ITV

Category: Media and Advertising

  • Shamik Guha takes charge at EssenceMediacom: From baby oils to big brands

    Shamik Guha takes charge at EssenceMediacom: From baby oils to big brands

    MUMBAI: Shamik Guha has swapped healthcare for high-stakes hygiene as he steps into the role of general manager – client services at EssenceMediacom, where he’ll now steer the media strategy for FMCG titan P&G.
    From baby oils to baby steps in data science, Guha’s journey reads like a masterclass in media evolution. With over 18 years of industry hustle—spanning Emami, Lintas, OMD, Dabur, Abbott, and now EssenceMediacom—he’s worn every media hat from planner to P&L boss.

    At Abbott, he helped nutritional juggernauts like Pediasure and Ensure bulk up in market share, while tightening cost controls and orchestrating full-funnel media. Before that, his time at Dabur saw him blend Ayurveda with mass-market savvy, launching new SKUs and managing crores in baby and women’s health categories.

    From pushing IPL impact buys at Freecharge to stoking strategy at Dabur and crunching data at Seagull, Guha’s career has been one long pitch-perfect campaign. Now, with P&G’s mighty portfolio on his media menu, expect the playbook to only get sharper
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    New gig, same hustle. Shamik Guha’s back on the agency side—and he’s not playing small.

  • Smile Group names Gagandeep Singh Bedi to lead Healthtech venture builder in Asia

    Smile Group names Gagandeep Singh Bedi to lead Healthtech venture builder in Asia

    MUMBAI: Smile Group has taken a bold step into Healthtech. The tech investment and venture-building firm has named pharma industry veteran Gagandeep Singh Bedi as managing partner to lead its new Healthtech Venture Builder initiative, marking its formal foray into a space projected to hit $50 billion across APAC.

    With more than 25 years of leadership experience at Astrazeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, and Baxter, Bedi brings both gravitas and grit to the new role. At Astrazeneca India, he steered a turnaround that doubled market growth and tripled market capitalisation to $1 billion, while also contributing to India’s Covid-19 vaccine rollout.

    Bedi has been actively involved in India’s startup ecosystem, leading healthcare innovation partnerships with IIT Kanpur and the India-Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre, alongside early-stage bets in Healthtech startups focused on coronary and oncology care.

    “Smile Group’s strong track record in scaling impactful, tech-forward ventures across Asia is something I’ve always deeply respected”, said Bedi. “Their unique approach—combining capital with deep operational support—resonates strongly with my focus on partnering with mission-driven startup founders”.

    Smile Group founder & CEO Harish Bahl added, “With AI in healthcare becoming a $50B+ opportunity across APAC, and India’s market growing at 42 per cent annually, the pace of change in Healthtech is phenomenal. Gagandeep’s rare combination of corporate leadership and Healthtech experience makes him the ideal fit”.

    The venture builder will focus on co-creating disruptive Healthtech businesses across Asia by combining Smile’s capital firepower and founder-first model with Bedi’s domain expertise and deep ecosystem connects.

  • Shashank Rathod joins Delhivery as media and communications lead after Amazon innings

    Shashank Rathod joins Delhivery as media and communications lead after Amazon innings

    MUMBAI: From packing prime narratives to shipping new stories—Shashank Rathod has stepped into the role of director, media & communications at Delhivery. Rathod took on the mandate in May 2025, bringing over a decade of public relations and corporate communications experience to the logistics major’s fast-paced communications playbook.

    Prior to this, Rathod spent nearly six years at Amazon, most recently as corporate communications manager. Based in Bengaluru, he managed media strategy and brand communications across key verticals during a transformative phase for the e-commerce titan.

    Rathod’s CV also includes stints at Oneplus, Weber Shandwick, and 20:20 MSL, where he led campaigns for marquee clients like Dell, Alibaba, Xiaomi, IBM, and PTC. He began his communications journey at Archetype, handling accounts like Sap Labs and Cisco.

    Speaking on the transition, Rathod said, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as director, media & communications at Delhivery!”

    With Rathod now helming media and communications, Delhivery is expected to focus on a sharper external messaging approach—one that balances enterprise growth with strategic storytelling.

