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Category: Media and Advertising

  • Adbhoot pulls out all the stops, gives bus stand a bridal makeover in 3D

    Adbhoot pulls out all the stops, gives bus stand a bridal makeover in 3D

    MUMBAI: Ever waited at a bus stop and wished for something more exciting than just another late arrival? Well, brace yourselves, Mumbaikars! Adbhoot just turned your mundane commute into a sparkling bridal affair. Forget plain old advertising—this is literally putting jewels on a bus stand! Intrigued?

    In a creative blitz, Adbhoot, the brainchild behind JGP Jewellers’ branding, has unveiled an extravagant 3D bus stop installation right opposite Plaza Cinema, Dadar West. Launched in March 2025, this head-turning, first-of-its-kind display boldly promotes JGP Jewellers’ exclusive wedding jewellery range, the dazzling ‘Shrungar Collection’.

    Designed to stun passersby into pausing their frantic rush, the installation transforms an ordinary bus shelter into a glamorous jewellery showcase featuring oversized 3D replicas of intricate bridal pieces. And as if oversized shiny jewellery wasn’t enough to stop traffic, the display also illuminates beautifully in the evenings. Who needs streetlights when you have sparkling diamonds?

    Adbhoot founder & creative director Vaibhav Pandit said, “It’s all about being original, and we’re fortunate to have a client that embraces bold creative ideas. Our objective was to highlight the ‘Shrungar Collection’ in a distinctive and innovative manner, and our team has successfully achieved that. We extend our gratitude to the talented artists at Signpost who crafted the stunning 3D jewellery props, as well as our client for allowing us the creative freedom to bring this vision to life.”

    Echoing the excitement, JGP Jewellers creative director Sanika Pednekar added, “We wanted to capture and showcase the rich beauty of our traditional wedding jewellery, and Adbhoot’s concept brought that vision to life. By designing a bus stop display that mirrors our in-store jewellery showcases, complete with 3D replicas, they have created a visually striking invitation for brides-to-be to explore our wedding collection. The final result is breathtaking and perfectly timed for the wedding season.”

    JGP Jewellers’ ‘Shrungar Collection’ is available exclusively across their stores in Maharashtra and Goa. So, brides-to-be, why window-shop when you can bus-stop-shop?

  • Tecno strikes partnership with KKR, knocks connectivity issues out of the stadium

    Tecno strikes partnership with KKR, knocks connectivity issues out of the stadium

    MUMBAI: Cricket fans, ever screamed ‘no signal!’ right as your favourite batsman hits a six? Frustrating, right? Well, fear no more! Tecno, the smartphone brand that refuses to drop the ball (or signal), has teamed up with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to make sure fans stay plugged into the action. With the new #SignalJeetKa campaign, Tecno is promising a cricket season where the only thing dropping is the opposition’s wickets—not your connection.

    Announced on 19 March 2025, this electrifying collaboration aims to amplify the thrill of cricket through uninterrupted connectivity and state-of-the-art technology. Tecno’s sleek, powerful devices will ensure fans experience every boundary, wicket, and nail-biting super over without interruption. How’s that for a partnership?

    Tecno Mobile India CEO Arijeet Talapatra shared, “We’re excited to partner with Kolkata Knight Riders. Cricket is an emotion that unites millions, and it aligns perfectly with Tecno’s mission to empower India’s youth. Through our #SignalJeetKa initiative, we aim to ensure fans stay connected and never miss a moment of the thrilling action. Just as KKR gives their all on the field, we’re committed to delivering the best technology to keep fans at the heart of the game.”

    KKR’s iconic motto, #KorboLorboJeetbo, echoes Tecno’s own relentless ethos, ‘Stop At Nothing’. Both champion the spirit of hustle, teamwork, and cricket’s vibrant culture. Tecno’s advanced connectivity solutions reaffirm the brand’s commitment to keeping fans at the core of every cricketing moment.

    Knight Riders Sports CMO Binda Day added, “Technology is at the forefront of cricket’s growth, especially in India. Our partnership with Tecno is an opportunity to promote a seamless collaboration in this respect. At the Knight Riders, we believe in creating an immersive experience for our fans by bringing them closer to the game we love and that will be our aim through this partnership.”

    So, cricket enthusiasts, say goodbye to buffering and hello to cricketing clarity. Thanks to Tecno, the only thing missing signals this season will be opposing batsmen when KKR bowls.

  • Fintech’s new sheriff: Shishir Kataria to spin Mobikwik’s marketing magic as AVP

    Fintech’s new sheriff: Shishir Kataria to spin Mobikwik’s marketing magic as AVP

    MUMBAI: Ever tried convincing your grandad to ditch cash for a flashy QR code? Imagine doing that for millions. Enter Shishir Kataria—the man who turned fashionistas into Tata Cliq loyalists and made cricket fans binge-watch IPL as if their lives depended on it. Kataria has swapped runway trends for digital wallets, joining Mobikwik as AVP of marketing, because, hey, why not make finance fun?

