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Category: News Headline

  • St. Jude India’s gut-punch campaign puts childhood cancer’s cruel urban reality in focus

    St. Jude India’s gut-punch campaign puts childhood cancer’s cruel urban reality in focus

    Mumbai: It’s not just chemotherapy that India’s poorest children with cancer are fighting—it’s the city itself. With “Renu Vs The City”, St. Jude India ChildCare Centres, in partnership with Ogilvy Mumbai, has dropped a hard-hitting campaign that yanks the curtain back on an invisible crisis: families forced to live on footpaths while their kids undergo life-saving treatment.

    At the heart of the campaign is Renu Kadam, a young girl living on the pavement outside a Mumbai cancer hospital. The film follows her harrowing daily routine—dodging traffic, trekking miles for basic needs, and trying to stay hopeful amid the chaos. Her story isn’t fiction; it’s a chilling mirror to the thousands of real families who come to cities seeking free treatment, only to find no roof and no respite.

    St. Jude India ChildCare Centres CEO Anil Nair said, “While cancer treatment has become more accessible and affordable thanks to government schemes, many families still face the challenge of travelling long distances and finding a safe, hygienic place to stay in cities. This film, crafted by the committed teams at Ogilvy India and Hungry Films, sheds light on the struggles of the lesser privileged during treatment.”

    Ogilvy Mumbai executive creative directors, Fritz Gonsalves and Jayesh Raut added, “Working on a brand like St. Jude India ChildCare Centres is truly a privilege. The work that this organisation does is genuinely inspiring. Our sole aim is to raise awareness about the work they do and encourage donations so that the thousands of children who travel to big cities for free cancer treatment are not forced to live on the streets while undergoing treatment.”

    St. Jude’s mission is simple yet urgent: offer a safe, hygienic ‘home away from home’ to kids undergoing cancer treatment. With 45 centres across 11 cities, they provide what hospitals can’t—shelter, dignity, and peace of mind. But the need far outweighs capacity. Each year, 32,000 children require such support, and thousands still fall through the cracks.

    “Renu Vs The City” is not just a tearjerker—it’s a call to action. The film urges viewers to donate, advocate, and amplify. Because no child should have to choose between cancer treatment and a place to sleep.

  • Gill’s edge and streaming surge put JioHotstar in Test match mode

    Gill’s edge and streaming surge put JioHotstar in Test match mode

    MUMBAI: When India stepped out at Headingley with Shubman Gill at the helm, it wasn’t just a fresh chapter in Test cricket, it was a record-breaking moment on screen too. The first Test of the India-England series didn’t just set the WTC 2025–27 cycle in motion; it also bowled over the digital scoreboard on JioHotstar.

    With 89.1 million viewers and a staggering 13.7 billion minutes of watch-time, the opening Test became the highest-ever reached red-ball match on the platform. Five-language coverage (English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada) and exclusive content like the behind-the-scenes series Follow The Blues ensured fans were hooked well beyond the boundary.

    JioHotstar added a cheeky twist with a promo featuring Rohit Sharma giving out “Test tips,” while the ‘When India Challenged the Crown’ segment took fans on a nostalgia trip through India’s legacy in England.

    As India’s red-ball reboot gathers steam, the streaming numbers suggest the audience is already on board. The second Test begins 2 July in Birmingham, with four more matches to potentially rewrite more records.

    In parallel, the WTC Final 2025 where South Africa broke their ICC title drought by defeating Australia delivered knockout numbers of its own. It became the most-watched Non-India Test match ever on linear TV, logging 2.95 billion minutes and reaching 47 million viewers.

    On JioHotstar, it smashed another record with 41.4 million digital viewers, toppling even the 2023 India vs Australia final.

    From broadcast to broadband, Test cricket in 2025 is not just holding its ground, it’s thriving in technicolour. And with India’s new leadership making waves and streaming platforms like JioHotstar turning numbers into headlines, the future of long-format cricket seems anything but slow-paced.

  • PepsiCo India appoints Saakshi Verma Menon as chief marketing officer for foods

    PepsiCo India appoints Saakshi Verma Menon as chief marketing officer for foods

    Mumbai: PepsiCo India has named Saakshi Verma Menon as its new chief marketing officer (CMO) for the foods division, as outgoing CMO Anshul Khanna moves into a new role within the company. The announcement comes amid heightened competition and renewed strategic focus on the Indian packaged foods segment.

