Category: MAM

  • Honda Cars India introduces ultra body coating for its customers

    Honda Cars India introduces ultra body coating for its customers

    Mumbai: Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL) has introduced Ultra Body Coating, an enhancing appeal & protective solution for its customers.

    The Ultra Body Coating is a high-performance transparent layer formulated with a next generation material called Silane, which makes it the hardest glass-based coating by Industry standard. The coating provides an ultra-glossy, glass-based, super smooth surface to the vehicle and retains the glossiness of the car.

    The coating contains materials which result in a thicker optimal layer creating an easy to maintain surface that protects the car from dust, pollutants, UV Rays and the antifouling effects against acid rains.

    Honda Cars India Ltd vice president, marketing & sales, Kunal Behl shared insights into the benefits of this latest offering, stating, “At Honda, we are consistently looking at providing our customers with the best products and services. In our endeavor to deliver that, we have introduced this premium body coating for all our customers. This cutting-edge product is designed to not only provide long-lasting protection but also enhance the visual appeal of the vehicle. We are excited to offer this advanced service to our valued customers, ensuring that their Honda continues to look as impressive as it did on the day of purchase.”

    The Ultra Body Coating service will be available across all Honda dealerships in the country starting at a price of Rs 28,900 and can be applied to all Honda models.

    A comprehensive three-year warranty backs this premium coating. Throughout this period, Honda offers complimentary maintenance and service benefits every six months. These routine services are essential to maintain the vehicle’s shine and glossiness of the vehicle.
     

  • Masters’ Union collaborates with PepsiCo

    Masters’ Union collaborates with PepsiCo

    Mumbai: Masters’ Union, the new-age business school, and PepsiCo, the global f&b corporation, recently organised a Winter Week Bootcamp from 18 to 22 December focusing on nurturing high school students’ talents. The five-day event aimed to equip young minds with practical skills, mentorship, and real-world insights.

    The Bootcamp provided a platform for students to explore diverse disciplines such as design principles, content creation, and stock market trading through hands-on activities, workshops, and discussions led by industry experts. Key workshops were led by professionals including Geetha Radhakrishnan, Franchise Commercial Director – India Beverages, PepsiCo, Susheel Lakhera, Associate Director – Franchise, PepsiCo, Neha Verma, Senior Marketing Manager, Vaango, and Rahul Puri, vice president of Information Technology, Vaango, covering innovation, marketing strategies, and the role of technology in shaping industries.

    Masters’ Union founder Pratham Mittal said, “Collaborating with PepsiCo for the Winter Week Bootcamp was an incredible opportunity to drive practical learning beyond traditional education boundaries. The event aimed to empower students with hands-on skills and insights, preparing them for the dynamic demands of the industry. Education extends far beyond textbooks, and this collaboration aligns perfectly with our vision to equip students with practical expertise that transcends theoretical knowledge.”

    PepsiCo hub lead, e-commerce DTX, data science and analytics Sourabh Agarwal said, “Partnering with the Masters’ Union for the Winter Week Bootcamp was a rewarding experience. Engaging with young minds and further fueling their enthusiasm for learning reaffirms PepsiCo India’s commitment to help foster innovation and skill development in the youth. We are glad that we could be part of this Bootcamp and engage with such young and great talent.”

    Students engaged with real-world case studies, working on tasks like crafting advertising campaigns for PepsiCo, trading stocks on platforms like StockGro, and developing apps for Vaango, bridging theoretical knowledge with practical application. The bootcamp culminated in students showcasing their growth and expertise through final projects, offering insights into their comprehensive learning experiences. The event attracted students from schools like Manthan International School, Sanskaar Valley, CS Academy, Sarvottam International, and KC High. It left a lasting impression, setting the stage for future educational collaborations.

  • Fibe reduces customer service turnaround time by 99 per cent

    Fibe reduces customer service turnaround time by 99 per cent

    Mumbai: Fibe (formerly EarlySalary) Fintech, has significantly enhanced customer experience and has reduced the response time by 99 per cent. Through its association with Locobuzz, a CX management platform, Fibe has improved the efficiency and effectiveness of its customer interactions, thereby boosting brand loyalty.

