Category: Marketing

  • Victorinox India welcomes the IDCA team to their Gute Reise store in Aerocity, New Delhi

    Victorinox India welcomes the IDCA team to their Gute Reise store in Aerocity, New Delhi

    Mumbai: Victorinox, maker of the original Swiss army knife, welcomed the India Deaf Cricket Association Team to their Gute Reise Store in the national capital to wish them luck before they proceeded to Sharjah for the World Cup 2024.

    A tour of the store included a stop at the history wall, where all the players were fascinated to discover the 140-year-old legacy of Victorinox, a fourth-generation family-run company. Fun and camaraderie presided over high tea, hearty laughter, and huge smiles.

    Victorinox India chief marketing officer – brand & country head – watch Debraj Sengupta, presented the IDCA Team with personalized Swiss Army Knives to be prepared for any circumstance and outfitted the players with suitcases for their journey.

    Present on the occasion at the store along with the team were:

    •    Victorinox India CMO Debraj Sengupta
    •    Victorinox India VP PR communication Priyanka Sippy
    •    IDCA president Sumit Jain
    •    IDCA patron Reena Jain Malhotra
    •    IDCA CEO & brand custodian Roma Balwani
    •    IDCA vice chairman Vineet Malhotra
    •    IDCA secretary Ajay Kumar

    Victorinox India chief marketing officer – brand & country head – watch Debraj Sengupta said, “Victorinox is very honoured to welcome the IDCA Team to the Gute Reise Store at Worldmark, Aerocity, New Delhi. We hope our products empower them on their journey and we wish them the absolute best for the World Cup!”

    On the occasion, IDCA CEO & brand custodian Roma Balwani said, “IDCA India team is delighted to collaborate with Victorinox India as our support partner for the IDCA India team participating in the DICC T 20 World Cup 2024, UAE in Sharjah. The teams are very thankful for the opportunity to visit to their store at Worldmark, Aerocity. It was a special occasion as the leadership team felicitated our national team with their signature Swiss knife engraved with their names & also gifted all players suitcases which they will all carry during their travel to Sharjah.”

    She added, “We hope to have a long-term collaboration with the brand, which will motivate our teams and help promote diversity and inclusion for disability sport specially cricket.”

    The Indian Deaf Cricket team will participate in the Deaf International Cricket Council (DICC) T20 Champions Trophy 2024 to be held in Sharjah (UAE) from 6 to 12 March 2024. Teams from six countries — India, Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka — will compete at Vision Cricket Center, Sharjah, UAE to win the title of world champion.

  • Okaya EV introduces Ferrato

    Okaya EV introduces Ferrato

    Mumbai: Okaya EV, an electric two-wheeler manufacturing company, has unveiled “Ferrato” – a brand for its premium electric two-wheeler products. Ferrato’s customer experience centres will start operations with a new product portfolio, focusing on high-end models. Pushing the boundaries of innovation, Ferrato is all set to redefine the electric two-wheeler landscape by ensuring that each product not only provides an exhilarating ride but also exudes intelligence, strength, and power.

    In the fiscal year 2024–2025, Ferrato will unveil a range of high-end two-wheelers, comprising three electric motorcycles and one electric scooter. The brand is focusing on targeting customers who are passionate about innovation and technology.

    Commenting on the new brand, Okaya Electric Vehicles managing director Dr Anshul Gupta said, “Ferrato’s establishment aims to provide a premium experience to consumers and marks a significant milestone for Okaya EV as we continue to expand our footprint in the sustainable mobility landscape. With a dedicated team overseeing sales, customer operations and service centres, we plan to establish over 100+ partners for Ferrato, focusing on positioning it as a premier choice for discerning riders seeking the perfect fusion of passion and performance.”

    In line with the commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, Ferrato will maintain a separate network within Okaya’s extensive dealer network, ensuring customers receive an exclusive range of models and unparalleled service. The brand’s focus on delivering a unique riding experience will be reflected in its product offerings, promising an exciting blend of performance, style and intelligence.

