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Category: News Headline

  • Lloyd D’souza returns to Lava International as chief business officer

    Lloyd D’souza returns to Lava International as chief business officer

    MUMBAI: Lloyd D’souza has rejoined Lava International Ltd  as chief business officer for enterprise business, marking his return to the Indian smartphone manufacturer after a five-year absence.

    The appointment comes as D’souza brings a wealth of government and public sector experience to Lava’s enterprise division. His remit will focus on advancing business across government, corporate customers and public sector undertaking verticals from the company’s Noida headquarters.

    D’souza previously served as head of enterprise business at Lava between March 2018 and October 2020, where he oversaw enterprise sales, international operations, government sales and electronics manufacturing services. His departure coincided with a broader reshuffling in India’s competitive smartphone market.

    Since leaving Lava, D’souza spent over three years as director at Laqshanya Solutions Pvt Ltd, where he specialised in identifying government and public sector clients, coordinating customer relations and managing tender processes. He also held a senior vice president role at Square Panda Inc between October 2020 and February 2022.

    The executive’s career spans over two decades in business development and experiential marketing. He spent 13 years as director of Maverick Marketing, a full-spectrum experiential marketing agency, before transitioning to the mobile technology sector with Karbonn Mobiles in 2015 as executive director.

    At Karbonn, D’souza managed e-commerce, international sales and institutional sales operations during the height of India’s smartphone boom. His expertise in government affairs, crisis management and competitive tendering has made him a sought-after figure in India’s technology sector.

    Lava International, founded in 2009, has been working to reclaim market share in India’s increasingly crowded smartphone market, dominated by Chinese brands and global players. The company’s focus on government and enterprise customers represents a strategic pivot towards higher-margin business segments.

    D’souza’s return signals Lava’s renewed push into enterprise and government markets, sectors where his established relationships and tender management expertise could prove valuable for the homegrown brand.

  • India@100 plans its big leap at BT summit with bold vision for 2047

    India@100 plans its big leap at BT summit with bold vision for 2047

     MUMBAI: A century in sight, and India’s got a blueprint to boot. As the nation marches towards its 100th year of independence, Business Today Multiverse is setting the stage for a future-forward conversation. The BT India@100 Summit, to be held on August 8, 2025 in New Delhi, will convene some of India’s sharpest minds from business, policy, and governance under the theme ‘India@2047: Blueprint for a Developed Nation’.

    Headlined by union minister Nitin Gadkari, who will deliver the keynote on India’s long-term growth roadmap, the summit aims to decode what it will take for the country to join the ranks of high-income, innovation-led economies.

    The speaker line-up reads like a policy powerhouse: Arvind Panagariya, Arunish Chawla, NK Singh, and Montek Singh Ahluwalia, among others, will explore everything from economic resilience and institutional reforms to AI, urbanisation, trade, and sustainability.

    But the star of the summit? Business Today’s 100 Ideas for India@100, a curated, deeply researched list of actionable reforms across 10 sectors. Think GST 2.0, land and labour reforms, clean air, safe cities for women, digital infrastructure, and future-ready education. These ideas stem from collaborations with experts like Manish Sabharwal (Teamlease) and Rajesh Shukla (Price), and inputs from think tanks like ICRIER, CSIS, ASER, and former policymakers Anil Swarup and Subhash Chandra Garg.

    With just 22 years to go until 2047, the summit isn’t just another talking shop, it’s a call to action. Sessions will challenge government, industry, and civil society to co-create India’s future. As one speaker put it: “It’s not just about growth, it’s about transformation.”

    And as the country eyes a 10 trillion dollars economy, Business Today is aiming to shape the national dialogue on how to get there with ambition, equity, and accountability.

    Because the journey to 2047 won’t be built on headlines, it’ll be built on hard choices, bold moves, and ideas that stick.

  • Disney tops licensing table with $62 billion haul in 2024

    Disney tops licensing table with $62 billion haul in 2024

    MUMBAI: The world’s biggest brand owners have turned emotional connections into cold, hard cash. Disney sits atop a licensing empire worth $62 billion in retail sales, nearly doubling the revenue of its closest competitor as the global licensing market surged to over $307 billion in 2024—a tidy $26.7 billion increase from the previous year.

