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Category: News Headline

  • WPP names Microsoft executive Cindy Rose as new chief executive

    WPP names Microsoft executive Cindy Rose as new chief executive

    MUMBAI: WPP  today announced a significant leadership change, appointing Cindy Rose as its new chief executive officer, effective 1 September 2025. She will succeed Mark Read, who steps down on the same date after a 30-year tenure with the company, including seven years as CEO.  Read will assist  Rose with the transition until the end of the year.

    Rose brings extensive experience from the technology, telecommunications, media, entertainment, and creative industries. For the past nine years, she has held senior leadership roles at Microsoft, most recently as chief operating officer, global enterprise, where she focused on leveraging digital technology and AI for business transformation. Before this, she served as president of Microsoft Western Europe and CEO of Microsoft UK.

    Her impressive career also includes leadership positions at Vodafone (managing director, UK consumer 
    business) and Virgin Media (executive director, digital entertainment and media sales). She spent 15 years at The Walt Disney Co, culminating as senior vice president and managing director of Disney Interactive Media Group, EMEA.

    Rose has been a non-executive director on the WPP board since 2019, giving her an intimate understanding of the company’s operations. An alumna of Columbia University and New York Law School, she also serves as an advisory board member at Imperial College Business School and McLaren Racing. Holding both British and American citizenship, she will split her time between London and New York. In recognition of her services to UK technology, she was awarded an OBE in the 2019 New Year Honours.

    WPP chair Philip Jansen said:
    “Cindy is an outstanding and inspirational business leader with extensive experience at some of the world’s most recognised companies and a track record of growing large-scale businesses. She has led multi-billion-dollar operations across the UK, EMEA and globally, built enduring client relationships and delivered growth in both enterprise and consumer environments. 

    “Cindy has supported the digital transformation of large enterprises around the world – including embracing AI to create new customer experiences, business models and revenue streams. Her expertise in this landscape will be hugely valuable to WPP as the industry navigates fundamental changes and macroeconomic uncertainty. Cindy’s appointment follows a thorough selection process that considered both internal and external candidates. As an existing Board member she understands our business and the needs of our clients, and we look forward to working with her in her new role as CEO.

    “As he hands over to Cindy, I would like to reiterate my sincere thanks to Mark for his tireless commitment during more than 30 years with WPP and in particular the progress he has made to modernise, simplify and transform the company over the last seven years as CEO. On behalf of the Board and the company as a whole I wish him all the very best for the future.”

    Rose expressed her excitement about returning to the creative industries.  

    She said: “WPP is a company I know and love – not only from my six years on the Board but as a client and partner for many years before that – and I couldn’t be happier or more excited to be appointed as CEO. I began my career in the creative industries and this feels like coming home. 

    “There are so many opportunities ahead for WPP. We have and continue to build market-leading AI capabilities, alongside an unrivalled reputation for creative excellence and a preeminent client list. WPP has the most brilliant, talented, creative people and I can’t wait to write the company’s next chapter together.

    “I am grateful to Mark for his many contributions to the business over the years and I look forward to working together to ensure a smooth handover.”

    Mark Read said:

    “Having worked closely with Cindy for the last six years, I am delighted to see her appointed as CEO of WPP. From her time on the Board, she has real insight into our business and knows many of our clients, people and partners around the world. 

    “She brings deep experience of technology and AI and its transformational impact on business, and has successfully run large global organisations with talent at their core. After seven years as CEO, I know that I am leaving WPP in excellent hands.”

  • Consumr.ai ropes in Jaishree Agrawal to power its AI Twins play

    Consumr.ai ropes in Jaishree Agrawal to power its AI Twins play

    MUMBAI: Consumr.ai, the fast-rising consumer intelligence disruptor, has appointed Jaishree Agrawal as commercial lead – consumer insights to supercharge adoption of its flagship product, AI Twins — digital replicas of consumer behaviour that simulate decisions and fast-track brand growth.

    A veteran with over 16 years in market research, Jaishree joins from NielsenIQ BASES, where she was celebrated for commercial excellence and aligning insights to real-world business wins for Indian and global brands.

    At Consumr.ai, she will lead commercial strategy and client partnerships, helping brands ditch dated surveys in favour of real-time, always-on, AI-powered intelligence. The platform’s AI Twins offer marketers the ability to simulate purchase decisions, test creatives, optimise media, and validate innovations, all before going to market.

