ITV

Category: MAM

  • Beyond Type 1 expands to India to support children and youth with Type 1 diabetes

    Beyond Type 1 expands to India to support children and youth with Type 1 diabetes

    MUMBAI: In response to the urgent need for greater awareness and support for people living with type 1 diabetes, Beyond Type 1 has announced its expansion to India. The global nonprofit, co-founded by Nick Jonas, works to change what it means to live with diabetes by raising awareness, building supportive communities, providing life-saving resources, and amplifying voices too often unheard.

    India ranks second globally in type 1 diabetes cases (after the US) and has the highest number of children and teenagers living with T1D in the world. Yet awareness remains alarmingly low, too many diagnoses come late, stigma persists, and studies show youth with type 1 diabetes are twice as likely to experience depression or anxiety compared to their peers.

    Beyond Type 1, CEO, Deborah Dugan shared, “Beyond Type 1 was founded to challenge outdated narratives about diabetes and to show what it truly means to live beyond a diagnosis, but access to education, strong support systems, and good care are essential for both physical and mental health. As a part of our expansion to India, we are joining forces with local organizations who are building those systems every day, standing alongside a community that is already reshaping what it means to live with diabetes.”

    Local partners include Hriday, which will implement programs on the ground, and the NCD Alliance, providing global support. The partnership will prioritise awareness campaigns, early detection, school- and community-based education, and peer support: initiatives designed to meet people where they are and center the lived experiences of those most impacted.

    “We know real change happens when communities are at the heart of the solution,” said Hriday, executive director, Monika Arora.

    This expansion aligns with the recent UN political declaration on NCDs, which spotlighted the urgent need for collective action on both physical and mental health.

    NCD Alliance, CEO, Katie Dain added, “NCDs like type 1 diabetes have effects that reach further than physical health alone, and much more needs to be done to support the mental health of people living with NCDs. Beyond Type 1’s expansion into India brings much-needed attention and energy to this issue, and we welcome their commitment to working alongside local partners and communities in driving change.”

    As Beyond Type 1 marks its 10th anniversary, the organisation is proud to expand its work with partners in India to help break stigma, amplify voices, and drive progress toward a future where people don’t just manage diabetes, they thrive beyond their diagnosis, beyond barriers, and beyond expectations.

  • Piping up for good Seagram’s Travel Gear backs real change makers

    Piping up for good Seagram’s Travel Gear backs real change makers

    MUMBAI: Goodness, it seems, never goes out of style and now it comes with luggage tags. Seagram’s 100 Pipers Travel Gear, best known for championing causes bigger than commerce, has unveiled its latest campaign spotlighting real-life champions of change who live the brand’s philosophy of Be Remembered for Good.

    The new film features an eclectic cast of changemakers: actor and Climate Warrior Bhumi Pednekar, actor and philanthropist Kunal Kapoor, lake conservationist Anand Malligavad, and eco-conscious entrepreneur Taran Chhabra, co-founder of Neeman’s. Together, they lend star power and substance to a campaign that urges society to put purpose before vanity.

    The film captures their journeys from film sets and boardrooms to lakesides and sustainable workshops proving that small acts, when scaled, ripple into movements.

    Pednekar, a vocal advocate for climate awareness, has channelled her celebrity into supporting NGOs, funding climate-related podcasts and documentaries, and hosting sustainability events. “I believe in doing things not just for a good life but for the greater good of our world,” she said, describing her partnership with 100 Pipers as a natural extension of her Climate Warrior role.

    Ketto.com co-founder Kunal Kapoor who founded India’s largest crowdfunding platform framed his story through responsibility: “With great power comes great responsibility. I’ve championed a platform that ignites compassion, transforming small deeds into profound impacts.”

    Malligavad, once a techie and now India’s most recognised lake revivalist, has restored Bengaluru’s water bodies since 2017, inspiring similar efforts nationwide. “My commitment to lake revival is equalled by my passion to inspire others to join this vital cause,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Chhabra has reimagined footwear with Neeman’s, creating sustainable shoes that turn plastic into purposeful steps. “In my efforts to blend success with a cause, I have transformed plastic into steps towards a better world,” he remarked, echoing the brand’s ethos.

    Launched under the Be Remembered for Good banner, the campaign is more than a glossy commercial. It is a clarion call to action, urging consumers to celebrate those who create ripples of change and to pick up the baton themselves.

