ITV

Category: MAM

  • Uber hits the accelerator on teen independence with rides made for Gen Z

    Uber hits the accelerator on teen independence with rides made for Gen Z

    MUMBAI: When the school bell rings and the parental cab service is running late (again), Uber has now entered the chat. In a bold new move to appeal to both helicopter parents and freedom-craving teens, Uber India launched ‘Uber for Teens’ on April 2, 2025. The service now operates across 37 Indian cities, including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and even Bhubaneswar—because, let’s face it, teenagers everywhere need a lift.

    Built for those aged 13 to 17, the product is pitched as the perfect mix of parental peace of mind and teenage cool. “We recognise the unique transportation challenges faced by teenagers and their families in India,” said Uber India and South Asia president Prabhjeet Singh. “With Uber for Teens, we are committed to addressing these challenges by providing a service that parents can trust, and that teens will find easy and cool to use.”

    And Uber’s not winging this. The service comes wrapped in a triple safety bow—GPS tracking, real-time ride updates, and an in-app emergency button. Parents can monitor the entire ride, from door to destination, with the kind of surveillance previously reserved for spy movies.

    Setting it up is simple: parents invite their teen via the app, the teen adds the parent as a guardian, and voila—your teenager is now mobile, but watched like a hawk. Guardians can also book rides for their kids, turning the Uber app into the ultimate remote-control chauffeur.

    Uber backed this move with some serious homework. In a recent survey, 92 per cent of Indian parents said their teens had missed out on activities due to lack of transport. A whopping 72 per cent cited safety as their top concern. Meanwhile, 93 per cent admitted they’d happily jump on a secure rideshare option for their teens, with 64 per cent saying they’d use it regularly. And let’s be honest, they’d probably rate it five stars for convenience alone.

    Whether it’s getting to football practice, tuition class, or a BFF’s birthday bash, Uber for Teens promises a ride experience that’s teen-tested and parent-approved. For families juggling work, life, and teen drama—this might just be the app they never knew they needed.

  • Sanjeev Kulkarni appointed as VP & national sales head at Pudhari Publications

    Sanjeev Kulkarni appointed as VP & national sales head at Pudhari Publications

    MUMBAI: Sanjeev Kulkarni has been appointed as vice president & national head – sales & marketing at Pudhari Publications Pvt. Ltd. In his new role, he will spearhead sales and marketing efforts across print, television, FM, and outdoor media, focusing on expanding market presence and driving business growth.

    Kulkarni, with over 25 years of experience, previously at VRL Media served as vice president – sales, marketing & business development, publisher of Karnataka’s Vijayavani. During his 11-year tenure, he led advertising sales and brand marketing for Vijayavani, Dighvijay 24×7 News Channel, and Vijayavani.net.

    Prior to VRL, at Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. (The Times of India Group) as general manager – west head, overseeing revenue generation across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. His expertise in market expansion, innovative advertising strategies, and brand building has significantly contributed to his success in the media sector.

    Kulkarni’s journey in media sales began at VPL Printers & Publishers, where he played a pivotal role in advertising revenue growth for nearly eight years. Recognised as a team builder and market strategist, he has consistently delivered impactful client solutions, boosting revenue and market share for prominent publications.  
     

  • Debmalya Sen plugs into power as new IESA president amid green tech charge

    Debmalya Sen plugs into power as new IESA president amid green tech charge

    MUMBAI: India’s clean energy movement just got a serious upgrade. The India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) named Debmalya Sen as its new president, handing the reins to a man who knows his way around everything from green hydrogen to giga factories. With his appointment now official, IESA is doubling down on its mission to turn India into a global powerhouse for clean tech, storage solutions, and e-mobility innovation.

    And let’s just say: this isn’t Sen’s first energy rodeo. The former India lead – advanced energy solutions at the World Economic Forum has been elbow-deep in the country’s energy transformation efforts, sparring with policy, partnering with ministries, and pushing for scalable, sustainable growth.

