ITV

Category: MAM

  • Som Distilleries to establish Rs 600 crore facility in Uttar Pradesh

    Som Distilleries to establish Rs 600 crore facility in Uttar Pradesh

    MUMBAI: Som Distilleries and Breweries Ltd has announced plans for a significant expansion into Uttar Pradesh through its subsidiary, Woodpecker Greenagri Nutrients Pvt Ltd.

    The company will invest approximately Rs 600 crores  to develop a greenfield project in Khimsepur, Farrukhabad district. The integrated facility will include a brewery, distillery, and additional manufacturing operations.

    The Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA) has allocated a 40-acre land parcel for the project. Construction is expected to commence following regulatory approvals from the state government.
    In a disclosure to stock exchanges, the company noted that this expansion into Uttar Pradesh—India’s most populous state—represents a strategic move to establish a truly nationwide presence. The company cited the state’s size, demographics, and business-friendly industrial policies as key factors behind the investment decision.

    Som Distilleries, known for brands including Hunter beer and Black Fort whisky, has historically maintained a strong presence in central India. This new facility marks its most significant expansion into northern India to date.

  • Fintech POP appoints Navi’s Pancholi to head engineering

    Fintech POP appoints Navi’s Pancholi to head engineering

    MUMBAI: POP, the fintech startup targeting young Indian consumers, has appointed Chandresh Pancholi as its new head of engineering and product.

    Pancholi joins from Navi, where he served as director of engineering, leading a 90-person team that helped propel the company’s UPI payment application from 12th to 4th position in India’s competitive digital payments market.

    During his tenure at Navi, he oversaw several key initiatives including the development of a credit line on UPI with Karnataka Bank and a central abuse detection platform for UPI reward systems.

    Prior to Navi, Pancholi held technical leadership positions at Paytm and Flipkart, building considerable experience in India’s e-commerce and financial technology sectors.

    POP, founded in 2023 by former Flipkart executives, offers a rewards-based payment ecosystem where users earn “POPcoins” worth Rs 1 each for transactions made through its platform. The company is backed by India Quotient and several angel investors from the consumer internet sector.

    At POP, Pancholi will be responsible for scaling the company’s technical infrastructure and developing new product features as the startup attempts to challenge established players in India’s increasingly crowded digital payments market.

  • Jyothy Labs launches fabric care and insecticide products

    Jyothy Labs launches fabric care and insecticide products

    MUMBAI: Jyothy Labs, the Indian FMCG company, has expanded its product lineup with three new offerings across its fabric care and household insecticide categories, stepping up competition in these fiercely contested market segments.

    The company has introduced Ujala  Young & Fresh as the latest addition to its well-established Ujala fabric care range. The new product enters India’s competitive fabric care market, estimated at over Rs 20,000 crore, where Jyothy Labs has maintained a strong position despite intense rivalry from heavyweights such as Hindustan Unilever’s Surf Excel and Procter & Gamble’s Ariel. Ujala has historically dominated the fabric whitener segment while expanding into detergents in recent years.

    In the household insecticide category, Jyothy Labs has launched two specialized variants of its Maxo Knockout Spray – one formulated specifically for mosquitoes and flies, and another targeting cockroaches. These products enter a market currently dominated by SC Johnson’s All Out and Reckitt Benckiser’s Mortein, with Godrej’s Hit brand also commanding significant market share. The household insecticide market in India has seen steady growth amid increasing health consciousness and vector-borne disease concerns.

    The launches come as part of Jyothy Labs’ strategy to strengthen its presence in key household categories through product differentiation, as the company seeks to maintain its competitive edge in a sector where multinational corporations continue to increase their marketing investments.

    The company, which also owns brands such as Margo, Exo, and Pril, aims to leverage its strong distribution network, particularly in rural areas, to challenge its larger competitors through targeted innovations in these essential household categories.

     

  • From corporate boardroom to marathon podium: Kavita Chand’s extraordinary transformation

    From corporate boardroom to marathon podium: Kavita Chand’s extraordinary transformation

    MUMBAI: In the pre-dawn chill of New Delhi, as most of the city slept, Kavita Chand crossed the finish line of the New Delhi Marathon on 23 February 2025 with the timer reading 1:39:52—finally breaking the elusive 100-minute barrier for the half marathon distance. The achievement earned her a gold medal in her age category and marked a personal best by two minutes, but for Chand, it represented something far more significant: validation of one of the boldest decisions of her life.

