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  • Bright Outdoor Media announces strategic expansion

    Bright Outdoor Media announces strategic expansion

    MUMBAI– Bright Outdoor Media Ltd (BSE – 543831) announces its strategic foray into a diverse suite of media and marketing services. With a legacy spanning over four decades and a reputation for iconic billboard campaigns, Bright is now extending its reach far beyond traditional outdoor advertising.

    The company is significantly broadening its offerings to include Television, Print, and Radio Campaigns, Mall and Multiplex Advertising, Cinema and In-Film Branding, Events & Exhibitions, Celebrity & Talent Management, BTL Activations, Digital & Social Media Management, Public Relations, Corporate Gifting, Ad Film Production and Creative Services.

    To deliver excellence across these newly launched verticals, Bright Outdoor Media has assembled an experts team comprising seasoned professionals with deep expertise across media, marketing, and event management domains. Scheduled to commence operations from July 15, 2025, this expansion represents a bold and forward-looking strategic vision—aimed at transforming Bright into a full-spectrum marketing and branding partner. By offering end-to-end promotional and communication solutions under one unified brand, the company is committed to delivering integrated, high-impact campaigns across every consumer touchpoint.

    In addition to its media expansion, Bright Outdoor Media is also sharpening its focus on the real estate sector, aiming to unlock new growth opportunities and build long-term value through strategic developments and asset optimization.

    This move represents a significant milestone in Bright’s journey, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, integration, and leadership in the ever-evolving media landscape. By providing seamless engagement across touchpoints from billboards and digital screens to multiplexes, events, and beyond—Bright Outdoor Media is poised to redefine how brands connect with their audiences.

    Commenting on the development, Bright Outdoor Media Ltd CMD Dr. Yogesh Lakhani said, “At Bright Outdoor Media, we have always believed in staying ahead of the curve. Our leadership in the Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising space is a result of decades of trust, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to delivering high-impact visibility in the public domain. Today, as we step into newer territories such as Event Management, Celebrity Engagement, Public Relations, and multi-channel advertising, our vision is to carry forward that same legacy of excellence into these high-growth and dynamic segments.

    This strategic expansion is a natural progression of our brand’s journey. It reflects our intent to evolve with the changing needs of the market and offer clients a truly integrated marketing experience. By leveraging our existing infrastructure, decades of expertise, and deep-rooted client relationships, we are confident in our ability to create synergies across platforms—from traditional billboards and digital displays to red-carpet events, cinema advertising, and radio campaigns.

    We have put together a highly skilled and experienced team to lead these verticals, ensuring that every solution we deliver is impactful, relevant, and aligned with the brand objectives of our clients. This marks a transformative chapter in our journey.

    We are enthusiastic about the road ahead and remain committed to generating long-term value for our clients, partners, and stakeholders through innovation, integration, and excellence at every step.”

  • Saregama India and Tamgha Entertainment announce major theatrical feature film

    Saregama India and Tamgha Entertainment announce major theatrical feature film

    MUMBAI – Saregama India announced its partnership with the newly launched Tamgha Entertainment LLC for a major feature film. The upcoming production will bring to the screen the untold stories of the Indian Army’s elite Rashtriya Rifles, celebrating their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to the nation.

    The film, which is yet to be titled, will delve into the unique ethos of the Rashtriya Rifles, a premier counter-insurgency force that was formed just over two decades ago, is a specialist force of the Indian Army tasked with counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir. While well-regarded within military circles, the force remains relatively unknown to the public despite its remarkable success. This film aims to offer a rare and compelling look into one of India’s most effective military formations — a force that operates with silent resilience and extraordinary dedication. The story aims to move beyond battlefield action to explore the human-interest stories of the soldiers and the values they live by.

    This project marks the first collaboration between Saregama and Tamgha Entertainment, a media company founded by Damyant Singh Khanoria and Major General RS Yadav, VSM. Tamgha is founded on the principle of bringing authentic and powerful narratives of the Indian Armed Forces to a global audience, anchored in the ethos of “Naam, Namak aur Nishaan” (Honor. Loyalty. Legacy.).