    “We’re thrilled to welcome Jaishree to the Consumr.ai family,” said Consumr.ai co-founder Vivek Bhargava. “Her depth of experience and consultative approach is a perfect fit as we build a platform that serves as a real-time, always-on research engine for brands. Jaishree will be instrumental in helping marketers unlock the full potential of AI Twins across business functions.”

    After debuting in the US, the platform has expanded into India, the Middle East, and Australia, with an eye on becoming the global benchmark in AI-native decision intelligence.

    Jaishree’s appointment marks a bold step in Consumr.ai’s mission to marry insight with innovation and replace traditional research with tools that think (and react) as fast as the consumer.

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  • Elon Musk’s Starlink clears final regulatory hurdle in India

    Elon Musk’s Starlink clears final regulatory hurdle in India

    MUMBAI: Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture Starlink has finally received the green light from India’s space regulator, In-Space, clearing the last major regulatory roadblock to launch commercial operations in the country.

    On 8 July, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (In-Space) Igranted Starlink permission to operate its Gen1 non-Indian GSO and NGSO satellite constellation for broadband services over Indian territory. The authorisation is valid until July 7, 2030.

    The nod includes specific frequency band allocations. For gateway beams, Starlink can use uplink bands of 27.5–29.1 GHz and 29.5–30 GHz, and downlink bands of 17.8–18.6 GHz and 18.8–19.3 GHz. For user terminals, the uplink band is 14.0–14.5 GHz (LHCP), while the downlink is 10.7–12.7 GHz (RHCP).

    The approval follows Starlink’s receipt of a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence from the department of telecommunications (DoT), positioning it as the third player—after Eutelsat-OneWeb and Reliance Jio—to secure full clearance to provide satellite broadband in India.

    Next on the to-do list: acquiring administrative spectrum from the government, setting up ground stations, and passing security compliance trials. Starlink plans to establish three gateway stations across the country as part of its rollout.

    Sources say the DoT will soon allocate trial spectrum to facilitate security demonstrations. Final spectrum pricing and allocation guidelines are also expected shortly, following recent recommendations from TRAI.

    Starlink has already inked deals with Indian VSAT providers, signalling a B2B and B2G push ahead of a consumer rollout. Insiders hint that Starlink could soon begin offering direct-to-consumer connections via its website, though pricing is still under wraps. A promotional plan pegged at Rs 840 per month is reportedly on the table, but not officially confirmed.

    The road to India hasn’t been easy. Starlink has waited since 2022 for regulatory approvals, facing national security concerns and policy disputes with Jio over spectrum allocation. Eventually, the government backed Musk’s view that satellite spectrum should be assigned, not auctioned.

    Meanwhile, Amazon’s rival satcom venture, Project Kuiper, remains stuck in regulatory limbo. Despite completing operational and security checks, its application is still under review. Kuiper is proposing a more ambitious infrastructure plan, including 10 gateways and PoPs in Mumbai and Chennai—well ahead of Starlink’s three.

    India, the world’s second-largest internet market, is shaping up as a critical battleground for satellite broadband. With Musk’s firm now officially in the race, the stage is set for a high-stakes space-age showdown.

  • Kofluence report decodes India’s booming influence economy

    Kofluence report decodes India’s booming influence economy

    MUMBAI: India’s influencer economy is hitting its stride—and going hyperlocal. Ad-tech platform Kofluence has dropped the 2025 edition of its flagship report Decoding Influence, unravelling how data, AI, and regional creators are reshaping digital advertising in the world’s fastest-growing content market.

    Based on insights from over 1,000 creators, marketers and industry leaders, the report paints a picture of a maturing ecosystem where brands are treating influencer partnerships not as vanity plays but as performance levers.

    “India’s influence economy has not only seen growth but also a decentralisation of influence. There is a dynamic shift with creators in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, often creating content in regional and vernacular languages, who are building strongly engaged communities through hyperlocal narratives,” observes Kofluence CEO & co-founder  Sreeram Reddy Vanga. “Amidst a trillion-dollar influencer advertising opportunity in India, we’re seeing brands approach influencer partnerships with far more intention and as a strategic marketing lever, driven by data, sustained by technology, and measured against business outcomes.”

    Key takeaways from Decoding Influence 2025:

    * Instagram leads the pack: With an estimated 1.8–2.3 million Indian creators, Instagram remains the top monetisation playground. Reels dominate revenue—charging anywhere from Rs 500–5,000 for creators under 10,000 followers, and crossing Rs 2 lakh for celebrity posts.

    * Big money flows: India’s influencer market is pegged at Rs 3,000–3,500 crore and climbing. E-commerce leads with 23 per cent of total influencer spends, followed by FMCG at 19 per cent. Over 25 per cent of brands ramp up influencer budgets during launches.

