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  • FTA Global adds AI-powered punch with Rohit Salian as VP brand & strategy

    FTA Global adds AI-powered punch with Rohit Salian as VP brand & strategy

    MUMBAI: When creativity meets code, the sparks can light up a brand. That’s the bet FTA Global is making with the appointment of Rohit Salian as vice president for brand & strategy, a role that also hands him the reins of the company’s freshly minted FTA Creative Labs. The new-age marketing company wants to rewire how campaigns are imagined, merging human imagination with artificial intelligence to craft brand stories that are scalable, insight-rich and, in their words, “future-defining.”

    Salian, with over 12 years in the advertising trenches, has worn multiple creative and strategic hats at NP Digital India, Oliver+, Creative Land Asia and others. His portfolio packs heavyweight campaigns from the brand revamp of Standard Chartered India to Reliance Jio’s blockbuster launch plus Effies for Good-winning work.

    In his dual mandate, Salian will shape FTA Global’s brand playbook while building Creative Labs into an innovation hub that treats AI not as a threat, but a collaborator. “We’re building a space where campaigns are not just made, but imagined differently with speed, scale and soul,” he said.

    FTA Global founder & MD Senthil Kumar Hariram calls the move “transformative,” adding that Salian’s mix of brand ecosystem know-how and creative vision will “push boundaries and redefine the way brands communicate in a digital-first world.”

    If all goes to plan, FTA Global won’t just ride the AI wave, it’ll be busy teaching it how to surf.

  • Meteora Developers World Padel League Season 3 to be broadcast live In over 150 countries

    Meteora Developers World Padel League Season 3 to be broadcast live In over 150 countries

    MUMBAI: Iconik Sports & Events presents Meteora Developers World Padel League, powered by Maisour, is set to reach fans in over 150 countries with live broadcast coverage for its third season, which will take place from August 12-16 at Mumbai’s Nesco Centre. In India, fans can catch all the action on Zee Café, & Flix, and Zee Zest (SD & HD) through linear television coverage, with digital streaming available exclusively on FanCode, WPL’s official digital streaming partner.

    Now in its third season, WPL continues to build on its reputation as a premier sporting and entertainment property. This season, the league has expanded from four to six franchises, bringing together 36 of the world’s top international players across the franchises: Vedanta Leopards, Khan Tigers, Hubtown Panorama Panthers, Game Changers Lions, SG Pipers Cheetahs, and Vernost Jaguars.

    Commenting on the broadcast roster, World Padel League co-founder Hemali Sharma said, “We are excited to welcome all our broadcast partners for this season. The fact that people in over 150 countries will be able to experience the action from the comfort of their homes, shows how far the sport has come in such a short time here. In India especially, the change has been incredible. What began as a niche game has now captured attention the world over, and we are proud to have been a part of that global movement. Season 3 will take that energy to the next level, giving fans everywhere a front-row seat to the speed and intensity of ‘The Greatest Show on Court!’”

    Welcoming the WPL to the Zee network, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd chief growth officer, Ashish Sehgal said, “We are incredibly excited to bring the World Padel League Season 3 to Indian homes and beyond. With coverage on Zee Café, & Flix, and Zee Zest (SD+HD), we’re opening the sport to an audience that’s hungry for high‑energy, emerging athletic action. At ZEE, our mission is to champion sports with growing but dedicated fan communities – delivering them into the mainstream and helping them become truly mass‑appeal events.”

    “We’re excited to partner with the World Padel League for the second year running. Padel is growing rapidly in India, with urban centres leading the way in both participation and viewership. More people are playing the sport, and naturally, they now want to watch the best players in action. Through our exclusive digital coverage, we’re committed to giving Indian padel enthusiasts front-row access to the world’s best action, anytime and anywhere,” said FanCode co-founder Yannick Colaco.

