ITV

Category: Marketing

  • DesignCafe opens third experience centre in Mumbai

    DesignCafe opens third experience centre in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: Home interiors  brand, DesignCafe, has launched its third experience centre in Mumbai, located at Vicino Mall, Oshiwara, Andheri West. This opening marks the company’s fifth centre in Maharashtra and its seventeenth across India, following a recent launch in Pune.

    The new experience centre aims to cater to the strong demand and growing customer base in Mumbai by offering a comprehensive and inspiring experience for homeowners.

    The centre features:

    * A fully designed sample flat showcasing space-optimized interiors.
    * Display zones for modular kitchens, wardrobes, bedrooms, and living areas.
    * Mumbai-inspired design elements suitable for modern, compact homes.
    * Design solutions that can increase space by up to 20 per cent.
    * A curated selection of premium finishes, high-quality materials, and versatile design combinations.

    This new location is part of DesignCafe’s commitment to providing personalised interiors designed for efficiency and style, suitable for the fast-paced lifestyle of Mumbai.

    Co-founders Gita Ramanan and Shezaan Bhojani stated that opening their third centre in Mumbai reflects their understanding of the city’s living and growth patterns. They emphasized the need for maximising space in Mumbai homes and highlighted their design approach in achieving this while reflecting individual homeowner styles.

    Gita Ramanan added that their vision is to make world-class design, seamless execution, and quality homes accessible to every homeowner across India, particularly in cities like Mumbai, emphasizing affordability and functionality as key standards.

    The Oshiwara Experience Centre operates on DesignCafe’s in-house design-to-installation model, which includes:
    * End-to-end project execution with over 400 expert designers.
    * A 65,000 sq. ft. factory equipped with German machinery.
    * A rigorous 51-point quality check.
    * 0 per cent EMI options and a 20-year warranty.
    About DesignCafe:
    Founded by architects Gita Ramanan and Shezaan Bhojani, DesignCafe has delivered over 10,000 homes and operates 17 Experience Centres in 11 cities. The brand focuses on providing intelligent, space-saving, and personalized interiors designed to suit various lifestyles and budgets, with an emphasis on functionality, affordability, transparent pricing, and quality service.

  • Indonesian coffee unicorn hopes to brew up a storm in India

    Indonesian coffee unicorn hopes to brew up a storm in India

    MUMBAI: The aroma of Indonesian coffee has wafted into India’s bustling café scene as Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing coffee chain, Kopi Kenangan, has  planted its flag at Pacific Mall in Delhi’s Tagore Garden. Valued at over $1 billion—making it the region’s first food and beverage unicorn—the brand is brewing ambitious plans for the world’s most populous nation.

    “India’s vast young population and growing appreciation for diverse coffee experiences make it an ideal market for Kenangan Coffee. We are committed to delivering high-quality coffee that resonates with local preferences, creating memorable moments for every customer,” says  Kenangan Brands co-founder & CEO Edward Tirtanata, backed by heavyweight investors including Peak XV Partners and Meta co-founder Eduardo Saverin’s B Capital.

    The coffee upstart is positioning itself as a challenger to pricier global giants like Starbucks and Tim Hortons. With espresso shots starting at a modest Rs 99 and larger servings below Rs 150—roughly Rs 80-100 cheaper than premium competitors—Kopi Kenangan is clearly betting its beans on price-conscious customers.

    The company’s secret ingredient? Gula Aren, an Indonesian palm sugar with a lower glycemic index than refined alternatives, aimed at health-conscious Indians who still fancy a sweet fix. This nutritious twist might just be the sugar rush needed to stand out in India’s increasingly frothy café marketplace.

    With plans to open 10+ stores by end-2025 and intentions to pour up to Rs 40 crore into sourcing and expansion over the next two years, the brand isn’t just dipping its toe in the market—it’s diving in headfirst.
    “Our mission is to blend Indonesian craftsmanship with local flavours,” says vice president and general manager for India Sanjay Mohta, as the company prepares to tap local coffee producers to complement its Indonesian offerings.

    India’s café culture is still percolating compared to mature markets, but with consumption estimated at over one million 60-kilogram bags between 2023-2024, there’s plenty of room to grow. While established chains like Café Coffee Day have seen their market share drip away due to financial troubles, newcomers including Third Wave Coffee and Blue Tokai have been gaining steam.