    License Global’s annual rankings reveal an industry that thrives on nostalgia, fandom and the human need to belong. While economic uncertainty grips consumers elsewhere, licensed products—from Pokemon pyjamas to Marvel mugs—continue their relentless march through shopping baskets worldwide.

    The top ten licensors generated $208bn in retail sales during 2024, up from $192 billion in 2023. Over the past five years, these corporate titans have collectively raked in more than $1 trillion, proving that emotional attachment trumps rational spending when wallets tighten.

    Disney’s dominance reflects the mouse house’s unrivalled stable of beloved characters spanning generations. But the chasing pack tells a different story. Authentic Brands Group, which corrals sports and lifestyle brands including David Beckham and Champion, claimed second place with $32bn. People Inc (formerly Dotdash Meredith) rounded out the podium with $26.7 billion, followed by NBCUniversal at $17 billion.

    The full top ten includes Hasbro ($16.1 billion), Warner Bros Discovery ($15 billion), The Pokemon Co International ($12 billion), Bluestar Alliance ($10 billion), Mattel ($8.8 billion) and Japan’s kawaii kingpin Sanrio ($8.4 billion).

    “What is remarkable about this year’s report is how it demonstrates the resilience of emotional connections in consumer decision-making,” says License Global content director Ben Roberts. Even as economic pressures mount, consumers prioritise brands that matter to them personally, creating loyalty that transcends market forces.

    The data suggests a generational handover is brewing. Millennials currently lead licensed product purchasing at 28 per cent, but Generation Z is expected to seize the crown in 2025-26, while Generation Alpha grows to 22 per cent relevance. Fashion dominates growth categories, with 70 per cent of brand owners highlighting apparel as a key opportunity, followed by toys and games (54 per cent) and food and beverage (52 per cent).

    The industry’s expanding reach is evident in its newcomers. First-time entrants include Lego, Legendary Entertainment and Gordon Brothers, reflecting licensing’s broadening appeal as brands seek deeper consumer relationships.

    As digital platforms reshape commerce, successful licensors are building integrated experiences across physical, digital and hybrid channels. Brands with agile strategies on Roblox, TikTok and social commerce platforms are positioning themselves to lead the next wave of consumer engagement.

    The licensing juggernaut shows no signs of slowing. In an era where consumers crave authentic connections, brands that can tap into personal identity and shared experiences have found the ultimate recession-proof formula.

  • Konami eFootball announces star-studded India campaign featuring KL Rahul and Sunil Chhetri

    Konami eFootball announces star-studded India campaign featuring KL Rahul and Sunil Chhetri

    MUMBAI – Konami Digital Entertainment, B.V (KONAMI) announced a new eFootball campaign for its Indian audience, running from August to October 2025 and culminating in a special Meet & Greet event in Mumbai this December. The high-energy initiative celebrates India’s Independence Day and Diwali, featuring tournaments, exclusive content drops, and rewards, alongside appearances from top Indian sports and cultural icons.

    The campaign will include two major tournaments – The Independence Day Cup and The Diwali Cup – offering fans the chance to engage with a stellar lineup including cricket star KL Rahul, football icon Sunil Chhetri, content creator Focused Indian, rising cricket talent Nitish Kumar Reddy, and actor Ahan Shetty.

    In a first-of-its-kind creative collaboration, Konami has also partnered with renowned visual artist and illustrator Santanu Hazarika for an Independence Day surprise for all the eFootball fans.

    Speaking on the development, Konami’s eFootball general producer Junichi Taya said, “India continues to be one of the most exciting gaming communities for us globally, and this campaign is our way of celebrating and voicing that energy — through festivals, football, and fandom. Our commitment to our Indian community is paramount to us. Through a host of partnerships, we are leveraging some of the biggest names in Indian sport and culture with activations aimed at celebrating “INDIA’’. As the industry continues to grow in India, we are seeking to lead the way forward through eFootball.”

  • Criteo and Flipkart dial up Motorola’s buzz with data-driven ads

    Criteo and Flipkart dial up Motorola’s buzz with data-driven ads

    MUMBAI: Call it a smart move Motorola’s brand buzz just got a signal boost. In a bid to turbocharge its budget smartphone presence, Motorola teamed up with Flipkart Ads and global commerce media giant Criteo to launch a data-fuelled campaign that’s made noise for all the right reasons. Over a 13-month stretch, this retail media offsite strategy didn’t just work, it rang in results loud and clear.