    “With the increasing role of energy storage and clean technologies in achieving India’s net-zero goals, I look forward to driving innovation, policy support, and industry collaboration to accelerate the sector’s growth,” said Sen.

    As president, Sen now spearheads strategic initiatives, high-voltage partnerships, and regulatory lobbying to expand the footprint of battery storage, green hydrogen, and smart mobility. Backed by a 180+ strong membership base, IESA has evolved into India’s largest industry alliance across cleantech, EVs, hydrogen, renewables, and microgrids. Founded by Customized Energy Solutions in 2012, the alliance has grown into a nerve centre for energy innovation.

    “His experience in battery storage, grid modernisation, and green hydrogen development will strengthen IESA’s mission to create a sustainable and resilient energy future,” said Customized Energy Solutions India Pvt Ltd MD Vinayak Walimbe.

    IESA has more tentacles than a clean-energy octopus. Its India Battery Manufacturing & Supply Chain Council (IBMSCC) focuses on localising the supply chain for India’s upcoming giga factories. Meanwhile, the India Electric Mobility Council (IEMC) zips ahead with R&D and clean transport manufacturing. The India Green Hydrogen Council (IGHC) and Stationary Energy Storage India (SESI) Council focus on R&D and deployment for industrial use and national grid resilience.

    And that’s not all. The IESA Reuse & Recycling Council (IRRC) tackles end-of-life challenges with global best practices in battery recycling. The Startup and Innovation Initiative, meanwhile, scouts future disruptors in India and abroad looking to crack the market with breakthrough tech.

    With Sen at the helm, expect less jargon and more joules. 

  • NPCI ropes in Sohini Rajola to supercharge growth and partnerships

    NPCI ropes in Sohini Rajola to supercharge growth and partnerships

    MUMBAI: If India’s digital payments sector were a rocket, NPCI just strapped a turbo booster to its engine. On 2 April 2025, the National Payments Corporation of India appointed industry heavyweight Sohini Rajola as executive director – growth, a move that signals the organisation is gunning for scale, speed and sharper innovation.

    With two decades of experience spanning the length and breadth of banking and payments, Rajola has swapped her global briefcase at Western Union, where she served as Asia Pacific regional head, for a high-voltage mandate back home.

    Her to-do list? Massive.

    At NPCI, Rajola will lead the adoption of the corporation’s payment solutions across the nation, sharpen its product strategy, spearhead marketing innovation, and drive aggressive go-to-market tactics. She’ll also wrangle strategic alliances with banks, fintech players, regulators and government agencies. If it has a PIN code and a payment gateway, chances are she’s involved.

    “Sohini brings with her a wealth of experience in the payments and digital banking space. Her expertise will be invaluable in leading forward-thinking initiatives and driving innovative technical solutions to address both current and future market demands. We are confident that she will play a key role in advancing our mission to provide secure, seamless digital payment solutions for all. We welcome Sohini to the NPCI Group,” said NPCI MD & CEO Dilip Asbe.

    Rajola’s past includes heavyweight stints at Axis Bank, where she headed digital banking and cards, and a proven track record of navigating the complex corridors of digital transformation in the financial sector. Her return to India’s payment backbone couldn’t be more timely, as NPCI scales its solutions beyond borders and further entrenches UPI and RuPay into daily life.

    With Rajola now in the cockpit, expect more firepower from India’s payments mothership.

     

  • Bishwajeet Samal drives back to India to take the wheel at Volkswagen

    Bishwajeet Samal drives back to India to take the wheel at Volkswagen

    MUMBAI: In the breakneck world of auto branding, one man just took a U-turn—with flair. Bishwajeet Samal, the marketing maestro with nearly two decades of strategy-fuelled acceleration across global marquees, has returned to Indian turf as the new head of marketing & PR at Volkswagen India. And let’s just say—he’s not parking gently.

