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Category: News Headline

  • Faasos rolls out Shawarma Fest 2025 with a flavour-packed comeback

    Faasos rolls out Shawarma Fest 2025 with a flavour-packed comeback

    MUMBAI: Move over popcorn, this October shawarmas are stealing the spotlight. Faasos is back with its cult favourite Shawarma Fest 2025, a month-long sizzler running from 15 September to 15 October National Shawarma Day with prices starting at just Rs 149 and available pan India.

    This year’s edition is bigger, bolder, and spicier, with six limited-edition shawarmas reimagining the classic wrap with global flavour twists:

    . Chipotle Chicken Shawarma – smoky Mexican-inspired firepower

    . Chipotle Paneer Shawarma – creamy yet spicy indulgence

    . BBQ Chicken Shawarma – sweet, smoky, and finger-licking juicy

    . BBQ Paneer Shawarma – a veggie delight with BBQ swagger

    . Schezwan Chicken Shawarma – tangy, spicy, and unapologetically bold

    . Schezwan Paneer Shawarma – a zesty vegetarian kick in every bite

    “Shawarma Fest is our way of celebrating fans’ love for shawarmas while surprising them with new flavour adventures,” said Rebel Foods CMO Nishant Kedia. “It’s indulgence, convenience, and innovation, all wrapped up.”

    But Faasos isn’t stopping at food. The fest comes with a quirky twist, a mini-film series titled ‘what if… iconic films had a new hero?’. In this reel-universe, shawarmas take centre stage as the real stars, premiering exclusively on Faasos’ Instagram throughout October.

    Available via Eatsure, Swiggy, and Zomato, the shawarmas are also paired with festive offers to tempt foodies into repeat indulgence. With 73 per cent of Indian diets protein-deficient and a growing appetite for bold, quick bites, Faasos is turning shawarmas into both a comfort and a conversation starter.

    By blending cult classics with daring reinventions, Faasos’ Shawarma Fest 2025 proves one thing: when it comes to food trends, the wrap game is still unbeatable.

  • Drivex shifts gears with Vivekanand Kini to steer tech-driven growth

    Drivex shifts gears with Vivekanand Kini to steer tech-driven growth

    MUMBAI: Drivex is revving up its digital engine, and at the helm of this acceleration is Vivekanand Kini, appointed as senior vice president for technology & product. With 18 plus years of experience in technology and product engineering, including 8 years in leadership roles, Kini joins as the pre-owned two-wheeler disruptor doubles down on its tech-first strategy.

    From cloud-native architectures and microservices to scaling B2B and B2C SaaS platforms, Kini’s career spans leadership roles at Acko, Ivy Mobility, Khoros, and Opentext, with earlier stints at Oracle. At Acko, he spearheaded transformational initiatives that reshaped engineering operations expertise now set to drive Drivex’s ambition of building a robust digital backbone for India’s fragmented pre-owned two-wheeler market.

    “Mobility is being reshaped through technology, and Drivex is at the forefront of this transformation,” said Kini, adding that his focus will be on building scalable platforms to deliver seamless customer journeys from discovery and financing to after-sales.

    Welcoming him aboard, Padma Shri Narain Karthikeyan director Drivex said: “Technology powers every touchpoint at Drivex from smarter vehicle evaluations and strict quality checks to complete transparency on every two-wheeler parameter. Vivekanand’s expertise in scaling platforms and leading high-performing teams will help us strengthen our digital backbone and redefine the pre-owned mobility category.”

    The timing is critical. Drivex is in rapid expansion mode, opening new stores across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, while also scaling Drivex Direct, its C2C platform that offers consumers greater choice and convenience. With ambitions of deeper market penetration, Kini’s appointment signals Drivex’s determination to transform customer experience through tech innovation.

    As the pre-owned two-wheeler space shifts into higher gear, Drivex is banking on Kini to keep its engine running smooth, fast, and future-ready.

     

  • Shubman Gill turns up the heat with Beats’ fiery ‘Burn Bright’ campaign

    Shubman Gill turns up the heat with Beats’ fiery ‘Burn Bright’ campaign

    MUMBAI: Gill’s got game, and now, he’s got Beats to match. Beats has unveiled its latest campaign, ‘Burn Bright’, starring Indian cricket sensation and brand ambassador Shubman Gill, alongside the brand’s flagship workout earbuds, Powerbeats pro 2.

    For Gill, training isn’t just routine, it’s ritual. “Training is where I build my game. It’s quiet, focused, and personal. Having the right sound with Beats helps me lock in and zone out the noise,” he said. “Beats isn’t just about music, it’s about bold energy and staying true to yourself. I’m proud to bring that spirit to this campaign.”