    In Sri Lanka, matches will air exclusively on Peo TV by Sri Lanka Telecom, while DishHome holds exclusive streaming rights in Nepal. In the MENA region, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, and beyond, coverage will be available on Saudi Sports Channel and Shahid OTT and Dubai Media. Across Europe and APAC, audiences can view matches on Dazn and Sport TV in Portugal and SPO TV. Fans in the USA and Canada will be able to catch all the action on Willow TV and across Africa on AfricaXP. With an extensive broadcast network spanning all continents, the World Padel League Season 3 will bring the excitement and energy of padel to fans around the globe, truly making it a worldwide sporting event.

    Tickets for Meteora Developers World Padel League, powered by Maisour are now available for fans eager to witness the thrilling live action at Hall No. 5, Nesco Centre exclusively on the District. Padel fans are encouraged to book their tickets to be part of the action at India’s biggest padel event.

     

  • Prasar Bharati OTT – Waves launches Magazines and Journals section

    Prasar Bharati OTT – Waves launches Magazines and Journals section

    MUMBAI: Prasar Bharati unveiled the Magazines and Journals Section on its OTT platform, Waves, bringing India’s leading periodicals to a unified, multilingual digital destination. The initiative was launched by Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO, Prasar Bharati during Magzimise 2025 at The Imperial, New Delhi, in the presence of prominent publishers, and industry leaders.

    The section hosts over 50 titles from six popular publications including Living Media India Ltd (India Today Group), Delhi Press Patra Prakashan Private Ltd, Outlook Publishing India Pvt. Ltd., Diamond Magazines Private Ltd, Kalakaumudi Publications Private Ltd, and Ananda Vikatan Productions Private Ltd. The catalogue covers news, current affairs, research, lifestyle, culture, and special interest content.

    The publications are available in nine languages including English, Malayalam, Gujarati, Bengali, Kannada, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi namely:

    * India Today English, India Today Hindi, Business Today, Reader’s Digest, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Hello! India, Auto Today
    * Grishshobha Hindi, Sarita, Saras Salil, Manohar Kahaniyan, Grishshobha Gujarati, Grishshobha Marathi, Grishshobha Kannada, Grishshobha Tamil, Grishshobha Telugu, Grishshobha Bangla, Grishshobha Malayalam, Mukta, Farm N Food, Satyakatha, Champak (English), Champak Hindi, Champak Marathi, Champak Gujarati, Champak Kannada, Champak Tamil, Champak Telugu, Highlight Genies, Highlight Champs

    * Outlook, Outlook Business, Outlook Money, Outlook Traveller, Outlook Hindi

    * Grihlakshmi, Sadhna Path, Cricket Today (Hindi), Cricket Today (English)

    * Kalakaumudi, Vellinakshatram, Muhurtham

    * Aval Vikatan

    This newly launched section complements the free access to prestigious government publications such as Yojana, Kurukshetra, Aajkal, and Bal Bharati, already available on Waves.

    Over the next year, Waves aims to grow this library to 150+ titles from 30+ renowned publishers, positioning itself as one of the most comprehensive digital archives for Indian magazines and journals.

    To mark the launch, Waves is introducing a special limited-period subscription offer of Rs 99 per month and Rs 999 per year.

    Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi said, “Waves is evolving into a complete content destination, a place where audiences can find trusted information, meaningful storytelling, and cultural depth in equal measure. The Magazines and Journals Section strengthens this vision, offering credible and diverse content in multiple languages to readers across the country. This is about more than convenience; it is about placing quality publishing where the audience already is.”

    Executive publisher, Delhi Press, and president, Association of Indian Magazines, Sh. Anant Nath said, “We are extremely excited to partner with Waves to bring the richness of Indian magazines with their credible and thoughtful content to the large online readership that the platform is building.”

    The section is now live and accessible to subscribers nationwide on Waves across all its platforms, including the mobile app, web portal, and connected TV applications.

     

  • Kantar report unveils India’s latest trends on health and wellness

    Kantar report unveils India’s latest trends on health and wellness

    MUMBAI – Kantar released its ‘Health and Wellness in India’ report today, revealing significant shifts in consumer behaviour and preferences. Based on Kantar’s ‘India in Search’ report, which curates 2024 Google search data, this comprehensive report delves into the Health & Wellness category, highlighting emerging trends and key areas of interest shaping the future of health and wellness in the country.