    Using Flipkart’s Product Performance Ads and Criteo’s Retail Media Offsite Solution, the campaign reached 110 million unique users, clocked over 1.1 billion ad impressions, and achieved a remarkable 34 percent engagement rate. But more than just vanity metrics, it translated into business results: an 18 percent rise in Share of Voice (SOV) for Motorola on Flipkart’s product pages.

    The goal? To engage high-intent audiences not just on Flipkart, but across the wider internet and then lead them back to Flipkart’s app and website. With Criteo’s precision-targeting and Flipkart’s first-party data at play, the dynamic display ads served to 86 percent of the relevant audience base delivered a full-funnel marketing impact.

    According to Motorola, marketing head, APAC Shivam Ranjan, “The collaboration has helped Motorola forge direct connections with more than 110 million high-intent users. The campaign’s performance validates our commitment to data-led storytelling and customer engagement.”

    Flipkart Ads vice president and general manager Vijay Iyer highlighted the importance of the campaign’s closed-loop strategy: “Our Product Performance Ads helped Motorola scale up with high-impact re-engagement tactics using real-time performance data and audience intelligence.”

    Meanwhile Criteo India country head Medhavi Singh called it a demonstration of “cutting through the digital clutter” with hyper-personalised engagement. She added, “The real-time insights and tight integration with retail platforms allowed us to tailor the messaging, improving visibility and conversions across every touchpoint.”

    The partnership underscores a wider shift in digital commerce where data, not discounts, drive discovery. With the retail and e-commerce space becoming more crowded than ever, this campaign is a case study in how to get seen, heard, and remembered.

    The success story signals a new era for Indian e-commerce marketing, one where personalised, offsite display ads could just be the main character in a brand’s growth narrative.

  • Bimaplan appoints Anurag Mishra as CEO to lead global expansion

    Bimaplan appoints Anurag Mishra as CEO to lead global expansion

    MUMBAI: Bimaplan appointed seasoned international banker Anurag Mishra as its chief executive officer. This strategic leadership transition comes as the company sharpens its focus on profitability and accelerates expansion into global markets.

    Mishra brings nearly 30 years of experience in global banking and financial services, most recently serving as Regional Head for Global Trade, Commodity & Supply Chain Finance at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, managing complex financial operations across emerging markets. Previously, he spent 15 years at Standard Chartered Bank, including a tenure as CEO of Standard Chartered Bank, Nepal, where he led transformative initiatives and built strong institutional relationships across regulatory and diplomatic circles.

    “Anurag’s deep expertise in financial services and emerging markets makes him the ideal partner for Bimaplan’s next phase of growth,” said Bimaplan founder Vikul Goyal. “While I continue to focus on product innovation and strategic partnerships, Anurag will drive operational excellence and business expansion.”

    The leadership change coincides with Bimaplan’s growing global ambitions. Following the successful launch of its first international program in Zambia, in partnership with a local microfinance institution, the company is now actively expanding across the Middle East and Africa. These regions represent significant opportunities for Bimaplan’s technology-first approach to embedded insurance, designed to seamlessly integrate coverage into financial platforms.

    “The global embedded insurance market holds immense potential to enhance financial inclusion,” said Mishra. “I look forward to leveraging my experience to forge strategic partnerships and navigate regulatory landscapes across key emerging markets.”

    Since its founding, Bimaplan has delivered insurance solutions to nearly 5 million customers by embedding policies into digital journeys at the point of transaction. This model has proven especially effective in reaching underserved segments traditionally left out by conventional insurance distribution.

    Operating under Purple Umbrella Fintech Pvt Ltd, Bimaplan has built partnerships with leading insurers and digital platforms in India. The company is backed by marquee investors including Orios Venture Partners, Y Combinator, and Finsight Ventures, having raised $6 million across two funding rounds.

    “Bimaplan’s leadership transition marks a pivotal moment in its evolution into a global insurtech leader,” said Sukhmani Bedi, Partner at Orios Venture Partners. “Anurag’s international experience, combined with Vikul’s entrepreneurial vision, sets the stage for sustainable growth across emerging markets.”

