Category: Media and Advertising

  • Top five IPL teams sign playR as their official global exclusive merchandise partner

    Top five IPL teams sign playR as their official global exclusive merchandise partner

    Mumbai: playR, one of the world’s leading sports and lifestyle brands has partnered with Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, and Punjab Kings to provide exclusive global merchandise for season 2023 onwards and Kolkata Knight Riders from season 2024 onwards. playR is also the kitting and clothing partner for Punjab Kings for season 2024.  

    The range of merchandise offered by playR includes apparel, accessories, and lifestyle products for fans to showcase their love, loyalty and support towards their favourite IPL teams.

    playR co-founder and iCOREts Pvt Ltd director Ravi Kukreja expressed his excitement and said, “We are thrilled to announce our association with the CSK, MI, RR, PBKS and KKR and thank them for believing in us year after year. Each team has a different strategy of communicating with its loyal fan base and we respect each and every team fan and playR is diligently working towards catering to each and every fan both domestic and international. From Team-wear Jersey, Fan-wear, Cricket Gear, Fitness and accessories products playR strives to create an almost exhaustive range of products that a Fan can experience as part of their daily life, year-round. Kudos to IPL and its teams that has revolutionised an almost non-existent sports merchandise market in India.”

    A Mumbai Indians spokesperson said, “As we continue to grow globally it is imperative to build a wide range of merchandise that fans will cherish to own. We are happy to partner with playR to serve both current and new fans.”

    Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd CEO Kasi Viswanathan said “We are delighted to have signed up playR as our Global Official Merchandise Partner. We are confident that with playR we can provide our legion of fans exciting and quality CSK merchandise that they can proudly sport.”

    Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon stated, “We are extremely pleased to welcome playR as the global official merchandise partner.” We chose playR after months of study and careful consideration because it matches our principles and dedication to quality. What’s intriguing is the fact that playR as an organisation already has a variety of clothing and cricket equipment, and the company understands our needs and works to ensure that our brand is visible across platforms.

    Rajasthan Royals chief marketing officer Zameer Kochar said, “One of the core values at the Royals that we believe in is to cater to the needs of our supporters, and this global partnership will enable us to offer them a specially curated range of merchandise which they can proudly don while they cheer for the team.”

    playR is a leading sport and lifestyle brand founded in 2021 and strives to provide customers with unique and edgy apparel, sports equipment, bicycles and accessories that celebrate their style and encourages them to express themselves. It also retails from its dedicated e-commerce store, as well as on multi-brand online stores. playR provides a wide range of products that include t-shirts, jackets, shorts, tracksuits, bats, balls, leg guards, gloves, bicycles, bags, yoga mats, bottles, etc., as well as limited-edition items. playR’s mission is to inspire customers to be creative, confident, and fearless by providing them with a unique and fashionable style. Their goal is to be one of the world’s leading providers of lifestyle, sports and service management.

    playR also strives toward building long-term relationships with their customers and employees; they promote community service, and encourage the additional constant education of their employees. They feel it is extremely important to give back to the community that supports the operations, while also maintaining an atmosphere where the employees have the opportunity to improve as individuals.

     

  • PR Professionals appoints Nishant Singhal as president – strategy

    PR Professionals appoints Nishant Singhal as president – strategy

    Mumbai: PR Professionals, the flagship of the PRP Group announced the appointment of Nishant Singhal as president – strategy. In his new role, Nishant will spearhead the business expansion and strategy development, driving the company’s growth trajectory to new heights.

    A postgraduate in management from the coveted IIT Delhi, Nishant is a mechanical engineer from the prestigious M.I.T. Manipal. With over 25 years of multifaceted experience and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to PR Professionals. He has held leadership positions in several esteemed multinational corporations including General Motors, Honda, Nissan, Piaggio, as well as prominent Indian companies like Napino Auto, Hindustan Motors, and PeopleStrong HR Services. Nishant’s core competencies lie in Strategic Planning, Marketing, Business Development, Finance, and Team Management. He is a certified leader from GM University, Detroit, and holds professional certifications from Lioacheng University, China.

