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Category: MAM

  • 48 per cent urban couples influenced by cost-affordability for destination weddings: Betterhalf survey

    48 per cent urban couples influenced by cost-affordability for destination weddings: Betterhalf survey

    Mumbai: Indian weddings are renowned for their elaborate ceremonies, exquisite decor, picturesque venues, and culinary creations. All of these have contributed to making the Indian wedding market the second-largest in the world. In fact, weddings in India have truly evolved as brides and grooms today are more than ready to have their dream destination weddings instead of fitting them into the little traditional box.

    Given the burgeoning trend of destination weddings, Betterhalf- India’s leading matrimony super-app and premier tech-enabled end-to-end wedding planning company recently conducted a survey to unveil a new perspective on Indian destination weddings, breaking them away from the connotations of being exorbitant affairs. With more than 47 per cent of eligible bachelors and to-be-wed couples opting for destination weddings, Betterhalf’s survey also debunks the myths associated with the trend.

    The majority of around 48 per cent of urban professionals preferring to have a destination wedding are significantly influenced by the affordable cost associated with them. This majority underpins that destination weddings have departed from being costly celebrations to becoming more customizable as per the couple’s wedding budget. In addition, 25 per cent of urban professionals value location while 23 per cent consider experience as the key influential factor to choose a destination wedding.

    “Destination weddings have evolved so much over the years, that they have emerged as the most favorable wedding option for India’s diverse populace. That being said, destination weddings are elaborate ceremonies and people tend to think of them as over-the-top expensive affairs. With our survey insights, we are hoping to break away from this persona of the Big-Fat destination Weddings, making it a dream come true for all by making budget-friendly destination weddings more accessible,” said Betterhalf co-founder and CEO Pawan Gupta.

    For all to-be-wed couples, budget plays a significant role, which was highlighted by Betterhalf’s survey as 72 per cent of urban professionals considered it significant when planning a destination wedding. As a result, the secret ingredient to having the most surreal yet economical destination wedding that perfectly aligns with your budget is to engage the services of online wedding planning platforms, as preferred by 38 per cent of couples in contrast to traditional planners.

    With an online wedding planning platform, one can be guaranteed to have a fairytale wedding come true, in perfect accordance with the budget set. These online wedding platforms create a synergy between affordability and top-notch quality, and their network of multiple vendors further helps them offer the best services within the decided budget. While destination wedding planners can certainly help in allocating the budget effectively, over 54 per cent of urban professionals want them to offer additional services like travel arrangements. Apart from this, over 30 per cent of them look for assistance in on-site coordination respectively.  

    Thus, amidst all the pomp and circumstance, destination weddings can truly be economical. By choosing to engage the services of online wedding planning platforms, you stand a chance to save big bucks on your big day. Having said that, destination wedding or not, the most important element is cherishing the future that awaits you and your partner on this incredible journey.

  • Sobhita Dhulipala set to walk for Magnum India at Cannes Film Festival

    Sobhita Dhulipala set to walk for Magnum India at Cannes Film Festival

    Mumbai: Building on the illustrious heritage of crafting exquisite premium ice creams, Magnum India has geared up to dazzle at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival alongside – Sobhita Dhulipala. The collaboration promises to merge indulgence with elegance, promising an unforgettable experience of luxury and style.

    With a legacy deeply rooted in fashion and luxury, Magnum believes a day without pleasure is a day lost. Through this association, Magnum aims to dive deeper into the realms of passion, pleasure, creativity, and versatility.

    In addition to Sobhita’s captivating appearance on the brown carpet, she will be attending the exclusive Magnum party and the Magnum lounge with celebrated names like Troye Sivan and Mura Masa. It is a night of custom-dipped decadence, mind-blowing installations and pleasure stations designed to transport Pleasure Seekers to immerse in a world of indulgence and allow themselves to go Wherever Pleasure Takes You.

    “Partnering with Sobhita Dhulipala for this year’s Cannes Film Festival embodies everything Magnum ice cream stands for—sophistication, boldness, and the pleasure of indulgence,” said HUL– Foods & Refreshment executive director Shiva Krishnamurthy. “Cannes not only celebrates cinematic art but also serves as a showcase for timeless elegance and daring creativity, much like Magnum’s ice creams. Sobhita’s vibrant presence and fashion-forward style beautifully align with our pursuit of crafting experiences that are as visually stunning and delectable. This association at Cannes highlights our continuous commitment to being at the forefront of pleasure and luxury, delighting our audience in new and exciting ways.”

