ITV

Category: Media and Advertising

  • P&G India announces its new CEO, Kumar Venkatasubramanian

    P&G India announces its new CEO, Kumar Venkatasubramanian

    Mumbai: Procter & Gamble India announced today that Kumar  Venkatasubramanian will take over as the chief executive officer for its operations in India from 1 May 2024. Kumar is an alumnus of IIM Calcutta and started his journey with P&G in the sales team in India, straight from campus in 2000. He has almost 24 years of experience, the majority of it in India across different roles in the Sales function. He is currently leading the P&G business in Australia and  New Zealand as CEO where he has been responsible for steering the team to deliver record metrics,  driven by category growth and strong retailer partnerships. Prior to the Australia role, Kumar was leading the Sales Team in P&G India until 2020.  

    Venkatasubramanian is a passionate advocate for Equality and Inclusion, and under his leadership, many programs were expanded to have a significant impact on employees and the community. This included P&G ANZ’s largest-ever corporate partnership with the Sydney Gay and  Lesbian Mardi Gras.  

    Kumar will take over from LV Vaidyanathan, who will leave the company to pursue other interests after 28 years of service to P&G. Under his leadership, P&G India has made strides of progress on the journey of bringing in superior propositions for the Indian consumers and delivered consistent balanced growth of top and bottom line. In his time, the company has also stepped-up on efforts across the key areas of Citizenship – Community Impact, Equality and Inclusion and  Environmental Sustainability.

     Quote from Stanislav Vecera, P&G president, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa:  

    “I want to thank LV for his outstanding leadership of the India organization, and his service to P&G  for nearly 3 decades. I wish him all the best for his future endeavours.

    I am thrilled with Kumar Venkatasubramanian’s appointment as the India CEO, who has been an integral part of the P&G India growth story for well over two decades. Kumar is no stranger to the Indian organization, having spent many years building and executing our business strategies here.  The Indian business and people will immensely benefit from his leadership and vision, and  collectively I am certain they will take the Indian business to new heights while maintaining a  balanced growth outlook.”

    Quote from LV Vaidyanathan:

    “It has been a great honour and privilege to lead our business in India. The journey has been incredibly fulfilling. I am so proud of every P&G employee for demonstrating commitment and passion to serve our consumers, customers, and stakeholders, and for the results we collectively achieved. I am confident in the continued success of the company and the people.”

    Quote from Kumar Venkatasubramanian:

    “It is a moment of great pride for me to come back to India and spearhead the P&G business in the country. I look forward to being back in the market, learning more about the Indian consumers and serving their needs. The India organization is on momentum, delivering consistent results and balanced top and bottom-line growth. It will be important for us to remain focused on our integrated growth strategy, as I believe it is the right strategy for us to deliver sustained outcomes.  We will focus on a portfolio of daily-use products where performance drives brand choice and raise the bar on all aspects of our superiority strategy– product, package, brand communication, retail execution, and value. We aim to lead constructive disruption in the industry across the value chain.  I believe that our agile, empowered, and accountable organization will be at the heart of our growth. I look forward to working with our incredibly talented team in India once again and  playing a part in the India growth story.” 

  • Thums Up’s Soft Kya Jaane Toofan ka Swaad campaign takes toofan to new heights with Kichcha Sudeep

    Thums Up’s Soft Kya Jaane Toofan ka Swaad campaign takes toofan to new heights with Kichcha Sudeep

    Mumbai: Thums Up, the homegrown beverage under The Coca-Cola Company is thrilled to announce its action-packed Toofani campaign, “Soft Kya Jaane Toofan ka Swaad” featuring the talented actor and Kannada sensation, Kichcha Sudeep. The campaign embodies the adventurous spirit and strong taste of Thums Up, igniting Toofan amongst consumers and inspiring individuals to tap into their inner strength with an indomitable spirit.

    Thums Up has truly stood the test of time to emerge as one of the strongest and most loved beverages of India. The campaign retains Thums Up’s narrative of “Soft Nahin, Toofan” while introducing a new tagline, “Soft Kya Jaane Toofan ka Swaad,” capturing the brand’s core proposition of strong taste along with its core value of boldly embracing the thrill of challenges.

