Category: News Headline

  • Birla Opus unveils “One Aero” spray paint range

    Birla Opus unveils “One Aero” spray paint range

    MUMBAI: Birla Opus Paints, part of the Aditya Birla Group’s Grasim Industries, has launched its newest innovation, One Aero, a high-performance aerosol paint range designed to make painting faster, smoother, and easier for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts.

    The new range promises a 15-minute fast-dry formula, delivering a premium finish, excellent coverage, and a smooth spray pattern that ensures even application every time. Each can is tested at 8 bar pressure to guarantee leak-free performance, underscoring Birla Opus Paints’ commitment to safety, quality, and its colourful vision of “Duniya ko rang do.”

    Available in 11 versatile shades, including white, black, phirozi, golden yellow, bus green, deep orange, po red, signal red, golden brown, gold, and silver, the 400 ml cans come with a one-year warranty, a first in the Indian aerosol paint market.

    “At Birla Opus Paints, our goal is to deliver solutions that evolve with our customers’ needs,” said Birla Opus Paints CEO Rakshit Hargave. “With One Aero, we’re giving users the ability to achieve professional-grade results effortlessly.”

    In a move to improve retail accessibility, the brand has also introduced a new six-can packaging format, replacing the standard 12-pack to enhance convenience for retailers and consumers alike.

    One Aero is now available across Birla Opus Paints’ expanding network of franchise stores and paint studios, complete with shade cards and brochures to help customers find their perfect hue.

    With its sleek performance, reliability, and design-first approach, Birla Opus Paints’ One Aero range is set to give India’s paint aisles a vibrant new lift, one spray at a time.

     
     
  • Swiss beauty says “We Got You, Girl!” with Taapsee

    Swiss beauty says “We Got You, Girl!” with Taapsee

    MUMBAI: India’s wedding season hits full sparkle, Swiss Beauty has rolled out its latest campaign, “We Got You, Girl!”, a bold, feel-good ode to the many moods of today’s woman. The homegrown beauty brand, among India’s fastest-growing, teams up with Hindi cinema star and brand ambassador Taapsee Pannu to deliver a message of confidence, colour and care.

    In the campaign film, Taapsee embodies the spirit of the modern Indian woman, playful at brunch, powerful at work, emotional with family and dazzling on the dance floor. Whether she’s the bridesmaid, the best friend, or the showstopper of the shaadi season, Swiss Beauty’s promise stays the same, “We got you, girl!”

    “‘We Got You, Girl!’ isn’t just a line, it’s our brand promise,” said Swiss Beauty chief marketing officer Vidushi Goyal. “We’re celebrating women who express themselves fearlessly, with beauty that feels effortless, expressive, and empowering.”

    Created by Famous Innovations, the campaign stands out for its authentic tone, one that refuses to dictate what beauty should look like. “Swiss Beauty doesn’t tell you how to look,” said Famous Innovations founding partner and creative head Sumit Chaurasia. “It simply says, ‘We got you, exactly as you are.’ That’s rare, and that’s real.”

    From glossy lips and soft-focus bases to longwear statement eyes, the campaign captures this season’s biggest beauty trends, designed for the whirlwind of haldi mornings, sangeet nights, and never-ending dance floors.

    Backed by digital buzz, influencer collaborations, and snackable social content starring Taapsee, Swiss Beauty’s “We Got You, Girl!” campaign sparkles with the kind of everyday confidence that’s made for every woman, and every moment she owns.

     
     
  • Raunac goes viral as News18 India mixes humour and headlines

    Raunac goes viral as News18 India mixes humour and headlines

    MUMBAI: When news meets views and memes meet meaning, it’s time for Viral Baat Raunac ke Saath. News18 India, the country’s No. 1 Hindi news channel, is plugging into Gen Z’s frequency with its latest show featuring India’s favourite radio prankster-turned-digital dynamo, RJ Raunac.

    Airing every Thursday and Friday at 8:35 pm starting next week, the show promises a punchy mix of trending talk, digital explainers, and laugh-out-loud insights on everything that’s making India scroll. Think AI-powered video explainers, viral social trends, national headlines with a meme-worthy spin and of course, Raunac’s trademark wit that turns even serious news into shareable moments.

    The format is tailor-made for today’s short-attention-span audience: snackable clips will roll out across News18 India’s social handles, ensuring the show lives far beyond television screens. With humour, speed and digital savvy baked into its DNA, Viral Baat Raunac ke Saath aims to bridge the great divide between primetime anchors and your favourite reel-makers.

    News18 India (PH & JKLH) managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “RJ Raunac is one of India’s most loved radio personalities and enjoys immense popularity among the youth. This show reflects our continuous efforts to adapt to new formats, collaborate with influencers, and engage audiences where they are. With Viral Baat Raunac ke Saath, we aim to blend news in a refreshing and relatable style, trending topics, humour and insights together in one engaging experience.”

