ITV

Category: Media and Advertising

  • Parle Agro launches SMOODH Lassi

    Parle Agro launches SMOODH Lassi

    Mumbai: Parle Agro, known for driving innovation in the Indian beverage market, launches SMOODH Lassi, a fresh addition to its growing dairy portfolio that is set to redefine the Indian dairy category once again. Building on the success of SMOODH flavoured milk, the new offering reflects Parle Agro’s commitment to disrupting market norms with innovative, high-quality, and affordable products that unlock the full potential of its category, leading to extraordinary growth. This exciting launch is backed by an extensive multi-channel campaign, the largest ever in the lassi category, featuring brand ambassador, Varun Dhawan.

    With SMOODH Lassi, Parle Agro takes lassi to new heights of delight and indulgence. With 50% dahi content, this lassi is wonderfully thick and creamy, delivering a delicious, smooth, and satisfying drinking experience with every sip. SMOODH Lassi offers the classic lassi taste, gently infused with a delicate hint of rose creating a flavour that is both refreshing and comforting. It’s the perfect beverage for relaxing moments – whether it’s a quick snack, a family gathering, serving guests or simply a refreshing pick-me up.

    Making SMOODH Lassi even more unique is its packaging. This packaging ensures the lassi is free from trans fats and preservatives, with a remarkable six-month shelf life, perfectly aligning with Parle Agro’s commitment to wholesome, quality, and guilt-free indulgence. Its vibrant, trendy design is eye-catchy and appealing, making it stand out in a crowded market. Additionally, its youthful look and convenient size make it ideal for on-the-go consumption.

    Parle Agro kicks off its dynamic 360-degree campaign for SMOODH Lassi with a TVC created by &Walsh. Featuring the charismatic Varun Dhawan in a dual role, the ad seamlessly aligns with the brand’s young and vibrant image. Dhawan’s portrayal of both a customer seeking the ultimate lassi experience and a shopkeeper delivering it highlights SMOODH Lassi’s superior quality and irresistible taste. This approach emphasizes SMOODH Lassi’s creamy texture, delightful flavour, and refreshing qualities, positioning it as a charming, wholesome beverage that brings good vibes to any moment. The campaign effectively captures the ‘Ohhh sooo Smoodh’ essence, showcasing SMOODH Lassi as the top choice for creamy indulgence and joyful refreshment.

    Commenting on the launch of SMOODH Lassi, Parle Agro joint managing director Nadia Chauhan said, “Lassi is a beverage rooted in the Indian culture, with significant market potential. SMOODH Lassi is our innovative take on this classic beverage, offering a premium, creamier, and richer product that seamlessly blends tradition with modernity. We’ve carefully crafted SMOODH Lassi to exceed consumer expectations, focusing on quality, taste, and nutritional value. Our campaign with Varun Dhawan, is designed to resonate with consumers, positioning SMOODH Lassi as a standout choice in the crowded lassi market. With this approach, we aim to elevate the product’s visibility and strengthen our leadership in beverage innovation.”

    The introduction of SMOODH Lassi is a strategic move by Parle Agro to capitalize on substantial and largely unorganized Rs 3000 crore+ loose lassi market in India, with the goal of elevating industry standards of this beverage segment. While the unpackaged lassi category is vast, the packaged segment lacks a defining national presence.  Parle Agro seeks to leverage its leadership in the industry to shape and lead the development of the “Lassi Category” in India with SMOODH Lassi.

    Sharing more details on their corporate strategy, Chauhan added, “Our strategy has always centered on diversifying our portfolio to anticipate consumer preferences and set market trends. The launch of SMOODH Lassi in innovative packaging reflects our commitment to delivering pioneering products that cater to today’s evolving consumer needs.”

  • Honda Cars India introduces multi media campaign ‘Great Honda Fest’

    Honda Cars India introduces multi media campaign ‘Great Honda Fest’

    Mumbai:  Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL) has marked the beginning of the festive season with the launch of its multi-media campaign for ‘The Great Honda Fest’.

    This campaign is a tribute to the diverse and vibrant festivals celebrated across India that illuminate India’s cultural landscape.

