ITV

Category: Brands

  • DS Group taps O9’s AI engine to turn supply chain chaos into a crystal-clear command centre

    DS Group taps O9’s AI engine to turn supply chain chaos into a crystal-clear command centre

    MUMBAI: When your empire stretches across 15 lakh retail outlets and five different sales channels, you don’t use spreadsheets—you use AI. DS Group, one of India’s heavyweight FMCG conglomerates, has teamed up with enterprise AI platform O9 to turbocharge its digital transformation and planning muscle across its business verticals.

    The DS Group-O9 partnership will roll out AI-powered forecasting, demand planning, and supply chain visibility enhancements across DS Group’s sprawling distribution ecosystem. That includes general trade, modern trade, ecommerce, quick commerce, and institutional channels—a web of more than 100 super stockists, 5,000+ distributors, and a direct-to-retail reach of over 15 lakh stores nationwide.

    “Our partnership with O9 marks a significant step in DS Group’s digital transformation journey. We aim to leverage their cutting-edge Enterprise Knowledge Graph and agile platform to drive scalability, enhance collaboration, and unlock predictive insights, crucial for navigating the dynamic Indian FMCG landscape and future growth,” said DS Group SVP, information technology Santosh K Singh.

    DS Group becomes one of the first major Indian FMCG players to tap into O9’s enterprise-grade AI suite—known for its modular setup, machine-learning forecasts, and sector-savvy Consumer Products Reference Model.

    O9’s predictive dashboards and planning algorithms will sit at the core of DS Group’s supply strategy, helping teams visualise performance, respond to disruptions, and unify siloed data sets in real time. PwC India is spearheading the implementation, with teams from all three organisations working like a single organism to get things live.

    “Multiple teams from DS Group, PwC and O9 came together as ‘one team’ throughout the journey that helped in smooth go live. We will now help in adoption through user engagement, training and support so that DS Group fully embraces the solution,” said PwC India director Rohit Saxena.

    O9’s co-founder & CEO Chakri Gottemukkala added, “We are extremely proud to partner with DS Group as they modernise their planning capabilities across core business units. The company’s focus on unifying data, teams and planning processes reflects a clear commitment to agility and long-term value creation.”

    The digitisation push comes at a time when India’s FMCG sector is sprinting to keep pace with shifting demand signals, inflation tremors, and rising consumer expectations. With its new AI toolkit in play, DS Group looks ready to turn planning paralysis into predictive precision.

  • Conrad Pune flips the script with Conread, a literary salon for serious (and stylish) readers

    Conrad Pune flips the script with Conread, a literary salon for serious (and stylish) readers

    MUMBAI: In a city where reading in public is often mistaken for prepping for UPSC, Conrad Pune is on a mission to glam up bookworming. The luxury hotel is launching Conread, a monthly literary initiative that promises to bring together sharp minds, sharper questions, and a serious love for the written word—all set against the five-star finery of one of Pune’s swankiest addresses.

    Kicking off on 21 April, just ahead of World Book Day, Conread is Conrad Pune’s plush new chapter in culture curation. Think intimate conversations with top authors, deep dives into everything from fiction to finance, and evenings where literary crushes might actually be seated next to you.

    The premiere edition features bestselling author and finance whiz Devina Mehra, in conversation with Mint’s head of personal finance Neil Borate. The duo will unpack Mehra’s new release Money, Myths and Mantras – The Ultimate Investment Guide, followed by an audience Q&A and book signing session.

    “With Conread, we are opening our doors to a new kind of luxury which is intellectual, immersive, and community-driven. This series is our way of giving back to the cultural fabric of Pune by creating a space where book lovers and thinkers can gather, converse, be bold and stay inspired. We’re thrilled to launch this journey with Devina Mehra and look forward to many more chapters to come,” said Conrad Pune general manager Abhishek Sahai.

    Mehra, who is rarely short on candour or capital insight, said, “I’m excited to be part of the inaugural edition of Conread at Conrad Pune. The combination of my two favourites, books and investing/ finance in spaces that feel open, warm, and genuinely curious, sounds just perfect. And I have no doubt this evening will be just that. I truly appreciate Conrad Pune for creating a space where stories, questions, and real-life insights could flow freely. I look forward to sharing my journey and insights with everyone.”

