ITV

Category: Media and Advertising

  • Gail plugs into influencer power to push clean energy with fresh CNG, PNG campaign phase

    Gail plugs into influencer power to push clean energy with fresh CNG, PNG campaign phase

    MUMBAI: India’s clean energy shift just got a viral push. Gail (India) Limited has rolled out the influencer-led phase of its celebrated ‘Waah Kya Energy Hai’ campaign, aimed at boosting awareness and adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Piped Natural Gas (PNG). This leg leans on the power of popular creators to reshape public perception and put natural gas in the social media spotlight.

    The campaign builds on the emotive tone of the original mini-series that spotlighted domestic and commercial gas use through slice-of-life stories. But this phase is all about visibility and virality. Influencers across India are showcasing how CNG powers autos, cars and fleets, while PNG keeps kitchens running in homes and hotels—all without a whiff of compromise.

    From engaging reels and vlogs to unfiltered testimonials, creators are turning energy use into conversation starters. These bite-sized stories spotlight how natural gas, as a fuel, brings together safety, savings, and sustainability—a triple play for climate-conscious India.

    With more than 2,800 CNG stations spread across 72 cities in 20 states and union territories, Gail’s footprint reflects its mission of reliable, green transportation. PNG, meanwhile, continues its surge as a preferred option in urban kitchens and commercial setups needing uninterrupted, clean energy.

    “This campaign is a celebration of the quiet but impactful transition to clean energy happening across the country,” said Gail head – corporate communications Jyoti Kumar. “By collaborating with influencers who connect authentically with their audiences, we are making conversations around sustainability more relatable, actionable, and widespread.”

    Audiences can catch all the buzz on @Gailindia via Instagram, where behind-the-scenes shots, creator shout-outs and interactive polls form the core of the digital showcase.

    Gail has layered this campaign with animated explainers, user-driven content, and sharp infrastructure visuals to hammer home the versatility of gas. As the campaign gains momentum, it doubles down on Gail’s broader promise: to power India’s energy ambitions while staying firmly rooted in environmental responsibility.
     

  • SRV Media names Chaitanya Sharma as director to supercharge digital growth strategy

    SRV Media names Chaitanya Sharma as director to supercharge digital growth strategy

    MUMBAI: SRV Media has bolstered its leadership team with the appointment of Chaitanya Sharma as director—digital marketing & growth. The move underscores the digital agency’s commitment to rapid expansion and strategic innovation across regions, with Sharma expected to lead operations, optimise processes, and spearhead customer-first solutions.

    With nearly a decade of experience in global tech ecosystems, Sharma has held key roles at Google Operations Centre and Accenture, with a career spanning quality assurance, operations, and learning & development. He also served as the L&D expert for Google’s Ads Optimisation unit—bringing a blend of strategy and on-ground insight to his new role at SRV Media.

    “Joining SRV Media presents a unique opportunity to contribute to a forward-thinking organisation poised for impactful growth. My focus will be on strengthening our team, streamlining operations, and expanding our digital reach. I believe in building systems that are responsive, effective, and reflective of a collaborative culture. With the right strategy and an inclusive mindset, I’m confident we can achieve meaningful progress and long-term success,” said Sharma.

    Known for his compelling public speaking, Sharma has delivered sessions at TEDx and Josh Talks, often weaving themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion through his tri-lingual talks in Hindi, Bengali, and English.

    SRV Media co-founder & director Vikram Kumar added, “We are delighted to welcome Chaitanya to SRV Media. His rich experience in digital marketing and proven leadership, especially in driving large-scale initiatives at global organisations, make him an invaluable addition to our team. As we expand our footprint in Kolkata, Chaitanya’s expertise in process optimisation and his inclusive leadership style will be instrumental in building a more agile and innovative organisation. We look forward to the new dimensions of growth and culture he will bring to the team.”

    Sharma will now lead SRV’s digital growth roadmap, enhancing its strategic output and reinforcing its commitment to agile, inclusive marketing leadership.

