Category: Marketing

  • Rohit Roy patches in as investor in wellness disruptor Bigme

    Rohit Roy patches in as investor in wellness disruptor Bigme

    MUMBAI: It’s out with the pills and in with the patch. Bigme, a new-age health-tech brand reimagining wellness, has brought actor Rohit Roy onboard as strategic growth advisor and investor, adding star power to its science-backed mission of delivering wellness quite literally through the skin.

    Bigme is among India’s first movers in transdermal wellness, a delivery format that skips the gut entirely and releases clinically backed ingredients directly into the bloodstream. The result? Faster absorption, longer-lasting effects, and no need to gulp down pills or mix up messy powders.

    Built for modern, always-on lifestyles, Bigme’s patches use timed-release technology to address real-world concerns like stress, PMS, energy crashes, and poor sleep no water required. Just peel, slap, feel.

    “I started out as a curious customer,” said Rohit Roy, explaining what drew him to the brand. “The patches fit seamlessly into my workouts and routine. It’s rare to find something that’s so rooted in science but still incredibly simple. I’m not just endorsing it, I’m investing in what I truly believe is the future of wellness.”

    Co-founders Arjit Jain and Gurman Bhatia see Roy’s involvement as more than a celebrity tie-in. “This isn’t trend-chasing, it’s transformation,” they said. “Rohit joining the journey after experiencing the product first-hand adds authenticity and momentum to a format that’s set to change how India approaches self-care.”

    Each Bigme patch is formulated with targeted functional ingredients by experts in nutraceuticals and wellness, designed for specific needs: calming anxiety, boosting energy, aiding post-workout recovery, supporting hormonal balance, and improving sleep.

    With no pills, no powders, no guesswork, Bigme aims to make wellness minimal, effective, and mobile like slapping on a solution and moving on with your day.

    As of now, Bigme’s transdermal patches are live and available online, marking the beginning of what could be a major mindset shift in India’s Rs 50,000 crore plus wellness market. This isn’t just a supplement. It’s self-care, simplified and wearable.
     

  • Comscore gets social to boost global media reach across nine new markets

    Comscore gets social to boost global media reach across nine new markets

    MUMBAI: Audience measurement just got a serious glow-up. Comscore, the NASDAQ-listed media analytics firm, is now tracking social reach as part of its global MMX platform suite adding nine new international markets to its existing lineup. The latest expansion brings Chile, Colombia, Peru, Germany, Ireland, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Australia into the fold, allowing for a deduplicated view of audiences across desktop, mobile and now, social media.

    With this move, Comscore’s Social Incremental enhancement is poised to change the measurement game for brands and publishers, offering a sharper lens on total digital reach, a boon for campaign optimisation, cross-platform planning, and unlocking real value from social audiences.

    Already available in 10 other countries including India, the US, UK, and Brazil, this expanded rollout means that publishers and advertisers can now track true audience overlap, total combined reach, and platform-specific lift with unprecedented precision.

    “Having Comscore’s unified view of audiences across all platforms, including social, is incredibly powerful,” said Future senior director of marketing Vic Chappell. “It’s essential not just for transparency, but for unlocking value in our advertiser partnerships.”

    Social media isn’t just getting its due, it’s becoming a cornerstone. As Sandra Prosperi of Hearst Spain put it, “Social media is essential for building brand relationships. Now we can show total reach that includes social, an absolute must for global campaigns.”

    Comscore’s secret sauce? A proprietary digital panel at scale, which powers its Social Incremental methodology privacy-first, deduplicated, and engineered for action. According to Comscore EVP international Alejandro Fosk the innovation “efficiently organises data with precision and uncovers interconnections across platforms. This is not just audience tracking. This is audience intelligence.”

    The update will also reflect in Comscore’s Digital Industry Rankings, provided entities have activated full measurement now with social baked in.

    With attention spans fleeting and platforms multiplying, Comscore’s new move might just be the clearest signal yet: in the race for reach, you can’t afford to leave social on the sidelines.

     

  • vivo V50 5G – First Impressions and Bajaj Finserv Offers

    vivo V50 5G – First Impressions and Bajaj Finserv Offers

    Stylish design and impressive camera performance are two strong points of vivo’s V series smartphones, and the latest V50 5G is no different. The vivo V50 5G was launched on 17th February 2025 as the successor to the vivo V40. This mobile phone offers a seamless blend of looks, power, and impressive camera performance. Equipped with a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, powerful ZEISS shooters, and an all-day 6,000 mAh battery, the vivo V50 5G is just the mid-range power-performer you need to step into the 5G world.

