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  • Ex-CMO Devarshy Ganguly takes a bold leap with GLX Eminence launch

    Ex-CMO Devarshy Ganguly takes a bold leap with GLX Eminence launch

    MUMBAI: From stirring up campaigns at Diageo to building Magicbricks into an award-winning portal, Devarshy R. Ganguly has worn many marketing hats. Now, the veteran brand-builder is donning the entrepreneurial cap with the launch of his consulting venture, GLX Eminence, a platform designed to engineer clarity, growth and lasting impact.

    Armed with over two decades of experience across Dr. Oetker, Mars Wrigley, Del Monte, Beam Suntory and Diageo (UB Group), Ganguly has carved out a reputation for driving breakthrough innovations. Along the way, he’s been named among India’s Top 50 CMOs by The Financial Express, featured in Nielsen’s Top Launches, and earned accolades from DMA Asia and AdLift for his contributions to MarTech. His last corporate innings at Magicbricks saw him expand the platform into a full-stack real estate marketplace, supercharge content via MBTV on YouTube, monetise proprietary research, and roll out campaigns that culminated in CNBC’s Best Real Estate Portal of the Year (2024).

    GLX Eminence is built on four pillars: driving growth for startups, SMEs and enterprises; bridging industry and academia through experiential programmes; mentoring leaders, professionals and students; and inspiring audiences as a motivational speaker and storytelling expert. “GLX Eminence was born of a simple belief that growth must be purposeful, leadership empowering, and excellence sustainable,” said Ganguly, adding that the mission is to help brands and talent “find clarity, create significance, and engineer lasting impact.”

    With the venture, the award-winning marketer is not just turning a new page but writing an entirely new playbook, one that blends boardroom lessons with classroom wisdom, and storytelling with strategy.

  • Suno strikes a new note with Gourab Ghose as head of international markets

    Suno strikes a new note with Gourab Ghose as head of international markets

    MUMBAI: When Suno talks, the world listens and now it wants the world to sing along. The music creation platform has roped in Gourab Ghose as its new head of international Markets, a move that sets the tempo for its global expansion plans.

    Ghose arrives with an eclectic track record across some of the world’s biggest platforms. At Snap Inc., he was instrumental in scaling communities and monetisation in India the company’s largest market worldwide. Before that, he tuned growth strategies at Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar (now JioHotstar), where his subscription initiatives hit high notes in one of the fastest-growing streaming battlegrounds.

    At Suno, Ghose will orchestrate the company’s international growth strategy, focusing on taking its AI-powered music creation tools to millions of creators across cultures, languages and communities. “Suno is rewriting the way the world interacts with creativity and creativity tools,” he said, calling the chance to globalise its vision both “exciting and deeply personal.” Suno’s co-founder Martin Camacho echoed the sentiment, hailing Ghose’s experience as key to scaling the platform’s community-first approach.

    With Ghose at the helm, Suno is looking to harmonise technology, creativity and global reach striking fresh chords in the rapidly evolving world of music creation.

  • Scapia launches Leap Year to fund year-long global trip for two Indians

    Scapia launches Leap Year to fund year-long global trip for two Indians

    MUMBAI: Who says you can’t buy time? Scapia, India’s travel fintech disruptor, is offering two lucky Indians the chance to trade in deadlines for departure gates with The Leap Year, a fully funded, 12-month adventure spanning four continents. Think flights, stays, visas, a daily stipend, curated experiences, and even mentorship all covered.

    The initiative reimagines the old-school “gap year” as a bold, purposeful leap into self-discovery. Open to all Indians aged 23 and above, including existing and future Scapia users, the contest requires applicants to upload a short video at scapia.cards/leapyear explaining what travel means to them and why they’re ready to take the plunge. The deadline is 31 August, with the two winners set to be revealed in September 2025.