    Menon, a key member of PepsiCo’s India leadership team, will lead the marketing strategy for the company’s foods portfolio, which includes household brands such as Lay’s, Kurkure, Uncle Chipps, Quaker, Cheetos, and Doritos.

    “Super pumped to work on some of the most iconic and beloved brands from the house of PepsiCo,” Menon wrote in a LinkedIn post. “These brands have been part of everyday moments for millions, and I’m excited to shape the next chapter of their journey.”

    Menon steps into the new role after leading regional brand initiatives for PepsiCo’s AMESA (Africa, Middle East and South Asia) business, where she managed cross-market campaigns for core beverages including Pepsi, 7Up, and Mountain Dew. With over 20 years of marketing experience, she has also held senior roles at Colgate-Palmolive, Uber, and Kimberly-Clark, bringing a blend of global insight and local consumer acumen.

    PepsiCo India reported revenues of Rs 8,877 crore and profit after tax of Rs 883.4 crore for the financial year ended 31 December 2024. The company’s snacks segment contributed over Rs 6,800 crore, underscoring the strength of its packaged foods portfolio.

    India’s packaged foods market is currently valued at Rs 3.6 trillion, while the carbonated beverages segment stood at $18.25 billion in 2022, according to ICRIER. PepsiCo faces strong competition from both multinational and domestic players, including Coca-Cola, ITC, Bikaji, and Haldiram’s, with bottling operations managed by its partner, Varun Beverages.

    To bolster local manufacturing and supply chain capabilities, PepsiCo India last year announced a Rs 1,266 crore investment to set up a flavour manufacturing facility in Ujjain, MadhyaPradesh, expected to be operational in Q1 2026. A second facility is also being developed in Tamil Nadu, reaffirming the company’s long-term commitment to the Indian market.

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  • Tata Motors slows down with 8.5 per cent dip in Q1 vehicle sales

    Tata Motors slows down with 8.5 per cent dip in Q1 vehicle sales

    MUMBAI: When the going gets tough, even the trucks slow down and Tata’s latest sales pitstop shows just that. Tata Motors hit a speed bump in the first quarter of FY26, clocking 2,10,415 units in total vehicle sales, a decline of 8.5 per cent year-on-year from 2,29,891 units in Q1 FY25. The slide was felt across both passenger and commercial segments, as domestic demand cooled off amid high base effects, macro headwinds, and flat market sentiment in May and June.

    Commercial vehicles bore the brunt, with total CV sales down 6 per cent YoY to 85,606 units. While HCV trucks fell 12 per cent, and small commercial vehicles (SCVs and pickups) dropped 17 per cent, there was some traction in ILMCV trucks and passenger carriers, which managed modest growth of 5 per cent and 1 per cent respectively. Interestingly, Tata’s international CV business was in overdrive revving up 68 per cent over the same quarter last year, thanks to new markets like Egypt and expanded play in the MENA region.

    Passenger vehicles also faced headwinds, with sales slipping 10% to 1,24,809 units, of which EVs contributed 16,231 units, a marginal 2 per cent dip YoY. The good news? Electric optimism is holding charge. EV sales picked up pace towards the quarter’s end, and new launches like the Altroz and Harrier.ev are expected to spark further momentum in the months ahead. The refreshed Tiago, meanwhile, zipped ahead with 16 per cent YoY growth.

    In the domestic market alone, Tata sold 2,03,411 vehicles, down 10 per cent, while international business sales rose on the back of a strong 67.9 per cent lift in CV exports.

    Tata Motors executive director Girish Wagh called it a “subdued start” to the fiscal, pointing to muted demand in heavy and small truck segments. But he remained upbeat, banking on a “healthy monsoon, repo rate cuts, and infrastructure push” to recharge CV demand in coming quarters. The company also launched India’s most affordable mini-truck, the Ace Pro, in multiple fuel variants, and introduced air-conditioned cabins across its truck range, a move aimed at improving driver comfort in gruelling conditions.