    Speaking on the occasion Sobhita Dhulipala added “Taking my journey with Magnum a notch higher with the Cannes Film Festival is both exciting and symbolic of my relationship with the brand, where we progress alongside creating colourful memories. This experience allows me to create these moments of pleasure as this association is a perfect blend of fashion, film and flavour. I’m looking forward to showcasing how Magnum ice cream transforms everyday indulgence into something truly spectacular.”

    This collaboration at Cannes marks a momentous occasion for both Magnum India and Sobhita Dhulipala, perfectly encapsulating the spirit of creativity and luxury. With a blend of fashion, film, and flavour, this partnership sets a new standard for indulgence, ensuring that the ‘Magnum experience’ remains unforgettable long after the festival lights dim. 

  • Celebrating Mother’s Day: Natureland Organics opening doors for women entrepreneurs

    Celebrating Mother’s Day: Natureland Organics opening doors for women entrepreneurs

    Mumbai: Natureland Organics, a leader in the organic food sector is commemorating Mother’s Day by celebrating the spirit of mompreneurs. The vision here is to empower the mothers of India.

    Natureland Organics is extending an invitation to all the mothers to collaborate with the brand as entrepreneurs by advocating for the products and gaining financial independence while also promoting healthier and more sustainable lifestyles.

    This Mother’s Day, Natureland Organics is giving an opportunity to all mothers in metropolitan and tier-one cities across India to join their movement towards organic living, supporting local farmers, and enabling women especially mothers to work from the comfort of their homes.

    Through this groundbreaking initiative, women are empowered to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams while balancing the responsibilities of family life, all while reaping the financial rewards. Harnessing the power of hashtags like #mompreneur and #womeninbusiness, we’re amplifying our message across diverse platforms, igniting a movement that celebrates the resilience and success of modern mothers in business

    One can choose to participate in this initiative through a unique working model: By enrolling into the programme from the site to receive a personalised code made for mompreneurs. They’ll be having access to exclusive 25 per cent off coupon code along with their respective names, one can benefit financially from every purchase made using your coupon code from the official company website. An excellent factor being that it does not require any sought of initial investment hence being feasible and accessible to homemakers out there.

    Naturland Organic’s initiative aims to empower women economically, enabling them to play pivotal roles in their households and contribute meaningfully to national economic growth. By providing opportunities within the FMCG industry, it not only enhances financial stability but also fosters recognition and career advancement for women. This dual impact not only strengthens individual households but also fuels broader societal progress, creating a more inclusive and dynamic economy for all

    “This initiative aligns with our commitment to nature and society,” said Natureland Organics co-founder and director Ajeet Godara. He further added, “We strive to support mothers, who are the pillars of our families and society, by providing them with an opportunity to gain financial independence while embracing organic living.”

    Natureland Organics is on the lookout for homemakers eager to re-enter the workforce, offering a unique opportunity for those with a degree, a vibrant social media presence, and a deep commitment to healthy eating and sustainable living. Ideal candidates will not only bring academic qualifications but also a passion for promoting well-being.

  • Nomad Pizza celebrates moms on Mother’s Day

    Nomad Pizza celebrates moms on Mother’s Day

    Mumbai: Nomad Pizza, the quintessential gourmet pizza destination in Bangalore, cordially invites all mothers to an unforgettable Mother’s Day experience. Renowned for its delectable gourmet offerings and warm ambience, Nomad Pizza is rolling out the red carpet to honour mothers with well-deserved culinary delights.

    On the delightful afternoon of Sunday, 12 May, from 12:30 pm to 4 pm, Nomad Pizza warmly invites you to join their Mother’s Day brunch. For mothers, their meal is a token of love, ensuring they feel truly cherished. Meanwhile, an exclusive menu awaits all other guests, priced at just Rs 1499/- per person, promising a delightful dining experience.