  • Renu Chipalkatti joins iline as CSO & co-founder to supercharge EV logistics future

    Renu Chipalkatti joins iline as CSO & co-founder to supercharge EV logistics future

    MUMBAI: Electric logistics startup iline has put its foot firmly on the accelerator. In May 2025, the company welcomed seasoned business strategist and Fortune 20 executive Renu Chipalkatti as its chief strategic officer & co-founder-a move that signals its readiness to scale and dominate India’s green logistics space.

    Chipalkatti brings over 35 years of global leadership experience, having held pivotal roles including Bitreel CEO & advisor, and chairperson of the advisory board at the University of Massachusetts’ Manning School of Computer and Information Science. Known for her knack for scaling disruptive businesses and rewriting playbooks, she now takes on a mission to drive cleaner, smarter delivery solutions in India.

    Founded in 2024, iline is India’s first EV-only logistics platform dedicated to decarbonising last-mile delivery. With AI at its core, iline offers battery-optimised, data-driven delivery that cuts emissions and costs in equal measure.

    “iline is redefining the future of last-mile delivery in India. With Renu Chipalkatti’s strategic insight and vast experience, we are creating sustainable last-mile delivery with innovative and cost-effective electric mobility solutions and AI,” said iline.AI CEO Prakarsh Dwivedi. “This collaboration marks the next chapter in iline’s evolution as a pioneer for nationwide green mobility and inclusive growth.”

    As the startup scales, Chipalkatti’s leadership is expected to steer iline through its next wave of growth, building a cleaner, AI-optimised future for urban logistics.

  • BEI Confluence CMD Tapas Gupta completes 50 years in advertising with zero breaks and zero burnout

    BEI Confluence CMD Tapas Gupta completes 50 years in advertising with zero breaks and zero burnout

    MUMBAI: In a business that thrives on reinvention, Tapas Gupta has managed to stay ahead without hitting pause. BEI Confluence chairman & managing director has marked a remarkable milestone in May 2025, becoming the first leading advertising professional in India to complete 50 uninterrupted years in the industry—all in full-time roles, with no sabbaticals, no breaks, and no detours.

    Gupta began his career in 1975 as Clarion McCann management trainee in Calcutta, then India’s second-largest agency. By the mid-1980s, he rose to become branch head of the Calcutta office. In 1986, he launched the TSA/TSME (Tara Sinha McCann Erickson) Kolkata office, before relocating to Delhi in 1991 to helm McCann-Erickson India’s flagship office while overseeing Kolkata. In 1996, he was elevated to PSL Universal McCann president & CEO, the agency’s second venture in India.

    Two years later, in 1998, Gupta struck out on his own. He founded BEI Confluence with a breakaway team from PSL McCann and M-E, and has since built it into one of north India’s most prominent independent 360-degree advertising agencies. Known for its strong client base, robust infrastructure, and committed talent pool, the agency has seen sustained growth for over 27 years.

    Today, Gupta continues to lead BEI Confluence as CMD with the same rigour he began with, while his son Abhishek Gupta steers day-to-day operations as joint MD.

    As industry veterans go, Tapas Gupta may just be Indian advertising’s answer to endurance sport.

    A marathoner in mindset, and a mentor by default.

  • Nikhil Sareen joins Qubo as co-founder, powers next phase of connected living strategy

    Nikhil Sareen joins Qubo as co-founder, powers next phase of connected living strategy

    MUMBAI: Qubo is adding firepower to its leadership bench. The homegrown smart device brand announced the appointment of Nikhil Sareen as its new co-founder. The move marks a pivotal moment as Qubo gears up to expand its footprint across smart living, mobility, and connected home ecosystems.

    Sareen brings over 15 years of experience in e-commerce, entrepreneurship, and brand-building to the table. Best known for his strategic leadership at Vahdam India, he helped the brand grow into a global tea powerhouse, driving entry into international markets and scaling its digital-first operations. Prior to that, he co-founded Schoolkart.com and transformed Strauss Sport into a leading name in the sportswear segment.