    Covering 15 key topics, the Health and Wellness in India report delves into various aspects of health and wellness, including Nutrients & Supplements, Skin Health, Physical Fitness, Weight Management, Cognitive & Mental Health, Women’s Health, Gut Health, Alternative Medicine, Sleep, Immune Health, Hydration, Lifestyle Choices, Advanced Medicine, Detoxification, and Longevity.

    Whether it is about shaping a brand, building a category, or driving marketing strategy, the emerging wellness trends offer a powerful lens into what matters most to Indian consumers today. By tapping into what India is searching for, marketers can unlock fresh opportunities to evolve their brand’s relevance and impact. Here are some key findings:

       1. Nutrients & Supplements: 2.7M searches for Vitamin B12. 54 per cent growth YoY for Vitamin B12 rich foods.

       2.  Skin Health: 30 per cent growth in searches for Sensitive Skin compared to the previous year.

      3.  Physical Fitness: Walking and low-intensity fitness reclaiming space with 121K–89K+ searches for “walk”, “walking shoes”, “brisk walk”, and even tools like “walking pad”.

    4. Weight Management: GLP1 Drug-linked searches like Ozempic (+216 per cent), Zepbound (+943 per cent), Tirzepatide (+188 per cent), and Mounjaro (+94 per cent) reflect mainstream adoption of medical-grade solutions

     5.  Cognitive Health: Searches for Cortisol saw a 59 per cent growth overall this year.

     6.  Women’s Health: Mood and Menstruation raise curiosity with “follicular phase mood” (+357 per cent), “luteal phase symptoms” (+99 per cent), and “4 phases of menstrual cycle and moods” (+145 per cent) all seeing positive growth.

     7.  Gut Health: Common digestive discomfort issues like bloating (58K) and acidity (47K) saw an increase in interest.

      8. Alternative Medicine: Homeopathy clinics searches are on the rise: “homeo shop near me” (+32 per cent), “homeo medical shop,” “homeopathy near me” (+48 per cent)

      9. Sleep: Searches for Melatonin in various formats like spray, gummies, tablets etc. were 4.5M and grew over the year at 27 per cent.

     10.  Lifestyle choices: Sugar free options and sugar substitutes were searched 7.4M times, a 14 per cent increase compared to 2023.

    The top 5 key trends that emerge are:

    1.  Function-first wellness: The pursuit of visible outcomes

    In a significant trend, consumers are increasingly focusing on goal-driven health, with a notable rise in searches related to skincare, weight management, and workouts. The pursuit of wellness is now measured, optimised, and outcome-based, as evidenced by the 26.6 million searches, reflecting a 39 per cent growth. Key insights reveal a surge in interest for products like collagen for skin health, melatonin for better sleep, and pre-workout supplements for enhanced energy.

    2.  Science-framed self-care: Clinical & conscious betterment

    In a growing trend, health is being approached with a clinical and conscious mindset, treating it more like a protocol rather than a preference. This shift is reflected in the 14.6 million searches, showing a 13 per cent growth. Consumers are increasingly interested in GLP-1 weight loss drugs, cognitive supplements, and hormonal tracking. These searches indicate a rising demand for scientifically backed self-care solutions that prioritise clinical efficacy and conscious betterment.

    3.  Inner Health = Outer Power: Transformations from the Inside Out: People are increasingly linking nutrition, gut health, and immunity to beauty, weight management, mood, and even long-term aging. This trend is highlighted by the 14.5 million searches, showing a 15 per cent growth. There is a sharp surge in queries around biotin, collagen, and multivitamins for skin and hair health, indicating that wellness begins within and radiates outward.