    Nomad Pizza boasts an extensive menu featuring an array of delectable options, including their renowned deep-dish pizza, Napel’s pizza, flavorful pastas and creamy risottos, all accompanied by a variety of unlimited beverage choices. This Mother’s Day, we encourage all mothers to treat themselves to an indulgent feast at Nomad Pizza, where every bite is infused with love and appreciation. Join us at the Nomad Indiranagar outlet as we raise a toast to the extraordinary mothers who enrich our lives with their endless warmth and care.

  • Omnicom expands with four centres in India

    Omnicom expands with four centres in India

    Mumbai: Omnicom (NYSE:OMC) announced the expansion of its Global Solutions Centers of Excellence with the opening of three new campus locations in Bengaluru, Chennai, and Gurugram. A fourth location will be opened in Hyderabad in October. This significant investment reaffirms Omnicom’s commitment to expanding its presence in India’s fast-growing economy, tapping into its diverse talent, and continuing to drive innovation and enhance client services across the company.

    Designed to accommodate Omnicom’s expanding footprint and global client solutions capabilities, these centres of excellence will house a diverse talent pool of over 5,500 colleagues. The newly built, state-of-the-art offices will provide best-in-class collaborative environments for Omnicom’s talent in India. Through their expertise in media, data and analytics, creative, digital commerce, marketing technology, and AI, Omnicom’s Global Solutions Centers will support our agencies around the world, driving more value and efficiencies for our clients.

    “India is a country of creativity and technology with diverse, dynamic and talented people,” said Omnicom chairman and CEO John Wren. “Our India operations are helping us transform from within, improving our client offerings and providing operating efficiencies. We are rapidly scaling and will continue to increase the number of colleagues in Omnicom’s Global Solutions Centers over the next few years, making them a key component of Omnicom’s growth.” 

  • Spykar inspires young India to make their votes count

    Spykar inspires young India to make their votes count

    Mumbai: Spykar, a denim and casual wear brand, has announced the launch of its integrated campaign, dedicated to inspiring and mobilising the nation’s youth to participate in the upcoming general elections actively.

    The Spykar voting campaign coincides with the upcoming election schedule in the target states. Commencing with Gujarat on 7 May , followed by Maharashtra (excluding Pune) on the same date 7 May, the campaign extends its reach to Pune on 13 May, culminating with Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh on 20 May. This campaign targets young voters aged 18-30 across targeted states, who are passionate about making a difference through their vote.

    A captivating brand film leads the campaign, and aims to ignite a sense of responsibility and enthusiasm among young and first-time voters, urging them to exercise their democratic rights. Through a dynamic narrative, the film portrays the pivotal moment when two young girls, enamored by a boy at a café, choose to overlook him upon discovering his failure to vote. The central message conveyed by Spykar is that if you have not voted, you are not cool.

    Through this campaign, Spykar aims to create a memorable brand experience by offering exciting rewards to those who visit Spykar stores and flash their inked fingers – a symbol of their participation in the democratic process. Spykar is also urging voters to share their inked finger selfies on Instagram and other social media platforms for rewards from the brand.

    Spykar co-founder and CEO Sanjay Vakharia commented, “Today’s youth is different from that of the yesteryears. Apart from being rebellious, fun-loving, and carefree, they are conscious and take their social responsibilities very seriously.” He further added, “We wanted to bring these virtues to the forefront. Choosing who should lead us to a better tomorrow is our right and to vote is our obligation towards protecting the future of our country; nothing less will do – that’s the mindset of the young and restless of our generation which this film intends to resonate with.”

    Brandmovers India is the creative agency behind the latest Spykar election campaign. The integrated marketing campaign will be released across channels such as social, digital, retail POS, outdoor, digital outdoor, and print, for audiences across the country.

    Brandmovers India MD & CCO Suvajyoti Ghosh said: “When the team at Spykar approached us with a brief to create conversations around the Indian general elections and assert its relevance among its young, restless and opinionated audience, we took the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the contemporary youth by urging them to vote instead of just having or sharing opinions on social media.”

  • Contagious Pioneers 2024: The best and bravest agencies on the planet

    Contagious Pioneers 2024: The best and bravest agencies on the planet

    Mumbai: Contagious is pleased to announce the 2024 Contagious Pioneers list, recognising the agencies that are setting the standard for innovation and creative excellence in marketing.

