Mumbai: Kia, a premium carmaker, has rolled out a new campaign ‘Tech is now Badass’ for the New Seltos powered with Kia Connect. This campaign spotlights Seltos’ technological prowess, it’s thrilling performance and commanding on-road presence. Starring Bollywood actor Bobby Deol embodying the ‘Badass’ persona, the campaign epitomizes the Seltos, appealing to discerning customers who crave distinctly unconventional & tech-driven mobility experiences. Packed with connected technology, formidable performance, and premium features, this collaboration makes Seltos stand out as the smartest choice for those who dare to be different.
Kia India’s collaboration with Bobby Deol marks a bold new chapter in the carmaker’s journey, promising consumers an unmatched experience that blends performance with style and technology.
The teaser begins with Bobby Deol activating the New Seltos X-Line using the Kia Connect application on his watch, emphasizing its advanced technology and seamless connectivity.
Both Seltos and Lord Bobby will be seen mirroring each other’s style, boldness, and charisma in the main film, making this collaboration truly electrifying.
Mumbai: Concept Public Relations India Ltd (Concept PR), part of the Concept Group, an independent integrated communication group, has won the PR mandate for the esteemed Fashion Entrepreneur Fund (FEF), a venture studio that supports entrepreneurial ideas of the fashion industry and fosters a collaborative fashion ecosystem, is inviting fashion entrepreneurs to showcase their business ideas and grab the opportunity to transform their dreams into reality, with an initial investment of Rs 20 crores.
Led by Sanjay Nigam and Vagish Pathak (chairman, Fashion Entrepreneur Fund), the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund (FEF) has garnered the support of prominent key business leaders as investors, including Indian film director Karan Johar, Vinod Dugar (Honorary Consul of Malawi and co-promoter of RDB Group), Sandeep Jain (director of Vega Industries Pvt Ltd), Gaurav Dalmia (chairman of Dalmia Group Holdings), Sukhraj Nahar (founder, chairman, and managing director of Nahar Group), Manju Yagnik (vice-chairperson, Nahar Group), Prithviraj Kothari (managing director of RiddhiSiddhi Bullion Ltd – RSBL), Sonali Dugar (Dugar Finance & Investments Ltd) and Naveen Jindal (chairman of Jindal Steel & Power Limited). Together, they bring invaluable expertise to complement Nigam’s entrepreneurial vision.
The partnership with Fashion Entrepreneur Fund not only amplifies Concept PR’s diverse portfolio but also solidifies its position as a leader in shaping and elevating brands. With a commitment to strategic prowess and immaculate execution, Concept PR is poised to bring its unique blend of creativity and expertise to the forefront of these prominent ventures.
Concept PR MD Ashish Jalan conveyed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “Concept PR is truly honored to be entrusted with the PR mandate for the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund. This partnership not only reflects our steadfast dedication to fostering success in fashion and entrepreneurship but also underscores the exceptional concept behind FEF. As a venture studio, FEF is committed to nurturing innovative ideas within the fashion industry and fostering a collaborative ecosystem. With FEF inviting fashion entrepreneurs to showcase their visionary business ideas, we are eager to leverage our expertise and creativity to enhance the brand presence of this prestigious venture. Together, we look forward to turning dreams into reality.”
Highlighting Concept PR’s strategic prowess, Jalan emphasized the value addition to the company’s diverse portfolio through the inclusion of the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund. He stated, “Collaborating with industry leaders not only boosts our portfolio but also provides an exciting opportunity to contribute to the success of these ventures. We are confident that our strategic insights and execution capabilities will play a pivotal role in making the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund a resounding success.”
FEF India Fashion Awards and Fashion Entrepreneur Fund founder Sanjay Nigam conveyed his confidence in Concept PR. He stated, “Selecting a PR partner is a critical decision, and Concept PR’s stellar industry reputation, coupled with their history of successful campaigns, made them the clear choice. I have full belief in the team’s ability to authentically convey the essence and vision of the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund.”
