MUMBAI: In a cynical media agency world with shrinking budgets, how do you thank media planners and buyers for partnering your event or looking at your offering favorably?
You could try the route that Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd’s chief growth officer – digital & broadcast revenue Ashish Sehgal has done. He put together a three city Agency Premier League T20 which concluded on 20 December in Mumbai.
It worked out well, says a Zee press release, as it was “highly engaging and competitive trade marketing initiative.”
The Mumbai leg was won by Starcom with strong competition from leading agencies, including Wavemaker, Madison World, DBB Mudra Max, Essence Mediacom, and Mindshare Fulcrum. Zee brought in actor Utkarsh Sharma and actress Simrat Kaur, who were part of last year’s blockbuster hit, Gadar 2. The popular and versatile artists added to the excitement and thrill of the event.
OMD clinched victory in the Delhi leg, which featured spirited performance from Havas, IPG, Group M, Publicis, and Dentsu.
The Bengaluru leg saw Group M Mavericks claiming victory after competing against Group M Blasters, Dentsu, Havas Media, Initiative, and Madison.
“We are thirilled to ponse to the Agency Premier League T20 across all three legs in Bengaluru, Delhi, and MumbaI,” says Sehgal. “This initiative is a testament of our commitment to strengthen partnerships with the media fraternity through the unifying power of cricket. It has been an incredible journey, and we look forward to continuing this momentum as we bring the excitement of DP World ILT20 closer to our partners.”
Clearly, Sehgal and Zee will have won some brownie points with media agency executives. Now it’s up to the sales team to cash in.
MUMBAI: This festive season, a little creativity can go a long way, as illustrated by a recent campaign from Samsung.
Samsung, a leading consumer electronics brand, has launched a unique initiative to highlight the sketch-to-image feature of the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, integrating traditional print media with augmented reality (AR) to captivate audiences. The campaign centres around a Christmas-themed AR game, allowing users to engage with the device’s capabilities interactively.
In the print advertisement, readers are invited to scan a QR code that activates a 3D render of the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. The experience begins with a Santa sketch that transforms into a vibrant AI-generated image, showcasing the power of the S Pen and AI tools. Participants can then guide Santa as he delivers gifts across rooftops, enhancing the festive spirit.
The sketch-to-image feature takes centre stage, illustrating its ability to convert simple doodles into detailed visuals. Whether for holiday illustrations or professional graphics, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra empowers users to express their creativity.
‘’At Samsung, innovation drives us to create magical experiences. The Sketch-to-Image feature on our Galaxy Tab S10 is a perfect example. When we envisioned the Santa AR game, we needed a tool that could bring our ideas to life seamlessly. From doodles to lifelike graphics, this feature helps transforms every concept into reality, powering the creativity behind this interactive experience. It’s not just a feature—it’s a gateway for creators, developers, and storytellers to unleash their imaginations with precision and ease. With Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Series, the possibilities are endless. What will you create next?” said Samsung India vice president, MX Business Aditya Babbar.
Cheil India CCO Vikash Chemjong the creative agency behind this campaign, “This holiday season, Cheil India partners with Galaxy Tab S10 Series to redefine how creativity meets celebration. From the groundbreaking Sketch to Image feature to the whimsical Santa AR Game, we’re blending technology with imagination, bringing festive joy to every generation. Together, we’re shaping experiences that inspire and innovate.”
As AI technology continues to evolve, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is at the forefront, aiming to democratise advanced creative tools. With the S Pen’s precision and AI-driven enhancements, the device caters to professionals, creators, and artists alike. This campaign showcases the boundless opportunities that arise when technology and creativity intersect, paving the way for a future where artistic expression is accessible to all.
MUMBAI: Can’t wait for a quiet evening, the hum of the world softening, and a square of indulgent dark chocolate melting slowly on your tongue?
In a world addicted to speed, where every moment seems to blur into the next, Cadbury Bournville invites you to hit pause.
With its new campaign, Don’t Rush It, Mondelez India’s premium dark chocolate brand is redefining indulgence—not just as a treat, but as a way of life. It’s an ode to slowing down, embracing the present, and savouring the intense richness of life, one luxurious bite at a time.