    To ensure authenticity, Scapia has roped in a diverse jury: celebrity chef Sarah Todd, solo traveller Aakanksha Monga, and storyteller Gaurav Sharma (Wanderda), alongside its own team. Their task? To select two individuals whose stories capture travel’s power to transform lives. The prize isn’t just sightseeing, winners will co-design their itineraries with Scapia, ensuring each journey reflects their passions and personal goals.

    The campaign launches with a digital film reminding young Indians that “there’s never a perfect time to take the leap,” a message backed by a high-impact social push and teaser content designed to spark wanderlust. With over 7,500 plus pincodes already in its user base and a growing suite of credit and travel-first features from rewards to visa services Scapia isn’t just funding trips, it’s reframing travel as an investment in self. For the chosen pair, 2025 won’t just be another calendar year, it’ll be the leap of a lifetime.

  • SKY’s the limit as Skyscanner signs Suryakumar Yadav as brand face

    SKY’s the limit as Skyscanner signs Suryakumar Yadav as brand face

    MUMBAI: When cricket’s Mr. 360 takes flight, you know it’s not just sixes soaring into the stands. Suryakumar Yadav, soon to lead India in the Asia Cup, has just been unveiled as Skyscanner’s first-ever brand ambassador in India bringing his flair for all-round play to the world of travel.

    The partnership is no shot in the dark. With nearly half of Indians (47 per cent) willing to travel just to watch cricket live, sport-led tourism is booming, as revealed in Skyscanner’s Pitch Perfect Journeys report. Yadav’s adventurous personality and nationwide appeal fit neatly into the travel app’s push to connect with digital-first, lifestyle-hungry audiences. In short, cricket meets check-ins, and boundaries meet boarding passes.

    The tie-up kicks off with a fan-driven contest across Skyscanner India and SKY’s own social media, where travellers are invited to design his ultimate personalised itinerary from hidden gems to underrated hotspots. The 10 most creative plans will win fans an exclusive meet-and-greet with the star himself. For Skyscanner, which opened its first India office only last year, roping in SKY is more than just a marketing play, it’s a bold statement of intent to become India’s go-to travel buddy, whether fans are chasing wickets or wanderlust.

  • AI-Candy at InfoComm India as tech fair powers up with 200 exhibitors

    AI-Candy at InfoComm India as tech fair powers up with 200 exhibitors

    MUMBAI: AI-Candy anyone? Infocomm India 2025 is serving up a feast of future-tech with more sparkle than a Diwali display. From 9 to 11 September, the exhibition floor at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre will be jam-packed with 200 leading companies from 11 countries, 39 debutants and more than 130 brand-new product launches. Jasmine Hall on Level 3 has tripled in size this year, hosting 40-plus exhibitors proof that innovation here isn’t just growing, it’s multiplying. Names like ET, Beenext, BXB, Extron, Hubris, Infonics, Silicon Radio House, Televic and Qizar promise to make the aisles a playground of invention.

    The big buzzword this year? AI and it’s not hiding in the shadows. Bosch is showing off DSP amplifiers with smart automation, Dvsi is debuting an AI-powered AV management system, and IActive Technology is unveiling interactive panels with real-time task automation. Korbyt’s AI Suite for personalised signage, Modern Stage Service’s AI video generator, and Qizar’s auto-tracking camera add to the sci-fi sheen, while X-Ten AV claims an industry first with its AI agent streamlining proposals, reports and project management. Even meetings are getting a glow-up, with Wildcard Tech’s Yealink bar promising AI-driven sound and focus. For those counting, that’s just a taste Lumens, Datavideo, Technoclass Edtech, Sennheiser and Stapes India are also bringing their AI-fuelled toys.

