MUMBAI: Brush up your creativity. The government of Maharashtra’s department of cultural afairs, in collaboration with the Advertising Agencies Association of India, has extended the deadline for the Turn Vision into Art: Pmvision2art campaign to 15th October 2025.
The nationwide initiative invites designers, agencies, and creators to craft iconic posters celebrating India’s transformative programmes over the past decade, from Make in India and Digital India to Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Skill India, and the International Day of Yoga.
Seventy-five winning entries will be showcased at major art galleries, featured in a commemorative coffee-table book, and highlighted on national platforms to inspire millions. Poster submissions should be A2 size and entries can be made via www.pmvision2art.com.
Minister of cultural affairs Ashish Shelar said, “Creativity has the power to shape how we remember history and imagine the future. Turn Vision into Art is our invitation to the nation’s creative minds to capture the essence of India’s progress through art.”
With this extension, the campaign offers artists a golden opportunity to make their mark while celebrating a decade of India’s visionary initiatives.
KOLKATA: Forget garish hoardings and booming Shubho Sharodiya messages. Ogilvy East has spent a decade transforming Durga Puja advertising from noise into culture—and this year’s crop of campaigns shows why the approach works.
The star turn came from Coca-Cola, which wove a sari from recycled red and white PET bottles. Not just any sari, but the iconic Lal Paar—spun into thread by master weavers in Phulia and block-printed with Coke’s contour design. Launched at the 75th Ballygunge Cultural Pujo, it became an instant ritual companion, from Sindoor Khela to Instagram feeds. Sustainability met tradition, and the sari didn’t just trend—it became part of the festival itself.
Eveready Ultima built Asia’s largest toy truck, powered entirely by AA batteries and certified by the Asia and India Book of Records. It carried the idol of Ma Durga to Vikramshila, an NGO for children. Whilst giant idols on giant trucks usually hog attention, this tiny battery-powered bahon lit up hearts instead. “At Eveready, we’ve always believed in using the powerful platform of Durga Pujo for good,” said Eveready Industries India chief executive Anirban Banerjee. “This year we’re focusing on pure joy. With Ultima Bahon, we’re bringing smiles and a memorable experience directly to underprivileged children at Vikramshila.”
Asian Paints Sharad Samman rolled in on another disappearing Kolkata icon: the yellow taxi. Forty of them became moving installations, each symbolising a decade of the festival. Gattu, the brand’s beloved mascot, took a musical ride through four decades in a film stitched with genres from each era. “Festivals are reflections of their times,” said Asian Paints managing director & chief executive Amit Syngle. “With Choltey Choltey Chollish, we wanted to mirror Kolkata’s journey and the way creativity, community and imagination have shaped Pujo across generations.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbcC58ggcGg
Nestlé Nangrow broke ground with the Junior Dhunuchi—a blue, smoke-emitting toy that let children join the traditional Dhunuchi naach. For generations, kids had been told “No fire. No smoke. No Dhunuchi.” Creativity flipped that script.
“The Dhunuchi activation was an endearing and out-of-the-box way of celebrating toddlerhood and parenting, elevated by the cultural significance of the Dhunuchi Naach,” said Nestlé marketing head for premium infant and toddler nutrition Mayank Raina.
Even Sunlight detergent found its space. In a festival where new clothes dominate, detergent usually sits out. Not this time. Sunlight launched a photosensitive pack that revealed vibrant alpona motifs when exposed to sunlight, turning a functional product into a festive artefact.
The pattern is clear. Ogilvy East doesn’t interrupt Pujo—it interprets it and becomes part of it. Previous campaigns turned queuing into a refreshing experience for Coke and built Eveready’s Light Idol from torch beams.
“Durga Puja is the crowning jewel of Bengal’s culture,” said Ogilvy North chief creative officer Sujoy Roy, who leads the east initiative. “Advertising has no business being a noisy gate-crasher. It has to earn its invitation. Ogilvy East keeps trying to make brands not just visible, but a meaningful part of the smiles, the stories and the rituals that define this festival.”
Ogilvy Mumbai executive vice-president and office leader at Ogilvy Kolkata Roshni Mohan said Pujo is a dynamic canvas and an annual invitation to innovate. “When creativity serves culture, it doesn’t just capture attention—it enriches the experience.”