“Entrusting them with our ‘baby’ is a decision I make with absolute trust in their capabilities,” affirmed Nigam.
This partnership signifies the alignment of shared values and goals, and Concept PR is geared up to deploy its expertise to enhance the visibility and impact of the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund. The collaboration promises a synergy of creativity, innovation, and strategic communication that will undoubtedly set new benchmarks in the fashion and entrepreneurship industries.
Mumbai – Leo Burnett Mumbai, part of the Publicis Groupe India, has announced new appointments to its senior leadership team. The agency is poised to leverage its momentum and success, and the new leadership team will power the leap forward to the next phase of growth.
The enhanced leadership structure is designed for a culture of greater empowerment, agility in decision making, and the capability to drive more of the new age solutions for clients that Leo Burnett has been making a name for itself for. The Leo Burnett Mumbai senior leadership team now comprises Abhimanyu Khedkar elevated as managing partner, Neetika Aggarwal appointed as managing partner, and Saurabh Dahiya as head of strategy.
Khedkar (Abhi) started his journey with Leo Burnett 8.5 years ago and has now been promoted to managing partner. Abhi has worked on some of the biggest brands in the Burnett portfolio and his work has been recognised at many international and national platforms. His dedication and accomplishments over the years have been instrumental to Leo Burnett’s success and he continues to be an important force in driving the future of the agency.
As managing partner, Aggarwal joins the Leo Burnett Mumbai team to bolster its partnerships, expertise, and capabilities. In a career spanning over two decades, Neetika has accrued enviable experience working with some of the biggest Indian and global brands including Nestle for its confectionary portfolio, PepsiCo foods, Airtel, TOI, Microsoft, Nokia, LG, IndusInd Bank. She also led some of the biggest digital interventions for Facebook including the successful Facebook Thumbstopper and Instagram Love Runs Deep properties. Her last stint before joining Leo Burnett was with VMLY&R. Prior to that she spent a few years with WPP@CP where she was the business and integration lead for Colgate Palmolive, bringing in expertise across ecommerce, CRM and FPD.
Dahiya joined us a few months ago as executive director & head of strategy. In just a short span of time he has been indispensable to the agency in sharpening its strategic creativity capability to drive growth & transformation for clients. Saurabh brings over 18 years of experience, with a career spanning the Middle-East, South East Asia & India in brand, digital and customer experience strategy. Saurabh’s knack for harnessing truth & talent to help brands matter in culture, changing contexts and commercial landscapes will add depth and perspective for Leo Burnett’s client partners.
Together Abhimanyu and Neetika will lead Leo Burnett Mumbai on the business front while Saurabh Dahiya will lead and drive the strategic function.
Commenting on the leadership changes, Leo Burnett, South Asia CEO Amitesh Rao shared, “Leo Burnett Mumbai is one of the top creative agencies in the country today, having seen an incredible run of success in paving the way for new age solutions for its clients. It is also an agency with insatiable ambition and hunger, and the enhanced leadership team is at the vanguard of our future growth and glory. I am delighted to have Abhimanyu, Neetika and Saurabh – with their diverse strategic, corporate and client backgrounds – bring brilliant new perspective to our journey going forward.”
Mumbai: Hideous Luxury Leather Bags, founded by Daniel Upputuru, believes that all things in life are in an imperfect state of flux. The brand thus does strive not for perfection, but aims for excellence instead. The brand believes that the bags must be made from a hide which had all the wear and tear of a life well lived, ingrained on it, telling us a story, a story about scars, scars that make each of us beautiful. The aesthetic is as one of appreciating beauty that is imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete in nature.