    From the spiritual serenity of Onam to the vibrant exuberance of Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Puja & Dussehra and radiant lights of Diwali, Honda’s campaign captures the essence of these diverse celebrations, spreading festive cheer across the nation. The brand film showcases how Honda vehicles effortlessly become a part of these joyful moments, embracing the traditions, rituals, and happiness that define each festivity. 

    Commenting on the promotion campaign, Honda Cars India Ltd. VP, marketing & sales, Kunal Behl said, “Festivals bring joy and unity, and with the ‘Great Honda Fest’ campaign, we aim to celebrate this spirit. At Honda, we drive not just cars, but the happiness and togetherness of communities. Adding to the cheer of the campaign. HCIL has introduced a special festive price for the ‘S’ variant of the Honda Amaze, available in both MT and CVT. This offer is designed to enhance affordability in markets where demand for these variants is growing. By making the Amaze more accessible, we hope to meet our customers’ evolving needs while delivering the reliability and driving experience Honda is known for.”

    As part of the ‘Great Honda Fest’ the company is offering attractive benefits on the purchase of its premium range of cars. Customers can avail a three-year free maintenance package offered along with other attractive benefits in form of cash discounts, loyalty, exchange, and corporate offer on its product range.

    The promotional scheme is available on select models including the Honda Amaze, Honda City, Honda City e:HEV, and Honda Elevate. This offer is valid at all authorized Honda dealerships across the country for a limited period and applies to specific model variants.

  • OAP transforms into OAP Mediatech

    OAP transforms into OAP Mediatech

    Mumbai: Outdoor Advertising Professionals (I) Pvt Ltd, widely recognised as OAP, is to announce its rebranding to OAP Mediatech Pvt Ltd, reflecting its evolution into a comprehensive media solutions provider.  Since its inception in 2002, OAP has been at the forefront of the Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising industry, closing the financial year of 2022-2023 with a remarkable revenue of Rs. 373 Crores.

    OAP Meditech appoints Yash Punjabi as business director to lead our planning, and strategy team for ATL Media. Yash brings a wealth of experience from GroupM and OMD. Vipul Mehta has joined very recently as head of buying and operations. Vipul is a veteran having multimedia experience at Dentsu, Zenith Optimedia and Graphene before joining OAP Mediatech.

    The rebranding to OAP Mediatech aligns with the company’s enhanced focus on leveraging technology, data, and research to offer a wider range of services beyond traditional OOH media. This strategic shift underscores the company’s dedication to innovation and its commitment to understanding and influencing consumer behaviour across various media platforms.

    Speaking of the announcement, Abhijit Sengupta, CEO, said “OAP was launched as an OOH specialist agency. Over time, we expanded our services beyond OOH, incorporating research, data, and technology. Our new name, OAP Mediatech, reflects our broader capabilities and commitment to connecting clients with a variety of services across different platforms.”

    He further added, “post-pandemic in a short span of time, we’ve launched many new services like ProLocator for OOH, a location intelligence planning tool, and now are working on attribution and reverse targeting. We’re also conducting large-scale EEG studies for AIS (Attention Impact Score) and have deployed ProVisualiser, a survey tool using advanced computer vision technology.

    Now we are offering Mainline Media Planning and Buying for TV, Print, Radio, and OTT. Yash Punjabi has joined as Business Director to lead our planning, and strategy team for ATL Media. Yash brings a wealth of experience from GroupM and OMD. And Vipul Mehta has joined very recently as head of buying and operations. Vipul is a veteran having multimedia experience at Dentsu, Zenith Optimedia and Graphene before joining OAP Mediatech.

  • Etihad Airways announces partnership with Mumbai City FC

    Etihad Airways announces partnership with Mumbai City FC

    Mumbai: Etihad Airways has signed on to be the official front-of-shirt sponsor of Mumbai City FC in a multi-year partnership starting from the 2024-25 season. The move demonstrates Etihad’s continued commitment to the Indian market and Mumbai City’s profile as one of the top-performing professional sports teams in India having won two Indian Super League titles and two Indian Super League Cups.

    The deal, which is a record in Indian football in terms of duration, coincides with Etihad celebrating 20 years of flying to India and will see the Etihad Airways logo feature prominently on the front of shirt of Mumbai City FC’s first and youth team match shirts and training kits from the 2024-25 season.