     4.  Daily systems & cycle care: Regulating through routines

    Health is becoming habitual, rhythmic, and tech-assisted, with consumers syncing to cycles, tracking hydration, and sticking to morning rituals. This trend is reflected in the 9.9 million searches, showing a 9 per cent growth. High search volumes for terms like “menstrual cycle” and “periods” underscore the importance of daily systems and cycle care. Women in India are moving from passive consumers of reproductive care to active, data-seeking participants in their health journeys.

    5.   Natural systems, modern lenses: Reinterpretation of tradition through science: Natural care is undergoing a modern relabelling, where precision meets plants. This trend is evident in the 8.7 million searches, showing a 17 per cent growth. From Ayurveda and adaptogens to detox teas and bio hacks, consumers are increasingly turning to traditional systems reinterpreted through a scientific lens. Searches for “Ayurveda,” “homeopathy,” and “acupuncture” are growing, indicating a blend of tradition and modernity in wellness practices.

    Kantar MD & chief client officer, South Asia, Insights Division, Soumya Mohanty Kantar, commented: “The health and wellness landscape in India is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Our report highlights the growing importance of personalized and functional wellness solutions. Brands that can effectively address these evolving consumer needs will be well-positioned to lead in this dynamic market. By leveraging these trends and consumer preferences, brands can create targeted and effective marketing strategies to engage with their audience and drive growth.”

  • Anirban Mozumdar joins TBWAIndia as chief strategy officer

    Anirban Mozumdar joins TBWAIndia as chief strategy officer

    MUMBAI: TBWAIndia announced the appointment of Anirban Mozumdar as its chief strategy officer. Anirban brings with him nearly three decades of expertise in branding, advertising and communications, further strengthening the agency’s reputation for delivering disruptive brand strategies and experiences. He will report to TBWA India CEO Govind Pandey.

    Anirban’s 28-year career spans diverse roles – account management, strategic leadership, and entrepreneurship. At Leo, he spearheaded P&G brands, notably amplifying Tide’s ‘Surprising Whiteness’ across ASEAN. As an entrepreneur, he collaborated with HCLTech and Intuit globally.

    He also transformed chlorophyll into a full-service consultancy. Most recently, as Havas India’s chief strategy officer, he led brand strategy for major clients like Reckitt and Burger King. Inherently aligned with TBWA’s disruptive spirit, Anirban brings a sharp, future-facing lens to brand strategy, helping businesses lead with purpose and clarity.

    “Anirban has built brands across categories ranging from consumer electronics and FMCG to industrial products. His diverse experience spanning regional roles for P&G, entrepreneurial brand consulting leadership at chlorophyll, and work across B2C, B2B and D2C sectors, gives him a unique ability to blend data‑driven insight with creative thinking. I’m thrilled to welcome Anirban as our chief strategy officer. His strategic acumen will help TBWAIndia push boundaries and deliver disruptive, results-driven work for our clients,” said Pandey.

    Speaking on his new role, Anirban said, “To be at The Disruption Company at this time when disruption is rife, truly feels like being at the right place at the right time. I am looking forward to building business through brand and purpose, deepening our relationships and bringing my recent experience on technology brands and brand consulting to build reputation through results.”

    Beyond work, Anirban is a closet poet and an amateur crooner. He loves etymology, language and starts each morning with Wordle.

  • Infectious Advertising hires Divesh Mehta and Kiran Salkar for key roles

    Infectious Advertising hires Divesh Mehta and Kiran Salkar for key roles

    MUMBAI: Infectious Advertising has just doubled its dose of creative and strategic medicine and the side effect could be potent campaigns. The independent agency has onboarded two industry veterans: Divesh Mehta as associate vice president planning and Kiran Salkar as creative director for art, bolstering both its brand strategy muscle and design flair.

    Mehta, who clocks in nearly 15 years in marketing communications, was a founding member of an omni-channel apparel brand that shook up casual wear retail. His advertising innings have spanned BFSI, finance, hospitality, pharma and heavy industry, all with the belief that “the right strategic intervention can transform client business.” On his move, Mehta said Infectious’ work is “both rooted and refreshing the kind of energy I want to be part of.”

