Category: Marketing

  • OPPO India launches second edition of LUMO photography awards

    OPPO India launches second edition of LUMO photography awards

    MUMBAI: Oppo India is back with its click-worthy competition — the second edition of the ‘Photography Awards’ powered by Lumo, a rebranded version of the company’s “Imagine IF” platform. And this year, things just got culturally cooler with a brand-new category: ‘Super Culture Moment’, in collaboration with Discovery Channel.

    Under the theme ‘Super Every Moment’, the contest calls on budding photographers to capture life’s everyday brilliance through the lens of an Oppo smartphone. From street snaps to cultural moments, the awards aim to blend storytelling with shutter speed, powered by Oppo’s cutting-edge imaging tech.

    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.”

    Joining the jury bench are Joseph Radhik, ace wedding photographer, and Vikram Channa, vice president of Warner Bros. Discovery, ensuring every frame is judged with both artistic depth and cultural nuance.

    Nine categories including Super Snap, Youth, Me, Live, Vibe, Story, Connection, Environs and the newly added Culture, offer participants plenty of room to play. Round 1 will shortlist 50 finalists, who’ll then go head-to-head in Round 2 using the Oppo Find X8 Pro for a real-world creative challenge.

    Following seven lakh entries globally in 2023 and 34,000 entries from India in 2024, the 2025 edition is shaping up to be a blockbuster. Entries are now open for Indian citizens aged 18 and above. All you need is a keen eye, a great story, and an Oppo in hand. Visit lumo.oppo.com/in to get in the frame.

  • Asian Paints taps Telugu TV glam for latest shade guide ‘Gruhashobha’

    Asian Paints taps Telugu TV glam for latest shade guide ‘Gruhashobha’

    MUMBAI: Asian Paints is adding a stroke of serial-style flair to your home with its latest launch, Tractor Emulsion Gruhashobha – a region-specific colour guide inspired by the vibrant sets of hit Telugu TV serials. In a bold crossover between décor and daily drama, the brand has teamed up with Star Maa to turn the look and feel of shows like Karthika Deepam 2, Gunde Ninda Gudi Gantalu, and Intinti Ramayanam into real-world inspiration for home interiors.

    With leading ladies Deepa, Meena and Avani as visual muses, played by fan favourites Premi Vishwanath, Amulya Gowda, and Pallavi Ramisetty. The guide taps into the cultural pulse of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where television isn’t just watched, it’s lived.

    The trio of serials already reaches 55 million viewers, covering 62 per cent of monthly audience reach across the Telugu-speaking belt via Star Maa and JioCinema. Riding that emotional connection, Gruhashobha transforms on-screen aesthetics into a curated guide of 65 colour combos, complete with room-specific stencils, styling tips, and visual mockups, all built around Asian Paints’ Tractor Emulsion.

    Known for its anti-fade finish, budget-friendly pricing, and four-year warranty, Tractor Emulsion is a go-to choice for middle-class households and now, it comes wrapped in serial-style stardust. From glossy staircases to pastel bedrooms seen on-screen, the colour guide lets consumers visualise the same in their own homes, adding a cinematic twist to everyday design.

    With over 2,000 shades, Tractor Emulsion already offers scale, but Gruhashobha turns that into something intimate, familiar, and hyperlocal. This launch is yet another masterstroke in Asian Paints’ eight-decade-long journey of blending consumer insight with cultural connection proving once again that India’s favourite colour palette often begins with what’s playing on screen.

  • How to Choose the Right Family Term Insurance in Your 40s

    How to Choose the Right Family Term Insurance in Your 40s

    The best family term insurance plans help you and your loved ones in many ways. While it helps you plan your finances during your lifetime, it economically aids your family members after your demise. This is why everyone needs to invest in a good family term insurance policy. Thankfully, there are some excellent term insurance plans available in India from leading life insurance companies that allow you to realise your life insurance goals quite easily. Take a look at this article to know how you can structure your term insurance properly to have sufficient coverage for your family.