After all, why race through life when the sweetest moments come when you simply pause?
At the heart of the campaign lies a powerful message: life’s most meaningful indulgences aren’t meant to be rushed.
Cadbury Bournville, crafted with perfectly roasted cocoa beans and designed with larger indulgent pip shapes, offers a rich taste that demands attention, time, and mindfulness. The campaign positions Bournville as more than just a treat—it becomes a ritual, an opportunity to immerse oneself in a luxurious moment of indulgence.
Mondelez India VP marketing, Nitin Saini highlighted the campaign’s purpose, “With Cadbury Bournville, we believe that life’s most meaningful indulgences aren’t meant to be rushed. In a world where everything moves at a relentless pace, we want to inspire people to take a moment, be present, and truly savour the richness of their moments. Thus, with our new campaign, ‘Don’t Rush It,’ we’re encouraging consumers to experience a deeper connection with oneself—one pip at a time. After all, the most memorable moments are the ones that are unrushed.”
The campaign film, a high-octane thriller with a humorous twist, dramatises Bournville’s intense taste, reinforcing the idea that it is best enjoyed bit by bit.
Ogilvy India CCO, Sukesh Nayak added, “We wanted Bournville to make dark chocolate desirable in India, which is predominantly a milk chocolate market. This campaign maintains Bournville’s premium, international imagery while introducing a unique narrative that captures the richness of its flavour. The film perfectly blends sophistication with wit, creating a memorable appeal.”
MUMBAI: At just 22, Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra are racing past food-tech giants Swiggy and Zomato, proving that speed isn’t just a metric-it’s a revolution. Their Zepto, the lightning-fast disruptor of India’s consumer internet space, where quick bites meet quicker delivery.
In a bold move to elevate its café division, Zepto has elevated Shashank Shekhar Sharma as its new chief experience Officer (CXO). With a mandate as sharp as its delivery timelines, Shashank steps into the driver’s seat to steer Zepto Café toward dominating the hyper-competitive food-tech arena.
Zepto’s co-founder & CEO, Palicha commended Shashank’s exceptional contributions, “Shashank is a top-tier operator. I have had the personal privilege of learning from his combination of detail-oriented execution, strategic clarity, and most importantly, unrelenting obsession with the customer. Zepto Café has been built ground up by him, and I believe he has it in him to build one of the largest food QSR businesses in India.”
Since Zepto Café’s inception, Shashank has been instrumental in shaping its journey. Reflecting on his promotion, he stated, “I am thrilled to take on this responsibility at such a pivotal time for Zepto Café. The online café model represents a paradigm shift in how urban India enjoys food and beverages, combining convenience, speed, and quality. As we introduce new menu items to the selection, we will remain meticulous in curating assortments that meet our high standards of quality consistency and taste. I look forward to working with our talented teams, sellers, and partners to build on this success and continue delighting users with exceptional experiences.”
Shashank’s rich background in food tech, retail, and QSR spans nearly two decades. His proven track record in driving business transformation and scaling operations perfectly aligns with Zepto Café’s ambitious growth trajectory.
Under his leadership, Zepto Café is set to strengthen its footprint and redefine urban India’s food and beverage experiences.
MUMBAI: In the battle of operating systems, where iPhones reign supreme and Androids hustle for the limelight, Flipkart’s Android Advantage campaign has flipped the script—quite literally.
Enter the Sad Panda, a hilariously mopey yet oddly relatable mascot who’s taken the internet by storm, transforming from a couch potato into a pop culture phenomenon overnight. With its quirky humor, snappy storytelling, and spot-on Gen Z vibes, the campaign is more than just a marketing win; it’s a cultural reset.
Forget doomscrolling—this is the wholesome viral content we didn’t know we needed.
The campaign’s narrative cleverly captures a moment of digital-age connection. It follows a man who transforms into a panda, metaphorically portraying the isolation he feels as his partner focuses on her phone. The twist? He uses Android’s exclusive features—such as Google Gemini and Circle to Search—to plan a heartfelt surprise, celebrating the role of technology in creating meaningful connections. With its compelling story and advanced tech showcase, the campaign has amassed over 100 million views on Instagram in under a week, generating widespread buzz across social media.
