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Category: News Headline

  • Urban Jungle launches two new luggage accessories on Amazon Prime Day

    Urban Jungle launches two new luggage accessories on Amazon Prime Day

    MUMBAI: Urban Jungle is set to disrupt the everyday luggage and accessory segment with the launch of two new products, ‘The Hold All’ and ‘The Fling’, exclusively timed with Amazon Prime Day 2025.

    Designed for the new-age traveller, The Hold All is a revolutionary top-open hard-case luggage that reimagines packing convenience. Its top opening saves space in compact hotel rooms, and its single deep compartment makes it spacious and easy to pack. Paired with features like an in-built expansion system, dedicated laptop compartment, and spill-proof pouches, it ensures effortless packing for the modern traveller. Available in bold colourways like Blue, Green, Yellow, and Orange, The Hold All is priced from Rs 6,499, offering premium utility at an accessible price point.

    Complementing it is The Fling, a first-of-its-kind hard-case sling bag crafted for city commuters and fashion-forward consumers. Lightweight yet rugged, the crossbody sling features an adjustable strap and a vibrant palette of nine colour options, including Lilac, Mint Green, and Red, making it as much a statement as it is a functional essential. The Fling starts at just ₹1,999, making high-style portability more accessible than ever.

    “This launch marks a pivotal moment in Urban Jungle’s journey as we expand into modular accessories that blend fashion with performance,” said Urban Jungle founder & brand lead, Tanisha Jatia. “With The Hold All and The Fling, we’re redefining travel as a seamless everyday experience- smart, compact, and unapologetically bold.”

    Both products will be available exclusively on Amazon during Prime Day 2025, with limited-time launch offers and influencer-curated drops designed to elevate visibility and consumer excitement.

  • Techno Gamerz leads Delhi AI Legends to victory at #PlayGalaxy Cup

    Techno Gamerz leads Delhi AI Legends to victory at #PlayGalaxy Cup

    MUMBAI: The stage was set for one of the most anticipated creator-led esports tournaments of the year with the #PlayGalaxy Cup Z Fold Edition, a high-octane Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) tournament that brought together 48 top gamers of the country.

    A total of four intense matches were played, and after a thrilling showdown, Team Delhi AI Legends, led by Techno Gamerz, emerged victorious to claim the championship trophy with a whooping cash prize of Rs 2,40,000.

    Hosted by Samsung, the tournament featured 12 powerhouse teams, each led by a Hero Gamer including top stars like Techno Gamerz, Mythpat, Desi Gamers, SlayyPoint, and GamerFleet. With 4 players per team, they battled it out in high-stakes BGMI matches packed with strategy, synergy, and skill.

    Sharing his excitement, Samsung India VP, head of product marketing, Aditya Babbar said, “We wanted to create a platform where India’s top gamers could showcase their skills while celebrating innovation in mobile gaming. This tournament reflected the spirit and thriving community of esports gaming.” He further added, “Here creators and players alike get a new dimension of immersion, multitasking, and more control, transforming every match into a cinematic, high-performance experience”.

    With over five million+ engagement across platforms and 100M+ reach, the #PlayGalaxy Cup Z Fold Edition was one of the largest creator-driven esports showcases in India. From high-stakes zone battles to surprise clutch wins, the BGMI tournament delivered moments that will be remembered for seasons to come.

    Managed by Opraahfx, Ujjwal Chaurasia aka Techno Gamerz, is India’s biggest individual gaming YouTuber with a massive 46.7 million subscribers. After leading his team to victory, he shared his excitement saying, “This was more than just a tournament. It felt like a celebration of the gaming community we’ve all helped build over the years. Leading a team and competing alongside such incredible gamers, was next level.”

    As per the 2025 India Mobile Gaming Insights Report by Sensor Tower, India saw 8.45 billion mobile game downloads in FY 2024-25, making it one of world’s largest mobile gaming markets. While the gaming scene has been growing steadily, India has now firmly made its mark on the global gaming stage and events like these are pumping excitement and support to the rising gaming ecosystem.