    PR Professionals founder & MD Dr Sarvesh Tiwari said “We are delighted to welcome Nishant to our team as President of strategy.  His extensive experience and proven track record in strategic planning and business development will be instrumental in driving our company’s growth agenda forward. We look forward to his leadership and vast experience of the automobile sector in expanding our services to the automobile sector”.

    Nishant Singhal expressed his enthusiasm upon joining PR Professionals, stating, “I am thrilled to be a part of PR Professionals, a dynamic and forward-thinking organization with a reputation for excellence in the industry. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team here and contributing to the company’s continued success”

    PR Professionals is expanding its senior leadership team, further bolstering its ranks with seasoned professionals. Most recently, the company welcomed Sanjay Gupta as its chief executive officer (CEO). Sanjay’s appointment marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey towards excellence and growth.

    Furthermore, in the preceding year, PR Professionals made strategic appointments to enhance its leadership cadre. Varun Aggarwal was appointed as Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Business Development, bringing his wealth of experience and expertise to drive business expansion initiatives forward. Additionally, the company added Sanjay Singh to its team, a distinguished media and PR veteran, who assumed the role of Vice President.

    PR Professionals is an integrated communications agency that has been delivering quality and excellence since 2011 and has also initiated several philanthropic activities. It provides end-to-end branding and customized public relations solutions that enable businesses to become market leaders. From humble beginnings, PRP today has 12 offices in India and six offices in offshore locations. The 150-member team shares Tiwari’s passion for doing extraordinary things in PR and making a difference to the underprivileged through philanthropic activities. 

  • RCB & Himalaya unite for new campaign addressing off-field spots

    RCB & Himalaya unite for new campaign addressing off-field spots

    Mumbai: Following the resounding success of its association with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) during the inaugural edition of the Women’s T20 League that embraced beauty positivity, leading Wellness brand, Himalaya Wellness, is proud to announce its continued partnership with the team for the ongoing season. This year, with the #TakeMySPOT campaign, the focus shifts to celebrating their hard-earned spots and achievements on the field. Through this quirky campaign Himalaya, in collaboration with 82.5 Communications, acknowledges that while no one can take these well-deserved spots, for the unwanted spots on the face, Himalaya Dark Spot is Clearing Turmeric Face Wash and Face Care Range.

    As an extension of the #TakeMySPOT campaign, Himalaya is also breaking new ground by teaming up with the GoEqual Premier League, to celebrate women’s rightful spot in the realm of football. This thrilling collaboration isn’t just about scoring goals; it’s about breaking away gender stereotypes to level the playing field. By investing in grassroots football programs and engaging with local communities, schools, and professional teams to promote football, Himalaya aims to provide the much-deserved SPOT for every woman who dreams of being a part of this sport.

    The new campaign, for Himalaya’s latest offering, the Himalaya Dark Spot Clearing Turmeric Face Wash #TakeMySPOT, carries a very powerful message. Just like the RCB players who fight relentlessly to secure their positions on the cricket pitch, women across all walks of life have diligently carved their own spaces and earned their rightful place. While women strive hard to earn their spots, the Himalaya Dark Spot Clearing Turmeric Face Wash & Face Care Range effortlessly tackles unwanted spots on the face. The turmeric face care range harnesses the power of organically sourced turmeric that is extracted using the time-tested Ayurvedic method called Svarasa.

    Unfolding in two phases, the campaign cleverly used the concept of “spot” with a playful twist. The teaser phase, launched during the first RCB match, saw players sporting #TakeMySPOT on their caps, leaving viewers curious while sparking social conversations. A video featuring RCB star cricketers Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, and Shreyanka Patil alongside content creator Danish Sait who added a layer of humour into the video with his witty take on the “spot” theme kept the audience guessing. This effectively amplified the campaign’s message making the teaser hashtag #TakeMySpot trend no1 on Twitter during RCB’s first match. To build further excitement, the brand utilised a 360-degree strategy across radio, social media, outdoor advertising, and YouTube.