    “Finally sub 100 half marathon… Podium gold in age category. Gratitude always,” Chand shared in a characteristically understated social media post that belied the magnitude of her journey from corporate executive to competitive athlete.

    Just seven months earlier, Chand had walked away from her position as vice president of media at Kantar, where she had built an impressive 11-year career. The Mumbai-based media professional had previously held prestigious positions at Lintas Media Group, MEC, and Madison Communications, where she specialized in strategic planning and new business development. Her corporate trajectory had been steady and successful—the kind many professionals aspire to.

    But beneath the surface of her corporate success, Chand had been nurturing a growing passion for distance running. What began as early morning runs to manage workplace stress gradually evolved into a serious pursuit. Colleagues recall her meticulous training schedules wedged between business meetings and her occasional disappearances during lunch breaks for quick training sessions.

    “Kavita always brought the same intensity to her running as she did to client presentations,” recalls a former colleague from Kantar. “There was a methodical precision to everything she did—whether analysing media metrics or planning her marathon training splits.”

    The decision to leave the corporate world wasn’t made lightly. After competing in  several marathon runswhile balancing her demanding career, Chand began to question whether she could reach her full athletic potential while devoting most of her energy to media strategy. In July 2024, she made the leap, trading boardroom presentations for full-time training.

    “It wasn’t a decision I made lightly,” Chand revealed in a rare interview with a running magazine. “I had financial considerations, career implications, and honestly, plenty of self-doubt. But I kept coming back to one question: ‘When I’m eighty, which will I regret more—not becoming a CMO or not discovering my potential as an athlete?’”

    The results have been remarkable. Since focusing exclusively on her athletic career, Chand has competed in races across India and globally, steadily improving her times and building a reputation in distance running circles. Coaches note her analytical approach to training—the same skills that once helped her develop media strategies now applied to understanding lactate thresholds and optimizing recovery periods.

    By November 2024, the reinvention began showing results. At the Bengaluru Half Marathon, she clocked 1:41:45, winning silver in her category. December brought a personal best in Pune at 1:40:58.

    Throughout this period, Chand supplemented her running with high-altitude treks in the Himalayas, laying groundwork for her mountaineering aspirations. Weekend excursions to elevations above 10,000 feet became regular features of her training calendar.

    “The mountains teach patience and humility in ways that road racing cannot,” she noted on her increasingly popular blog documenting her journey. “When you’re at 14,000 feet, you learn to respect nature’s timetable, not your own.”

    The sub-100 minute half marathon in New Delhi represented more than just a time benchmark—it validated her unconventional choice to step away from corporate success at its peak. The gold medal performance immediately qualified her for several elite racing events previously beyond her reach. medal time berlin

    Beyond her personal achievement, Chand’s journey has inspired a movement within Mumbai’s corporate community. She now leads “Corporate to Competitor” weekend training groups specifically designed for professionals considering similar transitions. Her transformation has inspired many in her network of over 3,200 followers, particularly professionals who harbour dreams of pursuing their own passions. Several former colleagues have taken up running inspired by her example, and she occasionally hosts weekend training sessions for beginners in Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

    “What makes Kavita’s journey special isn’t just the athletic achievement,” says a running club member who trains with her regularly. “It’s that she had the courage to completely reinvent herself at the peak of her corporate career, trusting that her passion could become her new purpose.”

    As for what’s next, Chand remains characteristically focused on the immediate horizon. Sources close to her suggest she’s targeting a full marathon in under 3:30 next season—another significant milestone for someone who five years ago had never run more than five kilometres at a stretch.

    Her mountaineering ambitions continue to develop in parallel, with plans reportedly underway for an expedition to a 6,000-meter Himalayan peak in late 2025. The complementary training regimens for both pursuits have created a year-round athletic focus that replaces the quarterly business cycles that once structured her life.
    For now, she celebrates her sub-100 minute half marathon—not just as an athletic achievement, but as affirmation that sometimes the most rewarding finish lines are the ones that require us to leave our comfort zones far behind.

  • Mahindra races past Hyundai as India’s no two carmaker in February 2025

    Mahindra races past Hyundai as India’s no two carmaker in February 2025

    MUMBAI: India’s automobile sector witnessed a power shift in February 2025, as Mahindra outsold Hyundai to claim the second-largest carmaker spot in the country. With 50,420 domestic sales, Mahindra registered a robust 19 per cent YoY growth in the passenger vehicle segment, while Hyundai’s domestic sales dropped by 4.3 per cent YoY to 47,727 units, securing its third-place position.