    The tournament showcased the perfect teaming of how technology and gaming go hand in hand to support the Indian gaming space. Innovative technology breaking limits and offering high octane gaming performance.

    From creators with massive YouTube followings to celebrated BGMI esports pros, the roster represented the true stars of India’s gaming universe.

  • ITC Aashirvaad launches ‘Boga Atta’

    ITC Aashirvaad launches ‘Boga Atta’

    MUMBAI: ITC Aashirvaad brings a uniquely crafted Aashirvaad Boga Atta for its discerning consumers in Assam. A premium fine white atta especially designed to meet the region’s culinary needs.

    Continuing in its endeavor to provide quality products to the Assamese consumer, Aashirvaad has launched Boga Atta as the current products available in the Assam market are mostly sold in loose format, lacking hygiene and consistency leading to inferior consumer experience.

    For the homemakers of Assam, cooking is more than a routine, it’s an expression of love. Whether it’s the joy of serving soft luchis at breakfast or Rotis for dinner, mothers in Assam constantly strive to bring delicious and wholesome meals to the table.  

    Aashirvaad Boga Atta crafted with superior quality wheat and made using an advanced milling process, offers the perfect balance of taste, and hygiene. Its fine white texture makes it ideal for preparing a wide range of local favourites, from fluffy luchis and Rotis to other traditional Assamese dishes like pithas, ensuring a delicious and satisfying experience in every bite.

    ITC Ltd COO – Staples and Adjacencies, Foods Division, Anuj Rustagi said, “With the launch of Aashirvaad Boga Atta, we are bringing Assamese families an atta that matches regional specifications of taste and quality. This launch is a testament to Aashirvaad’s commitment to regional relevance and our mission to bring uncompromising quality to every Indian kitchen. With Aashirvaad Boga Atta, mothers no longer have to choose between taste, hygiene, and health — they can have it all. Because when it comes to feeding the family, every meal should be a celebration of care.”

  • Fry and Mighty HyFun celebrates India’s global potato power play

    Fry and Mighty HyFun celebrates India’s global potato power play

    MUMBAI: As the world bites into French Fries Day, India is frying high and it’s not just about the spuds. Frozen fries are having a global moment, and India’s making sure it has a seat and a plate at the table. Leading the charge is Hyfun Foods, which on this French Fries Day celebrates not just the golden crisp, but a golden opportunity: turning India into a global hub for potato innovation.

    In FY 2023–24, India exported over 135,877 tonnes of frozen French fries worth Rs 1,478.73 crore, with Hyfun contributing the lion’s share to this crispy crusade. From straight cut to crinkle to peri-peri fries, HyFun now serves up potato perfection in over 40 countries.

    But beyond the global stats and sizzling exports lies a quiet revolution back home in Gujarat’s potato fields.

    What began as a modest contract-farming initiative with 200 farmers has now grown into Hyfarm, an agri-arm that supports over 7,000 smallholders across 35,000 plus acres in North Gujarat. And by 2028, HyFun aims to empower 30,000 plus farmers, focusing on climate-smart practices and stable income models.

    “At HyFun, growth has never been just about numbers. It’s about empowering farmers, advancing agriculture with science and technology, and creating a profitable and sustainable future,” said Hyfun Foods managing director & group CEO Haresh Karamchandani.

    Home to one of Asia’s largest potato processing plants, HyFun’s Gujarat facility can process over 1,000 tonnes of potatoes daily, blending agritech precision with palate-pleasing versatility from hash browns to coated fries.

    This French Fries Day, Hyfun isn’t just celebrating a snack, it’s celebrating India’s place on the global plate, powered by its farmers, technology, and taste buds.

    Because when it comes to putting India on the global food map these fries are just the beginning.

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  • Zee rolls out R.I.S.E to woo marketers and scale brand game

    Zee rolls out R.I.S.E to woo marketers and scale brand game

    MUMBAI: With a new promise – “We’ll earn your media business by growing your real business” – Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) has fired up its latest marketing juggernaut: R.I.S.E, shorthand for Results | Integration | Strategy | Engagement. The showstopper initiative kicked off with a glitzy launch in Mumbai on Friday and now hits the road to Delhi (18 July), Bengaluru (23 July), Chennai (25 July), and Kolkata (28 July).