    “Excited to start my journey as AVP, Marketing at Mobikwik,” said Kataria. “Fintech in India has evolved rapidly, transforming the way we transact, save, and invest. As digital payments and financial inclusion accelerate, I look forward to be a part of this journey.”

    At Mobikwik, Kataria now oversees brand, social, content, design, and creative operations. Before diving headfirst into fintech, he dazzled at Tata CLiQ, masterminding the rebranding to ‘Tata Cliq Fashion’, making Gen Z’s heart skip a beat. His strategies boosted customer acquisition and squeezed costs tighter than a budget traveller in Mumbai.

    Previously at Disney+ Hotstar, he combined cricket and entertainment, launching hits like Hotstar Dosts during IPL 2021, resulting in a whopping 30 per cent subscription spike. At Disney Star, he made IPL even bigger, drawing a record-smashing 462 million TV viewers in 2019. How’s that for knocking it out of the park?

    Kataria’s marketing prowess doesn’t stop there. He once convinced parents across India that Complan Nutrigro could turn kids into geniuses and led sales teams in Tamil Nadu with more gusto than Rajinikanth fans on premiere day.

    Can Kataria now convince a billion people to swipe more, tap less, and never see their physical wallets again? Knowing his record, it seems he’ll be laughing all the way to the digital bank.

  • Cricket fans score with second screens: Glance report

    Cricket fans score with second screens: Glance report

    MUMBAI: Cricket enthusiasts across India are no longer content with merely watching the game—they’re demanding a richer, more immersive experience on their second screens. A new report from Glance, the world’s leading smart lock screen platform, has caught the digital behaviours of these sports-mad fans with their fingers firmly on their mobile devices.

    Released yesterday in partnership with InMobi Advertising and AppsFlyer, the Decoding Indian Cricket Fans report lays bare how cricket has become less about passive viewing and more about active engagement across multiple screens.

    During last year’s IPL tournament—a veritable religious experience for Indian sports fans—a whopping 120 million users turned to the Glance smart lock screen platform, driving engagement levels 2.4 times higher than normal periods. These smartphone-wielding enthusiasts spent 44 per cent more time consuming cricket-related content, generating an eye-watering 314 billion glances and 433 million taps.

    “At Glance, we’re reimagining how consumers interact with their daily devices such as mobile lock screens and connected TVs, transforming them into more engaging screens and smarter surfaces,” says InMobi and Glance chief marketing officer  Bikash Chowdhury clearly pleased as punch with the findings.

    While English dominated content consumption at around 81 per cent, regional languages are staging a remarkable comeback. Hindi led the vernacular charge at 36.22 per cent, followed by Tamil (25.31 per cent), Kannada (15.35 per cent), Marathi (12.13 per cent) and Telugu (10.99 per cent)—suggesting cricket’s appeal transcends linguistic boundaries.

    The report also reveals that 74 per cent of cricket content consumers use devices priced under Rs 30,000, making this a mass-market phenomenon rather than an elite pastime.

    Cricket season isn’t just about runs and wickets—it’s about apps and clicks too. Last year’s tournament saw Android app installs surge by a hefty 35 per cent from pre-season to peak, while iOS installations jumped 28 per cent.

    Gaming apps enjoyed click-through rates six times higher than normal periods, while home entertainment platforms saw rates 5.6 times higher. Cricket fans also proved themselves to be an advertiser’s dream, with 9.4 per cent more in-app clicks, 21 times higher video ad engagement, and full-screen interstitials delivering 13 times better performance than industry benchmarks.

    “The intersection of cricket and digital engagement has never been more powerful,” says AppsFlyer,  general manager Insea/ANZ Sanjay Trisal, clearly bowled over by the numbers. “This is a prime opportunity for brands—not just to reach audiences but to engage them meaningfully at high-intent moments.”

    For marketers looking to cash in on cricket mania, the report offers a clear message: start early, target multiple screens, and don’t retire once the tournament ends. Remarketing strategies should be timed according to category, with entertainment and food delivery apps performing best mid-season, while finance and investment apps hit their stride after the final whistle.

    As the report aptly concludes: “As with a good shot, timing is everything.”

  • Havas gives CFO François Laroze global COO title

    Havas gives CFO François Laroze global COO title

    MUMBAI: Fresh from its debut on Euronext Amsterdam, advertising heavyweight Havas has beefed up the role of long-serving money man François Laroze, handing him the additional title of global chief operating officer alongside his existing chief financial officer duties.

