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Category: News Headline

  • Aviva launches savings plus life cover plan for rural and small-town India

    Aviva launches savings plus life cover plan for rural and small-town India

     MUMBAI: In a world where aspirations are rising faster than premiums, Aviva India is scripting a small-town success story with its latest insurance offering. Aviva India has launched Aviva Bharat Bal Vikas Yojana, a life insurance savings plan tailored for families in India’s rural and semi-urban markets. With premiums starting at just Rs 1,000 per month, the plan aims to provide both financial protection and a secure path to children’s dreams whether that’s a college degree, a vocational course, or a business of their own.

    Designed with flexibility and simplicity in mind, the non-linked, non-participating policy offers guaranteed maturity benefits and life cover. The entry age starts at 3 years, extending up to 50, with terms ranging from 12 to 30 years. Policyholders can pay premiums monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or annually, making it adaptable for diverse household budgets. The maturity age goes up to 80 years.

    If the life insured passes away during the term, the nominee receives the highest of:

    . The Death Sum Assured

    . The surrender value (either Guaranteed or Special Surrender Value)

    . A minimum of 105 per cent of total premiums paid

    Aviva India, chief marketing officer, Vinit Kapahi noted, “This isn’t just another insurance product, it’s a bridge to ambition for families beyond metro cities. Aviva Bharat Bal Vikas Yojana is for parents who dream big for their children but don’t want to get lost in complicated financial jargon.”

    The plan also offers guaranteed lump sum benefits upon maturity and comes with tax perks under prevailing laws making it not only emotionally reassuring but financially rewarding.

    While urban India is spoilt for choice when it comes to financial tools, Aviva Bharat Bal Vikas Yojana is a welcome step in democratising protection and savings. It reflects the insurer’s push for financial inclusion by targeting the heart of Bharat where every rupee counts and every dream matters.

  • Trilok plugs into brand love

    Trilok plugs into brand love

    MUMBAI: Move over boy bands, make way for bot bands. Trilok, India’s first AI-powered rock group, is tuning up the cultural charts and now brands are singing along.

    After grabbing eyeballs with its debut single Achyutam Keshavam, the band has found unlikely but exciting backers in boAt, Rowdy Club, and now, Magic Moments Music Studio, the latter launching a fresh series titled Magic Moment of the Month, an intimate, behind-the-scenes peek into the band’s surreal, stylised world.

    While boAt co-founder Aman Gupta has publicly lauded the project and Rowdy Club is leaning into the visual cool of Trilok’s mask-heavy aesthetic, Magic Moments is adding some heart to the hardware, capturing the band’s jam sessions, rehearsal-room rambles, fan shout-outs, and quieter reflections between the noise. Think sleek, bottle-inspired visuals with an AI-soul twist.

    “Magic Moments Music Studio has always celebrated expression, musical connection, nostalgia and the joy that comes from shared experiences. Collaborating with Trilok felt like a natural next step — it’s fresh, it’s bold, and it’s tapping into something culturally deep while also experimenting with the future. We believe in the power of new formats to spark new emotions, and Trilok is doing exactly that. This partnership is about capturing those real, in-between moments — where the magic actually happens,” said Radico Khaitan Ltd COO Amar Sinha.

    Born from Collective’s AI innovation lab, the folks behind digital personas Kavya Mehra and Radhika Subramaniam, Trilok is no moodboard mood music. It’s built to perform, provoke, and be playlisted, a full-bodied AI act with its own lore, lyricism, and layered persona-driven storytelling.

    Part myth, part machine, and full-on GenZ bait, Trilok blends human creativity with algorithmic power to deliver audio-visual drops that are as memorable as they are mosh-pit ready. And with a debut album on the way, the buzz is only getting louder.

    From digital dazzle to brand deals, this AI band isn’t just making music, it’s making marketing history.

  • Home truths hit hard as sales dip 14 percent in top 8 Indian cities

    Home truths hit hard as sales dip 14 percent in top 8 Indian cities

    MUMBAI: Looks like the summer wasn’t just hot outside India’s housing market felt the burn too. India’s eight biggest housing markets hit a bit of a speed bump in Q2 2025, with home sales dropping 14 per cent year-on-year, according to the latest Real Insight Residential report by Proptiger.com. The slowdown is largely attributed to affordability concerns, which nudged many buyers into pause mode.