    Touted as a results-first, omnichannel flex, R.I.S.E is Zee’s bid to shake up brand building in a cluttered market. The media behemoth pulled out all the stops at the inaugural edition, showcasing its full-stack advertising muscle — from 41 broadcast channels and ZEE5 to its YouTube sprawl, regional IPs, influencer network, and social play. In short, if a screen can light up, Zee wants your brand on it.

    This isn’t just another sizzle reel. Zee is betting big on tech-powered storytelling that marries data, AI, and content to deliver campaigns that actually move the needle. “It’s time media stops being a vanity metric,” quipped one insider. “We’re here to build real business outcomes.”

    Speaking on the launch, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. chief growth officee Ashish Sehgal said: “ZEE is the only platform that offers a full-funnel ecosystem, spanning from awareness to action and from mass to hyperlocal reach, with a philosophy that we are here to sell “Growth”. We have brought all our platforms together – broadcast, OTT, Digital video, Influencers, Music, Ground- so that every rupee spent is scalable & smart.”

    R.I.S.E has been imagined as a convergence zone for marketers, founders, VCs, and retail players. Panels deep-dived into brand-building in turbulent times, using integrated media to scale regional footprints, and how to link venture capital with the next-gen D2C wave.

    As the caravan rolls on to India’s top metros, the message is loud and clear: storytelling is sexy, but conversions are king.

  • Kia shifts into top gear with Atul Sood as new sales and marketing head

    Kia shifts into top gear with Atul Sood as new sales and marketing head

    MUMBAI: From driving growth at Toyota to taking the wheel at Kia, Atul Sood is all set for his next ride. Kia India has hit the accelerator on its leadership transformation, appointing Atul Sood as senior vice president of sales & marketing, effective 11 July 2025. A veteran of the Indian auto sector, Sood will lead Kia’s pan-India sales operations and marketing strategy, reporting directly to chief sales officer Joonsu Cho.

    Bringing with him nearly 30 years of industry experience, Sood was most recently president and director at Toyota Mobility Solutions and Services India (TMSS), where he played a key role in steering innovation and business expansion. His previous stints at Toyota Kirloskar Motors and Toyota Motor Asia Pacific further cement his reputation as a strategic leader with a deep understanding of both market dynamics and customer needs.

    Kia India’s MD & CEO Gwanggu Lee welcomed the appointment saying, “Atul’s proven track record in customer-first innovation and dealer network development makes him the ideal candidate to guide Kia through its next growth chapter. We’re confident his leadership will further our brand promise and strengthen our foothold in India’s mass-premium segment.”

    An engineer from Thapar Institute and a PGDM holder from SCMHRD Pune, Sood brings a rare mix of operational rigour and marketing flair. His leadership comes at a time when Kia India is looking to expand its market share, grow its product footprint, and deepen customer relationships across metros and emerging markets alike.

    Speaking on his new role, Sood said, “Joining Kia at such a pivotal moment in its India journey is truly exciting. The brand’s commitment to innovation, design, and customer delight aligns perfectly with my own values. I look forward to building on its strong foundation and driving sustainable growth across the country.”

    With this appointment, Kia India signals its intent to keep up the momentum in one of the world’s fastest-evolving auto markets and if Sood’s track record is any indication, the ride ahead is going to be anything but ordinary.
     

  • Balaji Telefilms goes big on movies and OTT, trims TV bets

    Balaji Telefilms goes big on movies and OTT, trims TV bets

    MUMBAI:  Balaji Telefilms is flipping its script. In a year marked by a strategic overhaul, the Ekta Kapoor-backed entertainment house has declared a decisive pivot from television towards high-growth verticals: movies, digital streaming, and branded content.

    Addressing analysts on its FY25 earnings call, group chief executive and CFO Sanjay Dwivedi outlined a transformation roadmap: “Movies will be our growth engine, digital will scale next, and television—once our mainstay—will become the third line of business.”