    For Raunac, the idea is simple, if the world can go viral, why not the news? “These days, everything goes viral, memes, reels, even people! So why not news? That’s exactly what we’re doing with Viral Baat Raunac ke Saath, where news meets views in the most entertaining way. With News18 India, we’re creating a show that makes you think, smile and share all at once!” he quipped.

    The collaboration marks a clever turn in how mainstream media is courting digital creators to capture younger audiences. By bringing influencers into the news fold, News18 India is blurring the lines between newsroom rigour and online spontaneity turning current affairs into current fun.

    From the mic to the meme, Raunac’s viral voice is all set to make prime time scroll-worthy again. So, when the clock hits 8:35, don’t just watch the news vibe with it. Show airs every Thursday and Friday, 8:35 pm on News18 India, and streams across its digital platforms.

  • Citroën shifts gears with alterType’s fresh spin

    Citroën shifts gears with alterType’s fresh spin

    MUMBAI: Citroën India is shifting gears, and this time, the ride feels unmistakably homegrown. The French automaker’s latest brand campaign, Shift Into The New, crafted by independent creative agency alterType, infuses a refreshing Indian flavour into Citroën’s signature design-led sophistication.

    As Citroën’s lead creative agency, alterType has been tasked with steering the brand into its next chapter, repositioning models like the C3X, Aircross X, and Basalt X as smart, stylish, and family-friendly choices for Indian consumers. The campaign captures the brand’s promise of comfort, intelligence, and modern mobility, retold through the lens of contemporary Indian life, where aspiration meets everyday ease.

    Adding star power to the shift is MS Dhoni, Citroën India’s brand ambassador, whose calm confidence and precision mirror the brand’s philosophy. His presence deepens Citroën’s growing emotional connect with Indian audiences, reinforcing the blend of trust and quiet strength that defines both the cricketer and the carmaker.

    “Shift Into The New isn’t just a campaign; it’s how Citroën communicates who it is today,” said alterType co-founder and managing director Siddharth Loyal. “We wanted to evolve Citroën’s voice from niche and European to confident, contemporary, and distinctly human.”

    The multi-platform campaign, spanning television, digital, and social media, introduces a refreshed brand language across Citroën’s lineup, celebrating motion, energy, and control. Each film brings Citroën’s hallmark comfort and design to life with an unmistakably Indian spirit, showcasing how global sophistication can meet local sensibilities without missing a beat.

    “This campaign captures our commitment to innovation and a modern Indian perspective,” said Automotive Brands, Stellantis India business head and director Kumar Priyesh. “It’s about making every drive more comfortable, more enjoyable, and more Citroën.”

    With Shift Into The New, Citroën and alterType have done more than just launch a campaign, they’ve created a cultural crossover, where French finesse meets Indian flair, and every drive feels like home. 

  • LTIMindtree, IFFI script India’s first AI film fest

    LTIMindtree, IFFI script India’s first AI film fest

    MUMBAI: Cinema is getting a digital rewrite. LTIMindtree has partnered with the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) to launch India’s first-ever AI Film Festival and Hackathon, set to take place during IFFI 2025 in Goa from November 20 to 28.

    The initiative, powered by LTIMindtree’s Blueverse Craftstudio, aims to explore how artificial intelligence can reshape the way stories are written, filmed, and experienced. From AI-generated films to creative tech experiments, the festival promises to be a melting pot of imagination and innovation.

    Speaking about the initiative, festival director of IFFI and jury chair of the IFFI AI film festival Shekhar Kapur said, “Cinema has always reflected the power of human imagination. Today, AI gives us a new lens that expands our ability to dream, design, and express.”

    Adding to that, LTIMindtree executive vice president and global head of interactive services Sujay Sen said, “The future of storytelling lies at the confluence of human creativity and AI. We’re proud to help bring that future to life.”

    NFDC managing director Prakash Magdum noted that this partnership extends IFFI’s legacy of celebrating emerging voices and technologies into “the world of AI: responsibly, inclusively, and with global collaboration.”

    The event will feature an AI film showcase, a 48-hour hackathon, and workshops on creative technology, offering filmmakers, developers, and dreamers alike a front-row seat to the next big evolution in storytelling.

    As cinema meets code in Goa, IFFI 2025 might just prove that the next great filmmaker could be part human, part algorithm.

     

  • HMD promotes Abhishek Ranjan to CMO for India, APAC

    HMD promotes Abhishek Ranjan to CMO for India, APAC

    MUMBAI: HMD is ringing in a new chapter of marketing leadership with the elevation of Abhishek Ranjan to chief marketing officer for India and the APAC region.