    In the second phase of the campaign, the brand wittingly revealed that the spots reference was to the unwanted spots on the face that Himalaya Dark Spot Clearing Turmeric Face Wash & Face Care Range can effectively remove. This impactful reveal seamlessly tied the campaign’s message to the brand. With this campaign, Himalaya celebrates the unwavering spirit of women who have fought hard to claim their rightful positions—on the field and in life. It reminds everyone that while no one can remove their hard-earned spots, Himalaya can help tackle those unwanted spots on their faces. The campaign sustained its clever utilisation of the “spot” concept through a series of videos featuring cheeky interactions between Danish and RCB’s star cricketers. The brand’s association was revealed on 29th February, with a change in the RCB players’ cap messages. The mystery finally resolving itself created excitement amongst the RCB fans, causing it to trend on Twitter again on the no1 position.

    For more than 90 years, Himalaya Wellness Company has been a leader in bringing Wellness to every Home and Happiness in every Heart.

    Himalaya Wellness Company business director Rajesh Krishnamurthy expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “The success of our partnership with the Women’s Premier League in 2023 inspired us to continue our association in this year’s edition. Along with the cricketers, we’re thrilled to bring the excitement of Danish Sait’s collaboration to the #TakeMySPOT campaign, adding a layer of humour and intrigue as we tackle the topic of stubborn spots with our new Himalaya Dark Spot Clearing Turmeric Face Wash and Face Care Range.

    “We’re thrilled to see the incredible response to the #TakeMySPOT campaign teaser, which trended at Number 1 on Twitter on day 1 of RCB’s match and the reveal trending at no1 on the 29 of February! We’re confident that this year’s partnership, much like last year, will not only generate excitement around the product but also continue to solidify our connection with the women’s T20 league audience,” said Ragini Hariharan, Marketing Director of Personal Care & Hygiene at Himalaya. “We’re proud to introduce this face wash and face care range, formulated using a unique cold-pressed extraction technology called Svarasa that preserves the essential components of turmeric. This research-backed formula empowers our consumers to tackle dark spots and achieve healthy, radiant skin.”

    Speaking on the occasion, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) vice president and head Rajesh Menon said, “We are glad to extend our partnership with Himalaya as we get into the second season. Both the brands share the same core values of inclusivity and diversity and care for the causes that matter to impact the society positively.”

    The new Himalaya Dark Spot Clearing Turmeric Face Wash is made by harnessing the power of organically sourced turmeric extracted using the advanced Ayurvedic Svarasa Technique, which preserves its natural goodness. The non-staining formula helps you get bright, healthy, and radiant skin.

    Face Wash category manager Gayatri Kabilan added, “This innovation marks Himalaya’s greater initiative towards tackling the growing problem of dark spots caused by sun exposure, acne scars, and previously overlooked concerns. While overcoming spots, we’ve also taken steps to care for the environment as the face wash comes in a fully recyclable and environmentally conscious tube.”

    82.5 Communications CCO Mayur Varma expressed his excitement, stating, “We’re thrilled to unveil this campaign featuring the talented trio—Smriti Mandhana, Shreyanka Patil, Richa Ghosh—alongside the popular comic, Danish Sait. We are hopeful that the campaign’s fun-filled vibe will resonate with RCB fans and Himalaya users alike.”

    82.5 Communications – South, executive vice president & branch head Naveen Raman added, “This collaboration is a game-changer. Bringing together RCB’s passionate fan base and Himalaya’s commitment to skincare, we’re proud to be a part of this winning partnership.”

  • Wonderchef breaks kitchen stereotypes with campaign

    Wonderchef breaks kitchen stereotypes with campaign

    Mumbai:  Wonderchef, the leader in cookware and kitchen appliances, has unveiled its latest ad campaign aimed at challenging traditional gender roles. The campaign breaks the stereotype that only women are required to cook at home. The campaign #CookTogether highlights the importance of gender neutrality in the kitchen and promotes inclusivity and equality, establishing cooking is for everyone. It need not be a chore; it can be a pleasurable activity full of love and enjoyment.

    The core thought behind Wonderchef’s campaign is to democratize the Indian kitchen and create a future where everyone, regardless of gender, shares the joy of cooking. Through an interesting storyline, thought-provoking messaging, and powerful visuals, the campaign seeks to inspire individuals to embrace cooking as a form of self-expression, irrespective of societal norms.