    The partnership builds upon the decades-long connection between the home countries of the two organisations and reinforces the shared values of teamwork and excellence. Both the club and airline aim to bring people together and give flight to ambition.

    Mumbai City FC CEO Kandarp Chandra commented, “We are incredibly happy to bring Etihad on board as our Official Front of Shirt Sponsor. Their endorsement is a testament to the brand of football Mumbai City plays – one that is committed to performance and the pursuit of excellence on and off the field. Both Etihad and Mumbai City are proud to represent resilient global cities that balance tradition with modernity.”

    Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves said, “We strive to enrich our presence in the Indian market through relevant and meaningful partnerships, and we’re thrilled to welcome Mumbai City FC to the Etihad family. India continues to be a strategically important market for Etihad and we remain committed to serving the Indian community with convenient connections from 11 destinations across India to the Middle East, Europe and North America.”

    Etihad will celebrate 20 years of flying to India this month, and from 1 September, Etihad’s A380 will be flying between Mumbai and Abu Dhabi to demonstrate its commitment to growth in India. Guests will have the chance to experience the iconic superjumbo on this popular route for four months.

    The airline flies to 11 destinations across India, with flights to Mumbai four times per day, offering convenient connections to Abu Dhabi and onwards. In total, Etihad operates 175 flights per week between Abu Dhabi and India.

    “Through our partnership with Mumbai City FC, we hope to bring joy to the football-loving community across Mumbai,” continued Neves.

  • Korra and Kerakoll India announce digital partnership to transform contractor relations

    Korra and Kerakoll India announce digital partnership to transform contractor relations

    Mumbai: Korra, a digital marketing agency, has partnered with Kerakoll India, a renowned name in the construction chemical industry. This strategic collaboration aims to develop an innovative loyalty application, enhancing Kerakoll’s engagement with contractors and applicators while boosting brand visibility.

    As a prominent player in the construction chemical sector, Kerakoll India has consistently delivered high-quality products. The partnership with Korra will focus on creating a user-friendly loyalty program, implementing targeted marketing initiatives, and addressing key business challenges such as customer retention and sales growth. This collaboration aligns with Kerakoll’s mission to strengthen relationships with its contractor and applicator network while solidifying its market presence through compelling and informative digital engagement.

    Commenting on the association, Korra CEO Saket Vaidya said, “We are thrilled to partner with Kerakoll India on this transformative project. This collaboration represents a significant opportunity to leverage our digital expertise in the construction chemical industry. We’re committed to developing an application that not only showcases Kerakoll’s innovative products but also provides tangible value to their professional network.”

    Korra Sr vice president of revenue operations Mohit Naresh added, “This partnership with Kerakoll India exemplifies our commitment to delivering cutting-edge digital solutions across diverse industries. By combining our technological prowess with Kerakoll’s industry leadership, we’re set to create a benchmark in contractor engagement and loyalty programs. This initiative will not only drive growth for Kerakoll but also provide valuable insights that can reshape industry practices.”

    APAC Kerakoll regional director Ahzam Javed shared, “Our partnership with Korra marks a pivotal step in our digital customer engagement strategy. We’re excited to harness their technological prowess to connect with our stakeholders in more meaningful ways. This initiative reinforces our commitment to innovation and excellence in customer experience, ensuring we remain at the forefront of the construction materials sector in India.”

    Through this partnership, Korra will craft a versatile digital ecosystem for Kerakoll India, seamlessly integrating web, mobile, and messaging platforms to reach and engage contractors across all tech-savvy levels. The partnership sets the stage for a series of innovative initiatives, including a multi-tiered rewards system, timely promotional campaigns aligned with industry seasons, and cutting-edge marketing strategies powered by advanced data analytics. This collaboration not only enhances Korra’s diverse portfolio but also signifies the beginning of a transformative journey for Kerakoll India in the digital space.

  • South African Tourism & Ethiopian Airlines partner to launch #ExploreMore&MoreForLess campaign

    South African Tourism & Ethiopian Airlines partner to launch #ExploreMore&MoreForLess campaign

    Mumbai: To make South Africa more accessible to Indian travelers, South African Tourism has partnered with Ethiopian Airlines to launch the #ExploreMore&MoreForLess campaign. The campaign offers airfares starting at Rs 37,839 for travel from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai to Cape Town and Johannesburg. The fares are available through Ethiopian Airlines’ website and mobile app from 1 September to 30 September 2024, for travel between 1 October and 31 December 2024. Travelers can also receive an additional 10 per cent discount on the base fare, aligning with the festive seasons of Diwali and Christmas.