    The concept merges literature with luxury and intellect with indulgence. Each edition of Conread promises intimate author interactions paired with that classic Conrad hospitality—elevating the humble book club into a literary salon with candlelight, canapés, and conversation that crackles.

  • Rural India tightens purse strings, but swipes right on digital

    Rural India tightens purse strings, but swipes right on digital

    MUMBAI: Rural India, it seems, is having a bit of a digital dance while keeping a tight grip on its wallet. GroupM and Kantar’s Rural Barometer Report 2025 reveals a nation grappling with the ‘pinch-penny’ reality of rising expenses, yet diving headfirst into the digital deep end.

    Forget the quaint image of the village square; rural India is now scrolling, streaming, and swiping with gusto. Seven in ten rural consumers are now online, a whopping 28 per cent jump since 2022. Social media, video content, and instant messaging? They’re the new village gossip, especially among the young and the loaded. But hold your horses, television and newspapers still hold sway with the older crowd, proving that old habits die hard.

    Financial anxieties are playing a havoc with household budgets. Three out of four rural Indians are fretting about their finances. Younger, flashier spenders are cutting back on the big toys—durables and vehicles—while the older, thriftier lot are keeping things steady. Personal loans are on the up, suggesting a ‘bit of a pickle’ as folks juggle their cash. But, there’s a glimmer of sunshine; job security optimism is bouncing back..

    The government’s PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, especially the free rations, is a ‘real life-saver’, proving that a bit of state-sponsored generosity goes a long way.

    GroupM India managing director -OOH solutions Ajay Mehta said: “The Rural Barometer Report is a strategic compass for brands navigating this dynamic landscape. As media habits evolve and digital adoption deepens even in the heartlands, it’s clear that a dual-channel strategy blending the scale of traditional with the precision of digital is essential. At GroupM, we see this as an opportunity for marketers to go beyond surface-level reach and build meaningful, hyper-local engagement. This report not only helps decode rural mindsets but also empowers businesses to craft smarter, more inclusive growth strategies for Bharat’s next chapter.”

    Kantar director- specialist businesses, insights division Puneet Avasthi  added, “As rural India  becomes more connected and conscious, brands must rethink how they engage with this  audience. The new rural consumer demands relevance, value, and authenticity. Marketers must  move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to adopt hyper-local, digitally powered strategies,  while still leveraging the trust and familiarity of traditional media.”

    Brands must ditch the ‘one-size-fits-all’ claptrap. Rural India wants it real, relevant, and authentic. Go hyper-local, go digital, but don’t forget the old favourites.”

    In essence, rural India is a ‘right proper’ mix of caution and connectivity, a ‘digital dynamo’ with a keen eye on the price tag. Brands, take note: it’s time to get your digital act together, whilst still paying homage to the traditional.

  • Nova Dairy churns up summer delight with cool and creamy health picks

    Nova Dairy churns up summer delight with cool and creamy health picks

    MUMBAI: Sip, slurp, and stay cool Nova Dairy’s serving summer on ice with a health twist. Nova Dairy, one of India’s trusted dairy brands, is turning up the chill with its newly launched summer-ready range, under the banner ‘Thandi Sehat, Garmi Mein Bhi’. As temperatures rise, so does the thirst for something refreshing yet nutritious and Nova’s got just the creamy fix.

    The line-up? A deliciously desi quartet of buttermilk, lassi, curd, and flavoured milk tailored not just for taste, but also for health. From tangy buttermilk that aids digestion to probiotic-rich curd that cools the gut, and indulgent lassi that soothes the soul to flavoured milk for an energy boost on-the-go, this range hits the hydration sweet spot for the Indian summer.

    “At Nova Dairy, we understand the importance of seasonal nutrition. With ‘Thandi Sehat, Garmi Mein Bhi’, we aim to offer wholesome, cooling dairy solutions that promote health while delighting the taste buds,” said Sterling Agro Industries Ltd director Ravin Saluja.

    A household name known for its emphasis on purity and nutrition, Nova Dairy has long championed farm-fresh dairy from ghee and paneer to milk fortified with taste and trust. This latest campaign adds a seasonal splash to the portfolio, focusing on products that not only cool the body but also nourish it.

