ITV

Category: MAM

  • Sara and Sachin Tendulkar drive home a heartfelt message in Spinny’s latest ‘God Promise’ campaign

    Sara and Sachin Tendulkar drive home a heartfelt message in Spinny’s latest ‘God Promise’ campaign

    MUMBAI: Cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar and daughter Sara Tendulkar have come together in Spinny’s newest campaign, ‘God Promise’, blending familial warmth with an enduring brand message. The campaign, which plays out across Instagram and other digital platforms, showcases the duo’s love for their indie dogs, Spike and Max, while championing Spinny’s promise of trust and assurance.

    The centrepiece is a tender film starring Sachin alongside a soulful indie dog, charting a journey that encapsulates memories, reliability, and the spirit of long-lasting relationships. It symbolically anchors Spinny’s industry-first three year warranty on its Assured+ used cars—a commitment framed as more than a feature, but a lasting promise.

    Sara added her own emotional depth to the campaign by sharing unseen family photographs with Sachin and their beloved pets. Her caption on Instagram read:

    “A really, really long relationship and a promise for the ages. This @myspinny ad brought back memories—of drives, laughs and Spike & Max. This one’s incredibly close to my heart. #godpromise”

    With a mix of nostalgia and simplicity, the film leans into moments that reflect Spinny’s ethos of dependable, people-first service. The involvement of the Tendulkars—and the visible affection for their adopted pets—grounds the message in everyday relatability.

    ‘God Promise’ positions Spinny not just as a car retail platform, but as a brand that recognises the emotional journeys tied to car ownership. By inviting India’s most beloved sporting family to tell a story of trust, the campaign aims to strike a chord with millions of middle-class Indian families who view cars as more than transport—but as memory machines.

    With this campaign, Spinny continues to elevate its storytelling, championing emotion and authenticity over gimmicks.

  • Gems that keep on giving as Maharashtra shines bright

    Gems that keep on giving as Maharashtra shines bright

    MUMBAI: They say diamonds are forever and at ET Now Swadesh’s first-ever ‘Gems of Maharashtra’ event, it wasn’t just jewels that dazzled. From green steel to gourmet kitchens, education to EVs, the event lit up Mumbai with stories of grit, growth and game-changing ideas.

    Held in Mumbai and graced by chief guest Mangal Prabhat Lodha, minister of skills, employment, entrepreneurship and innovation, the event celebrated Maharashtra’s meteoric rise across sectors like real estate, technology, wellness, hospitality, and manufacturing. But beyond the applause and awards, it delivered a powerful message Maharashtra is not just moving forward, it’s charging ahead with purpose.

    Speaking at ET Now Swadesh’s ‘Gems of Maharashtra’ event government of Maharashtra minister of skills, employment, entrepreneurship, and innovation chief guest Mangal Prabhat Lodha,  said, “India was once known as the ‘Sone Ki Chidiya’ the Golden Bird not because of external wealth, but because of the unstoppable spirit of our people. Today, with over a billion citizens, having just around one lakh people engaged in startups is not enough to reclaim that title. Every Indian must embrace entrepreneurship, it’s not optional, it’s essential. Maharashtra is standing at the edge of a transformation. In the next 15 days, we will unveil a revolutionary Innovation Policy. Alongside it, a 100-acre Innovation City is being developed with 14 buildings, each dedicated to a key sector like AI, pharmaceuticals, and automobiles.”

    He further added, “We are also launching a startup education programme to train 1 lakh students by March 2026. Our goal is not just to talk about startups we want them to thrive. We will be providing 1,000 days of handholding, low interest working capital loans, and strong support from industry leaders. Our mission is to foster 27,000 startups not just in cities, but in every corner of Maharashtra, right down to the villages. For women entrepreneurs, we’ve introduced the Ahilyabai Holkar Yojana and are building dedicated Industrial Training Institutes. Additionally, our New Innovation Policy which is yet to be launched, will definitely include focused support for women in startups.”

    He also outlined a comprehensive startup support roadmap including 1,000 days of government-backed handholding, low-interest loans, and a new education programme to train one lakh students by March 2026. Special provisions for women founders under the Ahilyabai Holkar Yojana added further weight to his vision of inclusive progress.

    The evening spotlighted 31 stellar achievers the real ‘gems’ whose work is reshaping the state’s socioeconomic fabric. From Manoj and Poonam Jha (Kamakhya Jewels) for jewellery manufacturing to Yashraj Peety (SRJ Peety Steels) for green steel innovation, the awards cut across domains and demographics. Notable honourees also included Gopal Dash Baghel for sports leadership, Bhaskar Tare and Parag Dhurke for digital PR, and Annamrita Foundation for nutrition-based social impact.

