MUMBAI: SPR India has appointed Haresh Anil Kumar as its new head of marketing, marking a strategic addition to the company’s leadership team.
Kumar brings more than 18 years of experience spanning media, automotive and real estate marketing. Before joining SPR India, he served as head of marketing at Thanthi One, where he led integrated campaigns across broadcast, digital and OTT platforms. His previous roles include regional manager at Verse Innovation, regional manager for cinema advertising at Inox Leisure, and regional sales and strategy lead (South India) at PVR Limited.
Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions at India Today Group, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, and Bennett Coleman & Co (The Times of India), driving revenue growth, media partnerships and branded content innovation. He began his career in banking at Yes Bank before moving into media and brand strategy.
At SPR India, Kumar will oversee integrated ATL and BTL marketing, digital campaigns and brand partnerships, with a strong focus on ROI and measurable outcomes. His appointment comes as the developer sharpens its brand identity in a competitive luxury and mixed-use real estate market.
MUMBAI: When deals sparkle, so does drama. Xiaomi India has ushered in Diwali with a campaign that captures the chaos, colour, and joy of the season like never before. Titled “Deals, Drama & Diwali,” the festive initiative, created in collaboration with Wit & Chai, transforms the frenzy of big offers into a cinematic celebration of humour, emotion, and high-energy storytelling.
Launching as part of Xiaomi’s Diwali big sale, the campaign brings to life the rollercoaster of emotions that sweep across households when irresistible deals hit the market. Rather than blending into the festive clutter of predictable offers, Xiaomi chose bold, kinetic storytelling rooted in everyday relatability, showing how a small, logical action can snowball into hilariously over-the-top mayhem, perfectly capturing the highs and lows of Diwali shopping.
Wit & Chai chief creative head Saurabh Sankpal explained, “Festive offers can often feel repetitive, but Diwali itself is a festival of contrasts: chaos and calm, humour and heart, frenzy and family. Our films celebrate that duality, the mayhem of big deals and the magic of big emotions, creating narratives that entertain while driving engagement.”
Xiaomi India associate director of brand marketing Ritij Khurana added, “Diwali is a time when chaos and joy coexist. Our films mirror that with witty, relatable, and heartwarming stories. They’re not just about announcing deals, they’re about homecoming, connection, and togetherness.”
Featuring two blockbuster films, the campaign revels in the unpredictable energy of the festive season, with every frame designed to make audiences laugh, relate, and hit that ‘buy’ button. In a landscape oversaturated with sameness, Xiaomi’s campaign cuts through the clutter by embracing chaos instead of avoiding it. Disruptive, memorable, and unapologetically festive, it captures the true spirit of Diwali: bold, big, and deeply human.
The campaign was executed for Xiaomi India by the brand team comprising Ritij Khurana, Chirag Vegad, and Antima Mishra, in collaboration with the creative agency Wit & Chai, led by chief creative head and writer Saurabh Sankpal. The production was handled by tmrw factory, with direction by Nachiket Pendse and producers Anish Joag and Prithviraj Mali. Cinematography was overseen by DOP Niteesh Jangeed, while Ranjit Gugle served as executive producer. The assistant directors were Gourav Shelke and Rashmi Navalkar, with music composed by Ankush Boradkar and lyrics by Saurabh Sankpal.
BENGALURU: After six years and eight months steering her own ship, Gayatri Dravid has docked at Rosetta Hospitality this September as group head for corporate communications and marketing—trading the freedoms of consultancy for the clout of a corporate corner office in Bengaluru.
Dravid launched Gayatri Dravid PR in February 2019, carving out a niche in hospitality and travel communications after a decade-plus climbing the industry ladder. The move followed a near-two-year stint as associate vice president for communications at RMZ Corp, where she honed her skills in corporate messaging for one of India’s largest real estate developers.