    Having cut his teeth at the group since 2007, Laroze brings a wealth of experience and intimate knowledge of Havas’s inner workings to his expanded brief. As the newly minted COO of the freshly listed company, he will collaborate closely with the group’s executive committee to ensure the ambitious targets dangled before investors are hit both in the short and medium term.

    His marching orders include securing solid organic growth through the holy trinity of client retention, new business wins and in-business development – all while leveraging the group’s “converged” strategy. Laroze will also be tasked with fattening the profitability ratio through rigorous cost management and ensuring consistent cash flow generation.

    Havas  chairman & chief executive Yannick Bolloré lavished praise on his lieutenant: “François’ extensive experience and proven leadership make him the perfect choice to drive our transformative initiatives forward as a newly listed company. We are excited to witness the positive impact François will continue to bring to our organisation “

    For his part, Laroze appears eager to shoulder the additional responsibilities: “I’m thrilled about this new chapter and the opportunity to continue to contribute to Havas’ transformation journey and growth in an expanded role.”

    The move signals Havas’s determination to put its financial house in impeccable order as it navigates life as a standalone public company, with Laroze now wielding influence over both the purse strings and operational levers of the advertising group.

  • Indian antitrust watchdog raids global ad giants over alleged price collusion

    Indian antitrust watchdog raids global ad giants over alleged price collusion

    MUMBAI: India’s competition regulator has launched a surprise raid on several advertising behemoths, including GroupM, Dentsu and Interpublic Group, as well as a broadcasters’ industry body over allegations of price-fixing, sources with direct knowledge told Reuters on Tuesday.

    The Competition Commission of India’s officers descended upon roughly 10 locations in Mumbai, New Delhi and Gurugram after initiating a case against the agencies and top broadcasters for allegedly colluding to fix advertising rates and discounts.

    The raids come at a pivotal moment for India’s advertising landscape, which is experiencing significant upheaval following the $8.5 billion merger between Walt Disney and Reliance’s Indian media assets.  This regulatory blitz also follows hot on the heels of Omnicom Group’s $13.25 billion all-stock acquisition of rival Interpublic Group in December, a deal that created the world’s largest advertising agency.

    According to one source who spoke to Reuters, the watchdog is investigating how advertising agencies allegedly conspire with certain broadcasters to fix advertising prices when selling to clients, including discussions around discounts. The allegations reportedly include concerns that certain broadcasters engaged in “collective action” to avoid offering discounts on advertising rates.

    The Indian Broadcasting &  Digital Foundation (IBDF), which represents heavyweight domestic broadcasters including billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance-Disney joint venture and Sony and Zee, has remained tight-lipped about the investigation.

    Representatives from GroupM (owned by Britain’s WPP), IPG Mediabrands and Japan’s Dentsu all declined to comment when approached by Reuters, as did the competition commission itself, which maintains a policy of not publicly disclosing details of enforcement actions or price collusion cases.

  • Preetha Athrey hits marketing jackpot, trades up to The Trade Desk as brand marketing director

    Preetha Athrey hits marketing jackpot, trades up to The Trade Desk as brand marketing director

    MUMBAI: Ever watched a seasoned marketer switch gigs like she’s flipping pancakes—swiftly, smoothly, and landing perfectly each time? Meet Preetha Athrey, who just flipped herself a sizzling new role as Director of Brand Marketing at The Trade Desk. If career moves were Olympic sports, she’d be clutching gold by now.

    Athrey, a seasoned brand-builder with a CV dazzling enough to make LinkedIn algorithms blush, announced today: “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as director of brand marketing at The Trade Desk!”

    Athrey’s impressive professional innings include stints as marketing director for Twitter Asia Pacific, two-time entrepreneur, and roles at high-flying corporates such as Airtel, Time Warner, and Apollo Tyres. This certified independent director has navigated brands through marketing whirlwinds and emerged victorious each time. Talk about having more experience than a LinkedIn Influencer has connections!

    At The Trade Desk, a global leader in digital advertising technology, Athrey’s move signals a strategic play—much like swapping pawns for queens in a chess match of corporate marketing. Will her magic branding wand sprinkle gold dust again? Only every colleague who’s ever worked with her would say “obviously, yes!”

    Preetha Athrey stepping into her new role highlights the growing importance of brand narrative in a world ruled by algorithms and attention spans shorter than your last Netflix binge. Who better to keep audiences glued than someone who once kept Twitter timelines ticking across Asia Pacific?

    This career leap is not just a win for Athrey—it’s a slam dunk for The Trade Desk. As marketing continues to evolve at a dizzying pace, they’ve snagged someone who knows precisely how to make brands not just heard but adored.

    Stay tuned, folks—this could get very interesting, very fast. Because when Preetha Athrey makes a move, you know it’s going to shake things up.