    When travelling internationally, airfares are often a major deciding factor for families and individuals alike and play a vital role in selecting experiences one can choose to indulge in during their trip. South African Tourism, in its partnership with Ethiopian Airlines’ aims to empower travellers to curate their itinerary more freely and cherish their time away wholeheartedly. An extension to South African Tourism’s wildly popular More&More campaign, #ExploreMore&MoreForLess empowers Indian travellers to embark on as many quests from the 3,000 adventure activities, majestic wildlife and varied culinary experiences available in South Africa.

    Expressing his enthusiasm for the campaign launch, South African Tourism regional general manager – Asia, Australasia, and the Middle East, Gcobani Mancotywa said, “It gives me immense pleasure to introduce our #ExploreMore&MoreForLess campaign in collaboration with Ethiopian Airlines to Indian travellers. At South African Tourism, our goal is not only to promote the destination but also to make it more accessible, enabling travellers to experience our country’s warm hospitality and vibrant culture. India is among our top three focus markets, and its contributions to South Africa’s inbound travel market are integral to fulfilling our long-term tourism goals. Moreover, we cherish deep ties with India, owing to our shared history and unwavering camaraderie over the years. This campaign reflects our commitment to delivering value to Indian travellers, and we invite them to explore the different shades of the Rainbow Nation this festive season.”

    South African Tourism saw a 43 per cent growth in visitors from India in 2023 compared to the previous year. Building on this momentum, the tourism board aims to attract over 100,000 visitors from India in 2024. Earlier this year, South African Tourism held its 20th Annual India Roadshow, covering five cities in five days and conducting over 12,000 meetings. These initiatives support the tourism board’s goal of welcoming more Indian travelers to South Africa each year while offering a value-for-money proposition.

  • Philips appoints Bharath Sesha as managing director for the Indian Subcontinent

    Philips appoints Bharath Sesha as managing director for the Indian Subcontinent

    Mumbai: Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), health technology and innovation, announced the appointment of Bharath Sesha as managing director for the Philips Indian subcontinent, effective 1 September 2024.

    In this role, Bharath will spearhead Philips’ growth strategy in India, with a strong focus on enhancing customer satisfaction and driving operational excellence. He will manage the Healthcare business headquartered in Gurgaon and hold responsibility for Philips’ Licence to Operate in India, which includes the Philips Innovation Campus (PIC) in Bangalore, the Healthcare Innovation Centre (HIC) in Pune, and Global Business Services (GBS) in Chennai.

    Bharath succeeded Daniel Mazon, who was vice chairman and managing director for the Philips Indian Subcontinent until 1 April 2024 and has since taken on a global role at the Philips headquarters in the Netherlands.

    Bharath is a seasoned leader with over two decades of global experience, bringing a profound understanding of the Indian market, particularly within the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. His expertise spans strategic leadership, business development, and operational excellence. Before joining Philips, he served as managing director at Heubach Colorants India Ltd., Renowned for his ability to inspire and lead teams toward achieving world-class performance, he consistently delivers results while driving innovation. He holds a master’s degree in international management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and an MBA from the Institute for Technology & Management (ITM).

    Commenting on his new role, Bharath said, “I am thrilled to join Philips and contribute to our mission of improving healthcare accessibility and affordability in India. I look forward to working with our talented team to bring our innovative technologies to address India’s unique healthcare needs. We will continue to collaborate with our partners and stakeholders to enhance our impact on the lives of millions by expanding access to quality care.”

    Philips’ ongoing investments in India have been instrumental in solidifying the brand’s position as a leading Healthtech innovator, while also enhancing its presence across the country. Key initiatives such as the new Philips Innovation Campus (PIC) in Bangalore in 2023 and the announcement of a new R&D campus at the Healthcare Innovation Center (HIC) in Pune in 2024, have significantly strengthened the company’s operational footprint. These efforts have not only driven technological advancements but have also propelled India to the forefront of healthcare innovation and research.