Before going solo, Dravid spent over three years as director of PR and strategy at Quo Global’s India operations, the Thai multinational specialising in hospitality branding. There she positioned India’s first Pullman hotel and North India’s first Novotel at New Delhi Airport, orchestrated launches for seven hotels across Asia in three years for Onyx Hospitality group, and developed the complete visual identity—logo, colour palette, tone—for Tiger Palace Resort and Casino’s Nepal debut.
Her CV reads like a greatest-hits compilation of India’s luxury hotel landscape. She led pre-opening communications for the 523-room JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity in 2012, JW’s first launch in the capital. Before that, nearly three years at The Leela Palaces saw her spearhead PR for the group’s flagship property in New Delhi, manage award-winning resorts in Goa, Kovalam and Udaipur, and launch ESPA spa and Warren Tricomi salon partnerships. She even copy-edited The Leela’s first coffee-table book.
Earlier stops included Genesis Burson-Marsteller, where she handled Channel [v], Royal Bank of Scotland and Lakmé Fashion Week, and a year teaching business communications in Pune as guest faculty for the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Now Dravid returns to the mothership—not as consultant, but commander. Rosetta just hired someone who’s spent 17 years learning every trick in the hospitality playbook.
MUMBAI: Rodim India, a brand of Basf, has appointed Amresh Khar as senior vice president – sales & marketing (India), a move aimed at steering the company’s expansion strategy and strengthening its presence in both domestic and international automotive markets.
With over 22 years in the automotive industry, Khar brings leadership experience from Mahindra First Choice Wheels, Volkswagen Group Sales, Honda Cars, Castrol India, and his own entrepreneurial venture, Mad About Wheels. An IIM Bangalore alumnus with an mba from UBI Brussels and a bachelor’s in engineering from Maharashtra, he has built one of India’s fastest-expanding automotive installation teams, managing a workforce of 200 plus skilled professionals.
“I am delighted to join Rodim India at such a pivotal stage,” said Amresh Khar. “I look forward to leveraging my experience to scale our skilled workforce, drive expansion, build strong customer relationships, and establish Rodim as a leader in redefining automotive care in India and beyond.”
Backed by Basf Germany, the one of the world’s leading paint companies since 1865, Rodim India is known for innovation, durability, and trust. The company offers German-engineered paint protection films (PPF), automotive paints, and care solutions designed to protect original car paint and set new standards in automotive excellence.
MUMBAI: Sheran Mendiratta Mehra has laced up her running shoes for a new race. The marketing veteran who helped build Tata Digital’s super-app to 100m-plus users has joined IndusInd Bank as chief marketing officer this September, leaving behind a six-year stint that transformed India’s digital commerce landscape.
At Tata Digital, Mehra wore multiple hats with characteristic stamina. As chief business officer since July 2024 and chief brand officer cum business head for hotels since April 2022, she orchestrated the brand strategy for one of India’s most ambitious digital ventures. Before that, she spent nearly three years as chief brand officer, shaping product design and brand identity from the ground up.
Her CV reveals her wide exposure to financial services and hospitality marketing. Six years at DBS Bank as executive director for group strategic marketing and communications, where she also championed social entrepreneurship through the bank’s corporate social responsibility arm. Stints at Dhanlaxmi Bank, Barclays and HSBC showcased her knack for turnarounds—she pushed top-of-mind recall to 52 per cent during Barclays’ India launch and co-led the country’s first mobile banking service, Hello Money.
Earlier pit stops included heading resort marketing at Mahindra Holidays, where she boosted wallet share by 25-30 per cent, and agency-side roles at Ogilvy & Mather and Lintas, where she cut her teeth relaunching Huggies with sales surging over 15 per cent.
The 25-year marketing strategist brings more than spreadsheets and campaigns to IndusInd. A distance runner for over a decade, Mehra champions the notion that peak performance in the boardroom and on the trail aren’t mutually exclusive. She’s vocal about mentoring female leaders in tech whilst maintaining her daily running practice—a fitting metaphor for someone who sees finish lines as starting points.
IndusInd just hired someone who runs towards challenges, not away from them.
