Category: MAM

  • Aditi Kothari Desai takes the reins at DSP Asset Managers

    Aditi Kothari Desai takes the reins at DSP Asset Managers

    MUMBAI:  Aditi Kothari Desai has been named chairperson of DSP Asset Managers, stepping into the top job from her father, Hemendra Kothari, who has led the firm since its inception in 1996. Aditi, the fifth-generation custodian of the Kothari family’s financial empire, is also the first woman to lead the firm.

    With over 20 years of experience across investments, sales, marketing and digital transformation, Aditi started her career in investment banking at Merrill Lynch, New York. She joined DSP Asset Managers in 2002 and has since spearheaded the firm’s domestic growth strategy, founded its international business, and driven digital transformation. She also chairs DSP’s fintech arm, Compound Express.

    A Wharton graduate with an MBA from Harvard, Aditi is determined to uphold DSP’s legacy. “I am honored to take on this responsibility and continue building on our AMC’s legacy. This transition is simply a continuation of the same long-term thinking and investor-first philosophy that has defined DSP’s journey for over 160 years, and I intend to continue our endeavor to make a difference to and elevate as many lives as we can. We are one of the few fully independent family-run firms among India’s top 10 asset managers, and our family continues to invest its own public fund capital into the very funds we manage which speaks to our deep conviction and accountability,” she elaborated.

    Her father, Hemendra Kothari,  a towering figure in India’s financial sector, is confident in her leadership.  Said he: “It has been a privilege to lead DSP Asset Managers since its inception. While I am passing the baton to my dear daughter Aditi, I feel proud to see our family’s legacy continue with a visionary leader who embodies the values of reputation, integrity, and high standards that have guided us for generations. Our unwavering commitment to these principles has been the cornerstone of our success, and I am confident that Aditi will uphold these traditions while leading the firm into a new era of innovation, digitization and growth.” 

  • Fortune Soya Chunks unites Sourav Ganguly and chef Sanjyot Keer

    Fortune Soya Chunks unites Sourav Ganguly and chef Sanjyot Keer

    MUMBAI: Fortune Soya Chunks, has launched a one-of-a-kind video conversation featuring cricket icon Sourav Ganguly and renowned chef Sanjyot Keer.

    The 45-minute digital film dives into Ganguly’s personal journey, blending food, memories, and the power of nutrition—especially protein’s role in both athletic and everyday life.

    AWL Agri Business Ltd head – media & digital marketing Jignesh Shah, shared, “This video is not only outstanding, it also represents more than just a conversation. It’s a celebration of nutrition, versatility, and the powerful stories that connect food with achievement. As a rich source of protein, Fortune Soya Chunks embodies the spirit of eating healthy with a hatke twist. Through this remarkable interaction with Ganguly, we highlight how nutrition can fuel both sporting excellence and everyday life. As we celebrate 25 years of Fortune, this video reinforces our commitment to offering meaningful, inspiring content that resonates with Indian households.”

    Far from a standard celebrity campaign, the film offers an intimate, relatable perspective on Ganguly’s life through the lens of cuisine—paired with Keer’s culinary expertise and personal reflections.

    Ganguly noted, “Nutrition has always been a cornerstone of my career. Staying fit on and off the field is essential, and I believe food plays a huge part in that. It’s an honour to be a part of this conversation with Fortune Soya Chunks. These chunks are not only healthy, but also versatile enough to be part of any meal, whether it’s a quick snack or a special dish shared with loved ones.”

    As a protein-rich and highly adaptable ingredient, Fortune Soya Chunks are designed for both athletes and health-focused consumers, with dishes spanning from traditional Indian to global fusion. This echoes the brand’s philosophy of ‘Banao Kuchh Hatke’ reimagining everyday meals with health and flair.
     

  • Crompton’s eyes shut & trust campaign makes a cool case for air coolers

    Crompton’s eyes shut & trust campaign makes a cool case for air coolers

    MUMBAI:  When it comes to beating the heat, India doesn’t sweat the choice—it’s Crompton, eyes shut or at least that’s what the brand would like us to believe. The brand’s latest campaign, aankh band karke le lo, plays on trust as its air coolers promise  jaldi cooling, delivering an instant summer escape.

    With temperatures set to soar—India’s meteorological department warns of a sizzling season—consumers are likely to be on the hunt for fast, effective cooling. Crompton, India’s No 1 brand in fans and residential pumps, knows a thing or two about airflow. Its air coolers, powered by top-notch engineering, are built to take the heat head-on.
     

    Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd  CMO Tanmay Prusty said,: “Every summer brings its own set of challenges, with soaring temperatures making it essential for consumers to find a cooling solution they can trust. Dependable cooling is more than just a luxury, it’s a necessity. Fan and  pumps are the heart of any air cooler and as India’s No. 1 brand in this area, we don’t just understand cooling; we perfect it. Backed by our expertise in airflow technology, Crompton air coolers are designed to deliver powerful, long-lasting performance, even in peak summer. Our latest campaign, aankh bandh karke le lo, embodies the deep trust that generations of consumers have placed in Crompton— knowing that they can depend on us with absolute confidence. Through this campaign, we celebrate the assurance that comes with a brand that consistently delivers on its promise. With the refreshing power of jaldi cooling, Crompton air coolers ensure a cooling experience so reliable that it needs no second thought.”

    The ad film cleverly dramatises this blind faith. A couple, braving the summer sun, spots people everywhere buying Crompton air coolers—eyes shut, radiating calm. Their curiosity leads them to a store, where a salesman delivers the clincher: “India ke No.1 fans aur pumps ka bharosa hai… aankh band karke le lo.” 

    Cut to their home, basking in the cool breeze, eyes closed in pure bliss.

    BBDO India  chairperson & CCO Josy Paul said, “Our task was to drive awareness for Crompton in the air coolers category. The challenge was to rise above the noise of ‘sameness’ in the category, while building on our current proposition of jaldi cooling. We focused on the one thing that differentiates Crompton from the others – we are the leading players and expert in fans and residential pumps with a legacy of over eight  decades. It was about Crompton’s expertise coupled with their time-tested trust. From these core values was born our creative idea – you can buy our air coolers with your eyes closed.”

    Airing across TV, digital, print, OOH, and cinemas, the campaign makes one thing clear: when it’s cooling, it’s Crompton—no peeking required.

  • VIP Clothing zips into quick commerce with Zepto

    VIP Clothing zips into quick commerce with Zepto

    MUMBAI:  VIP Clothing, one of India’s top innerwear brands, is getting snug in the quick-commerce space by launching its premium range on Zepto. Shoppers can now snap up Frenchie, Feelings, and VIP with just a few taps, enjoying rapid doorstep delivery.

    Zepto chief business officer Devendra Meel called it a perfect fit. “We’re thrilled to have VIP Clothing on board. Our Sellers goal has always been to provide users with fast and reliable access to daily essentials,
    and this partnership enhances that mission. Thanks to our sellers for enabling this. With VIP’s premium
    innerwear now available on Zepto, we are confident that users will enjoy the ease of shopping for their
    favourite products with just a few clicks.”

    VIP Clothing chairman & managing director Sunil J. Pathare said, “We are looking forward to our partnership with Zepto, as it represents a significant step towards enhancing the shopping experience. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our vision of making high?quality innerwear easily accessible—whenever and wherever our customers need it. As we expand into quick commerce, we look forward to reaching more consumers and providing them with the efficiency and convenience they need for their everyday purchases.”

    After a successful launch on Swiggy Instamart, VIP Clothing is doubling down on digital, adapting to modern shopping habits. With Zepto’s lightning-fast network, the brand is set to reach consumers across Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, and Chennai.

    As VIP Clothing rethreads its retail strategy, blending digital and physical stores, the message is clear: convenience is king, and getting premium innerwear is now faster than ever.

  • Coolberg pops the lid off convention with fizzy campaign for Gen Z rebels

    Coolberg pops the lid off convention with fizzy campaign for Gen Z rebels

    MUMBAI: Crack open a cold one with no rules attached. Coolberg, India’s favourite non-alcoholic beer brand, is shaking up the beverage aisle and the status quo with its new campaign, “No Rules, Just Cool.” A celebration of everything unapologetically Gen Z, the campaign invites India’s youth to drop the labels, ditch the expectations, and sip on their own terms.

    Whether you’re breaking free from a bad breakup or just breaking the mould, Coolberg wants you to know that the best rebound isn’t a person it’s a mindset. Kicking off with cheeky relationship advice and rolling out across digital platforms like Snapchat, Spotify, Meta, and OTT channels, the campaign is every bit as quirky and unfiltered as the generation it speaks to.

    Commenting on the campaign, Ghodawat Consumer Limited, head of marketing, Shubham Shukla said, “Coolberg is the ultimate drink for Gen Z as it’s fun, inclusive and unique. With No Rules, Just Cool, our objective is to align with the evolving mindset of Gen Z, a generation that values authenticity, individuality, and freedom of expression. This campaign kicks off with a quirky take on relationship advice, a reminder that the best rebounds aren’t people, they’re powerful mindset shifts. At Coolberg, we are not just making a drink but building a brand that resonates with today’s youth culture.”

    And the numbers fizz louder than ever. Since its acquisition by Ghodawat Consumer Limited in 2022, Coolberg has gone from cool to cooler. Now available in over 50,000 outlets across 150 cities, the brand has even made its way to 15 plus international markets. It’s not uncommon to spot Coolberg alongside your burger and fries at KFC, Barbeque Nation, or Wow Momos, and it’s just a few clicks away on Zepto, Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, Flipkart Minutes, and Amazon.