MUMBAI: Vivek Gupta has turned the page, and this time, it’s for the entire Indian newspaper industry. The managing director and chief group editor of Kolkata-based Hindi daily Sanmarg has been elected president of the Indian Newspaper Society (INS) for 2025–26, taking over from MV Shreyams Kumar of Mathrubhumi.
The 86th annual general meeting, held on 25 September via video conferencing, also saw Karan Rajendra Darda of Lokmat elected deputy president, Tanmay Maheshwari of Amar Ujala as vice president, and Anant Nath of Grihshobhika as honorary treasurer. Mary Paul continues as the society’s secretary-general.
INS, the apex body for newspaper, magazine, and periodical publishers in India, has been a barometer of the industry’s pulse for decades. Shreyams Kumar, in his presidential address, praised the resilience of India’s newspaper ecosystem, particularly in a rapidly digitalising world.
Gupta, a former Rajya Sabha MP and current MLA from Jorasanko, expressed his humility and pride. “It is an honour to be among the few from Bengal in INS’s 86-year history to hold this prestigious position. This recognition belongs to the entire Sanmarg family, my colleagues, and well-wishers. I look forward to strengthening the newspaper industry, fostering innovation, and upholding credible journalism,” he said.
The INS executive committee for 2025–26 reads like a who’s who of Indian publishing, including industry stalwarts like S Balasubramanian Adityan (Daily Thanthi), Vijay Kumar Chopra (Punjab Kesari), Viveck Goenka (The Indian Express), Mahendra Mohan Gupta (Dainik Jagran), and Mohit Jain (Economic Times).
With India’s print industry still brimming with potential, Gupta’s leadership comes at a crucial time to balance tradition with modernity. As the sector navigates the hybrid world of print, digital, video, and social media, industry voices like INS will be pivotal in charting the future.
MUMBAI: Two sharp minds, one bold mission Dentsu Creative Isobar has doubled down on its creative firepower with the appointment of Dhruv Tiwari and Zubin Jauhari as group executive creative directors. The move, announced this week, signals the agency’s intent to marry creativity with culture and commerce, shaping campaigns that don’t just win awards but win hearts across India. Both will report to Dentsu Creative Isobar chief creative officer Abhijat Bharadwaj and will lead a 150 plus strong creative team charged with pushing boundaries for some of the country’s most ambitious brands.
Dhruv Tiwari arrives from DDB Mudra, where he transformed the North office into a creative powerhouse with work for McDonald’s, Royal Enfield, Kent RO and DLF Mall of India. His campaigns blended cultural spark with business impact and earned recognition at Adfest, The Abbys and Kyoorius. As he quipped: “I’m here to stir things up to craft work where creativity, tech and culture collide. Work that earns attention, sparks conversation, and maybe even rewrites the rulebook. If the shiny metals follow, well… we won’t complain.”
Zubin Jauhari, meanwhile, is making a homecoming to dentsu. Over the past decade, he has worked on everything from Swiggy and Flipkart to Google, Facebook and Ola Electric, turning brands into cultural icons. His trophy cabinet features Cannes Lions, a Spikes Asia Grand Prix and a Kyoorius Black Elephant. On returning, he said: “It feels incredible to return to a place that shaped some of my fondest professional memories. I’m here to create work that resonates far beyond the industry, help define the future of creativity, and build a team that everyone can’t stop talking about, all while having a ton of fun doing it.”
For Bharadwaj, the appointments cap a year-and-a-half-long talent build: “Now that the bottom and middle levels of our structure are solidly in place, it’s time to crown the top of this creative pyramid. I can’t think of anyone better than Dhruv and Zubin. Zubin is an award-winning creative who is an expert at new-age creativity and Dhruv is an excellent leader with a vast portfolio of successful campaigns. We’re in the fight and gunning for greatness.”
Dentsu Creative Isobar CEO Sahil Shah echoed the sentiment: “The future of creativity lies in fusing culture, technology, and influence to deliver impact at scale. Dhruv and Zubin embody this new-age thinking and inspire those around them. Backed by a hugely talented team of 150 plus creatives, they will craft transformative work for brands and society while nurturing a culture that empowers our people to dream bigger and create bolder.”
Together, Dhruv and Zubin are expected to deliver campaigns that channel India’s diversity and dynamism, harnessing technology to amplify culture and content to drive influence. The duo’s remit aligns with Dentsu Creative’s global mission: building work that’s emotionally resonant, culturally rooted and commercially meaningful.