    Available now in stores and online, Nova’s summer collection ensures your fridge is stocked with the kind of health that tastes like a treat. So whether you’re beating the heat post-lunch or just grabbing a chilled pick-me-up, Nova invites you to sip into summer, the desi way.

    Stay cool. Stay healthy. Stay Nova.

  • Nippon India Mutual Fund plugs into Adobe AI to jazz up investor journeys and digital experience

    Nippon India Mutual Fund plugs into Adobe AI to jazz up investor journeys and digital experience

    MUMBAI: When mutual funds go full Mad Max on digital transformation, you know the old brochure-in-a-branch days are officially over. Nippon India Mutual Fund (NIMF) has just supercharged its long-running partnership with Adobe to build what it calls a “persona-driven, e-commerce-like experience” for investors—and they’re using Adobe’s AI-fuelled tech arsenal to make it happen.

    The move marks NIMF’s latest play to dominate the digital game. The mutual fund major will now deploy Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) Sites and Assets across its web and mobile platforms to serve content not just faster—but smarter. Think fewer bounce rates, better conversions, and the kind of personalised user journeys that scream “we know your SIP inside-out.”

    “At Nippon India Mutual Fund, we are dedicated to harnessing digital innovations to enhance investor experiences,” said NIMF chief digital officer Arpanarghya Saha. “With investors’ engagement accelerating on digital channels, our aim is to strengthen our digital ecosystem. Adobe has been our trusted partner for many years. As we grow our partnership, the digital applications will empower our teams to create and deliver more personalised experiences for our investors and enable seamless interactions.”

    The technology behind the curtain is no slouch either. AEM Sites will handle dynamic content delivery with the finesse of a Netflix recommendation engine, while AEM Assets will manage media workflows to ensure your homepage banner doesn’t feature Diwali offers in January.

    The plan? Cut clutter, boost consistency, and get from concept to click at warp speed.

    And this isn’t NIMF’s first rodeo with Adobe. Over the last five years, the fund house has already been leveraging Adobe Analytics, Campaign and Target resulting in a 90 per cent spike in open rates and a 150 per cent surge in click-throughs for targeted investor campaigns. In marketing-speak, that’s the digital equivalent of hitting a six off every ball.

    “As financial literacy rises in India and more investors enter the equity market, asset management companies are embracing digital-first strategies to stay ahead,” said Adobe India head of digital experience business Venu Juvvala. “NIMF’s adoption of Adobe’s enterprise applications marks a significant step toward Customer Experience Orchestration—our evolved approach to customer experience management that unifies real-time data, content, and generative AI.”

    Jargon aside, what this really means is: NIMF doesn’t just want to talk to investors; it wants to talk to them, with them, and maybe even for them—with the help of Adobe’s generative AI. Because the future of finance isn’t just about returns; it’s about relevance, resonance, and real-time responsiveness.

  • Ananya Birla’s Lovetc splashes onto the scene with Janhvi Kapoor as its muse

    Ananya Birla’s Lovetc splashes onto the scene with Janhvi Kapoor as its muse

    MUMBAI: Ananya Birla, the multi-talented heiress and songstress, has dropped a bombshell on the Indian beauty scene with the launch of Lovetc, a premium cosmetics brand promising global glam with a desi soul. 
    And to front this vibrant new venture? None other than the dazzling Janhvi Kapoor.

    Kapoor, a bona fide youth icon, stars in Lovetc’s launch campaign, a technicolour explosion of fearless femininity. Think bold hues, sassy stares, and a whole lot of “you go, girl” energy. The campaign film, now doing the rounds on social media and digital platforms, is a love letter to the modern Indian beauty aficionado, who isn’t afraid to set her own standards of luxury.
    Lovetc rangeBirla Cosmetics Pvt Ltd (BCPL) founder & chairperson Ananya Birla purred, clearly buzzing with excitement: “I’ve always gravitated towards beauty that’s simple, effective, and enhances who you are – not transforms you into someone else.Lovetc reflects that philosophy. It’s a brand designed for real lives; with products that work hard, last long, and feel intuitive. Whether it’s a lipstick that stays on through a long day, or a mascara that volumizes without clumping, we want every product to pass that real-life test.”

    Lovetc’s initial drop includes a curated collection of long-wear lipsticks, precision eyeliners, and volumising mascaras, all designed to deliver a sensory punch. The brand’s ethos? High-performance, high-impact, and high-octane.