    Announced in April 2025, this move marks Samal’s homecoming after a four year stint at the Wolfsburg HQ where he drove Volkswagen’s global media engine like a high-performance ID.7 on the Autobahn. His resume reads like a greatest hits of automotive communication: global brand campaigns, electric vehicle launches, joint business deals with digital behemoths like Google and Meta, and a knack for turning media chaos into KPI gold.

    Before swapping currywurst for curry once again, Samal held the role of global lead – campaigns & media management at Volkswagen, where he handled 360-degree integrated campaigns for icons like the Tiguan, Golf, and the all-new Tayron. He also led global media strategy, orchestrated agency pitches, and advised regional markets from Europe to India and Russia. Now he’s back to do what he does best—shift Indian brand narratives into top gear.

    “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as head of marketing & PR at Volkswagen India!” Samal shared on Linkedin, with all the calm of a man who has helmed marketing for the world’s second-largest car manufacturer.

    This isn’t his first lap around the VW India circuit. From 2018 to 2020, he already wore the marketing crown, implementing brand transformations and ROI-rich strategies while juggling PR, CRM, digital, and retail like a marketing octopus. Even before that, he held key regional media roles and was instrumental in Volkswagen’s brand entry into the Indian market.

    Samal’s return to the Indian division comes at a pivotal moment. As Volkswagen looks to redefine its market strategy in a fiercely competitive automotive landscape, having a globe-trotting strategist at the helm could be the turbocharged push the brand needs.

    From spearheading the company’s IPL campaigns in its early India innings to commanding boardroom tables in Wolfsburg, Samal has driven both reach and relevance. Now he’s back on native soil—helmet off, sleeves rolled—and ready to hit the gas.

     

  • Colgate plants the seed of hygiene with Indianis Dentris flower campaign

    Colgate plants the seed of hygiene with Indianis Dentris flower campaign

    MUMBAI: Some campaigns whisper. This one smacked Mumbai across the face with a floral flourish. Colgate-Palmolive India has launched a campaign that’s equal parts science fair, social experiment, and solid marketing theatre. Dubbed the ‘Indianis Dentris,’ it’s a flower you didn’t know you needed to fear—because it’s made from your overused toothbrush.

    Over five days in March, Mumbai’s Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo was quietly hijacked by Colgate’s marketing imagination. Unsuspecting visitors were drawn to what appeared to be high-definition botanical panels showcasing a stunning new floral species.

    Latin name? Indianis Dentris.

    National pride? Implied.

    Scientific description? Convincing.

    What it really was? A close-up of your toothbrush head after six months of denial and dental negligence.

    “Breaking through consumer inertia wasn’t easy. The biggest challenge wasn’t awareness, it was action,” said Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited EVP-marketing, Gunjit Jain. “People know they should replace their toothbrush regularly, but they don’t. We had to break that cycle, not with facts alone, but with an experience that made them feel the urgency.”

    Colgate’s stunt turned stale hygiene habits into blooming horror. The campaign highlighted one uncomfortable truth: millions of Indians hold onto their toothbrushes long after their bristles wave the white flag. The flower was more than symbolism. It was a dirty mirror held up to a national habit.

    “A flower truly rooted in Indian culture, the Indianis Dentris is as Indian as it gets. More than a just a symbolic flower, it’s the portrait of a national habit. Reflecting on the behaviour that needs change,” the brand explained.

    WPP@CP executive creative director Juneston Mathana said, “The real task was making them experience the realization for themselves. Once they made the connection, the behaviour shift was how we set out to achieve.”

    Through macro photography, museum-style placards, and cheeky pseudo-science, Colgate didn’t just push a product—it staged a public intervention. The Indianis Dentris didn’t just bloom in Mumbai, it seeded conversations everywhere from kitchen tables to dental clinics.