    The dip was particularly sharp in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), down a hefty 32 per cent, and Pune, which saw a 27 per cent decline. But it wasn’t all doom and gloom cities like Bengaluru (+16 per cent), Chennai (+33 per cent), and Kolkata (+19 per cent) bucked the trend, showing that not every buyer had cold feet.

    On a quarter-on-quarter basis, sales across the board stayed flat with 97,674 units sold, as per Proptiger, which is part of REA India (also the parent of Housing.com). MMR, Pune and Bengaluru collectively accounted for 59 per cent of the total quarterly sales.

    “This short-term dip is more of a recalibration than a retreat,” said Proptiger.com head of sales Sridhar Srinivasan. “Yes, affordability is squeezing budget buyers, but demand is intact, and developers are clearly still bullish especially in the premium segment.”

    Supply-side sentiment mirrored the demand softening, with new launches falling 10 per cent QoQ and 17 per cent YoY. Mumbai (-43 per cent), Pune (-39 per cent) and Bangalore (-2 per cent) all saw dips, while Chennai and Hyderabad posted impressive gains (+64 per cent and +69 per cent, respectively). Kolkata saw a 192 per cenrt surge—albeit from a very low base.

    Interestingly, the report points out that geopolitical tensions (read: India-Pakistan skirmishes) also dented buyer sentiment during the April–June period, causing many to adopt a wait-and-watch stance.

    City Sales YoY Change Launches YoY Change
    Mumbai -32% -43%
    Pune -27% -39%
    Bangalore +16% -2%
    Chennai +33% +64%
    Kolkata +19% +192%
    NCR -9% +29%

    Despite the turbulence, Proptiger notes that the long-term market outlook remains upbeat, buoyed by solid macro fundamentals and continued developer interest, especially in premium and mid-income housing.

    So while this quarter may be slower than usual, it seems the foundation of India’s housing story is far from shaky. Just a little pause before the next big push.

  • Hyundai revs up Aura lineup with wallet-friendly S AMT variant

    Hyundai revs up Aura lineup with wallet-friendly S AMT variant

    MUMBAI: Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) is shifting gears on accessibility, adding a fresh variant to its popular sedan range — the Hyundai Aura S AMT. With this move, the brand brings its advanced automated manual transmission (AMT) to a broader swathe of young Indian buyers hungry for style, convenience, and comfort, without breaking the bank.

    Commenting on the introduction of the new variant,  Hyundai Motor India Ltd whole-time director and chief operating officer, Tarun Garg said, “At HMIL, we are committed to making smart mobility accessible to a wider set of customers. The introduction of advanced AMT transmission in Hyundai Aura S AMT reflects our continuous efforts to democratize technology and enhance convenience for customers. With this introduction, we aim to redefine the value proposition in the entry segment by offering superior comfort, safety, performance and convenience at an affordable price.”

    Powered by the punchy 1.2-litre Kappa petrol engine, the new S AMT variant is tailor-made for urban drivers seeking a smoother commute without the price tag of a full-blown automatic.

    The S AMT packs a solid safety and feature punch, including:

    ●    Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

    ●    Hill Start Assist Control (HAC)

    ●    Six airbags

    ●    LED daytime running lamps (DRLs)

    ●    Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (Highline)

    ●    Electrically folding ORVMs with integrated turn indicators

    With its slick combo of practicality and premium touches, Hyundai’s latest launch is a clear play to seduce value-driven sedan buyers looking to swap gear-grinding for easy cruising.

    The Aura S AMT joins a line-up that continues to grow on Indian roads, now with a little more automation and a lot more allure.

  • Huella sets the open web on fire with AIgnite

    Huella sets the open web on fire with AIgnite

    MUMBAI: In a sizzling debut at the iMedia Brand Summit in Goa, ad-tech disruptor Huella Services pulled back the curtain on AIgnite, a bold new ad intelligence platform that claims to both outsmart native and outperform display on the open web.

    Where banner ads go to die and native formats run out of steam, AIgnite breathes new life, transforming a single brand asset into thousands of real-time creative variants across display, video, and native. The platform is built on live AI optimisation that adapts mid-campaign, identifying high-performers 4.2x faster than traditional methods.

    Commenting on the launch of AIgnite, Huella Services co-founder & CEO Prrincey Roy said, “AIgnite isn’t built to run the same race as native or display. It is designed to re-draw the track entirely. AIgnite is not a layer of AI stitched onto old systems, it is built ground-up with intelligence in its core. From how creatives are developed, to how they’re deployed, optimised, and scaled every step is powered by AI. And with Agentic AI, even decisions around media planning and reporting are real-time and recommendation-led, plugged with various supply pipes. We have launched something that doesn’t just respond to briefs — it multiplies them. AIgnite outsmarts native and outperforms display because it puts creativity back in control — intelligently, and unapologetically.”