    Conceptualized by Ogilvy India as a part of OpenX from WPP, the TVC has been meticulously crafted to immerse viewers into the heart of action. From the first grip of the bottle to the satisfying gulp of Thums Up, viewers are taken on an exhilarating ride that captures the brand’s youthful spirit and fast-paced, adventurous essence.

    Commenting on the campaign, Coca-Cola India, and South-West Asia senior category director, of sparkling flavors Tish Condeno said, “We are absolutely thrilled to have Kichcha Sudeep on board with Thums Up. This campaign marks a thrilling recreation of our iconic Toofani spirit, amplified by Kichcha’s dynamic energy. The thrilling campaign embodies Thums Up’s adventurous spirit and the bold action is symbolic of the strong taste.”

    “Thums Up has always been more than just a beverage; it’s a symbol of the indomitable spirit that resonates deeply with millions,” said Kichcha Sudeep. “I am thrilled to be a part of this ‘Toofani’ journey, celebrating the brand’s legacy of strength and resilience. The ‘Soft Nahin, Toofan’ campaign is a tribute to the adventurous souls who face life’s challenges head-on, with unwavering determination and courage.

    Known for his magnetic screen presence and daring performances, Sudeep embodies the very essence of Thums Up’s latest ‘Soft Nahin, Toofan’ campaign. “Joining hands with Thums Up is not just an endorsement; it’s a partnership that reflects my personal ethos of pushing boundaries and living life to the fullest,” added Sudeep. “Together, we’re here to inspire a generation to rise above the ordinary, to unleash their potential, and to taste the thunder.”

    Commenting on the campaign, Ogilvy India chief creative officer Sukesh Nayak said, “The task this year was to bring alive the strong and thrilling taste of Thums Up while maintaining the brand’s original energy. So, to bring Soft Kya Jaane Toofan Ka Swaad to life, you see Kichcha Sudeep in an all-new toofani avatar that showcases Thums Up in its truest form. We have taken his dynamic and adventurous persona in a unique adrenaline-filled narrative. With Kichcha Sudeep being open to the wildest of ideas, we pushed the envelope to deliver there is nothing soft about the taste of Thums Up.”

    Thums Up remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering refreshing and unique experiences to consumers. As the brand evolves, it remains dedicated in its mission of inspiring individuals to embrace their inner Toofan and conquer every obstacle that comes their way, fuelling their journey towards success and triumph.

  • Iconic soap brand Camay launches TVC starring Ananya Panday

    Iconic soap brand Camay launches TVC starring Ananya Panday

    Mumbai: Camay, the iconic beauty brand renowned for its luxurious soaps, launched a brand film featuring Bollywood sensation Ananya Panday.

    The film opens with Ananya amidst a backdrop of Paris. As the story unfolds, we see her walking the streets of the city; captivating onlookers with the fragrance of fine French perfume infused in her Camay soap bar. In essence, a Pied Piper of scent!

    Commenting on the launch of the film, Unilever International Nitin Agarwal, chief marketing officer, said, “Ananya’s magnetic presence effortlessly shines through, portraying a narrative of elegance & confidence. Camay stands for luxury, serenity and indulgence and her persona aligns seamlessly with  the brand.”

    Speaking about her collaboration with Camay, Ananya Panday shared, “It has been an absolute pleasure to work on Camay. It’s an iconic brand with a legacy of elegance and sophistication that resonates with me deeply, and I am thrilled to be a part of this journey.”

  • Mindshare along with Modi Illva unveil ‘The Rockford Circle’

    Mindshare along with Modi Illva unveil ‘The Rockford Circle’

    Mumbai: Mindshare, a GroupM company, and Modi Illva present ‘The  Rockford Circle’ – a new chat show produced in collaboration with GroupM ESP and Motion  Entertainment. The show aims to fuel ambitious spirited minds towards pursuing their goals.  The Rockford Circle inspires and stimulates ambitious likeminded individuals to dream big  and break new ground.

    Wealth generation and financial independence are on the rise in the country. The inspiring  lineup of guests on this show will be seen talking about the importance of these along with  conversations on each of their journeys and their aspirations. The candid conversations led  by Chitrangada Singh, and the founders of the companies, delves into the journeys of  insightful individuals and their audacious goals.

