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Category: MAM

  • Harman India appoints 80dB Communications as its PR Partner

    Harman India appoints 80dB Communications as its PR Partner

    Mumbai: Harman International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics focused on connected technologies for automotive, consumer and enterprise markets, has awarded its PR account in India to 80dB Communications, an integrated reputation management advisory.

    80dB Communications will be responsible for developing all PR and external communications programs aimed at showcasing the company’s innovations across its three businesses – automotive, lifestyle and digital transformation solutions.  

    Harman started its operation in India in 2009. Today, the company has more than 10,000 employees across India. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ vision, Harman has invested significant resources in building its R&D and manufacturing capabilities in India, including a state-of-the-art factory in Pune, Maharashtra, that delivers cutting-edge infotainment and audio solutions for Harman’s automotive partners.

    “We chose to partner with 80dB Communications for their creativity, insights and integrated communications approach. We look forward to working with them to create greater connections and engagement with our stakeholders and share more of our incredible brand stories”, said Harman India & DTS senior director (corporate communications) Jasleen K Makker.

    80dB Communications co-founder and Joint managing director Kiran Ray Chaudhury said, “We are thrilled to begin this exciting journey with HARMAN and look forward to this partnership to manage their strategic communications.”

  • Aiwa India partners with Dixon to manufacture smart TV range ‘Magnifiq’

    Aiwa India partners with Dixon to manufacture smart TV range ‘Magnifiq’

    Mumbai: The premium Japanese consumer electronics brand, Aiwa has launched its most awaited range of TV series, Magnifiq in India. For the best-in-class Magnifiq series, the company has partnered with Dixon Technologies as its manufacturing partner and looks forward to contributing to the government’s Make In India initiative.

    The television series offers category leading features that give magnificent vision, magnificent sound, and a magnificent experience. 

    With this latest addition, Aiwa is strengthening its commitment and global vision of providing ‘more for less’ to its consumers by giving exceptional quality products at a  competitive price. Powered by android 11 & AI core 4 processor, the series caters to a discerning audience that looks for new range-topping products. The range extends from the fully loaded 32” series to 43” (FHD & UHD), 50 (4K UHD), 55” (4K UHD) & 65” (4K UHD), and is priced (MRPs) from Rs.29,990 to Rs 1,39,990.

    Also, the 55” and 65” models of the range come with a built-in soundbar for enhanced audio which gives users the best-in-class experience. The soundbar has been designed with Aiwa authentic signature sound technology to give users the most optimal audio preference. The television’s sound output is among the highest for products in the same segment.

    The high-performance Magnifiq range of premium televisions is powered by android 11 with built-in Google assistant. With the certified android TVs, the user’s favourite content is always front and centre for quick and easy access.

    With the company’s proprietary CRYSTA Tech Vision in this Magnifiq series, Aiwa is introducing a new standard in picture quality with vertical array display, AI quad-core processor, 1.07 billion colours and 350 nits* of brightness. When the life-like picture quality is paired with Aiwa’s amphitheater view technology, it delivers a truly spectacular audio-visual experience. 

    Aiwa TVs also come with the protective film with black reflect technology, which is designed especially to protect users from potentially harmful radiation. The anti-glare tech used, reduces reflections on the screen and helps to ease eye fatigue. Additionally, the company’s MEMC (motion estimation, motion compensation) ensures that images remain crisp and sharp during fast motion frames.

    Speaking about the launch and the Magnifiq TV series, Aiwa Electronics International managing director Kure Shouichi ci said, “We are excited about the establishment of Aiwa India, as our regional headquarter, via which we hope to assure Aiwa’s permanency to the Indian consumers. At the launch of our word-class televisions, we are sure the consumer will feel confident to see Aiwa’s legacy of excellence over the past 70 years coupled with the latest and most powerful Android 11 technology”

    Aiwa India managing director Ajay Mehta added, “After we brought Aiwa’s range of luxury speakers to the Indian consumer, the Magnifiq series of TV’s, come with exceptional quality standards that Aiwa is known for over the past 70 years. Our TVs are best suited for consumers who research products pre-purchase in detail and will not compromise on quality, technology, and features at the best possible value.”