    The event concluded with Lodha unveiling a commemorative coffee table book, capping off an evening where inspiration sparkled as brightly as the trophies.

    With this, ET Now Swadesh has firmly planted its flag as not just a chronicler of economic change but a celebrator of the changemakers who fuel it.

  • Parag Milk Foods appoints Subhodeep Roy as chief business officer to steer next phase of growth

    Parag Milk Foods appoints Subhodeep Roy as chief business officer to steer next phase of growth

    MUMBAI: Parag Milk Foods Ltd., one of India’s leading dairy and nutrition brands, has named Subhodeep Roy as its new chief business officer, signalling a strategic leadership shift to sharpen revenue focus and accelerate growth.

    Roy brings over 18 years of experience across India’s FMCG ecosystem, having worked with stalwarts such as Britannia, Cadbury, Godrej Consumer Products, Tata Consumer Products, and most recently, Dabur India Ltd. Known for his ability to integrate trade strategy with customer-first execution, he is expected to play a pivotal role in deepening Parag’s market reach.

    In his new role, Roy will spearhead business growth initiatives, drive execution excellence, and focus on expanding key categories. His leadership mantra-People, Process, Profit-is in line with Parag’s culture of innovation and impact-led scale.

    “We are delighted to welcome Subhodeep to the Parag family”, said Parag Milk Foods ED Akshali Shah. “His entrepreneurial mindset and deep understanding of trade and business dynamics will play a pivotal role as we scale up and deepen our market reach”.

    Aligned with Parag’s vision to deliver quality nutrition to every Indian household, Roy’s coaching-led approach empowers frontline teams to lead innovation at the ground level—a move expected to bolster agility in a fast-changing retail landscape.

    Roy’s appointment comes at a time when Parag Milk Foods is actively looking to solidify its positioning in the premium nutrition segment, scale distribution networks, and explore adjacencies in health and wellness through its core dairy portfolio.

    With him at the helm of business strategy, the company looks poised to navigate the evolving FMCG terrain with renewed focus and sharper execution.

  • R Venkatasubramanian steps down as COO of Havas Play amid ongoing restructuring

    R Venkatasubramanian steps down as COO of Havas Play amid ongoing restructuring

    MUMBAI: In a significant development within the Indian media and entertainment ecosystem, R Venkatasubramanian has stepped down as the chief operating officer of Havas Play. His departure comes amid an ongoing internal restructuring at the agency, as confirmed by Havas Media Network India CEO Mohit Joshi.

    “We are currently in the middle of a restructuring, but Venkat has decided to move on. I wish him all the best”, said Joshi in an official statement responding to the exit.

    Venkatasubramanian’s association with Havas Media spanned over six years, during which he held multiple leadership roles including president – investments and Havas Play MD, and later elevated to COO of Havas Play in May 2024. Prior to this, he played key roles across Initiative Media, MPG, and Lintas Media Group, with a two-decade-long track record of building media investment strategies and driving business transformation.

    His leadership tenure coincided with a period of rapid evolution at Havas Play, where the agency expanded its experiential, content, and sponsorship-led offerings. While the company has not named a successor, sources indicate that the restructuring may lead to a redefined leadership structure.

    Venkatasubramanian’s departure adds to a string of high-level exits across India’s media-buying industry, as agencies increasingly reorient operations toward tech-first and performance-driven models.

  • Godrej’s AI smart fridge rolls out the red velvet carpet for cooling

    Godrej’s AI smart fridge rolls out the red velvet carpet for cooling

    MUMBAI: If your fridge knew your midnight munchies were coming, would you still call it an appliance or a companion? Godrej & Boyce, the flagship of the Godrej Enterprises Group, is turning up the cool factor with the launch of its AI-powered Side-by-Side Eon Velvet refrigerators, a premium offering that’s as intuitive as it is stunning. The campaign, crafted by Creativeland Asia, isn’t just showing off another fridge, it’s showcasing a smart sidekick for your snacks, leftovers and late-night cravings.

    Running across TV, digital, social media, OOH and retail, the campaign taps into the modern Indian’s holy trinity of consumer expectations: convenience, technology, and sleek design. At the heart of the narrative is the fridge’s AI tech, which learns how often the doors are opened, adapts cooling based on what you stuff inside, and even saves energy while doing it.

    Speaking on this campaign Godrej Enterprises Group head of marketing at appliances business Swati Rathi said, “The modern Indian consumers evaluate all their purchases through the lens of convenience, technology and aesthetics and our new launch more than meets the consumer expectations on each of these fronts. With outstanding looks, inbuilt intelligence and convenience, the new Eon Velvet series is already winning consumer hearts at the stores and with the new video campaign, we are unveiling it to a wider audience.”