    The prominent guests of the show are:

    Yashish Dahiya: Founder of Policy Bazaar

    Rohit Bansal- Founder of Snapdeal/ Titan Capital

    Rahul Jain- Founder of Epigamia

    Amit and Gaurav Khatri: Founder of NOISE

    Shantanu Deshpande- Founder of Bombay Shaving Co

    Dhruv Shringi: Founder of Yatra

    Mindshare South Asia CEO Amin Lakhani said, “The Rockford Circle engages audience  through genuine narratives of individuals starting from scratch and building empires. This  show aspires to do just that, shedding light on the human behind the stories of today’s  successful entrepreneurs. Partnering with Modi Illva on this inspiring chat show, we are  confident that it will motivate people to take that transformative step, becoming an  inspiration to many.”

    Mindshare chief content officer Ajay Mehta said, “The Rockford circle is designed to  inspire viewers and reveal what goes behind the human side of some of the greatest  entrepreneurs India has ever produced. The series is a candid chat that throws light on  some of the awe-inspiring moments, challenges they faced & their wins as successful  entrepreneurs. We hope the audience finds it equally captivating and inspiring.”

    Modi Illva India Pvt Ltd managing director Abhishek Modi said,“Over the past few years,  the Indian Start-up Ecosystem has witnessed a remarkable growth with significant  developments on multiple fronts. The Rockford Circle is an initiative to fuel, inspire and  ignite the spirit of collaboration and networking amongst ambitious individuals. It creates candid conversations normalising unique goals, set-backs and triumphs wrapped together, as a source of encouragement. The Rockford Circle has been created as an  online platform to deliver inspiration in a light, entertaining, & engaging format through  entrancing interactions.”

    The show will feature on YouTube and the six episodes will be 25 minutes each.

    The Rockford Circle

    The Rockford Circle

  • DS Group’s Pulse Candy partners with MOMS Outdoor

    DS Group’s Pulse Candy partners with MOMS Outdoor

    Mumbai: On World Compliment Day, Pulse Candy, a leading hard-boiled candy brand owned by the DS Group, launched a heartfelt outdoor campaign honouring the local heroes. Executed and implemented by MOMS Outdoor, a unit of Madison World, the ‘Pulse of Compliments’ campaign adopted a people-centric approach that extended compliments to individuals whose selfless actions serve as the foundation of communities.

    A number of billboards were displayed featuring the late Trilochan Singh Ji (Founder of Veerji Ka Dera), Raji Ashok Ji (Chennai’s beloved ‘Auto Akka’), Aditya Kumar Ji (aka ‘Cycle Wale Guruji’), Anoop Khanna Ji (Founder of Dadi Ki Rasoi), Prince Mehra Ji (known as ‘Birdman’) and Ravi Shankar Ji (Founder of Roti Bank) in their respective cities such as Delhi, Chennai, Lucknow, Noida, Chandigarh and Bihar. With this Pulse Candy campaign on ‘World Compliment Day’, DS Group aimed to highlight these unsung heroes and their deeds that eloquently convey the true essence of humanity and their exceptional spirit to go above and besyond for the greater good. In addition to the audience on the street, this gesture not only attracted the attention of the internet, but also of other brands, igniting a ripple of praise and banter.

    DS Group General Manager – Marketing, DS Foods Arvind Kumar commented, “Having celebrated World Compliment Day four years in a row, this time, Pass Pass Pulse is approaching it differently by directing focus towards individuals who exemplify selflessness. By harnessing the unique power of compliments, we aim to acknowledge the exceptional contributions of these remarkable individuals. It brings us immense joy to see them receiving the recognition they truly deserve.”

    MOMS Outdoor CEO Jayesh Yagnik also commented, “We at MOMS are very proud to be part of this extremely thought-provoking campaign in honour of society’s noble souls who are the true torchbearers of humankind in this age and time. We were delighted to strategize and execute such an ambitious outdoor campaign for DS Group.”