    For those itching to get their hands on Lovetc’s goodies, the collection is now available online at www.lovetc.com and on Nykaa, with plans for a retail blitz across India’s top cities. 

    It seems Birla is betting big on turning heads, one bold lip at a time.

    You can watch the TVC by clicking on this.

  • Threading the Bloom Fabindia brings Chikankari into full spring swing

    Threading the Bloom Fabindia brings Chikankari into full spring swing

    MUMBAI: Spring has never looked so soulful. Fabindia’s latest offering, The Song of Spring, gently unfurls a tapestry of tradition and technology, paying tribute to the age-old art of Chikankari embroidery with a modern twist and a dash of AI.

    Rooted in India’s rich textile legacy, Chikankari has long been enchanted with its whisper-light stitches and poetic precision. In this collection, Fabindia reimagines the heritage craft using AI-generated floral visuals, creating a campaign that bridges the traditional with the contemporary. The result? A collection that feels as fresh as a spring breeze, but with roots deep in culture.

    “The Song of Spring is more than a campaign; it is a tribute to the hands that sustain India’s textile traditions. By honouring its floral essence and displaying its intricate threadwork, we wanted to express the finery of Chikankari beyond the garment and celebrate its inspiration. Including AI crafted floral elements in the campaign visuals that accentuate the craft has brought a fresh perspective to the craft”, says a Fabindia spokesperson.

    From dreamy dupattas to floating kurtas and artfully embroidered tunics, the collection showcases Chikankari at its most elegant. Crafted from airy cottons and fine silks, each piece features signature stitches like Bakhiya, which gives an illusion of shadows, Phanda, known for floral knots, and Jaali, which mimics Mughal latticework. It’s this layered delicacy over 32 types of stitches in some cases that gives each garment its own narrative.

    Embracing soft pastels, earthy tones, and gentle florals, the colour palette of the collection enhances the embroidery’s subtle brilliance. Every garment comes adorned with a Craftmark Tag, a confirmation of authenticity and handcrafted integrity.

    With The Song of Spring, Fabindia doesn’t just showcase clothing it tells a story in thread, blending centuries of tradition with today’s design language. It’s a sartorial serenade to spring, one stitch at a time.

  • Upgrad teams up with Seed Group to power AI-led workforce revamp across the MENA region

    Upgrad teams up with Seed Group to power AI-led workforce revamp across the MENA region

    MUMBAI: Dubai’s skyline isn’t the only thing rising high—its ambition to become a global knowledge powerhouse just got a big ‘Upgrade’.

    Upgrad, the Indian edtech heavyweight, and Seed Group, part of The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum. Together, they’ve fired up an AI-fuelled alliance to transform workforce upskilling across the UAE and the broader MENA region.

    The two giants announced a strategic partnership that could reshape how professionals and enterprises across the middle east access new-age skilling, especially in high-demand areas like generative AI, digital transformation, and executive education. With this move, Upgrad—already present in 15+ countries—is planting a firm flag in the Gulf’s growing edtech terrain, ready to turn boardrooms into classrooms and laptops into launchpads.

    “As Dubai invests in human capital development, the need for industry-aligned upskilling has never been greater. Upgrad’s outcome-focused innovative programs in domains like GenAI will bridge skill gaps,” said Seed Group CEO and The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, Hisham Al Gurg. “In turn, this will empower businesses with the advanced knowledge needed to excel in a high-powered digital economy such as Dubai. The institution’s distinguished expertise in professional education makes it an invaluable addition to our network of strategic partners.”

    Upgrad plans to leverage its portfolio of online degrees, bootcamps and hybrid certification courses to train individuals and institutions alike. From MBAs to machine learning modules, their offerings are engineered for ROI—return on intelligence.

    “We are making significant investments to expand our footprint across global markets. We are proud to launch this partnership with Seed Group, a market leader in driving innovation, so there is no doubt that with the support of the Seed Group leadership strategy in the UAE and MENA, we will drive stronger adoption of AI-led upskilling. Acquiring new-age hands-on capabilities has become a global imperative and is essential for both individuals and organisations to remain competitive. Business and government leaders across the UAE’s economy are recognising the growing influence of AI on organisational capabilities and are increasingly looking to invest in advanced technologies,” said Upgrad CEO – International consumer business Myleeta AgaWilliams.