    The studio reported consolidated revenue of Rs 453 crore in FY25, down from Rs 625 crore the previous year. Yet net profit surged to Rs 84.6 crore from Rs 19.4 crore, largely due to a rights-heavy strategy in film and digital. The PAT margin stood at 18.7 per cent, and the company ended the year with Rs 172 crore in cash and mutual funds.

    Balaji’s OTT platform ALT Balaji saw a turnaround. Once burning Rs 120–145 crore a year, its cash burn has now dropped to just Rs 35 lakh a month. The platform added 3.29 lakh subscriptions in Q4 FY25, with total active subscribers crossing the 2 million mark.

    The company is also phasing out its pure SVOD model in favour of a hybrid SVOD–AVOD play, supported by a short-form vertical content app called Kutting. YouTube strategy and advertiser-funded content (AFP) are set to bolster revenue.

    Crucially, Balaji sealed a long-term content partnership with Netflix, spanning original films, binge series, telenovelas, and reality formats over 3 to 7 years. “This is not a one-off deal—it’s a foundational alliance for the future,” said Dwivedi.

    Balaji is betting on movies to power future growth. It has de-risked the vertical by recouping up to 90 per cent of production costs via pre-sales and co-production deals. In FY25, films contributed 30 per cent to revenue.
    Its upcoming slate includes Vrushabha (starring Mohanlal), the Priyadarshan-directed Bhoot Bangla with Akshay Kumar, and Vvan, a collaboration with TVF featuring Sidharth Malhotra.

    The studio targets 6 theatrical releases per year and is building on a franchise playbook with sequels like Dream Girl, LSD, and Shootout.
    TV content production touched 133 hours in Q4, with four shows on air. However, broadcaster yields remain 25 per cent below pre-Covid levels, and Balaji is cautious about further TV expansion.

    “TV is a volume game now. Rates aren’t recovering. We’ll stick to 6–8 shows a year, with a cap around Rs 350 crore,” said Dwivedi.

    New shows include Bade Achhe Lagte Hain – Phir Se and a reboot of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.
    The company is also experimenting with AI-led production, launching a series titled Kalnagri on its platform. Regional expansion is on the cards, starting with Tamil and Telugu.

    On YouTube, Balaji hit 1 million subscribers in a month, banking on a mix of new shows and IP-retained repurposed content—especially as Indian viewers seek alternatives to banned Pakistani serials.

    Balaji has a Rs 300 crore B2B order book from leading OTT platforms. It expects digital to contribute 20–25 per cent of revenue in two years. The company is not planning a spin-off of the digital business for now, but hints at unlocking value once scale justifies it.

    “We are storytellers, not just platform owners,” Dwivedi said. “Our job is to find the next big content wave—whatever the screen.”

  • Jupiter banks on experience with Akhilesh Jha in the driver’s seat

    Jupiter banks on experience with Akhilesh Jha in the driver’s seat

    MUMBAI: If money talks, Jupiter Money just made a power move by bringing banking veteran Akhilesh Jha into the conversation. In a strategic hire that signals its next phase of growth, Jupiter Money has appointed Akhilesh Jha as senior vice president for banking and partnerships. With over 20 years of experience in retail banking and digital strategy most recently as head of retail banking portfolio at DBS Bank Jha steps in to amplify Jupiter’s push toward becoming India’s go-to money platform.

    At a time when fintechs are rewriting the rules of personal finance, Jupiter’s move shows it’s doubling down on what it does best: combining digital ease with meaningful banking experiences. In his new role, Jha will lead the charge on deepening collaborations with banks and financial institutions, helping Jupiter scale its offerings across savings, credit, and payments.

    “We are building a platform that simplifies money for millions of Indians,” said Jupiter Money president, Rohit Kumar Pandey. “Akhilesh brings the perfect mix of legacy banking and fintech edge. As we grow, his insight will be vital in shaping impactful partnerships.”

    Jha echoed the sentiment, noting the “mutually beneficial ecosystem” that fintech-bank alliances can create. “Customers get intuitive, digital-first products; banks unlock new channels and revenues; and Jupiter becomes the bridge that makes it happen,” he said.

