ITV

Category: MAM

  • Maitri trunk calls glory as Farhan bags Kerala’s first Red Elephant

    Maitri trunk calls glory as Farhan bags Kerala’s first Red Elephant

    MUMBAI: When elephants dance, they leave a mark and Muhammed Farhan just left one for the history books. The 22-year-old art director at Maitri has delivered Kerala its very first Red Elephant at the Kyoorius Design Yatra 2025, bagging the top honour for his packaging design for ITC Foods’ Bingo! festive gift packs. The brief was no small fry. Bingo! wanted festive gifting to feel modern and premium while sticking to a lean budget. Farhan responded with not one but two inventive packs that wowed the jury and stood out in a sea of entries.

    Pack A took inspiration from Warli art, a tribal form famous for its geometric motifs. Farhan cleverly wove Bingo!’s beloved snacks chips, nachos and Tedhe Medhe into celebratory Warli compositions. The design used a single strip with a looping mechanism, adaptable to hold varying snack quantities.

    Pack B went the nutty route, quite literally. Mandala-inspired and constructed with cashews, almonds, and exotic mixtures, the modular design borrowed from India’s classic tiffin box. Each paper unit clicked neatly together, allowing portions to be added or removed while staying securely locked.

    This wasn’t Farhan’s first brush with Kyoorius acclaim. He has already won four Blue Elephants and was shortlisted for the Young Maverick award at Goafest 2025 all without a formal design education. But this Red Elephant marks a historic leap, both for him and for Kerala.

    Maitri managing director Raju Menon couldn’t hide his pride: “Farhan joined us at 18, and his meteoric growth has been a delight to watch. We’re all very proud of our young star.” Maitri group creative director Francis Thomas added, “We knew this day was coming.”

    Farhan himself called the moment “unforgettable,” adding that representing Maitri on such a stage was an honour he would always carry.

    For Maitri, the win is more than just an award. It underscores the agency’s reputation for nurturing raw talent and pushing creative boundaries. For Farhan, it’s a reminder that sometimes the boldest ideas come from the youngest hands and they can carry the weight of an elephant.
     

  • Outspark sparks ahead with 200,000 paid users and Rs 30 Crore ARR

    Outspark sparks ahead with 200,000 paid users and Rs 30 Crore ARR

    MUMBAI: When it comes to careers, Outspark is lighting a fire under the job market. The AI-powered career-tech platform has raced past 200,000 paid users and clocked an annual recurring revenue of Rs 30 crore, all within months of its debut. Even more dazzling, revenue has grown fourfold in just seven months, making it one of India’s fastest-growing names in career technology.

    In an age where resumes battle algorithms before reaching recruiters, Outspark is arming professionals with an AI toolkit that feels more Silicon Valley than CV valley. From auto-polished resumes and studio-grade Linkedin headshots to an AI co-pilot that suggests daily posts and networking prompts, the platform is designed to turn passive profiles into magnets for opportunity.

    The numbers are equally bold: more than two million resumes and profiles reviewed, over 300,000 resumes generated, and 20,000 Linkedin makeovers delivered. Half of the company’s revenue now comes from users levelling up to premium services, proving its appeal runs deep.

    “Hiring is evolving faster than ever with AI. While companies have powerful tools, job seekers have been left behind,” said Outspark, founder and ceo, Kumar Apoorv. “Outspark bridges that gap by giving professionals the same edge as recruiters.”

    With ambitions now stretching beyond India, Outspark is eyeing expansions into the US, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Future plans include hyper-personalised job alerts, a job search co-pilot to automate applications, and partnerships with global recruiters. The goal? To build the world’s largest AI-first talent pool and make job hunting less of a grind and more of a glide.

  • Pocket fm insights ’25: 86 per cent of listeners prefer audio dramas over podcasts

    Pocket fm insights ’25: 86 per cent of listeners prefer audio dramas over podcasts

    MUMBAI:  For millions of Indians, screens are out and sound is in. Pocket fm’s entertainment insights ’25 report reveals how audio series have emerged as the country’s most intimate form of entertainment, redefining binge culture.

    Based on responses from 20,538 digital entertainment consumers, the survey reveals that audio dramas are now part of daily life, with 49 per cent listening to over 10 episodes a day, 50 per cent tuning in for more than 90 minutes (including 35 per cent who cross two hours), 60 per cent listening during leisure time, 48 per cent during commutes, and 86 per cent preferring episodic audio dramas over podcasts, audiobooks, or music.

    At the center of this shift is young India (18–24 years), treating audio series as both escape and habit. Genres such as drama (40 per cent), romance (37 per cent), sci-fi/fantasy (37 per cent), and thriller/horror (34 per cent) dominate, with Hindi leading at 53 per cent while regional languages rapidly gain ground.