    Passenger Vehicles MD Shailesh Chandra, meanwhile, struck a cautiously optimistic note: “The EV segment was a bright spot,” he said, adding that Tata is “well positioned” to build on its lead with a fresh lineup across hatchbacks and SUVs.

    With the festive season on the horizon and fuel prices stabilising, Tata’s drive through FY26 may yet shift back into a higher gear. For now though, it’s a recalibration pitstop and the engines are humming, but not quite roaring.

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  • Pine Labs appoints Sameer Kamath as CFO ahead of IPO; Shalini Saxena returns as General Counsel

    Pine Labs appoints Sameer Kamath as CFO ahead of IPO; Shalini Saxena returns as General Counsel

    Mumbai: IPO-bound Pine Labs has announced two key leadership appointments ahead of its planned public offering: Sameer Kamath is set to join as chief financial officer, while Shalini Saxena returns
    as general counsel. The announcement follows closely on the heels of the company’s draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) filing with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 27 June.

    Kamath, currently group CFO at Avendus Capital, brings over two decades of financial leadership experience. He previously served as CFO at Motilal Oswal. He replaces Marc Mathenz, who stepped down in June shortly before the DRHP was filed.

    Saxena re-joins Pine Labs after her tenure as legal head at CoinDCX. She had earlier served as general counsel at Pine Labs from 2019 to 2022. Her return signals renewed legal leadership focus as the company navigates regulatory and compliance processes tied to its public listing.

    Pine Labs’ senior leadership team now includes:

    Amrish Rau, chief executive officer

    Kush Mehra, chief business officer

    Sumit Chopra, chief operating officer

    Navin Chandani, chief business officer – issuing business

    The Gurugram-based fintech firm is looking to raise Rs 2,600 crore via a combination of fresh equity issue and an offer-for-sale (OFS) of up to 147.8 million shares. Pine Labs is reportedly seeking a valuation in the range of $4.5–5 billion. Key shareholders include Peak XV Partners, Mastercard, PayPal, and Actis.

    The appointments place Pine Labs alongside a growing cohort of Indian startups accelerating towards public markets-a signal of rising maturity within the country’s fintech and technology sectors.

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  • Shadowfax files for IPO via confidential route, aims Rs 2,000-2,500 crore fundraise

    Shadowfax files for IPO via confidential route, aims Rs 2,000-2,500 crore fundraise

    MUMBAI: Bengaluru-based logistics firm Shadowfax Technologies Ltd has filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) through the confidential route, signalling its plans to go public. The move comes roughly three months after the company transitioned into a public entity.

    Shadowfax is aiming to raise between Rs 2,000 crore and Rs 2,500 crore through the initial public offering, which will comprise a fresh issue of shares and an offer for sale (OFS) by existing investors. Key backers including Flipkart, Eight Roads Ventures, and NGP Capital are expected to dilute part of their holdings through the OFS component.

    ICICI Securities, JM Financial, and Morgan Stanley are acting as lead advisors to the issue. The company is targeting a post-listing valuation in the range of Rs 5,500–6,000 crore, according to individuals familiar with the development. As per TheKredible, Shadowfax was last valued at approximately Rs 5,981 crore ($712 million) during the first tranche of its Series F funding round earlier this year.

    Founded in 2015 by Abhishek Bansal, Vaibhav Khandelwal, Praharsh Chandra, and Gaurav Jaithliya, Shadowfax operates in the last-mile logistics segment, serving e-commerce and hyperlocal categories such as grocery, food, and pharmaceuticals. The company claims a network of over 1.25 lakh monthly active delivery partners across India.

    To date, Shadowfax has raised around $246 million in equity funding. Eight Roads Ventures remains the largest external investor, followed by Flipkart, NewQuest Asia, and Nokia Growth Partners.

    Financially, the company reported revenues of Rs 1,885 crore in FY24, marking a 33.2 per cent year-on-year growth. It also significantly narrowed losses—from Rs 142 crore in FY23 to Rs 11.8 crore in FY24, representing a 91 per cent reduction.

    Shadowfax now joins a growing list of Indian startups eyeing public listings. Recent confidential DRHP filers include PhysicsWallah, boAt, Urban Company, Shiprocket, Groww, Pine Labs, Capillary Technologies, Wakefit, and Curefoods, underlining a renewed momentum in India’s startup IPO pipeline.