    As Ferrato embarks on this thrilling journey into the premium segment, it invites enthusiasts, partners and adventure-seekers to join the ride towards a future where every riding experience becomes a celebration of power, strength, and intelligence.

  • Lenskart’s next-gen tech frames takes centre stage

    Lenskart’s next-gen tech frames takes centre stage

    Mumbai: Lenskart the leading eyewear brand is thrilled to unveil its latest innovation in eyewear technology – Memory Metal. The Beta- Titanium cutting-edge material is set to transform the glasses-wearing experience, featuring ultra-flexible and remarkably lightweight frames. These frames not only offer seamless flexibility but also assure enduring durability, marking a significant advancement in eyewear design.

    Built to withstand the rigors of everyday life, Lenskart’s new frames redefine expectations with unparalleled shape retention technology. Constructed from the exceptionally durable Beta Titanium that makes them super lightweight and stainless steel making them compatible with high power & progressive prescriptions. These frames not only bend and fold to seamlessly adapt to your lifestyle but also effortlessly spring back to their original form. The addition of adjustable silicone nose pads enhances adaptability, allowing customers to twist and turn with ease, without compromising on comfort.

    “We believe that eyewear should not only enhance vision but also reflect personal style,” said Lenskart co-founder Ramneek Khurana. “Our new ultra-flexible and super light frames redefine the standard for comfort and durability in eyewear, providing customers with unmatched flexibility and resilience.”

    Beyond their exceptional flexibility, these frames boast a sleek and stylish design. Presented in timeless shapes and vibrant neutral and metallic hues, these frames effortlessly fuse fashion with functionality. Whether you’re heading to the office or enjoying a night out on the town, Memory Metal by Lenskart Air is meticulously crafted to navigate each day, offering a flawless combination of style and resilience. This eyewear is made to last.

  • BenQ announces X300G Smart-LED Projector launch

    BenQ announces X300G Smart-LED Projector launch

    Mumbai: BenQ, a DLP projector brand, is proud to announce the launch of its X300G Smart-LED portable Gaming Projector, poised to revolutionise the immersive gaming experience. Packing unparalleled 4K HDR visuals with true cinematic colors, low input lag of 4.1ms, and 16W treVolo speakers & Bongiovi DSP chip, the X300G is exclusively available on Amazon India.

    The X300G sets a new bar for gaming enthusiasts with its superior 3LED light source that guarantees vibrant and long-lasting colour performance. Combined with 95% Rec709 color accuracy, it ensures actions translate instantly to the screen. Powered by DLP technology and boasting native 4K UHD resolution alongside powerful 2000 ANSI Lumens brightness, it delivers breath-taking visuals and deep contrasts, immersing you in every detail.

    This compact gaming projector boasts specialised game modes for the RPG, FPS, and SPG genres, enhancing gameplay with tailored audio and visual settings. With stereo chamber speakers along with patented passive radiator, real-time autofocus and 3D keystone correction, the gaming projector offer a seamless setup for impromptu gaming sessions anywhere.

    Powered by Android TV with Netflix pre-installed, the X300G unlocks a universe of entertainment beyond gaming. Its connectivity features include USB-A, USB-C, and HDMI 2.0 ports, providing versatility for various multimedia needs and gaming devices.

    According to BenQ India MD Rajeev Singh, “There are over 500 million gamers in India. With the X300G, BenQ is set to transcend traditional gaming, offering unmatched 4K HDR visuals, minimal input lag, and specific game modes tailored for RPG, FPS, and SPG enthusiasts in a compact package. Designed for the discerning gamer, it reflects our vision to redefine immersive gaming.”

    The X300G gaming projector is going be available from 7 March, 2024 on Amazon as an Amazon exclusive product with special introductory price of Rs. 1,52,490.