    Monetisation patterns are equally unique: three in four prefer micro-payments over subscriptions, mirroring India’s wider digital payment culture.

    And the future? Surprisingly open to tech. 80 per cent of listeners say they are comfortable with AI-generated storytelling, so long as the narrative connects emotionally.

    “India has always been a storytelling nation, from epics to bollywood. What we are witnessing now is a generational pivot,” said Pocket entertainment, co-founder and ceo, Rohan Nayak. “People aren’t abandoning video; they’re choosing audio because it offers intimacy, imagination, and freedom. The future of pop culture will be defined as much by what we hear as by what we see.”

     

  • Insight hits 400K followers and paints Instagram red with festive flair

    Insight hits 400K followers and paints Instagram red with festive flair

    MUMBAI: When beauty meets numbers, the results can be dazzling. Insight Cosmetics, one of India’s fastest-growing homegrown makeup brands, has struck a glamorous milestone crossing 400,000 followers on Instagram and is celebrating it in style with the tagline, “Big Milestone, Bigger Savings.”

    To thank its ever-growing beauty tribe, the brand is rolling out an exclusive 20 per cent sitewide discount, just in time for the festive season. But that’s not all, Insight is also unveiling a brand-new product line packed with multiuse formulas that blend skincare benefits with makeup innovation. The idea: to offer modern consumers the best of both worlds quality and affordability in every swipe, dab, or blend.

    “Reaching 400K followers is not just a number, it is a testament to the trust, love, and loyalty of our community,” said Insight Cosmetics sales & marketing Mihir Jain. “Our promise remains the same: high-quality, cruelty-free, and trend-forward cosmetics that are accessible to all. With festive launches and exclusive offers, we aim to add sparkle to our customers’ celebrations.”

    Insight’s journey has been built on products that balance bold statement pieces like long-stay lipsticks with everyday essentials that meet India’s diverse beauty needs. Its community-driven growth mirrors a larger trend: makeup enthusiasts seeking affordable, cruelty-free products that don’t compromise on style.

    The 400K milestone cements Insight’s place as a go-to choice for beauty lovers scrolling and shopping across the country. And with discounts, new launches, and a little festive glitter, the brand is ensuring that celebrations look as radiant as they feel.

  • Humsa Dhir signs off from Sony after a decade of scripting its story

    Humsa Dhir signs off from Sony after a decade of scripting its story

     MUMBAI: Every great story needs a strong narrator and for Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), that voice has been Humsa Dhir for the last 10 years. Now, after an extraordinary decade as Senior vice president and head of corporate communications, she is bidding farewell to the network she helped define.

    Joining SPNI in 2015, Dhir steered the company’s reputation through broadcast, digital, and sports ventures, shaping how the brand was seen and understood. From deft crisis management to bold corporate storytelling, her tenure became the playbook for communications done with both strategy and sensitivity.

    Her influence stretched far beyond press releases. She chaired the organisation’s Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee for two terms, established social media governance frameworks, and championed initiatives such as the award-winning Go-Beyond Podcast, which won praise for reinventing corporate storytelling.

    Across media, energy, manufacturing, and automotive sectors, Dhir’s broader career has seen her advise CXOs and boards across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East on trust, change, and long-term value creation. At Sony, those skills translated into campaigns that resonated, and a reputation that endured.

    “Humsa has been an exceptional custodian of SPNI’s reputation and values,” said SPNI CHRO Manu Wadhwa hailing her ability to craft compelling narratives while building trust with stakeholders. “We will truly miss her insight, her partnership, and the calm confidence she always brought to the table.”

    Reflecting on her own journey, Dhir called the role “a privilege” and “a decade of growth,” noting that it gave her opportunities to blend strategy with sensitivity while building a trusted communications function. “As I close this chapter, I do so with deep gratitude and a clear sense of readiness to take this experience into new environments,” she said, hinting at broader mandates ahead.

    As she steps away, Sony loses its voice behind the curtain, the calm strategist who ensured its stories found the right tone at the right time. But for Dhir, the next chapter promises new audiences, bigger stages, and fresh scripts waiting to be written.

  • Iis launches digital learning series ‘iis sikhaega’ for athletes

    Iis launches digital learning series ‘iis sikhaega’ for athletes

     MUMBAI: Bellary is bringing world-class coaching to your screen. The inspire institute of sport (iis), India’s premier high-performance training hub, has launched a new digital content series titled iis sikhaega. The platform is designed to provide aspiring athletes across the country with practical, expert-led lessons at their fingertips.