    With over 5 lakh active customers, Fibe handles over 10,000 monthly conversations. With an aim to efficiently manage the influx of customer interactions, Fibe sought the services of Locobuzz’ unified CX platform. The primary objective of the association was to proactively engage with inquiries, requests, and feedback across various digital channels, while effectively tracking untagged mentions, managing multi-channel conversations, and gaining competitive insights.

    The platform empowered Fibe with a comprehensive suite of tools including:

    ●   Social listening: Enabled tracking of 100 per cent mentions, including untagged and viral content, ensuring no query went unnoticed.

    ●   Sentiment analysis: Enhanced understanding of customer emotions, allowing for prompt and effective response.

    ●   Competitor tracking: Provided valuable insights into competitor strategies and campaign effectiveness, allowing Fibe to refine its own approach and stay ahead of the curve.

    ●   SSRE (social service response engine): Automated social media response management, ensuring swift and consistent customer service.

    ●   DIY dashboards: Empowered data-driven decisions with customised reports and key metric monitoring.

    Fibe leveraged Locobuzz’s solutions to significantly improve its response time across various digital touchpoints. The robust tools contributed to Fibe successfully reducing its customer service turnaround time from 96 hours to an impressive 45 minutes.  The SSRE further heightened the efficiency, ensuring SLA (service level agreement) closure within just 1 hour and 9 minutes. These improvements, coupled with effective social media engagement, significantly elevated Fibe’s Social Reputation Score, thereby strengthening the brand advocacy.

    Fibe founding member and head of marketing Sudesh Shetty, said, “Fibe has always remained committed to provide a superior and seamless experience to its customers. The Locobuzz platform has further propelled our customer-first approach and enabled us to authentically engage with our audience, gain a competitive edge, and make data-driven decisions. We will continue to enhance our monitoring tools and response time to take our brand to newer heights.”

    Locobuzz co-founder & COO Shubhi Agarwal,  explained, “Fintech service providers are at a pivotal juncture, where the surge in internet services aligns seamlessly with the escalating need for digital customer support.” “It’s a privilege for us to partner with Fibe in crafting unparalleled customer experiences across digital channels. By leveraging the power of automation and AI within the Locobuzz unified platform, Fibe can adeptly handle extensive customer inquiries and reviews, paving the way for long-term service enhancements based on deep insights.”

    Fibe’s partnership with Locobuzz has been instrumental in their success on social media. Locobuzz has provided them with the tools and insights to engage with their audience effectively, analyse competitor activity, and make data-driven decisions for their social media strategy and marketing campaigns. Fibe is solidifying its position as a leader in the FinTech space by forging lasting connections with its young, tech-savvy customer base.

    Through its association with Locobuzz, a CX management platform, Fibe has improved the efficiency and effectiveness of its customer interactions, thereby boosting brand loyalty.

  • Marriott International reported growth in the Asia Pacific excluding China

    Marriott International reported growth in the Asia Pacific excluding China

    Mumbai: Following the recent announcement by Marriott International, Inc of its strong global net rooms growth and record year of organic signings in 2023, the company highlighted the remarkable surge in hotel and residences openings and signings in the Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC) region, particularly in key travel markets such as Japan, India, and Vietnam.

    At the close of 2023, Marriott set a milestone in APEC with over 60 properties added to its portfolio during the year, bringing the company’s presence in the APEC region to more than 560 operating hotels and residences, and exceeding 10 percent net room growth compared to 2022. The company also sealed a record of over 80 deals signed across 13 markets, representing approximately 18,000 rooms.

    As tourism recovers in APEC and the travel landscape evolves, Marriott has continued to focus on strategically providing the best-in-class offerings to owners, franchisees, and guests. At the end of 2023, Marriott’s APEC development pipeline stood at over 320 hotels with over 69,000 rooms, showcasing the company’s dedication to providing world renowned brands and diverse experiences, aligning with the evolving preferences of travelers across the region.

