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  • Vedika Sud joins NDTV 24×7 as consulting editor

    Vedika Sud joins NDTV 24×7 as consulting editor

    NEW DELHI:  NDTV 24×7 has roped in veteran journalist Vedika Sud as consulting editor, marking the return of one of south Asia’s most recognised broadcast reporters to the Indian news landscape. Sud, who most recently served as CNN International’s bureau chief for India and South Asia, brings nearly two decades of frontline reporting experience spanning crises, conflicts and political transitions across the region.

    At CNN, Sud was the network’s editorial lead across India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, working closely with global desks and appearing on flagship programmes with anchors including Jake Tapper, Wolf Blitzer and Erin Burnett. She covered the India–Pakistan conflict following the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, the G20 climate and geopolitical negotiations, the India–Myanmar refugee crisis, the farmers’ protests, and Delhi’s landfill investigations exposing the intersection of environment and public health. Her on-the-ground reportage during the 2021 Delta wave of Covid, from overwhelmed hospitals to the desperate hunt for oxygen, earned international recognition for its clarity and compassion.

    Before CNN, Sud anchored prime bulletins at the India Today group, oversaw fast-paced editorial operations at NewsX and built her early career at Times Now, where she transitioned from producing political segments to fronting live broadcasts on elections, terror attacks and civic issues.

    Her work has won accolades including an honourable mention at the 2024 Society of Publishers in Asia Awards for reporting on women’s issues and a finalist slot at the South Asian Journalists Association Awards in 2021. An alumna of Sophia College, Mumbai, she also holds a diploma in social communications media and a graduate certificate in public policy from the Takshashila Institution.

    NDTV’s chief executive and editor-in-chief Rahul Kanwal called Sud “an interpreter of meaning, not just a witness to events,” saying her global perspective would sharpen NDTV’s mission to deliver rigorous, contextual journalism in a crowded and noisy news environment.

    Sud said she was drawn to NDTV’s legacy of explanatory reporting. “The most powerful stories don’t simply tell you what happened — they explain why it matters and who it matters to. In an age of endless headlines, our responsibility is to cut through the noise and connect the dots for the public,” she said.

    Her appointment comes as NDTV, one of India’s oldest English news broadcasters, seeks to reinforce its editorial heft under new ownership. With Sud joining its leadership ranks, the channel is signalling a renewed commitment to fact-based reporting and nuanced analysis at a time when credibility in Indian television journalism is under sharper scrutiny than ever.

  • HDFC Ergo twins up with Consumr.ai to insure AI-driven customer journeys

    HDFC Ergo twins up with Consumr.ai to insure AI-driven customer journeys

    MUMBAI: Insurance just found its digital double. HDFC Ergo has roped in Consumr.ai, India’s next-gen customer intelligence platform, to pilot a proof-of-concept (POC) that could transform how policyholders experience insurance from the first ad to the final claim. The partnership was sealed after Consumr.ai emerged as one of four winners of Techpreneur Season 2, an innovation programme that drew over 140 AI and tech companies worldwide. Winners were picked through a rigorous evaluation by leaders from BCG, Google, HDFC Ergo and Ergo International.

    At the centre of the POC lies Consumr.ai’s proprietary AI Twins technology virtual doppelgängers of consumer cohorts built on real behavioural data. These AI-powered twins simulate how different audiences respond to creative campaigns, products, and messages, enabling “always-on” customer-informed decision-making. In other words, it helps HDFC Ergo keep the customer firmly in the driver’s seat of every marketing, product, and creative choice.

    The POC will tap into deterministic behavioural data from hundreds of millions of global users via integrations with Meta, Google, DV360, Linkedin, Snap, and Amazon. HDFC Ergo’s own first-party data can also be securely onboarded, anonymised at cohort level, and modelled into AI Twins, all while maintaining full GDPR and CCPA compliance and without ingesting personally identifiable information.

    Consumr.ai co-founder Vivek Bhargava said: “Our AI Twins technology transforms real behavioural data into actionable intelligence that enables real-time personalisation at scale. This aligns perfectly with HDFC Ergo’s vision of a digitally agile, customer-first future.”

    On successful completion, the POC could be scaled across HDFC Ergo’s business lines, distribution channels, and even new frontiers such as influencer marketing, regional positioning, and voice-of-customer programmes. The model could also be replicated for Ergo International’s global markets, turning the Indian POC into a global insurance playbook.

