Category: Media and Advertising

  • METRO Shoes launches its ‘Takes you to the new’ campaign

    METRO Shoes launches its ‘Takes you to the new’ campaign

    Mumbai: Renowned for its unmatched quality and craftsmanship for over seven decades, METRO Shoes has always been a trusted companion through various life stages of its consumers, offering versatile footwear for every occasion. With its new ‘Takes You to The New’ campaign, METRO Shoes redefines modern Indian relationships and captures the essence of progressive lifestyles and contemporary society.

    As India’s cultural landscape evolves, METRO Shoes celebrates these changes by being a constant companion in every aspect of young Indians’ lives. At the heart of this campaign lies a trilogy of captivating films, featuring modern, progressive, and compassionate protagonists. From embracing pet parenthood to starting new life chapters and navigating challenges with partners, each of these films captures the spirit of new beginnings through endearing storylines. These narratives not only mirror the evolving perspectives of modern Indian relationships, but also reflect the aspirations and values of contemporary Indians.

    The campaign reaffirms METRO Shoes as a brand that ushers its audience into fresh, vibrant experiences and one that always ‘Takes you to the new’. Metro Brands Ltd president Alisha Malik said, “Throughout different stages of our consumers’ lives, METRO Shoes has consistently been a reliable companion. As our consumers evolve and make new life choices, METRO Shoes continues to guide them through life’s myriad experiences, celebrating their new life occasions and milestones. The latest iteration of our ‘Takes You to The New’ campaign celebrates how modern India is reshaping traditional relationships in progressive ways. Led by a series of three digital films, the storylines are sure to resonate with audiences on a personal level and strike a chord with them.”

    The new METRO Shoes campaign also spotlights the latest style stories across its product categories. In addition to popular styles like casual, party, and formal wear, the collection introduces fresh design elements. For women, there’s the elegant crochet collection with flats and heels, while men’s footwear features sophisticated big buckle detailing. The collection also includes new sneakers for everyone, offering a variety of stylish choices.

    Join METRO shoes on this exciting journey to explore new horizons, create fresh memories and embark on unique adventures. The latest collection is now available across all METRO Shoes stores and online on https://www.metroshoes.com/

    The campaign was conceptualized by Makani.

  • HiveMinds welcomes Pradeep Saluja as chief operating officer

    HiveMinds welcomes Pradeep Saluja as chief operating officer

    Mumbai: HiveMinds, a digital marketing company and part of the Madison Group, is delighted to announce the appointment of Pradeep Saluja as chief operating officer. Pradeep is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience leading business strategy, operations management, and consulting across multiple industries. As the COO, he will oversee the P&L and growth of the business and be responsible for the organisation’s overall operations.

    Pradeep has held senior positions in several leading firms, from one of the founding members of the India business at Encore Capital Group to leading firms where he has delivered sustainable growth for clients worldwide. Prior to joining HiveMinds, he served as vice president at Sprinklr, where he successfully led customer success for key accounts globally. Before this, Pradeep was with Mu-Sigma, managing the P&L of a business unit with a portfolio of Fortune 500 companies. His career began at Caterpillar, where he led West and South East India’s dealer development and customer success teams. He was also part of the management consulting practice at KPMG. Pradeep graduated from the National Institute of Technology Allahabad and is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore.

    HiveMinds COO Pradeep Saluja shared, “HiveMinds has established itself as a leading player in the Digital Marketing space. The leadership’s unwavering focus on delivering value to clients and fostering an employee-centric culture echoed well with my values. I am excited to join HiveMinds and look forward to working closely with our highly energetic and capable teams to deliver sustainable growth and impact to our clients.”

    HiveMinds CEO and founder Jyothirmayee JT commented, “We are delighted to welcome Pradeep to HiveMinds. His extensive experience and proven leadership, especially in digital transformation and operations, align perfectly with our vision for the future as we expand and evolve in the digital marketing landscape. His appointment marks a significant milestone in our journey, and I eagerly anticipate the innovative solutions and lasting partnerships that will undoubtedly flourish under his leadership.”

  • Paytm Insider elevates Varun Khare to COO

    Paytm Insider elevates Varun Khare to COO

    Mumbai: Paytm Insider, one of India’s leading entertainment experiences platforms, announced the elevation of Varun Khare to chief operating officer (COO). In his new role, Varun will lead the company’s operational strategies, driving growth and innovation across all facets of the business.