    The announcement comes at a time when Jupiter Money is riding strong tailwinds. In the last quarter alone, it secured key regulatory clearances, expanded its credit footprint, and maintained steady user growth. With an eye on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, the company is working to unlock financial access for underserved digital users.

    Jupiter’s product suite already includes an all-in-one savings account (powered by Federal Bank), a Rupay credit card with CSB Bank that integrates with UPI and offers cashback, and an upcoming prepaid wallet after receiving RBI nod. Jha’s appointment adds muscle to Jupiter’s ambition of turning its platform into a full-stack, digital-first banking experience, one that’s as easy as it is empowering.

    As Indian consumers grow savvier and seek smarter ways to manage their money, Jupiter Money’s latest leadership bet might just prove that experience is, in fact, the best investment.

  • Samar Khan takes on additional role as chief content officer for DocuBay and EpicOn

    Samar Khan takes on additional role as chief content officer for DocuBay and EpicOn

    MUMBAI: Veteran filmmaker and journalist Samar Khan has been appointed chief content officer for IN10 Media Network’s DocuBay and EpicOn, effective July 2025. This new responsibility comes in addition to his current role as chief executive officer of Juggernaut Productions, also a part of IN10 Media.
    With over 25 years of experience in content creation, writing, directing, and producing for television and films, Khan is set to spearhead the content strategy for the two specialized platforms.

    As CEO of Juggernaut Productions since April 2019, Khan has been instrumental in developing a robust concept bank. His extensive background includes pioneering entertainment journalism with India’s first 20-minute entertainment news program, “Bollywood News,” heading the TV division at Red Chillies Entertainment, and leading the OTT platform for Sahara Group. He is also the author of “SRK – 25 Years of a Life” and has creatively produced numerous acclaimed shows for both OTT and television.

    This dual leadership position underscores IN10 Media Network’s commitment to strengthening its content offerings across its diverse platforms under Khan’s seasoned guidance.

  • Scents of purpose as Mangaldeep expands its ‘Sixth Sense’ fragrance panel

    Scents of purpose as Mangaldeep expands its ‘Sixth Sense’ fragrance panel

    MUMBAI: Who needs sight to sense greatness? At Mangaldeep, fragrance creation is being reimagined, one heightened sense at a time. ITC Mangaldeep, India’s leading incense brand, is proving that scent goes beyond sensory pleasure, it can also be a catalyst for purpose, pride, and inclusion. With the expansion of its “Sixth Sense Panel” to 180 visually impaired individuals, the brand is building a fragrance development process where ability, not disability, takes centre stage.

    Launched in 2021, the initiative taps into the clinically established superpower of the visually impaired: an enhanced sense of smell. Now comprising panelists from Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata with academic and professional credentials to match this one-of-a-kind team is actively shaping Mangaldeep’s latest offerings. So far, it has influenced hits like Sandal, Rose, Lavender, and Marigold incense variants.

    In June 2025, 30 new panelists completed a specialised olfactory training programme, where they fine-tuned their scent articulation across fragrance families from fruity to floral, woody to oudh. With access to Mangaldeep’s in-house experts and structured evaluation tools, these panellists are now key contributors to product innovation, turning scent into a shared language of dignity.

    “This is no CSR tokenism. The Sixth Sense Panel has become integral to how we develop fragrances,” said ITC Ltd divisional chief executive for agarbatti & matches business Gaurav Tayal. “It brings us perspectives we’d otherwise miss.”

    The initiative draws inspiration from research at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Institute, which found that the visually impaired often possess superior olfactory faculties, a super-skill Mangaldeep is now mainstreaming into the fragrance industry.

    Former Blind Cricket World Cup winner Mahender Vaishna, now a panellist, called the experience “empowering and dignifying,” while Radio Udaan co-founder Minal Singhvi  credited the programme with helping her rediscover joy, confidence, and creative purpose.

    At its core, Mangaldeep’s inclusive innovation is about rewriting the narrative around disability not through sympathy, but through strength. In the process, it’s proving that the soul of scent lies not in how it’s seen, but in how deeply it’s felt.

    As brands across sectors explore meaningful inclusivity, Mangaldeep is lighting the way, one fragrant step at a time.