    “I am thrilled to join Qubo at a time when it’s reimagining smart living in India”, said Sareen. “The brand’s deep focus on innovation and its tech-first approach truly set it apart. I look forward to contributing to its strategic growth, expanding the portfolio, and unlocking new opportunities.”

    Qubo founder & CEO Nikhil Rajpal welcomed the appointment, “We welcome Nikhil Sareen as the co-founder. His expertise in building and scaling innovative brands positions him as a valuable partner in advancing Qubo’s mission to elevate its connected living platform.”

    An ISB alumnus, Sareen’s appointment strengthens Qubo’s strategic muscle as it eyes new product segments and market opportunities. His track record of building high-trust consumer brands makes him well-suited to steer Qubo’s next stage of evolution—from Made-in-India tech to made-for-the-world ambition.

  • Cheil India rebrands as Cheil SWA Group, builds full-funnel marketing arsenal for the future

    Cheil India rebrands as Cheil SWA Group, builds full-funnel marketing arsenal for the future

    MUMBAI: Cheil India just hit refresh. On 1 May 2025, the agency formally announced its rebranding into the Cheil SWA Group, marking a strategic expansion of its services to meet the evolving needs of modern marketers. From being Samsung’s in-house agency in 2003 to becoming a multi-pronged marketing ecosystem, the transformation signals its ambition to own the entire value chain—creativity, commerce, content, and conversion.

    At the helm is Cheil SWA Group president & CEO Carlos LimSeob Chung. Jitender Dabas joins as Cheil X CEO, the creative and strategy wing serving non-Samsung clients, while Mandeep Sharma takes over as Cheil India COO, driving CRM and customer experience across the group.

    Guided by the philosophy ‘Impact Every Moment’, Cheil SWA Group now operates through seven specialised companies:

    1    Cheil India (Samsung Business): Continues as Samsung’s integrated agency, delivering on creative, retail, digital, and brand experiences.

    2    Cheil X: Expands creative and strategy solutions to global and Indian brands beyond Samsung, with a recent footprint added in Mumbai.

    3    Experience Commerce: The digital marketing and tech arm acquired in 2017. Houses an Offshore Development Center (ODC) for the global Cheil network and boasts consistent double-digit growth.

    4    Cylndr: The content production studio for VFX, CGI, and end-to-end video creation.

    5    Digital media and influencer marketing: A 300+ member strong vertical specialising in performance marketing, influencer engagement, and D2C solutions.

    6    NewRx: The retail design and store innovation unit handling everything from concept to execution.

    7    Cheil GDC: The data analytics hub that drives automated marketing through real-time consumer insights.

    Together, these arms position Cheil SWA Group at the confluence of creativity, commerce, and data—ready to deliver fully integrated campaigns that are not just pretty, but performance-driven.

    “Today’s marketing landscape demands integrated thinking and specialised execution,” said Chung. “Our transformation into Cheil SWA Group is a natural evolution of our capabilities, allowing us to offer clients seamless access to world-class expertise across every touchpoint of the consumer journey.”

    From a Samsung-only outfit to a group built for tomorrow’s marketing challenges, Cheil SWA Group is laying claim to the full funnel—pixel to purchase.

  • College Vidya Bets on Education with ‘My Learning Circle’ Campaign

    College Vidya Bets on Education with ‘My Learning Circle’ Campaign

    MUMBAI: In a bold play to counter the growing trend of online betting and fantasy gaming among young Indians, College Vidya has rolled out a new awareness campaign that’s all about raising the stakes on education. My Learning Circle isn’t just another buzzword, it’s a cultural call to action aimed at teaching young minds to bet on the future, not the odds.