    Mahindra’s total sales, including exports, reached 52,386 units, riding high on India’s SUV boom. On a year-to-date (YTD) basis, the company registered 20 per cent growth, selling 5,03,439 units in FY25, compared to 4,10,246 units in FY24.

    Mahindra’s export performance was particularly impressive, nearly doubling YoY, with 3,061 units shipped in February 2025, marking a 99 per cent surge from 1,539 units last year.

    Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) recorded total sales of 58,727 units, including 47,727 domestic sales and a strong export performance of 11,000 units registering 6.8 per cent YoY growth. However, the domestic market decline from 50,201 units in February 2024 signalled a 4.3 per cent drop.

    Market leader Maruti Suzuki maintained its top position, selling 1,60,791 passenger vehicles, reflecting a marginal 0.32 per cent YoY growth. The company’s exports, however, dipped by 13.5 per cent, with 25,021 units shipped compared to 28,927 units in February 2024.

    Tata Motors saw a 9.43 per cent YoY decline in February, selling 46,435 passenger vehicles, down from 51,267 units in 2024. The company’s EV sales were particularly affected, registering a 22.82 per cent drop, with 5,343 units sold, compared to 6,923 in the previous year.

    Toyota Kirloskar Motor maintained its stronghold in the Indian automotive market, recording an impressive 13 per cent YoY growth in February 2025. The company sold 28,414 units, a significant jump from 25,220 units in February 2024. Of these, 26,414 units were dispatched to domestic dealers, while 2,000 units were shipped to international markets. With this steady growth, Toyota continues to strengthen its position, riding high on demand for its premium and reliable offerings in India and beyond.  

    Kia continued its upward trajectory, selling 25,026 vehicles in February 2025, marking an impressive 23.89 per cent YoY growth from 20,200 units in February 2024. Kia kept the momentum going in February 2025, clocking an impressive 25,026 unit sales, a 23.89 per cent YoY surge from 20,200 units in the same month last year. Leading the charge was the ever-popular Sonet, roaring ahead with 7,598 units, followed by the stylish and powerful Seltos at 6,446 units. The all-new Syros made a strong debut, securing 5,425 units, while the Carens, a favourite among families, registered 5,318 units. Meanwhile, the premium Carnival added an exclusive touch to Kia’s lineup with 239 units sold. With this stellar performance, Kia continues to solidify its place in India’s ever-evolving automobile landscape.

    Mahindra’s rise highlights India’s growing preference for SUVs, while Hyundai’s dip suggests an evolving competitive landscape. Tata Motors faces challenges in the EV space, while Kia continues to gain traction. As the race heats up, all eyes are on how carmakers respond to shifting market trends.

     

  • Coca-Cola brings American sports drink to India’s scorching summer market

    Coca-Cola brings American sports drink to India’s scorching summer market

    MUMBAI:  Coca-Cola India is set to introduce American sports drink BodyArmorLyte to the subcontinent this summer, as the beverage giant scrambles to capitalise on what executives have joyfully described as “early arrivals” of heatwave conditions.

    Coca-Cola India & southwest Asia  vice-president Sundeep Bajoria announced the expansion with palpable enthusiasm for the premature scorching temperatures that have already begun tormenting the nation’s 1.4 billion residents.

    BodyArmorLyte, a coconut water-based hydration drink popular in the US, will join other newcomers including Honest Tea – an organic offering sourced from Assam – and Vitaminwater, which has thus far been confined to testing in airport terminals where dehydrated travellers are presumably less price-sensitive.

    The company expects its established brands ThumsUp and Sprite to each reach the $2 billion sales mark in India, though  Bajoria tactfully avoided committing to any timeline for this achievement, to Economic Times.
    When questioned about competition from Reliance Industries’ resurrected Campa Cola brand, Bajoria echoed his global president’s diplomatic stance: “We welcome competition,” he said, presumably while clutching a stress ball under the table.

    Coca-Cola appears undeterred by inflation concerns, with Bajoria explaining they would capture “a significant part of that inflation through price package mix and architecture” – corporate speak for “we’ll make the bottles slightly smaller rather than raising prices directly.”

    The company is counting on recent tax relief for the middle class to drive consumption.

