsha said, “Medical science has extended longevity of life. However, lifestyle has a negative impact on quality of life. Increased immobility and muscle-wasting results in 3F’s – Frailty, Falls & Factures. Nutritional science supports quality of life with safe protein supplementation, adequate activity-sustaining energy & correction of micronutrient deficiencies. Remember, you are what you eat or drink.”

    Strength Plus now joins Horlicks’ expanding ‘Plus’ portfolio, which already includes offerings like Women’s Plus, Mother’s Plus, and Diabetes Plus each a targeted response to evolving nutritional needs. But this launch hits a particularly crucial demographic at a crucial time.

    Because while youth may be fleeting, strength with the right support doesn’t have to be. With Strength Plus, Horlicks isn’t just keeping up with its consumers, it’s growing older with them, one nourishing sip at a time.
     

  • Collective minds as Collective Artists Network sets stage for media power play

    Collective minds as Collective Artists Network sets stage for media power play

    MUMBAI: When content meets culture and creators meet code, you get a media revolution in the making. Collective Artists Network, long known for its fingerprints across India’s pop-cultural pulse, has officially put a name to what it’s already been quietly building: a full-blown media network that spans platforms, talent, tech, and taste.

    But don’t call it a pivot. This is less a launch than a loud confirmation of Collective’s growing dominance across original storytelling, social influence, and digital-first innovation.

    From viral storytelling brands like Terribly Tiny Tales and campus connector Under 25, to creator engine Big Bang Social and AI-optimised visual platform Galleri5, the Collective universe is already humming. Add to that new launches like Rashmika & Ru (with TTT), Marathi Minded (with Neel Salekar), and Not Funny (a creator-led comedy brand with Funcho), and you’ve got a content slate that’s part Netflix, part Reddit, part desi dopamine machine.

    And speaking of machines, meet Kavya Mehra and Radhika Subramaniam, Collective’s two AI-powered creators. They don’t blink, but they do reflect. Kavya’s all about modern parenting and daily life dilemmas, while Radhika decodes digital youth culture. Far from novelty avatars, they’re a peek into the company’s ambitions in synthetic storytelling and culturally responsive AI.

    Adding another layer to its expanding digital dharma is the launch of Sanatani Dharma, a bold new channel that dives deep into Indic tradition, mythology, rituals, and spiritual modernity. It’s Collective’s play to own a space where very few digital-first brands have dared to venture where the Ramayana meets reels, and Vedic wisdom meets algorithmic discovery.

    As Collective scales, it has brought in seasoned content veteran Sudeep Lahiri as head of channels and distribution to steer the ship across creator and platform ecosystems. With Collective’s stronghold on distribution spanning owned platforms, newsletters, and creator networks the move marks a serious upgrade in operational firepower.

    Meanwhile, Galleri5, the group’s creative tech arm, is busy building tools that can sniff out trends, benchmark creative performance, and test drive synthetic content helping creators and marketers stay two scrolls ahead of the curve.

    “In today’s world, new media is about owning eyeballs and through our content, distribution, and influence, we intend to become the media network that defines attention. We have always understood the pulse of pop culture, reflecting it when needed, and influencing it when it matters most,” said Collective Artists Network founder and group CEO Vijay Subramaniam.

    With thousands of creators, millions of impressions a month, and a content strategy that swirls together storytelling, software, and spirituality, Collective Artists Network is sketching out a new blueprint for Indian media, one where every like, loop, and live session is just another piece of a much bigger cultural puzzle.

  • Sweet deal as Mandira Bedi joins Healthy Mithai Co.’s sugar-free mission

    Sweet deal as Mandira Bedi joins Healthy Mithai Co.’s sugar-free mission

    MUMBAI: Here’s some sweet news that won’t spike your sugar levels. Healthy Mithai Co., the homegrown disruptor in sugar-free indulgence, has roped in actor, fitness icon, and entrepreneur Mandira Bedi as its official brand ambassador but this isn’t your usual celeb flash-in-the-pan. This alliance, driven by BeyondSeed’s BeyondInfluence platform, is less about selling and more about storytelling, one that blends tradition, health, and emotional indulgence.