Even before the ad’s release, the Sad Panda was creating a stir. Spotted in meme-worthy scenarios—sulking on a park bench, holding signs at Marine Drive, or waiting outside a club—the character became an instant social media hit. Meme pages, pop culture accounts, and influencers amplified its presence, making the Sad Panda a relatable and humorous symbol of digital distraction. As it trended on Twitter, it resonated deeply with Gen Z, who embraced its quirky and lighthearted charm.
The Sad Panda campaign seamlessly weaves pop culture with cutting-edge technology, engaging younger audiences while showcasing Android’s innovative features. The campaign coincides with Flipkart’s Big Saving Days, launching on 20 December, offering exclusive deals on Android devices—a timely opportunity for audiences to upgrade their gadgets.
By capturing relatable moments of digital disconnection and emotional connection, the Sad Panda campaign exemplifies the power of storytelling in modern advertising.
What began as a forlorn character has transformed into a cultural phenomenon, leaving a lasting impression on audiences and redefining how brands engage with digital-savvy consumers.
MUMBAI: Brand marketers and ad agency creatives as well as music maestros and music fans stand up and applaud for this one. And the folks at Hindustan Unilever’s Brook Bond – as well as the agency and copy writer who has written this specific ad – you can take a bow.
Today morning’s Times of India’s Bengaluru edition of the newspaper’s front page pays a tribute to the great Zakir Hussain who passed away on 15 December. The ad has no visuals, just a ombre blue Prussian blue background.
It’s the word that touch your heart and stir your emotions just like Zakirbhai did in the commercials for Taj Mahal chai and his “Wah Taj boliye” parting shot in the commercials.
The copy goes: “Ask a billion Indians what comes to mind when they hear Taj Mahal Tea. It’s not The Taj Mahal. It’s you Ustad.”
In tiny font size, the brand then expresses its gratitude to the globally famous tabla genius: “Thank you for all the years of a beautiful partnership.”
And it signs off with a tiny logo of the Taj Mala brand.
All we at indiantelevision.com can say is “Wah Taj! Very gracefully done.”
MUMBAI: Fans of the hit Korean global hit Squid Game and of Korean cuisine have a double delight coming their way. Not only will they get to the watch its second season when it hits Netflix on 26 December they will also get to slurp up their Korean noodles while watching the show.
Food major Knorr – part of Hindustan Unilever- has partnered with Netflix to launch a special edition Korean ramen range inspired by the show. This includes Squid Game-themed packs in three flavors: Jjajangmyeon, Spicy Kimchi, and Gochujang Chicken.
A 90-second film has been launched featuring masked guards and a front man challenging a group of young participants to finish a bowl of spicy Korean ramen in 60 seconds. If they fail, the frontman warns, they will be eliminated. The participants dig into their bowls and slurp away to their soul’s delight, but they also find it spicy. The red light-green light doll, Young-hee, makes a cameo and looks around. As the seconds tick down, one of them drops down a trap door as he has been tardy in his eating. The others hurry to finish their bowls. As the stop clock stops, those who don’t finish, drop down trapdoors.
And the front man removes his mask to reveal himself to be Gulshan Grover mouthing his famous dialogue: “Front man. Nooo baaaad maaan.”
Throughout the film, the background music and chants are inspired from the Squid Games series, making for an eerie and thrilling film. It ends with a voice over challenging audiences watching the film to dare to enter the dare to slurp challenge.
Consumers can do so by picking up a special Knorr Squid Game pack which features designs from the series and includes a QR code for the Dare-to-Slurp game, offering them a chance to win a trip to Seoul and attend a Squid Game fan event.
The film – which also has a 40 second version – is being blasted across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and heard on Spotify. On YouTube, it had generated 10 million views in just nine days.
An extensive out of home advertising campaign has been planned.