    While the V50 5G prices start from Rs. 34,999, you can shop for this handset without having to splurge the entire amount upfront. Instead, you can shop for it on the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network on Easy EMIs to lighten the burden on your pocket.

    vivo V50 5G: The power-packed mid-range performer

    ●  Sleek design: vivo mobile phones have always set the bar high when it comes to design, and the V50 5G handset is no different. This model sports a refreshing look with sleek and rounded edges. The phone comes in Titanium Grey, Starry Night, and Rose Red shades, with the Starry Night option featuring a unique 3D holographic star effect. With a thickness of just 7.6 mm, this vivo mobile phone is one of the slimmest 6,000 mAh battery handsets! The V50 5G also gets IP68 and IP69 ratings for water and dust resistance.

    ●  Ultra-slim quad-curved display: Designed for binge-watching bliss, the vivo V50 sports a 6.7-inch quad-curved AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of 120Hz. This 1.5K resolution display renders true-to-life colours. This HDR10+ screen is perfect for watching movies, streaming videos, and playing games. It also comes with a peak brightness of 4,500 nits for seamless outdoor use. In terms of protection, the vivo V50 5G gets a new Diamond Shield Glass that makes the handset 50% more drop-resistant than the previous generation’s Alpha Glass.

    ●  All-day battery: While vivo V50 5G maintains sleek curves, the phone does not compromise on power. It runs on a heavy-duty 6,000 mAh battery that’s designed to power up to 21 hours of video playback on a single full charge. So now, you can game, binge-watch, and scroll without worrying about power drains. For quick refuelling, the phone gets a 90 W Flash Charging support as well.

    ●  ZEISS cameras: The V50 5G continues the brand’s legacy of impressive camera features with its ZEISS camera set-up. The latest vivo mobile phone packs a 50MP ZEISS main camera and a 50MP ZEISS ultra-wide camera with a FoV of 119 degrees. Additionally, the device sports a 50MP ZEISS front camera for selfies. The phone is designed to master the ZEISS multifocal portraits with impressive Bokeh effects. Photography enthusiasts can access standout features, including the underwater mode, wedding photography mode, AI studio light portrait, and classic ZEISS lens effect, to make their captures stand out. The Aura Light feature further helps transform pictures into masterpieces.

    ●  Power-packed Snapdragon chipset: Equipped with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, the vivo V50 5G delivers impeccable multitasking performance. This chipset is paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage to ensure all-around efficiency. Additionally, you get up to 12GB of Dynamic RAM to juggle up to 40 apps in the background without lag or glitches.

    ●  Super-fast 5G support: The V50 5G lets you embrace the all-new 5G world with its cutting-edge connectivity features. The latest vivo mobile phone comes with dual 5G support to ensure super-fast uploads and downloads. Apart from low-latency 5G calling perks, it also offers a host of other connectivity features, including dual-band Wi-Fi, NFC, GPS, OTG, and Bluetooth v5.4 support.

    vivo V50 5G price in India

    vivo launched the V50 5G model as a mid-range powerhouse that is built to offer the best specs and features at a relatively lower price point. To this end, vivo V50 5G prices start from Rs. 34,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB ROM model. The 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM variant costs around Rs. 36,999, while the top-tier 12GB RAM + 512GB ROM variant costs Rs. 40,999.

    How to buy the vivo V50 5G on Easy EMIs

    You don’t need to spend a fortune to buy the vivo V50 5G handset and experience the best of smartphone photography and style. You can do so on a budget by shopping for this vivo mobile phone on Easy EMIs on the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network. Purchasing the handset on Easy EMIs allows you to divide the cost of the phone into nominal instalments payable over a convenient tenure of 1 to 60 months. You can even tap into exciting offers and zero down payment perks on select products. All you have to do is visit your nearest Bajaj Finserv partner store to check out the vivo V50 5G in person. While checking out, choose an Easy EMI plan that suits your budget to bring home your favourite handset!  
     