    Consumr.ai already has a strong BFSI track record, having deployed AI Twins for Rustomjee, Aditya Birla Insurance, and even a Fortune 100 US insurer. With HDFC ERGO in the mix, the three-year-old platform has doubled down on its mission to be the innovation engine powering the insurance industry’s leap into the future.

  • Hero MotoCorp appoints Latika Taneja to lead communications, corporate affairs and CSR

    Hero MotoCorp appoints Latika Taneja to lead communications, corporate affairs and CSR

    MUMBAI: Hero MotoCorp has strengthened its leadership bench with the appointment of Latika Taneja as head of corporate communications, corporate affairs and CSR. In her new role, she will be responsible for shaping the company’s brand narrative, deepening stakeholder trust and advancing its agenda of purposeful and sustainable growth.

    Taneja brings more than two decades of experience in building reputations for multinational corporations across energy, financial services, technology and insurance. She joins Hero MotoCorp from Shell, where she spent over three years leading corporate relations across government affairs, communications and sustainability. Prior to that, she held senior mandates at Mastercard, including director of public policy and government relations for South Asia and head of corporate communications.

    Her earlier career spans stints at DuPont, where she managed external and leadership communications across South Asia; Alcatel-Lucent India, where she developed integrated marketing campaigns; and MetLife, where she ran corporate communications for India. She began her career at Genesis Burson-Marsteller, supporting clients on insurance and financial services.

    Hero MotoCorp said Taneja’s appointment reflects the company’s sharpened focus on long-term value creation, stronger governance and broader stakeholder engagement as the mobility sector undergoes rapid transformation.

    Known for her passion for policy, partnerships and sustainability, Taneja has consistently worked at the intersection of communications, corporate affairs and social responsibility. Her remit at Hero MotoCorp will include aligning the brand’s voice with its strategy for an evolving global mobility ecosystem, while reinforcing its reputation with regulators, partners and customers.

    The company added that her leadership will play a critical role in energising its ESG commitments, strengthening corporate responsibility initiatives and amplifying Hero MotoCorp’s global brand positioning.

  • Jack in the Box Worldwide and Tidal7 merge to form J7

    Jack in the Box Worldwide and Tidal7 merge to form J7

    MUMBAI:  Independent agencies Jack in the Box Worldwide and Tidal7 have sealed a merger, creating a new entity called J7 that aspires to be a “future-ready” marketing powerhouse. The combined agency will pool strengths in creative storytelling, branding, data intelligence and technology-led marketing to deliver integrated solutions for clients in India and beyond.

    Jack in the Box Worldwide, founded by Roopak Saluja, has built its reputation on social media campaigns, design and consumer research. Tidal7, launched by Venkat Mallik, carved out its niche with data-driven branding, digital analytics and multi-channel creative services. Together, the two outfits aim to position J7 as a partner that can blend cultural insight with measurable business outcomes.

    “This is a major inflection point in Jack in the Box Worldwide’s trajectory,” said Saluja, who will continue as founder and chairman. “By joining forces with Tidal7, we are enhancing our culture of creativity with world-class data intelligence and strategic depth. J7 is not just a new name — it is a manifestation of our shared commitment to solving our clients’ most complex challenges.”

    Mallik, who becomes J7’s founder and chief executive, underlined the agency’s growth ambitions: “We have always believed that the most powerful marketing solutions emerge when brand thinking, creativity and data intelligence work hand-in-hand. With J7, that belief takes on a new dimension. The aim is not just to create campaigns but to build growth ecosystems for clients, empower teams with advanced tools and lead in an AI-driven future.”

    J7 will place particular emphasis on AI-led innovation, new media formats and tech-integrated tools. Plans are under way to expand service offerings, develop industry-specific solutions and pursue growth both within India and overseas.

    Team J7

    The leadership bench will include Farhatnaz Ansari as managing partner, Sivaram Subramaniam as executive creative director and Vikram Srivastava as director of data and strategy. Both agencies’ existing clients will continue to be served without disruption, now aligned under the J7 vision.

    By marrying Jack in the Box Worldwide’s creative flair with Tidal7’s analytical rigour, J7 is betting that the next era of advertising belongs to agencies that can move as fast as technology — and as imaginatively as culture.

