ITV

Category: News Headline

  • Schneider Electric plugs into India’s smart home boom with a power-packed portfolio

    Schneider Electric plugs into India’s smart home boom with a power-packed portfolio

    MUMBAI: Schneider Electric is flipping the switch on home innovation. The global energy and automation giant has juiced up its consumer electricals portfolio in India, targeting homeowners hungry for smarter, safer, and more stylish living.

    With India’s residential market expected to grow at over 10 per cent CAGR, Schneider is betting big on its home vertical as a serious growth driver. And it’s not just about sockets and switches anymore — it’s about lifestyle. Enter: “Bring Home the Smart.” The company’s new integrated campaign aims to wire an emotional connect with homeowners, while also winning over architects, builders, retailers, and electricians.

    The campaign ditches dull utility talk for something warmer — reimagining homes as sanctuaries where tech serves comfort, care, and quiet control. It’s about making smart homes feel less sci-fi and more soul-soothing.

    Among the standout innovations is the Miluz Zeta switch range, now with an industry-first air quality indicator that monitors indoor pollution in real time. Also in the mix: motion-sensing LED foot lamps for safer midnight wanderings, and the Wiser Smart Home solution, which offers GPS-enabled appliance control and a slick energy management system — all designed for modern lives and Indian homes.

    Backed by a three-pronged strategy — deeper channel partnerships, cutting-edge launches, and stronger consumer pull — Schneider Electric is clearly out to rewire the home automation conversation. And this time, it’s personal.

    Schneider Electric India, vice president – Home & Distribution Sumati Sahgal added: “This is a defining moment in our journey to build stronger brand affinity with Indian consumers. Our switches and home automation range are thoughtfully designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s households—where design, convenience, safety, and sustainability go hand in hand. With ‘Bring Home the Smart’ campaign we aim to make smart living more accessible, intuitive, and delightful for every Indian home.”

    Schneider Electric vice president – Marketing, Greater India, Rajat Abbi said “With our new ‘Bring Home the Smart Campaign’, we’re redefining smart living by shifting the narrative from complexity to intuitive comfort — where intelligent technology seamlessly integrates into everyday life, empowering consumers to focus on what truly matters. Through this integrated marketing campaign, our aim is to creatively communicate the differentiated value proposition of our innovative offers to our customers.”

    o   Film 1 showcasing Miluz Zeta Switches equipped with industry-first AQI Indicator:

    o   Film 2 showcasing Miluz Zeta motion-sensing LED foot lamps:

    o   Film 3 showcasing Wiser Smart Home automation –

  • About Antoine season 2 now streaming on Netflix in Americas and France

    About Antoine season 2 now streaming on Netflix in Americas and France

     MUMBAI: Streaming just got a little more heart. After making waves at global festivals and breaking ground with its nuanced portrayal of disability, About Antoine is back with a second season now streaming on Netflix across the Americas and France. The award-winning dramedy, co-produced by Just For Laughs and distributed globally by Just For Entertainment Distribution, follows the story of Antoine, a poly-handicapped young man and the fierce, funny, and tender family who navigate life with him. What sets the show apart isn’t just the rare subject matter, but the way it balances authenticity with wit, and hardship with hope.

    Now available in French and English, with Spanish and Portuguese subtitles, Season 2 continues to explore Antoine’s world with the same emotional candour that made it a festival darling. Think Banff Rockie 2025 nominee, MIPCOM Diversify TV Award winner, and Rose d’Or nominee, to name just a few of its accolades.

    “This is more than just a show, it’s a message in motion,” said Just For Laughs chief marketing officer Alex Avon. “With Netflix on board, we’re thrilled to bring About Antoine to even more people, reminding audiences everywhere what it means to triumph in everyday life.”

    Season 2 deepens the show’s emotional resonance, portraying the complexities of care, love, and family with warmth and unexpected humour. It’s storytelling that doesn’t shy away from struggle but always finds the spark in the story.

    For anyone looking to stream something meaningful, moving, and still manage a few belly laughs About Antoine just might be the feel-good binge of the season.