    Beyond the booths, the organisers are dialling up the drama. Harman, Jabra and Silicon Radio House will run private demo rooms, while Avixia’s global Xchange community lands in India for the first time with live discussions for women leaders, rising professionals and AV-IT enthusiasts. Day 3 sees a hands-on AVoIP skills workshop, while a fully booked Avixia Cts training session before the show underscores India’s growing AV appetite. The Summit will field 50-plus speakers across 60 sessions, with the opening panel cheekily titled “Reimagining Boundaries: The Future of Business & Technology in 2030.” Add in hidden gems like a sector-specific tour on smart workplaces and classrooms, a regional mixer on 10 September, and a welcome networking bash, and you have a tech carnival that’s equal parts brains, buzz and business. As Infocommasia, executive director June Ko summed it up: “India’s Pro AV market is not just growing; it’s innovating at an incredible pace.”

  • India’s ad market rebounds in H1 2025 as TV steals the show: Excellent Publicity report

    India’s ad market rebounds in H1 2025 as TV steals the show: Excellent Publicity report

    MUMBAI: Here’s one report which is not talking of doom and gloom as far as ad spends in India are concerned. India’s advertising market kicked off 2025 on a high according to a half-yearly report by ad-tech and media planning agency Excellent Publicity, citing data from TAM Media Research, TAM AdEx and RCS India, reported Business Standard. The report said that  television powered ahead as the biggest gainer in the first half of the year, outspending print and radio, while digital was the lone laggard.

    Ad spends on TV per channel jumped 27 per cent year-on-year. Sports channels hoovered up 68.5 per cent of TV spends, trailed by general entertainment with 15.7 per cent. The e-commerce media, entertainment and social media category led volumes with a 25.6 per cent share. Star India kept its crown with 16.8 per cent of volumes, while Jio Hotstar topped the brand charts. Cellular services were the fastest risers, ballooning 17 times over the year.

    Print was no pushover either, posting a robust 26 per cent growth. Cars took pole position with 8.9 per cent of spends, while two-wheelers zipped ahead with a 31 per cent surge. Maruti Suzuki India was the top advertiser; Allen Career Institute, the top brand. Rajasthan led among states with 15.6 per cent of spends, and Delhi among cities with 7.1 per cent.

    Radio barely moved the needle, inching up 4 per cent. Properties and real estate dominated, cars followed, and pan masala muscled into the top 10. Maharashtra accounted for 19.3 per cent of radio spends, Delhi 18.1 per cent. Maruti Suzuki India again led advertisers, while Jeena Sikho Lifecare was the top brand.

    Digital, by contrast, shrank 12 per cent – the only medium to contract – though it logged the highest number of advertisers in three years. E-commerce online shopping led with an 11.2 per cent share. Amazon Online India was the top advertiser, Amazon.in the top brand. Programmatic buying made up 88.3 per cent of spends. Some niches bucked the trend: washing powders and liquids soared 21 times, perfumes and deodorants six times.

    “What’s really interesting is how brands are navigating a delicate balance,” said Excellent Publicity co-founder and director Vaishal Dalal.. “TV still captures attention, radio keeps the connection local and relatable, print is earning back trust, and digital is becoming sharper and more targeted.”

    Strangely the report did not talk about  outdoor spends. Was the situation hunky-dory in the sector like TV?

  • Simple Interest calculator: fastest way to calculate loan interest

    Simple Interest calculator: fastest way to calculate loan interest

    When you plan to take a personal loan, one of the first questions that comes to mind is – how much extra will I end up paying? This is where a simple interest calculator comes to your rescue. Instead of manually crunching numbers, this tool gives you quick results, helping you understand the total repayment amount in just seconds.

    Whether you are planning a small loan for emergency expenses or a big-ticket purchase, knowing the interest beforehand helps you make smarter decisions. A calculator not only saves time but also ensures you stay financially prepared.

    What is Simple Interest?

    Simple interest is the easiest way to calculate the cost of borrowing money. It is based on three components:

    ●    Principal amount – the actual loan you borrow

    ●    Rate of interest – the percentage charged by the lender

    ●    Time period – the duration for which the loan is taken

    The formula is straightforward:

    Simple Interest = (Principal × Rate × Time) ÷ 100

    For example, if you borrow Rs. 1,00,000 at an interest rate of 10% for 2 years, the simple interest would be:

    (1,00,000 × 10 × 2) ÷ 100 = Rs. 20,000.