    Saregama executive VP Siddharth Anand Kumar said, “At Saregama, we are constantly seeking powerful Indian stories that have the potential to resonate globally. The story of the Rashtriya Rifles is one of exceptional courage and conviction that deserves to be told on the big screen. In Tamgha Entertainment, we have found partners who are not only immensely passionate but also deeply knowledgeable and respectful of this world. We are confident that this collaboration will produce a film that is both authentic and inspiring.”

    Tamgha Entertainment VSM, director Major General RS Yadav added, “This partnership is the perfect embodiment of our goals. Saregama’s legacy and unparalleled reach will allow this important story to be produced at a scale that does it justice. Our dedicated focus will ensure that the authenticity and emotional core of the narrative remain intact. This film is the foundational step in our mission to build a creative ecosystem that gives a voice to the stories of our heroes.”

    Tamgha Entertainment founder & CEO Damyant Singh Khanoria stated, “Our vision for Tamgha was born from a deep-seated respect for the armed forces and a desire to tell their stories with the integrity they deserve. ‘Naam, Namak aur Nishaan’ is the moral compass for our storytelling. To begin our journey with a film about the indomitable spirit of the Rashtriya Rifles, and to do so with a creative powerhouse like Saregama, is a profound honour. We are committed to creating a film that will make the entire nation proud.”

  • Imagicaa makes a splash in MP with Central India’s biggest water park

    Imagicaa makes a splash in MP with Central India’s biggest water park

    MUMBAI: Move over metro exclusivity, the wave has officially reached Madhya Pradesh. Imagicaaworld Entertainment Limited, under the Malpani Group, has unveiled Aqua Imagicaa, the largest water park in Central India, making a grand entry near Indore with a deluge of rides, jobs, and tourism promise.

    Formally inaugurated in Paliya on the Indore–Ujjain Highway by chief minister Mohan Yadav, along with senior ministers Kailash Vijayvargiya, Tulsi Silawat, and Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi, the launch signals a strategic splash in the state’s leisure and economic landscape.

    Spread across themed zones with 20 plus international-standard water attractions, the park blends thrill slides, family play areas, and child-friendly zones, all backed by global safety and water recycling standards. It’s designed as an all-weather retreat for locals, tourists, and adrenaline seekers from across the region.

    “This is a proud and defining moment not just for us, but for Madhya Pradesh,” said Malpani Group chairman Rajesh Malpani. “Aqua Imagicaa is more than a park, it’s a lifestyle and tourism anchor, creating joyful memories and boosting economic opportunity far beyond city limits.”

    The project has already generated 300 direct jobs, with hundreds more expected through sectors like transport, food & beverage, retail, and allied tourism. Sustainability is woven into the design, with advanced filtration systems ensuring clean, safe water and eco-friendly operations.

    From Sai Teerth in Shirdi to the flagship park near Mumbai, Imagicaa’s expansion into MP is part of a broader push to democratise world-class recreation across India. Positioned between Indore and Ujjain, Aqua Imagicaa aims to be both a weekend hotspot and a symbol of inclusive development proof that fun, in Madhya Pradesh, is now a serious business.

  • AnyMind Group extends AI customer service agent feature on AnyChat to WhatsApp

    AnyMind Group extends AI customer service agent feature on AnyChat to WhatsApp

    MUMBAI – AnyMind Group [TSE:5027], a BPaaS company for marketing, e-commerce and digital transformation, has announced that its AI customer service agent feature launched in March 2025 on its conversational commerce platform, AnyChat, is now connected to WhatsApp. This feature was previously available only for LINE.

    In April 2025, Meta revealed that WhatsApp has more than 3 billion monthly active users globally. In addition, the Asia-Pacific region is home to three of the top five countries with the most WhatsApp Users: India, Indonesia and the Philippines. With the extension of the AI customer service agent feature on AnyChat, businesses and online merchants in markets such as India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore, and any other region that has WhatsApp users, can now leverage AnyChat to automatically handle initial customer inquiries on WhatsApp by using LLMs to understand free-text messages.