  • Herkey appoints digital marketing veteran Wasim Sayed as VP to boost growth and brand strategy

    Herkey appoints digital marketing veteran Wasim Sayed as VP to boost growth and brand strategy

    MUMBAI: Imagine navigating a career maze with a handy GPS—sounds dreamy, right? Enter Herkey, the AI-powered fairy godmother dedicated to empowering professional women, now adding an extra turbo boost named Wasim Sayed to drive user growth and marketing. If growth hacking had a face, it’s about to get Wasim’s grin stamped all over it.

    Announced on 18 March 2025, Herkey welcomed Wasim Sayed as its new vice president of growth and marketing. His mission? To turn Herkey’s impressive strides into leaps that’d make even Olympians jealous. Sayed, who comes equipped with 17 years of wizardry in digital and product marketing, will oversee initiatives to amplify user engagement, fine-tune customer acquisition, and supercharge the brand’s presence.

    Throughout his impressive career journey—think growth-stage startups, dazzling unicorns, and even Fortune 500 giants—Sayed has consistently nailed the art of growth. He knows how to turn great ideas into thriving realities, whether it’s B2B or B2C, using his secret sauce of data-driven strategies and razor-sharp market insights.

    “I am excited to join Herkey at a pivotal stage of its journey. The platform has already made significant strides in enabling women’s career advancement, and I look forward to driving innovative marketing and growth strategies to further this mission,” Sayed shared.

    Herkey founder & CEO Neha Bagaria adds, “Wasim’s appointment comes at a time when organisations are increasingly prioritizing helping women advance their careers and increase their earning potential, making Herkey’s role in career enablement for women more relevant than ever.” Translation: They’ve hired the right guy at exactly the right time.

    Why should you care? Because Herkey isn’t just another platform—it’s practically your personal career coach on steroids. And now, with Sayed’s expert navigation, expect this platform to unlock doors faster than you can say ‘promotion’.

  • Awfis expands senior team to drive growth and innovation

    Awfis expands senior team to drive growth and innovation

    MUMBAI: Awfis has strengthened its senior team with key appointments across technology, managed office solutions, and design & build. These strategic hires aim to boost operational excellence and meet the rising demand for flexible workspaces in Tier one and Tier two cities.

    In workplace solutions and growth, strategic advisor, Sanjay Baurai will oversee initiatives related to account management, co-working, manufacturing, government liaison, M&A integration, and overall business strategy. His extensive background in corporate real estate and large-scale operations will help Awfis navigate its next phase of expansion.

    To enhance its managed office segment, national head business development and growth, Parul Seth, senior national director enterprise business, Roshan Alva, and national director sales, Rahul Kanungo join the team. Their expertise in real estate, banking, and technology will drive business expansion and reinforce Awfis’ position in the flexible workspace.

    With increasing demand for premium design & build solutions from GCCs and large corporates, Awfis has added design specialists, Noelle Bianca Aguilar (Philippines) and Debora Emert (USA) to bring global insights to its projects. Additionally, director business development, Kamal Pandey joins with over a decade of experience, ensuring innovative and sustainable workspace solutions.

    On the technology front, chief product & technology officer, Rohit Manghnani will lead Awfis’ digital transformation, focusing on enhancing system capabilities, driving scalability, and improving user experiences.

    Awfis Space Solutions Ltd chairman & managing director Amit Ramani stated, “The expansion of our design & build, managed office, and technology teams is a pivotal step in our growth journey. With their expertise, we are poised to create workspaces that drive productivity, innovation, and business success.” 

  • Araiya Hotels & Resorts names Akshay Kulkarni as chief business strategist

    Araiya Hotels & Resorts names Akshay Kulkarni as chief business strategist

    MUMBAI: Araiya Hotels & Resorts has appointed Akshay Kulkarni as its chief business & strategy officer (CBSO), tasking him with steering the brand’s expansion and strengthening its market position.

    Bringing over 27 years of expertise in hospitality and real estate, Kulkarni has a strong track record in business development, asset management, and large-scale project execution across south and southeast Asia. His appointment signals Araiya’s commitment to broadening its portfolio and enhancing guest experiences.

    Araiya Hotels & Resorts founder & CEO Amruda Nair said, “Kulkarni’s extensive experience in hospitality and strategic growth will be instrumental in strengthening Araiya’s market presence. His insights will play a crucial role in forging partnerships and unlocking new opportunities for expansion.”

    As CBSO, Kulkarni will focus on identifying new hotel locations, overseeing projects from conception to launch, and building key industry relationships.

    Kulkarni stated, “Araiya is a young and innovative brand, and I’m thrilled to be part of its journey. This role allows me to contribute to its growth while creating memorable experiences for guests.”