  • India’s influencer watchdog drops the rulebook – brands, beware

    India’s influencer watchdog drops the rulebook – brands, beware

    MUMBAI — The Indian Influencer Governing Council (IIGC) has rolled out a new playbook — and it’s no fluff piece. Dubbed the Code of Standards for Brands, this shiny new framework lays down the law for ethical, transparent, and drama-free brand partnerships in India’s booming influencer economy.

    The code takes aim at some of the industry’s worst-kept secrets: undisclosed paid plugs, shady affiliate links, and influencer posts that read like they were written by bots – or worse, lawyers. It urges creators to keep it real, while brands are now expected to play by the book, especially in high-stakes sectors like health and finance where scientific claims must be backed by certified proof.

    And in a first-of-its-kind move, the code tackles AI trickery head-on. Brands must now disclose if a virtual influencer is doing the talking — and deepfakes? Absolutely not. Also on the radar: data privacy. The code echoes India’s tightening grip on consumer data, aligning with the Consumer Protection Act and other watchdogs.

    To fix the Wild West of handshake deals, the IIGC is also offering brands and influencers a new rulebook for contracts — with templates, best practices, and a clear path to avoid ghosting each other after the collaboration.

    Backing this all up is the newly launched IIGC Taskforce — the council’s crisis Swat team. It monitors online chatter, sniffs out sentiment shifts, and steps in when things go south. Think online therapy meets legal triage — with a hotline to vetted lawyers for messier disputes.

    Commenting on the launch, IIGC chairman Sahil Chopra said, “Brand-influencer partnerships are incredibly powerful, but also vulnerable to reputational risks. Today, almost 95 per cent of brand-influencer work happens without a formal contract, leading to unnecessary disputes and breakdowns of trust. The Code of Standards for Brands makes the ecosystem more accountable and sustainable. With the addition of the IIGC Taskforce, we are giving the industry a much-needed safety net to operate with greater transparency and fairness.”

    Crafted in consultation with brands, agencies, creators and legal eagles, this move cements IIGC’s role as the referee in India’s fast-moving influence game — and puts brands on notice: the rules have changed.

  • Indulekha enters serum space with Ayurvedic boost to scalp care

    Indulekha enters serum space with Ayurvedic boost to scalp care

     MUMBAI: Goodbye greasy hair days, hello Ayurvedic innovation. Indulekha, the beloved Ayurvedic haircare brand known for its iconic oils, is switching gears and swapping textures with the launch of two all-new, non-oily, clinically proven scalp serums designed to treat hair fall and dandruff with precision, potency and a whole lot of heritage.

    The two launches, Indulekha Bringha Hair Growth Treatment Scalp Serum and Indulekha Svetakutaja Dandruff Treatment Scalp Serum mark the brand’s first foray into the serum space, a bold move that blends ancient Ayurvedic science with the ease and elegance of modern-day skincare formats.

    According to a 2024 independent clinical study, the Bringha Hair Growth Treatment Scalp Serum helps grow 11,000 new hairs in just three months. Packed with a 4.6 per cent Bringha+ complex featuring Brahmi, Amla, Aloe, Pudina and more, this serum tackles oxidative stress and thinning hair by nourishing the scalp at its roots using traditional Arka and Kashayam Vidhi techniques.

    Not to be outdone, the Svetakutaja Dandruff Treatment Scalp Serum is proven to tackle recurring dandruff within just two weeks, according to a 2023 clinical study. Its 1.7 per cent Svetakutaja+ complex includes Lemongrass, Orange, Pudhina and Neem all formulated to banish flakes, soothe itchiness, and restore scalp barrier health.

    “This isn’t just a format shift, it’s a mindset shift,” said Hindustan Unilever VP hair care Sairam Subramanian. “While Indulekha Oil continues to be a go-to for millions, serums offer a compelling new way for our consumers to experience everyday Ayurvedic efficacy without the mess.”

    Visually too, the brand is shaking things up. The new serums arrive in sleek, premium packaging, a sign that Indulekha’s moving confidently into its next chapter. Still rooted in Ayurvedic authenticity, the bottles are all business on the outside, and all botanicals on the inside.

    Available on Amazon, Myntra and Nykaa, Indulekha’s serums signal a fresh era in Ayurvedic haircare, one that’s lighter on texture, but heavy on results.

