ITV

Blog

  • Designs on growth LS Digital appoints Dipali Mahesh to lead UI/UX

    Designs on growth LS Digital appoints Dipali Mahesh to lead UI/UX

    MUMBAI: Looks like LS Digital is giving its design story a bold new stroke. The integrated Digital Business Transformation (DBT) company has appointed Dipali Mahesh as managing director – UI/UX, F1studioz, signalling its intent to put design at the heart of its global growth blueprint.

    Mahesh brings 28 years of leadership experience across media and technology, with senior stints at Sony Pictures and Extreme Reach (formerly Adstream). She has managed multi-market operations across India, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, building high-performing teams and turning around businesses with a clear focus on profitability.

    At LS Digital, Mahesh will co-lead the UI/UX vertical with co-founder & chief designer, D. Dhayan Kumar, under the guidance of Prasad Shejale, founder & CEO. Her brief? To shape F1studioz’s global strategy, expand its footprint in the US, UAE, and Europe, and position the studio as the go-to partner for enterprises betting on UI/UX as a critical business transformation lever.

    “I believe agility and innovation will continue to be our strongest differentiators,” Mahesh said, underlining her focus on scaling impact in international markets.

    Dhayan Kumar welcomed her appointment, noting the “immense value” of her global perspective, while Prasad Shejale called her a “deep expert in design strategy” whose experience will be pivotal to LS Digital’s next phase of innovation.

    For a firm that has been building its design-led transformation playbook, this appointment is no cosmetic tweak. It’s a strategic brushstroke on a much larger canvas, one where LS Digital is sketching its vision of future-ready UI/UX solutions with measurable impact for enterprises worldwide.

  • Healthy promotion Ekincare elevates Somak Ray as new co-founder

    Healthy promotion Ekincare elevates Somak Ray as new co-founder

    MUMBAI: Looks like Ekincare just gave its leadership a shot in the arm. The corporate health benefits platform has elevated Somak Ray from vice president of operations to co-founder, a move that underscores its ambitions for rapid global expansion. Ray, an NIT Surat and XLRI Jamshedpur graduate, has been with ekincare since 2016 and has been central to the company’s rise. He spearheaded India’s largest cashless COVID-19 vaccination initiative, expanded the provider network to over 50,000 partners nationwide, and rolled out new service lines that diversified revenue streams while bolstering ekincare’s market clout.

    “Somak’s experience and consistency have played a big role in shaping Ekincare’s growth story so far,” said Ekincare CEO & co-founder Kiran Kalakuntla. “As we set our sights on expanding globally, his leadership will help us scale faster, serve customers better, and create lasting impact.”

    In his new role, Ray will steer operations, strategic partnerships, and growth opportunities across domestic and international markets. For him, the promotion is less about the title and more about the mission. “My focus will be on advancing our mission globally; making preventive and primary healthcare more accessible, technology-enabled, and outcome-driven,” he said.

    With nearly a decade of experience in scaling teams, processes, and healthcare logistics across industries, Ray’s elevation signals Ekincare’s intent to fortify its leadership bench and reassure stakeholders of its global playbook.

    For a company built on health, ekincare has just prescribed itself the best possible medicine, an insider who knows the pulse of its business and the prescription for its next phase.
     

  • Metal of honour Vedanta’s Independence Day ode powers India’s rise

    Metal of honour Vedanta’s Independence Day ode powers India’s rise

    MUMBAI: When it comes to nation-building, Vedanta Aluminium is proving that not all heroes wear capes some shine in silver sheen. This Independence Day, India’s largest aluminium producer launched its campaign “Badhte Bharat Ki Pehchaan”, a tribute to the metal fuelling the country’s self-reliant march towards Viksit Bharat@2047. The campaign rolled out in cinematic style. It began with teasers that celebrated India’s progress without revealing the engine behind it. The suspense gave way to a digital film, unveiling aluminium as the invisible force powering India’s EVs, solar farms, defence systems, and smart infrastructure. The film closed on a resonant note: “Hum hai Vedanta Aluminium. Hum Badhte Bharat ki Pehchaan hain.”

    For Vedanta Aluminium CEO Rajiv Kumar the message is clear: “This year’s Independence Day theme, ‘Naya Bharat’, reflects a reality in the making. Aluminium is the ‘metal of the future’, enabling everything from clean energy to defence alloys. Our campaign is a salute to that spirit of innovation and resilience.”