    Early pilots show CTR surges of over 5 per cent, a staggering leap from the industry’s 0.46 per cent average, with campaign lifespans stretching by an extra 3.2 weeks. It’s not just smarter, it’s hungrier, leaner, and lightning-fast, with creative go-lives in under three hours.

    AIgnite leverages Huella’s premium network of 500+ publishers, offering 100 per cent viewability-verified inventory across news, finance, tech, lifestyle, and entertainment. SSP integrations slash time-to-market by up to 60 per cent.

    “We are absolutely thrilled that Huella Services has chosen the iMedia Brand Summit as the platform for its highly anticipated launch,” said Comexposium India country managing director Jaswant Singh, the organisers of iMedia Brand Summit. “Our mission with iMedia has always been to foster innovation and provide a premier stage for groundbreaking products that will shape the future of marketing. AIgnite’s AI-powered solution perfectly embodies this vision, and we are incredibly proud to be the chosen platform for its unveiling.”

    The Goa launch event, held at The Supper Club, mirrored AIgnite’s core philosophy: one idea, countless expressions. Guests dined on over 100 chilli-inspired dishes—each one a nod to the platform’s promise of turning a single creative meal into a feast of high-performance variants.

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  • J. Hampstead names Bobby Deol as brand ambassador

    J. Hampstead names Bobby Deol as brand ambassador

    MUMBAI: In a move that blends old-school charm with new-age elegance, premium menswear label J. Hampstead has roped in Bobby Deol as its brand ambassador. Affectionately dubbed “Lord Bobby” by his legion of fans, the actor brings gravitas, grit, and undeniable style to the marquee fashion house.

    Known for its legacy in fine suiting and shirting, J. Hampstead has long been a torchbearer of European craftsmanship married with Indian precision. The brand’s ready-to-wear and bespoke offerings have earned it a loyal following among India’s discerning dressers.

    Talking about the association, Deol says, “I’m honoured to represent J. Hampstead, a brand that exemplifies classic style and lasting quality. Its attention to detail and legacy of excellence align perfectly with my own fashion values.”

    J. Hampstead director Avnish Poddar adds, “Bobby’s distinctive style and appeal make him an ideal ambassador for the brand. His association brings fresh energy and strengthens our connection with today’s aspirational, fashion-conscious consumers.”

    This latest partnership is not just a campaign, it’s a statement. It positions Bobby as the face of a league that’s a cut above, where tailored threads meet timeless swagger.

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  • Shashi Panja headlines Times Network Growth Summit

    Shashi Panja headlines Times Network Growth Summit

    MUMBAI: West Bengal’s economic ambitions took centre stage as Shashi Panja, minister for industries, commerce & enterprises, headlined the SRMB Presents Times Network Growth Summit West Bengal. Hosted by Times Network, the high-powered gathering brought together top voices from government, industry, and academia to map the state’s transformation into a future-ready growth engine.

    Held in Kolkata, the summit featured deep dives into Bengal’s most pressing growth levers, from AI and robotics, skilling and MSME empowerment, to infrastructure and industrial transformation.

    Among the marquee speakers were Ashish Beriwala, director, SRMB Srijan; Prof. Ved Prakash, former chairman, University Grants Commission; Vinod Gupta, managing director, Dollar Industries; and Prof. Biswajoy Chatterjee, vice chancellor, UEM Jaipur. The sessions explored ways to bridge academia and industry, catalyse intelligent ecosystems, and supercharge inclusive entrepreneurship.

    Co-powered by Dollar Industries, University of Engineering & Management (UEM) and Sister Nivedita University, with OmDayal Group of Institutions and Julien Day School as associate partners, the summit concluded with a strong cross-sectoral consensus: Bengal is ready to lead, not just follow, in India’s next wave of economic acceleration.

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  • Suheil Mohan joins Flipkart as senior manager for brand marketing

    Suheil Mohan joins Flipkart as senior manager for brand marketing

    MUMBAI: Suheil Mohan has taken charge as senior manager 2, brand marketing at Flipkart, marking another high-profile move in India’s fast-evolving digital marketing space. Based in Bengaluru, Mohan joined the Walmart-owned e-commerce major in May 2025.