    For businesses and merchants serving customers on WhatsApp’s vast user base, especially those handling thousands of customer inquiries daily with only human operators, integrating AnyChat’s AI customer service agent into existing customer service workflows holds the potential to dramatically transform customer support. In a 3-month study, between March 2025 and June 2025, done with leading global water flosser brand, Waterpik, using AnyChat’s AI customer service agent feature on LINE, Waterpik was able to tap on AI to respond to a quarter of all customer inquiries.

    Unlike typical chatbots, AnyChat’s AI customer service agents can understand questions in natural language and generate responses based on brand-approved guardrails and inputs, reducing operational workload and eliminating the risk of hallucinated answers.

    It also collects key information such as order ID and customer name, allowing human customer service agents to take over seamlessly when needed. AnyChat also stores historical conversation data, helping businesses and online merchants to identify common inquiries and continuously improve response templates. In addition, product information (such as seasonal products) can be easily updated at any time, enabling businesses to always provide the most up-to-date information to customers.

    On the extension of AnyChat’s AI customer service agent feature to WhatsApp, AnyMind Group managing director, growth markets; Co-MD, India and MENA, Aditya Aima said, “For most Indian consumers, WhatsApp is the first and often the only touchpoint with a brand. That’s why this integration matters. It’s not about adding another tool, but about helping businesses have faster, more meaningful conversations with their customers, without overloading their teams. It’s a small shift with the potential for real, lasting impact.”

  • JioStar reveals Festive Sentiment Survey 2025

    JioStar reveals Festive Sentiment Survey 2025

    MUMBAI – As the country gears up for the upcoming festive season, JioStar today released the 2025 edition of the JioStar Festive Sentiment Survey, which reveals that 92 per cent of Indian consumers plan to continue or increase their festive spending this year, signalling robust consumer confidence and a golden opportunity for brands. The survey, built to decode how India is thinking, spending and discovering this festive season, uncovers key trends for marketers – a growing millennial spend base, men spending more this festive season but women set to drive diversity in purchases, shopping across more categories such as fashion, beauty, wellness, home appliances, and mobiles, gifting resurgence with nearly 1 in 2 consumers shopping for others this season and most importantly 65 per cent of consumers yet to decide which brands they will buy from. With an average festive shopping budget of ₹16,500, the window to influence purchase decisions is wide open.

    JioStar is India’s most powerful entertainment engine, commanding ~50 per cent TV viewership during festive peaks and to capture the hearts of audiences and the attention of advertisers, JioStar also unveiled its most expansive entertainment line-up yet. From kids to families to premium audiences, JioStar’s festive programming ensures there’s something for everyone, with iconic characters, beloved shows, and new launches lighting up every screen. At the heart of this festive season lies #HarGharMeinJashn, JioStar’s flagship celebration of India’s biggest cultural months. Through this campaign, JioStar aims to go beyond just programming and focus on building moments of joy, memory and meaning across screens.

    “This year’s festive outlook is marked by strong consumer optimism and evolving media consumption. Marketers are looking to engage audiences across platforms and languages, and that’s where JioStar’s robust festive offering becomes invaluable. With #HarGharMeinJashn, we are creating a high-impact funnel for brands across discovery, intent, and purchase touchpoints,” said JioStar head of revenue, entertainment, Mahesh Shetty.

    As India prepares to celebrate, JioStar’s diverse content line-up includes a robust mix of reality and fiction that span cultures and languages. The line-up includes pan-India favourites like Bigg Boss across five languages, Star Parivaar Awards, a new weekend prime-time reality format Pati Patni Aur Panga, JioHotstar Specials such as Trial 2, Salakaar and Rambo in Love and marquee movies such as Chhaava, Kesari 2, Empuraan and Thudaram. Fiction powerhouses continue to drive daily engagement, with shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (Hindi), Siragadikka Aasai (Tamil), and Chempaneer Poovu (Malayalam) resonating deeply with audiences. International titles such as Thunderbolts, A Minecraft Movie, Final Destination Bloodlines, King & Conqueror, Only Murders in the Building S5 will also resonate with the newer audiences.