    The tribute didn’t just play out on screen. Vedanta turned the spotlight on its employees, who shared selfies on social media with the campaign line, calling themselves the real faces powering India’s industrial leap. The company also kicked off a snippet series that zooms into its role in high-growth sectors like electric mobility, renewables, aerospace, defence and infrastructure industries critical to India’s ambition of becoming a $5 trillion economy and beyond.

    From EV batteries and solar panels to combat-ready alloys and metro rail structures, aluminium’s versatility is pitched as India’s growth catalyst. By positioning itself at the centre of this industrial shift, Vedanta Aluminium isn’t just selling a metal, it’s scripting a metaphor: India’s strength, resilience, and future, all rolled into one shiny sheet.

    So, while fireworks lit up the skies this Independence Day, Vedanta made sure aluminium lit up the nation’s imagination. After all, in the story of a rising Bharat, the real sparkle might just be metal deep.

  • IBC honours Thelma Schoonmaker with top award as Globo and EBU team recognised

    IBC honours Thelma Schoonmaker with top award as Globo and EBU team recognised

    AMSTERDAM: IBC has named legendary editor Thelma Schoonmaker as the recipient of its highest accolade, the International Honour for Excellence. A three-time Oscar winner and lifelong collaborator of Martin Scorsese, Schoonmaker will also appear in a fireside chat at the Rai Amsterdam on 14 September, free for all attendees.

    Two other major honours were announced ahead of the IBC Innovation Awards. Globo will receive the IBC Special Award, recognising a century of media innovation and leadership in Brazil. Meanwhile, a Swiss team from the European Broadcasting Union and HEIG-VD will take home the best technical paper award for groundbreaking research on artificial intelligence in trusted news.

    This year’s awards highlight both sides of the media equation: Schoonmaker’s enduring commitment to the art of editing, Globo’s forward-looking broadcasting strategy, and the EBU-led team’s pioneering work applying AI to journalism. Winners will be formally recognised at the IBC Innovation Awards ceremony on 14 September in Amsterdam.

  • Delhi set to take the catwalk as Lakmē Fashion Week turns 25 in style

    Delhi set to take the catwalk as Lakmē Fashion Week turns 25 in style

    MUMBAI: Delhi, dust off your heels the runway is calling. Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI is strutting back to the capital for its 25th anniversary showcase, scheduled from 8 to 12 October 2025 at The Grand, Vasant Kunj. Fresh off a glittering Mumbai edition earlier this year, which kicked off the silver jubilee celebrations, the spotlight now shifts to Delhi long regarded as India’s fashion nerve centre. Over the past quarter century, Lakmē Fashion Week has been more than just sequins and spotlight; it has launched careers, celebrated craft, and built India’s identity in the global style playbook.

    With its bi-annual format across Mumbai and Delhi, the platform powered by Lakmē, Reliance Brands Ltd., and the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) has been a springboard for iconic names while staying committed to sustainability, diversity, and innovation.

    “Each edition serves as a catalyst for the industry setting benchmarks, launching talent, and reimagining what fashion can be,” said Lakmē India VP Sunanda Khaitan hinting at a season where heritage will meet futuristic ideas.

    For Reliance Brands’ Group VP Jaspreet Chandok, Delhi offers the perfect stage: “With every edition, we aim to elevate the experience not just as a runway, but as a cultural moment.”

    Echoing the sentiment FDCI chairman Sunil Sethi framed the October showcase as both a celebration and a business opportunity: “Our endeavour is to empower designers, open new markets, and drive engagement between creativity and commerce. This edition will spotlight India’s craft, innovation, and diversity.”

    The fashion week’s legacy is undeniable. Since its inception, it has championed India’s handloom weavers and artisans, while opening global markets for contemporary designers. With over two decades of influence and a growing list of international collaborations, its catwalks have been as much about commerce as couture.

    Final details spanning designer line-ups, collabs, and headline shows remain under wraps, but one thing is certain: come October, Delhi will be where heritage and haute couture collide, and the runway will be louder than Diwali fireworks.

  • IAMAI hails piracy task force as shot in the arm for creative economy

    IAMAI hails piracy task force as shot in the arm for creative economy

    MUMBAI: The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has cheered the ministry of information and broadcasting’s (MIB’s) decision to set up a dedicated task force to tackle the scourge of online piracy, calling it a long-overdue step to protect the country’s creative economy.