As of the night of 19 December, key opinion leaders (read influencers) had been posting videos about them taking part in the challenge. Knorr’s digital campaign features 45 of them including Orry, Urfi, Falguni Pathak, and Yashraj Mukhate, taking on the Dare to Slurp challenge. Underground rappers Big Deal, Yungsta, Yoki, and Seige are also creating exclusive raps for the campaign.
MUMBAI: At the bustling Garuda Mall in Bangalore, shoppers pause in awe as a hoarding came to life, showcasing Bajaj’s latest outdoor billboard, Built for Life. Using cutting-edge 3D anamorphic technology, the hoarding transforms traditional brand visibility into an immersive experience, underscoring Bajaj’s commitment to innovation, durability, and contemporary design.
The hoarding spotlights two ranges of Bajaj products – water heaters and mixer grinders – and redefines how consumers engage with appliances. At the heart of the initiative is a series of dynamic 20-second videos. Each opens with a metallic shutter bearing the Bajaj logo, sliding open to reveal a high-tech space. Hero products, such as water heaters and mixer grinders, rotate elegantly in 3D before seamlessly transitioning to real-life kitchen and bathroom settings.
The videos highlight two key categories:
. Water Heaters: The pentacle digi, featuring a remote and digital display, and the Contempo water heater, known for its marine grade glass line coating and ten-year warranty on the DuraAce Tank.
. Mixer Grinders: The Evoque 4-jar mixer grinder (1000 watts), designed for south Indian kitchens, with military-grade jars and DuraCut blades that come with a lifetime warranty.
Head of advertising & brand management Devika Sachdev commented, “The Built for Life anamorphic hoarding marks a new chapter in how we connect with our audiences. By using 3D anamorphic technology, we are not just showcasing our brand and our range of durable products but are in fact creating an immersive experience that reflects Bajaj’s vision of innovation and modernity. This campaign is about redefining how consumers see and engage with us in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.”
MUMBAI: It’s got its independence at last. Advertising and marketing services giant Havas today announced the successful listing of its ordinary shares on the regulated market of Euronext in Amsterdam under the ticker HAVAS. This follows the completion of its spin-off from Vivendi and the distribution of Havas’s ordinary shares to Vivendi shareholders on a one-for-one basis, approved by them at the combined general shareholders’ meeting on 9 December 2024.
Havas chairman & CEO Yannick Bolloré said: “The successful completion of Havas’s spin-off and listing on Euronext Amsterdam marks a pivotal step towards the realisation of our long-term vision. It gives us additional flexibility to accelerate our growth across our key business lines and strengthens our unique position within the dynamic marketing and communications industry. Our converged strategy, enhanced by exceptional talent, data-driven insights, cutting-edge technology, and targeted acquisitions, places us in the best possible position to be even more creative and strategic, and deliver robust financial performance, creating long-term value for our shareholders. I would like to thank our talented teams for all their hard work and commitment throughout this process, and all our clients for their trust.”
Through its converged strategy, has drawn up a three pronged way forward to drive growth, creativity and innovation by focusing on three key priorities:
1. Strategic acquisitions: Continue its disciplined approach to acquisitions, targeting high-growth markets and expanding its expertise in data analytics, digital transformation, and AI. 2. Investment in innovation: Prioritise the development of capabilities in data, technology, and AI to deliver cutting-edge solutions, ensuring it remains at the forefront of the industry. 3. Increased Collaboration: Implement a group-wide operating system to fuse all Havas’ global expertise, tools and capabilities and further integrate its networks and agencies worldwide.
As disclosed at the capital markets day held on 19 November 2024: * Havas is aiming to achieve an Adjusted EBIT margin ranging between 14 per cent and 15 per cent by no later than the financial year ending 31 December 2028. Havas is also aiming to generate contributions to net revenue from new acquisitions averaging between €40 million and €50 million per year over the medium term, driven by the execution of the group’s acquisition strategy.
* Havas believes it can achieve the following as of and for the year ending 31 December 2024: o A change in net revenue on an organic basis ranging between a decrease of one per cent and no change, compared to the year ended 31 December 2023; o Adjusted EBIT in excess of €330 million, reflecting management of operating expenses (such as personnel and travel expenses); o Net cash and cash equivalents (excluding lease liabilities and earn-out and buy-out obligations) of around €150 million.