  • William Grant & Sons brings in Pernod Ricard veteran to head India ops

    William Grant & Sons brings in Pernod Ricard veteran to head India ops

    MUMBAI: William Grant & Sons (WG & S) has snapped up spirits industry veteran Kartik Mohindra as managing director for India, eyeing a bigger slice of one of the world’s fastest-growing whisky markets. The former chief marketing officer and head of global business development at Pernod Ricard India takes charge on 30 September.

    The move signals a sharp play by the Scottish distiller, best known for brands like Glenfiddich and Monkey Shoulder, as it doubles down on India’s premium spirits surge. Mohindra brings over 20 years of experience across alcohol, beverages and FMCG – a seasoned hand to scale up WG&S’ ambitions.

    His appointment follows the elevation of outgoing India MD Sachin Mehta, who steps into the role of managing director for Canada – another priority market for the group.

    “These appointments reflect our continued investment in key growth markets,” said WG&S chief commercial officer Doug Bagley. “We’re thrilled to have Kartik join us in India – a critical market where Sachin and the team have already laid strong foundations.”

    As global booze giants race to tap rising affluence and shifting tastes in developing economies, India has emerged as a battleground for premium spirits – and WG&S is clearly in no mood to play catch-up.

  • Cars24 launches Care Plus to offer full support for used car buyers

    Cars24 launches Care Plus to offer full support for used car buyers

    MUMBAI: Why should buying a used car feel like buying a mystery box? Cars24 says not anymore. Cars24 has just fired up a game-changer for Indian car buyers with the launch of Care+, an all-in-one post-sale ownership plan that promises to take the stress out of second-hand car purchases. Rolling out across major cities and soon pan-India, the plan offers an integrated mix of extended warranty, annual servicing, 24×7 roadside assistance, and even a guaranteed resale value all bundled into a single offering.

    In a market where more than 80 per cent of used car buyers feel uncertain after the sale, Care+ aims to flip the script. According to internal data, 65 per cent of buyers have never received warranty or post-sale support, 70 per cent are clueless about resale value, and nearly half end up footing bills for repairs that should’ve been covered.

    Enter Care+, designed to remove the guesswork and offer clarity from the get-go:

    ●    Extended Warranty: Up to 3 years or 45,000 km on key components including engine and AC, with national repair access and free pickup/drop.

    ●    Annual Servicing: Certified technicians, real-time tracking, genuine parts and freebies like wheel alignment.

    ●    24×7 Roadside Assistance: For flat tyres, fuel issues, jumpstarts and minor repairs, with towing up to 40 km.

    ●    Assured Buyback: A guaranteed resale value from day one, making upgrades easy after 12 months.

    “We’ve seen that trust in the used car market comes down to two things clarity and support,” said Cars24 Co-founder and CMO Gajendra Jangid. “Care+ isn’t just another feature. It’s a mindset shift. It tells customers they’re not on their own after the sale.”

    Since its soft launch, Care+ has already been adopted by over 1,000 customers in three cities, with a glowing 4.8/5 satisfaction score. Cars24 expects more than half of its buyers to opt into Care+ by the year’s end, a bold indicator that consumers are hungry for post-sale certainty.

    With Care+, Cars24 becomes the first platform in India’s used car segment to offer a tech-enabled ownership experience that goes well beyond the transaction. In a space plagued by patchy support and limited service guarantees, Care+ might just be the much-needed tune-up the industry didn’t know it needed.

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  • Artport teams up with The Good Doll to stitch purpose into airport retail

    Artport teams up with The Good Doll to stitch purpose into airport retail

    MUMBAI: Artport, the conscious retail vertical by India Retail and Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. (IRHPL), has announced a heart-led partnership with The Good Doll, the Shark Tank India-featured social enterprise. The result: an exclusive, limited-edition collection of handcrafted, upcycled fabric dolls—now landing at Artport stores across India’s major airports.

    But this isn’t just another airport souvenir. It’s retail with roots — and purpose. Each doll is stitched with love by a collective of over 95 women artisans from the Nilgiris, many of whom are first-generation income earners. Made from pre-consumer textile waste, the dolls are designed to be body-positive, waste-free, and brimming with stories.

    “ARTPORT is redefining the airport shopping experience. We’re not just offering products—we’re offering purpose,” said Naresh Sharma, CEO,IRHPL Group of Companies and Artport is one of the brands from IRHPL. “Through our partnership with The Good Doll, we are proud to amplify the voices and skills of women artisans, while showing that conscious commerce can thrive even in high-footfall infrastructure spaces.”