    A seasoned brand strategist with over 17 years of experience, Abhishek has helped shape the narrative for some of the biggest names in tech, including Samsung, Micromax, Logitech, Philips Mobiles, Celkon, and Tecno Mobile India.

    Since joining HMD in 2022 as head of brand marketing, he has played a pivotal role in transforming the brand’s identity, leading product campaigns, and spearheading launches that have resonated strongly with Gen Z and millennial consumers. His work on unveiling HMD as an independent phone brand and introducing innovative products like Crest and Fusion has further cemented his reputation as a creative powerhouse.

    In his new role, Abhishek will lead marketing, communications, and brand strategy across India and APAC. His focus will be on innovation-led growth, digital-first engagement, and strengthening HMD’s human-centric promise in an increasingly connected world.

    With his track record of marrying creativity and strategy, Abhishek’s promotion signals HMD’s intent to build a future-ready brand that speaks to the new-age consumer, one innovation at a time.

  • Insured in the moment Generali’s here now backs life’s bold new beginnings

    Insured in the moment Generali’s here now backs life’s bold new beginnings

    MUMBAI: There are moments when life changes in a heartbeat, a new home, a long drive, a daring dream dusted off and revived. In those in-between moments, Generali Central Insurance and Generali Central Life Insurance want to be right there not watching from the sidelines but here now.

    With the launch of its first-ever joint brand campaign, aptly titled ‘Here Now’, Generali Central has brewed together its life and non-life arms under one vivid red umbrella. The campaign marks a new chapter for the brand after the Central Bank of India joined the Generali Group as a joint venture partner earlier this year, a union that marries European legacy with Indian trust.

    And it’s not just another glossy corporate film. From a father teaching his son to drive to a woman chasing fitness goals, the campaign celebrates ordinary people doing extraordinary things choosing hope, courage, and a future shaped by intention.

    “‘Here Now’ is a celebration of new beginnings, those brave, hopeful moments when people choose to move forward,” said Generali Central Insurance chief marketing, customer & impact officer Ruchika Malhan Varma. “Our promise of being a Lifetime Partner means standing beside our customers with empathy, protection, and unwavering support.”

    The idea is as simple as it is emotional that the future isn’t something distant and abstract, it’s built right here, in the choices we make now. “Life insurance is deeply personal, it’s about the people you love and the life you’re building,” added Generali Central Life Insurance chief marketing officer Geetanjali Chugh Kothari. “With Here Now, we wanted to speak to people on a human level, celebrating the everyday moments that make life meaningful.”

    The creative baton for this cross-category campaign was passed to VML India, while Dentsu Media India handled media duties. The result? A sleek, emotionally grounded film that trades boardroom jargon for genuine connection. Visually, it carries Generali’s global signature red wings, now framing life’s pivotal moments, a symbol of presence, partnership, and protection.

    In true Generali style, the campaign doesn’t just live on television screens. It rolls out nationwide in nine languages, spanning TV, print, digital, outdoor, and social platforms. To take it closer to consumers, the insurer has forged smart tie-ups with Uber in Mumbai and Delhi, the Mumbai Metro’s Ghatkopar–Versova Line 1, and even Swiggy’s Food and Instamart apps, a clever blend of mobility, daily life, and digital discovery.

    The brand is also going full throttle on sports and entertainment. Expect to spot Here Now during ad breaks in the India–Australia T20s and India–South Africa ODIs, as well as within Kaun Banega Crorepati and popular news shows tapping into audiences where emotion and engagement run high.

    With a national rollout strategy spanning premium OTT platforms like Youtube and Meta, Generali Central is betting big on both reach and recall.

    But beneath the red wings and media muscle lies something more timeless, a brand philosophy that began centuries ago in Trieste and now beats steadily in India’s heartland. “A Lifetime Partner who is always Here Now” isn’t just a tagline; it’s a promise stitched through the campaign’s storytelling, a reminder that protection isn’t about policies, but about presence.

    So as Generali Central steps into its rebranded avatar, its message lands softly but surely: life doesn’t wait, and neither should your insurance.

    Because the best time to be there for your dreams, your people, your tomorrow is here now.

     

  • LatentView adds power minds to its AI think tank

    LatentView adds power minds to its AI think tank

    MUMBAI: When it comes to sharpening its data game, LatentView Analytics isn’t just adding numbers, it’s adding names that count. The AI-driven analytics and consulting firm has welcomed Vandana Rana and Divesh Singla to its Advisory Council, signalling a bold move to strengthen its leadership in AI and digital transformation.

    Divesh Singla, a veteran with over two decades in analytics and life sciences, has helmed leadership roles at Signant Health, IQVIA, Eli Lilly, and Parexel. Known for building world-class Global Capability Centres (GCCs), he’s also among India’s top 100 AI & analytics leaders.