    With curated programming across Onam, Durga Puja, Navratri, Ganesh Utsav and Diwali, JioStar ensures that brands are placed at the heart of every celebration. JioHotstar will also bring families together for large-scale digital celebration Janmashtami LIVE, Navratri LIVE, Dussehra LIVE. The hyper-local festive programming is market-specific and curated to align with regional traditions, viewer behaviours, and cultural nuances.

    JioStar, with its unprecedented reach across TV and digital, is uniquely positioned to convert this consumer momentum into measurable brand impact. The survey, developed to decode how India is thinking, spending, and discovering this season, points to strong media influence and significant opportunity for last-mile persuasion.

    JioStar’s media solutions this festive season are sharper, smarter, and more immersive than ever. Alongside high-impact formats like pre-roll takeovers, pause ads and interactive formats, this year introduces innovations such as MegaBlasts for maximum reach, JioStarverse for AI-powered influencer marketing and Moment.ai for contextual storytelling. Advertisers can also tap into smarter ad formats, including countdown, location-based and AQI-based dynamic formats, unlocking real-time relevance and driving deeper audience engagement.

    As Indian homes light up, so do their screens, and JioStar is where brands can show up meaningfully and memorably. JioStar is giving advertisers every tool to make their presence count, at scale, in context, and in culture.

    Other Key Findings from the JioStar Sentiment Survey 2025 include:

    ·  Increased spending capacity: 85 per cent say their financial situation has improved or stayed the same over the last year

    ·  Millennial vs. Gen Z: Millennials expected to spend more than Gen Z, with higher budgets and category intent

    ·  Women shoppers drive variety: Women will shop across more than 2 categories, including apparel, beauty, gadgets, and home décor

    ·  Top product categories: Apparel and fashion (33 per cent), mobiles (27 per cent), electronics (18 per cent), followed by holidays, jewellery, and beauty

    ·  Online discovery leads: 76 per cent of consumers cite online ads as the top information source, followed by OTT/UGC content and social media

    ·   High brand influence opportunity: 65 per cent of shoppers have not yet decided on the brand they’ll buy from—opening the door for last-mile persuasion

    ·  Balanced retail channels: 52 per cent plan to shop online; 42 per cent offline, indicating the need for omnichannel strategies

    ·  Digital payments dominate: 61 per cent of shoppers prefer cashless options, led by UPI and mobile wallets

    Link to the Festive Sentiment Report

  • JetSynthesys recruits Surender Thakur as revenue head

    JetSynthesys recruits Surender Thakur as revenue head

    MUMBAI: JetSynthesys, the Mumbai-based gaming and digital entertainment outfit, has snared Surender Thakur as its new revenue head. The appointment sees the former national sales head of Viacom18’s live entertainment arm jump ship to the next-generation tech company.

    Thakur brings nearly two decades of media muscle to JetSynthesys, which crafts immersive experiences across gaming, esports, music and youth culture. At Viacom18, he spearheaded sales strategy for large-format properties including Vh1 Supersonic and bespoke brand integrations, leading sales teams nationwide.

    His media pedigree runs deep: three years at HT Media’s Fever FM and Radio One, where he headed business operations and drove profitability. Before that, an eight-year stint at Radio One saw him climb from retail sales head to station chief. He cut his teeth at Radio City and Mid Day, handling everything from classified ads to consumer durables at the English daily’s Rs 100-crore operation.

    The hire signals JetSynthesys’s intent to monetise India’s booming gaming and esports scene more aggressively. With digital entertainment revenues surging post-pandemic, the company appears keen to leverage his live events expertise to bridge traditional media and gaming cultures.

