ITV

Category: MAM

  • Ritesh Gupta takes charge of ad sales at OLX India

    Ritesh Gupta takes charge of ad sales at OLX India

    MUMBAI: After nearly two decades of steering digital revenue growth across India’s top media and auto-tech brands, Ritesh Gupta has taken on a new challenge as head of ad sales (direct) and partnerships at OLX India.

    At CarDekho, where he spent over seven years, Gupta was instrumental in scaling the new auto business to contribute over 20 per cent of company revenue. He also built strong alliances with top automotive brands such as Toyota, Hero, Hyundai, TVS, Honda Cars, and Ather, while spearheading digital innovations like AI voice bots, AR/VR tools, and chatbots to enhance engagement.

    His diverse career spans leadership roles at The Indian Express, ABP Group, Connecting Dots Asia, Hindustan Times, Nielsen Digital, Business Standard, and The Times of India, where he honed his expertise in digital transformation, strategic partnerships, and sales excellence.

    In his new role at OLX India, Gupta will focus on strengthening the company’s advertising ecosystem through direct brand collaborations, strategic alliances, and innovative monetisation models.

    With his rich cross-industry experience and a flair for innovation, Gupta’s appointment marks a strong step forward in OLX India’s mission to accelerate growth in the evolving ad and partnerships landscape.

     

  • Pratiman joins Bosch to power global growth

    Pratiman joins Bosch to power global growth

    MUMBAI: After over a decade of driving growth for some of the world’s biggest brands, Pratiman is now steering into a new chapter as senior growth & demand marketing manager at Bosch, based in Stuttgart, Germany.

    In his new role, he will lead global growth and demand marketing for Bosch Software & Digital Solutions, focusing on account-based marketing, campaign strategy, pipeline acceleration, and customer engagement across markets.

    Pratiman’s career is a masterclass in modern marketing. Before joining Bosch, he served as CRM marketing lead at Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, where he drove global CRM transformation through Microsoft Dynamics 365, aligning marketing, sales, and IT to enhance customer journeys and operational efficiency.

    Previously, at SAP LeanIX, he honed his expertise in marketing automation and data-driven strategy, leading cross-channel campaigns via HubSpot and Salesforce while ensuring GDPR compliance and advanced analytics for global audiences.

    His freelance consulting years were equally prolific, advising brands such as Aviatrix, T-Systems, Rydoo, and Zeotap on intent-based marketing and CRM integrations. Earlier roles at Simba Dickie Group, Eran Group, and Audi shaped his early understanding of brand building, experiential marketing, and international market dynamics.

    Recognised as one of India’s youngest Top 100 Most Influential Marketing Leaders by the World Marketing Congress, Pratiman has built a career at the intersection of creativity, data, and technology.

    Now at Bosch, his focus is clear, to accelerate growth through precision marketing that fuses global insight with local relevance. For a marketer who’s driven results from Mumbai to Munich, this next pit stop at Bosch looks like another winning lap.

  • Zepto ties the knot with Britannia for a shaadi that wasn’t real

    Zepto ties the knot with Britannia for a shaadi that wasn’t real

    MUMBAI: Who says you need a bride and groom to have a big fat Indian wedding? Zepto just proved otherwise with its Great Indian Fake Shaadi, a no-nuptials bash that turned Chattarpur’s Ira Luxe into the wildest wedding that never was. In partnership with Britannia, the event saw 300 plus guests, top creators and brand partners show up for a night where nothing was real, but everything was reel.

    Britannia, the title sponsor, quite literally led the baraat kicking off the evening with the Britannia Pure Magic Baraat and a flash mob to Bingo!’s viral Tedhe Medhe Bhojpuri anthem. The result? A spectacle that felt like a cross between a shaadi, a music video, and a meme come to life.

    Shaadi.com joined the fun with a digital roast by founder Anupam Mittal, taking a hilariously self-aware dig at India’s dating scene, while Manforce Epic Condoms added some cheeky sparkle with a vibrating bed installation that had guests blushing and grinning in equal measure.

    The celebration was co-powered by a who’s who of brands Nivea, Haldiram’s, Bingo Tedhe Medhe, Manforce Epic Condoms, Shaadi.com, Close-Up, ITC Fabelle, and Minimalist making it less of a wedding and more of a brand baaraat. Rebound – Detox Shot, Hershey’s, Sugar, and Wildstone joined in as supporting partners, ensuring the party stayed powered through the night.

    The creative chaos was choreographed by Meragi, a real wedding planning startup that turned Zepto’s tongue-in-cheek concept into a content goldmine. With sangeet performances, spoof rituals, and brand-led installations, the venue became a playground for creators with over 100 influencers flooding social feeds in real time.