    The 2024 winners (in alphabetical order) are:  

    • BETC Paris

    • Colenso BBDO, Auckland

    • GUT Buenos Aires

    • Howatson+Company, Sydney

    • Lucky Generals, London

    • Ogilvy India, Mumbai

    • Rethink, Toronto

    • Uncommon Creative Studio, London

    We select our Pioneer agencies by rigorously analysing the work featured on our online intelligence tool, Contagious IQ.

    Only campaigns that demonstrate the highest levels of creativity and strategic thinking pass our rigorous editorial filter. The Pioneer agencies are those that had the most campaigns featured on Contagious IQ over the past year, cross-referenced against metrics such as the number of different clients represented across their body of work, and whether the campaigns were selected as ‘Editor’s Picks’ or chosen for more in-depth coverage.

    Contagious editor Chloe Markowicz said: ‘At Contagious, we only concern ourselves with the very best marketing in the world. So having a single campaign featured on the Contagious IQ platform is already high praise for any agency, but to be ranked a Contagious Pioneer signifies that an agency has consistently achieved excellence.

    ‘Our 2024 Pioneers agencies have created work that stands out as the most creative, innovative and effective in the industry. They deserve recognition for campaigns that demonstrate breakthrough thinking and set a  new creative standard, exhibiting what future-facing marketing should look like.’

  • Gupshup hires marketing leader Salim Ali as chief marketing officer

    Gupshup hires marketing leader Salim Ali as chief marketing officer

    Mumbai: Gupshup, the leading Conversation Cloud, announced the appointment of Salim Ali as chief marketing officer (CMO). Based in Silicon Valley, Salim will lead full stack marketing across the entire value chain, and across all routes to market. He comes with close to three decades of experience and will be supporting Gupshup’s global growth and expansion with an expansive suite of solutions that comprise the Gupshup Conversation Cloud.

    Having led large and globally dispersed teams, Salim brings deep marketing experience, building and scaling business lines across large enterprises and startups. In his previous role, Salim was the chief marketing officer at WordPress VIP, where he was running all things marketing from amplifying the WordPress brand voice, product marketing, new demand to industry and customer marketing. Before WordPress VIP, he held senior roles at the likes of SAP, Avalara, and Veritas Technologies, managing global teams across North America, LatAm, UK/EU, MENA, and APJ Markets.

    At Gupshup, he will be at the helm of crafting a compelling and inspiring brand and platform story for the company’s key audience cohorts, scaling global demand generation, and amplifying customer marketing efforts by building out and expanding key GTM capabilities. This includes industry marketing, value messaging, ROI-based storytelling, and marketing operations- necessary for global coverage and accelerated growth.

    “I am excited to welcome Salim to Gupshup as we further strengthen our very capable marketing leadership. His established expertise in accelerating enterprise digital experiences across global markets will be instrumental in propelling our growth. I am confident that he’ll fit in well with our culture and help take marketing to the next level, driving great impact with customers and investors alike”, said Gupshup CEO & co-founder Beerud Sheth.

    Ali said, “I’m thrilled to join Gupshup at this stage of global growth. It’s an exciting phase for us as brands across the globe are investing in direct, contextual and immediate conversation capabilities to accelerate marketing, sales and CS imperatives. The 45,000+ brands powered by Gupshup is a sneak peek into how 1:1 conversations at scale is the inevitable future.”

    Salim holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern, and an M.S in Computer Science from Louisiana State University. He is an ardent movie buff with equal love for Hollywood and Bollywood creations.

  • Oakter launches smart meter for efficient energy management

    Oakter launches smart meter for efficient energy management

    Mumbai: Oakter, a leading provider of innovative consumer electronics has announced the launch of OAKMETER, a state-of-the-art Smart Energy Meter designed to revolutionize energy consumption management.

    Unlike traditional meters, Oakter’s Smart Meter employs advanced technologies such as Advanced Metering Infrastructure, real-time data analytics, and Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities. This enables two-way communication with the utility’s server via internet connectivity, facilitating seamless detection of tampering, real-time data transmission at intervals as frequent as every 15 or 30 minutes, outage identification and visibility of energy consumption on mobile devices. These features result in reduced manual intervention, increased operational efficiency, minimized error, and substantial cost savings for both consumers and utilities.