  • Havas Media India shakes up leadership ranks with bold new moves

    Havas Media India shakes up leadership ranks with bold new moves

    MUMBAI: Havas Media India is mixing things up at the top, elevating a clutch of seasoned insiders in a bid to fuel its growth spurt and flex its media muscle.

    Ramsai Panchapakesan, a media maven with 28 years under his belt, has been bumped up to president – investments & partnerships. Since joining the agency in July 2024, Ramsai has been steering the ship on integrated investment strategy and scaling up client alliances across the board.

    Meanwhile, managing partner – investments & buying is now the new badge for Binu Thomas. A Havas veteran of nearly two decades, Binu’s got a sharp nose for investment strategy and a track record of wrangling performance-driven outcomes across sectors.

    Also stepping into the limelight is Manish Sharma, who takes over as president – Arena India, the specialised arm under Havas Media Network India. Over the past nine years, Manish has built a reputation for crafting content-first client engagement strategies, driving growth for big-ticket names like Kia, Bumble, Realme, Zupee, and Kajaria Tiles.

    Commenting on the development, Havas Media Network India CEO Mohit Joshi said, “Ramsai, Binu, and Manish have been instrumental in driving our investment and business strategy, unlocking consistent growth for our clients and the network. Their expertise, leadership, and commitment to innovation continue to shape the success story of Havas Media. I am confident that in their new roles, they will further accelerate our progress and deepen our market leadership.”

    Havas Media India COO Uday Mohan added, “These well-deserved elevations reflect the strength and depth of our leadership team. Ramsai and Binu have been the backbone of our investment function, while Manish has led Arena India with great vision and execution. Their contributions embody the Havas ethos of Meaningful Media, and I look forward to collaborating closely with them as we steer the next phase of growth.”

    The elevations are in line with Havas Media’s continued focus on empowering internal talent and scaling leadership across core and emerging verticals.

  • Aashirvaad adds ‘masala’ to selfies with AI posters starring Nani

    Aashirvaad adds ‘masala’ to selfies with AI posters starring Nani

    MUMBAI: From spice rack to star track, Nani joins fans in masala movie moments. In a deliciously cinematic twist, Aashirvaad Masalas has turned the humble kitchen into a movie set. Following the blockbuster launch of Telugu star Nani as its brand ambassador in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, ITC’s masala brand is now blending AI with AP cinema fandom serving up movie-style posters that put the homemaker centre stage.

    The interactive campaign lets users co-star with “Natural Star” Nani by generating personalised movie posters via a Whatsapp bot. And the plot twist? You only need a selfie, some genre flair action, romance, thriller or comedy and a dash of confidence.

    Branded under the tagline “Dammu Meede, Star Meere” (You’ve got the dum, you’re the star), the initiative celebrates the unsung heroes of the kitchen those who bring fiery flavour and boldness to the everyday meal. Now, they also get their own reel-life moment, courtesy of AI-generated poster magic.

    To jump into the action, users can scan the QR code on the Aashirvaad Chilli Powder pack or click a link via Aashirvaad Masala’s Telugu social handles. Once connected to the bot, they simply choose their preferred language, genre, and character setting before uploading a selfie. Within seconds, they receive a film poster starring themselves alongside Nani cinema-style drama, sans studio.

    As if starring opposite Nani weren’t enough, select participants might just find their faces up in lights on real billboards or snag movie tickets as part of the promotion.

    Blending the region’s deep love for cinema with a love for spice, this campaign is more than digital wizardry, it’s a slice of pop culture that makes the consumer feel like the superstar they truly are.

    So whether you’re perfecting your biryani or clicking the perfect selfie, Aashirvaad Masalas invites you to spice things up one poster at a time.
     

  • Lexar snaps up No.1 spot in India’s camera memory card market

    Lexar snaps up No.1 spot in India’s camera memory card market

    MUMBAI: Lexar zooms into top frame with India’s No.1 camera card crown. If memory serves you right make it Lexar. The global memory and storage brand has just captured the No.1 position in India’s camera memory card market, according to the latest CMR Consumer Storage Flash Devices Report (Q1 CY2025).