  • DBS Bank India’s ‘Trust Your Spark’ campaign celebrates 30 years in India

    DBS Bank India’s ‘Trust Your Spark’ campaign celebrates 30 years in India

    Mumbai: DBS Bank India has launched its new brand campaign, “Trust Your Spark,” celebrating 30 years as a trusted partner in India. The campaign emphasises that everyone has a unique spark—a driving force that empowers them to pursue their dreams with courage.

    DBS Bank India showcases real-life stories of customers, employees, and purpose-driven businesses like Haqdarshak, supported by the DBS Foundation. These stories illustrate how individuals overcame challenges and achieved success by believing in themselves, with DBS as their banking partner. This aligns with DBS’s brand promise to “Live More, Bank Less.” The campaign features outdoor advertisements across 20 cities in India and engaging content on social media and internal platforms.

    DBS Bank India’s managing director and head of group strategic marketing and communications, Azmat Habibulla said, “Our ‘Trust Your Spark’ campaign aims to inspire people to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams, knowing they have a trusted partner like DBS. We celebrate those who believe in themselves and their vision, making a positive impact. As we mark our 30 years in India and 10 years of the DBS Foundation, we are proud to support the growth of our customers across the country.”

    To commemorate its 30 anniversary in India, DBS has launched the “India-Singapore Connect” initiative with CNBC-TV18. This initiative brings together leaders from government, business, and academia to discuss trade, investment, innovation, technology, sustainable development, and cross-cultural interests.

    Earlier this year, DBS Bank India sponsored the documentary Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: A Singapore Saga, celebrating Bose’s legacy and his role in the Azad Hind movement from Singapore. DBS was also the exclusive banking partner for ‘Srikanth,’ a biopic about the inspiring journey of visually impaired industrialist Srikanth Bolla, embodying the message of “Trust Your Spark.” Additionally, the bank supports young badminton stars like Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Treesa Jolly, and Gayatri Gopichand, potential stars of tomorrow.

    DBS introduced the industry-first online mini-series DBS Sparks, inspired by true stories. The series follows young bankers as they navigate their work and personal lives, challenging the status quo and making a real impact, supporting DBS’s quest to be the best bank for a better world.

  • ACKO unveils second edition of car insurance campaign

    ACKO unveils second edition of car insurance campaign

    Mumbai: Following the success of last year’s campaign, ACKO has launched the second edition of its car insurance campaign, again featuring the father-daughter duo Saif Ali Khan and Sara Ali Khan.

    Conceptualised by Leo Burnett, the campaign continues to challenge conventional views of car insurance and offers a new perspective on the insurance buying and usage process. It addresses common concerns in the insurance business, such as the misconception that insurance must be purchased from the car dealer when buying a new car. The ad films also highlight the confusion caused by numerous calls and varying prices during renewals. ACKO’s straightforward renewal process allows customers to see the price, understand coverage, and renew easily.

    The campaign also showcases value-added services available on the ACKO app, including paying traffic challans and checking car resale value, enhancing the overall customer experience.

    Speaking about the campaign, ACKO CMO Ashish Mishra shared, “ACKO’s auto business experienced a breakout year in FY’24, with demand significantly surpassing previous benchmarks. The Saif & Sara campaign helped in landing what could be boring car insurance messages in a quirky yet informative manner.” He added, “We are absolutely delighted to bring this dynamic duo back on screen. I am happy that we have stuck to our core principle of having humor in our advertising. The campaign has come out really well and I am sure our customers will love watching them as well as benefit from new information that we are trying to communicate.”

    “Saif and Sara embody the new-age father-daughter dynamics where we see the younger generation teaching the older gen how to embrace technology for good. In our case, car insurance is traditionally seen as a dealer/agent driven process, and ACKO is transforming this with its value-added services which make insurance in the modern day more valuable. Our films leverage the bond between Saif and Sara; keeping the signature ACKO humor and lighthearted approach to addressing important insurance-related issues for consumers,” said Leo Burnett South Asia chief creative officer Vikram Pandey (Spiky).

    The ad films are live and will be promoted across various platforms, including television, social media, OTT, and digital channels. The campaign’s media mix, which also includes radio and OOH, has been strategically selected to align with the tone and message of the films, ensuring broad reach and impact with the target audience.