ITV

Category: MAM

  • Ad it up, Moloco and Xiaomi dial up global reach with ML-powered alliance

    Ad it up, Moloco and Xiaomi dial up global reach with ML-powered alliance

    MUMBAI: What happens when one of the world’s biggest smartphone giants teams up with a machine learning marvel? A global ad tech power play. Moloco, the operational machine learning company, has struck a global strategic partnership with Xiaomi’s International Internet Business Department, unlocking a fresh frontier in mobile advertising across more than 100 countries and regions. With Xiaomi boasting a staggering 702 million monthly active users, the alliance is set to supercharge advertising efficiency, targeting accuracy and developer growth worldwide.

    As part of the deal, Moloco will bring its ML chops to optimise ad placements across Getapps (Xiaomi’s overseas app store), in-app inventory and lock screen ads. In return, Moloco’s advertisers get front-row access to Xiaomi’s high-value user base served through a tech ecosystem spanning mobile, smart homes, and even electric vehicles like the new Xiaomi SU7.

    Having tested the waters in a pilot partnership in 2023, the results spoke for themselves. Daily ad spends soared, native and interstitial ad formats drove stronger conversions, and Xiaomi’s presence across Brazil, India, Turkey and Germany emerged as a serious magnet for advertisers chasing scale and precision.

    Moloco, co-founder and CEO Ikkjin Ahn called the partnership a response to the rising need for “efficient monetisation and the ability to reach the right users.” He added, “Xiaomi’s global ecosystem is a perfect match for our machine learning platform. Together, we’ll unlock serious ROI for advertisers and push the boundaries of programmatic efficiency.”

    Xiaomi International Internet Business general manager Qiang Song echoed the sentiment, noting that Moloco has already “helped enhance the competitiveness of our ad platform.” With more AI-powered tools on the horizon, both companies are eyeing innovative monetisation models that could reshape how brands connect with mobile-first consumers.

    Whether you’re an app developer chasing downloads or a marketer craving smarter reach, this partnership may just be the algorithmic edge you’ve been waiting for.
     

  • Green carpet call as BT spotlights India’s most sustainable companies

    Green carpet call as BT spotlights India’s most sustainable companies

    MUMBAI: India Inc’s ESG stars are set to walk the green carpet. Business Today Multiverse is rolling out a new kind of red carpet green, actually as it launches the inaugural edition of BT India’s Most Sustainable Companies – Summit & Awards 2025. Slated for 6 June in New Delhi, the event puts the spotlight on the companies walking the talk on ESG, sustainability and responsible business.

    With the theme ‘Charting India Inc’s Sustainable Future’, the event promises not just trophies, but timely conversations and action plans. Union minister Bhupender Yadav will headline the summit with a special keynote on India’s environmental strategy, setting the tone for a day packed with powerful dialogue.

    The awards are backed by a rigorous methodology, led by Careedge ESG Ratings, which evaluated 1,000 listed companies across 11 impact-heavy sectors using publicly available data. The final winners were selected by an expert jury chaired by former SBI chairman Rajnish Kumar.

    The speaker list reads like a who’s who of India’s sustainability and policy ecosystem. From Pepsico’s Yashika Singh and Zomato’s Anjalli Kumar to JSW’s Prabodha Acharya, Mahindra’s Abanti Sankaranarayanan, and SEBI’s Pramod Rao, leaders from corporates, think tanks, and regulatory bodies will tackle how sustainability can shift from boardroom buzzword to operational backbone.

    Panel discussions will feature experts like ORF’s Nilanjan Ghosh, CEEW’s Vaibhav Chaturvedi, Avaana’s Anjali Bansal and Swapna Gupta, ISA’s Joshua Wycliffe, Diageo’s Ashish Parikh, and legal minds like Meyyappan Nagappan (Trilegal) and Amit Kapur (JSA), offering multidisciplinary takes on climate strategy, regulation, investment, and innovation.

    Supporting the summit are sustainability stalwarts: L&T (Green Partner), Pepsico (Sustainable Progress Partner), Diageo (CPG Sustainability Partner), along with KREDL and RVNL as associate partners.

    The evening will culminate in the BT India’s Most Sustainable Companies Awards and the unveiling of a special Business Today edition centred on the campaign: ‘Sustainability is no longer an option, it is the only way forward.’