    The series will feature short, easy-to-follow videos released thrice a month on Instagram and Youtube. Content will range from the basics of fitness and nutrition to advanced training, recovery, and rehabilitation techniques, all explained by iis coaches, trainers and young athletes themselves.

    “Our mission has always been to nurture the next generation of Indian athletes,” said inspire institute of sport, president, Manisha Malhotra. “Through iis sikhaega, we want to extend our coaching and technical know-how beyond our campus and make it accessible to youngsters everywhere, especially those outside tier 1 cities.”

    With a strong focus on athletes from tier 2 and tier 3 regions, the initiative aims to close the gap between raw talent and professional opportunity. By breaking down complex concepts into simple, engaging lessons, iis hopes to make high-performance knowledge available to every aspiring sportsperson.

  • Mars cosmetics names Anmol Sahai Mathur as vp marketing for brand push

    Mars cosmetics names Anmol Sahai Mathur as vp marketing for brand push

    MUMBAI: Mars is reaching for the stars in beauty. The fast-growing Indian cosmetics brand has appointed Anmol Sahai Mathur as its new vice president of marketing, signalling its intent to move from challenger to household name.

    A seasoned marketer with more than a decade of experience, Mathur has built a career at the crossroads of digital storytelling, influencer partnerships and brand strategy. He has worked with platforms such as Triller and Eloelo, and most recently led digital marketing at the open network for digital commerce (ondc).

    Speaking on his appointment, Mathur said, “Mars has always stood out with its bold, inclusive approach to beauty. I look forward to creating campaigns that mirror the spirit of our consumers and strengthen the brand’s position as a go-to choice across India.”

    Having worked with Mars before, Mathur is no stranger to the brand’s core ethos of affordability, innovation and quality. His return, according to the company, is about deepening consumer bonds and driving digital-first growth.

    Mars cosmetics, business administrator, Rishabh Sethia said, “With Anmol’s deep understanding of our brand and his digital expertise, we are confident he will lead the next phase of growth and help us connect even more meaningfully with consumers.”

    In his new role, Mathur will focus on sharpening brand identity, building out Mar’s digital presence and crafting emotionally resonant campaigns under the company’s “make-up for everyone” vision.
     

  • Pickleball auction serves up Rs 6.6 crore as global stars join the rally

    Pickleball auction serves up Rs 6.6 crore as global stars join the rally

    MUMBAI: Pickleball has smashed its way into the big leagues. The Global Sports Pickleball (GSP) Season 2 Pro & Challenger League Auction in Mumbai turned into a sporting spectacle, with 10 teams battling it out for talent worth a potential Rs 6.6 crore. Each franchise had a player budget of Rs 66 lakhs Rs 55 lakhs for the Pro League and Rs 11 lakhs for the Challenger League setting the tone for a season that promises fierce rallies on and off the court.

    The headline-grabbing deal of the day was 19-year-old Quang Duong from Vietnam, who went for a whopping Rs 27 lakhs to Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors, proving youth is just as prized as experience. Close behind was Megan Fudge (USA), snapped up by Ahmedabad Olympians for Rs 25.5 lakhs, followed by fellow American Jack Munro at Rs 25 lakhs for Jaipur Stallions. The Delhi Snipers pulled the trigger on Bobbi Oshiro (USA) for Rs 24.5 lakhs, while Hyderabad Vikings secured Roos Van Reek (Netherlands) at Rs 23.5 lakhs. With ages spanning late teens to late thirties, the Pro League’s top buys showed the perfect blend of fresh legs and seasoned grit.

    Indian players weren’t far behind in the bidding wars. Harsh Mehta led the Pro League pack with a Rs 21 lakh signing for Chennai Cool Cats, followed by Arjun Singh at Rs 8 lakhs for Nashik Ninjas and Aditya Ruhela at Rs 5 lakhs for Jaipur Stallions. In the Challenger League, homegrown talent sparkled Mihika Yadav was signed by Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors for Rs 4.4 lakhs, Aman Patel by Jaipur Stallions at Rs 4 lakhs, and Tejas Gulati by Coimbatore Super Smashers at Rs 3.7 lakhs.

    The Challenger League also brought international flair, with Leah Tauber (India) topping the charts at Rs 5.2 lakhs for Delhi Snipers, followed by Mihika Yadav and Alex Emery (USA) at Rs 4.2 lakhs for Ahmedabad Olympians. With base bids starting as low as Rs 50,000 and soaring much higher thanks to intense franchise battles, the auction underscored the sport’s rapid rise.

    All 10 franchises, Ahmedabad Olympians, Bengaluru Blazers, Chennai Cool Cats, Coimbatore Super Smashers, Delhi Snipers, Hyderabad Vikings, Jaipur Stallions, Kolkata Kingz, Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors, and Nashik Ninjas walked away with talent to watch.