    The numbers speak volumes: Lexar holds a whopping 69 per cent share in the high-performance CFexpress category and 36 per cent market share by value in SD cards, making it the overall leader in the segment. Cfexpress cards, known for lightning-fast speeds, are the go-to choice for professionals working with 4K and 8K content and Lexar seems to have won the confidence of India’s digital creators by a landslide.

    “Securing the No.1 position in India’s camera memory card market is a significant milestone,” said Lexar general manager of India Middle East and Africa Fissal Oubida. “This latest CMR report is a testament to our focused strategy, product innovation, and growing trust among professionals and enthusiasts alike.”

    Lexar’s rise has been powered by a portfolio that ticks all the right boxes: breakneck read/write speeds, rugged reliability, and storage options that range from compact gigabytes to hefty terabytes. Whether it’s a wedding in the monsoon or wildlife in the Thar, Lexar’s weather-sealed, shockproof cards are built to take the shot and survive it.

    The company’s professional-grade offerings include Cfexpress, SDXC, microSD, card readers, and portable SSDs, all geared toward creators who need storage that keeps up with their vision.

    Lexar’s Indian distribution muscle via Redington Ltd., Creative Newtech Ltd., and Supertron Electronics Pvt Ltd has also helped the brand stay close to the country’s fast-expanding imaging and content creation ecosystem.

    As digital storytelling and creator-led content continue to boom in India, Lexar’s ability to blend speed, safety, and scale has positioned it as a brand not just capturing data but capturing the moment.

  • NBDSA cracks the whip: news channels caught in a spin over sensationalism

    NBDSA cracks the whip: news channels caught in a spin over sensationalism

    MUMBAI: The News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) has been rather busy, doling out a series of rulings that have left several prominent Indian news channels with a bit of egg on their faces. It appears some broadcasters have been playing fast and loose with the facts, prompting the watchdog to flex its regulatory muscles.

    In a decision that’s got everyone talking, ABP News found itself in the NBDSA’s crosshairs over one 7 September 2024, interview with the former BJP MP, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The complainant, Indrajeet Ghorpade, wasn’t chuffed about the alleged “character assassination” of olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat. The NBDSA, clearly not amused by the chuckles at Phogat’s expense, closed the complaint with an “observation to take care of the issue,” effectively telling ABP to mind its manners. It seems some interviews are more of a grapple than a chat.

    Not to be outdone in the “oops” stakes, Times Now Navbharat received a stern talking-to for a broadcast from 5-6 September 2024, titled ‘अवैध मस्जिद’ पर महिलाओं ने मुसलमानों पर खुलकर सब बता दिया ! (Women openly tell everything about illegal mosques). Ghorpade, a busy chap indeed, also lodged this complaint, citing misleading thumbnails and a rather leading line of questioning about Shimla’s Muslim population. The NBDSA, advising broadcasters to ensure “tickers and thumbnails should conform to the actual version of the discussions/interviews,” has told Times Now Navbharat to snip, snip, snip that thumbnail from the video, if it’s still lurking online. A case of “don’t judge a broadcast by its cover,” perhaps.

    Meanwhile, Zee News felt the heat over a quartet of programmes aired on 15 and 16 October 2024, all revolving around the rather unsavoury (and frankly, bizarre) concept of “thook jihad” and “urine jihad”. Utkarsh Mishra’s complaint highlighted how a perfectly sensible UP law about CCTV cameras in eateries was spun into a battle against “thook jihad,” seemingly legitimising “state-sponsored and legislative targeting based on one’s religious identity”. The NBDSA, clearly unimpressed by this “spitting image” of sensationalism, issued a warning to Zee News not to “repeat such violations.” They’ve also been told to scrub the offending videos from their digital presence. Looks like Zee News got a bit of a sticky wicket there.

    Finally, Citizens for Justice & Peace landed Times Now Navbharat in hot water again, this time for 19 August 2024, programmes dissecting “teaching in Madrasas in Bihar”. The complaint alleged inflammatory language and selective reporting surrounding claims about “Pakistan-Published books” and “non-Muslims as ‘Kafir’”. The NBDSA, after a good long chinwag with both parties, concluded that the broadcasts had indeed fallen short of journalistic standards. They’ve directed the broadcaster to take down the objectionable segments and, in a polite but firm tone, told them to get their house in order.