  • Astrotalk champions  mothers’ cause; launches ‘Bring Women back to Workforce’ initiative

    Astrotalk champions mothers’ cause; launches ‘Bring Women back to Workforce’ initiative

    Mumbai: Astrotalk, a spiritual tech startup taking astrology global, has launched its “Bring Women back to Workforce” initiative. The program aims to assist new mothers in rejoining the workforce, providing the means to restart their careers and financially empower them. With nearly 50 per cent female astrologers on the platform, Astrotalk recognizes the challenges women encounter including employer hesitation after a hiatus/break. Under this initiative, Astrotalk is extending its support to mothers aged 30-45 through free-of-cost training in Tarot and Astrological Sciences.

    Motherhood can be a challenging phase for women while balancing responsibilities. Once women leave their careers or experience a decline in their professional trajectories, they also face hiring reluctance by employers. Astrotalk has launched this initiative to offer mothers an opportunity to restart their careers. Upon the completion of training and professional assessment, the company will hire these women full-time at a starting package of INR 5 Lakhs per annum. The training for the first batch of 500 women is already underway, and the company aims to train 5000 women by the end of 2024.

    Astrotalk will conduct this training program for free, bearing the complete cost for mothers. With this initiative, Astrotalk addresses a crucial aspect often overlooked by many employers. Women between the ages of 30-45 years and 12th pass/graduates are eligible for the program. The company remains committed to employee welfare by providing competitive salaries and remote work flexibility. Every employee of Astrotalk holds ESOPs regardless of their designation and tenure.

    Commenting on the initiative, Astrotalk founder and CEO Puneet Gupta said, ”With the majority of our astrologers being women, we delved deeper into exploring additional ways to assist women currently taking a career break.  The most common pain point was mothers who had to opt out of their careers. With this initiative, we want to financially empower women while simultaneously helping them balance work and home responsibilities. We have always been a proponent for equal opportunity and this program reflects our principle of being a people-first company.”

    Astrotalk is continuously expanding into international markets as well, including Canada, the US, NZ, EU, etc. and foresees 100 per cent growth in these areas. In India, the company plans to penetrate tier 2, and 3 cities and towards South India where astrology is prevalent. 

  • Swizzle gets a seed funding boost to bolster its Mocktails’ range

    Swizzle gets a seed funding boost to bolster its Mocktails’ range

    Mumbai: Bengaluru-based new-age beverage startup Swizzle – pioneering provider of Made-in-India mocktails crafted entirely with natural ingredients – has announced raising an undisclosed amount in seed funding from multiple angel investors. The recently-concluded equity-based seed investment round was led by Swizzle’s existing investor Mrs. Monika Rao, and witnessed participation from another prior investor Dr. Akshay Singhal, Founder & CEO, of Log9 Materials; while the new investors of this round include Deepak Gambhir and Sri Harsha Thota. Swizzle had, back in 2022, raised its first funding round, the proceeds from which has been spent by the startup towards product development and obtaining product-market fit. Till date, the startup has raised cumulative funding of over Rs one crore.  

    The newly acquired seed capital shall enable Swizzle to promote its exciting new range of premium canned mocktails on a grand scale in the near future. Moreover, the startup plans to use the funds towards team building (hiring skilled and talented people across sales, distribution, marketing, and other roles), inventory enhancement (building up more inventory to increase in-store product availability and meet surging demand), quality control (maintenance of premium, high-level standards across the production value chain), and expansion of its distribution network (optimizing logistics, partnerships, and systems in order to ensure smooth and widespread availability of Swizzle mocktails, especially on the retail side). Additionally, a significant portion of these funds shall also be allocated towards marketing and brand-building initiatives such as online and offline campaigns, pop-ups and events, branded packaging and collateral creation, and so on, with the end-goal of increasing brand awareness and reaching a wider potential user base.  