    By putting real changemakers centre stage, Seagram’s 100 Pipers Travel Gear has chosen to showcase that heroism doesn’t just belong to fictional characters, it thrives in citizens who fight for clean water, climate justice, sustainable fashion, and compassion at scale.

    Because when it comes to leaving a legacy, this brand is reminding everyone: travel light, but carry goodness.

  • Plates with purpose: ITC Aashirvaad turns Navratri feasts into care acts

    Plates with purpose: ITC Aashirvaad turns Navratri feasts into care acts

    MUMBAI: Food for thought, with a side of care. This Navratri, ITC Aashirvaad Soul Creations has launched ‘Nav creations,’ a festive initiative that transforms everyday vrat meals into acts of kindness.

    At a time when families gather over wholesome vrat thalis and young kanyas are celebrated as symbols of purity, many girls remain outside the festive circle. ‘Nav creations’ steps in to bridge that gap, ensuring each order adds a touch of warmth to lives that might otherwise go unnoticed.

    Here’s how it works, every order from the ‘Nav creations’ menu on Swiggy or Zomato comes with a festive card and a QR code. By uploading proof of purchase, customers earn 100 coins. Once 500 coins are collected, Aashirvaad Soul Creations serves a wholesome Navratri meal to a young kanya. To spread the joy further, contributors also receive a personalised ‘Nav creations’ digital frame to share online.

    The vrat-special menu itself stays true to tradition, prepared without onion or garlic and using only sendha namak. From kuttu paneer pakodas with kali mirch dip, velvety vrat paneer curry, and fluffy sabudana khichdi thalis to soft sabudana parathas and rajgira pooris paired with comforting aloo subzi, each dish brings the festive kitchen to the table.

    Available across Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune until 2 October, the menu is more than convenient festive dining. With ‘Nav creations,’ every plate becomes a prayer, and every order an offering of care.

  • Cocoon Hospital tackles menopause’s hidden danger

    Cocoon Hospital tackles menopause’s hidden danger

    MUMBAI: Pulse check, please. Cocoon Hospital has turned up the volume on a condition too often left in whispers, launching its ‘Silent shift’ campaign to spotlight the link between menopause and women’s heart health.

    Timed ahead of World heart day, the nationwide initiative calls on women over 40 to recognise that menopause is more than a reproductive milestone. It is also, as doctors warn, a cardiovascular transition that can quietly raise the risk of hypertension, stroke and heart disease.

    “Menopause is not just about hot flushes and hormonal shifts, it is about the heart too,” said Jaipur, unit head at Cocoon Hospital, Dilshad Khan. “With ‘Silent shift’ our mission is to break this silence, empower women with knowledge and encourage proactive steps for long-term health.”

    The campaign mixes scientific expertise with everyday advice, encouraging screenings, lifestyle changes and preventive care rather than waiting for emergencies. Cocoon Hospital hopes the movement will spark conversations not just in clinics but in living rooms, creating ripple effects through families and communities.

    RJ Corp Healthcare, gm– brand strategy & communication, Shikha Girgla added “Our goal is to move critical health conversations into the mainstream and put women at the heart of preventive care.”

    With cardiovascular disease still one of the top threats to women, ‘Silent shift’ makes one thing clear: silence is not golden when it comes to the heart.

  • Eye on safety: V-Guard’s Puja film urges vigilance for women’s protection

    Eye on safety: V-Guard’s Puja film urges vigilance for women’s protection

    MUMBAI: Specs appeal with a sting. V-Guard has marked Durga Puja with a stirring campaign that flips fiction into a wake-up call on women’s safety. The electricals major’s new ad film, ‘The third eye,’ opens with a striking concept: futuristic eyewear that scans faces, flags harassers, and alerts the police. As the young protagonist walks the streets, troublemakers are swiftly identified, creating a sense of safety and power.

    But then comes the gut punch. The glasses aren’t real, only the menace is. V-Guard’s message is simple: society must not wait for miracle gadgets to shield women. Instead, each of us must awaken our own “third eye” of awareness to reflect, respect and protect.

    Launched during Durga Puja, the campaign draws a sharp parallel with the goddess herself, worshipped as a symbol of strength and courage, reminds viewers to honour that spirit in every woman, every day.

    “Durga Puja is a timeless reminder that good conquers evil. The real tribute lies in how we protect and respect women around us,” said V-Guard, vp – brand & communication, Nandagopal Nair.