    “We are committed to making exceptional products and bringing them to the Indian consumers. We are also proud to have contributed to the Make in India initiative through this project. TVs are poised to be the biggest category by value for Aiwa India and will be followed by the launch of many other product categories. This is tangible and a big step towards our goal of a one billion dollar top line for India,” he added further.

  • DigiBoxx onboards Mohua Mitra as chief product officer

    DigiBoxx onboards Mohua Mitra as chief product officer

    Mumbai: India’s leading indigenous digital asset management platform Digiboxx has announced the appointment of Mohua Mitra as the chief product officer. 

    In her new role, Mohua will focus on strategy, execution, attaining higher efficiency levels, further innovation and automation into the core product offerings at DigiBoxx. She brings over 21 years of experience in SaaS (Software as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service) and BI (Business Intelligence).

    Prior to joining DigiBoxx, Mohua Mitra has been associated with Hitachi Consulting (IN, UK & UAE) for eleven years as a technical architect and manager.

    On this new appointment, Digiboxx CEO Arnab Mitra said, “We are excited to have Mohua join DigiBoxx. She brings with her technical prowess and expertise in implementing solutions in international markets, which will help us take our product offerings to the next level.” 

    Mohua has majored in Physics from Jadavpur University, with a post graduate degree in Radio Physics & Electronics from the Institute of Radio Physics and Electronics (INRAPHEL), Calcutta University. She found her calling in IT consulting very early in her career, working for companies like TCS, Oracle, PwC and IBM as a techno-functional consultant before moving to Hitachi Consulting and now DigiBoxx.

    “It has been a long rewarding career, spanning various geographies including the US, UK, and the UAE. I think it was time for me to embark on a new journey where I can lend my experience to a Made in India service and make it a global product. I thank the DigiBoxx leadership for their confidence in me and look forward to working with the vibrant team,” Mohua Mitra said on her appointment.

  • Priti Rajput joins WOW Skin Science as VP marketing

    Priti Rajput joins WOW Skin Science as VP marketing

    Mumbai: D2C beauty and wellness brand WOW Skin Science has appointed Priti Rajput as vice president-marketing (WOW Skincare and Haircare). In her new role, she will work closely in developing marketing strategies and plans across channels & mediums. 

    Her core responsibilities will entail strategizing and leading communication campaigns to drive brand goals across topline and bottom-line for the skincare and haircare portfolio, directing and coordinating marketing efforts to deliver on the brand’s growth across online and offline channels. She will also be in charge of identifying potential white spaces for the next round of growth leaps. 

    With her vast repertoire in the field of innovation, brand management and marketing for over twelve years, she has led the personal care portfolio for the GoodGlamm group and was the global head of category, hair colour, hygiene for Godrej Consumer Products Limited. She was also responsible for haircare and skincare for Loreal Paris South Asian market. Priti has also lent her expertise as a senior manager for innovation and marketing mix development for Garnier Hair Care in India and Australia. 

    Speaking about her new role, Priti Rajput said, ‘’WOW Skin Science’s values and ethos of providing consumers with safe and natural solutions while ensuring a greener tomorrow has always resonated with my own personal values. I am excited to be a part of this dynamic team and look forward to leveraging my skills and expertise to further strengthen WOW’s position as the go-to beauty and personal care brand.”

    Adding to this, WOW Skin Science co-founder Manish Chowdhary said, “We are delighted to welcome Priti to the WOW family. Her rich experience in innovation, brand management, and consumer insight, will prove resourceful in helping WOW Skin Science to thrive and grow in this age of digital transformation. We believe that she will be a tenacious leader who will help WOW Skin Science great heights in the near future.’’

  • GUEST ARTICLE: How PR is evolving to go beyond local geographies and meet the global needs of fast-growing local brands?

    GUEST ARTICLE: How PR is evolving to go beyond local geographies and meet the global needs of fast-growing local brands?