    For now, the Indonesian outfit is targeting students and young professionals in their first jobs—Gen Zers and millennials looking for an affordable caffeine kick. After Delhi, the brand plans to expand to Mumbai and Bengaluru, hoping its wallet-friendly prices and locally-sourced ingredients will help it brew up a loyal following.
    In a market where even fast-food giants like McDonald’s are trying to espresso themselves, Kopi Kenangan will need more than just cheap prices to avoid becoming another has-bean. But if it can capture India’s increasingly caffeinated hearts, this Indonesian import might just become everyone’s cup of tea—or rather, coffee.

     

  • Manushi Chhillar joins Neworld Developers as brand ambassador

    Manushi Chhillar joins Neworld Developers as brand ambassador

    MUMBAI: Neworld Developers, has announced the onboarding of Manushi Chhillar Miss World 2017, actress, and global icon as its official brand ambassador. The announcement comes as the company opens its new corporate headquarters at Sector 66, M3M International Financial Centre, Golf Course Extension Road, Gurugram, a prime real estate and business corridor in the NCR region.

    This high-profile association coincides with Neworld Developers’ ambitious Rs 5,000 crore launch plan, targeting key Indian markets including Goa, Ayodhya, and Haryana. The move reinforces the

    Chhillar, known for her elegance, intelligence, and aspirational presence, mirrors Neworld Developers’ ethos of offering premium, trustworthy, and life-enhancing real estate solutions to the modern Indian homebuyer.

    Neworld Developers founder & chairman Sunil Sisodiya said, “Chhillar brings a global presence and cultural relatability that resonates with our vision of creating world-class spaces for aspirational Indians. As we inaugurate our new office in the heart of Gurugram, we reaffirm our commitment to delivering landmark projects that redefine lifestyle living. Our upcoming launches in Goa, Ayodhya, and Haryana are a testament to our ambition to elevate real estate standards across the country.”

    Chhillar said, “I’m honoured to be the face of Neworld Developers, a brand that reflects ambition, trust, and innovation. Real estate is more than just infrastructure, it’s about creating meaningful spaces for people to grow and thrive. I am excited to be part of Neworld’s journey in building such transformative environments.”

    The newly launched Gurugram office is set to become the nerve centre for Neworld’s expansion, offering enhanced connectivity, strategic visibility, and cutting-edge infrastructure to support client engagement, corporate operations, and development initiatives.

  • ITC to acquire Mother Sparsh, expands natural baby care portfolio

    ITC to acquire Mother Sparsh, expands natural baby care portfolio

    MUMBAI: ITC Ltd. has announced definitive agreements to acquire the remaining 73.5 per cent stake in Mother Sparsh Baby Care Private Ltd. an Ayurvedic and natural baby care brand for Rs 81 crore, through a mix of primary subscription and secondary share purchase. This will bring ITC’s total investment in Mother Sparsh to approximately Rs 126 crore.

    Mother Sparsh, which has been an associate company of ITC since 2021, has built a strong reputation among Indian mothers for its Ayurvedic, natural products spanning baby personal care, health and hygiene, and specialised baby care solutions. The brand’s digital-first model and robust presence across its D2C platform and e-commerce channels have helped it achieve an impressive annual revenue run rate of over Rs 110 crore.

    The acquisition aligns with ITC’s ‘ITC Next’ vision, spearheaded by chairman Sanjiv Puri, which is focused on creating a future-ready portfolio by tapping into high-growth, digital-first segments.

    ITC Ltd. divisional chief executive, personal care products business division Sameer Satpathy said, “This acquisition is an exciting opportunity, aligned with our aspiration to build a formidable portfolio of future ready, best-in-class innovative offerings that delights Indian consumers. Mother Sparsh in a true spirit of entrepreneurship, has created a reputed brand with Indian ethos in the natural baby care space, powered by an assortment of innovative products and a robust digital ecosystem.”

    Mother Sparsh founder & CEO Himanshu added, “We are delighted that ITC, who came on board as an early investor, is now taking Mother Sparsh to the next level. This partnership is a testament to the brand’s potential in the fast-growing natural baby care segment. We’re confident that ITC’s institutional strengths will help serve the evolving needs of Indian mothers for generations to come.”

    The acquisition process will be completed over the next two-three years, with the Mother Sparsh team including founder & CEO Himanshu continuing to head operations during this transition phase.

  • Sunscreen spat sees HUL and Mamaearth kiss and make up, with a few tweaks

    Sunscreen spat sees HUL and Mamaearth kiss and make up, with a few tweaks

    MUMBAI: The beauty world’s latest dust-up has settled, with Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) and Honasa Consumer, the brains behind Mamaearth, calling a truce after a courtroom rumble. It all kicked off when Lakmé, HUL’s flagship beauty brand, launched a “sun superiority campaign” that rather pointedly suggested some “online bestsellers” were fibbing about their SPF claims. Honasa, whose Derma Co. brand sports a rather distinctive orange, felt a tad singed, accusing Lakmé of throwing shade on their packaging and claims.