  • Credit where it’s due Delhi tops Paisabazaar’s most credit healthy cities

    Credit where it’s due Delhi tops Paisabazaar’s most credit healthy cities

    MUMBAI: Looks like Delhiites aren’t just keeping up with the Joneses, they’re paying them back on time too. According to Paisabazaar’s insights report “How India Checked Credit Score”, the capital has emerged as India’s most credit-healthy city, with 46 per cent of its consumers scoring well and an average score of 746.

    Close on its heels is Pune, where 44 per cent of participants posted an average of 744, while Kerala (43 per cent at 745) and Chandigarh (43 per cent at 744) round off the top credit-conscious quartet. The findings were drawn from the Credit Premier League (CPL), a gamified contest that saw a whopping 4.7 million participants from 710 cities track and test their financial fitness over 30 days.

    The competition wasn’t just about averages, it also produced some standout high scores. Five participants from Bangalore, Jaipur, Lucknow, Kerala and Pune touched 861 out of 900, the highest in the country, while a Chennai contestant followed closely with 859.

    Interestingly, the most active cities weren’t the healthiest ones Mumbai, Hyderabad and Lucknow together clocked nearly 1.5 million participants. More than half of all players came from the millennial bracket (29–44 years), highlighting just how deeply younger Indians are engaging with financial health.

    Women may have been fewer in number, making up just 8 per cent of participants, but they left a mark too, one-third hailed from southern cities such as Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. Adding to the fun was a quirky Ghibli-style selfie feature that allowed participants to generate animated selfies showcasing their credit scores, sparking a social media wave of “score-sharing”.

    “Consumers are engaging with their credit health like never before,” said Paisabazaar CEO Santosh Agarwal adding that CPL has helped make conversations around financial fitness truly mainstream.

    From quirky selfies to sky-high scores, the Credit Premier League has proved one thing, when it comes to money matters, India is ready to play the long game.

  • Malayalam medical drama Pharma to premiere on JioHotstar

    Malayalam medical drama Pharma to premiere on JioHotstar

    MUMBAI: Malayalam star Nivin Pauly is set to headline Pharma, his first streaming series, which will soon premiere on JioHotstar. Inspired by true events, the medical drama charts the turbulent life of K. P. Vinod, a pharmaceutical sales rep.

    The show also marks the comeback of Hindi cinema  veteran Rajit Kapur to Malayalam cinema after 10 years. Directed by P. R. Arun and produced by Krishnan Sethukumar under the Moviee Mill banner, Pharma boasts a strong ensemble with Binu Pappu, Narain, Muthumani, Shruti Ramachandran, Veena Nandakumar and Aalekh Kapoor.

    Cinematographer Abinandhan Ramanujam and editor Sreejith Sarang bring a polished visual style to the series, promising viewers a taut, immersive ride.

     

  • Power play Delhi hosts grand finale of News18 Sheshakti 2025

    Power play Delhi hosts grand finale of News18 Sheshakti 2025

    MUMBAI: When women take the wheel, the road to Bharat’s future looks smoother and far more inclusive. After a dazzling debut in Mumbai, News18 Sheshakti 2025, presented by Lions International, is set for its grand finale in New Delhi on August 21 under the theme “From Breaking Barriers to Building Bharat”.

    What began as a regional showcase has quickly grown into one of India’s most anticipated forums for female leadership. The third national edition will see over 30 trailblazers from policymakers and entrepreneurs to actors, athletes, and activists sharing how they’re not just breaking ceilings but laying down the foundation for a stronger, self-reliant India.

    The power-packed speaker line-up reads like a roll call of influence: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, former union minister Smriti Irani, British high commissioner Lindy Cameron, JNU vice-chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, Supreme Court justice Hima Kohli, actors Kriti Sanon and Sanya Malhotra, playback legend Kavita Krishnamurti, racing driver Mira Erda, and Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, among others. From boardrooms to battlefields, campuses to concert halls, the conversations promise to span every frontier.

    The scale matches the ambition. The initiative has already clocked two impactful national editions, with the 2025 Mumbai showcase marking the start of its 25th anniversary celebrations. Now, the capital takes centre stage as women from across industries share stories of innovation, grit, and transformation whether it’s shaping policy, building businesses, enabling grassroots change, or disrupting global sectors like AI, defence and healthcare.

    “News18 Sheshakti has always been a platform to celebrate, empower and elevate dynamic women,” said Network18 (broadcast) CEO Avinash Kaul. His colleague Network18 Group chief strategy officer Puneet Singhvi added that women today are “leading in business, sports, education and beyond shaping New Bharat with inclusivity, compassion, and courage.”