    Luxury continues to play a pivotal role in the growth of Marriott, and 25 per cent of Marriott’s global luxury rooms pipeline is represented in APEC.  In 2023, 15 per cent of the deals signed in APEC were in the luxury segment. A record nine luxury hotels were opened in the region in 2023 including The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne— Marriott’s 1,000 hotel in the Asia Pacific region. The JW Marriott Goa debuted the brand in Goa and was the company’s 150 hotel to open in South Asia, and added The Singapore edition is the first edition in Southeast Asia.

    Marriott International APEC president Rajeev Menon said, “With our record year of growth at Marriott International in APEC, we remain committed to meeting the demands of modern travelers underscored by our diverse portfolio of brands and strategic presence in new destinations,”.

    “2023 has positioned us as a thriving and desirable region in the global landscape.  I am excited about our momentum as we focus on being where our customers want us to be and connecting people through the power of travel.” he added.
     

  • The Hype Studio secures PR mandate for Hecta

    The Hype Studio secures PR mandate for Hecta

    Mumbai: The Hype Studio, a prominent PR agency recognized for its interactive expertise, is thrilled to announce its recent triumph – securing the PR mandate for Hecta, a pioneering force in repossessed property marketing.

    Hecta, leading the charge in the real estate sector, is dedicated to the efficient marketing of repossessed properties from Bank and Financial Institution auctions. The Hype Studio’s exceptional track record and innovative, customised PR strategies positioned them as the ideal choice for Hecta’s PR endeavours.

    This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Hecta as they strive to enhance their brand presence and communicate their commitment to providing superior solutions in the repossessed property market. The Hype Studio, known for its human-centric approach to public relations, is deviating from AI-generated content, opting for authentic, human-driven communication to emotionally connect with its target audience.

    In a statement, Hecta’s founder Sridhar Samudrala expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We believe that The Hype Studio’s expertise in producing compelling content will play a vital role in our mission to reach a wider audience. Their commitment to human-centred communication seamlessly aligns with our values, and we anticipate a rewarding collaboration.”

    The Hype Studio has solidified its PR prowess through successful partnerships with esteemed agencies in the past. Recent collaborations have garnered attention, reaffirming The Hype Studio’s status as a formidable player in the PR landscape.

    The Hype Studio director Vineet Malhotra remarked, “We are honored to be selected as the PR partner for Hecta. Our team is dedicated to leveraging our experience and creativity to narrate Hecta’s story, encouraging an emotional connection with the audience.”

    As The Hype Studio embarks on this exciting journey with Hecta, both organizations are poised for mutual success, committed to crafting powerful narratives that resonate with the community.

  • BlendJet enters the Indian market

    BlendJet enters the Indian market

    Mumbai: BlendJet, the global leader in portable blenders, is pleased to announce its entry into the Indian market. For the first time, the US-headquartered brand is offering its highly sought-after BlendJet 2 portable blender to customers across all Indian states and Union Territories. BlendJet’s foray into the Indian market is a significant milestone, which further solidifies the company’s status as one of the fastest-growing multinational direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands. Banking on a robust supply chain and strategic consumer outreach in India, BlendJet intends to register a triple-fold increase in its sales volume over the next six months.

    Speaking about the company’s expansion to the Indian market, BlendJet CEO & co-founder Ryan Pamplin said, “From Yoga to Ayurveda, India has always been a country that values health and wellness. BlendJet’s commitment to enhancing daily nutrition and lifestyle choices aligns perfectly with this ethos. We are incredibly proud to extend our presence to India and are excited to contribute to their dynamic D2C growth. We expect a revenue surge of nearly $1.5 million with our entry into the Indian market.”