    Conceived by Wonderchef co-founder & CEO Ravi Saxena the campaign unfolds a captivating narrative: a young woman confidently questions her potential partner’s culinary skills in an arranged marriage setup. The narrative challenges the conventional belief that cooking is solely a woman’s responsibility, resonating strongly with modern audiences and sparking conversations about gender bias in Indian homes.

    Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, Co-Founder of Wonderchef, said, “Traditionally, women have been expected to manage the kitchens. Our campaign aims to challenge and change this perception, showing that cooking can be a collaborative, gender-neutral task with the right appliance. The essence of our campaign is to redefine the kitchen as a space of equality and shared joy.”

    “At Wonderchef, we believe that cooking is an art that everyone should enjoy. Couples who cook together, stay together,” said Mr Ravi Saxena. “Our campaign aims to challenge outdated stereotypes and promote inclusivity in the kitchen. We want to empower individuals to explore their culinary creativity and create a future where cooking is a shared responsibility.”

    Central to the campaign is Wonderchef’s latest innovation, Chef Magic, an appliance that revolutionizes the cooking experience and makes it possible for individuals to cook, regardless of their knowledge of cooking. Chef Magic is designed to simplify cooking tasks and empower users to experiment with new recipes, encouraging more people to participate in cooking. Chef Magic launch is slated around Women’s Day 2024.

    Renowned actress T J Bhanu, who has challenged gender bias in all her roles, is the face of the campaign, said, “In many aspects, like literacy and employment, we have come a long way, and women have established themselves as equally competent counterparts. However, even today, cooking is a gender-assigned role. I have partnered with Wonderchef to enable a cultural shift and build a future kitchen where cooking is not meant for only women but all of us cook together.”

    This innovative campaign has already garnered widespread acclaim across social media platforms for its bold messaging and compelling story. After its hugely popular “Dear Man Hold The Pan” campaigns, Wonderchef remains dedicated to fostering positive change in the kitchen, promoting inclusivity, and advocating for equality.

  • Roadzen appoints Bruce Goldberg as general counsel

    Roadzen appoints Bruce Goldberg as general counsel

    Mumbai: Roadzen (Nasdaq: RDZN), a global leader in AI-led insurance and mobility products, is excited to announce the appointment of Bruce Goldberg as general counsel. With over three decades of executive experience overseeing legal, compliance, M&A, and HR in several public technology companies, Bruce brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success in scaling legal operations.

    His leadership will play an integral role in steering Roadzen through future opportunities, ensuring that the company’s legal strategies support its growth and innovation. His appointment is part of our continued effort to strengthen the leadership team and build core operational capabilities for future growth.

    Speaking on his new role, Bruce Goldberg said, “Roadzen’s commitment to innovation and excellence in insurance technology presents an exciting challenge and a significant opportunity. I am excited to join Roadzen at this pivotal moment and look forward to working with the entire team to pave the way for the insurance industry’s transformation using AI.”

    Roadzen CEO Rohan Malhotra commented “Bruce brings decades of experience operating as a senior executive in public companies, having served as CEO, chief of staff and chief legal officer. His expertise in building legal operations will be of great value and we look forward to the impact he will have at Roadzen.”

    Prior to joining Roadzen, Bruce served as the VP, chief of staff and chief legal officer at SMART Global Holdings, Inc, where he played a vital role in managing legal, compliance and human resources for the company’s global operations. Before SMART Global, he held various executive roles with All American Semiconductor, Inc., culminating in his eventual tenure as president and CEO.

    Bruce holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami’s School of Law and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Miami.

  • Research & Ranking launches #InvestorsForLife campaign

    Research & Ranking launches #InvestorsForLife campaign

    Mumbai: Research & Ranking, the equity investment advisory brand and a part of Equentis Wealth Advisory Services Ltd, this women’s day has announced the launch of its #InvestorsForLife campaign, an ode to the countless women who selflessly dedicate their lives in the betterment of their loved ones.

    Research & Ranking CMO Alok Arya shared, “At Research & Ranking, we advocate long-term investing as the path to success. This mind-set demands commitment, discipline, consistency, and patience – qualities inherently reflected in a woman’s ability to nurture. At every turn, they invest in us and our relationships, fostering lifelong growth. While everyone is an investor in some capacity, women are #InvestorsForLife. Through this campaign, we aim to bring light to their invaluable contributions and honor their immeasurable impact on the world. As a token of gratitude, we’ve created #InvestorsForLife badges for male colleagues to wear, symbolizing appreciation for their female counterparts.”