    * Small is powerful: Micro-influencers (10k–100k followers) are gaining traction. Some 52 per cent of marketers say they’re best suited for regional outreach. Diwali remains the hottest season, with brands kicking off campaign plans 2–4 weeks ahead.

    * AI and automation take hold: A full 61 per cent of brands are deploying tech platforms to manage influencer ops, with 18 per cent fully integrated. Generative AI is already used by 29 per cent of marketers—mostly to generate content ideas and assets.

    “With India crossing 900 million internet users, the creator economy is poised for continued expansion, fueled by government initiatives as well as significant technological advancements. Looking ahead, I believe we are moving towards the phase of integrated influence in which advertising mediums will increasingly converge together,” saYS co-founder Kofluence Ritesh Ujjwal.  “Decoding Influence 2025 is built on strong platform intelligence and first-party data, and will give marketers strategic insights on a rapidly evolving industry that is being transformed by AI, cookie deprecation and shifting creator-brand relationships. We hope you will find this report useful as you plan your next steps.”

    The Decoding Influence 2025 report leans heavily on first-party data and platform intelligence, offering an in-depth look at an industry evolving rapidly under the pressure of AI disruption, cookie phase-outs, and changing brand-creator dynamics.

  • Rahul Rajput takes the hot seat as VP–Investment at Dentsu India

    Rahul Rajput takes the hot seat as VP–Investment at Dentsu India

    MUMBAI: Dentsu India has elevated Rahul Rajput to vice president–investment, a move that cements his position as a key driver of the network’s media buying and planning muscle. The promotion comes after a one-year stint as associate vice president, during which Rajput steered the ship on high-stakes investment deals and cross-platform campaigns.

    Based in Gurugram, Rajput brings over a decade of experience to the role, including a six-year run at Dentsu Aegis Network as investment director and nearly three years at Mindshare, where he held the title of director–The Exchange. His career began at VivaKi and Havas Media, where he sharpened his chops as a media buyer.

    A self-described music enthusiast and natural networker, Rajput blends strategic thinking with people-first leadership. His mantra? “Everyone you meet has something to teach you.”

    With India’s digital and TV adex in flux, Dentsu’s bet on Rajput signals its intent to double down on smart, agile investment leadership in the months ahead.

  • Asian Paints taps Telugu TV glam for latest shade guide ‘Gruhashobha’

    Asian Paints taps Telugu TV glam for latest shade guide ‘Gruhashobha’

    MUMBAI: Asian Paints is adding a stroke of serial-style flair to your home with its latest launch, Tractor Emulsion Gruhashobha – a region-specific colour guide inspired by the vibrant sets of hit Telugu TV serials. In a bold crossover between décor and daily drama, the brand has teamed up with Star Maa to turn the look and feel of shows like Karthika Deepam 2, Gunde Ninda Gudi Gantalu, and Intinti Ramayanam into real-world inspiration for home interiors.

    With leading ladies Deepa, Meena and Avani as visual muses, played by fan favourites Premi Vishwanath, Amulya Gowda, and Pallavi Ramisetty. The guide taps into the cultural pulse of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where television isn’t just watched, it’s lived.

    The trio of serials already reaches 55 million viewers, covering 62 per cent of monthly audience reach across the Telugu-speaking belt via Star Maa and JioCinema. Riding that emotional connection, Gruhashobha transforms on-screen aesthetics into a curated guide of 65 colour combos, complete with room-specific stencils, styling tips, and visual mockups, all built around Asian Paints’ Tractor Emulsion.

    Known for its anti-fade finish, budget-friendly pricing, and four-year warranty, Tractor Emulsion is a go-to choice for middle-class households and now, it comes wrapped in serial-style stardust. From glossy staircases to pastel bedrooms seen on-screen, the colour guide lets consumers visualise the same in their own homes, adding a cinematic twist to everyday design.

    With over 2,000 shades, Tractor Emulsion already offers scale, but Gruhashobha turns that into something intimate, familiar, and hyperlocal. This launch is yet another masterstroke in Asian Paints’ eight-decade-long journey of blending consumer insight with cultural connection proving once again that India’s favourite colour palette often begins with what’s playing on screen.

  • TF1 picks up Korean formats Still Alive and The Penthouse Game for France

    TF1 picks up Korean formats Still Alive and The Penthouse Game for France

    MUMBNAI: From cryptic mansions to cash-fuelled elevators, two of Korea’s most bonkers reality shows are packing their passports and heading to France. Something Special, the Seoul-based format agency known for its boundary-pushing unscripted content, has struck a double-format deal with Studio TF1 via Flanagan Productions, licensing two of its hit Korean shows Still Alive and The Penthouse Game for French adaptation.