    Choosing the right term insurance plan in your 40s

    By the time you turn 40, you are married and have a family of young kids and, commonly, your elderly parents also depend on you financially. Hence, you need to have a good term protection, such as an INR 25 lakh term plan as a backup for your dependents, in case something were to happen to you. Here are some pointers to help you choose the best coverage:

    1. Assess your family’s financial needs in the long run

     First and foremost, you need to make a correct assessment of your family’s financial needs in the long run. You need to factor in your child’s education costs till he or she is about 21 years old. If you have multiple kids, then calculate accordingly. You also have to think about the household expenses after considering inflation. Next, you have to check your parents’ financial needs and how they would change with age. Once you have the figures with you, you can choose the right family term insurance for yourself.

    2. Calculate your debt liability

    Further, you have to calculate your debt liability. By the time you are 40, you must have bought a house, or taken a loan to buy a car, or opted for a business loan or personal loan. If you are still repaying the loans, you need to get term insurance that covers your debt. For example, if you have an outstanding home loan of about INR 25 lakhs, you should also get an INR 25 lakh term plan. If you die without repaying your debt, your family should be able to clear it with your term plan’s death benefit, without having to struggle financially.

    3. Your spouse’s or parents’ salary

    If you are the primary or only breadwinner of the family, your family term insurance plan should be big enough to substitute for your salary. However, if there are other sources of income in the family, such as your spouse’s income or the pension of your parents, you can adjust the term insurance proceeds accordingly. Also, you need to choose the correct payout method so that your family can benefit in a well-rounded manner. If you wish to give them a monthly income, opt for the staggered payout. If you want them to get all the money at once, go for the lump sum payout benefit.

    4. Medical needs

    Next, you need to keep the medical needs of your family members in mind. You can get a high coverage term insurance plan, such as an INR 25 lakh term plan, if your family members have special medical needs. You need to keep this in mind when choosing the best family term insurance plan. For example, if you have a family member who regularly needs to go for some special treatment for a specific health issue, you need to consider this cost in your calculation. After your demise, they should be able to pay for the medical bills without any hardships.

    5.  Other types of life insurance

    And finally, you need to factor in the other forms of life insurance you have. You may have a company-provided group term insurance cover. You may have a ULIP or a child plan. Keep the other life insurance products in your portfolio in mind when choosing a good family term insurance plan. This will help you to get the best and most effective term insurance cover, and you won’t end up overspending either. Hence, go over your financial portfolio, speak to your financial advisor and then choose the perfect family term insurance plan.

    To sum it up

    It is important to buy a family term insurance plan if you haven’t done it yet. In your 40s, you are at the peak of your familial responsibilities, and you must ensure your loved ones do not suffer after your death due to the loss of your income. This is why you need to get a large life insurance cover, such as an INR 25 lakh term plan. Keep all the points mentioned above in mind and choose a good plan from a good life insurance provider.

  • Pride of Cows campaign urges consumers to question their milk source

    Pride of Cows campaign urges consumers to question their milk source

    MUMBAI: When was the last time you questioned what’s really in your morning glass of milk? Pride of Cows wants you to ask loudly, publicly, and with purpose. In a bold moo-ve to reshape how Indians think about their daily dairy, Pride of Cows has launched a high-impact phase of its campaign “What’s the Source of Your Milk?”, roping in Faye D’Souza, Jatin Sapru, and Kamiya Jani to stir the conversation.

    At a time when food labels are slicker than the supply chains behind them, the brand is doubling down on radical transparency. Unlike most dairy players that rely on fragmented third-party networks, Pride of Cows sources milk exclusively from its own state-of-the-art farm near Pune. Here, over 5,000 cows are raised with global best practices, and milk is extracted through a fully automated, contactless system then delivered straight to consumers via a direct cold-chain, ensuring zero human touch from udder to doorstep.