    Mohan brings with him over a decade of experience across top-tier startups and agencies. Prior to this, he led brand and growth marketing at agritech disruptor Ninjacart, where he spearheaded the platform’s rebranding and digital storytelling campaigns. His earlier stints include brand roles at Byju’s, Mobile Premier League (MPL), and Junglee Games, where he played a key part in executing big-budget campaigns tied to Hindi cinema and gaming IPs.

    A former strategy and branded content manager at GroupM, Mohan also worked with Airtel as a digital consultant during a pivotal phase of its 4G growth drive. Starting his career as an engineer, he later pivoted to marketing after completing his management studies.

    At Flipkart, Mohan is expected to bolster the company’s brand storytelling and campaign strategy as it prepares for festive season blitzes and deeper consumer engagement in tier 2 and tier 3 India.

    His appointment signals Flipkart’s ongoing investment in top marketing talent to stay ahead in the fiercely competitive e-commerce space.

  • Branquila takes flight as it lands in the UAE with full brand arsenal

    Branquila takes flight as it lands in the UAE with full brand arsenal

    MUMBAI: From building brands to breaking boundaries, Branquila is now boarding in the UAE. Branquila Brand Ventures, the creative brand management agency founded by Sandeep Dahiya in 2022, is charting international territory. The firm has officially launched operations in the UAE, bringing its full suite of brand-building offerings to one of the world’s fastest-growing business hubs.

    With services spanning brand positioning, creative execution, PR, social media, SEO, performance marketing, and licensing, Branquila isn’t arriving with baby steps, it’s jumping into the Emirates with both boots on.

    Best known for driving mandates for marquee Indian names like Endemol Shine India, Banijay Asia, Abundantia Entertainment, Madame Fashion, and Genes Lecoanet Hemant, Branquila now aims to replicate that impact in a market buzzing with entrepreneurial energy.

    “The UAE is brimming with ambition and ideas, it’s the perfect launchpad for our next chapter,” said Branquila Brand founder & CEO Ventures Dahiya. “With our core promise of making brands work for business, we’re excited to help UAE-based businesses scale, stretch, and stand out.”

    Adding firepower to the firm’s expansion is its newly announced advisory board, Brandwidth, a brain trust of industry veterans including Raj Nayak, Rajesh Kamat, Vishal Chaddha, Sudha Sarin, Jaydeep Shetty, and Anand Kumar. The council will help shape Branquila’s growth playbook while providing strategic insight to partners across sectors.

    As D2C, fashion, entertainment, and media brands look to break the clutter in the Gulf, Branquila is betting big that creativity with a little hustle travels well.

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  • Ducktape Studios wins big at Cannes, Spikes and more in debut year

    Ducktape Studios wins big at Cannes, Spikes and more in debut year

    MUMBAI: From duct tape to Ducktape, India’s latest creative export is fixing eyeballs on global awards. Ducktape Studios may be barely a year old, but it’s already sticking out in the global ad world for all the right reasons. The Mumbai-based production house, helmed by award-winning director Raylin Valles, has stormed Cannes Lions, Adfest, Spikes Asia and the Kyoorius Awards in 2025, proving that a sharp idea with a dash of madness can punch well above its age.

    At this year’s Cannes Lions, Ducktape landed a Bronze Lion for its quirky Amazon campaign with Ogilvy India and earned a Film Craft shortlist for Dirty Money, its riotous spot for Steadfast Shredders created with Mullenlowe. The momentum continued at Adfest, where the team bagged a Silver for Film Direction and two Bronzes for Arms Deal and Hungal Driving School in collaboration with DDB.

    Meanwhile, at Spikes Asia, Arms Deal racked up a Bronze and two shortlist mentions, while the Kyoorius haul included a dazzling 4 Blue Elephants and 11 Baby Blues.

    This awards streak is no fluke. Ducktape’s cinematic chops are backed by Valles’s deep agency roots and an enviable global reel. His resume reads like a Cannes wish list Coca-Cola, Apple, Netflix, Unilever, Snickers, Ikea, Spotify, Disney+ Hotstar and his directing style ranges from stylised comedy and animated flair to high-octane action.

    “We launched Ducktape to build a space where ideas and craft could run wild,” said Valles. “A year in, we’ve worked with iconic brands, fearless agencies and some real heavyweight talent. We’ve made things that sparked memes, conversations and now, awards.”

    The studio’s sharp storytelling and slick visual language are drawing praise for being rooted in Indian culture while playing to a global stage. And while Ducktape’s tape measure of success is already long, it’s clear they’ve only just begun rolling.

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