    “The fake shaadi trend isn’t just a meme anymore, it’s a cultural moment,” said Zepto chief brand officer Chandan Mendiratta. “We wanted to kick off the wedding season by owning that moment and turning it into something bigger. The fake shaadi reflects how Gen Z celebrates with irony, energy and endless content.”

    For Britannia general manager for marketing Siddharth Gupta the evening was a perfect fit for their indulgent new range. “The Great Indian Fake Shaadi was such a fun and unexpected way to start the wedding season. It was full of laughter, energy, and indulgence, much like Britannia Pure Magic. Guests experienced our new choco creations that turn every bite into an irresistible delight.”

    At the end of the night, there were no pheras, no tears, and definitely no bidaai but there was plenty of laughter, content and chaos. Zepto’s Fake Shaadi wasn’t just a stunt; it was a sly mirror to how India’s wedding season has gone from ceremonial to cinematic. Because who needs “I do” when you’ve got “I post”?
     

  • Zee Media appoints Raktim Das as new CEO

    Zee Media appoints Raktim Das as new CEO

    MUMBAI: Zee Media Corporation has named seasoned media professional Raktimanu Das, popularly known as Raktim Das, as its new chief executive officer, effective 4 November 2025. His appointment follows the resignation of former CEO Karan Abhishek Singh.

    The company’s board of directors approved the appointment at a meeting on 3 November 2025, as per its filings with the BSE and NSE. Das has also been designated as key managerial personnel of the company.

    A media veteran with over two decades of experience, Das has worked with leading organisations including TV9 Network, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, Network18, Direct News, India Today, and The Times of India. His career spans revenue leadership, editorial strategy, brand monetisation, and digital transformation.

    Before joining Zee Media, Das served as chief growth officer (digital & broadcasting) at TV9 Network, where he played a key role in building high-performing teams and driving growth through innovation and intrapreneurship.

    A pioneer in the Indian media landscape, Das has been credited with creating industry-first branded content practices and media IPs across broadcast, digital, and OTT platforms.

  • Sonali Bendre brings back The Happy Pawdcast

    Sonali Bendre brings back The Happy Pawdcast

    MUMBAI: The fur’s flying again, in the best way possible. The Happy Pawdcast is back for Season 2 on RosePod, with actor Sonali Bendre and her fluffy co-host Icy Behl leading the way through laughter, lessons and lots of love.

    Produced by Rose Audio Visuals, the new season promises a richer format and a star-studded line-up of celebrity pet parents and animal experts. Viewers can expect heartfelt and hilarious stories from guests including Amala Akkineni, Rohan Joshi, Remo D’Souza, Diana Penty, Kubbra Sait, Karan Wahi and Tusshar Kapoor.

    Sonali Bendre shared, “Every episode is a gentle reminder that our pets are our greatest teachers, of love, patience and empathy. I’m thrilled to return with more stories, deeper conversations, and of course, Icy’s irresistible charm.”

    According to Rose Audio Visuals head of marketing & branded content Megha H Desai, “The Happy Pawdcast has always been about celebrating the human–animal bond. Season 2 takes that connection further, fostering awareness and compassion among India’s growing pet-loving community.”

    Whether you’re a seasoned pet parent or just someone who smiles at dog videos, this “pawsome” show is bound to tug at your heartstrings. The Happy Pawdcast Season 2 drops its first episode on 7 November on RosePod’s Youtube channel.
     

  • District by Zomato brings luxury to Kotak Solitaire

    District by Zomato brings luxury to Kotak Solitaire

    MUMBAI: Fine dining just got finer, and a little more exclusive. District by Zomato has teamed up with Kotak Mahindra Bank to offer Kotak Solitaire Credit Card holders a seat at India’s most coveted culinary tables.

    The partnership opens doors to extraordinary experiences curated by some of the world’s top chefs and mixologists. Think Himalayan air meeting Malaysian flair in Naar x Dewakan by chefs Prateek Sadhu and Darren Teoh, or the soulful Bhog Table experience by chef Auroni and Bengaluru Oota Company, each event crafted for those who treat dining as an art form.

    For Solitaire cardholders, the flavour of privilege continues long after dessert. They enjoy 20 per cent savings on dining via District (up to Rs 5,000 per bill, twice a month), priority access to India’s most sought-after restaurants, and Zomato Gold membership at just Rs 1.

    “At Kotak Solitaire, we believe true luxury lies in experiences that feel personal and effortless,” said Kotak Mahindra Bank executive vice president – head of affluent and salaried propositions Jyoti Samajpati. “For our clients, dining is not just a meal, but a celebration of taste, culture and identity.”