    Further elaborating, he said that BlendJet 2 gives customers the freedom to make anything they want, anywhere in the world — from a mountaintop to their kitchen countertop. Compact yet powerful, BlendJet 2 makes it easy to whip up smoothies, protein shakes, baby food, frozen lattes, milkshakes, salad dressings, chutneys, soups and more. Equipped with a USB-C port for seamless charging and a popular self-cleaning feature, BlendJet 2 is the ideal choice for on-the-go lifestyles.

    Easy and convenient to use at home, at work, outdoors, at the gym, in the car, at a beach, or anywhere else, these portable blenders are currently available in India exclusively on BlendJet.in. BlendJet 2 comes in a host of vibrant colours and patterns, including Black, Glacier, Royal Blue, Mint, Lavender, Purple, Red, Black Marble, Geode and Urban Camo, and has been launched. BlendJet is planning to unveil an exclusive Disney range in India soon, too.

  • Humans of Bombay celebrates ten years with ‘Realign’

    Humans of Bombay celebrates ten years with ‘Realign’

    Mumbai: Humans of Bombay, one of the storytelling platforms renowned for capturing inspiring stories from diverse individuals celebrated its ten anniversary on 29 January 2024. Commencing its legacy in Mumbai, over the past decade, the platform has expanded to cover all Indian cities and connect with people across the globe through the power of storytelling. With a community of over 5M followers and a diverse pan-India audience, HOB chronicles stories ranging from local tea stalls to decoding the journeys of India’s foremost leaders like Ratan Tata and Narendra Modi.

    The platform is committed to capturing the brighter side of human experiences, delving into complex subjects such as domestic violence, homosexuality, sex work, and drug abuse. This milestone not only marks a decade-long strive to championing India’s exceptional stories, but also signifies the platform’s dedication to making important conversations accessible to a wider audience.

    The journey has been extremely rewarding, achieving numerous milestones, including raising funds for individuals such as Ali Bhatt, a Kashmiri carpet weaver wrongfully imprisoned for 23 years, a young girl from the Kalbelia tribe, and a 14-year-old aspiring pilot. In addition to sharing inspiring narratives, HOB has collaborated with brands like Dove, Amazon, WhatsApp, OLA and Hindustan Unilever, to further showcase the achievements and success of ordinary people. The Suvidha Centre, a CSR initiative by Hindustan Unilever, collaborated with HOB highlighting stories of individuals benefiting from dignified sanitation, generating positive responses and increasing social media awareness. Beyond these online initiatives, the platform extends its influence through various channels, including a white-label agency, YouTube shows like ‘How The Hell Did I Do It’ and ‘The Humans of Bombay Show’.

    Looking ahead, HOB is gearing up for its first large offline event, the ‘Bombay Storytelling Festival,’ scheduled for later this year. The festival aims to bring online stories to an offline space, offering unique experiences like the human library, panel discussions, open mics, live music performances, food stalls, and interactive installations. Alongside this HOB now has plans to diversify further into long form content as well.

    The platform is now diving deep alongside their storytelling approach, with ‘Realign’, a new venture that serves as an immersive experience, exploring a unique intersection of science, spirituality, and wellness. ‘Realign’ stands on three pillars, ‘listen,’ ‘learn,’ and ‘live,’ offering a podcast with insightful conversations, courses that help you align life, and creative community based experiential events, to provide a comprehensive platform and community to Realign.

    The launch of ‘Realign’ marks a new venture expanding towards diving deep into holistic narratives and guiding people towards a better life. The first leg of ‘Realign,’ the podcast, is now live. With each episode, listeners are invited to partake in transformative conversations with experts, thought leaders, and visionaries who add up to one’s personal growth. Patrons can anticipate engaging conversations with notable guests such as Shikhar Dhawan, Zepto founders Aadit and Kaivalya Vohra, and humanitarian and spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

    On 13 January, 2024, the 3 Pillar of Realign – Live, was launched with their Manifestation edition. The event focused on the topic of manifestation conducted by Karishma Mehta and specialist Dr Karishma Ahuja. The 3-hour event was a mix of conversations, a workshop and a bringing together of like-minded individuals. It saw a wonderful turn out that was a diverse range of people from 18 to 60 years of age of whom some had flown in from different parts of the country with the vision and goal to Realign.