    Having been with the organisation for four years, Varun as the business head showcased exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and a deep understanding of the evolving needs of the customers and partners. Under his management, Paytm Insider witnessed over 100 per cent growth in GMV each year over the last two years whilst quadrupling the revenue in the last two years. With a clear understanding of the brand’s vision and the need to build the event’s infrastructure in India, Varun was instrumental in making significant inroads into tier two and three markets by collaborating with artists, organisers, and promoters to enhance live event experiences.

    Before joining Paytm Insider, Varun worked with Fountainhead MKTG and eventually Oranjuice Entertainment. With a robust background spanning 17 years in the live events and entertainment industry, he specialises in meticulously crafting and executing intellectual properties (IPs).

    Talking about his new position, Paytm Insider COO Varun Khare said, “When I moved to Paytm Insider, the intention was to scale up and work with a brand whose value system and culture resonated with mine. Working with a team of 150 exceptionally talented individuals and earning their respect has been one of the most gratifying and significant achievements of my career. We have successfully expanded to over 170 cities having reached a diverse customer base across genres making my journey both challenging and rewarding.”

    He further added, “I am grateful to all the passionate people who have been a part of my journey. I am looking forward to this new phase. We’ve only just gotten started and have put ourselves in a great position to make live entertainment the preferred choice of entertainment across the country.”

    Talking about Varun’s promotion, Paytm Insider founder & CEO Shreyas Srinivasan expressed, “Paytm Insider was founded with the vision of making events a preferred choice for entertainment in India. Over the last five years we have built a full-fledged platform that supports organisers with a range of services that spans ticketing, sponsorship, artist booking, marketing and more. Varun has been instrumental in this build-out, his vast experience across all aspects of organising an event has allowed us to build a platform which will champion events and organisers across this country. I am super confident that this team has the right mix to make Insider the dominant events platform in India.”

  • Luminous Power Technologies #PowerAapkeHaathMein campaign

    Luminous Power Technologies #PowerAapkeHaathMein campaign

    Mumbai: Luminous Power Technologies has launched its new campaign #PowerAapkeHaathMein, featuring a series of thematic films to highlight its revolutionary end-to-end solar solutions ecosystem. The campaign aims to showcase Luminous’ comprehensive solar ecosystem and educate consumers about the significance of solar energy solutions.

    In India, a significant portion of the population faces challenges with power supply. They have grown accustomed to dealing with power outages, voltage fluctuations, and high electricity bills as part of their daily lives. Luminous aims to change this by offering an end-to-end solar solution that empowers people to take control of their power supply and enables them to generate and use electricity according to their own needs.

    Luminous Power Technologies has recently established a solar panel factory in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, marking a significant step in its solar energy initiatives. With this new facility, Luminous has become India’s only full-component manufacturer of solar solutions comprising solar panels, inverters, and batteries with connected solutions. Another innovation, the Connect X App, helps its users manage and monitor their solar products with efficiency, demonstrating Luminous’ vision of marrying advanced technology with sustainable energy solutions. The company has adopted the hashtag #PowerAapkeHaathMein for its latest campaign, encouraging individuals to switch to solar energy to free themselves from unreliable power supply and high electricity bills.

    In one of the thematic films, the story begins on the terrace of a humble teacher who teaches underprivileged students for free. A businessman enters his classroom and offers a partnership that promises better pay and power, suggesting that it would free the teacher from the struggle of paying hefty electricity bills. The film takes a surprising turn when the teacher turns down the offer and proudly shows the businessman the ConnectX App and Luminous solar product range installed on his rooftop. Luminous’ ConnectX App is a powerful tool that provides its consumers with real-time monitoring of their energy consumption patterns symbolizing #PowerAapkeHaathMein.

    Luminous Power Technologies chief strategy transformation and marketing officer Neelima Burra said, “The country’s power consumption is rapidly increasing, causing challenges with outages, voltage fluctuations, and high electricity bills for many people in India. As the nation moves towards renewable energy, consumers need to embrace clean energy solutions. At Luminous, we believe that solar is the future and we are committed to being a leading company in this energy transition journey. Luminous’ end-to-end solar solutions are designed to liberate consumers from the worry of erratic power supply and hefty bills by harnessing solar energy to power their homes, businesses, and lifestyles. We feel that the future of energy lies in the hands of consumers and with the #PowerAapkeHaathMein campaign we want to empower them to take control of their energy consumption and embrace sustainable alternatives such as solar power.”