    Calling it a watershed moment Pickleball Growth chief architect Hemal Jain said the competition reflected the “groundwork being laid for pickleball to become a mainstream professional sport in India.” Co-founder of Global Sports and filmmaker Shashank Khaitan added that the event not only showcased fierce bidding and top-tier players but also “helped build a sustainable sports ecosystem for the long haul.”

    With Rs 6.6 crore in play, marquee global names in the mix, and Indian youngsters stepping into the spotlight, Season 2 looks set to make pickleball not just a pastime, but a primetime passion.

  • Caratlane makes a Pujo proposal with a love story set to Rabindra Sangeet

    Caratlane makes a Pujo proposal with a love story set to Rabindra Sangeet

    MUMBAI: When love meets Pujo, sparks fly louder than dhak beats. Caratlane has dropped a new festive film that transforms Durga Puja into the most romantic stage for a proposal, complete with sindoor, Rabindra Sangeet, and one unforgettable ring.

    The campaign, titled ‘Maayer Aashirbaad’, is conceptualised by BBH India and directed by award-winning filmmaker Bauddhayan Mukherji of Little Lamb Films. At its core is Caratlane’s elegant proposal ring, unveiled as the ultimate symbol of commitment, timed to match the emotional crescendo of Bengal’s grandest celebration.

    Music drives the entire storytelling. Composed by Debojyoti Mishra, the score is a soul-stirring medley that blends timeless Rabindra Sangeet with earthy folk melodies. Sung by Mekhla Dasgupta and Chirantan Banerjee, the tracks double as dialogue, with lyrics becoming playful exchanges between the protagonists, actors Ayoshi Talukdar and Subhrojit Saha. Their chemistry carries the love story from Shoshthi to Doshomi, across iconic moments like Anjali, Dhunuchi Naach, and Bhog.

    The film reaches its high point during Doshomi’s sindoor khela, where the male lead drops down on one knee in a cinematic proposal. The ring gleams not just as jewellery but as a promise rooted in tradition yet charged with spontaneity. It’s the kind of moment that lingers, much like the colours of Pujo itself.

    For BBH India, CCO Parikshit Bhattacharya the festival was always a love story waiting to be framed. “Durga Pujo is already about romance, rituals, and memories. We wanted to set one more love story against that backdrop,” he said, emphasising how cultural truths create deeper brand narratives.

    Caratlane MD Saumen Bhaumik echoed that sentiment, noting that proposals are “matters of the heart free flowing, spontaneous, like a melody.” By weaving music, ritual and romance, the campaign aims to move beyond standard jewellery ads into something more heartfelt and enduring.

    With its lush visuals, rich soundscape, and a story that plays out as much in the heart as on screen, Maayer Aashirbaad isn’t just a campaign, it’s a proposal wrapped in the colours, chaos, and cadences of Pujo itself.

  • Publicis brings Ravi Bhaya home to script client-first transformation

    Publicis brings Ravi Bhaya home to script client-first transformation

    MUMBAI: Talk about a full-circle moment, Ravi Bhaya is back at Publicis, this time to steer the ship as chief client officer at Publicis Media India. Based in Mumbai and reporting to Lalatendu Das, CEO of Publicis Media South Asia, Bhaya’s brief is crystal clear: transform client partnerships with a mix of data, AI and creativity that sets the group apart in what it calls a “Category of One.”

    It’s a homecoming for Bhaya, who spent over two decades shaping global media strategies across India, Germany, South Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore and North America. His CV reads like a travelogue of transformation leading mandates for marquee brands including P&G, Samsung, Coca-Cola, BMW and Mondelez, expanding agency capabilities in new markets, and driving growth strategies rooted in performance-led marketing.

    Bhaya also dabbled in the startup world, co-founding Rsquared Global Ventures (R2GV) to advise Martech, Adtech, data and commerce ventures on scaling strategies, while working closely with VCs to spot high-growth bets in emerging tech. Before that, as managing director for global growth at Munich-based Serviceplan Group, he was instrumental in driving alliances, partnerships and international expansion.

    His return to Publicis signals a sharper client-first agenda. With Starcom, Zenith and Performics under his wing, Bhaya is tasked with deepening partnerships and pushing integrated, future-ready solutions in India’s rapidly shifting media landscape. For Publicis Groupe, which has doubled down on data-led and AI-powered offerings, the appointment underscores its ambition to blend global expertise with local impact.

    Or as Bhaya himself put it, coming back feels both “familiar and fresh” rooted in trust, fuelled by renewed ambition, and very much tuned to what’s next for clients in an industry where data, creativity and AI are increasingly inseparable.