    Over the years, Upgrad has carved out a reputation as one of Asia’s most formidable skilling machines—earning global nods from GSV and the FT for its growth and impact. And now, with Dubai acting as its regional launchpad, the company aims to support governments, enterprises and individuals with future-proof education that moves beyond theory and into execution.

    In the coming months, the alliance will roll out initiatives aimed at creating a digitally capable and highly competitive workforce—one that’s ready to tackle the demands of tomorrow’s AI-first economy. For MENA, it’s a catalyst for a smarter, sharper labour force that’s globally fluent and locally relevant.

  • Airtel and Blinkit team up for 10-minute SIM delivery, KYC in your home

    Airtel and Blinkit team up for 10-minute SIM delivery, KYC in your home

    MUMBAI: Bharti Airtel and Blinkit have cooked up a speedy new service, delivering SIM cards to customers’ doorsteps in a mere 10 minutes. This ground breaking partnership, a first for any Indian telco, is now live in 16 cities, promising to get customers  connected quicker than a rabbit out of a hat.

    “Simplifying customer lives is central to everything we do at Airtel.Today we are thrilled to partner with Blinkit for 10-minute SIM card delivery to customers’ homes across 16 cities and in due course of time we plan to expand this partnership to additional cities.” declared Airtel CEO Siddharth Sharma, CEO – connected homes and director of marketing, Airtel.

    For a paltry Rs 49 convenience fee, customers can choose between prepaid or post paid plans, or even port their existing number to Airtel. Once the SIM arrives, a quick Aadhaar-based KYC process gets them up and running, all from the comfort of their own homes.

    “To save customers time and hassle, we’ve collaborated with Airtel to deliver SIM cards directly to customers in select cities, with delivery in just 10 minutes. Blinkit takes care of the delivery, while Airtel makes it easy for customers to complete self-KYC, activate their SIM, and choose between prepaid or post paid plans. Customers can also opt for number portability, all at their convenience,” said Blinkit founder & CEO Albinder Dhindsa.”No more queuing in shops, no more waiting around. We deliver the SIM, and Airtel handles the self-KYC. It’s a win-win.”

    The service is currently available in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, with plans to expand further. And if customers get stuck, Airtel’s help centre is just a tap away on the Airtel Thanks App, or a quick call to the support line. But, they better be quick, the SIM needs to be activated within 15 days.

  • Fat Tiger on a roll with plan to roar into 200 cities with 500 new outlets

    Fat Tiger on a roll with plan to roar into 200 cities with 500 new outlets

    MUMBAI: Rolling out the dough and the dim sum, India’s beloved QSR brand Fat Tiger is cooking up a storm with a bold new expansion strategy aimed at taking its pan-Asian flavours far and wide. The brand has announced a three-year plan to launch 500 new outlets across 200 cities, growing from its current footprint of 80 cities. The expansion, a mix of company-owned and franchise-operated stores, will see the leasing of over 150,000 sq. ft of retail space, with each outlet spanning between 300–500 sq. ft.

    But this isn’t just about more momo and boba, it’s also about boosting employment. The brand aims to create over 1,750 job opportunities, cementing its role as a growth driver in the Indian QSR landscape.

    Fat Tiger founder and director Sahaj Chopra and Sahil Arya said, “We are focused on growing Fat Tiger’s presence across 200 cities, making our offerings accessible to more customers while generating employment opportunities at scale.”

    Known for its innovative spin on traditional favourites, Fat Tiger is not your average quick-serve pit stop. With a menu bursting with momo varieties including new hits like BBQ Momo and Kimchi Momo, the brand has carved a niche for itself. Add to that their signature boba drinks and comfort food classics, and you’ve got a recipe for rapid expansion.

    Fat Tiger also prides itself on being the first Indian QSR brand to bring international tea flavours to Indian consumers, while championing sustainability and quality.

    As competition heats up in the QSR space, Fat Tiger’s ambitious plan not only spices up the category, it serves up a winning mix of scale, innovation, and flavour.

    In true tiger style, the brand is poised to pounce on new opportunities, bringing its unique blend of modern-meets-traditional to doorsteps and tastebuds all across the country.