    Speaking about the fundraise, Swizzle co-founders Vrinda Singhal and Deepender Singh said, “We are super excited to announce our latest seed fundraise, which marks a pivotal milestone in Swizzle’s journey, and catalyses our mission of revolutionizing the beverage industry in India. It allows us to introduce our line-up of refreshing mocktail products to a wide audience across both the B2C and B2B segments, and establish a strong presence across retail locations. By August 2024, we aim to be accessible in more than 1000 locations and plan to extend our reach to several new cities across the nation, thus bolstering our distribution network. And the latest funds raised shall play an instrumental role in achieving this goal through implementing effective marketing and go-to-market strategies, thereby propelling us forward to experience accelerated growth in the years to come, and helping us become the preferred choice for more and more beverage enthusiasts across India.”

    Rao said, “Swizzle has demonstrated a unique ability to innovate and bring to market a range of high quality mixers. Their revamped hip and cool branding and packaging will help them scale and acquire the upwardly mobile young customer base across Tier 1 cities. This category is still young and favours ready to consume innovative products. Swizzle is placed uniquely to capture this market segment”.
     

  • IAS expands MFA AI solution with ad clutter detection innovation

    IAS expands MFA AI solution with ad clutter detection innovation

    Mumbai: Integral Ad Science (Nasdaq: IAS), a leading global media measurement and optimization platform, today announced the expansion of its Made for Advertising (MFA) AI-driven solution. With this enhancement, IAS now provides advertisers with the first solution that can measure and optimize against both MFA and Ad Clutter sites to drive maximum efficacy across the programmatic buying process.

    MFA sites are web pages built to conduct ad arbitrage and feature low-quality content (e.g. spam sites, or ad farms) created solely to serve ads, whereas Ad Clutter sites feature high ad density and high ad-to-content ratio, leading to lower performance. As opposed to a static exclusion list, IAS uses advanced machine learning technology and additional signals built into IAS’s core platform to intelligently identify MFA and Ad Clutter sites.

    “With the proliferation of MFA, global advertisers need safeguards to avoid ad arbitrage and low-performing, high-ad-density sites while optimizing for media quality and performance,” said Lisa Utzschneider, CEO of IAS. “We’re proud to offer the industry’s first pressure-tested solution for detecting and avoiding MFA and Ad Clutter sites at scale while also preserving the flexibility to reach audiences across a diverse range of publishers.”

    According to the ANA’s recent Programmatic Media Supply Chain Transparency Study, MFA websites counted towards 21% of study impressions and 15  per cent of ad spend, illustrating a significant opportunity for advertisers and agencies to better understand where their impressions are delivered and to optimize away from MFA sites to reduce media waste. IAS analysis from over 40 global agencies and brands found traffic served on sites classified as non-MFA has a 278 per cent better conversion rate than traffic served on sites classified as MFA. Further analysis by IAS found that quality media was more cost-efficient than sites classified as MFA, delivering lower cost-per-conversion by 63 per cent.

    The IAS MFA Measurement and Optimization solution supports the ANA’s definition of MFA and has been trained against Sincera’s deep library of metadata along with Jounce Media’s widely adopted list of MFA domains. The solution leverages supply chain data and IAS-measured site characteristics including ad-to-content ratio, total number of ads, auto-refresh ads, refresh rate, traffic source, and autoplay video ads to report on MFA Ads, MFA Rate, Ad Clutter Ads, and Ad Clutter Rate.  

    “The industry should not conflate Made For Advertising supply with other forms of low-quality advertising experiences. MFA publishers operate an ad arbitrage business model that has no place in the programmatic supply chain,” said Chris Kane, President, Jounce Media. “Separately, media companies that produce original content and attract organic visitors sometimes engage in aggressive monetization techniques that dilute the value of advertising. By clearly distinguishing MFA supply from ad clutter, IAS is giving media buyers the tools they need to make informed decisions about inventory quality.”

    By partnering with IAS, publishers can also garner greater insight into their inventory with solutions for how to improve quality and drive greater engagement with advertisers. Publishers identified as MFA or Ad Clutter will also have greater visibility into their inventory quality. IAS MFA measurement promotes a healthier media ecosystem by enabling publishers to improve the quality of their properties and drive greater engagement with their advertisers.