The new film by Hideous titled ‘Baggage’ shows a man ordering a seagull sandwich at a restaurant and sobbing uncontrollably upon seeing it on the table. The waiter who served it to him notices and gets curious. The senior waiter explains to him that the man had mysteriously lost his little son in an island. At night, some tribals fed the man some meat. When the man enquired, the tribals told him it was seagull meat. When the man returned alone to the city, he ordered a seagull sandwich. When he tasted it, he realised that the meat tasted very different from the meat he had at the island. The young waiter concluded, to his horror, that the father had unwittingly eaten his own son. In the end we see the father trying to empty his guts in the washroom, standing by a pool at night contemplating suicide, playing hide and seek and walking his imaginary son home. The film ends with the super, ‘We are all carrying some baggage.’
The film features the exclusive Green Tote Bag, delicately fashioned with hand in full grain leather.
Speaking on the occasion, Hideous brand’s founder Daniel Upputuru said “As we went through the skins, the small marks on them fascinated us, made us ponder on how absolutely beautiful leather is. It reminded us of the Japanese process of pottery called Kintsugi, which gave a unique character, almost a personality to the pieces of art. We realised that there can be an element of hideous in beauty. It was a cathartic experience, we fell in love with the art.”
“The full grain leather is always changing, it breathes, guarantees toughness and longevity. The process of creating each Hideous bag is itself very strenuous. After acquiring the full grain leather, the strength of various threads, the grammage of each thread, the number of stitches per inch is looked into. We also discovered the incredible strength of the Gattermann thread. Every Hideous bag is out of hand-picked full grain leather chosen from hundreds of hides, stitched with loving experienced hands, using strong German threads and following very high standards. When I heard the idea the line that we all have some baggage, I absolutely loved it!” He added.
Titus Upputuru, director of the film, who also acted in the film, added, “Leather, like human skin, is made of wrinkles, scars, and all sorts of imperfect things. As we started thinking about the brand story, we stumbled upon the idea of baggage and how each of us carry some baggage. Now baggage is valuable because it’s part of the human experience. Sometimes it’s so hard to deal with. And the bag that we carry is a metaphor of all that we carry within ourselves. The film depicts a man who is carrying baggage that he finds hard to relinquish. It’s attached to him, like a glove. Scars are part of the brand architecture and we decided to tell a story that had a deep scar ingrained in it.”
The campaign is running across digital platforms.
To know more about the brand or to view the products, please log in to website of Hideous: hideous.in.
Mumbai: Dollar Industries Ltd, a leading name in the textile industry has launched an engaging initiative to honour the spirit of democracy in India. As the country gears up for the approaching general elections, this initiative intends to highlight the collective efforts of individuals and organisations engaged in securing the seamless conduct of this election.
“As a responsible corporate entity, Dollar Industries Ltd is dedicated to upholding the principles of democracy and civic involvement. Our initiative aims to motivate and rally citizens to take an active role in the democratic process, acknowledging the invaluable contributions of every person and entity involved. We are actively promoting this campaign with great intensity on social media platforms”, said Dollar Industries Ltd MD Vinod Gupta.
The campaign sheds light on the intricacies of India’s general elections, emphasizing the collective endeavour required to ensure its smooth functioning. From election commission officials and poll workers to security personnel and cleanliness workers, each plays a crucial role in upholding the integrity of the electoral process. The campaign likens the elections to a grand festival, inviting every citizen to play an active role in its success.
Lowe Lintas Kolkata, renowned for its innovative campaigns, spearheaded the conceptualization and execution of the campaign. Creative genius Mohit Pasricha led the creative team, bringing his visionary approach to storytelling. Indranil Mitra and Rohit Chakraborty provided expert account management, ensuring seamless coordination and execution of the project.
Green Grass Film, a distinguished name in the film industry, collaborated with Dollar Industries Ltd to bring the campaign to life. Under the direction of Akhil Vishnu Nair, the production team captured the spirit of democracy with cinematic finesse, delivering a visually stunning and emotionally significant narrative.