    Directed by Ralph&Das’s, Anil Ralph Thomas, the AI-powered yet human-scripted film was designed to be an eye opener, not a tech fantasy. To widen the message, V-Guard has partnered with Instagram influencers to spark conversations online.

    This festive season, the brand invites everyone to awaken their inner third eye, not through gadgets, but through conscience.

  • Manforce Condoms unveils virtual muse Myra as brand star

    Manforce Condoms unveils virtual muse Myra as brand star

    MUMBAI: Manforce Condoms has swiped right on artificial intelligence, unveiling its new brand ambassador, Myra Kapoor, a computer-generated beauty designed to stir conversations about desire, intimacy and everything in between.

    India’s leading sexual wellness brand under Mankind Pharma has taken a bold leap into the future, introducing Myra through a sultry new television commercial. Far from a stiff avatar, the AI star radiates emotions like passion, love and temptation, aiming to make chats about fantasies feel as natural as pillow talk.

    Myra’s arrival is no gimmick. Born from insights gathered at a leading management institute, she represents a paradigm shift in how brands communicate. Grapes Worldwide, the creative brains behind her, ensured Myra’s charm feels relatable and human, giving her the ability to headline campaigns that ebb and flow with seasons – starting with the monsoon.

    To debut her, Manforce staged a digital face-off called ‘India’s most desirable’ with Filtercopy. The twist? Myra competed against real people and clinched victory through public votes, proof that audiences are ready to embrace AI allure.

    Mankind Pharma, vice chairman and managing director, Rajeev Juneja called the move a “transformative journey” in brand storytelling, promising limitless creative possibilities. Grapes Worldwide, co-founder and global CEO, Shradha Agarwal added that Myra pushes AI beyond automation to deliver meaningful engagement.

    With Myra, Manforce Condoms isn’t just selling protection. It’s selling imagination, sparking fantasies with a pixel-perfect partner who might just be too good to be true.

  • Times of India hires WPP talent chief for recruitment overhaul

    Times of India hires WPP talent chief for recruitment overhaul

    MUMBAI: Bennett Coleman & Co, publisher of the Times of India, has hired Roshin Mascarenhas as its new head of talent acquisition, luring  her from WPP Media where she led recruitment across South Asia.

    The appointment signals the Indian media conglomerate’s push to revamp its hiring strategy as traditional publishers grapple with digital disruption and fierce competition for top talent. Mascarenhas brings 15 years of recruitment experience, including stints at Viacom18, Disney, and the Aditya Birla Group.

    Her move to the Times of India building in Mumbai marks something of a homecoming. Early in her career as a search consultant, she worked on critical roles for the newspaper group. Her husband also spent his formative professional years at the company, making this appointment as much personal as professional.

    At WPP Media, Mascarenhas managed geographically dispersed recruitment teams and standardised hiring practices across the advertising giant’s Indian operations. She oversaw campus programmes, implemented data-driven recruitment metrics, and championed internal mobility initiatives.

    Her LinkedIn announcement is peppered with rocket ship emojis and effusive praise for her new employer’s “heritage and integrity.” She describes herself as a “talent magnet” and “mindfulness champion” who believes technology cannot replace the “human touch” in recruitment.

    The hire comes as India’s media landscape undergoes rapid transformation. Traditional publishers like Bennett Coleman face pressure to attract digital-native talent while competing with technology firms and streaming platforms for the best candidates.

    Mascarenhas’s track record includes notable achievements such as recruiting 120 people in two months for UTV Stars’ Bollywood channel launch in 2011 and implementing hiring automation systems. Her appointment suggests Bennett Coleman is serious about professionalising its talent acquisition function.

    Whether her “positive vibes” approach and emphasis on creating “meaningful careers” can solve the structural challenges facing India’s traditional media remains to be seen. But for a company seeking to blend legacy with innovation, hiring someone who describes every recruitment as “a story” seems oddly appropriate.

  • Tech Mahindra Chess League teams up with Google Cloud for Season 3

    Tech Mahindra Chess League teams up with Google Cloud for Season 3

    MUMBAI: The Tech Mahindra Global Chess League (GCL), in partnership with FIDE, has joined hands with Google Cloud to serve up real-time player performance analysis for Season 3, turning the ancient game into a modern spectator sport.

    Scheduled for 13–24 December in India, the world’s first franchise-based chess league will now fuse its heritage of strategy with cutting-edge technology. Using Google Cloud’s advanced infrastructure and Tech Mahindra’s AI and ML dashboards, fans can follow real-time insights into every move while broadcasters deliver smarter, more engaging coverage.