  • TV’s beloved ‘urban’ family returns for Urban Company’s video series

    TV’s beloved ‘urban’ family returns for Urban Company’s video series

    Mumbai: What’s common between a Native RO Water Purifier and the most loved family of 2000’s television? It’s Urban Company’s latest video series, conceptualised and written by Bare Bones Collective.

    Urban Company’s latest video series sees Ratna Pathak Shah, Satish Shah, Deven Bhojani, and Rajesh Sharma reunite to tickle your funny bone with an ‘Urban Company’ twist.

    The family that made us laugh out loud with their ‘upper class vs middle class’ antics is back to introduce Urban Company’s ‘Native RO Water Purifier’.

    A revolutionary product by Urban Company, the Native RO Water Purifier is a homegrown water purifier that requires servicing only once every two years! Tailor-made for Indian households, it promises a hassle-free experience along with unparalleled convenience.

    The writers Manaswi Mohata and Anuya Jakatdar, with the iconic cast, made The RO feel at home, just like all of us!

    The video series was released on Urban Company’s social media platforms, which include YouTube and Instagram.

    Talking about their latest project, Bare Bones Collective co-founder and chief creative officer Girish Narayandass said, “We’re excited to collaborate with Urban Company, and, who better to bring back for the launch of the Native RO Water Purifier than the beloved urban family? Hope it takes everyone on a nostalgic trip back to the 2000s.”

    Adding to the enthusiasm, Urban Company director of marketing Divya Jain shared, “With our latest campaign featuring the cast of a beloved sitcom, we’re tapping into the heart of Indian millennials who prioritize both convenience and cutting-edge technology. By partnering with Bare Bones Collective, we’ve embarked on a unique journey that intertwines humor, family dynamics, and smart living solutions such as Urban Company’s Native RO Water Purifier.”

    Twilight Entertainment is the production house on this project.

  • TVS Ronin hits it out of the park with Test-Ride Cricket campaign

    TVS Ronin hits it out of the park with Test-Ride Cricket campaign

    Mumbai: TVS Motor Company, a leading global automaker that operates in the two and three-wheeler segments, felicitated the winner of its TVS Ronin Test-Ride Cricket campaign across five cities.

    To celebrate the Cricket World Cup fever in the country, TVS Ronin launched a campaign during the 2023 Cricket World Cup called #MoveLikeARonin, starring Shubman Gill. The experiential leg of the campaign was called Test-Ride Cricket, which provided motorcycle enthusiasts with a gamified opportunity to test-ride the TVS Ronin. The campaign was a first-of-its-kind on-ground cricketing experience for motorcycle enthusiasts, who scored runs based on their test rides and quizzes on the motorcycle, across dealerships in India. The campaign received an overwhelming response and participation, recording entries from over hundreds of TVS Ronin aficionados across TVSM dealerships in India.

    To honour the top scorers, TVS Ronin has handed over the World Cup Edition of the motorcycle to 5 winners across the country, making them the owners of this exclusive collector’s item. TVS Ronin is a first-of-its-kind ‘modern-retro’ motorcycle, designed ground up to inspire #Unscripted living. With the power of new-age tech like dual-channel ABS, rain & urban ABS modes, Bluetooth connectivity with voice assistance and more, this motorcycle comes packed with features and a powerful performance.

    Speaking on the occasion, TVS Motor Company head business – premium Vimal Sumbly said, “The Test-Ride Cricket initiative could not have come at a better time for TVS Ronin. With Shubman Gill as the face of the campaign, we were able to effectively harness the World Cup fever to drive test-rides at our dealerships. The activation was truly one-of-a-kind, giving riders a gamified experience that went beyond conventional test-rides. It gives me great joy to see a standard industry practice being innovated to attract newer riders into the #Unscripted world of TVS Ronin.  I congratulate the five winners of the limited World Cup Edition TVS Ronin. Here’s to the many #Unscripted adventures that await you.”

    The ceremony took place at TVS dealership across Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Delhi & Guwahati where contestants from the city were invited to attend the event and winners were handed over the motorcycle. The event brought together moto-enthusiasts, influencers and media personnel. Together they celebrated the winners and their love for #Unscripted living inspired by the TVS Ronin.