    No two dolls are alike — each one stitched with intention and individuality. The launch aligns with IRHPL’s broader CSR vision: to create circular, sustainable economies that celebrate local artisanship while reducing environmental impact.

    “Our dolls are more than fabric—they represent resilience, dignity, and economic independence,” said Suhas Ramegowda, Co-Founder, The Good Doll. “Thanks to ARTPORT by IRHPL, these stories now have a national platform, connecting travellers to the heart of rural India.”

    For travellers, it’s a new kind of carry-on: a story of empowerment, stitched into fabric, ready for the journey ahead.

     

     

  • Medusa Beverages taps One Source to brew stronger brand buzz

    Medusa Beverages taps One Source to brew stronger brand buzz

    MUMBAI: In a move to dial up its narrative and pop the cap on sharper communication, Medusa Beverages has partnered with One Source, an integrated marketing consultancy known for its multi-sector mojo. The mandate: to manage reputation, shape strategy, and amplify Medusa’s brand voice across key markets.

    Founded in 2017, Medusa has carved out a distinctive niche in India’s beer scene with its mid-strength 5.9 per cent brews that hit the sweet spot between flavour and buzz. In just six years, it’s become Delhi’s third-largest beer brand, commanding a 7 per cent market share. Its portfolio includes Medusa Beer, Medusa Air, Medusa Premium Strong Ale, and its most recent collab — the fire-breathing Medusa House of the Dragon Beer, in partnership with Warner Bros.

    The communications brief will be led by Dyutiman Basu, reporting into Honey Mehra, co-lead for corporate communication, alongside One Source’s national team.

    “At Medusa Beverages, we have always believed in pushing boundaries and creating a unique beer-drinking experience for our consumers. As we continue to expand our footprint, our partnership with One Source will enable us to craft compelling narratives, engage with our audience more effectively, and strengthen our position as a category leader in the industry,” said Medusa Beverages founder & CEO Avneet Singh.

    One Source managing director Sandeep Rao added, “Medusa Beverages is a brand that has redefined the beer-drinking culture in India. Our approach as a consultancy is to align with our partners’ business objectives and drive impactful communication strategies. We are excited to work with Medusa Beverages and look forward to building a strong, resonant brand story that connects with beer enthusiasts across India.”

    With offices in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore, One Source brings cross-industry experience across consumer goods, BFSI, tech, and startups — and is known for blending branding, content, digital, and corporate playbooks into one seamless pour.

     

  • Ratna Widhani takes charge as VP, business operations at Dentsu Merkle Sokrati

    Ratna Widhani takes charge as VP, business operations at Dentsu Merkle Sokrati

    MUMBAI: Ratna Widhani has been elevated to vice president, business operations at Dentsu’s Merkle Sokrati after a nearly two-year stint as associate vice president. With over two decades of experience in retail, ecommerce, and performance marketing, Widhani brings a potent mix of operational rigour and brand-building savvy to her new role.

    Her career arc spans global and Indian heavyweights — from Nike and Timberland to Bata, Royal Enfield, and Vedix — where she has driven retail turnarounds and ecommerce sprints with enviable consistency. At Incnut Lifestyle, Widhani led ecommerce marketplace relationships, pushing toplines from Rs 10 crore to Rs 40 crore in a single year across Amazon, Flipkart, Nykaa, and more.

    She has also helmed business strategy and marketplace growth at brands like Age Ayurveda and National Geographic’s travel gear, fine-tuning delivery timelines, catalogue hygiene, search marketing, and margin optimisation. Her P&L grasp is rooted in years of retail buying and merchandising leadership, from launching CAT footwear across India to running the Rs 250-crore Power brand portfolio for Bata.

    Widhani, an IIM Ahmedabad-certified ecommerce strategist, now shoulders broader responsibilities across Dentsu’s digital commerce clients. With a strategic eye on Amazon ecosystems, D2C scaling, and agile operations, she’s poised to push the growth lever harder in her new capacity.

    Outside boardrooms, she’s a budding writer, culinary enthusiast, and proud mum to a pre-teen artist.

  • Smirnoff stirs up a flavour fiesta with Minty Jamun, Mirchi Mango and Zesty Lime

    Smirnoff stirs up a flavour fiesta with Minty Jamun, Mirchi Mango and Zesty Lime

    MUMBAI: Smirnoff Is raising the bar (and a few eyebrows) with the launch of three punchy new flavours — Minty Jamun, Mirchi Mango, and Zesty Lime — tailor-made for the bold, experimental tastes of India’s new-age drinkers.