    Mumbai: Local brands have evolved rapidly in the recent decades because of technological advancements and changes in business practices. The emergence of numerous technologies, most notably the Internet, may be monitored and linked to the growth of local brands. New channels and different working techniques were introduced by technology, resulting in a shift in profession and practice that could not have been expected when they were first introduced. Local brands are enhancing their online presence among a certain target audience and may communicate the appropriate message at the right time, improving brand reputation and supporting local brands in becoming global brands. A sound marketing plan is critical to the success of local brands and may help them generate consistent profits.

    With PR local brands can communicate with a wide range of people and are not restricted to the geographical borders of their markets, this also implies that companies may conduct business and that their reach has grown global. With such rise and development in technologies, local brands can expand them quicker, reaching the maximum number of audience and connecting brands with different markets throughout the globe. As technology develops, it will emerge with new strategies for brands, which will be supporting the local brands in enhancing the brand awareness and brand position in the global market. Here are the some of the ways in which PR helps the local brands to grow-faster and how it is going beyond local geographics and meeting the global needs:

    Digital PR

    Digital PR helps local brands to adapt and build their online presence, because brands are wherever people are. It enables local brands to have direct and two-way communications that are not constrained by place or time. Digital PR overcomes digital obstacles by utilising the digital environment to the brand’s benefit. It builds solid and long-term relationships with the target audience by disseminating information more quickly and efficiently. positively affects brand reputation and aids in brand awareness.

    Building local narrative with global perspective

    PR has perfected interacting with targeted audiences by providing customised material that is relevant to the audience and news that is of interest to them. It is assisting in the creation of a story for local businesses, and via that narrative, local brands are gaining a global perspective. It is now simpler for brands to establish a perspective and engage with their desired audience.

    Creating larger categories for local brands

    With the increased usage of social media, viewers are far more powerful than they were previously. PR helps local brands in creating wider categories and spreading knowledge about them; it also creates a narrative that is controlled by the brands via the use of various instruments. With so much competition in every sector, public relations assist businesses by utilising their USP and categorising them for increased brand recognition among targeted customers.

    Facilitated local and International collaboration

    The purpose of public relations is to preserve brand image while also representing the fundamental values and offers of the company. It is difficult to connect with a worldwide audience. PR may assist local brands in using sponsored partnerships with global influencers to generate unique engagement programmes and enhance brand recognition for local brands. These may be strategically mapped across channels, from social media and blogger partnerships to on-ground activations at modern trade establishments or leisure/social events, where the local brand can effortlessly connect with its audience and by this local brand can raise funds.

    Local brands can now contact the correct audience more efficiently and with more success. Local brands thrive because they can connect with customers and understand their requirements, while still offering products and services at reasonable pricing. In today’s world, social media applications like Instagram and Facebook make it simple to establish a local brand. The idea that individuals want to tell their stories and those businesses need to develop and manage their image and communication remains consistent, but there has been a shift in how, what, and where tales are shared because of PR.

    The author is Scenic Communications co-founder Anindita Gupta. 

  • FreshMenu strengthens leadership team; appoints Jyotishman Deka as chief business officer

    FreshMenu strengthens leadership team; appoints Jyotishman Deka as chief business officer

    Mumbai: The leading food-tech and cloud kitchen company FreshMenu has appointed Jyotishman Deka as chief business officer. Deka will work closely with founder and CEO Rashmi Daga to further accelerate the growth of the brand. Jyotishman comes with over 20 years of experience of working with MNCs as well as startups. 

    In his new role, he will look after business expansion, driving overall revenue and growth for the business. FreshMenu has also raised a capital of Rs 50 crore from Florintree Advisors, a growth stage venture capital firm. In the upcoming months, FreshMenu plans on using the new funding to target Rs 200 crore ARR in FY23 and double the kitchen footprint, while scaling its upcoming brands. 

    Speaking of his appointment, Jyotishman Deka said, “It is an interesting time for the food tech industry and FreshMenu in particular. I am excited to take this opportunity to drive a customer-focused approach to garner exponential growth for FreshMenu. I believe FreshMenu’s potential is limitless, and look forward to working with the teams to build and fast-track the brand’s momentous growth in the days to come.”