    The second thematic film follows the story of a young politician who has left his high-paying job to pursue a career in politics and serve the nation. He is surprised when his former boss visits him and informs him that he is in line for a promotion at his previous job. The boss then discourages him by pointing out the power cuts at his new workplace, which could hinder his progress. The young politician reassures him and brings alive the message of #PowerAapkeHaathMein by showcasing the ConnectX app and the Luminous solar range installed on his rooftop.  

    “Millions of Indians face power cuts on a daily basis. We felt it was high time they took power in their hands and stopped being at the mercy of an erratic power supply. That’s how we arrived at the campaign line #PowerAapkeHaathMein. We wanted to tell hard-hitting, inspirational stories that would resonate with people across the country. Through slice-of-life situations and heart-warming scenarios, we highlighted the role of Luminous Solar in their journey to a brighter tomorrow,” said Cheil India national creative director Amit Nandwani.

    The campaign will be leveraged on TV and OTT platforms. It will also be promoted on all Luminous’ social media platforms i.e.- Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

  • FCB Kinnect appoints Priyanka Nair as national strategy director

    FCB Kinnect appoints Priyanka Nair as national strategy director

    Mumbai: Digital-first creative agency, FCB Kinnect, has appointed Priyanka Nair as national strategy director, furthering its commitment to pioneering a future where digital remains the cornerstone of brand communication strategy.

    Priyanka moves from Ogilvy, where she was executive vice president – planning and strategy.

    As our new national strategy director, Priyanka will spearhead the creation of transformative strategic solutions for our clients. With her profound expertise in deep thinking, she will enhance our digital capabilities, recognising their critical role as the foremost channel for brand development in the current market landscape.

    Based out of the agency’s Mumbai office she will spearhead the planning teams across all three geographies – Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai.

    Under the guidance of Priyanka, the agency will also set up and run the transformation, expert alliances and knowledge verticals.

    With over 15 years of experience, she was also associated with Creativeland Asia. Priyanka has worked closely with brands like Coca-Cola Nutrition, Minute Maid, Audi India and Tata Sky (now Tata Play), among others.

    Her work has bagged various awards at the Cannes Lions, EFFIES India, EFFIES APAC and more.

    On the appointment, FCB Kinnect and FCB/SIX India CEO Rohan Mehta said, “Priyanka’s addition strengthens the strategic direction of our digital assets towards impactful marketing. Her expertise will bolster our brand building capabilities, further amplifying our dedication to using creativity as an economic multiplier.”

    FCB Kinnect COO Chandni Shah added, “Since we already possess an integrated model blending media, tech, content, and creativity around business goals, Priyanka’s appointment will allow us to maximise our offerings, by continuing to support clients through crafting insight-driven strategies which will fuel business growth.”

    “I am super thrilled to jump onto this exciting new journey with FCB Kinnect as it gives me an opportunity to use my expertise at a digital-first creative agency, to not only to put out some fun work, but also help add value to clients and maximise effectiveness for both business and brand,” said FCB Kinnect national strategy director Priyanka Nair on joining FCB Kinnect.

  • ace turtle appoints Karandeep Singh Jaiya as chief business officer

    ace turtle appoints Karandeep Singh Jaiya as chief business officer

    Mumbai: ace turtle, India’s leading technology-native retail company today announced the appointment of Karandeep Singh Jaiya as the chief business officer. In his new role, Karandeep will lead business operations of a cluster of brands. His vision and strong leadership skills will propel the expansion of ace turtle’s fashion and toys portfolio, fostering innovation, and enriching the shopping journey for customers nationwide.

    Karandeep boasts a remarkable 25 years of experience with extensive retail domain expertise across India and the UAE. He excels in various areas, including P&L management, buying & merchandising, and retail operations. His proficiency spans diverse categories and formats, encompassing apparel, homeware, beauty products, fashion, and electronics. Additionally, he possesses proven skills in crafting buying and revenue strategies for e-commerce platforms.

    Commenting on the appointment, ace turtle CEO Nitin Chhabra said, “Our brands are in a strong growth phase with tremendous potential. We are delighted to have Karandeep onboard and believe his business acumen, rich experience, and leadership will be critical in driving the business of our brands across India.”