  • Indian advertising stalwart Fali Vakeel passes away

    Indian advertising stalwart Fali Vakeel passes away

    Mumbai: Fali Vakeel, a towering figure in the world of Indian advertising, has passed away on 16 March 2024, just two months ahead of his birthday on 6 May.

    His contributions to the advertising industry have left an indelible mark that will be cherished for years to come.

    Vakeel’s career spanned over several decades, during which he played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of Indian advertising. Even after his retirement as vice chairman of Lintas, Vakeel remained deeply intertwined with the agency, serving as the trustee of its Employee Welfare Trust.

    Throughout his illustrious career, Fali Vakeel witnessed the evolution of the advertising industry, navigating through numerous changes with resilience and grace. Fali Vakeel was not only known for his quick wit, wisdom, he was titled as the ‘Last of the Mad Men in Indian advertising,’ by his colleagues and peers in the industry.

    Expressing his profound grief, MullenLowe Global – Group CEO India and CSO (APAC) Subramanyeswar S (Subbu) said, “Once in a rare while, someone like Fali comes along to not only raise the bar in their field of operation, but they create an entirely new standards of measurement – CREATIVITY, in our case. Our deepest condolences goes to his family, personal friends, and to the entire Lintas community. He will always be an inspirer and admirer to us. May he rest in peace!”

    Under Vakeel’s leadership at Lintas experienced significant growth, securing prestigious clients and accolades. His impact extended beyond the boardroom. Fali was admired for his mentoring and nurturing of talent within the industry, shaping the careers of many aspiring advertising professionals. His dedication to fostering a culture of creativity will continue to inspire generations to come.

    In his memory, the Lintas family extends its deepest condolences to Fali Vakeel’s loved ones. A man of great warmth and humor, Fali Vakeel will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

    His funeral will take place on 16 March Saturday at the Parsi Prayer Hall, Worli at 3.40 pm and Uthumna on Sunday 17 March at 3.40 pm.

  • Tata Realty #InspiresInclusion with its latest Women’s Day campaign

    Tata Realty #InspiresInclusion with its latest Women’s Day campaign

    Mumbai: As a part of its commitment to promote diversity and inclusion, this Women’s Day Tata Realty & Infrastructure Ltd., a leading provider of office parks, unveiled a thought-provoking campaign titled ‘Deserved – Reserved.’ This visually impactful campaign aimed to ignite important conversations about gender equality by reimaging the classic game of chess, conventionally perceived to be male-dominated.

    The campaign disrupts traditional perceptions of Chess by installing larger-than-life Chess sets at Intellion Office Parks engaging 70,000 tenants across its four campuses. Notably, half of the pieces, painted in pink, demonstrated an equal representation of women in the army, all while adhering to the game’s original rules. After each game, the board displayed female warriors, symbolizing that genuine victory necessitates equal participation from all. This underscored the notion that positions of power should be Deserved and not Reserved.

    Furthermore, taking this campaign beyond Intellion Office premises, customized Chess Sets will be shared with important stakeholders of various industries to spark meaningful conversation across sectors.

    The campaign has expanded across various platforms, featuring compelling illustrations that highlight the stark under-representation of women. For example, depicting an army composed of only 2 women out of 32 warriors serves as a powerful symbol, emphasizing the central message: Chess, often seen as a power game, mirrors the gender exclusion prevalent in our society, where victory hinges solely on the king’s checkmate, leaving only one woman in the army.

    “To foster equality, it’s imperative to safeguard women’s rights and promote #InspireInclusion, prompting us to rethink established systems, as exemplified by these Chess sets. To build a fair world, we must secure women’s rights and #InspireInclusion, reimagining existing systems.  Every chess game played on this unique board serves as a catalyst for meaningful dialogues, ultimately forging a more inclusive world.” said  Sanjay Dutt, MD & CEO at TATA Realty & Infrastructure Ltd.

    The campaign was live on 8 March, 2023 where the life-sized installations were put up across Intellion office parks encouraging India-wide participation from employees, occupiers, and other stakeholders. Through this proactive move, Intellion offices by Tata Realty hopes to dismantle conventional stereotypes surrounding women in the workplace and endeavours to demonstrate that women deserve equal recognition and standing alongside men in every professional achievement and setting.