    Mandira Bedi resonated with this cause deeply. “To me, fitness is not merely about the body, it’s about balance,” she states. “I used to celebrate with laddoos and pedas during childhood, but later on, the time came for tough decisions. Healthy Mithai Co. is filling that emotional void for all of us who wish to celebrate without sacrifice. I’m honored to be a part of something so meaningfully delicious.”

    That ‘joy minus the regret’ is precisely what the company is built on. Founded by Prabhinder Singh and Deepak Jain, Healthy Mithai Co. uses only plant-based stevia, crafting mithai that is sugar-free, low on the glycaemic index, and high on nostalgia. For India’s 10 crore diabetics and 25 crore pre-diabetics, it promises sweets without the sting.

    But this mission isn’t stopping at sentiment. The company has its sights set on becoming one of the top three sugar-free alternative brands in India, eyeing Rs 125 crore in revenue by FY 2027–28. With an omnichannel model from partnerships with Nature’s Basket and Kokilaben Hospital to kiosks and e-commerce, it’s making guilt-free celebration a doorstep affair, with 24-hour delivery in major metros.

    This collaboration was made possible through BeyondInfluence, a new platform that enables purpose driven startups to connect with voices that actually believe in their journey. “We started BeyondInfluence because we believe in creating partnerships that go beyond marketing, they’re built on meaning” states Beyondseed CMO Fiza Malhotra. “Mandira and Healthy Mithai Co. align on values that are deeply centered on wellness, impact, and trust. This partnership exemplifies these aligned values and serves as a catalyst for high-impact growth.”

    For Healthy Mithai Co., this is not a marketing campaign, it’s a movement. “We’re not here to sell sweets,” explains Healthy Mithai co founder Prabhinder Singh. “We’re here to change daily habits. And habits are not changed by data alone. Habits change when people feel something. With Mandira joining our journey, we are not only adding an ambassador, we are adding a partner who resonates with this mission deeply too.”

    So if you’ve ever passed on a peda for fear of sugar guilt, this might just be your cue to bring back the box. Healthy Mithai Co., with Mandira in tow, is writing a new recipe for joy where heritage meets health, and every bite is both mindful and magical.
     

  • Slow and swirlious as Kwality Wall’s scoops luxury with The Dairy Factory

    Slow and swirlious as Kwality Wall’s scoops luxury with The Dairy Factory

    MUMBAI: Hold the fast melt, it’s time to chill out the slow way. Kwality Wall’s, the legacy name behind generations of freezer favourites, is turning down the tempo and dialling up the decadence with The Dairy Factory, a brand-new line of slow-churned ice creams aimed at bringing a luxe, at-home scoop experience to Indian freezers.

    Launching with four evergreen flavours Vanilla, Butterscotch, Mango, and Chocolate, The Dairy Factory range serves up velvety richness in generous party packs and indulgent tubs. But this isn’t just about nostalgia in a tub, it’s a technical upgrade. The ice creams are made using a slow-churn technique, blending air into the mix at a gentler pace, which breaks down ice crystals and makes every spoonful smoother, creamier, and closer to that made-by-hand feel.

    HUL head of ice cream business Toloy Tanridagli said, “We are on a mission to put smiles on people’s faces and have been consistently investing in innovations so that we have something for everyone. Today, Kwality Wall’s provides a complete and varied range of delights to address consumer needs, right from luxurious ice creams to accessible multi-format frozen desserts and more. The Dairy Factory’s slow churned ice creams are a wonderful innovation range made with real dairy and premium ingredients which come together through a slow churn process. The differentiated technology enhances the experience, marrying traditional nuances with modern preferences.”

    Crafted in small batches with 100 per cent real dairy, The Dairy Factory is all about slowing down to savour the good things whether it’s a family celebration, IPL match night, date night, or just a Sunday that calls for comfort.

    This move also signals a strategic play by Kwality Wall’s to corner the premium segment of India’s rapidly evolving frozen dessert market. With summer vacation just around the corner, the launch couldn’t be better timed.

    So whether you’re a dessert aficionado or just someone who takes ice cream very seriously, The Dairy Factory is here to remind you: some things are better when you take it slow.