    To take this message of traceability to the mainstream, Pride of Cows has tapped credible and familiar voices across media. Faye D’Souza, known for her no-nonsense journalism, lends gravitas to the campaign’s call for consumer awareness. Jatin Sapru, the ever-affable face of Indian sports broadcasting, adds relatability for modern families. Meanwhile, Curly Tales’ Kamiya Jani amplifies the brand’s journey through snackable content that blends storytelling with behind-the-scenes glimpses of farm life.

    “Consumers today want to know more than just what’s in their milk, they want to know where it comes from,” said Parag Milk Foods Ltd executive director Akshali Shah. “This campaign is about restoring trust in a category that’s long been clouded in mystery.”

    Backed by a 360-degree media rollout including print, digital, influencer collaborations, and immersive content, the campaign cuts through the clutter with one bold question: Are you drinking milk, or just marketing?

    With over 20,000 plus testimonials, a loyal premium consumer base, and growing urban curiosity around clean eating, Pride of Cows isn’t just selling milk, it’s bottling a belief system.

    In a world obsessed with food trends, this is a back-to-basics call to clarity. Because sometimes, asking where your milk comes from might just be the most nourishing question of all.

  • Runwal turns Worli gallery into immersive showcase of art and architecture

    Runwal turns Worli gallery into immersive showcase of art and architecture

    MUMBAI: If home is where the art is, then Runwal Raaya in Worli just became Mumbai’s newest masterpiece in motion. In a stunning blend of real estate and artistic expression, Runwal Realty, in collaboration with Tao Art Gallery, hosted The Voracious Visual, a one-of-a-kind art showcase that transformed the sales gallery of Runwal Raaya into a living, breathing exhibition of creativity. Held at the brand’s landmark 4-acre development in Worli, the event celebrated the meeting point of timeless architecture and contemporary Indian art.

    Staying true to its philosophy of “Building for Generations to Come,” Runwal used the space not just to sell homes but to spark emotion. Curated by Urvi Kothari of Tao Art Gallery, the show featured thought-provoking works by artists such as Jaideep Mehrotra, Kalpana Shah, Viraj Khanna, Hitesh Gilder, and more all displayed in dialogue with the building’s striking spatial design.

    With each canvas thoughtfully placed to echo and contrast with the environment, the evening invited guests to experience more than just form and structure, it was about feeling and storytelling. From layered textures to bold strokes, the event blurred the boundaries between gallery and home, between lifestyle and legacy.

    Adding sparkle to the affair, actor and art enthusiast Neha Dhupia attended alongside her husband Angad Bedi, lending the evening a dash of star power and charm.

    “For us, great homes and great art serve the same purpose: to inspire, to endure, and to elevate,” said Runwal Realty managing director Sandeep Runwal. “This partnership was about showcasing how deeply design and emotion are interwoven.”

    Tao creative director Sanjana Shah echoed the sentiment: “Art in intimate spaces like homes isn’t just décor, it’s identity. Our aim is to make more people see that real estate and art aren’t separate worlds; they’re deeply intertwined.”

    The evening closed with artist interactions and design conversations, a rare convergence of stakeholders from real estate, fine art, and lifestyle, all aligned in a singular vision that homes should be more than built structures; they should be galleries of lived experience.

    In a city of square footage and skyline wars, The Voracious Visual offered something richer: a glimpse into what happens when heart, heritage, and high design come together under one roof.

  • ITB India 2025 bets big on ‘The Business of Experience’ to woo next-gen travellers

    ITB India 2025 bets big on ‘The Business of Experience’ to woo next-gen travellers

    MUMBAI: India’s biggest B2B travel show is getting a sensory upgrade. ITB India 2025 is set to return with a bang from 2–4 September at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre, rolling out a brand-new theme: “The Business of Experience: Curated Travel for Targeted Growth.” Co-located with Mice Show India and Travel Tech India, this year’s edition is poised to spotlight niche, high-touch travel that promises to pamper the senses and delight the algorithms.

    Organised by Messe Berlin Asia Pacific, the show will see 400+ exhibitors, 600+ qualified buyers, and over 8,000 attendees, representing the full breadth of travel, from wellness and culture to cinematic and spiritual getaways.