    Now hitting shelves across Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Maharashtra, this flavour-forward line-up is part of Smirnoff’s India-first playbook, as it courts the Gen Z and millennial crowd that prefers party nights on rooftops over banquets, and DIY cocktails over bar menus.

    “We’re seeing a clear shift in how young Indians approach their favourite spirits — they want global brands to build a stronger local connect that is fresh and premium and yet playful. With Minty Jamun, Mirchi Mango,and Zesty Lime we’re not just offering new flavours, we’re creating moments of discovery that are vibrant, social, and rooted in today’s cultural codes,” said Diageo India (USL) CMO Ruchira Jaitly.

    Each variant packs its own punch:

    . Minty Jamun: A throwback to schoolyard summers, now with a stylish twist

    . Mirchi Mango: A sweet-spicy bombshell, echoing India’s chilli-laced fruit obsession

    . Zesty Lime: Bright, breezy and built for easy pours at pre-games and house parties

    The launch is wrapped in Smirnoff’s new campaign “Flavour is a Vibe” — a cheeky nudge to embrace taste with spontaneity, style, and a generous splash of self-expression.

    With India’s cocktail culture bubbling over and at-home mixology becoming the new norm, Smirnoff’s latest desi detour is likely to find itself clinking glasses at celebrations of every size. Because in 2025, it’s not just about what you’re drinking, it’s how you vibe with it.

  • Oppo zooms in on culture with second edition of Lumo Photography Awards

    Oppo zooms in on culture with second edition of Lumo Photography Awards

    MUMBAI: Oppo India is turning up the shutter speed with the launch of the second edition of its Lumo Photography Awards, themed ‘Super Every Moment’ – a celebration of the extraordinary hidden in the everyday.

    Formerly known as the Imagine IF Awards, the rebranded Lumo marks Oppo’s sharpened focus on mobile imaging and storytelling that snaps beyond selfies. The 2025 edition adds cultural spice to the mix, thanks to a new partnership with Discovery Channel and the launch of a fresh category: Super Culture Moment.

    Oppo India head of product & digital marketing Sushant Vashistha said, “LUMO is our ode to creativity – a platform where every image tells a story, and every story becomes a moment of magic. The first edition, Imagine IF, received thousands of stunning submissions from across India. It laid the foundation for this year’s competition, powered by LUMO. This season, we aim to celebrate not just the outcome but the creative journey behind every powerful visual, powered by OPPO’s imaging technology.”

    Entrants are encouraged to capture India’s kaleidoscopic cultural tapestry using Oppo’s imaging tech. And the stakes are high – judging the entries are Joseph Radhik, India’s celebrity wedding lensman, and Vikram Channa, vp at Warner Bros Discovery and content lead for Southeast Asia.

    Commenting on the initiative, Joseph Radhik said, “As a photographer, I constantly strive to push creative boundaries and inspire others to do the same. The OPPO India Photography Awards 2025 represent a bold step in celebrating imagination and innovation in mobile photography. I urge young creators to capture the extraordinary, imagine the impossible, and leave behind a legacy of inspiration.”

    The contest is open to Indian citizens aged 18 and above, with entries accepted across nine categories: Super Snap, Youth, Live, Me, Vibe, Story, Connection, Culture, and Environs. Each photo must be accompanied by a 60–150-word description that unpacks the story behind the shot.

    In Round 1, the jury will shortlist 50 finalists. Round 2 turns up the heat, with finalists tackling a creative challenge using the Oppo Find X8 Pro. Winners will be picked based on originality, impact, and narrative flair.

    Warner Bros Discovery VP and editorial chief for content production for South East Asia, Vikram Channa commented, “At Discovery Channel, storytelling is central to our work. Our collaboration with OPPO India supports our mission to highlight diverse cultures. The ‘Super Culture Moment’ category encourages creators to capture and celebrate India’s cultural heritage using OPPO’s advanced technology.”

    Oppo’s global photography contest has already seen over 7 lakh entries from 51 countries since its 2023 debut. In India alone, the 2024 edition drew more than 34,000 entries. The 2025 chapter is poised to go bolder, brighter — and definitely more desi.