The campaign film, crafted with meticulous attention to detail and emotional depth, serves as an emotional reminder of the collective responsibility we share in upholding the democratic ideals of our nation. Through its compelling storytelling and powerful imagery, the campaign aims to ignite a sense of pride and responsibility among citizens, urging them to exercise their right to vote and contribute to the democratic fabric of India.
Mumbai: A dreamy getaway to Mexico. Sunny days spent on a Caribbean beach. Hours spent strolling the streets of America.
It’s that time of the year when vacations and adventures are on everyone’s mind. Attention wanderlusters – KFC has the perfect itinerary for you.
Presenting the International Burger Festival.
Five distinct Zinger Burgers inspired by global flavours.
In the new campaign launched on 18 April, the OG celebrity chef Colonel Sanders is all set to take consumers on the adventure of a lifetime. All KFC fans need to do is ‘take a bite, take a flight’ to experience diverse flavours from across the globe – India, America, Mexico, and Caribbean.
Speaking about the campaign, KFC India & partner countries CMO Aparna Bhawal said, “The burgers category has immense growth potential in India; and KFC Zinger burger is the OG, with a special place in consumers’ hearts. With the International Burger Fest, we are offering burger lovers an entire range of different Zingers. No matter what one’s burger craving is – whether spicy or mild, classic American flavours or bold Mexican ones, chicken or paneer – KFC has a Zinger for it. Our new campaign thought “Take a Bite, Take a Flight” illustrates how food has the power to transport you to different places. With International Burger Fest, consumers get a passport to experience global flavours at their nearest KFC. We are already seeing great offtake for the different burgers and are confident that consumers will keep coming back to try the variety of burgers in the range.”
The campaign films feature relatable moments almost every travel lover often faces – the urge to celebrate everything with a trip. The first film opens at a KFC restaurant where a son is seen trying to convince his father to celebrate the last day of his exams with a trip to the Caribbean, Mexico or America. But looking at the answer sheet which reads 2/100 in big, bold letters, the father is unlikely to send him anywhere. Enter Colonel Sanders, who cooly tells the skeptical father, ‘Daddy, let him go!’ and presents them with the crispiest and juiciest Zinger Burgers from around the world.
The second film in the series will show three friends sitting together. One of them dreams of becoming the next big travel vlogger and has her phone on a selfie stick while she records her next vlog saying, “Ab mere followers ke liye, next vlog…Caribbean, Mexico, America”. Her two friends are not too sure of the vlog’s success as they say, “Followers hain sirf teen. Baith ja travel queen!”. Enter Colonel Sanders, who humorously tells the friends “Bro – let her go!”, before introducing them to the five crispy, juicy burgers that are a part of the International Burger Fest.
Ogilvy India (North) CCO Ritu Sharda said, “Most of us fantasize about travel. And the most important part of going abroad is the different kinds of tastes you get to experience. With KFC launching its international burgers, we found a sweet spot between taste and travel, right inside a KFC. Let your taste buds travel because exotic destinations are just a zinger away. As the colonel says: Take a Bite, Take a Flight.”
The campaign will run on TV and digital platforms, along with a robust 360-degree plan.
The International Burger Fest has a range of options made with 100 per cent real chicken. Enjoy the timeless American Classic Zinger, take a spicy ride with the Caribbean Spicy Zinger, indulge in the bold flavours of the Mexican Pro Zinger, or enjoy the Indian Tandoori Zinger. As part of the International Burger Fest, KFC is introducing the all-new Paneer Zinger.
Get set to ‘take a bite, take a flight’ with KFC’s International Zinger Fest available at your nearest KFC restaurant or order online through the all-new app or website www.online.kfc.in. Every bite is a step closer to your next adventure!
Mumbai: Manforce Condoms from the house of Mankind Pharma has rolled out its new campaign #VotingVirgin that resonates with the spirit of election season. The campaign’s initiative is to boost voter turnout by motivating first-time voters to actively participate in the forthcoming elections for a better future of the country.