    From 11 AM on 21 August, the stage will be buzzing with bold voices and big visions. If Mumbai was the warm-up act, Delhi promises the full crescendo, an ode to the women scripting Bharat’s next chapter, one breakthrough at a time.

  • Mumbai’s gig economy: concerts spark hotel booking boom

    Mumbai’s gig economy: concerts spark hotel booking boom

    MUMBAI: The maximum city is fast tuning into a global music hub, with concert announcements triggering an expected fallout: a surge in hotel interest. Data from Agoda show that between February and July 2025, domestic searches for stays in the city during big-ticket shows soared compared with two weeks earlier.

    Travis Scott’s Circus Maximus Tour stop on 19 November fuelled a 110 per cent spike, Enrique Iglesias’ October double-header drove a 160 per cent rise, and Akon’s 16 November gig saw a 20 per cent lift.

    This momentum follows January’s Coldplay bonanza, which sent searches rocketing 3,300 times higher than the week before tickets went on sale.

    “Mumbai’s live music calendar is more diverse than ever, attracting fans from across the country to experience global artists in world-class venues,” said Agoda country director for the Indian subcontinent and Indian Ocean islands Gaurav Malik.

    As more global names plug Mumbai into their tour schedules, the city’s rhythm is resonating well beyond its borders—creating fresh opportunities for hotels, venues and local businesses.

  • Role of ESG Factors in Stock Trading Decisions

    Role of ESG Factors in Stock Trading Decisions

    Have you ever wondered why some investors look beyond financial statements before picking shares? In recent years, ESG factors, environmental, social, and governance considerations, have become an integral part of stock trading decisions across the world, including in India.

    For participants opening their first portfolios or those planning to open a demat account for long-term goals, ESG is no longer just a niche topic. This article explains how these factors shape decisions and what investors need to understand in a practical, easy-to-follow way.

    What Are ESG Factors?

    ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. These three areas provide a framework for evaluating how responsibly and sustainably a company operates.

    Environmental

    ●    Covers how a company manages its environmental footprint.

    ●    Energy use and efficiency

    ●    Waste management practices

    ●    Carbon emissions reporting

    Social

    Refers to how a business manages relationships with employees, customers, and communities.

    ●    Employee welfare and diversity

    ●    Labour rights and workplace safety

    ●    Community engagement

    Governance

    Looks at the internal structures and decision-making processes of a company.

    ●    Board independence and structure

    ●    Transparency in disclosures

    ●    Ethical business conduct

    Understanding these pillars gives investors a clearer picture of how companies operate beyond numbers and financial ratios.

    Why ESG Matters in Stock Trading?

    For many investors, stock markets are not only about returns but also about aligning investments with values and long-term stability.

    Risk Management

    Companies that ignore environmental or social responsibilities may face penalties, reputational risks, or operational setbacks. Factoring ESG into stock trading helps investors identify such risks early.

    Market Perception

    ESG-conscious firms often attract more positive attention from institutional investors. This sentiment can influence demand for shares in both primary and secondary markets.

    Long-Term Considerations

    While short-term gains may appeal to some, others opening a demat account for retirement or wealth-building often view ESG as a marker of sustainable performance.

    Growing Importance in India

    The conversation around ESG has gained momentum in India over the past decade.

    Regulatory Push

    Indian regulators have encouraged companies to disclose ESG-related information. With more transparency, investors can evaluate how businesses address sustainability and governance concerns.

    Rising Awareness Among Retail Investors

    ●    Social media discussions around responsible investing

    ●    Broking platforms highlighting ESG-focused funds

    ●    Greater curiosity from new investors about ethical practices

    As a result, even retail investors exploring open demat account options now find ESG-friendly products available to them.

    How Retail Investors View ESG Factors

    For retail participants, ESG may appear as a complex concept. However, it is increasingly being integrated into decision-making processes.

    Practical Filters

    ●    Checking company sustainability reports

    ●    Reviewing governance scores from rating agencies

    ●    Observing industry-wide environmental practices

    Everyday Influence

    For example, investors may prefer companies with clear environmental initiatives or transparent governance structures when selecting shares for stock trading.

    ESG and Investment Products

    The Indian market has gradually introduced products catering to ESG preferences.