* For the year ending 31 December, 2025, Havas believes it can achieve the following: o Net revenue on an organic basis growth in excess of two per cent, compared to the year ending 31 December 2024; o Adjusted EBIT margin ranging between 12.5 per cent and 13.5 per cent
Regarding its dividend policy, Havas says it intends to provide a regular return on capital to its shareholders through an annual dividend payment. This payment is expected to represent around 40 per cent of the net income (group share) for the relevant financial year, starting in 2025 for the financial year ending 31 December 2024.
MUMBAI: When you are in the audio wearables business and want to showcase your new technology and new devices, you would not do better than having musicians and artistes to kind of try out your products and endorse them in a way.
Just like boAt has done for its campaign for lossless digital audio codec (Ldac)-technology-based innovative products – the Nirvana Ion ANC Pro and Airdopes 800 HiDef—designed to deliver an unparalleled audio experience for music lovers. Ldac actually works by transforming how music sounds.
The campaign features rapper Yung Raja, hip-hop producer Sez on the Beat, Grammy-nominated vocalist Shilpa Rao, and legendary fusion band Indian Ocean. These creative icons bring their musical genius to life, demonstrating how Ldac enhances their artistic process and delivers an immersive listening experience for their fans.
* Yung Raja (Rapper): Fusing Tamil and English, Yung Raja is a voice for today’s dynamic, youthful audience, and his unique sound reflects the power of Ldac to bring diverse music genres to life.
* Sez on the Beat (Music producer): A pioneer in India’s burgeoning hip-hop scene, Sez embodies cutting-edge sound innovation, showcasing Ldac’s ability to capture every beat and sound detail.
* Shilpa Rao (Musician): With her emotive, versatile voice, Shilpa Rao’s partnership with boAt reflects her commitment to bridging traditional and contemporary music, offering her audience an audio experience like never before.
* Indian Ocean (Fusion band): Known for their eclectic fusion of sounds, Indian Ocean pioneers a musical journey that resonates across generations. Their collaboration with boAt highlights how Ldac technology elevates their music to new heights of precision and clarity.
The campaign aims to establish the Ldac technology as a game-changer in audio quality, providing crystal-clear, high-resolution sound over Bluetooth. Through this initiative, boAt is seeking to strengthen its brand image as a leader in technological innovation, while connecting with passionate music enthusiasts who crave authentic, studio-quality sound. The Ldac technology, a breakthrough high-resolution audio codec, ensures that every detail of a track is preserved, making it ideal for audiophiles and music creators alike.
Said a boAt spokesperson: “The partnership with these iconic artists underscores boAt’s commitment to artistic authenticity and technological advancement, offering listeners an unrivalled audio experience, whether they’re in the studio or simply enjoying music at home. This collaboration aims to inspire listeners to experience music in its purest form—immersive, precise, and powerful.”
boAt’s new products – Nirvana Ion ANC Pro and Airdopes 800 HiDef.- have a stunning design with cutting-edge features, bold colours, and exceptional sound. Airdopes 800 HiDef earbuds are available in graphite grey and sterling silver, offering a stylish and modern look. Nirvana Ion ANC Pro: Available in three premium colours: blazing comet, northern lights, and rose quartz, these noise-cancelling TWS bring superior sound and elegance to every listening experience.
Both the Airdopes 800 HiDef and Nirvana Ion ANC Pro are available now at an introductory price of Rs 2,299 and Rs 2,499, respectively. Customers can purchase these innovative products through multiple channels, including boAt-lifestyle.com, Flipkart, Amazon, Myntra, quick-commerce platforms, and select offline stores.
“We are thirilled to ponse to the Agency Premier League T20 across all three legs in Bengaluru, Delhi, and MumbaI,” says Sehgal. “This initiative is a testament of our commitment to strengthen partnerships with the media fraternity through the unifying power of cricket. It has been an incredible journey, and we look forward to continuing this momentum as we bring the excitement of DP World ILT20 closer to our partners.”