    FreshMenu founder and CEO Rashmi Daga said, “We are excited to onboard Jyotishman to our core leadership team as we embark on our next phase. He brings a wealth of experience, skills and best practices from leading companies that we are sure will complement the growth of the company. Together, we look forward to re-energise the Freshmenu brand.”

  • R K Swamy, BBDO to end long-term partnership

    R K Swamy, BBDO to end long-term partnership

    Mumbai: Leading advertising agencies R K Swamy and BBDO have ended their 37-year partnership with each other. The announcement was made through an internal memo.

    As per the agreement, R K Swamy will buy out BBDO’s stake in R K Swamy BBDO, and BBDO will buy out R K Swamy’s stake in BBDO India.

    The partnership, which started merely after a handshake between RK Swamy and the then global CEO of BBDO Allen Rosenshine in 1985, has ended for strategic reasons.

    According to an official statement, R K Swamy Hansa Group is planning to bring its various businesses under one umbrella. The group presently has over one thousand employees working on four different ventures and the split plans to bring them all under one roof.

    R K Swamy Hansa Group group CEO Shekar Swamy said, “We started the relationship when R K Swamy and I shook hands with the then CEO of BBDO Allen Rosenshine, in New York in 1985. We worked for four years together on a simple understanding without a formal contract. BBDO invested in us up to a majority, which we then bought back in 2009. They have held a significant minority since then. At that point, BBDO India was created and we took a similar minority stake in it. BBDO is a great company and it has been a fantastic journey. The phrase ‘all good things come to an end’ is so true in this case.” 

    Adding to it, BBDO Worldwide CEO Andrew Robertson said, “R K Swamy has been a great partner. We extend to them our very best wishes and cheers as they move forward with plans for their Group. I have always admired their conviction in, and commitment to the future of India and the part they can play in it. I am sure it will be great. We have a strong agency in BBDO India. We remain committed to great work, and this will be the same in India as elsewhere.”    

    R K Swamy Hansa Group chairperson Srinivasan K Swamy remarked, “R K Swamy BBDO is primarily in marketing communications. However our extended activities go beyond marketing communications to span interactive and digital, media planning and buying, media and market research, CRM, data analytics and martech, healthcare communication, and continuing medical education, events, and outdoor. We are bringing these together under one structure for greater synergy. The future is very exciting as we consolidate.”

  • The Good Glamm Group ropes in Malvika Mehra as chief creative officer

    The Good Glamm Group ropes in Malvika Mehra as chief creative officer

    Mumbai: The Good Glamm Group has recently announced the appointment of advertising stalwart Malvika Mehra as chief creative officer. Malvika will lead the strategic thinking and creative mandate on brands across offline and online channels including mainline, performance, social, community, marketplace, store, digital, retail and design. The Good Glamm is the content-to-commerce group in South Asia and the digital BPC (Beauty & Personal Care) conglomerate leveraging content and creators for commerce in India.

    Mehra has 30 years of expertise in the advertising industry. She worked with Grey for five years and Ogilvy for more than 15 years before joining Dentsu India. She also founded Tomorrow Creative Lab and served as its creative director for two years. In the course of her career, Mehra has worked on brands like Vodafone, Honda, and Gillette, to mention a few. 

    Later, she started her own entrepreneurial journey with Tomorrow Creative Lab, her clientele included the likes of HUL, Oyo Rooms, and NDTV among others.

    Additionally, she has participated as a jury member for cinema, print, and design categories at prestigious international advertising and design festivals like Cannes, Clio, and Spikes Asia.

    Mehra shared via her LinkedIn profile, “The Good Glamm is the largest content-to-commerce group in South Asia and the fastest growing digital BPC (beauty and personal care) conglomerate leveraging content and creator for commerce in India. I am excited about using new tools to deliver both – brand desire and great value for our brands here.”

  • Ogilvy Bengaluru elevates Tithi Ghosh as president & head of office

    Ogilvy Bengaluru elevates Tithi Ghosh as president & head of office

    Mumbai: Ogilvy India has promoted Tithi Ghosh as president and head of office for Ogilvy Bengaluru as Ram Moorthi has moved on from the agency after a twenty five year long association.