    For India Inc, the message is clear going green isn’t just good optics. It’s the only playbook that matters now.

  • Reel luxe: Mukta A2 rolls out Opulence format in Vadodara

    Reel luxe: Mukta A2 rolls out Opulence format in Vadodara

    MUMBAI: Forget first-class, Vadodara’s movie buffs can now go full throttle with ‘Opulence’. Mukta A2 Cinemas has just unveiled its most premium offering yet with the launch of ‘Opulence’, a swanky four-screen multiplex housed inside The Emperor Mall, Vadodara. With 528 plush seats, Dolby Atmos sound, 2K laser projection, all-silver screens, and immersive 3D, it’s not just a trip to the movies, it’s a full-blown affair of the senses.

    From recliners and loungers to couple’s beds and leather sofas, comfort here doesn’t come in small measures. Add to that gourmet snacks, ambient lighting and a thoughtfully designed lobby, and you’ve got yourself a cinematic spa day.

    As a cherry on top, the launch syncs with the release of ‘Housefull 5’, giving audiences a blockbuster to match the opulence.

    “This isn’t just a format, it’s a reimagined moviegoing experience,” said Mukta A2 Cinemas managing director Rahul Puri. “We wanted to launch where the love for cinema runs deep, and Vadodara was the perfect fit.”

    Located beside VCA Ground on Vasna-Bhayli Road, the venue features a gourmet F&B counter with wraps, pizzas, desserts, and a range of beverages all served up in style.

    Satwik Lele, COO, added, “With Opulence, we’ve married comfort, technology, and hospitality into one seamless space. It’s cinema, but elevated.”

    With this launch, Mukta A2 Cinemas which operates nearly 100 screens across India and overseas including Bahrain reaffirms its ambition to lead with innovation. And if the seats at Opulence are anything to go by, they’re not just raising the bar they’re reclining in it.

  • Casagrand bats for a third term with Sourav Ganguly as brand face

    Casagrand bats for a third term with Sourav Ganguly as brand face

    MUMBAI: From test matches to testaments of trust, Sourav Ganguly is playing a long innings off the pitch this time, as the face of Casagrand for the third year running. South India’s leading real estate developer, Casagrand, has extended its partnership with the cricketing icon, reaffirming its national ambitions with a familiar, dependable face. With its eyes set on expanding footprints in Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Coimbatore, the brand is sharpening its game plan and who better than the man who redefined Indian leadership on the field?

    Known for his fearless captaincy and ability to build winning teams, Ganguly echoes Casagrand’s own growth story: bold, strategic and future-focused. “A home isn’t just a structure, it’s a dream nurtured,” said Ganguly. “Casagrand reflects that belief by building spaces that care for well-being and legacy. I’m proud to partner with a brand that understands the spirit of togetherness and vision.”

    Founded in 2003, Casagrand boasts over 160 completed projects and a cumulative 53 million square feet developed across urban hubs. In FY 2024–25 alone, the company launched over 18 projects, ramped up activity in Hyderabad and debuted in Pune cementing its reputation as one of India’s fastest-scaling real estate players.

    But Casagrand isn’t just about handing over keys. It’s pioneering post-handover support with features like assured rentals, resale assistance, and maintenance services, giving homeowners more than just square footage peace of mind. Its communities prioritise green spaces, smart layouts and multi-generational amenities, built with a vision that housing should enable legacy, not just lifestyle.

    The renewed Ganguly partnership goes beyond celebrity endorsement, it positions Casagrand as a brand built on shared values of trust, resilience, and ambition. With India’s property landscape getting more competitive, this brand–captain duo seems ready for a new innings complete with boundary-pushing aspirations and a stadium full of dreams.

  • Pandit hits the write note with memoir on adland, music and more

    Pandit hits the write note with memoir on adland, music and more

     MUMBAI: From the buzz of boardrooms to the rhythm of raag, Bipin R. Pandit’s journey finally finds its hardcover harmony. At Goafest 2025, amidst Abby cheers and industry nostalgia, The Advertising Club’s beloved COO Bipin R. Pandit launched his long-anticipated biography titled Impassioned. The launch wasn’t just ceremonial, it marked the culmination of 28 years spent scripting not just award shows, but a legacy in Indian advertising’s cultural corridors.