    For  Thakur, it’s a chance to apply his sponsorship and IP curation skills to India’s most dynamic entertainment sector. The move also reflects the blurring lines between conventional media and gaming, as brands chase younger audiences across platforms.

    JetSynthesys now has a seasoned revenue warrior to navigate this brave new world of digital entertainment

  • Wavemaker veteran Ravishankar Iyer jumps ship to Hogarth as strategy chief

    Wavemaker veteran Ravishankar Iyer jumps ship to Hogarth as strategy chief

    MUMBAI: Ravishankar Iyer, the former national head of communications planning at Wavemaker, has landed at Hogarth as advisor-head of strategy. The appointment marks a homecoming of sorts for the Mumbai-based strategist, who returns to the WPP fold after a six-year stint at the media agency.

    Iyer’s career spans over two decades in India’s advertising trenches. At Wavemaker, he built what the company called a “highly successful full funnel content practice” anchored on culture, data and commerce. Before that, he spent four years at Mindshare, where his team became one of the country’s most garlanded, handling marquee accounts including Star TV Network, Castrol, Facebook and HSBC.

    The strategist’s résumé reads like a who’s who of Indian advertising: stints at Ogilvy & Mather, Bates, Lowe Lintas and McCann Erickson. He even dabbled in the start-up world as marketing director at VPTA, a grassroots sports venture.

    Hogarth, WPP’s creative execution powerhouse, appears keen to beef up its strategic muscle as brands demand more integrated approaches. Iyer’s appointment suggests the agency is betting on old-school planning chops to navigate an increasingly complex media landscape.

    The move comes as advertising’s traditional boundaries continue to blur, with strategy, creative and media planning increasingly overlapping. For Iyer, it’s another chance to apply his “cultural provocation” philosophy—this time from Hogarth’s Mumbai office.

  • Oven Story serves up cheesy freedom with week-long pizza party

    Oven Story serves up cheesy freedom with week-long pizza party

    MUMBAI: Who says freedom can’t come with extra cheese? As India gears up for its 79th Independence Day, Oven Story Pizza is swapping the tricolour for a triple helping of indulgence with its week-long ‘Freedom Week’ from 11 to 15 August, a festival where pizza, prizes, and playful surprises share the same table.

    The celebration is far from a standard pizza promo. For five days, Oven Story is firing up ovens and imaginations with daily temptations: free garlic bread on every order, a complimentary Choco Lava Cake for sweet patriots, a Buy 1 Get 3 Pizzas deal that laughs in the face of moderation, and budget-friendly combos to keep both hearts and wallets warm.

    But the real twist comes from the brand’s Instagram feed, where it’s staging a digital treasure hunt. Over the week, 79 exclusive promo codes will drop via Instagram Stories each unlocking a different reward, from meal upgrades and free add-ons to the jackpot prize: free pizza meals for your entire gang.

    “It’s about more than just deals,” says Rebel Foods CMO Nishant Kedia. “Food especially pizza, has this uncanny power to bring people together. Freedom Week is our way of turning Independence Day into a shared celebration of joy, community, and flavour.”

    With an irresistible blend of indulgence, gamification, and community spirit, Oven Story’s Freedom Week promises to be a delicious rebellion against the ordinary. Whether you’re in it for the garlic bread, the grand prize, or just the thrill of the hunt, one thing’s certain this is one freedom you’ll want a slice of.
     

  • Casio strengthens India strategy with local manufacturing of select watches

    Casio strengthens India strategy with local manufacturing of select watches

    MUMBAI: Casio India, a subsidiary of Japan-based Casio Computer Co. Ltd., today announced the sale for its locally manufactured watch models, marking a strategic step in deepening Casio’s local footprint and long-term vision for India. This milestone aligns with Casio’s efforts to enhance product availability, support national manufacturing goals, and respond more intuitively to Indian consumer preferences.