    IAS’s MFA AI-driven site Measurement and Optimization solution expands on the beta announced in Q4 2023 and will be available globally beginning in Q2 2024. For more information on how IAS is identifying and combating MFA sites, visit: How Marketers Can Detect and Avoid Made-for Advertising Sites.

  • Tonic Worldwide launches ‘Craft’

    Tonic Worldwide launches ‘Craft’

    Mumbai: Tonic Worldwide – a digital-first creative agency, has announced the launch of ‘Craft’ – a community platform that recognises the relevance of craft, celebrates creative work and helps budding talent with the resources to succeed.  

    In an era marked by relentless technological advancements the creative industry finds itself increasingly detached from their craft. The leadership at Tonic Worldwide found the need for an industry-wide initiative – a first-of-it’s-kind platform that unites creatives from advertising, filmmaking, branding, product design, animation, visual FX, web design and other commercial creative mediums to share knowledge and collaborate to keep the crafts alive. The platform is anchored by three main pillars:

    ●    Spotlight: This segment showcases case studies across advertising, branding, product design, filmmaking, animation, visual FX, web design and other creative mediums. The idea is to question creativity and its subsequent creations in turn creating knowledge hubs and pools for talent to upskill and excel.

    ●    Stage: Get access to learn from the best in the industry through masterclasses, round tables and quick tutorials, which empower creatives with the resources to succeed. Experts dissect their craft for budding and professional creatives to absorb and adopt.

    ●    Studio: The platform organizes workshops, designathons, writer retreats, filmmaking sessions,  hackathons, and other events which serve as incubators for creativity, enabling participants to bring their ideas to life while providing brands and communities with fresh, innovative perspectives.

    Speaking on this initiative, Tonic Worldwide founder & CEO Chetan Asher said, “The technological advancements have been rapidly changing the way we perceive craft. Here is a platform where  craftswomen and men come together to focus on the basics, learn from each other’s process and collaborate with the ecosystem that includes advertising, marketing, communication and other commercial creative mediums”.

    Head of Craft & chief curator Ashwin Dutt Ponamgi added, “A craftsperson lives for the process, and not just the outcome. If you notice, there are many innovative and groundbreaking pieces of work that go unnoticed. It has become increasingly important to create a community that shares the love for their craft, celebrates various art forms and sustains old techniques. We aim at lauding good work, engaging creatives in community events, and imparting knowledge through curated workshops”.

  • Madchatter Brand Solutions joins forces with MetaMorph as PR partner for Chhalaang 2.0

    Madchatter Brand Solutions joins forces with MetaMorph as PR partner for Chhalaang 2.0

    Mumbai: Madchatter Brand Solutions, an integrated communications firm, proudly announces its strategic alliance with MetaMorph, a 360° HR Advisory firm as the official PR Partner for the revolutionary initiative, Chhalaang 2.0, India’s largest Women-only Hackathon. Scheduled for April 6th, 2024, at the venue partnered with Microsoft for Startups in Bengaluru, Chhalaang 2.0 is poised to be the epitome of women’s empowerment in the tech sphere. Participating in this groundbreaking event are esteemed brands, with Gameskraft as the title sponsor, and other participants including Bureau, Groww, Veera, and DMI Finance.

    With a mere 10 per cent of the Indian tech workforce currently comprising women, the urgent need for dedicated initiatives to boost this number is indisputable. Chhalaang, MetaMorph’s flagship program, emerges as a powerful catalyst to elevate women’s participation in the Indian tech workforce. Building on the triumph of its inaugural season, which saw a remarkable 5,000 applicants and 250+ women participating, Chhalaang 2.0 is set to make an even more resounding impact, projecting over 10,000 applicants and welcoming more than 500 women on the final day.