    With betting apps increasingly capturing the attention of youth, especially during the IPL season, College Vidya’s campaign dives deep into the often tragic consequences of compulsive gambling. Through a gripping series of five real-life stories, it sheds light on individuals who’ve faced immense financial, emotional, and even life-threatening losses due to online betting. It’s not all doom and gloom, though. The campaign’s goal? To swap those tragic tales for stories of empowerment, education, and responsible choices.

    “The aim is not just to create awareness but to build a positive movement toward informed choices and lifelong learning,” said College Vidya COO Rohit Gupta. “We’re using relatable storytelling, community participation, and rewards to drive home the message.”

    The stakes are high. With India witnessing an uptick in youth falling prey to the lure of quick wins, this campaign aims to redirect their focus from fleeting gambling profits to lasting knowledge and skills.

    As the betting world grows ever more enticing, My Learning Circle is a timely intervention. It’s a reminder that true winnings come from the power of education, not the gamble of chance.

  • Ashish Deora lays the bricks for a Proptech powerhouse at Aurum

    Ashish Deora lays the bricks for a Proptech powerhouse at Aurum

    MUMBAI: Aurum Ventures’ founder and serial disruptor Ashish Deora is stepping into an expanded strategic role at Aurum Proptech, bringing his formidable track record in building tech-first businesses to supercharge the company’s ambition of becoming India’s largest PropTech player.

    The move comes as India’s Proptech opportunity surges towards the USD 100 billion mark and Aurum is readying its blueprint for the boom. Deora’s focus will be on guiding the firm’s Rental, Distribution and Capital verticals, helping lay the foundation for a future where technology becomes the backbone of real estate.

    An alumnus of Harvard Business School, Deora founded Aurum Ventures at just 21, and over the past 30 years, has built a portfolio spanning telecom, aviation, renewables, and real estate. He’s best known for co-founding Renew Power, creating one of India’s first optic fibre networks, and revitalising a branded low-cost airline. But real estate is where he’s currently making his deepest mark.

    Over the last 15 years, Deora has developed Aurum Realestate, a full-stack platform offering everything from IT-SEZs and luxury housing to retail and integrated townships in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Complementing that is Aurum PropTech, launched in 2021, which now operates in 15 cities with 650 plus professionals and a tech portfolio including Nestaway, Sell.do and Aurum Analytica.

    Commenting on the appointment, Aurum Proptech director on board Vasant Gujarathi said, “We are thrilled to welcome Ashish to the Board. His visionary leadership has been the cornerstone of Aurum’s success, and his strategic insights will be pivotal as we scale new heights. With his continued guidance to the management team, we are confident in accelerating our mission to lead India’s rapidly evolving PropTech sector and establish Aurum PropTech as the nation’s largest and most impactful Proptech company.”

    Commenting on the appointment Ashish Deora said, “India PropTech sector represents a USD 100 billion opportunity across consumer tech, enterprise tech and fintech offerings. Since our inception in April 2021, we have strategically combined organic and inorganic growth to develop a clear vision and execution model, underpinned by operational excellence and strategic building blocks to cater to real estate consumers and enterprises. A 650 plus strong passionate team, who live and breathe PropTech is energized to demonstrate scale and depth with strong business fundamentals. As Aurum PropTech continues its journey toward achieving INR 1,000 crore in revenue, fuelled by our Rental, Distribution, and Capital offerings, I am excited to witness the technology-driven transformation of Real Estate, making it truly Future Ready.

    Backed by a mix of organic growth and savvy acquisitions, Aurum PropTech’s 10-product ecosystem is positioned at the crossroads of consumer tech, enterprise tech and fintech, with a mission to disrupt traditional real estate at every touchpoint from rentals and distribution to capital solutions.

    And Deora isn’t just shaping the future of business. Alongside his wife, he’s steering Aurum’s philanthropic initiatives, and serves on the board of Shriram Properties, extending his influence across India’s residential and affordable housing landscape.

    As India’s property market gets a digital makeover, Ashish Deora’s comeback to active strategy might just be the keystone that cements Aurum’s place in the Proptech hall of fame.
     