    The change in leadership came into effect from 1 July 2022.

    Ram’s contribution to Ogilvy India, since 1997, has been immense across the Ogilvy India network. In the last two and half decades, Ram has been in leadership roles that included heading the Chennai office, leading the IBM hub, heading Ogilvy’s PR function, leading the Mumbai office to becoming the Bengaluru office head.

    Tithi brings with her over 22 years of experience in brand communication.  She has an honours degree in Economics from St. Xavier’s College Kolkata and completed her Master’s at MICA. She joined Ogilvy in Bengaluru in 2004.  

    Over the years, Tithi has become synonymous with the Ogilvy Bengaluru office. She has had her hand in all the successes and wins that the office has had in the last two decades. She has created some fantastic work across brands like ITC Bingo, Titan, Allen Solly, The Hindu, Fortune and MTR.  She has also nurtured and built some of the strongest client partnerships for Ogilvy Bengaluru. 

    In her role as managing partner in Bengaluru, during the pandemic years, she was instrumental in stabilising the business in spite of the pressures and was a pillar of strength to all employees.    

    On this change in leadership, Ogilvy India group president VR Rajesh, said, “We would like to thank Ram, for giving so much to Ogilvy India. We will miss his passion to always do something different. Not a man to sit on his laurels, we are sure an all new venture is right around the corner. We wish him all the best and lots of love.”

    “We are also very lucky to have Tithi to take the baton from Ram. Tithi stands for everything that represents the culture of Ogilvy. The voice of guidance and wisdom is now going to be the hand that guides the next chapter of Ogilvy Bengaluru,” he added.

    Tithi Ghosh said on her appointment, “In my 18 years in Ogilvy Bengaluru, I’ve had the good fortune of being part of teams that launched brands that today have grown to be some of India’s most loved. To gain the same love and attention from digitally consummate and socially active consumers of today, requires fresh and new ways of thinking. Our team here has some incredible talent, folks who are passionate about what they do and create. I’m excited about the future as I believe we can partner our existing and prospective clients in changing the conversation around their brands.” 

    Ogilvy chairman global creative and executive chairman India Piyush Pandey commented, “Tithi has been my valuable partner for years.  And I am sure that in the coming years she will further strengthen our client relationships and creative excellence in our Bengaluru office.”

  • Publicis Groupe media agency Zenith wins Eureka Forbes biz

    Publicis Groupe media agency Zenith wins Eureka Forbes biz

    Mumbai: Consumer goods company Eureka Forbes has appointed Zenith India, the ROI agency of Publicis Groupe as its media AOR (agency of records). Zenith won this business in a competitive and comprehensive multi-agency pitch process which began in February this year and saw leading groups participate.

    Zenith won this business on the back of its integrated, differentiated approach to planning and powerful suite of proprietary multi-channel tools.

    Zenith will handle the entire gamut of integrated media-planning, buying and implementation, which includes performance marketing, digital, SEO, commerce, data, technology, analytics, and insight transformation (DTAI) initiatives for Eureka Forbes. The scope of work will focus on driving business growth and media engagement for the brand in a dynamic, ever-shifting technology landscape.

    Zenith India CEO Jai Lala said, “We are delighted to partner with Eureka Forbes, a consumer goods company that has carved a niche for itself and needs no introduction. Zenith through its strong integrated approach and data driven decision-making will help accelerate business growth and help them stay true to its brand mission and purpose. Zenith has an ROI-focused approach, delivering on real outcomes and measurable results and through our differentiated thinking, diverse capabilities and data and analytics skills, we look forward to partnering with the brand on its expansion plans and helping them lead and excel in an era of new consumer and market realities.”

    Eureka Forbes India CMO Sameer Wanchoo said, “Eureka Forbes leads its respective categories in water and cleaning, through brand and proposition differentiation, continuous innovation, digital enabled business process and its execution rigor, driving both effectiveness and efficiency. With dynamic consumer media habits and extensive multi-media fragmentation, our partnership with Zenith will help us maximize effective reach amongst relevant target audiences. We are confident that our partnership with Zenith will further fuel brand growth and drive business metrics.”