    IAMAI’s digital entertainment committee said the initiative would help turn the tough provisions of the Cinematograph Amendment Act 2023 into action on the ground. The law introduced steep penalties for piracy and empowered authorities to crack down on illegal recordings and transmissions.

    A 2024 “Rob Report”, published by EY and IAMAI, estimated that India’s entertainment sector—spanning OTT platforms and cinemas—loses Rs 224 bn annually to piracy, with 51 per cent of consumers admitting to watching pirated content. It urged stronger enforcement, fairer pricing and more innovative distribution models.

    JioStar chief executive and chair of the digital entertainment committe Kiran Mani said IAMAI’s role in the task force would channel industry expertise into “decisive measures that safeguard our creative economy and fuel long-term growth.”

    Inshorts a co-founder & chief executive and co-chair of the committee  Deepit Purkayastha called piracy “one of the biggest hurdles” for the industry, adding that the task force was a chance to “set the stage for a stronger and more trusted entertainment industry.”

    With a task force in place, the law tightened and industry voices aligned, India’s media and entertainment sector is finally poised to fight piracy with more than words.

    (The picture shown above is just a representation of the task force and does not purport to depict either Shastri Bhawan or the industry executives who are part of the task force)

  • Fevikwik sticks to fun with AI mashups and Rs 5 lakh prize campaign

    Fevikwik sticks to fun with AI mashups and Rs 5 lakh prize campaign

    MUMBAI: When glue meets giggles, you know Fevikwik is up to something. This time, the quick-fix brand has gone from mending the broken to mashing up the bizarre with its newly launched Fevikwik AI Pack, powered by its in-house engine, KwikGPT. From Monsoon Beats (umbrella with headphones) to Time Waist (belt with a watch) and Cute Chops (a chopping board fused with a vanity mirror), the AI tool conjures up oddball hybrids that are as hilarious as they are shareable. The idea? To prove Fevikwik doesn’t just stick, it sparks imagination.

    The campaign, created by Ogilvy India, rides on India’s AI craze, where everything from movie scene swaps to fantasy cricket picks has gone viral. Now, Fevikwik’s twist lets users head to aipack.fevikwik.in, key in any two objects, and watch KwikGPT whip up an image of their invention along with a cheeky name.

    And the fun isn’t just virtual. Weekly winners pocket Rs 10,000, while the ultimate “Chutki Mein Kalaakari Champion” takes home a grand prize worth Rs 5 lakh. The most inventive creations also get a social media spotlight on Fevikwik’s channels, fuelling a leaderboard race for bragging rights.

    “We want to spark action through instant ingenuity, especially for younger audiences,” said Pidilite Industries Ltd CMO Sandeep Tanwani. “Fevikwik is evolving into a symbol of spontaneous creativity celebrating originality, humour, and the joy of making things happen in the moment.”

    Echoing the sentiment Ogilvy India chief creative officer Anurag Agnihotri added: “In a world where AI makes creators of us all, Fevikwik AI Pack spotlights the brand’s playful personality. It’s not just glue, it’s a spark of possibilities.”

    With influencers, creators, and digital buzz fuelling the campaign, Fevikwik is proving once again that it knows how to stick to culture and this time, with a big laugh and a bigger prize.

  • HGS shines bright as Nxtdigital and One bag top honours at BCS Ratna 2025

    HGS shines bright as Nxtdigital and One bag top honours at BCS Ratna 2025

    MUMBAI: When it rains, it pours and for Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS), the shower has been of accolades. Its media and broadband arms, Nxtdigital and Oneott International LTD. (OIL), have walked away with top honours at the 11th BCS Ratna Awards 2025, one of India’s most coveted forums celebrating media and entertainment excellence.

    Nxtdigital, HGS’ digital content distribution platform, snagged the ‘Most Innovative Technology Provider’ trophy. At the heart of its win is the Nxthub model, a first-of-its-kind framework that has reimagined last-mile delivery. From India’s only Headend-in-the-Sky (HITS) platform to broadband and OTT, Nxtdigital has stitched it all into one integrated ecosystem. The result? Satellite-powered digital connectivity that now stretches across 4,500 pin codes, powering Tier 2, Tier 3 and rural India with digital TV and high-speed broadband.