    The film shows a montage of heart-warming scenes where women and girls in different roles are taking care of people around them and investing their time and efforts. The slice-of-life visuals are paired with an emotional VO in a male voice to express gratitude.

    The creative agency Digital Refresh Networks has shot and edited the video. The campaign is being promoted across all major social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

  • MMA Global India & Publicis Commerce launched ‘D2C Advantage X Toolkit – Guide to Maximise ROI of eCommerce Investments’ report

    MMA Global India & Publicis Commerce launched ‘D2C Advantage X Toolkit – Guide to Maximise ROI of eCommerce Investments’ report

    Mumbai: MMA Global India and Publicis Commerce has launched their insightful report ‘D2C Advantage – Guide to Maximise ROI Of E-Commerce Investments’ with top leaders from various corporations in attendance, in addition to the Publicis Commerce and MMA Global India leadership team.

    This toolkit is the first of its kind with rich reference material for the C-suite and Brand Leaders on making D2C ventures a success by investing in sound strategies and having a clear value proposition, taking into considerations and capabilities required for profitability.

    MMA Global India & Publicis Commerce launched the toolkit in Mumbai on 5 March amidst a full house. The event kicked off with a welcome address by MMA Global India country head & board member Moneka Khurana followed by a keynote address by Publicis Groupe South Asia CEO Anupriya Acharya who was joined by Performics India CEO Lalatendu Das which is part of Publicis Commerce India. The toolkit launch followed shortly after.

    The toolkit consisted of a joint survey conducted by Publicis Groupe India and MMA Global India which reveals that >80 per cent of D2C ventures are yet to achieve profitability, citing high customer acquisition costs, operational complexities, and unclear returns on investment as primary obstacles. The top three key challenges in scaling D2C businesses in India are namely high customer acquisition cost (70 per cent respondents), operational complexities (20 per cent of respondents) and unclear ROI (10 per cent of respondents.) Moreover, while many traditional businesses have ventured into D2C, standalone D2C revenue remains modest, comprising less than five per cent of overall ecommerce revenue for 50 per cent of respondents.

    However, businesses that have seen success with D2C have done it primarily through clarity of proposition, developing consumer insights through data enrichment and utilisation and analytics and reporting, augmenting the consumer share of mind through unique and compelling shopping experiences, the right media and engagement and innovating on product UI/UX. While the path to profitability of D2C business is quite challenging when viewed independently, the true value of D2C investment is unlocked when insights from D2C businesses are connected to the overall e-commerce business. In a conservative estimate, when done right, D2C businesses have potential to deliver eight per cent + operating margin consistently.

    D2C channels provide the best way to capture first-party consumer data as seen in the survey findings.  When done right, first-party data has potential to deliver four per cent + lift in overall D2C revenue. Therefore, D2C brands must have a structured roadmap to collect, manage and use first party data in scaling their D2C business.

    Acharya said, “D2C enables real, direct, and very personal connections with consumers, driving brand loyalty and long-term relationships. The overall ecommerce landscape is evolving at rapid speed and within that, D2C channels are a goldmine opportunity for companies to better manage the way they sell to consumers, comprehend consumer interests and preferences through valuable data and insights, bring in strong differentiators and innovation and personalised commerce experiences. Our toolkit D2C Advantage X – Guide to Maximise ROI Of E-Commerce comes at the apt time when D2C is at an inflection point in India and more companies are looking for direction and differentiated strategies when it comes to their leveraging their D2C commerce channels. The insights in our survey will help more companies make the most of the D2C opportunity, building market share and enduring relationships with consumers.”

    Khurana said “MMA Global India through its e-Commerce Council aims to build an overall understanding of the eCommerce play in which D2C is integral to omnichannel strategy. Building a strong D2C platform feeds into enabling insights/learnings for decision-making for the larger eCommerce market. We hope this playbook will redefine the significance of D2C in eCommerce landscape more than ever before. As we prepare for a cookie-less journey this year, investing into D2C is the most potent way to build first party data for effective marketing. D2C is here for the long haul and will propel hyper growth, brand building, and opportunities to drive content-driven commerce.”