    Karandeep brings a proven track record of leadership to ace turtle. Prior to joining, he served as brand head for Jack & Jones at Bestseller India, where he helped grow the brand’s market presence. His experience spans key leadership roles across India and the Middle East. Notably, he managed a $180 million business as business head at Lifestyle, Landmark Group, Dubai, overseeing 180 stores and e-commerce channels across the GCC. Early in his career, he spent 14 years at Shoppers Stop leading their buying & merchandising function. There, he successfully revitalized their denim business and managed a significant revenue portfolio.

    Embarking on his new role, ace turtle chief business officer Karandeep Singh Jaiya said, “As the retail industry shifts to tech-driven omnichannel mode in India, ace turtle stands at the forefront of innovation in this realm. I am deeply inspired by the company’s relentless pursuit of retail innovation, setting new standards in the industry by utilising its proprietary technology, through data science from design to fulfilment to meet the ever-evolving needs of the customers. I look forward to partnering with the talented team at ace turtle and helping deliver business growth, seamless operations and exceptional value to our consumers.”

  • Aditya Khanolkar joins Sony Music Entertainment India as the head of administration

    Aditya Khanolkar joins Sony Music Entertainment India as the head of administration

    Mumbai: Aditya Khanolkar joins Sony Music Entertainment India Pvt Ltd as the head of administration. Prior to Sony Music, Aditya was associated with Viacom18 Media Pvt Ltd. He brings over two decades of experience in administrative business with his rich and diverse expertise on the back of cost optimisation and automation.

    At Sony Music, he will be at the helm of scaling up the employee engagement experience, overseeing forecasting compliance management and budget management amongst others.

  • Abby Awards 2024 powered by One Show keeps getting bigger and better

    Abby Awards 2024 powered by One Show keeps getting bigger and better

    Mumbai: Created for and by the marketing, advertising and media industry, the Abby Awards 2024 powered by One Show continues to set new benchmarks. From agencies and clients, from digital and media companies to specialist companies, the awards have witnessed a record-breaking increase in participation over the past three years. This year, the awards have attracted a staggering 3,506 entries from 273 companies, for the Creative and Media ABBY. Noteworthy among the returning participants are agencies such as VML, Lowe Lintas, McCann Worldgroup India, DDB Mudra, Famous Innovations, among others, underscoring the industry’s confidence in the Abby Awards.

    A significant highlight of the 2024 edition, the introduction of three new age categories – Digital, Mobile, and Technology, has collectively garnered 626 entries from 75 companies. Additionally, responding to industry demands, the inclusion of the health category and new sub-categories in trending subjects like AI, Virtual Reality, and Sustainable Practices has further demonstrated the awards’ commitment to staying abreast of industry trends and demands.

    The judging process, a cornerstone of the Abby Awards 2024 powered by One Show’s integrity, was adjudged by an esteemed panel of 23 Jury Chairs and 204 jurors across 23 categories. Notably, the representation of women in the jury has seen a steady increase, with 68 female judges contributing to a ratio of 33:67. Furthermore, out of the 23 Jury Chairs, 9 were women, reflecting a ratio of 40:60, thus ensuring a balanced and inclusive evaluation process. Reinforcing the jury’s relevance and contemporary outlook, 53 new, young, award-winning judges were introduced to the process, making an impressive 26% of jury, this year.

    A testament to its credibility, the Abby Awards 2024 powered by One Show employs a rigorous judging process, combining the renowned One Show system of shortlist and award rating with independent verification by KPMG. This dual-layered approach not only upholds the integrity of the awards but also enhances the stature of winners, many of whom go on to achieve success at prestigious festivals like Cannes and One Show.

    Beyond digital, creative and media companies, the awards serve as a performance benchmark for specialist companies including content companies, broadcasters, publishers, PR companies, Video Craft companies, Design companies, NGOs, and branded content companies.

    Below are links to the complete list of companies shortlisted:

    Shortlist for Creative ABBY 2024 –  https://theadvertisingclub.net/award/creative-abbys-2024-shortlist/

    Shortlist for Media ABBY 2024 – https://theadvertisingclub.net/award/media-abby-2024-shortlist/

    The Abby Awards 2024 powered by One Show will be held on the 29, 30, and 31 of May during Goafest 2024.