    ●    ESG-Focused Funds: Mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) highlight their ESG orientation, making them accessible for individuals without requiring advanced research skills.

    ●    Direct Stock Trading: Retail investors may also apply ESG filters before applying for IPOs or purchasing shares through their demat accounts.

    ●    Balancing ESG with Other Factors: While ESG is important, it does not replace traditional financial analysis. Investors often combine both approaches.

    Common Approaches

    Here are the common things you can consider:

    ●    Analysing balance sheets and profit margins alongside ESG disclosures

    ●    Considering industry-specific risks (for example, energy vs. IT)

    ●    Comparing governance practices across competitors

    By doing so, participants achieve a more balanced outlook on stock trading decisions.

    Role of Technology in ESG Evaluation

    Digital platforms are making ESG integration easier for investors.

    ●    Online Tools and Research

    ●    Broking apps highlight ESG scores

    ●    Independent agencies publish ESG rankings

    ●    Digital reports summarise environmental and social data

    This enables even new investors who recently open demat account to access ESG-related insights without specialised knowledge.

    Benefits Observed by Investors

    While experiences differ, several themes often emerge when investors consider ESG factors.

    ●    Greater trust in company practices

    ●    Awareness of broader market trends

    ●    Opportunity to support sustainable industries

    These aspects add depth to stock selection beyond traditional financial metrics.

    Challenges with ESG Integration

    Despite its rising importance, ESG investing is not free from challenges.

    ●    Lack of standardised disclosure formats

    ●    Subjective interpretation of what qualifies as ESG-compliant

    ●    Limited historical data in certain sectors

    ●    Investors must stay aware of these limitations when making decisions in stock trading.

    The Future of ESG in Indian Stock Markets

    The role of ESG in investment decisions is expected to expand as markets evolve.

    ●    More companies adopting sustainability disclosures

    ●    Improved rating frameworks for governance and social factors

    ●    Growing participation from retail investors through demat accounts

    As awareness grows, ESG is likely to become a mainstream consideration rather than a niche approach.

    Tips for Retail Investors Exploring ESG

    For individuals interested in ESG-focused investing, a few practical steps can simplify the process.

    ●    Start small by reviewing sustainability reports

    ●    Diversify holdings with ESG-focused mutual funds

    ●    Use broking platforms that provide ESG screening options

    ●    Keep financial goals aligned with risk appetite

    By taking such measures, investors integrate ESG into their approach without making the process overwhelming.

    Conclusion

    The integration of ESG factors into stock trading is steadily shaping how investors think about the market. ESG awareness has been adopted included within the learning curve of many Indians who are pondering the idea of opening a demat account or not. Between challenges and the trend, there is a greater change in investor priorities.

    Instead of paying attention only to the short-term key performance indicators, market actors will pay more attention to the way companies engage with the society, the environment and their domestic governance. This responsibility-performance balance has been slowly reconstituting investment behaviour in India. 
     

  • Samsung TV Plus adds four ETV network Telugu channels

    Samsung TV Plus adds four ETV network Telugu channels

    GURUGRAM:  Samsung TV Plus has nabbed four channels from Eenadu Television, one of India’s oldest broadcasters, as the free streaming service pushes deeper into regional markets. The deal brings ETV News, ETV Josh, ETV Music and ETV Comedy to Samsung’s platform, which now boasts over 150 channels.

    The partnership marks a shrewd play for the south Indian market, where Telugu content commands fierce loyalty. ETV network has been churning out news, music and entertainment for two decades, building a devoted following across diverse demographics.

    “We aim to unlock the potential of the South Market and enhance access to the latest content from the world of Telugu entertainment,” said Samsung TV Plus southeast Asia general manager business development Kunal Mehta.

    Eenadu TV chief executive K Bapineedu called the tie-up “a significant step in our digital journey” as connected TV adoption accelerates across India. The executive emphasised ETV’s “content-first strategy” of constantly testing and refining offerings to match shifting viewer tastes.

    The move reinforces Samsung TV Plus’s strategy of democratising premium content through its ad-supported model. By combining ETV’s regional storytelling prowess with Samsung’s technological reach, the partnership could set the template for how traditional broadcasters navigate India’s rapidly evolving streaming landscape.

    For Samsung, the deal strengthens its hand against rivals like JioTV and Airtel Xstream as the battle for India’s streaming eyeballs intensifies.