    A District by Zomato spokesperson added, “We’re not just creating events like the Naar x Michelin series, we’re building a movement to redefine India’s fine dining culture and make these collaborations more accessible.”

    Previously reserved for those with industry access or insider connections, such dining experiences are now discoverable through the District app. For Kotak’s elite, this is more than a card, it’s a golden ticket to a world where banking meets haute cuisine.

  • Fixderma Schools teens in smart skincare habits

    Fixderma Schools teens in smart skincare habits

    MUMBAI: Fixderma is giving acne a lesson to remember. The dermatologist-prescribed skincare brand has wrapped up its engaging school campaign, Skin Investment, aimed at helping teenagers make smart, science-backed skincare choices before problems strike.

    Targeting students aged 13 to 16, the initiative reached over 20 schools across NCR through dermatologist talks, interactive workshops and hands-on learning modules powered by Fixderma’s Salyzap range, a clinically formulated line for acne-prone and sensitive skin.

    Students not only soaked up expert advice but also showed surprising creativity, coining slogans like “Skin achi toh din acha” and “Treat your skin like a plant, hydrate it every day.” The campaign made skincare fun, relatable and rooted in confidence.

    “Too often, teens start thinking about skincare only after a breakout,” said Fixderma founder and CEO Shaily Mehrotra. “With Skin Investment, we wanted to shift that mindset from reactive to preventive. Just like financial literacy, skin literacy should start early, because healthy skin is a lifelong investment.”

    Fixderma chairman Anurag Mehrotra added, “The response from schools has been phenomenal. Our aim was not sales but awareness. When children understand their skin, they become more confident and responsible. Education is at the heart of our brand’s purpose.”

    Following its successful Pimple Police campaign for college students, Fixderma continues to carve a niche as a skincare brand that leads with science, empathy and education. With its philosophy skin first, confidence always, the company now plans to take skin investment nationwide, ensuring every young face gets a healthy head start.
     

  • Honor India gets smarter with AI-powered support

    Honor India gets smarter with AI-powered support

    MUMBAI: Honor India is putting the “smart” back into smartphones with its latest move, becoming the first smartphone brand in the country to integrate the Uttik AI Answer Engine. The innovation redefines how customer support works, transforming it from reactive to real-time.

    For a generation that turns to AI for every answer, Honor is now meeting its customers where they are, across platforms like Google AI Overview, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity. The system, powered by PSAV Global, ensures that queries about Honor devices receive instant, accurate and contextual responses, eliminating long wait times and confusion.

    “We listened carefully to our customers and recognised they were facing frustration when seeking answers about our products,” said PSAV Global (official partner for Honor Smartphones) CEO C.P. Khandelwal. “The implementation of the AI Answer Engine demonstrates our ability to unite empathy and intelligence, creating long-term trust through smarter engagement.”

    The results have been nothing short of transformative. Response times have dropped from three days to under five minutes, while self-service success has climbed dramatically. Troubleshooting that once took hours now happens in minutes, supported by multilingual accessibility for India’s diverse users.

    The system’s impact goes beyond efficiency. Real customers are praising Honor’s fast, transparent and proactive service. Many cite quick repairs and replacements that have turned frustrating issues into positive experiences, reinforcing the brand’s reputation for reliability.

    The AI-driven platform continuously learns from each interaction, refining responses and even predicting potential issues before they escalate. With real-time sentiment monitoring and predictive analytics, Honor has turned data into empathy, anticipating needs before customers have to ask.

    By combining innovation with intuition, Honor India’s partnership with Uttik has not just upgraded its customer support, it has rewritten the playbook on how technology can build trust, loyalty and delight in a digital-first world.
     

  • Thirst for growth as TABP pours Rs 26 crore into Bharat’s beverage boom

    Thirst for growth as TABP pours Rs 26 crore into Bharat’s beverage boom

    MUMBAI: In a country where nimbu paani meets nostalgia and flavour fuels fortune, Coimbatore-based TABP Snacks and Beverages is bottling Bharat’s thirst, one sip at a time. The company, which turns beloved street-side drinks into hygienic, affordable, and ready-to-drink formats, has raised 3 million dollars (Rs 26 crore) in a fresh funding round led by LC Nueva, with participation from Entrust Family Office and investors Arun Mukherjee and Soumya Malani.

    Founded in 2018 by engineer duo and husband-wife team Prabhu Gandhikumar and Brindha Vijayakumar, TABP has quietly brewed a niche for itself in the value beverage market. Think local favourites from rose milk to lemon soda but in standardised, safe, and scalable packaging. It’s a refreshing formula for an underserved consumer base often overlooked by mainstream FMCG giants.