  • Mandira moves in as Howden eyes a high-stakes M&A power play

    Mandira moves in as Howden eyes a high-stakes M&A power play

    MUMBAI: Howden’s latest appointment is anything but business as usual, it’s business with intent. The global insurance and reinsurance broking giant has announced Mandira Gupta as its new managing director & head of M&A, IMEA, placing a seasoned dealmaker at the helm of its transactional risk and private equity solutions playbook.

    Based out of Mumbai, Mandira joins at a time when India’s mergers and acquisitions landscape is on a blistering upswing. According to Grant Thornton Bharat, the first quarter of 2025 saw deals worth 5.3 billion dollars marking a 204 per cent jump in value and a 25 per cent rise in volume over Q1 last year. It’s a deal party, and Howden just handed the aux to one of the sharpest minds in the room.

    Mandira’s reputation precedes her. She’s credited with building India’s Transaction Risk (TR) insurance practice from the ground up, and has over 20 years of experience across insurance broking and investment banking. Prior to this, she held senior leadership at Marsh India, where she steered the PEMA practice in India and led the TR vertical across India, the Middle East, and Africa.

    From headline-grabbing mega deals to needle-threading cross-border transactions, Mandira’s portfolio is stacked with complexity, scale, and innovation making her a natural fit to drive Howden’s ambitions across the IMEA region.

    IMEA managing director & head of M&A Mandira Gupta said, “I am delighted to join Howden, and look forward to contributing to its growth and business objectives. My main emphasis will be on creating customized solutions for high-profile transactions, leveraging my long-standing relationships within the industry.”

    Howden India CEO & MD Amit Agarwal added, “We are proud to welcome Mandira to our team. Her appointment strengthens Howden India’s dynamic growth and firm dedication to enhancing its expertise in the PE and M&A sectors, as we continue to expand our capabilities and deliver exceptional value to our clients.”

    With India fast becoming one of the most dynamic M&A markets in the world, and deal tables growing longer by the day, Howden’s latest hire isn’t just timely, it’s tactical. And with Mandira Gupta leading the charge, the message is clear: big deals need bigger vision and even sharper minds.

  • Pallavi Gupta gears up as head of marketing to steer Hero Cycles’ marketing wheels into high-speed growth

    Pallavi Gupta gears up as head of marketing to steer Hero Cycles’ marketing wheels into high-speed growth

    MUMBAI: Cycling to success is no leisurely ride—it demands grit, gears, and a bit of daring. Pallavi Gupta, known for pedalling brands to new heights, now clips into the saddle as the new head of marketing at Hero Cycles Ltd. The homegrown giant, synonymous with trust and two-wheeled dreams across generations, has called on Gupta to steer its leap from a national favourite to a global mobility and lifestyle powerhouse.

    “Excited to announce my new role as the head of marketing at Hero Cycles Ltd! Hero Cycles, India’s renowned cycling brand, stands for innovation, trust, and progress across generations. It’s an honor to contribute to its transformation into a global mobility and lifestyle leader. Grateful to mentors, teams, and colleagues for their inspiration and challenges along my journey. Looking forward to driving #Innovation, #Sustainability, and #BrandExcellence in this new chapter,” Gupta posted on Linkedin.

    Hero Cycles, which has held pride of place in India’s cycling landscape, now aims to go full throttle on innovation and sustainability as core pillars of its next chapter. Gupta’s appointment signals a fresh burst of energy into the brand’s marketing journey, pairing legacy with bold new ambition.

    With experience in brand strategy, growth management, and consumer insights, Gupta’s leadership promises to keep Hero Cycles firmly on the competitive trail.

    Hero Cycles continues to dominate not just India’s imagination but its roads as well, with plans to pedal even harder into markets worldwide. As the cycling world shifts towards green mobility and lifestyle integration, Hero Cycles looks ready to claim more miles and minds, with Gupta leading the charge.