    Released by Ad Club President and Havas India group CEO for SEA & North Asia, Rana Barua, the book dropped during the 58th edition of the Abby Awards, a fitting venue, given Pandit has helmed 28 editions himself.

    But Impassioned is no dry professional recollection. Co-authored by Gokul Krishnamoorthy and supported by Gour Gupta’s Tribes, the book oscillates between Pandit’s rise from Castrol’s data division to becoming the backbone of India’s most prominent advertising secretariat and his other passions: cricket, Kishore Kumar and Khumaar, the live music IP he founded.

    It also swings into his personal innings, including a rooftop romance in Dadar that turned into a lifelong partnership. Reflections from industry stalwarts Piyush Pandey, Prasoon Joshi, Ramesh Narayan and Barua himself add emotional resonance to a story that’s both deeply personal and distinctly adland.

    The book also traces the birth of now-iconic properties like the Effies and Emvies, first conceptualised under Pandit’s watch in 2001 as part of a three-day Mumbai festival alongside the Abbys. Today, these awards stand as pillars of the Indian advertising industry.

    “Writing started with a LinkedIn blog post post-Abbys,” Pandit shared. “Rana called me and said ‘You need to make this a book’. The rest, as they say, got written.”

    Barua added, “Bipin’s been the pulse of the Club steady, smiling and always switched on. This book lets us meet the man behind the magic.”

    Adding heart to history, Pandit has pledged 10 per cent of all proceeds from Impassioned to the Light of Life Foundation, which supports underprivileged communities.

    From overseeing award ceremonies to belting out old classics, from managing committees to cricket trivia debates Bipin R. Pandit hasn’t just worked in adland, he’s lived it. And now, finally, it’s all on record with rhythm, recall and a whole lot of raag.

  • Sony strikes the right chord with THG to amplify India’s global music pitch

    Sony strikes the right chord with THG to amplify India’s global music pitch

    MUMBAI: India’s musical ambitions just got a global mic check. In a pitch-perfect move set to reshape India’s live music industry, Sony Music India has teamed up with Los Angeles-based entertainment heavyweight The Hello Group (THG) to launch THG India, a joint venture that promises to give Indian artists a global stage and the backing to own it.

    Billed as the first international collaboration of this scale for Sony Music India, THG India blends the local label’s deep industry roots with THG’s international clout in live touring, publishing, and artist development. Based out of Mumbai, the new entity aims to provide a complete support system from artist management to worldwide bookings to help Indian talent break into international circuits without missing a beat.

    “This is more than a business deal, it’s a bridge for Indian music to go global,” said Sony Music India managing director Vinit Thakkar. “With THG’s unmatched touring network and our homegrown muscle, we’re unlocking a future where Indian artists can thrive not just locally, but on the world’s biggest stages.”

    From Bts and Enhypen to The Chainsmokers and Twice, THG’s publishing and tour booking legacy is packed with platinum plaques and packed stadiums. THG India now aims to channel that pedigree into India’s booming music scene, which has seen a surge in independent acts and a hungry live-event audience post-pandemic.

    “The talent in India is phenomenal and the world is listening,” added The Hello Group CEO Taylor Jones. “THG India will ensure they’re heard. With a team on the ground and decades of experience behind us, we’re here to make Indian music truly borderless.”

    As live music becomes a serious economic engine for the Indian entertainment industry, the joint venture directly addresses one of its most glaring gaps sophisticated infrastructure for touring and artist development. Backed by Sony’s investment and creative ecosystem, THG India is poised to become the launchpad for the country’s next wave of breakout stars.

    With names like Steve Aoki, I.M of MONSTA X, and Kang Daniel already on its international roster, The Hello Group brings proven star power to the partnership. And for Indian artists who until now have struggled to convert local fandom into global visibility this could be the stage door they’ve been waiting for.

    In a world where music travels faster than ever, THG India is putting Indian artists on the global tour bus no passport needed, just pure talent and the right push.

  • Ketan K Bharati joins The House of Abhinandan Lodha to lead media

    Ketan K Bharati joins The House of Abhinandan Lodha to lead media

    MUMBAI: Ketan K Bharati, the marketing maverick who has shaped campaigns across telecom, FMCG, tech, and media giants, has now planted his flag at The House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) as head – media strategy & performance marketing.