  • Pizza Hut ditches ketchup for juicier slices, causes frenzy with bold consumer experiment

    Pizza Hut ditches ketchup for juicier slices, causes frenzy with bold consumer experiment

    MUMBAI: Pizza Hut turned a national pizza habit on its head this week—and left ketchup bottles sweating. In an audacious twist to Indian food culture, the brand rolled out its ‘Ketchup’s Out, Juicy’s In’ campaign, asking pizza fans to trade in their beloved ketchup sachets for a taste of its new Juicylicious range.

    The result?

    Long queues, empty pizza racks, and an internet that just couldn’t stop talking.

    The offer was simple: give up a ketchup sachet at any Pizza Hut store and walk away with a free Juicylicious pizza. Over 2,400 pizzas flew out of ovens across key cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore—100 pizzas per store, per day. The experiment quickly made waves on Instagram and even trended on Google Search, as consumers queued to test whether saucy pizzas could truly exist sans ketchup.

    The campaign drew on a sharp consumer insight—that for many Indians, ketchup is the band-aid for dry, underwhelming pizzas. With its new Juicylicious lineup, Pizza Hut aimed to end that dependency.

    And judging by the queues, the crowd was hungry for change.

    To spice things up further, comedienne Jamie Lever joined the party. Her cheeky takes on the ketchup break-up lit up Instagram, making for a humorous—and surprisingly relatable—slice of content.

    The Juicylicious range stars juicy paneer and chicken toppings marinated in three flavour-packed sauces: bold Kadhai, aromatic Royal Spice, and fiery Southern Chilli. Layered with 100 per cent authentic mozzarella and baked on a crisp crust, the new pizzas aim to eliminate the need for add-ons.

    As Pizza Hut pushes for a cleaner break from ketchup culture, Indian pizza lovers seem ready to embrace a saucier, bolder slice. For more, check out the original campaign video here and Jamie Lever’s reel here.

  • Punit Thakkar brushes off the sugar for colgate’s digital strategy

    Punit Thakkar brushes off the sugar for colgate’s digital strategy

    MUMBAI: Talk about brushing up your portfolio, literally. After over three years of crafting digital strategies for chocolates, biscuits and beverages at Mondelez, Punit Thakkar has made a minty-fresh move. He now steps into the role of business director for Digital (Colgate-Palmolive) at Wavemaker India, leading full-funnel digital media planning for one of the country’s most iconic personal care brands.

    Having officially taken the reins in November 2024, Thakkar is now going public with the news classic digital marketer style, a few months fashionably late. “From chocolates to toothpaste, same performance mindset, just fewer cavities,” he quipped in his announcement.

    In this role, Thakkar oversees the digital planning team handling brand and commerce campaigns across Colgate verticals. His key focus? Using first-party data from CRM, sampling, and website engagement to build precise audience frameworks and drive sharper ROI. With strategies including lookalike modelling, exclusions, and sequencing, the goal is to optimise both awareness and performance campaigns through smarter targeting and media mix alignment.

    Before this, Thakkar led digital for Mondelez India, managing a glittering portfolio that included Cadbury Dairy Milk, Oreo, 5 Star, Silk, and Bournvita. He championed 1P data integration into festive, IPL, and seasonal campaigns, setting benchmarks for eCommerce alignment and funnel mapping across consumer journeys. Prior stints include leading digital for Vodafone Idea and driving performance marketing during his early years at Wavemaker.

    With a decade-long track record, Thakkar brings sharp thinking and full-funnel finesse to the oral care giant’s digital playbook now armed with the morning routine of an entire nation. Whether it’s a 7am swish or a late-night scroll, you can bet Punit Thakkar’s campaigns are ready to pop up on your screen, toothbrush in hand.

  • Logituit boards a new streamline strategy with Abhijit Kabra

    Logituit boards a new streamline strategy with Abhijit Kabra

    MUMBAI: Call it a stream-savvy power play. Logituit, the media technology innovator best known for its AI-driven video streaming solutions, has welcomed seasoned digital leader Abhijit Kabra to its board of directors, a move aimed at bolstering its global ambitions and future-forward playbook.

    Kabra’s resume reads like a crash course in digital transformation. The former CEO of Sasken Technologies and ex-MD at Accenture Digital and Barclays Digital has helmed billion-dollar businesses, navigated M&A waters, and driven transformation across telecom, semiconductors, fintech, and Industry 4.0. Now, he’s plugging into Logituit’s boardroom just as the media-tech sector hits high velocity.