    Meanwhile, Vandana Rana, an AI and data science trailblazer, brings global experience from Walmart Global Tech, Microsoft, and T-Mobile. A champion of responsible AI, she’s known for building scalable, high-impact data systems that turn innovation into real-world value.

    Commenting on the appointments, LatentView Analytics CEO Rajan Sethuraman said, “Enterprises today are clear about their AI priorities. To deliver measurable impact, we must stay ahead. Strengthening our Advisory Council with industry experts enhances our ability to help clients make confident, data-driven decisions.”

    Both new members expressed excitement about shaping LatentView’s vision. Singla highlighted India’s 100-billion dollars GCC opportunity, while Rana pointed out the need to operationalise AI effectively, turning experimentation into enterprise success.

    With these appointments, LatentView’s Advisory Council grows stronger as a think tank of innovators, guiding the company’s next phase of AI-driven growth, global partnerships, and purpose-led digital transformation.

  • When no-show gym goers star in a fitness ad

    When no-show gym goers star in a fitness ad

    MUMBAI: What if your unused gym membership finally did some heavy lifting? That’s exactly the cheeky idea behind SW Network and Anytime Fitness India’s new campaign, a clever take on the universal truth that many people pay for gyms they rarely visit.

    The campaign’s heart lies in a playful ad film that swaps guilt for good humour. It shines a light on the relatable cycle of enthusiasm, excuses, and self-awareness, proving that everyone deserves a fresh start, no matter how many workouts they’ve skipped.

    Once the film struck a chord, the message spilled onto billboards across major cities, each carrying a witty reminder of India’s most common fitness confession, the ghost gym-goer.

    “We wanted to approach a very real human truth with warmth and wit,” said Sociowash co-founder Raghav Bagai. “This campaign is about saying we understand you, and we’re rooting for you.”

    Echoing that sentiment, Anytime Fitness India CEO Vikas Jain added, “At Anytime Fitness, we’re more than a gym. We know life gets in the way, and we want to help people find their way back, with positivity, not pressure.”

    The creative spark came from Sociowash creative director Vaibhav Mukim who said, “The truth itself was creative enough. We didn’t need to exaggerate it.”

    With its mix of storytelling, humour and heart, the campaign fits right into Anytime Fitness’s be fit fest initiative, proving that fitness doesn’t have to be perfect, just personal.

     

  • Snap to It Mahabharat Finds a New Lens with Historyverse and Snapchat

    Snap to It Mahabharat Finds a New Lens with Historyverse and Snapchat

    MUMBAI: When Mahabharat meets a Snap filter, you know history’s getting a glow-up. Collective Artists Network’s Historyverse, the tech-driven storytelling platform reimagining India’s past, has teamed up with Snapchat to bring one of the country’s oldest epics to one of its youngest audiences.

    In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Historyverse’s AI-enabled series Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh will now reach Snapchat’s vast Gen Z community in India, giving the timeless saga a modern makeover through the app’s playful digital formats from bite-sized episodes to immersive AR Lenses that let users step right into the story.

    “Our collaboration with Snapchat is a perfect reflection of what we stand for bridging culture, creativity, and technology,” said Collective Artists Network founder and group CEO Vijay Subramaniam. “With Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh, we’ve reimagined a story that has defined generations using AI. Partnering with Snapchat lets us take this heritage and introduce it to Gen Z in their own language and on their preferred platform.”

    Snapchat, long considered a digital playground for India’s 70 million-plus Gen Z users, sees this tie-up as a way to merge myth with modernity. “We’re chuffed to partner with Historyverse to bring the world of Mahabharat to our community,” said Snap Inc head of content partnerships & AR Saket Jha Saurabh. “From short-form content to immersive AR Lenses, this gives millions of Snapchatters a unique way to experience one of India’s greatest epics.”

    The AI-enabled adaptation, created under Historyverse and powered by Galleri 5’s homegrown G5 AI Pipeline, is already streaming on JioHotstar and airing on Star Plus from 25 October. The series uses advanced AI-driven storytelling and visual design to retell the Mahabharat with a futuristic flair where timeless dharma meets cutting-edge tech.

    Meanwhile, Historyverse’s presence on Snapchat has been growing at warp speed. Its vertical Sanatani Itihaas has already crossed 100,000 followers, reached 6 million unique viewers in the past month, and racked up 14 million Spotlight views proof that even ancient tales can trend in the age of AR.

    With this collaboration, Snapchat becomes the new Kurukshetra where tradition and technology spar playfully for Gen Z’s attention. For the Mahabharat’s warriors, destiny was written in the stars; for today’s creators, it might just be written in Snaps.

    As Historyverse and Snapchat team up, the message is clear history doesn’t have to stay in textbooks. Sometimes, all it takes is a camera lens, a clever filter, and a little bit of AI magic to make the oldest stories feel brand new again.