    With a career spanning nearly two decades and marquee brands like Truecaller, Reckitt, Vodafone, Disney Star, and GroupM in his rearview mirror, Bharati’s next chapter promises to blend data muscle, storytelling flair, and go-to-market wizardry for one of India’s most ambitious real estate disruptors.

    Bharati, was most recently VP – global marketing ops at Truecaller, where he steered GTM rollouts, global launches, and even lit up Times Square.

    Backed by stints managing Rs 500 crore media portfolios, landing Gold at Spikes Asia, and anchoring revenue surges at Fox International and Reckitt, Bharati is no stranger to performance-led growth. His Vodafone days saw him turn cricket carnivals into brand goldmines with the IPL and World Cup. At GroupM, he cracked efficiency gains for brands like Dove and PepsiCo with data-first media buying.

    At HoABL, he’s expected to fuse full-funnel performance with digital-first thinking, supporting the brand’s audacious land-tokenisation push and national expansion.

    In a world where land is being reimagined as a lifestyle asset, HoABL’s latest hire signals it’s not just playing the game. It’s rewriting the script.

  • Venu Takes the Wheel as TVS Shifts Gears at the Top

    Venu Takes the Wheel as TVS Shifts Gears at the Top

    MUMBAI: TVS Motor’s leadership engine just got a new ignition, Sudarshan Venu is in the driver’s seat now. In a landmark move signalling the next chapter in its leadership journey, TVS Motor Company has announced that Sudarshan Venu will take over as chairman and managing director effective August 25, 2025. The company’s board of directors made the decision unanimously, underscoring Venu’s instrumental role in shaping TVS Motor’s strategy and global ambitions over recent years.

    Venu, currently serving as managing director, will succeed Ralf Speth, who has opted not to seek reappointment as director at the company’s Annual General Meeting on August 22, 2025. Ralf, the former CEO of Jaguar Land Rover and a seasoned automotive veteran, will officially step down as Chairman at the conclusion of the AGM.

    However, this isn’t a full stop, it’s a strategic shift. Ralf will continue his association with TVS as its chief mentor for a three-year term starting 23, August  2025, offering strategic counsel and drawing on his vast experience in automotive leadership.

    Expressing his gratitude, Venu said, “I am really honoured and excited for the future. TVS has been built on a foundation of customer centricity, quality, and technology values we must preserve as we reimagine our future. I’m deeply thankful to our chairman emeritus for his vision, and to Ralf for pushing us to think global and act bold.”

    The leadership change comes at a time when TVS Motor is expanding aggressively across global markets and investing in next-gen technologies, including electric mobility and connected vehicles. Venu has been central to this transformation, overseeing strategic acquisitions, international collaborations, and product innovations that have given the company new momentum.

    Ralf Speth’s stint as chairman was marked by a greater global orientation for TVS, including talent onboarding, enhanced R&D processes, and bold investments in future-ready technologies. In his new role as chief mentor, he is expected to help guide the company’s long-term vision and innovation roadmap.

    With this transition, TVS isn’t just changing drivers, it’s fine-tuning for the next lap of growth. And with Venu at the helm and Speth still in the pit lane, the company seems all set to accelerate into its next evolution.

  • Clicks and trips go hand in hand as travel ads chart new routes

    Clicks and trips go hand in hand as travel ads chart new routes

    MUMBAI: When it comes to travel, Indians aren’t just packing bags, they’re packing pixels. In a year when revenge tourism fuelled wanderlust and digital-first habits reshaped holiday planning, Excellent Publicity’s latest report captures a sector that’s going places literally and virtually. Based on over 30,000 campaigns and TAM Media insights, the 2024 Travel & Tourism Advertising Landscape offers a fascinating peek into how brands sold dreams of getaways to a nation ready to escape.

    Total ad spends in the sector rose by 28 per cent in 2024, with digital commanding a staggering 78 per cent of that pie. Video platforms like YouTube and Instagram accounted for over 62 per cent of these digital spends, thanks to their scroll-stopping visuals and seamless influencer integration. The age of the static banner, it seems, is on a one-way trip to oblivion.

    It’s not just metros that are dreaming big 35 per cent of digital ad impressions came from Tier II and III cities, marking a shift in aspiration and affordability. Goibibo, Redbus, and Yatra rode this wave with vernacular campaigns, cashback offers, and destination-led storytelling.