  • Meru Life announces leadership move as VML’s Kalpesh Patel charts transition to co-founder and COO role

    Meru Life announces leadership move as VML’s Kalpesh Patel charts transition to co-founder and COO role

    MUMBAI: Meru Life announced the appointment of Kalpesh Patel as Co-Founder, COO, and Head of Technology. He will be overseeing technology and operations for Meru Life.

    With close to three decades of experience leading cross-functional technology teams across services and product ecosystems, Kalpesh is joining Meru Life at a pivotal time in its journey. In his new role, he will be responsible for driving the company’s end-to-end technology vision, scaling platform capabilities, running operations, and building user-first digital products tailored for India’s growing 55+ demographic.

    Before serving as head of operations at VML Enterprise Solutions (India), Kalpesh held the position of Senior Vice President – MarTech at Mirum India, a VML Company, where he led the company’s marketing technology vertical, overseeing software engineering teams and spearheading the execution of large-scale digital transformation projects. Under his leadership, Mirum’s MarTech practice evolved into a platform-agnostic delivery hub for international clients looking for expertise in customer experience, engineering, and CRM. He also helped with the evolution and operations of VML Enterprise Solutions India Hub.

    Speaking on his appointment, Kalpesh Patel shared, “Technology, when built right, can unlock dignity, joy, and ease, especially in the later stages of life. Meru Life’s purpose of enabling Active Seniors to live empowered, independent lives resonates deeply with my belief that tech should serve people, not overwhelm them. I look forward to co-creating an ecosystem that is intuitive, scalable, and purpose-built to enhance the everyday experiences of our country’s Active Seniors.”

    Welcoming him to the leadership team, Meru Life co-founder & CEO, Mihir Karkare noted, “Kalpesh brings the perfect blend of technical depth, product thinking, and purpose-driven leadership that we need at this stage of our growth. His ability to lead agile, scalable technology teams will be instrumental as we expand Meru Life’s platform and build products that truly serve the needs of India’s Active Seniors with clarity, accessibility, and care. We’re excited for this next chapter with him.”

    Kalpesh’s appointment reflects Meru Life’s continued investment in building senior-first, future-ready products and services to support India’s active seniors in their journey toward better health, connection, and independence.

  • Zee5 launches 5 free streaming channels on LG Smart TVs across India

    Zee5 launches 5 free streaming channels on LG Smart TVs across India

    MUMBAI: TV’s gone lean-back, not laid back and Zee5 is making sure your living room feels like a blockbuster. In a move that turbocharges its Connected TV game, Zee5 has launched five new genre-specific FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) channels on LG Channels, the built-in, free streaming platform available on all LG Smart TVs.

    The new channels Z Dil Se, Z Horror Nights, Z Comedy Nation, Z Cine Classic, and Z South Flix are aimed at viewers who want high-quality, no-strings-attached entertainment, ranging from nostalgic Hindi films and supernatural spooks to dubbed South blockbusters and feel-good family comedies. And the best part? They’re completely free, with no subscriptions, sign-ins, or downloads needed.

    Drawing from Zee5’s massive library of content spanning over 30 years of legacy IP, these channels are curated into snackable, always-on programming blocks tailored for India’s growing lean-back audience. With 5 genre-rich streams ready to go, all you need is a remote and a couch.

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., chief growth officer Ashish Sehgal explained, “Our FAST channel expansion to LG devices, backed by LG’s presence in Indian households, ensures seamless and free access to genre-led, high-quality content. It’s about more than just distribution, it’s about elevating the Connected TV experience for both viewers and advertisers.”

    LG Electronics India director of media entertainment solution Brian Jung added, “Zee5’s new FAST channels on LG make premium, culturally relevant, family-first content available without barriers. No paywalls, no passwords just pure entertainment.”

    Available instantly on LG Channels via the home screen of LG Smart TVs, these new additions represent a major stride in Zee5’s Connected TV ambitions, targeting India’s 20 million plus Smart TV households. For advertisers, the move opens doors to a highly engaged, screen-led demographic in a premium ad-supported format.