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  • Shamsuddin, Desai Jasani and Menon blur the lines with launch of AI-native marketing outfit, Theblurr

    Shamsuddin, Desai Jasani and Menon blur the lines with launch of AI-native marketing outfit, Theblurr

    MUMBAI: Three heavy-hitters from India’s advertising hall of fame—Shamsuddin Jasani, Aatsi Desai Jasani and Gopa Kumar Menon—have teamed up to launch Theblurr, a full-service, AI-native marketing company that promises not just smart outputs, but smarter outcomes.

    At a time when brands are swimming in data but gasping for insight, Theblurr aims to rewire marketing for the machine age without losing its human touch. Its calling card? A proprietary ‘HumAIne’ approach that blends machine intelligence with gut instinct—and doesn’t treat AI like the office intern.

    “Marketing today is no longer just about reach or impressions. It’s about real, measurable outcomes—growth, impact, and resonance,” said Shamsuddin Jasani, who serves as Co-founder & CEO of Theblurr. “We have built Theblurr to be a true growth partner, combining full-funnel capabilities with AI-first thinking to create work that truly delivers. We wanted to create something truly aligned with what modern marketing needs. Theblurr is that vision realized—a full-service, AI-native partner built to deliver brilliant outputs and smarter outcomes. We’re here to help brands move faster, think sharper, and achieve results that matter” he added.

    Theblurr is built around what the founders call full-funnel firepower—creative ideas that are media-aware from day one, and media strategies driven by experience, not guesswork. Silo-smashing is not a side project—it’s the operating model.

    Gopa Kumar Menon further added, “At Theblurr, we’re building an agency with passionate people that merges human creativity with AI intelligence. Our HumAIne process, breaks down silos between creative and media teams, it’s the operational backbone that seamlessly integrates our creative and media solutions —every creative idea is media-aware from day one, and every media investment is experience-driven. We’re excited to combine the craft we love with AI that makes it more powerful driven by people who are passionate about making it all work.”

    “At the heart of every great brand story is a deep understanding of people—our clients and their customers. At Theblurr, we don’t just chase KPIs; we champion our clients’ ambitions. Every solution we craft is rooted in empathy, creativity, and the drive to create something truly meaningful together” concluded Aatsi Desai Jasani.

    Together, the trio brings over 60 years of experience and a track record for building agencies that don’t just pitch—they perform. Theblurr’s culture is underpinned by values that spell out its name: Boldness, Learning, Unity, Responsibility and Resonance. (Yes, that’s not a coincidence.)

    As marketers everywhere look for speed, precision and measurable impact, Theblurr promises to be more than just another digital shop—it wants to be the growth partner of choice in a world of vanishing attention spans and rising expectations.

    And if their launch is any clue, the future of marketing just got a little blurrier—and a lot sharper.

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  • Kartik Aaryan named brand ambassador for Saatvik Green Energy

    Kartik Aaryan named brand ambassador for Saatvik Green Energy

    MUMBAI: From Gwalior to green goals Kartik Aaryan’s latest role sees him trading the silver screen for solar panels, as he steps in as the new brand ambassador for Saatvik Green Energy Limited (SGEL). Known for his boy-next-door charm and deeply rooted values, the actor now powers up a message of sustainability for the nation.

    This isn’t just a celebrity collaboration, it’s what SGEL calls a “shared purpose.” According to SGEL chairman and managing director Neelesh Garg, the idea took root during an impromptu chat among company leaders. “We saw that same integrity, hard work and humility in Kartik’s journey from Gwalior to global stardom. That’s when we knew it wasn’t a pitch, it was a purpose,” he said.

    Kartik, whose growing appeal rests on his blend of relatability and aspiration, echoed the sentiment: “Clean energy is not just a necessity, it’s a shared responsibility. I’m excited to be part of the Saatvik brand, which is so aligned with values I believe in integrity, intention, and impact.”

    SGEL managing director Manik Garg said the actor’s journey made him an ideal voice for the brand’s next phase: “With Kartik, we aim to inspire people to choose a cleaner, better, more self-reliant tomorrow.”