    The premium series is available in three eye-catching shades Opera Rose, Opera Black and Opera Blue and promises to double as both kitchen showstopper and silent workhorse. A digital touch panel, inverter compressor, and whisper-quiet cooling round out the list of features.

    From eye-level hoardings in top metros to influencer-led peeks inside these luxury coolers, the campaign aims to make a household appliance feel like a lifestyle upgrade.

    So if your fridge can now outsmart your snack habits and still match your kitchen aesthetics maybe it’s time to stop calling it “just a refrigerator.” The Eon Velvet is here, and it’s cool in every sense.

  • AI+ marks the spot Madhav Sheth drops first look of India-first phone

    AI+ marks the spot Madhav Sheth drops first look of India-first phone

     MUMBAI: Looks like India’s smartphone game is about to get a homegrown glow-up. Madhav Sheth, one of India’s most recognisable tech disruptors, has just dropped the official logo for AI+, the upcoming device from his new venture, Nxtquantum Shift Technologies. It’s not just a sleek reveal, it’s a statement of intent.

    With a philosophy rooted in India-first innovation, AI+ aims to redefine how we think about smartphones not just as devices, but as intelligent, secure and purposeful extensions of our lives.

    “For us, AI+ is more than a product; it’s a mindset,” said Nxtquantum Shift Technologies founder & CEO Madhav Sheth. “It reflects our belief that India can not only participate in the global tech ecosystem but lead it, with design and purpose that reflect how people truly live and connect.”

    While the phone and its OS are still under wraps, the logo hints at Sheth’s signature blend of ambition and intuition: futuristic but grounded, sharp but human. And perhaps most importantly built entirely in India.

    The upcoming smartphone will be available on Flipkart, with the e-commerce giant’s reach and customer insights expected to play a key role in AI+’s nationwide rollout. With this partnership, the product promises to meet users right where they are on a platform they already trust, delivering tech they didn’t know they needed.

    The full product reveal is slated for the coming months, but if the logo is anything to go by, AI+ is not just another launch, it’s a quiet disruption, set to make a loud impact.

  • Founders, not fairytales ‘startups uncensored’ gets real in Mumbai

    Founders, not fairytales ‘startups uncensored’ gets real in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: Forget the pitch decks and unicorn parades this weekend, Mumbai will hear the stories behind the startup smiles. In a refreshing break from the usual glitz of venture talk, Adgcraft Communications and HIVE8 are launching the first edition of ‘Startups Uncensored’ on Saturday, May 17, at India’s tallest co-working space in Mumbai. This bold new forum invites founders, investors, and startup insiders to talk not about valuations but vulnerabilities.

    At the heart of the session is a stellar panel: Ajinkya Bhasme (Zealopia), Arjun Vaidya (V3 Ventures), and Rahul Adap (Brovibe), with moderation by Yash Gadhade from Break Into VC and Volt VC. The conversation will delve into the psychological grind of entrepreneurship burnout, team conflict, decision fatigue, and the unsaid pressure to always ‘look successful’.

    It’s a necessary pivot. Recent data reveals that 68 per cent of Indian entrepreneurs report high stress, and over 30 per cent of startup failures are attributed not to market fit or funding drought but to co-founder fallouts and founder burnout.

    “In the global startup narrative, storytelling and effective communication are paramount. At Adgcraft, we’ve seen that startups with compelling stories not only attract investors but also build meaningful relationships with their audience. This session is about underlining that narrative,” said Adgcraft Communications founder & MD Abhinay Kumar Singh.

    “Beyond capital, startups need resilience, clarity, and a cohesive team. This session brings those unspoken truths to the surface, helping founders learn from each other’s lived experiences,” added Brovibe founder, Rahul Adap.

    “After working with countless founders, one truth stands out startups don’t fail because of bad ideas alone. They fail in the silence between co-founders, in unspoken stress, and in the pressure to appear successful. ‘Startups Uncensored’ is a space for honesty, vulnerability, and growth,” said Break Into VC founder, Himanshu Jain.

    Through unfiltered dialogue and real-life reflection, ‘Startups Uncensored’ aims to become a rare space one that acknowledges the struggle behind the spotlight, and helps entrepreneurs build not just businesses, but balance.

    No decks. No jargon. Just raw stories from the real startup trenches.

  • Boult turns up the volume on CX with Kapture integration

    Boult turns up the volume on CX with Kapture integration

    MUMBAI: In a world where every second counts, Boult Audio is making sure not a single beat is missed even in customer support. Boult Audio, one of India’s fastest-growing consumer electronics brands, has partnered with Kapture CX, a SaaS-based customer experience platform, to supercharge its customer support ecosystem. The move comes as Boult scales its operations with a sale every three seconds and over 3 crore units sold since its 2017 debut.