    A stellar panel of judges, featuring Yubi chief data officer Mathangi Sri Ramachandran; Licious chief product & technology officer Ajit Narayanan; Swiggy AVP, new initiatives Shivangi Srivastava, Atlassian head of engineering for commerce Sonia Parandekar, and Plum co-founder Saurabh Arora, will preside over the hackathon, ensuring fairness and expertise in the selection process. The hackathon offers participants the chance to win from a prize pool worth up to Rs 8 lakhs, sponsored by Plix, Plum, Luzo, Frido and Purplle.

    Madchatter Brand Solutions founder Rachna Baruah expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, ‘We are thrilled to partner with MetaMorph for Chhalaang 2.0. This hackathon represents a powerful initiative towards fostering diversity in the workforce. We believe in the potential of this platform to bring about positive change and provide deserving women with the recognition they deserve in the tech workforce.

    MetaMorph founder partner Sanam Rawal & MetaMorph core team member heading acquisition & diversity initiative Swati Gupta said, “Chhalaang is not just a hackathon; it’s a movement to reshape the narrative for women in technology. Our collaboration with Madchatter Brand Solutions reinforces our commitment to amplifying the impact of Chhalaang 2.0. Together, we aim to inspire, connect, and propel women in tech towards new heights.”

    GamesKraft founder Prithvi Raj Singh said, “Since inception, we’ve supported Women Krafters in pursuing their career aspirations. Partnering with MetaMorph’s Chhalaang 2.0 elevates our commitment as we host talented women coders, shaping the future of tech. Krafterhood thrives on diversity and inclusion, and this is just the beginning!”

    Registration link to Chhalaang 2.0: http://tinyurl.com/inmail1.

  • PubMatic Partners with Internews to enable ad investment in quality journalism on a global scale

    PubMatic Partners with Internews to enable ad investment in quality journalism on a global scale

    Mumbai: PubMatic (Nasdaq: PUBM), an independent technology company delivering digital advertising’s supply chain of the future, has today announced a partnership with Internews, an international non-profit supporting independent media in over 100 countries. The partnership makes advertising across responsible content accessible on a global scale, allowing brands to embrace news-encompassing marketing strategies that produce social impact, and economic returns and enable them to reach and gain affinity with more customers.

    The partnership is underpinned by Internews’ Ads for News Initiative, which employs in-country media experts to vet local news websites, ensuring the quality of supply. This non-profit work is conducted globally, using extensive evaluation criteria including the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) brand safety and suitability standards.

    Via PubMatic, the quality news sites and domains vetted by Ads for News, can be accessed directly through a local market inclusion list, private marketplaces (PMPs) or a package of inventory against a biddable price.

    Leveraging leading-edge technologies from both companies, the collaboration will include integration with the upcoming Internews-led Media Viability Accelerator initiative, enabling PubMatic to access a wealth of insights and pull curated lists of trusted media into its own systems according to specific content thematics such as gender, environment and health news and information.

    This partnership aims to instil confidence in buying responsible news, making it easier for advertisers to buy media against content quality criteria and credible news sources to support quality journalism. With over 14,000 vetted, quality online news publishers, in 54 international markets, the initiative’s scale of supply is unmatched in the industry.

    “A thriving, open internet must be based upon an ecosystem that is built to deliver positive outcomes for everyone. PubMatic is committed to both responsible operations and supporting responsible media, “said Eric Bozinny, Senior Director, Marketplace Quality at PubMatic. “Quality journalism is vital to the health and well-being of our society – more so today than ever. Top tier brands have made a strong commitment towards supporting credible news sources via their advertising activities, but they must be able to do so with the utmost confidence that their budgets are going toward quality, brand-safe outlets and coverage.”

    Internews’ Chris Hajecki, Director of Ads for News, said “Brands and their agency partners are investing more responsibly and evolving their old ways of working. One of these evolutions is towards the inclusion of quality journalism in media planning— particularly as more brand safety assurances are now on offer. Supporting quality journalism is a pillar of responsible ad investing and results in more sustainable and transparent supply chains, higher economic returns for advertisers, and positive impacts on society.”