As the agency puts it, this is not just about crafting ads, it’s about “celebrating Bharat while speaking to modern India”. With this creative power pairing, Dentsu Creative Isobar seems ready to script its next blockbuster chapter.
MUMBAI: When thunder strikes twice, it only gets louder. Thums Up and Hero Motocorp are back with Thunderwheels 2.0, a high-octane sequel to last year’s blockbuster partnership, this time giving young India the chance to ride off on the all-new Hero xtreme 250R.
The campaign fuses Thums Up’s legendary ‘Toofani’ spirit with Hero’s engineering prowess, serving up a motorcycle that embodies individuality, power, and raw thrill. The Xtreme 250R, a premium 250cc streetfighter, is built for riders who live life on the edge, just like the cola brand’s daredevil persona.
The hook? “Dum hai toh scan kar.” Special-edition Thums Up packs now feature QR codes that unlock the chance to win the Xtreme 250R, along with a series of energetic, action-packed experiences.
Hero Motocorp, head of marketing – India BU, Aashish Midha said: “The phenomenal response to Thunderwheels last year reaffirmed how deeply this connects with the new generation of riders. With the Xtreme 250R, we’re delivering a machine designed for those who ride with intent: agile, powerful, and stylish.”
Coca-cola India, category head – Sparkling Flavors, Sumeli Chatterjee added: “Every Thums Up experience is built to fuel adrenaline. Thunderwheels 2.0, with Hero’s xtreme 250R, is all about engaging thrill seekers and inspiring them to be unstoppable in their dreams.”
The campaign will thunder across screens and feeds with a full-blown 360 rollout, from TV and digital films to influencer activations and artist collaborations, celebrating the spirit of bold self-expression.
With Thunderwheels 2.0, Hero and Thums Up aren’t just selling a bike or a bottle, they’re bottling the rush of adventure, daring India’s youth to taste the thunder and ride the storm.
MUMBAI: From bro-caves to glow-caves, bachelors are getting a festive glow-up. Flipkart is taking the guesswork out of home upgrades with its cheeky new ‘Bachelor upgrade yojana,’ launched ahead of its mega big billion days sale starting 23 September.
Conceptualised by 22feet Tribal Worldwide, the campaign taps into AI to help bachelors, notorious for putting off home improvement, spruce up their spaces without lifting more than a finger. All it takes is a quick picture on Whatsapp: the AI-powered bot scans the room and serves up stylish, functional product recommendations, each linked directly to special big billion days offers.
The idea is rooted in a simple truth: bachelors don’t skip upgrades because they don’t care, but because it feels like too much effort. This bot does the heavy lifting, from curtains to cookware, making a bachelor pad look Diwali-ready in a few clicks.
The campaign’s film plays up the humour of bachelor life, poking fun at mismatched furniture and makeshift décor while showing how Flipkart swoops in to save the day.
Flipkart, VP and head of growth & marketing, Pratik Shetty said: “With ‘Yahan kuch bhi ho sakta hai’ as our key theme for this year’s big billion days, we wanted ideas that spark unexpected wonder. The bachelor upgrade yojana does exactly that, turning one of the most change-averse groups into eager home improvers with irresistible deals.”
22feet Tribal Worldwide, national creative director, Vishnu Srivatsav added: “Big billion days is for everyone, but bachelors probably need it most. With a little AI magic, we spoke to them directly, drawing from hostel and PG stories that everyone can relate to.”
By mixing AI smarts with festive deals, Flipkart has turned a seasonal sale into a cultural talking point and made bachelor pads the unlikely stars of the big billion days buzz.
MUMBAI: Booking a phone just got an upgrade. Imagine by Ample has shaken up India’s premium retail market with its “Imagine More” campaign: a gamified, consumer-first approach to iphone 17 pre-bookings that promises more than just a transaction.
Conceptualised by creative agency Schbang, the campaign cuts through the usual clutter of offers and queues by focusing on “more offers, more rewards, more experiences.” At the heart of the innovation lies the ‘More Portal’: a seven-day gamified Whatsapp journey that keeps customers engaged from pre-booking to delivery, with surprises, rewards, and interactive touchpoints along the way.