    With a flavour profile as bold as its branding, Coolberg is serving up more than a sip, it’s serving a cultural reset. So the next time you crack open a bottle, remember: the only rule is to be cool.
     

  • Sahibandhu becomes Manipal Fintech amid gold credit boom

    Sahibandhu becomes Manipal Fintech amid gold credit boom

    MUMBAI: Sahibandhu, has officially rebranded as Manipal Fintech Pvt. Ltd. The transformation reflects the company’s sharpened focus on delivering future-ready, technology-led financial solutions at scale.

    The rebrand comes at a time when demand for gold-backed credit is on the rise across India. Manipal Fintech aims to tap into this momentum while expanding into adjacent financial services, targeting underserved regions, and investing in next-gen fintech infrastructure.

    Manipal Fintech CEO Puja Singh shared, “The transition to Manipal Fintech is more than a rebranding, it is a reflection of the evolution we have undergone as a company and the future we are committed to building. Over the years, we have earned the trust of customers and banking partners by delivering transparent, secure, and seamless gold loan services. With this transformation, we are scaling our efforts to make finance more accessible, seamless, and secure for every Indian. Backed by the Manipal Group’s legacy of trust, we are positioned to lead the next phase of financial innovation, delivering long-term value to customers and partners.”

    Having built a strong ecosystem for gold-backed lending in partnership with major Indian banks, the company now sets its sights on broadening its reach and deepening its impact with smarter, faster, and more inclusive financial offerings.

    The new identity also brings a fresh visual presence. The logo features a bird forming the letter ‘M’ symbolising financial freedom and upward progress. A blue gradient signifies digital agility, while the gold gradient reflects trust and long-term value creation.
     

  • Affle gets regulatory clearance for rebranding to Affle 3i

    Affle gets regulatory clearance for rebranding to Affle 3i

    MUMBAI: Adtech and martech firm Affle has marked its third decade with a rechristening and a bold leap into AI-driven advertising. The rebranding to Affle 3i officially went into effect today with  approval from the registrar of companies,  ministry of corporate affairs. Earlier in April, an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders had given the management the go-ahead to rename the firm. Affle 3i informed the Bombay stock exchange (BSE)  about the official name change today.

    Earlier this week the company held a  glitzy summit at the BSE where it showcased its “Power of 3i” vision to investors and clients.  The “3i” pillars—innovation, impact, and intelligence—were the stars of the show. Affle 3i demonstrated OpticksAI, a system capable of delivering hyper-personalised, real-time consumer experiences, powered by advanced AI. It s also highlighted its AI integration across connected TV (CTV) advertising, aiming to democratise the platform and boost ROI.

    But the real showstopper was Affle’s live demonstration of 100 AI agents, showcasing what the company calls  “active and authentic intelligence.” This, it claims, builds on the company’s formidable intellectual property, including 15 Indian patents and two US patents related to AI-driven experiences, filed well before the generative AI craze.

    Affle 3i chairperson, managing director, & chief executive officer  Anuj Khanna Sohum said the company’s vision is to “invoke the power of 3i” for intelligence that goes beyond efficiency. The aim is to scale from targeted creatives to millions of dynamic, personalised experiences, driven by “authentic, actionable, and augmented intelligence.”

    Chief architect & technology officer Charles Yong added that digital advertising is ripe for generative AI adoption. Affle 3i’s AI agents, he claimed, will streamline workflows and meet the demand for real-time, personalised content.

    In a flourish, Affle 3i also snagged records from the Asia Book of Records and the India Book of Records for the first-ever “Live Intelligence in Action” presentation at the BSE, proving the ad tech firm is not just talking the talk, it is walking the AI-powered walk. This rebranding and AI push signals Affle 3i’s intent to dominate the future of digital advertising, and it is not pulling any punches.

  • Yum Brands adds flavour to tech with Manish Jain at the India GCC helm

    Yum Brands adds flavour to tech with Manish Jain at the India GCC helm

    MUMBAI: A tech topping on a global pizza, Yum! Brands is stirring the pot in India with a spicy leadership update. The parent company of KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Habit Burger & Grill has appointed Manish Jain to lead its digital and technology (D&T) India Global Capability Centre (GCC).

    Jain will take charge of Yum!’s India-based digital operations and shared services, bringing to the table over two decades of experience spanning the US, Malaysia and India. He will report directly to James Watts, chief people officer, Yum! digital & technology.

    Yum!’s D&T India GCC is a crucial cog in the company’s global engine, tasked with building tech solutions and supporting services across all Yum! brands. Jain’s appointment marks a strategic step forward in reinforcing India’s position as a digital powerhouse for the global quick-service restaurant (QSR) giant.