    With over 150 service centres across the country, the brand needed a powerful, centralised solution to handle the growing tempo of customer queries. Enter Kapture, a platform that brings together social, app, web and call support into a single dashboard, fine-tuned for today’s hyper-connected consumer.

    “As we grow at a rapid pace, ensuring seamless and efficient customer support is non-negotiable,” said Boult Audio co-founder Tarun Gupta. “Kapture CX has made a real impact across our support operations, improving productivity and creating smoother experiences for customers at every touchpoint.”

    The integration enables Boult to juggle multiple customer interactions across Instagram, Facebook, Whatsapp, Youtube, Play Store, App Store, and more all without missing a note. Thanks to automated ticketing, API-powered order tracking, and cloud telephony, customer issues now land in the right hands, with faster resolutions and fewer back-and-forths.

    “This collaboration is a milestone,” said Kapture CRO Gaurav Juneja. “Boult is a brilliant example of a brand pushing the envelope in both innovation and service. With our real-time insights, multichannel automation and agent-friendly tools, we’re excited to help them keep their CX pitch perfect.”

    From agent productivity dashboards to built-in knowledge bases and vernacular content support, Kapture equips Boult with the data and tools needed to fine-tune support in every region. Even past service records from legacy systems are carried forward ensuring that every customer story, from warranty woes to tracking troubles, stays intact.

    With this high-decibel integration, Boult Audio isn’t just selling gadgets, it’s orchestrating a symphony of support.

  • District App books big screens to steal the show off-screen

    District App books big screens to steal the show off-screen

    MUMBAI: If you’re heading to the movies in Andhra or Telangana, you might catch a new star off the screen. District App, the up-and-coming ticketing platform, has rolled out an ambitious off-screen cinema branding campaign across 40 cities, 60 theatres, and over 100 sites in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, in partnership with integrated media agency The Local Talk.

    The campaign, one of the most expansive of its kind in the region, is designed to plant the District App brand squarely in the heart of the movie-going experience-right where ticketing meets its audience. From lobby takeovers to branding near box offices, the initiative ensures that the brand appears exactly where entertainment decisions are being made.

    “Cinema has always been a powerful medium of mass engagement. For a ticketing platform like District, the cinema setting naturally aligns with their brand promise. This campaign ensures the brand is present exactly where the action begins at the box office”, said The Local Talk director Anil Soni.

    What makes this move especially strategic is the app’s laser focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where local cinema culture thrives and brand loyalty is often driven by on-ground visibility. With longer dwell times and a captive audience, cinema spaces offer a golden opportunity for deeper engagement, something digital platforms often struggle to achieve in these regions.

    The campaign also spotlights the growing trend of digital-first brands going hyperlocal to build recall in high-traffic physical environments. With the help of The Local Talk’s regional media acumen, District App is betting on the box office as a gateway to user growth.

    As the curtain rises on this bold branding move, one thing is clear District App isn’t just selling tickets, it’s staging a takeover.

  • Bureau appoints Vanita Pandey as CMO to steer global marketing and GTM strategy

    Bureau appoints Vanita Pandey as CMO to steer global marketing and GTM strategy

    MUMBAI: Identity and risk decisioning platform Bureau has appointed Vanita Pandey as its chief marketing officer to lead its global go-to-market strategy amid a phase of rapid international expansion. With more than 15 years of experience in identity, fraud prevention, and fintech marketing, Vanita joins Bureau at a pivotal time as it sharpens its global positioning post-Series B.

    Pandey steps into the role with a brief to drive high-performance GTM campaigns, build a globally consistent brand narrative, and launch product-led growth strategies across the Americas, middle east, and southeast Asia. She will work closely with Bureau’s product and sales teams to expand reach across fintech, banking, and digital-native verticals.

    “In a market where trust drives growth, clarity and narrative are strategic advantages”, said Bureau founder & CEO Ranjan R Reddy. “Vanita knows how to turn complex risk and identity challenges into stories that win customers and shape industries. Her proven ability to build demand engines will be instrumental in realising Bureau’s global vision”.

    Pandey most recently served as CMO at CAF, a digital identity company in LATAM. Her earlier stints include senior roles at Visa, Capital One, Simility (acquired by Paypal), ThreatMetrix (acquired by LexisNexis), and Arkose Labs. She is known for leading product marketing in highly regulated, growth-focused environments and scaling GTM initiatives across global markets.

    Speaking on her new role, Pandey said, “What excites me is Bureau’s mission-critical approach to scale—driven by the aim to future-proof the digital economy. I look forward to scaling a global brand that doesn’t just react to market shifts but operates ahead of them”.

    Her appointment follows Bureau’s Series B funding round led by Sorenson Capital and Paypal Ventures, and the onboarding of chief analytics & risk officer Venkat Srinivasan—both indicators of the company’s broader push to build global leadership in digital trust infrastructure.