  • Ajay Khurana takes the wheel at ECL Finance to drive MSME lending shift

    Ajay Khurana takes the wheel at ECL Finance to drive MSME lending shift

    MUMBAI: ECL Finance has just swapped gears in its leadership engine. As of 1 April 2025, Ajay K. Khurana officially took charge as managing director, armed with four decades of no-nonsense banking muscle and a mandate to turbocharge the company’s pivot to MSME lending. Following the Reserve Bank of India’s nod, ECL has pulled the trigger on a leadership move that blends governance grit with digital flair.

    Khurana isn’t just another pinstripe suit in a boardroom. With heavyweight stints at Bank of Baroda, Syndicate Bank and Vijaya Bank, he’s been elbows-deep in consumer banking, risk management and digital transformation. He’s also no stranger to shaping the financial plumbing of the country, having served on boards like NPCI and Indo Zambia Bank, and chaired Baroda Global Shared Services and Baroda Sun Technologies to push tech-led banking upgrades.

    ECL Finance is currently steering its strategy away from its old-school wholesale roots. Over the last five years, the company slashed its wholesale lending book by a staggering 85 per cent and trimmed its debt by 80 per cent, opting instead for a leaner, cleaner, retail-focused model. Now, it’s going all-in on asset-light MSME lending, betting on agility over bulk.

    With Khurana at the helm, the game plan is clear: scale sustainably, innovate boldly, and bring some digital dazzle to the often-boring world of finance. And given his track record, it looks like ECL Finance may finally be ready to play offence rather than just defence.

     

  • Caratlane unveils celestial-inspired Sol and Luna festive collections

    Caratlane unveils celestial-inspired Sol and Luna festive collections

    MUMBAI: Caratlane – A Tata Product, has launched two celestial-inspired festive collections, Sol & Luna, capturing the essence of new beginnings with stunning craftsmanship in gold and diamonds. Timed perfectly for regional new years and Akshaya Tritiya, these collections symbolise prosperity, transformation, and timeless elegance.

    Caratlane, CEO & MD Saumen Bhaumik, shared his excitement, “At Caratlane, we’re committed to making stunning jewellery. This festive season, we’re bringing 2 distinct collections – Sol and Luna, deeply symbolic of blending celestial grandeur embraced with prosperity and auspiciousness. Sol, the dawn of your brilliance is a tribute to new beginnings and endless possibilities. Inspired by the moon’s ever-changing beauty, Luna is a tribute to every phase of you. These collections perfectly reflect our vision of high-jewellery craftsmanship and everyday elegance, designed to be effortlessly wearable at accessible price points.”

    Sol – Crafted in 18KT yellow gold, SIFG diamonds, and special-cut yellow gemstones, Sol draws inspiration from the golden hues of sunrise, symbolising the brilliance of fresh opportunities.

    Luna – Reflecting the ever-changing phases of the moon, Luna’s intricate diamond-studded 18KT gold designs embody elegance, resilience, and transformation.

    Caratlane  is ensuring a high-impact debut for Sol and Luna, leveraging its IPL associate sponsorship with Star Sports HD and JioHotstar to showcase its designs to millions. The campaign is further amplified through strategic OOH placements and newspaper ads across The Times of India network.

    Starting from Rs 20,000, the Sol and Luna collections are now available online at Caratlane  stores, and via the brand’s Try-at-home service. As part of a limited-time festive offer, customers will receive a 0.5gm gold coin on every Rs 30,000 purchase.

    With its celestial-inspired brilliance, Caratlane’s Sol and Luna collections are set to redefine festive jewellery this season.

  • V-Mart stitches up a strong Q4 finish as revenue jumps 17 per cent year-on-year

    V-Mart stitches up a strong Q4 finish as revenue jumps 17 per cent year-on-year

    MUMBAI: V-Mart Retail Ltd wrapped up the fourth quarter of FY25 with a decent tailwind, reporting a 17 per cent year-on-year surge in total revenue, proving that affordable fashion can still cash in during uncertain times. The retailer’s revenue from operations touched Rs. 780 crore for the quarter ended 31 March 2025, up from Rs. 669 crore in Q4 of the previous year.