    Honasa co-founder Ghazal Alagh  took to LinkedIn with a saucy post, welcoming Lakmé to the “in-vivo tested SPF 50 club,” a move that, the Bombay High Court suggested, might have been a tad disparaging itself. HUL, not one to take such cheek lying down, hit back, claiming their tests showed some rivals were, shall we say, economising on the truth.

    But the Delhi high court, like a stern headmaster, stepped in and told both parties to play nicely. Lakmé was ordered to tweak its ad, swapping out “online bestseller” for the more vague “some sellers” and changing the offending orange to a demure light yellow. Honasa, in turn, agreed to scrub their social media jibes.

     HUL maintained that their campaign was all about keeping consumers safe from those who might be stretching the truth about SPF.

    Honasa, perhaps with a sigh of relief, agreed to take down their digital digs. Both parties also promised to remove their physical hoardings, which were apparently giving each other the evil eye, within 48 hours.
    This skirmish highlights the fiercely competitive nature of India’s Rs 2,000 crore sun care market, where brands are fighting tooth and nail for a slice of the pie. With consumer understanding of SPF still patchy, there’s plenty of room for both innovation and, it seems, a bit of the old marketing mischief.

  • Good Monk raises $2M in pre-series A led by RPSG Capital to spice up India’s nutrition game

    Good Monk raises $2M in pre-series A led by RPSG Capital to spice up India’s nutrition game

    MUMBAI: In a world where nutrition advice changes faster than Instagram trends and “health drinks” taste like sadness, one Indian brand is turning tables—and taste buds. Good Monk, the Shark Tank Season 4 breakout star and flagship brand of Bengaluru-based Superfoods Valley, has raised $2 million in a pre-series A round led by RPSG Capital Ventures. The round also saw existing investors—Multiply Ventures, Sharrp Ventures, and Thinkuvate—double down on their belief in the clean-eating disruptor.

    Announced on 17 April 2024, the fundraise signals a strong vote of confidence in Good Monk’s refreshingly no-nonsense approach to health. Co-founded by Amarpreet Singh Anand and Sahiba Kaur—two parents tired of navigating the nutrient jungle—Good Monk has made it its mission to “smuggle” nutrients into Indian households, minus the taste tantrums and pill fatigue.

    “At Good Monk, we believe that nutrition should be easy, effective, and clean. Our mission is to empower Indian families to take control of their health without compromising on taste or convenience. We are thrilled to have RPSG Capital Ventures partner with us in this journey and are grateful for the continued belief by existing investors – Multiply Ventures, Sharrp Ventures & ThinKuvate who participated in the round,” said Good Monk co-founder Anand.

    The brand’s hero product is a nutrition mix that invisibly boosts meals for kids, adults, and even the 50+ crowd.

    No smell.

    No weird taste.

    No complicated regimen.

    Just modern science meets traditional wisdom—served in stealth mode. Sounds like the kind of ninja every kitchen needs.

    “Unhealthy wellness products masquerading as healthy options… that’s one of the biggest challenges today,” said co-founder Kaur. “The partnership with RPSG Capital Ventures will facilitate investing in R&D and product development to present better nutritional alternatives.”

    The company, which recently scored a deal from Vineeta Singh on Shark Tank India, claims to have grown 11 times in just 12 months. Fuelled by innovation, diversification, and mentorship from industry stalwarts like Sanjay Ramakrishnan (Multiply Ventures) and Rishabh Mariwala (Sharrp Ventures), the brand’s upward curve shows no signs of slowing.

    RPSG Capital Ventures’ managing partner Abhishek Goenka is betting big on that momentum. “We have strong conviction in nutrition, health and wellness as a space… Consumers are seeking innovative formats that make dietary supplements uncomplicated, convenient & effective. Good Monk has demonstrated impressive, clutter breaking, product innovation which we believe will disrupt the market significantly,” he said.

    Good Monk currently retails on its own website (www.goodmonk.in) as well as major platforms like Amazon and Flipkart. The brand has been expanding its digital footprint with the same gusto it shows in your morning smoothie.

    From ‘Shark Tank’ to supermarket shelves, Good Monk is proving that nutrition doesn’t have to be a chore—it can be cleverly disguised and clinically backed.

    If there’s one monk who doesn’t believe in suffering for health, it’s this one.

  • 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.