  • Ashit Chakravarty joins Magiccircle as associate partner & COO

    Ashit Chakravarty joins Magiccircle as associate partner & COO

    MUMBAI: Ashit Chakravarty has been appointed associate partner & chief operating officer at Magiccircle. With a distinguished career spanning renowned global agencies, Chakravarty brings extensive experience in brand strategy, marketing, and business growth.

    Dentsu Creative appointed Chakravarty as managing partner & brand strategy & west, following key prominent roles at Dentsu Webchutney, where he advanced from vice president to executive vice president & growth & strategy. His expertise in forecasting, cross-functional management, & consumer behaviour has shaped campaigns for top brands.

    Leo Burnett, contract advertising, and Dentsu Aegis Network have also been part of Chakravarty’s professional journey, along with his role as head of brand marketing at Zopper.com. 

  • In partnership with AAAI, SGF has hosted the lecture series, featuring top speakers for years.

    In partnership with AAAI, SGF has hosted the lecture series, featuring top speakers for years.

    Mumbai: The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and the Subhas Ghosal Foundation (SGF) have announced that award-winning independent digital journalist Faye D’Souza will deliver the AAAI Subhas Ghosal memorial lecture 2025 on 5 March at St. Regis, Mumbai.

    Established in memory of Subhas Ghosal, a towering figure in the advertising industry, the Subhas Ghosal Foundation promotes the professional values he upheld. In collaboration with AAAI, the Foundation has hosted the lecture series for several years, featuring distinguished speakers such as Rajan Anandan, Uday Shankar, Ronnie Screwvala, Aroon Purie, and Sudhir Sitapati.

    Speaking on behalf of SGF, Sam Balsara stated, “We live in an era where news and views shape our daily lives. Faye D’Souza, with her fearless journalism, will discuss the challenges and opportunities for independent journalists and the implications for democracy and public discourse. It promises to be an insightful session.”

    This year’s event also welcomes a new sponsor, Amazon MX Player.

  • Jacadi Paris brings French chic to Mumbai with first India store

    Jacadi Paris brings French chic to Mumbai with first India store

    MUMBAI: Mumbai’s mini fashionistas are in for a stylish treat as Jacadi Paris, the iconic French luxury childrenswear brand, makes its grand debut in India. With 270 stores worldwide, the brand has now arrived at Palladium Mall, Mumbai, bringing a touch of Parisian elegance to the city’s youngest style icons.

    With Indian parents spending 35 per cent more on premium childrenswear than they did five years ago, Jacadi’s entry into the market couldn’t have been better timed. Known for its chic, timeless designs, the brand caters to discerning families who value both style and heritage in their little ones’ wardrobes.

    The 628-square-foot boutique seamlessly blends tradition with modern craftsmanship, offering a curated selection of apparel, accessories, and footwear for newborns to 12-year-olds. The brand’s emphasis on sustainability is evident in its use of organic cotton, water-saving processes, and recycled materials, making it a go-to for eco-conscious shoppers.

    Jacadi’s Mumbai launch is just the beginning. The brand is set to open its second store in Bangalore by April 2025, reinforcing its commitment to expanding in India’s growing luxury kidswear market.

  • Aman Rawat joins Creativeland Asia as executive creative director

    Aman Rawat joins Creativeland Asia as executive creative director

    MUMBAI: Creativeland Asia (CLA) has appointed Aman Rawat as its new executive creative director. Based in the Delhi office, Rawat brings extensive experience in brand storytelling, technology, and new-age media.

    “Rawat’s expertise in blending brand narratives with cutting-edge tech aligns perfectly with CLA’s vision,” said CLA group chief creative officer Azazul Haque. “His work at Mediamonks and beyond makes him a valuable addition to our leadership.”

    Rawat has worked with top agencies, including Grasshoppers, Digitas LBi, Cheil, Wunderman, and Repindia, and has led successful campaigns for brands like Booking.com, MTV, Tata Tea Gold, and Maruti. His portfolio spans major names such as Poco, Canon, Durex, Pringles, Tinder, and Amazon.

    Rawat said, “For me, creativity is more than a process it’s a way of being. I look forward to pushing boundaries and contributing to CLA’s legacy of excellence.”

    This appointment comes as CLA expands its presence in Delhi, focusing on AI, data analytics, and digital transformation to craft high-impact, result-driven campaigns.