    “I am honored to take on this role and excited to help build the India Global Capability Centre in support of Yum! Brands’ strategy for good growth and its goal to be an employer of choice in the region,” Manish Jain said.

    Before joining Yum!, Jain served as service director for the Asia-Pacific region and India country head at Getronics International, overseeing customer success and shared services. He was also the founding director of BT Group’s Global Business Services unit in India, where he spent over 10 years scaling operations from the ground up.

    With Jain at the helm, Yum! Brands aims to not just scale digitally but serve up innovation with a side of world-class culture. His appointment is expected to bolster the GCC’s ambitions in tech development and shared services, reinforcing India’s growing influence in global operations.

  • Creativefuel scoops up Missmalini for Rs 6 crore

    Creativefuel scoops up Missmalini for Rs 6 crore

    MUMBAI: In the world of content queens and digital clout, the original ‘blogger-to-brand’ icon has just switched sides. Missmalini Entertainment – the sparkly pioneer of India’s celeb-and-lifestyle blog boom – is now officially part of the Creativefuel empire.

    Price tag?

    A cool Rs 6 crore.

    Sass?

    Still intact.

    Creativefuel, the marketing and content agency run by brothers Nikhil and Tushar Sukhramani, has been on a buying spree like an influencer with a fresh credit card. The latest in their cart? The domain and social media assets of Missmalini, once the glittering jewel in the Good Glamm Group’s content crown.

    “Missmalini has long been a cultural touchstone in India’s digital storytelling space. Bringing it into our fold allows us to amplify its voice and legacy in new ways,” said a senior executive from Creativefuel.

    Under the deal, Good Glamm Group keeps the talent management vertical while parting ways with the brand’s core online presence. Essentially, Creativefuel gets the stage and the spotlight – GGG keeps the backstage crew.

    Missmalini Entertainment was founded in 2008 by Malini Agarwal and shot to stardom by blogging Hindi cinema before Hindi cinema knew what blogging was. GGG bought it in 2021 as part of its multi-brand content strategy – but with rising pressure to cut the fat, they’re now selling off the family silver.

    This is not an isolated event. GGG, once the unicorn strutting in sequins, has been quietly divesting. It’s already sold Sirona back to its founders, waved goodbye to Scoopwhoop, and exited its sneaker fantasy, 7-10.

    Rumours swirl that Organic Harvest and The Moms Co. are next on the auction block.

    Meanwhile, the group is reportedly raising Rs 150–240 crore at a drastically slashed valuation—down from $1.26 billion to a humbling sub-$120 million. Ouch.

    But for Creativefuel, it’s all opportunity and optimism. This move follows their recent pick-ups—Youtube channels Hasley India and Pataakha – positioning them as serious players in the ‘digital entertainment multiverse’.

    Their game? Build a media house that dances across platforms and demographics, blending viral with viable.

    Missmalini’s portfolio comes with strong verticals like Girl Tribe, Ignite Edge, Agent M, MM Studios and of course, its juicy celeb gossip heritage. Add Creativefuel’s marketing chops, and you’ve got a cocktail with brand equity, nostalgia, and serious monetisation mojo.

  • Britannia Nutrichoice unveils bold new look with Face the Facts campaign

    Britannia Nutrichoice unveils bold new look with Face the Facts campaign

    MUMBAI: Britannia Nutrichoice is shaking things up on supermarket shelves with its bold new ‘Face the Facts’ campaign a refreshing take on snacking that’s as honest as it gets.

    The brand’s revamped packaging throws pretence out the window, confidently declaring, ‘We’re a cookie, and proud of it!’ No exaggerated health halos or super food comparisons just a whole wheat, high fibre snack you can actually enjoy without second guessing.

    Conceptualised by Lowe Lintas, the campaign embraces transparency and a straight talking approach, setting a new tone for mindful indulgence without guilt tripping consumers into unrealistic expectations.

    Britannia Industries Ltd. general manager, marketing Archana Balaraman stated, “Our Face the Facts campaign goes beyond a simple visual update. It is about opening a clear and direct dialogue with our consumers. The new Nutrichoice packaging is a reflection of our honest approach it sets the tone right from the first glance, without dressing things up. We want to empower consumers with knowledge, allowing them to confidently incorporate our cookies into their daily snack time.”

    Lowe Lintas president (creative), Vasudha Misra added, “With this packaging refresh, we wanted to cut through the noise and simply put the truth out there. It’s about empowering our consumers with clear information, so they can feel good about enjoying a Britannia Nutrichoice with their daily chai.”

    By embracing clarity and rejecting gimmicks, Britannia Nutrichoice celebrates the simple joy of snacking no filters, just facts.