Ample Group, chief marketing officer, Neha Jindal explained, “With the iphone 17, we’ve gone beyond convenience to create a first-of-its-kind platform that makes the journey fun, engaging, and rewarding. At Imagine, Apple fans don’t just upgrade, they celebrate.”
Backed by 36 micro-influencers, eight city-specific PR rollouts, and regional storytelling in Tamil, Malayalam, and Bangalore-centric activations, the campaign ensures Apple enthusiasts across India feel both excited and included.
“This launch was never about just enabling pre-bookings,” said Schbang’s Vrinda Bajaj. “It was about crafting an experience that built anticipation at every step, so Apple fans felt celebrated, not just serviced.”
With 47 stores across south India and a strong digital footprint, Imagine by Ample has already cemented itself as one of India’s leading Apple-exclusive retailers. By transforming a routine pre-order process into an immersive, gamified journey, it has now raised the bar for how brands can create loyalty and excitement in a crowded market.
In short, Imagine isn’t just selling iphones, it’s selling the thrill of the wait.
MUMBAI: Talk about sending the right message. Kit Global has become the official partner for Telegram Ads in India, giving advertisers direct access to the fast-growing platform’s unique ad solutions.
The international 360 degree marketing player is promising brands a smoother ride into Telegram territory with perks like local onboarding, multilingual support and real-time market insights. For marketers weary of crowded feeds and banner fatigue, Telegram’s opt-in channels are pitched as a fresher, cleaner way to reach audiences who actually want to hear from them.
“At Kit Global, we’ve always been proud to be at the forefront of market change. We embrace innovation rather than relying on what’s already known,” said chief executive, Olga Dulinskaya. She added that the tie-up gives clients confidence that every campaign rides on opportunities designed for today’s fast-changing digital world.
For Telegram, the move could broaden its appeal among Indian advertisers eager to cut through the noise. Instead of chasing disengaged scrollers, brands can speak directly to niche, interest-led communities. For Kit Global, which already runs high-performing campaigns across fintech, gaming, e-commerce and entertainment, the partnership reinforces its positioning as a future-ready marketing outfit.
As India and Southeast Asia power the next wave of internet growth, Kit Global is betting that Telegram Ads will be a channel worth watching. After all, when it comes to winning engagement, sometimes it pays to be on the same wavelength.
MUMBAI: Playground bragging rights just got turbocharged. After melting hearts with its viral ‘Doda’ film, Škoda Auto India and Publicis Groupe India’s bespoke unit Team Drive are back with a cheeky new chapter in the ‘Fans Not Owners’ campaign and this time, the action unfolds in a schoolyard.
Titled ‘Recess’ and creatively helmed by BBH India, the film captures children flaunting their families’ Škoda cars like badges of honour. From specs to features, the showdown escalates until a young girl drops the ultimate mic line: her Škoda can fly to Jupiter. With that rocket-fuelled claim, she hops into her Kushaq and drives off, leaving her peers gaping.
The spot wraps up with a montage that celebrates not just the features of Škoda cars but the sheer pride and joy they inspire among fans staying true to the campaign’s core message that Škoda owners don’t just drive their cars, they adore them. With ‘Recess’, Škoda once again proves that when it comes to storytelling, it’s not just about horsepower, but heart power.
MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises has launched Zee Spotlight, a high-impact advertising package under its Z Rise initiative, with Hyundai Motor India stepping in as the exclusive first partner.
Billed as a clutter-busting innovation, Zee Spotlight combines premium brand touchpoints across general entertainment and movie channels — from stings, branded windows and in-show funnel placements to carousels, QR-code astons, L-bands and tags. The package is also designed to extend onto Zee5, ensuring brands reach audiences seamlessly across broadcast and digital in line with the AIDA model of awareness, interest, desire and action.
Laxmi Shetty, head of advertisement revenue for broadcast and digital at Zee, said the move was about “reimagining how brands engage with audiences in a fragmented media ecosystem.”
Hyundai’s avp and vertical head of marketing, Virat Khullar, called the tie-up “a cutting-edge platform that redefines brand storytelling,” adding that the partnership would deepen connections with consumers across India’s entertainment landscape.
With Zee Spotlight, the network is pitching a sharper value proposition to advertisers: high-frequency, high-visibility brand presence baked into viewers’ content journeys, with Hyundai leading the charge.