    “We are delighted to welcome Abhijit to our Board,” said Logituit CEO and co-founder Sandeep Chandak. “His strategic vision and extensive experience in technology-driven business growth will be instrumental as we strengthen our AI-driven video streaming and media technology solutions.”

    Currently a non-executive director and investor in several tech ventures, Kabra’s addition reflects Logituit’s larger goal not just to stream faster, but smarter. With the media landscape increasingly shaped by automation, intelligence, and platform convergence, Kabra’s experience in navigating disruption could help Logituit leap from agile player to global leader.

    His appointment also underscores a growing trend among forward-looking tech companies pairing deep tech with deep talent, right at the top. For Logituit, that strategy now has a new face and one with serious bandwidth.

     

  • Bhumi Pednekar stars in Nykd by Nykaa’s latest flight-themed campaign for comfiest bras

    Bhumi Pednekar stars in Nykd by Nykaa’s latest flight-themed campaign for comfiest bras

    MUMBAI: It isn’t every day a bra campaign takes flight — quite literally. Nykd by Nykaa has launched a new campaign titled ‘Comfiest Bras Ever’, featuring Bhumi Pednekar in a witty, cinematic spin on a bumpy flight that tests comfort at 30,000 feet.

    The film unfolds aboard a blush-hued aircraft, where Pednekar doubles as a charming flight attendant and a passenger navigating turbulence with elegance and ease.

    The punchline?

    If Nykd’s bras can keep you comfortable during mid-air chaos, they can support you through anything.

    Since its debut in 2020, Nykd by Nykaa has sought to strip away the myths around lingerie and redefine it for the everyday woman. The campaign embodies the brand’s ethos — comfort-first engineering designed for real bodies, routines, and lives.

    “At Nykd by Nykaa, innovation in intimate wear begins with listening”, said Nykaa Fashion ED & CEO Adwaita Nayar. “This campaign is about reengineering comfort for real women. With Bhumi as our voice, we’re showing that support means more than just the physical”.

    Pednekar, a long-standing brand ambassador for Nykd, added, “Comfort, to me, is feeling supported without even thinking about it — and that’s what these bras deliver. They move with you, never against you”.

    The film adds humour and relatability to a segment often bogged down by overpromise. It delivers its message loud and clear: bras should feel like second skin, not an obligation.

    Nykd by Nykaa’s latest range features seamless designs, inclusive sizing, and thoughtful styling. The campaign is currently live across TV, digital platforms, and theatres in Maharashtra and Gujarat, with a call to action for women to rethink their comfort zone.

    Check out the latest collection here: https://www.nykaafashion.com/designers/nykd-by-nykaa/c/7059

  • Elephants on parade: Kyoorius Creative Awards 2025 honour 166 Blue, 514 Baby, three Purple winners

    Elephants on parade: Kyoorius Creative Awards 2025 honour 166 Blue, 514 Baby, three Purple winners

    MUMBAI: The only thing louder than the applause was the creativity. The 2025 Kyoorius Creative Awards, presented by Zee, lit up the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai with an evening that celebrated the sheer power of ideas. Over 1,500 professionals from India’s marketing and communications industry witnessed a no-politics, all-passion showcase of creative firepower.

    While the elusive Black Elephant remained just that—elusive—seven campaigns earned the revered Baby Black Elephant. The shortlist, dubbed the ‘Black Elephant Nominees’, featured standout work from Grey Bangladesh, DDB Mudra Group, Mccann Worldgroup, Studio Eeksaurus, Talented, Famous Innovations and Loudmouth Film.

    The top individual honour of the night went to none other than Piyush Pandey, who received the Master of Creativity award. The legendary adman was recognised for reshaping India’s advertising ethos with his distinct ability to blend culture, humour, and simplicity.

    Kyoorius received a record 4,000+ entries from over 500 organisations this year, its highest ever. From that pool, 1,124 entries made it to the First List. A total of 514 campaigns were awarded Baby Elephants, representing 60 unique agencies, 177 campaigns, and 116 brands.

    Of the 514 Baby Elephants, 166 were upgraded to Blue Elephants—marking top-tier excellence. Brands like Amazon, Samsung, Britannia, Coca-Cola, Swiggy, Dream11, Zivame, Kit Kat, Mcdonald’s, and Ceat were among those honoured. Full winners list is available at kca.kyoorius.com.