    In all four cases, the NBDSA emphasised the importance of factual integrity, responsible language, and a strong editorial spine. The verdicts serve as a wake-up call to India’s noisy newsrooms: shock and sensationalism may fetch eyeballs, but they won’t go unchecked.

    For some broadcasters, it’s clearly time to trade outrage for oversight — or risk a growing pile of takedown notices. 

  • Pulp Strategy launches NeuroRank to crack the AI search code

    Pulp Strategy launches NeuroRank to crack the AI search code

    MUMBAI: In a sharp pivot from traditional SEO playbooks, Pulp Strategy has unveiled NeuroRank, India’s first end-to-end LLM SEO solution designed to help brands dominate AI-powered search platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and Perplexity.

    Forget keywords and backlinks – NeuroRank focuses on a brand’s inclusion in AI-generated answers, not just its rank on a results page. With over 44 billion searches now happening on LLM platforms, this is SEO reimagined for a world where algorithms shape awareness, not just clicks.

    “With over 44 billion searches now happening on LLM platforms and 72 per cent of B2B buyers relying on AI for early brand discovery, waiting is not an option,” said Pulp Strategy founder & chief strategist  Ambika Sharma. “This is not traditional SEO. It’s not about backlinks or page speed. LLM SEO is about training the algorithms that are already shaping customer intent.”

    What makes NeuroRank a smart bet?

    .  LLM signal mapping: Tracks whether a brand is cited or invisible in current AI responses

    .   Semantic layer engineering: Rewrites content into machine-optimised formats — Q&As, explainer blocks, schema-rich text

     .  Source priority indexing: Seeds brand presence into model-trusted platforms like Reddit, Quora, and Medium

     .  Knowledge graph stitching: Builds brand-topic-author clusters to boost citation probability

     .   Live model conditioning: Continuously tests and tweaks prompt performance across major LLMs

    “If your brand isn’t part of the model’s learned memory, you’re not in the conversation. And if you’re not in the conversation, your competitor already is,” Sharma added.

    In one standout case, a mid-market SaaS firm cut its cost-per-MQL by 22 per cent in just eight weeks using NeuroRank’s full deployment suite — a strong signal of performance meeting potential.

  • Collective Artists Network hits the road with India’s first bilingual AI travel influencer

    Collective Artists Network hits the road with India’s first bilingual AI travel influencer

    MUMBAI: Collective Artists Network has unveiled Radhika Subramaniam, India’s first AI-powered travel influencer fluent in both English and Tamil, and the latest entrant in the firm’s expanding world of virtual creators.

    Unlike her glossier predecessor Kavya — who leans into luxe aesthetics — Radhika is your girl-next-door meets globetrotter. A Gen Z solo traveller with a backstory that reads like a millennial quit-notice, Radhika ditched her corporate job to chase culture, conversations and chai at roadside stalls across India.

    “Radhika feels like someone we all know — that one friend who took the leap and actually went on the trip. She’s thoughtful, independent, and interested in the world around her. With her, we wanted to build more than just a new kind of influencer — we wanted to create someone who could tell stories with heart, and make people feel seen,” said Collective Artists Network founder & group CEO Vijay Subramaniam.

    What sets Radhika apart isn’t just her synthetic pixels — it’s her human nuance. From local folklore to hidden cafés, she dives into places and perspectives often left behind by mainstream tourism content. And her bilingual voice allows her to bridge geographies, resonating deeply with both urban metros and regional markets.

    “There’s a warmth to Radhika that’s hard to fake. She’s not just spitting out trends or trying to be viral — she actually gets the context,” said Collective Artists Network chief revenue officer and CEO of Big Bang Social CEO Sudeep Subhash. “For brands, that’s gold. You get someone who’s always on, always in sync with your voice — but also genuinely engaging for the audience. That kind of storytelling at scale is really exciting.”

    As AI-powered influence evolves from novelty to nuance, Radhika signals a bold step forward — where connection trumps curation, and virtual creators feel less like code and more like companions.