    Short-form videos emerged as the MVP of campaign visibility, with influencer-led Reels and Youtube Shorts growing 45 per cent year-on-year. Micro and mid-tier creators proved to be the hidden gems of the media mix, converting eyeballs into bookings with hacks, hauls, and heartfelt narratives.

    Despite digital’s dominance, traditional formats still held ground. Television retained a 12 per cent share, proving useful in prime-time slots and regional infotainment, especially for family-oriented travel brands. Print (3 per cent) was used for tactical bursts like seasonal guides, while OOH (6 per cent) stayed visible near airports and high-footfall spots. Radio, though a modest 1 per cent of the mix, was used smartly around long weekends and festive peaks.

    Ad activity spiked during April-June (summer holidays) and again from October to December (festive breaks and destination weddings). Destinations like Ladakh, Rishikesh, Udaipur, and Bali drew big bucks from brands focused on adventure, wellness, and cultural experiences.

    Top spenders included Makemytrip, Easemytrip, Club Mahindra, Agoda, Thomas Cook, and Air India together accounting for over 33 per cent of the total digital travel ad budget. Campaigns ranged from AR-powered itinerary planning to influencer-hosted travelogues and loyalty program launches.

    Emotional hooks also proved effective, with storytelling leaning into themes of nostalgia (“first trip post-COVID”) and purpose (“make memories, not plans”). There was a noticeable pivot to experiential travel, with brands showcasing offbeat stays, cultural immersions, and eco-conscious itineraries.

    “The media mix is evolving, but the message remains timeless: travel is emotional,” said Excellent Publicity co-founder & director, Vaishal Dalal. “The brands winning today are those combining data-led precision with creative ambition making the journey to booking feel as exciting as the journey itself.”

    As Gen Z and millennials continue to shape spending habits, travel brands will need to mix immersive formats, voice AI, sustainability and hyper-personalisation to stay relevant and stay booked. Because in 2024, even holidays needed good content.

  • Ogilvy India rolls out consulting arm, Neeraj Bassi returns to lead the charge

    Ogilvy India rolls out consulting arm, Neeraj Bassi returns to lead the charge

    MUMBAI: Ogilvy India has officially launched Ogilvy Consulting in the country, with seasoned brand whisperer Neeraj Bassi stepping in as head of the India practice. Based out of the Gurugram office, Bassi will also double up as head of strategic planning for Ogilvy India (North).

    Globally, Ogilvy Consulting is all about cracking the holy trinity of modern business challenges — growth & innovation, business design, and digital transformation. It ropes in Ogilvy’s best across brand strategy, customer engagement, commerce, PR, partnerships and influence, bundling them into one potent, integrated offer.

    For Bassi, this isn’t just a gig — it’s a return to base. Having last served as president – strategic planning at Ogilvy Gurugram till 2015, the advertising veteran brings 28 years of strategy-packed experience to the table. His most recent avatar was as chief growth officer at Cheil X, following stints at Publicis, Havas, JWT Dubai, and McCann Erickson, where his journey began in 1997.

    Ogilvy India chief strategy officer Prem Narayan  said, ” I have always admired Neeraj. He is one of the finest strategic minds in the country.   His rich experience across consulting, advertising and driving growth make him one of the rare few who excel at intersecting consumer x culture x brand x business x modern media landscape to deliver business impact and transformation.   There couldn’t have been anyone better to lead and launch the Ogilvy Consulting practice and drive excellence of the strategic planning function for Ogilvy India (North), Neeraj will make us sharper, stronger and sweeter.”

    Bassi, with his trademark cool, added: “I am really excited to lead the Ogilvy Consulting practice in India. Globally we are getting a good traction in this space and I am looking forward to offering independent, unbiased advice for full funnel management of marquee brands – right from fuelling desire to demand conversion at point of sale. Ogilvy Consulting would address the issue of distributed brand narrative that is happening because of domain experts working in their silos. Championing the cause of one brand, one narrative, Ogilvy Consulting will help clients integrate the domains at a strategic level. It’s a homecoming for me and coming home is always special.”

    With this move, Ogilvy India joins the global consulting party — and with Bassi at the helm, expect the narrative to get sharper, the strategies slicker, and the silos shaken.