    A glimpse of the first event is presented here.

    Humans of Bombay CEO Karishma Mehta reflects on the journey, stating, “One thing that binds us together is inspiring real-life stories. And in the past ten years of Humans of Bombay, we have believed in the thought strongly. As we look back with gratitude, it’s empowering to see how the platform has created a sense of belonging and resonated with millions of hearts. In the future, our goal remains the same – to unify humans with authentic stories. We are also excited to introduce new avenues, the ‘Bombay Storytelling Festival,’ and much more, as we embark on the next chapter of storytelling. While these 10 years we have focused on the going wide with our stories and we continue to do that, we now bring to you Realign which is a whole venture about Diving deep into Science, spirituality & Well being”

    Celebrating a decade of impactful storytelling, Humans of Bombay (HOB) remains steadfast in its commitment to positive change. Humans of Bombay, pledges to explore new ways of storytelling that uplifts and inspires. Realign, HOB’s latest venture, is a testament to giving back and empowering the community to lead better lives. In this next chapter, Humans of Bombay continues with its mission, weaving narratives that resonate with the essence of humanity.
     

  • Devyani Food unveils digital video commercials for new INFINO icecream

    Devyani Food unveils digital video commercials for new INFINO icecream

    Mumbai: Devyani Food Industries Ltd (DFIL), a part of the RJ Corp group, has introduced INFINO, a premium ice cream brand, exclusively in five key markets: Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bangalore. As part of this launch, DFIL has revealed two digital video commercials (DVC), which effectively encapsulates INFINO’s identity as a premium ice cream brand, prepared to satisfy a diverse range of taste preferences.

    The DVC’s unfolds the narrative of a premium ice cream, crafted with real chocolate, enhancing the consumer’s experience to extraordinary levels. It underscores that relishing this exquisite indulgence will evoke a heightened sensation of pleasure.

    Team Liqvd Asia, renowned for its innovative approach to marketing and storytelling, has conceptualised the DVC’s, ensuring that every frame resonates with the unique selling proposition of INFINO. The creative team behind this visual spectacle includes director and director of photography – Jay Bhansali and conceptualised by team Liqvd Asia. Their collaborative efforts have resulted in two DVC’s that are not only visually compelling but also align seamlessly with the premium positioning of the INFINO brand.

    Commenting on the DVC launch, DFIL CEO Sudhir Chavan remarked, “Brand INFINO is an embodiment of elegance and exquisite taste. With the brand’s launch, our aim was to redefine the ice cream landscape, offering a sensory journey that transcends consumer expectations. With our brand films the objective was clear – we need to depict the essence of indulgence, decadence and sophistication, thereby showing the world our brand’s unique offering and superior quality. We believe this launch will not only redefine ice cream experience for consumers but also set new standards for premium offering in the Indian market. Selecting digital launch for both our “brand films” was a strategic decision rooted in the dynamic landscape of consumer engagement. In a world where digital platforms are omnipresent, we aimed for a wide impact with our target audience across platforms and markets. The films that we have released embodies our brand ethos and communicates how the brand and products are perceived.”

    Liqvd Asia head of creative services, Sunil Gangras added, “When we were thinking about manifesting the magic of INFINO in the creative expression, we wanted to disrupt the premium segment with a product that not only smacks of elitism but also is dazzlingly different in every aspect of design, and we wanted to dial up indulgence in every frame and every conversation. Our single-minded proposition was to establish INFINO as an ‘Out of this world’ brand and hence, we gave it a creative spin by creating its own universe of delight and decadence. This was achieved through a narrative that landed right on the discerning taste buds. Our creative strategy was crafted in a way that makes INFINO drool-worthy and desirable enough to drive trials for this premium ice-cream brand and make a dent in the universe.”

    The DVC’s follow the launch of INFINO in major cities, and with Liqvd Asia at the creative helm, DFIL aims to strengthen the brand’s positioning in the premium ice cream segment. The film is poised to enhance consumer awareness and reinforce INFINO’s commitment to delivering an unparalleled ice cream experience.