    This means you will repay Rs. 1,20,000 in total.

    Why use a Simple Interest calculator?

    While the formula is easy, doing it repeatedly for different loan amounts and durations can be tiring. A simple interest calculator eliminates errors and gives instant results. Here’s why it’s helpful:

    ●    Time-saving – no manual calculations required

    ●    Accurate results – prevents mistakes in large numbers

    ●    Quick comparisons – helps you compare different loan offers

    ●    Financial clarity – know the total repayment amount in advance

    This clarity is especially useful when you are choosing between multiple lenders or loan tenures.

    Example: Rs. 50,000 personal loans

    Imagine you need quick funds for a medical emergency or urgent travel. Rs. 50,000 personal loans are often the go-to solution. Before borrowing, you’ll want to know exactly how much interest you will be paying.

    Let’s say you borrow Rs. 50,000 at 12% interest for one year.

    Using the formula: (50,000 × 12 × 1) ÷ 100 = Rs. 6,000.

    So, your total repayment will be Rs. 56,000.

    This simple example shows how a calculator can help you instantly understand the cost of borrowing.

    Benefits of knowing your loan interest

    When you are aware of your total repayment, it becomes easier to plan your monthly budget. You can:

    ●    Decide whether the loan fits into your financial plan

    ●    Avoid surprises during repayment

    ●    Compare offers and pick the most affordable option

    ●    Choose a suitable tenure based on affordability

    This financial foresight ensures that your loan becomes a helpful tool rather than a burden.

    How to use a Simple Interest calculator

    Most calculators available online are user-friendly. All you need to do is:

    1.    Enter the loan amount

    2.    Add the rate of interest

    3.    Select the loan tenure

    With just one click, you’ll see the exact interest payable and the total repayment amount.

    Final thoughts

    A simple interest calculator is the fastest way to estimate your loan cost. It allows you to make informed decisions, especially when exploring different personal loan options. Whether it’s a short-term borrowing like Rs. 50,000 personal loans or a higher amount, knowing the interest in advance ensures you stay in control of your finances.

    Before applying, always compare rates, check your repayment capacity, and use a calculator to keep your loan journey stress-free. 
     

  • IBC 2025: IMDb launches new entertainment datasets as streaming wars intensify

    IBC 2025: IMDb launches new entertainment datasets as streaming wars intensify

    MUMBAI: IMDb is betting that entertainment companies will pay handsomely for insights into what 250 million monthly users are actually watching. The world’s largest film and television database will unveil four new datasets at Amsterdam’s IBC Show next week, marking its most aggressive push yet into the lucrative data licensing market.

    The move comes as streaming giants, traditional broadcasters and content creators scramble for competitive advantages in an increasingly crowded entertainment landscape. Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and dozens of rivals are spending billions on original programming, making data-driven content decisions more valuable than ever.

    The new offerings include regional popularity rankings for the top 1,000 titles and entertainment professionals across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia-Pacific, plus historical data tracking weekly rankings since 1998. Companies can slice the data by 13 individual countries, from the United States to South Korea—crucial intelligence as entertainment firms expand globally and tailor content for local audiences.

    “Licensing data and insights from IMDb empowers businesses to make data-driven decisions,” said IMDb chief executive Nikki Santoro. The datasets draw from IMDbPro’s Starmeter and Moviemeter rankings, which track page views across the platform’s massive user base—a real-time barometer of viewer interest that predates actual viewing figures.

    This granular approach to entertainment analytics represents a significant evolution from IMDb’s origins as a simple film database. The company now positions itself as an intelligence provider for an industry where a single misjudged content acquisition can cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

    Studios, streaming services, airlines and electronics manufacturers are already using IMDb’s existing data to inform content acquisition strategies and investment decisions. Airlines, for instance, use popularity rankings to curate in-flight entertainment libraries, while streaming platforms analyse regional preferences to guide their international expansion strategies.