    Commenting on the idea behind making this Smart Meter, Oakter  CEO Shishir Gupta commented, “Sustainable energy is a primary need for our planet in current times. While India’s current capacity to produce more electricity than total demand is a positive development, coupled with the increasing deployment of renewable energy, there is still progress to be made. The big issue right now is losses in distribution, which can be attributed to power thefts, corruption, and inefficient infrastructure. Smart Meters are the solution to this problem by providing real-time visibility of distribution and consumption across the country. Hence the Indian government has launched the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) to replace all energy meters with smart energy meters. Oakter’s competence in development and manufacturing of smart IoT devices is perfectly suited to manufacture high-quality smart energy meters in large quantities. Therefore, we have set up a manufacturing unit to produce 10 Lakh Smart Energy Meters per Month. We have made these investments and built these capacities to support the government initiative and mandate given to private industry.”

    Oakter’s Smart Meters have undergone rigorous testing in the company’s NABL-certified lab to ensure peak functionality, surpassing the accuracy of traditional Class 1 meters. Designed to meet the specifications of all utilities across the country, these meters leverage Oakter’s expertise in deploying over two crore IoT devices in the market. With 4G connectivity, low latency, and optimized communication protocols, Oakter has set a new standard in smart meter technology.

    OAKMETER is a high-quality Smart Meter that meets stringent quality standards, including BIS (ISI Mark as per IS16444 standard), CE Certified, RoHS, CBIP 325 Certified for Tamper Protection, CMMI level three certified, and ISO compliant.

    OAKMETER is a business-to-business (B2B) product supplied directly to utilities, with Oakter providing a 10-year warranty on all products. The typical contract for Smart Meters includes installation, support, and finance based on the DBFOOT (Design-Build Finance-Own-Operate-Transfer) Model, with contracts awarded at INR 8K to 10K per meter. With the launch of this product, Oakter reinforces its commitment to revolutionizing the consumer electronics space, offering a diverse range of products tailored for the Indian market. 

  • Kalamandir Jewellers onboards Shruti Haasan as its brand ambassador

    Kalamandir Jewellers onboards Shruti Haasan as its brand ambassador

    Mumbai: Kalamandir Jewellers, India’s premier jewellery chain, has onboarded talented and stylish actress Shruti Haasan as its brand ambassador.

    With a legacy of excellence and a commitment to timeless beauty, Kalamandir Jewellers has emerged as a leading jewellery retailer in India. Renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship, and showrooms spanning several cities, Kalamandir Jewellers continues to set the standards for elegance and luxury in the jewellery industry.

    Speaking about the collaboration, Kalamandir Jewellers director Milan Shah said, “We are thrilled to welcome Shruti Haasan, a popular actor and a style icon with fans across India and globally, to the Kalamandir family. Her unique blend of talent, style and grace embodies the essence of our brand and reflects our commitment to sophistication and tradition. I am confident that the association with Shruti will inspire our customers and create memorable experiences.”

    Ms Haasan commented on the association, “I am delighted to embark on this exciting journey with Kalamandir Jewellers. I believe in the power of elegance and individuality and can easily relate to Kalamandir as a brand. They are one of the most popular jewellery retail chains in the country, and partnering with them allows me to express these values and inspire others to embrace their unique beauty.”

    The partnership with Shruti Hasaan, the daughter of iconic actor Kamal Haasan and actress Sarika Thakur, will enable Kalamandir Jewellers to forge stronger consumer trust and brand loyalty and build further on its legacy of over 37 years.

    With Shruti Haasan as its radiant new face, Kalamandir Jewellers embarks on a journey of timeless elegance. Together, they inspire customers to embrace their unique essence, crafting moments of magnificence with exquisite jewellery. This collaboration promises to elevate experiences and leave an indelible mark on the world of luxury and style.

    Starting from a store of 200 sq ft in Kosamba in Surat district, Kalamandir has come a long way to establish a strong retail presence with showrooms across Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vapi, Bharuch, and Kosamba and at the airport in Surat, Chennai, Varanasi, Udaipur, and Vadodara. It has also introduced prominent national jewellery brands like Rishta, Kingly, Indo-Italia, Purusham, Platinum & Sajdhaj ke.