    The Powerbeats pro 2 are built with athletes in mind, boasting heart rate monitoring, active noise cancellation, transparency mode, adaptive EQ, and up to 45 hours of battery life with the case. They also support Qi wireless charging and come in four bold shades, jet black, quick sand, hyper purple, and electric orange, retailing at Rs 29,900 on apple.com/in.

    Beats, chief marketing officer, Chris Thorne said Gill embodies more than cricketing skill. “Shubman is more than just a cricket star. He represents a new generation of athletes who bring style, substance, and individuality to everything they do. This campaign is a celebration of his precision, passion, and the powerful role music plays in his mindset both on and off the pitch.”

    ‘Burn Bright’ is the latest in a series of global campaigns featuring sporting icons, joining a roster that already includes Lionel Messi, LeBron James, Erling Haaland, Kobbie Mainoo, Qinwen Zheng, and Lamine Yamal.

    With Gill fronting the campaign, Beats is betting that cricket’s rising flame will keep glowing, and burning bright.

  • TBWA India names Rohit Mukherjee executive creative director in Gurgaon

    TBWA India names Rohit Mukherjee executive creative director in Gurgaon

    MUMBAI: TBWA India has hired Rohit Mukherjee as executive creative director at its Gurgaon office, tasking him with sharpening the agency’s disruption philosophy and raising the creative bar for clients.

    Mukherjee, who brings close to 20 years in advertising, joins from Dentsu Creative Isobar where he rose to group executive creative director, leading integrated, digital-first campaigns for major Indian brands. He began his career with an internship at Rediffusion Y&R and went on to stints at Publicis, Mccann, DDB Mudra and Bates, shaping campaigns for Airtel, Nestlé, Colgate-Palmolive, Dabur, Diageo and Kia Motors. Among his best-known works is Colgate’s “Kya aapke toothpaste mein namak hai?” platform.

    TBWA India, chief creative experience officer, Russell Barrett called Mukherjee “an accomplished creative individual with a great pedigree of ideas and executions,” adding that he was “just the right kind of pirate to lead and inspire the office forward.”

    For his part, Mukherjee said he relished the agency’s disruption credo. “To create in any field, you need to disrupt. The very fact that for tbwa, disruption is its raison d’être is provocation enough for any creative,” he noted.

    Mukherjee’s work has earned recognition at Cannes Lions, Spikes, Kyoorius, Abbys, Effies, New York Festival, Adfest and the Clios. Off duty, he is a collector of stories, whether through photography, trivia or conversations with strangers.
     

  • Hero Motocorp and VML launch ‘Naye Indian ki deluxe bike’ campaign

    Hero Motocorp and VML launch ‘Naye Indian ki deluxe bike’ campaign

    MUMBAI:  Hero Motocorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has unveiled a new campaign for its ‘HF deluxe pro’ motorcycle in partnership with VML, the global brand and digital transformation agency. Titled ‘Naye Indian ki deluxe bike’, the campaign pays tribute to the resilience, optimism, and quiet heroism of everyday Indians who move the nation forward.

    The all-new ‘HF deluxe pro’ brings bolder styling, smarter features like an LED headlamp, and enhanced fuel efficiency to India’s leading 100cc motorcycle. The campaign takes a significant creative leap from conventional category advertising, anchoring the bike’s reliability in a heartfelt narrative of courage and compassion.

    At the centre of the film is the story of a rider who embarks on a daring mission through dense forests to reunite a lost baby elephant with its mother. The ‘HF deluxe pro’ becomes his trusted ally: strong, dependable, and built to endure every challenge. Through this powerful metaphor, the campaign celebrates the new-age Indian who doesn’t just aspire for change but actively builds it.

    “At Hero Motocorp, our journey has always been intertwined with the spirit of real India: the quiet force that propels our nation forward,” said Hero Motocorp, head of marketing, Aashish Midha. “With the HF deluxe pro, we proudly present a motorcycle that mirrors the very essence of every Indian rider: resilience, innovation, and unwavering trust. VML has masterfully translated this vision into a campaign that is both deeply emotional and powerfully purposeful.”

    VML India, ceo, Babita Baruah added, “Great brands don’t just sell products; they inspire culture and spark emotion. With Hero MotoCorp, we found the perfect synergy to tell a story that celebrates the resilience and quiet heroism of everyday Indians. This campaign reflects our belief in purposeful creativity, where every frame leaves a lasting impact.”

    VML, group chief creative officer, Kalpesh Patankar said, “The most successful work is always rooted in truth. This film was created to resonate with millions of Indians in the country’s heartlands, using emotion as the strongest connector between brand and people.”

    With refreshed graphics, chrome accents, a segment-first LED headlamp, and a horizon digital console, the ‘HF deluxe pro’ is built for both style and everyday practicality. Its 97.2cc engine with i3s technology delivers smooth performance and superior mileage, making it a reliable partner for millions of families.

    The campaign is now live across television, digital, print, and outdoor platforms.