    “Our belief has always been simple, India’s beverage revolution won’t be led by metros alone,” says TABP co-founder and CEO Gandhikumar. “For millions in tier-2 towns and rural belts, there’s still a gap between taste, hygiene, and affordability. Our goal is to fill that gap with quality beverages that feel aspirational yet remain accessible.”

    And the numbers suggest he’s onto something. From a modest Rs 4 crore in FY19, TABP has fizzed its way to Rs 212 crore in FY24–25, targeting a heady Rs 800 crore in the next three years before a planned pan-India expansion and eventual public listing.

    The company plans to deploy the fresh funds to expand distribution across southern and eastern India, introduce new beverage formats, and boost manufacturing capacity. It’s a move aimed at tapping into India’s Rs 1.38 lakh crore non-alcoholic beverage market, a sector expected to swell to Rs 2.1 lakh crore by 2029, powered by affordability-led consumption and rising hygiene awareness among mass consumers.

    While global giants continue to dominate the premium urban aisles, a vast swathe of small-town and rural beverage consumption remains unorganised, often sold at roadside stalls in unhygienic conditions. TABP’s mission? To bring structure, safety, and scale to this chaos. By reimagining hyper-local favourites as packaged, standardised products, the brand is doing for drinks what Amul did for milk and Lays did for snacks.

    “Under Prabhu’s leadership, TABP has found a sweet spot between aspiration and accessibility,” said a Entrust Family Office partner. “Its differentiated flavour play and disciplined growth model show that innovation can thrive even in value segments.”

    LC Nueva’s spokesperson echoed this sentiment, adding, “We’ve been early believers in TABP’s Bharat-first approach. Its growth proves that the next wave of consumption will be value-driven yet aspirational.”

    Of course, not every sip is smooth. Climate-linked raw material volatility and rural distribution challenges continue to test the industry. But TABP is banking on regional familiarity, frugality, and a ground-up network to weather the heat.

    For now, as the company scales up its operations and prepares to go national, TABP stands as a symbol of Bharat’s changing palate, one that values both taste and trust.

    From steel tumblers to pet bottles, from roadside stalls to retail shelves, the message is clear: India’s thirst for affordable quality is here to stay and TABP just might be the one to quench it.

     

  • L’Oréal brings dermatologist darling La Roche-Posay to India

    L’Oréal brings dermatologist darling La Roche-Posay to India

    MUMBAI L’Oréal India is betting big on Indian skin. The beauty giant has launched La Roche-Posay, the world’s number one dermatologist-recommended skincare brand, marking a major push into the country’s booming dermocosmetics market.

    The French brand arrives with four heavy hitters: Mela B3 Serum, armed with Melasyl, a patented molecule that took 18 years to develop and claims to visibly reduce stubborn dark spots and melasma across all skin tones; Anthelios, offering broad-spectrum sun protection in a lightweight formula; Cicaplast, which repairs irritated skin; and Effaclar, targeting acne-prone complexions.

    India’s tryst with hyperpigmentation—driven by fierce UV exposure and hormonal changes—makes it prime territory for La Roche-Posay’s science. The Mela B3 Serum has been clinically proven to reduce up to 90 per cent of persistent dark spots, a claim that matters in a market where pigmentation concerns dominate dermatology clinics.

    “La Roche-Posay represents a gold standard in dermatological skincare where efficacy meets tolerance,” said Mumba-based Skinfinitii Aesthetic & Laser Clinic cosmetic dermatologist and medical director Jaishree Sharad. The introduction of Melasyl marks a milestone in addressing pigmentation concerns prevalent in Indian skin, she added.

    Each product contains La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, naturally rich in selenium and known for its antioxidant properties. The brand, founded in 1975, has built its reputation on close collaboration with dermatologists—globally partnering with over 250,000 healthcare professionals.

    L’Oréal India L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty director Rami Itani called the launch an important milestone. “We are proud to bring the most advanced dermatological knowledge and innovation to India, empowering dermatologists and consumers to achieve healthier skin and better lives,” he said.

    The products are available exclusively through dermatologist clinics, Nykaa, Apollo 24X7 and pharmacy stores. It’s L’Oréal’s second dermatological brand in India after CeraVe, which entered in 2023.

    For La Roche-Posay, which has spent five decades at the forefront of skincare science, India represents fresh hunting ground. With its focus on pigmentation and its dermatologist-first distribution strategy, the brand is positioning itself not as another beauty label but as a medical-grade solution. In a country obsessed with fair skin and plagued by pigmentation, that positioning might just work.