    Whether you’re in the mood for classic Govinda, spooky thrillers, or South Indian action dubbed in Hindi, Zee5’s FAST channels have a channel just for you no fees, just feels.

  • Anjana Om Kashyap adds Aaj Tak HD to her editorial leadership portfolio

    Anjana Om Kashyap adds Aaj Tak HD to her editorial leadership portfolio

    MUMBAI: Anjana Om Kashyap has officially been handed the editorial reins of Aaj Tak HD, in addition to her successful run on digital-first channel Aaj Tak 2 – a move that cements her reputation as one of India’s most dynamic news leaders.

    This expanded mandate comes on the back of Anjana’s stellar track record. Her audacious Helicopter Shot coverage carved a new benchmark in election journalism – 100 destinations in 10 days – blending relentless ground reporting with trademark energy. And now both Anjana & Anjana 2.0 are doing the same at 9 PM with Black & White.

    As one of the most recognisable faces in Indian news, Anjana now stands poised to turn HD into high definition not just in pixels, but in ambition. For viewers, it promises a sharper, faster, and bolder brand of journalism. For the newsroom, it’s another helicopter shot straight out of Anjana’s playbook.

  • JioStar acquires exclusive broadcast and streaming rights for US Open for the next five years

    JioStar acquires exclusive broadcast and streaming rights for US Open for the next five years

    MUMBAI: JioStar announced that it has acquired the exclusive broadcast and streaming rights for the US Open Tennis Championships for the next five years. Secured by the USTA’s media rights agency, IMG, this landmark partnership will see every match from the hard courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center broadcasted on Star Sports Network and streamed on JioHotstar, delivering every ace, rally, and match point directly to millions of Indian screens.

    This year’s edition promises edge-of-the-seat drama, rising stars, and battles between a growing generation of legends as the men’s and women’s singles Main Draw will be played across 15 competition days. Indian fans will be treated to breathtaking tennis action with Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Świątek, Novak Djokovic, and Coco Gauff taking the court and Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka looking to defend their men’s and women’s singles titles respectively.

    The tournament also announced a reimagination of its US Open Mixed Doubles Championship, which this year will feature 16 star-studded pairs all vying for US$ 1 million in prize money going to the winning team. The blockbuster field will include many of the men and women ranked in the Top 10, nine Grand Slam singles champions and veritable legends of the game. Alcaraz will be pairing up with Emma Raducanu, Sinner is entered with Emma Navarro, Świątek will double up with Casper Ruud, Djokovic will come together with fellow Serbian Olga Danilovic and Venus Williams will compete with Reilly Opelka. On top of that, Ben Shelton will pair with world doubles No. 1 Taylor Townsend and the defending US Open Mixed Doubles Champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori will compete to defend their title.

    As part of its coverage, JioStar will continue bringing its host of tech-driven and fan-first innovations that will redefine how one of the largest-attended annual sporting events in the world is experienced. From multi-language commentary to exclusive behind-the-scenes access on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar, viewers will enjoy immersive storytelling and interactivity around the tournament like never before.

    “We are thrilled to add the US Open to our expanding portfolio of world-class sporting events. This association with the USTA deepens the range of premier global sports content available to fans on our platforms,” said JioStar head of international acquisitions & syndication, Harry Griffith. “With the US Open, JioStar is now the home of two of the four prestigious Grand Slams, offering year-round tennis coverage and reaffirming our commitment to delivering top-tier live action to every corner of the country.”

    “We are delighted to partner with JioStar to bring the US Open to our fans across India,” said USTA chief commercial officer, Kirsten Corio. “JioStar’s forward-thinking, digital-first approach and their vast scale make them the ideal partner to carry the tournament into a new era. We look forward to connecting with tennis fans on the platforms they use most, delivering a world-class viewing experience that is innovative and engaging.”

    This strategic addition further reinforces JioStar’s reputation as India’s ultimate sporting destination, with rights to ICC events, India Men’s and Women’s Cricket teams, TATA IPL, TATA WPL, Premier League, Wimbledon, Pro Kabaddi League, and a lot more. With a calendar packed with premium sporting content, JioStar continues to lead the way in providing fans with seamless access to the most anticipated sporting moments from India and around the world.