    It’s a spooky-meets-spendy combo: Still Alive is a clue-hunting, rule-breaking game show set in a mysterious mansion where contestants must stay sharp or face mysterious, instant elimination. With hidden rules, 24-hour gameplay, and comedic curveballs, the show blends suspense with laughs, and has already been picked up in 14 territories, including Germany, Italy, and across the Nordics.

    Meanwhile, The Penthouse Game trades ghosts for gold. In this high-stakes, hierarchy-driven format, financially struggling contestants fight for dominance both literal and metaphorical as they ascend (or descend) a vertical playing field controlled by a central elevator. With gold tokens, food rations, and three hosts acting as agents of power, it’s part Monopoly, part Squid Game, part social experiment.

    Both formats were snapped up by Flanagan Productions, one of Studio TF1’s flagship labels, known for adapting edgy international hits for prime-time French TV.

    “We’re thrilled to bring these high-concept Korean formats to France,” said Flanagan head Florence Boudaud. “They’re bold, unexpected, and packed with creative storytelling exactly what today’s audiences are craving.”

    For Something Special, co-founders Jin Woo Hwang and Insoon Kim see this as further proof that Korea’s wildly inventive reality concepts are more than just fleeting trends, they’re becoming global go-tos for fresh unscripted content.

    “Our motto is simple create and connect,” said Kim. “And that’s exactly what we’re doing with formats like Still Alive and The Penthouse Game.”

    With the global appetite for Korean storytelling at an all-time high, these two eccentric, high-drama formats are ready to give French audiences a taste of K-reality with a side of chaos.

  • Nom Nom goes full throttle in Mumbai with train wraps, jingles and autos in tow

    Nom Nom goes full throttle in Mumbai with train wraps, jingles and autos in tow

    MUMBAI: Nom Nom Express, the Pan-Asian quick service brand from Aspect Hospitality, is cooking up more than just noodles — it’s whipping up citywide visibility with a full-bodied marketing blitz as it eyes 51 outlets by July 2025. Already at 27 locations across Mumbai, Pune, and Hyderabad, the brand’s campaign signals a no-holds-barred push across Mumbai’s most trafficked arteries- rail, road, radio and reels.

    Starting 1 June, Mumbai has seen a delicious takeover. Three fully wrapped local trains on the Western, Central, and Harbour lines now double as rolling billboards, targeting the city’s busiest commuter corridors. Branded BEST and Thane buses now glide through South Mumbai, Western suburbs, Navi Mumbai, and Thane, while 750+ auto-rickshaws across Bandra, Thane, and Navi Mumbai bring street-level sizzle to the campaign.

    Meanwhile, a catchy Nom Nom jingle is hitting airwaves on Ishq FM, Red FM, and Magic FM, accompanied by seven daily RJ shoutouts per station, all during prime hours (8 AM–12 PM). Over on the digital dial, Spotify and JioSaavn ads have already hit 5 million impressions, helping the campaign strike a high-decibel note with urban snackers on the go.

    From office-bound commuters to radio-tuned road warriors, the message is clear: Nom Nom is on the move and it’s not just your lunchbox that’s getting an upgrade.

    Aspect Global Ventures executive chairperson Aksha Kamboj said, “Nom Nom Express reflects how we see the future of food — fast, fresh, flavourful, and deeply local in its relevance. Our goal has always been to build purposeful brands that don’t just exist digitally, but integrate seamlessly into the rhythm of everyday life. This campaign was crafted with that exact intent — to show up where our consumers are, in moments that matter, with a brand that feels familiar, aspirational, and rooted in culture.”

    Aspect Hospitality managing director Hitesh Keswani said, “Nom Nom Express is more than just a QSR — it’s a movement to bring comforting, high-quality Asian food to people where they actually live their lives: in traffic, on their commute, or at home. We’ve seen incredible momentum already, and this campaign is just the beginning. The early response has validated our thinking. And we’re just getting started.”  

    By weaving hyperlocal execution into a metro-wide rollout, Nom Nom Express isn’t just feeding appetites, it’s stirring up recall, one train wrap and one jingle at a time. The QSR brand is fast becoming a fixture in Mumbai’s culinary and commuter map, proving that when it comes to food-on-the-go, pan-Asian is having a moment and Nom Nom’s riding shotgun.