    The company fulfils licensing through Amazon Web Services’ Data Exchange platform, making it easier for corporate clients to access the information. This integration with AWS—Amazon’s cloud computing arm—underscores the tech giant’s broader ambitions in entertainment infrastructure, complementing its Prime Video streaming service and MGM Studios acquisition.

    Industry analysts suggest the timing is shrewd. As traditional television ratings lose relevance and streaming platforms guard their viewing data jealously, third-party metrics become increasingly valuable. IMDb’s dataset spans nearly three decades, offering historical context that newer analytics firms cannot match.

    The four new datasets complement IMDb’s existing “Essential Metadata” and “Box Office Mojo” packages. The regional popularity data updates weekly, providing near real-time insights into shifting viewer preferences across different markets. For global entertainment companies, this granularity could prove decisive in programming decisions and talent acquisition.

    Santoro will join a panel on women in artificial intelligence and media at the IBC Show on September 12th, alongside executives from Nvidia, Fabric and Backlight. The event, hosted by AWS at Amsterdam’s Apollo Hotel, reflects the growing convergence between entertainment and technology as streaming platforms battle for viewers’ attention using increasingly sophisticated algorithms and data analysis.

    The broader implications extend beyond entertainment. As artificial intelligence reshapes content recommendation engines and production decisions, IMDb’s vast trove of user behaviour data becomes a critical resource for training machine learning models. The company’s datasets could help predict which actors, directors or genres will resonate with specific demographics—intelligence worth millions in an industry where hits and flops are often separated by razor-thin margins.

    Non-profit organisations and software developers also license IMDb data, suggesting applications beyond traditional entertainment companies. Academic researchers studying cultural trends, app developers building recommendation systems, and marketing firms analysing celebrity endorsement potential all represent potential customers for IMDb’s expanded offerings.

    Companies interested in licensing IMDb’s datasets can learn more at developer.imdb.com or arrange meetings by emailing imdb-licensing@imdb.com. With the IBC Show attracting thousands of industry professionals, IMDb’s timing appears calculated to maximise exposure during one of the entertainment industry’s most important networking events.

  • Miele takes cooking outdoors, wires up pots and shrinks steam into a drawer

    Miele takes cooking outdoors, wires up pots and shrinks steam into a drawer

    BERLIN:  Miele, the century-old German maker of high-end appliances, is trying to reimagine the future of cooking. At IFA 2025 in Berlin, it unveiled what it called “a new era of cooking”: three headline-grabbing launches that stretch its brand from city flats to backyard terraces.

    The first is Dreams, Miele’s debut in the outdoor kitchen segment. A modular system that mixes minimalist design with over 60 accessories, it offers everything from gas barbecues and hobs to sinks, refrigerators and wine drawers. The centrepiece is the Fire Pro IQ, a smart gas grill fitted with multiple sensors that monitor and regulate temperatures more precisely than any backyard cook could manage. With an app connection and an AutoClean mode, the barbecue promises “perfect results without babysitting the flames” and a quick clean-up afterwards. “More and more people are embracing the outdoor living lifestyle,” said executive director for marketing and sales Axel Kniehl. “Dreams takes the Miele experience outside for the first time.”

    Indoors, the firm is touting M Sense, cookware that talks back. Pots and pans are embedded with touch controls and up to three temperature sensors, which communicate directly with Miele’s KM 8000 induction hobs. The system detects when food is about to burn or bubble over and automatically adjusts power. It is a small but telling example of how Miele is inserting artificial intelligence into everyday routines: pots send data, hobs listen, and dinner behaves. “Nothing burns. Nothing boils over. Just more time for what really matters,” said executive director and co-proprietor Markus Miele.