    “Each season, we strive to elevate the experience for fans and players by leveraging advanced digital technologies,” said Tech Mahindra Global Chess League, chairperson, Peeyush Dubey. “Our partnership with Google Cloud ensures that Season 3 sets new standards for innovation in global sports.”

    Alongside the live action, fans and partners will also be able to join creative tournaments and interactive fan zones, adding collaboration and innovation to the mix. Multilingual commentary and expanded global broadcasts aim to make this season the most accessible and inclusive yet.

    The league, unique for its mixed-team format where male and female players compete side by side, has already redefined how professional chess is played and viewed. With AI, data analytics and smart broadcasting now in play, Season 3 promises to be not just a contest of kings and queens, but of codes and clouds too.

    Because in this game, it is not only about who makes the winning move, but how millions get to watch it happen in real time.

  • Third Wave Coffee and Smoor stir up sweet brews with Diwali hampers

    Third Wave Coffee and Smoor stir up sweet brews with Diwali hampers

    MUMBAI: This Diwali, it’s sweets meets sips. Third Wave Coffee and luxury chocolate brand Smoor have teamed up to brew a festive pairing of rich coffees, artisanal chocolates and keepsakes in three limited-edition hampers.

    Crafted to capture the spirit of togetherness, the collaboration offers a blend of two rituals at the heart of Indian celebrations: the sweetness of mithai and the warmth of coffee. Priced from Rs 1,299 onwards, the hampers will be available across Third Wave Coffee and Smoor outlets and on Swiggy and Zomato from 25 September.

    The collection features: classic hamper with Vienna roast easy coffee bags, a mug, Smoor’s choco mithai and almond snaps, a diya and greeting card; Indulgence hamper layering Vienna and monsoon malabar roasts with choco mithai, pistachio kunafa bites, a diya, handcrafted mug and tote bag; Luxe hamper starring Ratnagiri specialty single-origin festive blend, a French press, choco mithai, kunafa, artisanal mug, diya and bespoke greeting card.

    “Coffee is more than a beverage, it is a comforting ritual that connects people,” said Third Wave Coffee, CEO, Rajat Luthra. “Pairing it with Smoor’s indulgent chocolates makes these hampers more than gifts, they’re modern experiences.”

    Smoor, CEO, Vimal Sharma added, “Our craft in chocolate paired with their mastery of coffee brings distinct experiences in perfect balance, creating hampers that are thoughtful and truly special.”

    With signature brews, handcrafted treats and festive touches like diyas and cards, the hampers aim to elevate gifting from the conventional to the memorable. Because this Diwali, celebration isn’t just about lights and laddoos: it is about savouring every sip and every bite, brewed and sweetened to perfection.

  • Animeta rolls camera on AI Film Studio to redefine storytelling in digital age

    Animeta rolls camera on AI Film Studio to redefine storytelling in digital age

    MUMBAI: Lights, camera, algorithm. Animeta, the Singapore-based creator tech company, has launched its brand-new vertical, Animeta AI Film Studio, in Mumbai, promising to shake up the way stories are told on screen.

    Billed as a first-of-its-kind hybrid studio, the venture combines human creativity with cutting-edge AI tools to deliver everything from slick promotional clips to full-length films. The aim is to help filmmakers, brands and creators merge original scripts, music and voiceovers with AI-driven visuals that preserve artistic intent while speeding up production.

    The studio is powered by Animeta’s patent-pending AI model and bolstered by its participation in Google Cloud’s startup programme, giving it access to Vertex AI’s veo3 video generation model along with copyright indemnity on content created through the platform.

    “For two decades, I have reimagined storytelling through animation. Now our AI Film Studio is here to push those boundaries further,” said Animeta founder Anish Mehta. “By blending creativity with AI, we are empowering storytellers to scale their vision faster, smarter and with greater confidence.”

    The new division builds on Animeta’s strengths in computer vision, natural language processing, video encoding and large language models. It also draws from the company’s experience producing award-winning influencer-led content for global names like Amazon, Starbucks, L’oréal, Tata Group and Mcdonald’s, powered by its tech platform Animeta Brandstar and a creator network of more than 400,000.

    With this launch, Animeta hopes to give creators a futuristic canvas where imagination meets innovation, ensuring that storytelling not only keeps pace with the digital era but stays one step ahead.

    Because in today’s content-hungry world, the future of film might just be part human, part machine, and all story.