  • JBL, VDO.AI and Havas Media tune into festive storytelling on CTV

    JBL, VDO.AI and Havas Media tune into festive storytelling on CTV

    MUMBAI: This Diwali, JBL is giving festive advertising a new sound. The premium audio brand has joined hands with advertising technology leader VDO.AI and Havas Media India to launch an interactive connected TV campaign for its latest wireless earbuds, JBL live beam 3.

    Timed to the Diwali shopping rush, the campaign blends discovery with purchase in a single screen experience. At its heart is VDO.AI’s ad suite, featuring a scannable QR Code wrapper that let’s viewers shift seamlessly from watching to buying. A quick scan unlocks the JBL live beam 3 product page, turning the television into both showcase and store. The campaign will reach households in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, Cochin and other fast-growing cities.VDO.AI

    “At JBL, innovation has always been at the core of our brand. With the JBL live beam 3 earbuds, we’re turning sound into a truly immersive experience,” said Harman India consumer audio, head of digital marketing, Akhil Sethi. “This festive season we’re reimagining how product campaigns come alive on CTV. Partnering with Havas Media India and VDO.AI we are transforming awareness into interaction and curiosity into action.”

    VDO.AI, ceo and co-founder, Amitt Sharma added, “With JBL, we saw an opportunity to take a premium brand and give it an equally premium advertising journey. Our CTV technology makes video interactive, ensuring viewers don’t just watch JBL’s product but engage with it. This is the future of advertising.”

    Havas Media India, chief digital officer, Rohan Chincholi said, “CTV is fast emerging as the new prime time. With JBL and VDO.AI, we have created a festive campaign that brings creativity, technology and storytelling together for maximum impact.”

    The campaign is now live across premium CTV environments, creating a festive push in the run-up to Diwali and setting a new benchmark for connected brand experiences.

  • Pocket FM turns page with AI, unlocking new era of storytelling in India

    Pocket FM turns page with AI, unlocking new era of storytelling in India

    MUMBAI: Once upon a time just got an upgrade. Pocket FM is putting the ‘AI’ into imagination, unlocking a new chapter in storytelling for Indian writers and listeners alike.

    The world’s largest audio series platform has flung open the studio doors, letting anyone with a tale to tell see their words transformed into a fully produced audio show within minutes. Already, more than 30,000 AI-powered series are live, a number set to double by the end of the year.

    At the heart of this revolution is Pocket FM’s AI creator suite, a tool that whisks text into audio magic at lightning speed. Built in collaboration with Elevenlabs, the AI voices can slip seamlessly between drama, comedy, fantasy and romance, no more scratchy robots, just finely tuned emotion. For writers, the impact is staggering: What once took weeks now takes hours, with stories delivered 10 times faster.

    “This is not just a content shift but the rise of a new writer economy,” said Pocket Entertainment, co-founder, Prateek Dixit. “When human imagination meets AI innovation, the possibilities multiply. Writers can now share their work instantly, globally, and sustainably.”

    And it’s not just career writers reaping the rewards. Every month, more than 33,000 Indian listeners-turned-authors are publishing their own series on Pocket FM. Some are even cashing in top creators who are projected to cross Rs 10 lakh in earnings this year. Smash hits such as King of Dragon, Darshi: A Rebirth Story and Divya Yoddha Daksh show the appetite for AI-driven storytelling.

    For Nitesh Kumar Dayama, writer of King of Dragon, the experience was life-changing. “I didn’t have the money for editors or publishers,” he said. “Suddenly, I had a production team in my pocket. My words became an audio series in hours, and when I saw millions listening… and that I could earn from it, it felt like a breakthrough.” His series has racked up over 200,000 plays in under a month.

    Pocket FM isn’t stopping there. With plans to roll out its creator suite in multiple Indian languages and 200,000 new AI audio series on the horizon, the platform is doubling down on contests, contracts, and cash prizes worth up to Rs 15 lakh to nurture the next wave of storytellers.

    For India’s aspiring authors, this could be the ultimate happily ever after.

  • Apollo Tyres takes the front of India’s shirt in record guesstimated Rs 579 crore deal

    Apollo Tyres takes the front of India’s shirt in record guesstimated Rs 579 crore deal

    MUMBAI: Apollo Tyres has replaced Dream11 as the lead sponsor of India’s men’s and women’s cricket teams in a three-year pact guesstimated to be worth Rs 579 crore, the richest jersey deal in the sport’s history.

    Media reports state that the Gurugram-based company will pay the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI
    ) Rs 4.5 crore for each bilateral match and Rs 1.71 crore for ICC fixtures,  covering 121 bilateral games and 20 global tournaments through March 2028. Dream11 had reportedly been paying Rs 4 crore per bilateral game.

    The switch follows the government’s ban on real-money gaming platforms under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025, which ended Dream11’s contract and left the team without a shirt sponsor during the Asia Cup in Dubai.

    BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia called the deal “a partnership between two institutions that have earned the trust and respect of millions.” Vice-president Rajeev Shukla said the intense bidding—from Canva, JK Cement and other suitors—proved the “strong market confidence in Team India’s global brand.”

    Vinit Karnik from WPP Media had this to say on Linkedin: “Apollo Tyres stepping in as Team India’s lead sponsor marks more than a sponsorship—it underscores commitment to excellence on a global platform. Cricket is India’s cultural heartbeat, and this partnership reflects vision, scale, and legacy. At WPP Media, we are proud to stand alongside Apollo Tyres in this defining journey.”

    The Apollo logo will now feature on all formats of Indian cricket, giving the tyre maker unprecedented global visibility and underlining cricket’s unmatched commercial clout.

  • Makemytrip and Zomato serve hot meals right to train passengers’ seats

    Makemytrip and Zomato serve hot meals right to train passengers’ seats

    MUMBAI: No more soggy samosas in foil packets, train travel in India just got a gourmet upgrade. Makemytrip has teamed up with Zomato to bring meals from 40,000 plus restaurant partners across 130 plus stations straight to passengers’ seats.

    The move rides a wave of appetite: in FY 2024–25, more than 90,000 rail passengers used Indian Railways’ e-catering services daily, a 66 per cent year-on-year growth. With its new ‘Food on Train’ service, MakeMyTrip is banking on its Live Train Status tool to nudge travellers into ordering at just the right moment, ensuring breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks arrive piping hot.

    The partnership has already been soft-launched with encouraging results, showing travellers lean towards travel-friendly meals. To add festive flavour, passengers booking rail journeys on MakeMyTrip this Diwali will also get a complimentary coupon redeemable on Zomato orders.

    “Over the past few years, we have been growing faster than the industry in train bookings, driven by customer-centric innovations. Food on Train is another step to enhance the journey,” said Makemytrip CBO & CMO Raj Rishi Singh.

    Zomato, which has already served 4.6 million plus orders across 130 plus stations as an IRCTC-authorised food partner, sees this as a natural extension. “This collaboration makes meals seamless and enjoyable, delivered directly to your seat,” said Zomato VP for Product Rahul Gupta.

    Beyond food, Makemytrip is also reshaping every stage of the train journey with tools like route extension assistance, seat availability forecasts, seat lock, trip guarantee, free cancellation, live PNR updates, and real-time tracking.

    From steaming biryanis to paneer rolls, rail journeys may never taste the same again because now, your favourite restaurant is only a station away.
     

  • Lucira shines bright with 5.5m dollars seed round led by Blume Ventures

    Lucira shines bright with 5.5m dollars seed round led by Blume Ventures

    MUMBAI: Lucira Jewelry is proving that lightning and sparkle can strike twice. The fine jewellery startup, founded by ex-Candere creator Rupesh Jain alongside Vandana Jain, has raised a dazzling 5.5 million dollars in seed funding, the largest seed round ever for a jewellery startup in India.

    The round was led by Blume Ventures, with participation from Spring Marketing Capital, Siriusone Capital Fund, and marquee individual investors including the founders of Dot & Key, Livspace, Snitch, and Bewakoof. The raise marks a strong show of faith in Jain’s ‘second innings’ after successfully building Candere, later acquired by Kalyan Jewellers.

    Lucira is positioning itself as a design-first, sustainable luxury brand aimed at India’s new-age jewellery buyers who want more than just investment value. They want authenticity, craftsmanship, and emotional connection. Since its launch, Lucira has built a portfolio of 1,000 plus customisable lab-grown diamond designs, all IGI/GIA/SGL/BIS certified and backed with lifetime exchange and buyback guarantees.

    The brand is also stepping into physical retail, with its first Mumbai store opening this month and plans to add four flagship outlets by the end of FY 2026. The fresh funds will fuel this omni-channel expansion while strengthening digital-first buying experiences and technology-driven personalisation.

    “Indian consumers are moving beyond jewellery as mere investment,” said Lucira, co-founder, Rupesh Jain. “They want design, trust, and a brand they can emotionally connect with. With this backing, we’re ready to make Lucira India’s most trusted design-first fine jewellery brand.”

    For Blume Ventures, it’s a chance to back a category they see ripe for disruption. “Rupesh has already proven his ability to build and scale with Candere,” said Blume, managing partner, Karthik Reddy. “What excites us most is Lucira’s omni-channel vision, blending cutting-edge digital with physical retail to create a category-defining brand.”

    With capital in hand, Lucira is doubling down on design leadership, scaling its studio, hiring top talent, and embedding consumer trust at every step. As Jain puts it, “We’re not just selling jewellery, we’re shifting mindsets.”

    Cumulative Ventures advised the transaction, with Novolex serving as legal counsel.