    Digital video sticks film – 

    Digital video sticks – 

  • W.A.Y.S bags the integrated marketing mandate for Fila & Fitflop

    W.A.Y.S bags the integrated marketing mandate for Fila & Fitflop

    Mumbai: What Are You Saying (W.A.Y.S.), a creative brand solutions-driven integrated marketing agency based out of Mumbai has won the creative and digital marketing mandate for Fila & Fitflop from the house of Metro Brands Limited (MBL), India’s fastest-growing footwear retailer.

    FILA is a sport-inspired fashion brand that is distributed worldwide. FitFlop is a UK-based footwear brand known for creating the most comfortable footwear in the world.

    The brands have partnered with What Are You Saying (W.A.Y.S.) to deliver creative solutions across online and offline channels as they expand their footprint across the country and strengthen business.  

    What Are You Saying (W.A.Y.S.) will be handling the creative integrated marketing mandate which includes digital communication strategy, content creation and design, ORM, media planning, influencer marketing, etc. The footwear category holds a lot of competition from international stalwarts and new-age homegrown brands and What Are You Saying (W.A.Y.S.) will work in sync with MBL to create innovative and clutter-breaking campaigns that help the brand expand their customer base and build customer loyalty.

    Metro brands limited Sr. VP – marketing Deepika Deepti said, “We partnered with W.A.Y.S. for their creative agility and proven ability to carve impactful narratives that resonate with our diverse audience. They have demonstrated a unique capability to blend innovation with strategy, creating campaigns that not only capture attention but also leave a lasting imprint on our brand identity. The success of our first campaign ‘For People Who Move’ together has exceeded our expectations, marking the beginning of a transformative journey. We’re excited about the journey ahead as we continue to shape engaging narratives and drive unprecedented success for Metro Brands.”

    W.A.Y.S co-founder & head of business growth Radhika Varma said, we are elated to partner with a heritage brand like Metro Brands & join them in their journey of delivering excellence to the Indian consumer. We’re excited about taking an iconic global brand like Fila forward in India & add our creative vision to its existing legacy. With Fitflop we’re presented with the opportunity to bring a truly fantastic product to the Indian consumer & help shape its presence & identity in the country. It is incredibly exciting to be a part of both the brands’ expansion and growth story in India. We are super excited to work with the team at Metro Brands and build campaigns that make the world go “What Are You Saying!” 

  • Hindustan Pencils paid tribute to our armed forces with the launch of Nataraj Hidey Pencils

    Hindustan Pencils paid tribute to our armed forces with the launch of Nataraj Hidey Pencils

    Mumbai:  Hindustan Pencils, the driving force behind the iconic Nataraj and Apsara brands announced the debut of Nataraj Hidey Pencils on Republic Day. This revolutionary addition symbolises a heartfelt tribute to the brave men and women of our armed forces.

    Meticulously crafted with precision and innovative design, these pencils distinguish themselves in the market with a unique feature – a camouflage design complemented by dark writing capabilities. Across utility wear, street fashion, and beyond, camo print’s enduring history and versatility seamlessly blend ruggedness with refinement, introducing surprise and creativity to familiar spaces.

    As part of the launch, Nataraj is organising a captivating handwriting competition in schools across Mumbai aimed at actively engaging the students, creating enthusiasm around the distinctive qualities of Nataraj Hidey Pencils.

    “We take immense pride in introducing Nataraj Hidey Pencils, a tribute to our armed forces and a testament to our commitment to innovation and quality,” said Hindustan Pencils president Pradip Ughade. “The exceptional combination of a camouflage design along with an emphasis on dark writing transforms these pencils into more than just writing tools.”

    In addition to the handwriting competition, Nataraj recently showcased the product at the Paperworld exhibition as a soft launch. This strategic approach allowed the brand to present Nataraj Hidey Pencils to a global audience, gaining valuable insights in the process.