    Salkar also brings over 15 years of adland experience, leading campaigns for marquee brands like Lux, Sunsilk, BMW, Tata Motors, Parle, Taj, SBI and Orra. An illustrator at heart with a photographer’s sensibility, he’s known for marrying bold aesthetics with brand storytelling. “I’m excited to join Infectious and look forward to doing some kickass work,” he said, adding that he’s been following the agency’s work “for a while” and likes what he’s seen.

    Co-founders Nisha Singhania and Ramanuj Shastry called the duo’s arrival a shot in the arm: “Both bring the attitude and skill sets needed to take Infectious to the next level.” With Mehta’s strategic scalpel and Salkar’s visual sizzle, the agency looks set to turn more heads and maybe win a few more awards in the months ahead.

  • Amazon elevates Milind Pande to spearhead India marketing push

    Amazon elevates Milind Pande to spearhead India marketing push

    MUMBAI: Amazon Web Services has promoted Milind Pande to head of marketing for India and South Asia, as the cloud computing giant seeks to strengthen its grip on the country’s $7.2 billion market.

    Pande, who has spent six years climbing AWS’s ranks, was previously head  of independent software vendor marketing, overseeing the company’s startup and software-as-a-service portfolio. His elevation comes as AWS faces mounting pressure from Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud in India’s notoriously price-conscious market.

    The appointment reflects AWS’s determination to maintain its lead in a region where it has pledged $12.7 billion in infrastructure investments through 2030. Industry insiders suggest Pande’s promotion signals the company’s shift towards a more aggressive, marketing-led growth strategy as artificial intelligence adoption accelerates across Indian enterprises.

    Pande brings 16 years of diverse experience spanning telecommunications at Vodafone, media at Viacom18, and consulting at PwC. His track record with Fortune 500 companies and deep enterprise exposure positions him to drive AWS’s next phase of expansion in the subcontinent.

    The move underscores the strategic importance of India to AWS’s global ambitions, as tech giants battle for dominance in one of the world’s fastest-growing cloud markets. With competition heating up, Pande’s challenge will be translating AWS’s technical advantages into sustained market leadership through sharper brand positioning and customer engagement.

  • Bombay Dyeing spins Q1 profit despite polyester pressure and realty slump

    Bombay Dyeing spins Q1 profit despite polyester pressure and realty slump

    MUMBAI: Bombay Dyeing is proving it’s not ready to fade into the background just yet. In its June 2025 quarter, the 146-year-old textile-to-real-estate player wove together Rs 11.48 crore in consolidated profit, only slightly off last year’s Rs 15.47 crore, despite feeling the tug of softer polyester margins and a sluggish real estate arm.

    Revenue from operations slipped to Rs 377.84 crore from Rs 450.97 crore a year ago, with polyester sales steady at Rs 360.51 crore, retail/textiles ticking up to Rs 14.09 crore, but real estate plunging to nil from Rs 65.42 crore. Other income gave the top line a lift at Rs 36.68 crore, taking total income to Rs 414.52 crore.

    Expenses eased to Rs 403.33 crore from Rs 452.69 crore, with raw material costs trimming to Rs 257.39 crore and other expenses at Rs 85.65 crore. Finance costs fell to Rs 3.61 crore, adding some breathing room, though depreciation held at Rs 7.84 crore.

    Segment results showed a Rs 4.38 crore loss in real estate (worse than last year’s Rs 13.94 crore profit), while polyester contributed Rs 7.14 crore and retail/textiles Rs 3.19 crore. Exceptional items were negligible this time, a stark contrast to the Rs 552.56 crore windfall last year.

    Tax adjustments including a Rs 5.97 crore prior-period reversal meant an overall tax credit, cushioning the bottom line. The quarter’s other comprehensive income surged to Rs 50.32 crore from a Rs 69.11 crore loss last quarter, thanks largely to equity investment gains, taking total comprehensive income to Rs 64.08 crore.