    Das said, “A significant part of the e-commerce funding in India goes to D2C businesses, overtaking marketplaces as the most funded ecommerce subsector in 2023.  In fact, even the brick-and-mortar businesses are now launching D2C channels as part of their omni-channel strategy. However, D2C is an area which is still underleveraged because >80% of D2C ventures as per our survey are yet to achieve profitability. Our toolkit D2C Advantage X – Guide to Maximise ROI Of E-Commerce Investments has the best of knowledge and actionable strategies on D2C. It gives a clear understanding on why some companies can implement successful D2C businesses while others are on a slower trajectory. D2C, which is a faster way to go to the market needs to be part of a company’s longer-term play, strategy, and vision and to be successful, companies must implement the sort of thinking, investment, agility in execution that is required for an omni-channel world.”

    D2C Advantage X Toolkit: Guide to Maximize ROI of D2C ECommerce Investments

  • HiveMinds appoints Srinath Kotamaraju as regional director-South

    HiveMinds appoints Srinath Kotamaraju as regional director-South

    Mumbai: HiveMinds, India’s premier digital marketing agency, part of Madison group, is pleased to announce the appointment of Srinath Kotamaraju as Regional Director, South. An accomplished professional with over two decades of experience driving growth and digital transformation, Srinath brings a wealth of expertise in brand marketing, leadership, client management, and process optimization. Srinath will lead delivery excellence and existing business growth for the south-based clients.

    Before joining HiveMinds, Srinath was the managing director at Reprise Digital, Indonesia. Before that, he served at Interactive Avenues for nearly a decade, steering large clients and building teams. He has also held business roles at Mindshare, Yahoo India, De Beers and Times of India.

    What further drew Srinath to the company was HiveMinds’ unwavering commitment to both people and performance. He states, “HiveMinds’ dedication to fostering a culture where excellence thrives alongside employee well-being resonated deeply with my values. This synergy was the driving force behind my decision to join this dynamic team at HiveMinds. I am eager to start my journey with talented teams to deliver impactful solutions for our clients.”

    HiveMinds CEO and founder Jyothirmayee JT comments, “Srinath’s experience in handling integrated accounts and his passion for organisation building make him a valuable addition to our leadership team. His interest in delivering business impact with a deep understanding of the medley across content, communication and media will contribute to HiveMinds’ continued upward trajectory.”

    Madison World chairman Sam Balsara commented, “HiveMinds is growing both in size and stature with clients. In this stage of our journey, we need leaders like Srinath to enhance delivery excellence further. With his experience in client management and business growth, I am sure he will add much value to our clients in South India”. 

  • Wing Communications bags integrated PR mandate for DaveAI

    Wing Communications bags integrated PR mandate for DaveAI

    Mumbai: Wing Communications, the Hyderabad-based digital, PR and social media agency has won the PR mandate for DaveAI, a platform that uses artificial intelligence to bridge the product discovery gap for consumers while purchasing products, leveraging real-time data. Wing Communications will be responsible for creating and executing innovative PR strategies for DaveAI. The objective of the collaboration is to showcase DaveAI as the leading provider of immersive and personalised product discovery experiences powered by AI sales avatars.

    Commenting on the partnership, DaveAI co-founder & chief evangelist Sriram P H said, “We are delighted to partner with Wing Communications. They have an understanding of the AI and digital space and a proven track record of delivering impactful PR campaigns. We believe that they will play a crucial role in amplifying our brand story and positioning us as the best customer-preferred AI solution provider in the market. Together, we aim to create a strong brand recall and awareness for DaveAI among our target audience and stakeholders.”

    Speaking of the association, Wing Communications CEO & co-founder Shiva Bhavani said, “We are thrilled to work with DaveAI, one of the most innovative and disruptive AI platforms in the country. They have a unique value proposition and a vision to transform the sales experience for both brands and consumers. We are confident that with our PR expertise and creative approach, we will be able to position DaveAI as the game-changer in the AI and digital domain. In this collaboration, we will be crafting and executing cutting-edge PR campaigns that will help in driving more engagement, conversions and loyalty for DaveAI.”