    While V-Mart strutted forward with an 18 per cent growth rate, its digital acquisition, Limeroad, stumbled. The online marketplace saw a 47 per cent revenue drop for the quarter and a 42 per cent decline over the full fiscal year, raking in just Rs 8 crore in Q4. It contributed commission income based on Rs 23 crore in net merchandising value, but the numbers looked more couture crash than runway revival.

    Same-store sales growth (SSSG) gave the company something to cheer about, clocking in at eight per cent for the quarter. V-Mart stores delivered seven per cent, while its southern counterpart Unlimited spun out 10 per cent. Annual SSSG stood at 11 per cent, with total yearly revenue (excluding Limeroad) jumping 18 per cent to Rs 3,213 crore from Rs 2,714 crore in FY24.

    Store expansion was also on full throttle. In Q4 alone, V-Mart opened 13 new stores and shut down four, keeping the footprint fresh. The new outlets popped up in familiar heartlands like Uttar Pradesh (four), Bihar (two), and Jharkhand (two), while also tapping into fresh territory across West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu with one store each.

    Year-to-date, the company has launched 62 new stores and closed nine, pushing the grand total to 497 stores across India as of 31 March 2025. Not bad for a retail chain navigating changing consumer moods and an increasingly digital economy.

    For those tracking the numbers, keep in mind: all revenue figures remain provisional, pending review by statutory auditors.

     

  • Hypothesis gets a green charge as Ather Energy plugs into influencer power

    Hypothesis gets a green charge as Ather Energy plugs into influencer power

    MUMBAI: In a move juicier than your average EV battery, Hypothesis by Only Much Louder (OML) has bagged the influencer marketing mandate for Ather Energy, the electric two-wheeler brand that has quietly become the cool kid in India’s EV block. As of 2 April 2025, Hypothesis has been officially tasked with revving up Ather’s digital engine by using data-fuelled creativity and influencer-first storytelling that targets Gen Z and millennial petrolheads-turned-EV-fanatics.

    This isn’t just another hashtag-happy campaign. Hypothesis is bringing its high-octane, AI-powered tech stack to the table. With over 108 campaigns, 1,875 creators, 2.9 billion views and 131 million engagements under its belt, it’s clear this isn’t their first digital rodeo. The mandate gives them the wheel to design thumb-stopping content that spreads across social and video platforms like wildfire—and with Ather’s ambitious growth trajectory, this is more than just branding fluff.

    “The influencer ecosystem in India has transformed into a powerful medium for digital marketing, and we’re excited to tap into this space with Hypothesis by OML. Their expertise in blending data and creativity aligns perfectly with our goals, and we’re eager to see the impact of this collaboration on our brand’s journey,” said Ather Energy head public relations and govt. relations, Murali Sashidharan.

    OML CEO Tusharr Kumar added, “In today’s crowded digital landscape, crafting authentic narratives is more important than ever. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Ather Energy, a brand that embodies innovation, to create campaigns that deeply engage audiences and build a loyal community.”

    For those still stuck in billboard-era brand building, here’s the newsflash: today’s consumer trusts creators more than companies. With Hypothesis in the driver’s seat, Ather aims to plug into that sentiment, creating community-led, culturally-relevant campaigns that actually land with their target audience.

    The brief? Cut through the noise with creator-first strategies, smart data, and stories that feel less like ads and more like scrolling gold. And if you’re worried about ROI, don’t be—Hypothesis was built to solve influencer marketing’s biggest headaches: mismatched creators, data blackholes, and the dreaded spreadsheet chaos.

    With this new partnership, Ather Energy isn’t just riding the EV wave—it’s looking to own the content highway too. And with OML’s Hypothesis navigating, expect some powerful, eco-conscious brand storytelling that’s more ‘real talk’ and less ‘corporate mumbo jumbo’.