    Meanwhile, One Broadband among India’s top internet service providers was named ‘Best ISP Delivering in Rural India’. Its formula is deceptively simple yet deeply effective: aggregating local cable operators and last-mile owners through its Strategic Alliance Partner (SAP) model. This has enabled the brand “One” to deliver not just broadband, but OTT-ready services and AI-enabled customer support into homes and businesses beyond the metros.

    “This recognition is more than a feather in our cap, it’s a responsibility,” said Nxtdigital media businesses CEO and HGS whole-time director Vynsley Fernandes. “It reaffirms our mission to build platforms that simplify access, scale with ease, and solve real-world challenges through innovation.”

    For HGS, the wins come as it doubles down on customer-first strategies and scalable tech investments, bolstering its footprint across both bustling cities and underserved villages. At BCS Ratna 2025, the message was clear: whether beaming via satellite or streaming via fibre, HGS is scripting a connectivity story that’s as inclusive as it is innovative.

  • Hyundai drives ahead as 1 in 3 buyers unlock Digital Key convenience

    Hyundai drives ahead as 1 in 3 buyers unlock Digital Key convenience

    MUMBAI: No more fumbling for car keys Hyundai owners are now tapping their way into the future. Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has announced that 33 per cent of buyers have signed up for its Digital Key feature, marking a sharp shift in how Indians want to interact with their cars. Rolled out first in the Hyundai ALCAZAR in September 2024, and extended to the Hyundai CRETA Electric in January 2025, the Digital Key uses NFC technology to replace the need for a physical key. Owners can simply tap their smartphone, smartwatch, or NFC card on the car’s door handle to lock or unlock, and place it on the wireless charging pad to start the engine.

    The feature’s versatility has struck a chord 35 per cent of users are actively sharing their keys with family, friends, or drivers. Each key can be extended to up to three users or seven devices at a time, offering both flexibility and control. And for the forgetful, it eliminates the age-old panic of misplacing the car key.

    HMIL managing director Unsoo Kim noted: “The enthusiastic response to Digital Key reaffirms our belief in creating technology that adds real value to everyday life. We were the first to launch connected car technology in India in 2019, and we remain committed to democratising such premium features.”

    With Hyundai steadily shaping India’s connected mobility landscape, the success of Digital Key signals that tech-driven convenience is no longer a luxury, it’s an expectation. As uptake climbs, HMIL is expected to roll out the feature across more models, making the smartphone the new car key for millions of Indians.

  • Travel tales get luxe twist as Iconic 2025 returns to Delhi in August

    Travel tales get luxe twist as Iconic 2025 returns to Delhi in August

    MUMBAI: Fasten your seatbelts, India’s tourism calendar just got its most glamorous pit stop. Red Hat Communications, in association with TV9 Network, is bringing back Iconic 2025, the country’s leading travel, tourism, and luxury conclave, set to unfold on 25 August 2025 at ITC Maurya, New Delhi. Now in its seventh edition, the summit builds on a successful legacy of six past editions, 150 plus influencers, and widespread media buzz. This year, under the theme “Innovation, Transformation, and Impact”, the conclave promises a heady mix of policy, luxury, and lifestyle with a packed line-up of panel discussions, pitch sessions, and candid conversations.

    From “Influencing Itineraries: Content Engine Behind Modern Tourism” to “Dekho Apna Desh: Exploring India’s Uncharted Territories” and “Creating Iconic Tourism Experiences: Redefining Luxury and Hospitality”, the agenda blends wanderlust with strategy.

    The event will feature senior government officials, international tourism boards, luxury brand CXOs, aviation leaders, and travel-tech innovators, all decoding what lies ahead for Indian and global tourism. With India’s inbound and domestic tourism market expected to cross Rs 16 trillion by 2030, the timing could not be better.

    “Iconic 2025 is more than an event; it’s a movement that celebrates leadership, vision, and disruptive ideas shaping the future of tourism and lifestyle in India,” said Red Hat Communications CEO and Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council chairperson Jyoti Mayal.

    TV9 Network Chief Growth Officer Raktim Das added: “As India’s largest news network, we are committed to amplifying conversations that shape industries. Iconic 2025 offers the perfect platform to highlight the growth and potential of tourism and luxury on a global stage.”

    With TV9 as its media partner, the conclave is poised to capture a pan-India audience, cementing India’s reputation not just as a top travel destination but also as a global hub for luxury and lifestyle conversations.