    With 400+ exhibitors, 600+ qualified buyers, and over 8,000 attendees expected, ITB India 2025 will present niche travel experiences—from wellness escapes and cinematic journeys to spiritual and cultural explorations. Key participants include tourism boards from countries such as India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia (Sarawak), Kenya, and Sri Lanka, alongside leading hotels, DMCs, airlines, and travel tech providers.

    “India and South Asia are evolving into experience-first travel markets. ITB India 2025 is a catalyst for innovation and strategic partnerships to meet this growing demand,” said Messe Berlin Asia Pacific executive director Darren Seah.

    Confirmed tourism boards hail from India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia (Sarawak), Kenya, and Sri Lanka, alongside a stellar cast of airlines, hotels, DMCs, and tech innovators.

    Exhibitors can snag discounted rates till 15 July 2025, while trade visitors can enjoy super early bird offers until 25 July 2025.

    With India’s experiential travel scene heating up, ITB India 2025 promises to be more than just a trade show, it’s a trip in itself.

  • Bajaj revs up the streetfighter game with 2025 Pulsar NS400Z upgrade

    Bajaj revs up the streetfighter game with 2025 Pulsar NS400Z upgrade

    MUMBAI: Bajaj Auto has dropped the clutch — literally — with the all-new 2025 Pulsar NS400Z, a fire-breathing upgrade to its flagship streetfighter, now packing 43 PS of pure punch, a segment-first quick-shifter, and plenty of new muscle to burn rubber and expectations.

    Priced at Rs 1,92,328 (ex-showroom Delhi), the refreshed NS400Z builds on the momentum of 20,000 units sold since its debut last year, evolving into a leaner, meaner ride sculpted by user feedback and track-inspired engineering.

    What’s new under the hood?

    . Power bumped from 40 PS to 43 PS, thanks to reworked cam timings, intake ducts, and a new forged piston that improves thermal stability and durability.

    Acceleration amped up — 0-60 kmph in just 2.7 seconds (down from 3.2), and 0-100 in 6.4 seconds, with a top speed of 157 kmph.

     Heat management is sorted via redesigned radiator cowls that blow hot air away from your legs.

     Radial tyres front and rear, including a beefier 150-section at the back for better grip and feedback.

     Sintered front brake pads for sharper stopping power.

    The bike continues to flaunt its premium street creds with:

    43 mm USD forks in Champagne Gold,

    LED projector headlamps,

     A fully digital LCD console with Bluetooth, music controls, turn-by-turn nav, lap timer, and traction control,

    Plus, four ride modes: rain, road, off-road, and sports.

    With this update, Bajaj Auto isn’t just selling a motorcycle — it’s selling a mood. And that mood is fast, fierce, and futuristic.

  • IIGC kicks off Bengaluru chapter with bold moves

    IIGC kicks off Bengaluru chapter with bold moves

    MUMBAI: The Indian Influencer Governing Council (IIGC) turned up the volume on India’s booming creator economy with its third official chapter, held at Taj Bangalore, and used the stage to make a headline-grabbing declaration: December 2 will now be observed as World Influencer Day.

    The high-energy gathering brought together over 100 voices from the creatorverse—marketing heads, digital honchos, platform leaders, and star content creators. It wasn’t just selfies and speeches, though. The event introduced IIGC Protect, a major initiative focused on legal literacy and mental wellness for influencers, in collaboration with Trilegal, United We Care, and Adayu (Fortis).

    Among the key speakers were Nikhil Sachdeva (partner, Trilegal), Rana Atheya (VP – business, United We Care), Sachin Baliga (advisor – neuromodulation, Fortis), and creator Aneri Thakkar, who addressed the growing need for psychological and legal safeguards in what remains an unregulated digital jungle.

    Adding teeth to its governance efforts, IIGC also launched a Taskforce and outlined a Code of Standards for brands and creators. Key voices like Varun Oberoi (VP, marketing & comms, Nissin), Jaikishin Chhaproo (head – media & PR, ITC Ltd), Gaurang Thosani (head – digital & e-sales, Royal Sundaram), and Aparajita Mukherjee (head – brands in culture, Diageo) shared best practices on responsible influencing.