MUMBAI: Lighting up futures, one Kabel Dost at a time. RR Kabel, India’s leading consumer electrical and wire manufacturer, has announced the winners of its Kabel star scholarship program 2025 in Mumbai, celebrating four years of nurturing talent with a total commitment of Rs four crore.
The scholarship, designed for children of electricians who passed their 10th-grade exams, provides Rs 10,000 each to deserving students, helping them pursue higher secondary education. This year, Mumbai witnessed 41 honourees, recognised at a special ceremony at La Banquet, Odean Mall, alongside top performers from season two, who also received laptops to support their studies.
Since its launch in 2022, the Kabel Star Scholarship has selected nearly 4,000 students nationwide, reinforcing RR Kabel’s vision of an educated and empowered India. By opening new educational pathways, the initiative ensures that financial constraints do not limit ambition, inspiring countless success stories among past recipients.
“Our Kabel Dost have always been more than business partners, they are the foundation of our journey. With the Kabel star scholarship, we’re opening doors to possibilities that can change lives for generations,” said RR Global director Kirti Kabra. “Every child who dreams big deserves a chance to achieve it, and this program ensures no dream is limited by circumstance.”
For the winners and their families, the event was a moment of pride and emotion, recognising perseverance, dedication, and the drive to build successful careers. Through this program, RR Kabel continues to invest in the next generation of leaders, giving children of electricians a strong platform to unlock their full potential.
MUMBAI: Lights, camera, revolution! The silver screen is turning digital, and India’s film industry is ready for its next big act, one fuelled by technology, imagination and a dash of innovation.
At FICCI Frames 2025, the session “Beyond Imagination: The Future of Filmmaking” brought together industry leaders to explore how new-age tools like AI, VFX and virtual production are transforming storytelling. The discussion came in the wake of the Maharashtra government’s Rs 3,268 crore AVGC-XR Policy 2025, an ambitious plan to make the state a global powerhouse for animation, gaming and extended reality.
DNEG co-founder and president Merzin Tavaria set the tone for the session. “Content is still king,” he said. “Technology should help us tell better stories, not distract from them. AI is here to stay as a tool, but it must never replace the individual.” He added that India’s post-pandemic film resurgence has proven the world-class calibre of its creators.
Phantomfx founder and CEO Bejoy Arputharaj urged filmmakers to evolve with technology. “Filmmakers must embrace the changing landscape,” he said. “Virtual production and AI aren’t here to take over, they’re here to help us imagine what was once impossible.”
From Japan, Dwarf Studios CEO Shuhei Harada emphasised originality over imitation. “The world doesn’t need more copies,” he said. “India should focus on creating authentic, original entertainment. Bringing international talent here can help local creators learn new methods and grow faster.”
Moscow Film Cluster deputy director Georgy Prokopov called for international collaboration. “Russia and India can build a technology bridge,” he suggested. “Shared virtual production infrastructure can reduce costs and accelerate creative exchange.”
Meanwhile, FICCI AVGC-XR Forum chair and Graphiti Studios co-founder Munjal Shroff stressed the need for India to sharpen its technical edge. “We already have the talent and the tools,” he said. “Now it’s about mastery, using technology not as a crutch but as a canvas.”
As the session wrapped, the takeaway was clear: the next blockbuster might not just be shot in India, it could be built here, pixel by pixel. Because in the cinema of tomorrow, the script won’t just be written. It will be rendered.
BENGALURU: India’s cooking oil aisle is getting a makeover. Gramiyaa, a Bengaluru-based producer of wood cold-pressed oils, has launched what it claims is the country’s first gable-top carton packaging for cooking oils—a format designed to keep oils fresher for longer.
The redesigned packaging, unveiled under the brand’s Fresh Drip campaign, swaps conventional plastic and glass bottles for fully opaque, nitrogen-flushed cartons. The company says this locks in freshness from seed to seal, preserving aroma and nutrition that typically degrade in traditional packaging.