    Since entering the Indian market in 1996, Casio has steadily built a reputation for innovation, reliability, and stylish design. The decision to “Make in India” is both a strategic and symbolic step that enables the brand to become more agile and responsive in a market that continues to evolve rapidly in terms of fashion, function, and consumer expectation. As part of this development, Casio is manufacturing 28 specially curated watch models in India, integrating its globally trusted Japanese technology with the strengths of India’s manufacturing ecosystem.

    Commenting on the initiative, Casio India managing director Takuto Kimura said, “India has always been a priority market for Casio, and we continue to see immense potential for growth here. By manufacturing locally, we are better equipped to design and deliver products that truly resonate with the Indian mindset and lifestyle. This move allows us to be more agile in responding to consumer needs, while also ensuring that the watches we offer are more aligned with local tastes and expectations. Local manufacturing is not just a strategic step—it’s a consumer-first approach that reflects our deep commitment to the Indian market.

  • Coca-Cola India Foundation unveils stories of transformation through Amrit Sarovar revival in Rajasthan

    Coca-Cola India Foundation unveils stories of transformation through Amrit Sarovar revival in Rajasthan

    MUMBAI: Over the past decades, Sikar district has experienced irregular monsoon seasons, with an average annual rainfall of just 550 mm, leaving communities vulnerable to severe water scarcity. The available water was also affected by high fluoride levels, leading to health issues within the community. Under its campaign ‘Refreshing Difference,’ Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation released a video series highlighting the impact of its long-running water access initiative in the district. Implemented in collaboration with Social Action for Rural Advancement (SARA), the initiative focuses on reviving traditional water systems to address water scarcity in the drought-prone regions of Sikar, Rajasthan.

    The newly launched video series features stories of transformation and is narrated by beneficiaries who have been directly impacted by the project.

    • Kamlesh Devad, a young sarpanch, helped lead the efforts to expand water access across 6 villages: Click Here
    • Shravan Lal Ghayal shares how the recharged pond has revived his village’s groundwater and provided water access to local animals: Click Here
    • Lala Ram Punya transformed his dry farmland into thriving fields assisted by the check dams: Click Here

    Over the past decade, the project has benefited 18,000+ residents across six villages – Rajpura, Balyawas, Karad, Khora, Dungri Khurd, and Chhota Narena. It includes check dams, pond restoration, and groundwater recharge. These efforts ensured safe drinking water access, enhanced agricultural productivity, revitalized local ecosystems, and supported more resilient rural livelihoods.

    Lauding the initiative, Social Action for Rural Advancement (SARA) director Mota Ram said, “What makes this project different is not just the structures we built, but the mindset we helped shift. We worked with communities. Families contributed, some gave ₹100, some gave labour, others gave land. That ownership changed everything. We insisted on equal pay for women, trained them as barefoot engineers, and helped form Village Development Committees that now manage the water systems themselves. Even nine years after project completion, they’re still maintaining, adapting, and innovating. With the support from Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, we created more than just recharge structures, we created local stewards of sustainability.”

    Sharing the impact on his community, Kamlesh Devad, Sarpanch of Laxmipura, said, “The check dams constructed in Laxmipura, Rajpura, and Nausal through the efforts of SARA and Anandana, have transformed our villages. Rainwater now stays, recharging wells and ponds, and providing much-needed water for both farming and livestock. Earlier, our cattle struggled during dry spells. But now, they drink from the ponds revived by this initiative. Farmers are seeing better yields, and the entire village benefits. These structures haven’t just conserved water; they’ve strengthened our way of life and supported livelihoods.”

    Rajiv Gupta, Director, Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, said, “Water is fundamental to thriving communities and resilient ecosystems. In Rajasthan, our interventions focus on restoring traditional water systems and building local infrastructure that strengthens long-term water security. Through the ‘Refreshing Difference’ campaign, we are deepening our commitment to water stewardship in the state, supporting agricultural sustainability, community health, and climate resilience. Our partnership with organisations like SARA is part of a broader effort to empower local communities and drive meaningful, lasting change across high-need regions.”