    BBC Media Action Tej Prakash Yadav said, “Influencers have the power to spark change, ignite conversations that matter, and build something bigger than a brand: a movement. Influencing for Good adds depth to social capital, strengthens credibility, and shows the world the human behind the handle.”

    Gunjan Taneja (@Gunjanshouts), added, “Being an influencer is not about the number of followers or views, but the impact we are able to create. We need to consider that with our every word, action and recommendation one or several of our followers will buy the product or service with their hard earned money. Which is why it is our responsibility as creators to be cautious of what we say, with maturity and sensibility before we put out content.”

    IIGC chairman & founding member, Sahil Chopra led the felicitation ceremony that honored board members, as well as winners of the Indian Influencer Ratings Weekly Picks, which recognizes both “Trendsetters” and emerging “Underdoggs.”

    With three power-packed chapters under its belt, IIGC continues its mission to professionalise, protect, and celebrate India’s creator economy—one policy push, one punchline, and one post at a time.

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  • Badshah’s Badboy Pizza  slips into India’s QSR scene with a bold, desi twist

    Badshah’s Badboy Pizza slips into India’s QSR scene with a bold, desi twist

    MUMBAI:  Critically acclaimed rapper, singer-songwriter and serial entrepreneur Badshah has fired up the ovens and stormed into India’s booming quick service restaurant (QSR) sector with Badboy Pizza—a mass-premium pizza chain that promises bold flavours, slick branding, and a desi-meets-global attitude.

    The artist, whose real name is Aditya Prateek Singh Sisodia, has teamed up with Ghost Kitchens India, one of the country’s largest cloud kitchen players led by serial founder Karan Tanna, to build what the duo claim will be “the most exciting QSR launch of the decade.”

    Ahead of the opening, the internet was set ablaze with a cheeky viral campaign featuring Badshah being slapped—by a pizza. The stunt, designed to juice the brand’s tagline ‘pizza that slaps,’ racked up over eight million views across platforms and turbocharged buzz around the brand’s launch.

    Badboy Pizza is now live with a flagship boutique outlet in Andheri, Mumbai, and is eyeing a footprint of 50 locations across India’s top five metros in the next three years. Built as a hybrid format of dine-in and delivery kitchens, the brand is chasing an ambitious Rs150 crore annual recurring revenue (ARR) target. The average bill: Rs 400 per person.

    At the heart of the venture is a 50-item cosmopolitan menu that fuses global favourites with desi swagger—from Truffle Cacio-e-Pepe and Korean Spice to Tandoori Tikka and Chicken Keemalal. There’s even a cinematic special called the Pushpa Pizza, spicy enough to match its namesake’s fire.

    Says Badshah: “Badboy Pizza is an extension of my personality — rooted, bold and real and this launch is special since I’ve always dreamt of having my own pizza chain! Drawing upon diverse culinary experiences from my travels over the years, my vision was to forge a brand that embodies international quality while resonating deeply with homegrown appeal. Partnering with Karan Tanna and Ghost Kitchens ensures we’re building not just a brand, but a truly world class and accessible culinary experience.”

    The crust, however, is the true hero. Made with Italian flour and cold fermented for 48 hours, it promises that elusive combo of crispy outside and fluffy inside—a far cry from the usual QSR fare.

    And the brand doesn’t stop at pizza. The menu includes garlic bread with butter chicken, spaghetti in bread bowls, flamboyant desserts like Fried Oreos with sea salt dark chocolate, and madcap sundaes in flavours such as Banaras Paan and Guava Masala.

    The brand identity? Loud, rebellious and proudly Indie-an. Badboy Pizza’s packaging mimics smuggled contraband—zesty lime and purple boxes emblazoned with bold typography and the playful wink of Jugnu, the mischievous mascot who glows when things get bold. The boxes double up as collectible street-art souvenirs—because why should a pizza box be boring?