    With Rs 2,407.09 crore in net capital employed and polyester still its mainstay, Bombay Dyeing may have some creases to iron out in real estate, but the Q1 fabric shows enough colour to keep investors watching.

  • Tata Motors stalls as tariffs and slow sales dent Q1 performance

    Tata Motors stalls as tariffs and slow sales dent Q1 performance

    MUMBAI: From roaring engines to grinding gears Tata Motors hit a speed bump in Q1 FY26, with global headwinds and fresh US tariffs putting the brakes on growth. The automaker’s consolidated revenue slid 2.5 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1.04 lakh crore, while EBITDA screeched down 35.8 per cemnt to Rs 9,700 crore. Pre-tax profit before exceptional items halved to Rs 5,617 crore, as free cash flow reversed into a deep Rs 12,300 crore deficit.

    The group’s luxury arm Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) bore the brunt, posting its 11th straight profitable quarter but feeling the crunch of trade duties and a planned Jaguar wind-down. Revenue skidded 9.2 per cent to 6.6 billion euros, EBITDA margin shrank 650 basis points to 9.3 per cent, and EBIT margin dropped to 4.0 per cent. Profit before tax tumbled 49.4 per cent to 351 million euros, hit by tariffs of up to 27.5 per cent on UK and EU exports to the US though a late-quarter UK-US deal promises relief, slashing rates to 10 per cent from June and a subsequent EU-US pact trimming them to 15 per cent.

    Back home, the commercial vehicles division held steadier, with revenue down 4.7 per cent to Rs 17,009 crore but EBITDA margins inching up 60 basis points to 12.2 per cent. Passenger vehicles struggled, with an 8.2 per cent revenue dip to Rs 10,877 crore and EBIT margins reversing to -2.8 per cent.

    On a standalone basis, Tata Motors posted revenue of Rs 15,682 crore, down from Rs 16,862 crore last year, but revved up profit after tax to Rs 5,350 crore, powered partly by Rs 4,913 crore in dividends from subsidiaries. Net profit margin stood at 34.1 per cent, while operating margin clocked in at 12.28 per cent.

    Despite the slowdown, the group ended the quarter with consolidated liquidity of 5 billion euros, including 1.7 billion euros in undrawn credit lines. But with inventories shifting, costs climbing, and global trade still unpredictable, the road ahead could test Tata’s grip on the wheel.

     

  • Hindustan Foods cooks up profit rise as Q1 revenue nears Rs 1,000 crore

    Hindustan Foods cooks up profit rise as Q1 revenue nears Rs 1,000 crore

    MUMBAI: Hindustan Foods has served up a healthy quarter, dishing out a net profit of Rs 31.73 crore for Q1 FY26, up from Rs 27.25 crore a year ago, as revenue from operations nearly touched the Rs 1,000 crore mark. For the three months ended 30 June 2025, consolidated revenue hit Rs 994.69 crore, a 14.6 per cent year-on-year jump from Rs 868.08 crore, and a sequential rise from Rs 933.37 crore in Q4 FY25. Other income contributed Rs 3.44 crore, taking total income to Rs 998.13 crore.

    Expenses also climbed, with cost of materials consumed at Rs 778.50 crore, employee benefits at Rs 62.83 crore, and manufacturing and operating costs at Rs 51.67 crore. Finance costs rose slightly to Rs 20.47 crore, while depreciation and amortisation came in at Rs 20.92 crore.

    Profit before tax stood at Rs 42.06 crore, compared to Rs 36.24 crore in Q1 FY25. After accounting for Rs 10.33 crore in taxes, the bottom line settled at Rs 31.73 crore. Basic and diluted earnings per share held at Rs 2.69, up from Rs 2.38 a year earlier.

    On a standalone basis, revenue reached Rs 733.23 crore, up from Rs 639.66 crore last year, with net profit climbing to Rs 30.38 crore.

    With its production lines humming, Hindustan Foods has managed to whisk together rising sales and steady margins — a recipe it will hope to keep following for the rest of FY26.