    Three campaigns received the Purple Elephant as part of the Zee Equality Award, acknowledging work that pushed boundaries for representation and inclusion.

    “Massive congratulations to all the winners!… That’s the soul of the Elephants”, said Kyoorius founder & CEO Rajesh Kejriwal.

    In trademark fashion, the awards ditched the traditional metal hierarchy—no golds, silvers, or bronzes.

    Just Elephants.

    Supported by Glenmorangie, The Hindu, Tribes Group, and Indian Creative Women, the night underscored that pure creativity—unranked, unfiltered—still has a stage, and a spotlight.

  • MiQ ropes in Vikas Khanchandani as strategic advisor to fuel India growth and scale up advanced TV strategy

    MiQ ropes in Vikas Khanchandani as strategic advisor to fuel India growth and scale up advanced TV strategy

    MUMBAI: In a market where programmatic media is rewriting the advertising playbook, MiQ has pulled in one of the industry’s seasoned players. Vikas Khanchandani has been appointed strategic advisor for MiQ India Commercial, the company announced today.

    With over 25 years of experience across media, advertising, and digital transformation, Vikas is expected to guide MiQ’s growth strategy, sharpen its media operations, and ramp up its advanced TV capabilities. The appointment signals MiQ’s deeper push into India’s high-potential adtech landscape.

    “We are delighted to welcome Vikas to the MiQ India leadership journey”, said MiQ India CCO Varun Mohan. “His experience, wisdom, and industry influence align perfectly with our mission to deliver market-leading innovation and value to our clients”.

    Khanchandani, who has worked across legacy media houses and new-age platforms, will focus on bolstering MiQ’s partnerships and helping it unlock new revenue avenues. His mandate includes navigating the increasingly complex media-tech stack and enhancing data-driven ad solutions.

    “I’m thrilled to be part of MiQ at such an exciting inflection point”, said Khanchandani. “MiQ’s commitment to innovation, client-centricity, and future-ready media solutions truly stands out. I look forward to contributing to its momentum—helping build stronger partnerships, unlocking new growth avenues, and shaping the evolution of data-driven advertising in India”.

    MiQ, a global programmatic media partner, has been steadily expanding its Indian footprint. Khanchandani’ appointment underscores its intent to stay ahead of the curve with both talent and technology.

  • Olympic icon Neeraj Chopra joins Audi India as brand partner in performance-first drive

    Olympic icon Neeraj Chopra joins Audi India as brand partner in performance-first drive

    MUMBAI: In a move as sharp as his throws, Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has joined hands with Audi India, aligning world-class athleticism with German engineering finesse. The partnership, announced on 26 May 2025 by JSW Sports, brings together the double Olympic medalist and the iconic luxury carmaker in a collaboration driven by shared values of performance, precision, and progress.

    The tie-up follows Chopra’s remarkable journey from a history-making gold at the Tokyo Olympics to a silver medal finish at the Paris 2024 Games, alongside podium wins at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and World Championships. Audi, known for its relentless innovation and engineering craft, sees Chopra as the embodiment of its brand ethos.

    “At Audi, we stand for those who push boundaries… Neeraj Chopra is the embodiment of that spirit”, said Audi India head Balbir Singh Dhillon. “Determined and iconic, his journey from ambition to achievement mirrors Audi’s progressive DNA”.

    The collaboration reflects not just a brand endorsement but a philosophical alignment. Chopra’s laser focus on precision and relentless pursuit of betterment mirrors Audi’s design discipline and technological edge. The athlete’s admiration for the brand adds another layer of authenticity to the partnership.

    “I’ve always admired Audi – not just for the cars, but for what the brand stands for. The pursuit of excellence never stops. I’m excited to join the Audi family”, said Chopra, speaking on the association.

    JSW Sports, which manages Chopra’s commercial interests, facilitated the tie-up. JSW Sports CCO Karan Yadav described the partnership as a landmark for Indian sport and brand synergy. “Audi is a car manufacturer Neeraj really admires, and one whose vision aligns with his as an athlete. The potential of this partnership is limitless”.

    This collaboration signals Audi’s deeper engagement with Indian sport and its commitment to aligning with icons who personify evolution, resilience, and excellence.