In a lighthearted and witty exchange, two friends engage in a conversation about their first-time experiences. One expresses excitement, having heard stories from others until now. Meanwhile, the other friend lightens the mood with a humorous quip. Later, the friend and his girlfriend head to an election booth to embark on their first voting experience together.
As per the reports by Election Commission of India, this year approximately 1.85 crore people will be eligible for first-time voting. With the campaign the brand aspires to capture the attention of first-time voters and initiate humorous and quirky conversations that resonate with the interest of the audience while drawing parallels with the voting activity.
Speaking on the occasion, Mankind Pharma associate VP, sales and marketing head Joy Chatterjee said, “Our objective has always been to come up with certain topics that address important subjects, and voting plays a significant role in shaping our nation’s future. We came up with the creative idea of drawing a connection between voting virgins and its playful connotation to intrigue the first-time voters. Through this campaign, we endeavor to not only spark curiosity but also to instill a sense of active engagement, ultimately motivating them to actively participate in the voting process.”
Grapes co-founder and CEO Shradha Agarwal said, “The campaign comes with a groundbreaking concept, enabling the audience to see everything from a new perspective. Abiding by the conviction of the brand, the narrative effectively touches upon the important topic of voting in an unconventional way. It amplifies the reception of messaging among the youngsters, acquainting them about the significance of each vote.”
Mumbai: Henry Harvin Writing Academy, an ed-tech platform dedicated to upskilling and reskilling programs for young professionals has collaborated with best-selling author and thought leader Chetan Bhagat for its latest ad campaign titled “Viral Kar Dunga Teri ****** Ki Reel”. The campaign addresses the issue of privacy and public behaviour through a creative and thought-provoking approach.
The campaign revolves around the experience of a cab driver who faces the common frustration of customers engaging in inappropriate behaviour, particularly making out, in the backseat of his cab. Despite various attempts to deter such behaviour, including displaying posters and honking the horn, the driver finds himself at a loss until he devises a clever solution. By replacing the conventional “Gaadi main Chumna mana hai” poster with a new one that reads “Viral Kar Dunga Teri ****** Ki Reel”, the driver effectively communicates his message without directly confronting the passengers. Now Chetan Bhagat comes to the show to make the audience realize the importance of writing skills.
We are thrilled to launch this campaign, which not only showcases our creativity but also reflects our values as a company. At Henry Harvin, we believe in thinking outside the box and finding innovative solutions to real-world problems. This campaign exemplifies that ethos and reinforces our commitment to delivering impactful messaging that resonates with our audience. The purpose of this campaign is to make people aware that by writing the correct message every problem can be solved, said Henry Harvin Writing Academy founder and CEO Kounal Gupta.
Chetan Bhagat commented, “The power of effective writing cannot be overstated, and this campaign beautifully underscores the importance of creative messaging in addressing societal issues. As a writer, I believe in the transformative potential of words, and Henry Harvin’s initiative brilliantly combines storytelling with a pertinent social message. It’s inspiring to see how innovative approaches can spark conversations and provoke reflection.”
Through this campaign, Henry Harvin Writing Academy demonstrates its commitment to innovation and creative problem-solving. By leveraging everyday situations and integrating brand messaging seamlessly, the company highlights the importance of effective communication in today’s cluttered advertising landscape. The campaign will be prominently featured on television channels and various digital platforms, including Henry Harvin’s YouTube channel and social assets.
Mumbai: 4AM Worldwide, a digital-first, integrated brand solutions agency has announced the appointment of Sriparna Tikekar as its chief creative officer. The new appointment comes at a time when the agency is keen on strengthening its creative offerings to clients powered by innovation and technology to drive relevance and scale. In her new role, Sriparna will be responsible for leading the creative vision for 4AM and will work closely with teams on revamping the agency’s creative offering and structure, bolstering its content marketing and creative strategy, curating content services, and building brands of scale.