    For Ghost Kitchens, the tie-up is a strategic masterstroke. Already home to brands like Starboy Pizza and Speak Burgers by Vicky Ratnani, the cloud-first company processes over 1.2 lakh orders monthly and is scaling fast after a $5 million Series A raise in 2024.

    Tanna said, “Badboy Pizza is poised to be the most exciting QSR launch of the decade. The brand reimagines what scalable QSRs of the future will look like. Badshah’s ability to shape trends and influence youth culture gives this brand an unmatched edge. Together, we’re building the future of QSR experiences in India.”

    India’s QSR market is surging—from $85.19 billion in 2025 to a projected $139.75 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.41 per cent, according to a press release issued by the company. The pizza segment alone is forecast to more than double to $11.8 billion by 2033.

    With the hype machine firing on all cylinders, a menu that dares to be different, and cultural cues baked into every bite, Badboy Pizza isn’t just selling food. It’s building a movement.

    And yes—this pizza really slaps.

  • Britannia and NIC churn out a Bourbon blizzard with new chocolatey ice cream collab

    Britannia and NIC churn out a Bourbon blizzard with new chocolatey ice cream collab

    MUMBAI: In a decadent twist that’s sure to delight chocolate lovers, Britannia Industries and Walko Food’s NIC Ice Creams have teamed up to launch the NIC Bourbon Ice Cream- a rich, creamy tribute to the classic Britannia Bourbon biscuit.

    This chilled indulgence blends NIC’s velvety chocolate ice cream with crushed Bourbon biscuit crumbs, delivering the best of both worlds in one scoop. It’s a nostalgic nod wrapped in a dessert format Gen Z and millennials will likely devour with zero diplomacy required.

    The launch follows the success of the Britannia Winkin’ Cow Bourbon Shake in 2024, as Britannia continues to stretch the boundaries of its most beloved biscuit brand. Now fans can crunch, sip, or scoop their favourite chocolate flavour in multiple formats including the 28,000+ Bourbon-inspired recipes live on BourbonIt.in.

    The collaboration gets an extra swirl of fun from a campaign by The Womb, set in a spoofed-up global diplomatic summit. The film shows a perplexed Indian ambassador stuck between choosing chocolate biscuit or chocolate ice cream until NIC Bourbon Ice Cream swoops in with the obvious solution: have both.’

    Britannia Industries general manager – marketing, Siddharth Gupta said, “Britannia Bourbon has always held a special place in the hearts of our consumers, and we’re excited to offer them yet another way to enjoy this iconic flavor. NIC Bourbon Ice Cream is our way of celebrating the love that Bourbon fans have shared with us over the years, and we’re thrilled to bring this beloved biscuit into a new, delicious format. We’re proud to partner with NIC Ice Creams to create this delightful, indulgent treat.”

    Walko Food Company Pvt. Ltd. director Raj Bhandari said, “NIC has always been committed to delighting our customers with premium ice creams, inspired by a world of flavors — from fresh fruits and rich chocolate to globally inspired creations and timeless Indian dessert classics. We felt Britannia Bourbon & NIC fans deserve a treat, which led to the genesis of this limited-edition flavour in a special collaboration with Britannia Bourbon – delicious Britannia Bourbon chunks in rich chocolate ice cream – A must-have if you love Britannia Bourbon and you love NIC ice creams!

    The Womb CCO Suyash Khabya said, ”Britannia Bourbon is the OG chocolate biscuit. Everything we do on the brand has to land the product truth of ‘chocolate chocolate chocolate’. And now we have one more chocolate – NIC Chocolate ice cream…whatte fun! Continuing with the earlier brand set-up, we’ve woven an interesting story of how the world comes together when something so chocolatey is launched. The world needs more chocolate than animosity. A very simple idea with a context makes it an interesting watch.”

    Now available pan-India across 100+ cities via Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, Instamart, Zepto, and at NIC Ice Cream parlours, the new flavour is fast becoming a go-to for sweet-toothed fans and loyal Bourbon lovers alike.

    Because when a biscuit meets ice cream, neutrality isn’t an option.