    SGEL CEO Prashant Mathur added, “Kartik represents the new India, ambitious yet authentic. He’s not just a youth icon, he’s a believer. In ethics, in effort, in empathy.”

    With the solar sector playing a central role in India’s renewable energy drive, the Saatvik-Kartik association aims to energise conversations around sustainability, while giving the clean energy movement a touch of Bollywood star power. In an era where climate consciousness is fast becoming cool, this collab looks like a match made under the sun.
     

  • Goibibo hits refresh with AI and Rishabh Pant in a name-dropping comeback campaign

    Goibibo hits refresh with AI and Rishabh Pant in a name-dropping comeback campaign

    MUMBAI: Travel portal Goibibo is upping its game with a pinch of tech wizardry and a splash of celebrity charm. In a first-of-its-kind move, the brand has teamed up with TrueFan AI to roll out hyper-personalised video nudges from Rishabh Pant, its brand ambassador and cricket’s comeback king.

    The campaign targets travellers who drop off after searching for flights or hotels but never click “book now.” Instead of a generic follow-up email, these indecisive holidaymakers are now getting an AI-generated, customised video featuring Pant himself — addressing them by name and giving a not-so-subtle push to seal that trip to Goa, Manali or wherever wanderlust struck.

    Goibibo’s AI stunt is a clever pivot, blending celebrity clout with algorithmic charm to re-engage users without sounding like a bot. By referencing a user’s searched destination or mode of transport, the platform makes the interaction feel less like an ad and more like a mate saying, “Pack your bags already!”

    Commenting on the campaign, Goibibo CMO Raj Rishi Singh said, “We’re always looking for new ways to connect with our users through technology. Our goal is to build a more genuine and personal relationship between the brand and each user through direct and individualised interactions. We’ve seen that video campaigns tend to drive higher click-through rates than text-based ones, which reinforces our belief in the power of visual storytelling. By leveraging AI to deliver contextual and personalized videos featuring a celebrity, we aim to create moments that feel real and relevant to the user.”

    TrueFan AI CEO & co-founder Nimish Goel said, “This campaign with Goibibo is a glimpse into the future of personalized communication at scale. By combining the power of AI with the charm of Rishabh Pant, it’s not just creating content, it’s meaningful content, one-to-one brand moments that resonate. It’s exciting to see a forward-thinking brand like Goibibo embrace this new frontier in marketing, where every user feels seen, valued, and uniquely engaged.”

    It’s cricket meets conversion rate optimisation and Goibibo’s betting that a personalised Pant pep talk might just be the ticket to turn browsing into booking.

  • Deltin bets big on Bangalore Turf Club with a galloping show of luxury and leisure

    Deltin bets big on Bangalore Turf Club with a galloping show of luxury and leisure

    MUMBAI: In a race where elegance met adrenaline, Deltin, the luxury gaming and hospitality powerhouse from Delta Corp, trotted into the limelight at the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) as the “Fortune Partner” for the high-octane Deltin Juvenile Sprinters’ Million (Grade III) — a sprint showdown for the country’s fastest three-year-old colts and fillies.

    But this wasn’t just about thoroughbreds crossing the finish line. Deltin brought its A-game off the track too, curating an immersive, ultra-premium brand experience that included an exclusive experiential lounge, swanky photo ops, and celebratory moments shared with BTC members and guests. Strategic branding galloped across the venue, reinforcing Deltin’s association with elite sport and high-stakes glamour.

    Over 4,000 guests flocked to the club, soaking in an atmosphere thick with tradition, thrill, and panache — a vibe perfectly in sync with Deltin’s own ethos of sophistication and high living.

    Commenting on the association, Delta Corp COO Manoj Jain said, “Horse racing is a sport steeped in heritage, precision, and prestige – qualities that strongly reflect Deltin’s own brand ethos. Our partnership with the Bangalore Turf Club provided the perfect platform to create a premium experience that resonates with an audience that shares similar demographics and appreciates sophistication, thrill, and exclusivity.”

    With this partnership, Deltin isn’t just playing its cards right in gaming and hospitality — it’s making all the right moves in lifestyle storytelling too. The brand’s ongoing strategy to align with legacy-rich sports like horse racing signals a larger ambition: to own the space where adrenaline meets affluence.