In a career spanning over 15 years in the media industry, Sriparna’s last stint was as chief content officer (CCO) and co-founder of ScoopWhoop, a leading lifestyle & entertainment content platform that created engaging content that sparked conversations and interactions with audiences in the age group of 13-35. Her innovative approach to creating compelling content made ScoopWhoop the Indian youth’s much-loved content platform.
4AM Worldwide chief business officer Jonathan Sreekumaran said, “We are on an accelerated path of creative transformation, and we couldn’t have had a better time to bring Sriparna on board. Her grip on pop culture, content consumption patterns, platform-centric content dissemination, and reader psychology is unparalleled. She brings a unique perspective and creative flair that will undoubtedly elevate our creative output. With Sriparna’s deep understanding of content creation for brands and customer engagement, she is uniquely positioned to drive creative excellence. We are excited to welcome her to the team.”
On taking up her new role, Sriparna Tikekar commented, “In any industry, the first-mover advantage, the right time to pivot, and the exact moment of a shift are what keep companies ahead of the curve. At this transformational time in 4AM’s journey, I fit in like the missing piece of the puzzle. I am excited to be a part of this agency’s growth trajectory and look forward to working closely with teams on leveraging the agency’s capabilities of creative, technology, data-driven experience, and design.”
Sriparna will be working closely with chief business officer Jonathan Sreekumaran and 4AM Worldwide chief client, and strategy officer Siddhartha Sahni.
Mumbai: BEI Confluence, one of the independent 360 agencies in India, has announced the elevation of Abhishek Gupta who has been leading the BEI Confluence business operations as Dy. MD for the last four years to joint managing director (JMD) with effect from April 1, 2024.
Under Abhishek’s leadership, the agency achieved a 15 per cent revenue growth and over 100 per cent growth in the bottom line, with many new and reputed business acquisitions like Total Energies, Mrs. Bector’s Cremica Biscuits & English Oven bread, Wai Wai Instant Noodles from CG Foods, Rajhans Nutriments the makers of Schmitten Chocolates, ECE Lifts & Elevators from the Birla Group & Kerovit Bath Fittings from the Kajaria Group and more. The existing brands too accounted for substantial revenue growth in 2023/24.
Abhishek has been working with BEI Confluence since 2016 when he joined Ogilvy & Mather. In O&M Abhishek worked for over four years as a Client Servicing Director leading O&M’s flagship brands like Sprite and Kinley from the Coca-Cola Company as well as the Lighting Division brands of Philips.
Abhishek comes with around 20 years of experience in Creative and Brand Management having started his career with some of the top agencies in India. His first stint was with Euro RSCG (now known as Havas Media) where he was working on brands like Max New York Life Insurance, Makemytrip, Indiatimes.com and a few other brands. He then moved to Publicis India, leading the Nestle business on flagship brands like Maggi, A+ Milk and the entire Dairy segment along with brands like Mcvitie’s from United Biscuits.
On this major restructuring of BEI Confluence, Tapas Gupta chairman & MD commented, “This is a generational shift in the agency. I am happy that the management of the agency is being passed on to a much younger professional who brings with him enormous modern-day skills and experience in steering & managing the agency and the large FMCG brands it handles. With Abhishek as JMD and partnered by Shahid Hussain as National Creative Director (NCD), the leadership team is now future-ready for further growth and consolidation”.
On his elevation, Abhishek Gupta, ‘BEI Confluence after a robust performance for the last two years since COVID is now poised to further accelerate its growth and has set an aggressive target of 20 per cent growth in the current year. We have ambitious plans for the next two years and hope to be amongst the top three fully independent advertising systems in India by 2026. To achieve this vision, I am clear on the way forward invest in the right people internally and help them bring out their best, ensure SOPs are respected, and provide solutions to brands which impact their business in a positive manner and help them grow YOY”
As BEI Confluence continues to evolve into a large independent agency network, its focus now is to acquire and invest in the right balance of brands and professionals who will steer the agency to its next level in the next two years.