    The third novelty is a world first: a 14cm-high steam drawer that slips under an oven or microwave in compact kitchens. It combines baking, steaming and reheating in one, offering over 100 automated programmes powered by Miele’s DualSteam technology. The drawer is pitched at urban customers short on space but unwilling to compromise on cooking. With touch-open controls and full app integration, it can prepare meals for four people – from sous-vide vegetables to reheated leftovers – while freeing up oven space for bigger dishes.

    Beyond the headline launches, Miele used the IFA stage to trumpet a broader strategy. Digitalisation is seeping into every corner of its range. Its MasterCool fridges now come with cameras that snap photos when the door shuts, making it easier to check supplies while shopping and to reduce waste. Ovens are equipped with Smart Food ID, which recognises up to 50 dishes and adjusts settings accordingly. A step-by-step CookAssist function in the app will soon integrate with both M Sense cookware and the Fire Pro IQ grill, nudging even novice cooks towards professional results.

    The company also leaned heavily on its green credentials. It is branding its latest laundry and dishwashing models as Energy Heroes: a washing machine that undercuts the top EU energy-efficiency class by 40 per cent and a dishwasher by 10 per cent. At the fair, Miele underscored its commitment to circularity by building a trade-stand out of reusable, lightweight materials, cutting transport and storage costs by half. It has also pledged a 25-year guarantee on laundry appliance motors, a sign of confidence in longevity at a time when fast-obsolescence remains the industry norm.

    Founded in 1899 and still owned by the Miele and Zinkann families, the firm generated €5.04bn in turnover last year with around 23,500 staff across 19 production plants worldwide. Its strategy is clear: to extend its luxury image into new market niches and tie customers more tightly into its digital ecosystem. From outdoor living to AI-regulated cookware, the company is betting that the kitchen is still fertile ground for reinvention.
    “In a complex world, people want appliances that make life easier, not harder,” said executive director and co-proprietor Reinhard Zinkann. “Our task is to deliver that reliability – indoors and outdoors – with quality, innovation and sustainability.”

  • IFA 2025: Berlin’s biggest tech event is a sell-out success

    IFA 2025: Berlin’s biggest tech event is a sell-out success

    BERLIN: Two days before the official opening of IFA Berlin, the doors have opened for the traditional Media Days, giving international journalists a sneak peek at the world’s largest home and consumer technology event. Over seven days, the trade show will present product launches and press conferences from leading global firms, revealing the latest innovations in the home and consumer tech industry.

    IFA 2025 is a resounding success, with 1,900 exhibitors from 49 countries filling the entire 190,000 square metres of exhibition space. Berlin will once again serve as the international hub for innovation, inspiration and exchange. IFA Management GmbH chief executive officer Leif Lindner  said, “Berlin is becoming a stage for technology, culture and community these days. Together with our partners and exhibitors, we are creating a place where home and consumer tech can be experienced in all its range.”

    GFU Consumer & Home Electronics GmbH managing director Sara Warneke added, “IFA is a unique meeting place for the global tech industry—here, trade visitors and end consumers can marvel at the innovations that will shape our everyday lives in the coming years.”

    This year’s event promises a wealth of new features alongside established sectors like home entertainment, appliances and smart homes. New formats include the Beauty Hub, Outdoor Cooking & Gardening, and The Mobility Track. The Creator Hub at the Palais provides a new platform for influencers and digital communities, while Games Ground x IFA highlights Berlin’s thriving indie gaming scene.

    The IFA Global Markets in Hall 26, taking place from 7 to 9 September, will be a sourcing platform for original equipment manufacturers and retailers. Meanwhile, IFA Next in Hall 25 will serve as a launchpad for startups and disruptive technologies. In a new partnership with the Cradle to Cradle NGO, IFA is also focusing on sustainability and a circular economy for the tech industry.

    For the media, the event offers exclusive access to press conferences and new product demonstrations before the general public. The festival-like atmosphere extends to the IFA Sommergarten, which will feature a vibrant musical lineup, including performances by Jan Böhmermann and Olli Schulz on 7 September.