“Packaging is only part of the story,” said Gramiyaa founder Sibi Manivannan. “We go the extra mile to ensure our oils stay fresh naturally.” The brand employs natural sedimentation and cotton fabric filtration to remove seed residue that can turn rancid and accelerate spoilage.
Each batch undergoes a three-step process: natural seed sedimentation allows particles to settle slowly; cotton fabric filtration removes residual sediments; and nitrogen flush sealing removes oxygen before sealing to prevent oxidation and nutrient loss. The carton’s multi-layer opaque design blocks light and air, whilst a double-seal provides an airtight barrier that locks in aroma even after opening.
All Gramiyaa oils are wood cold-pressed in-house at the company’s facility in Trichy, Tamil Nadu. Each carton features a QR code revealing exactly when and where the oil was pressed. The brand controls the entire supply chain—sourcing directly from farmers, manufacturing, lab-testing and packaging on-site.
“The cooking oil industry hasn’t changed its packaging in nearly a century,” added Manivannan. “We asked ourselves—if freshness is what matters most, why not design for it?”
The brand offers a range of wood cold-pressed oils, including groundnut, coconut, sesame and mustard oil, catering to diverse culinary traditions whilst preserving natural flavour and aroma.
As health-conscious Indians increasingly reject heavily processed oils, Gramiyaa is betting that what works for milk and juice can work for the kitchen staple that’s been sold in bottles since before independence. The real test will be whether consumers are willing to pour their cooking oil from a carton.
MUMBAI: When wine met canvas, India found its masterpiece. Grover Zampa, India’s most awarded fine wine producer, has partnered with creative agency Black Cab to give its flagship art collection a stunning new identity, one where every pour feels like a brushstroke and every bottle a work of art.
The brief was bold yet simple: lift wine beyond taste and transform it into an expression of India’s artistic and cultural heritage. The campaign’s creative core rested on a powerful idea, winemaking is liquid art. Just as an artist paints with emotion and precision, Grover’s winemakers craft each vintage with the same passion and finesse.
For instance, the Cabernet-Shiraz: robust and full-bodied, found its visual twin in a bold, deep-toned artwork that captured its complexity. Each varietal collaborated with an artist whose palette reflected the wine’s personality, turning labels into miniature galleries of Indian expression.
Digitally, the campaign positioned every bottle as an exclusive collectible, a limited-edition artwork from the vineyards of Nandi Hills and Nashik Valley. High-quality imagery and evocative storytelling elevated Grover Zampa from a fine wine label to a cultural brand, one that toasts both craftsmanship and creativity.
Social media became its art gallery, where fans shared their own “liquid art” moments. Bottles were photographed, displayed, and admired like paintings, each post a digital canvas celebrating the spirit of Indian excellence.
By blending art, storytelling, and digital innovation, Grover Zampa’s relaunch uncorked a refreshing narrative, that Indian wine can be as rich in culture as it is in flavour. With this campaign, every sip isn’t just wine tasting; it’s art appreciation.
MUMBAI: The Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) has appointed Faiza Mirza as chief operating officer for India, marking a key step in expanding Australia’s government-backed curriculum across the country.
The Wace programme, administered by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) under the Government of Western Australia, is the first international government curriculum officially recognised in India. It aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and has received equivalence from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
Offered in over 16 countries including Singapore, China, Japan, and Malaysia, Wace is known for its rigorous academic design, skills-based learning, and global university pathways. The curriculum now seeks to onboard 100 Indian partner schools within three years.
“I am honoured to lead Wace India during this pivotal moment for global education,” said Mirza. “Our goal is to make world-class, government-backed education both accessible and inclusive for Indian students.”
Mirza brings more than 12 years of experience in education and organisational development, having previously worked with the Association of International Schools of India (TAISI) on leadership development and global partnerships. She holds an Msc in retail marketing and management from Kingston University and a BBA from Amity University.
With Mirza at the helm, Wace India will focus on curriculum integration, school capacity building, and teacher training, advancing a vision of quality, globally benchmarked education that resonates with India’s diverse learning ecosystem.
