ITV

Blog

  • Comscore names Vivek Jaiswal APAC country head

    Comscore names Vivek Jaiswal APAC country head

    MUMBAI: Comscore has named Vivek Jaiswal as its new country manager for Asia-Pacific, as the global measurement and analytics firm sharpens its focus on the fast-growing region.

    Based in New Delhi, Jaiswal will steer cross-platform audience measurement, deepen partnerships with brands and publishers, and drive innovation across markets.

    Jaiswal, who joined Comscore in 2022 as sales director, brings over 12 years of experience spanning SaaS, business information services and enterprise sales. Before Comscore, he held commercial roles at Dun & Bradstreet, Standard Chartered, and Kotak Mahindra Bank.

    “It’s an honour to take on this new role,” said Jaiswal. “APAC is an incredibly dynamic market, and I look forward to helping clients make smarter, data-driven decisions.”

    Comscore executive vice president international Alejandro Fosk said Jaiswal’s appointment reflects the firm’s “continued commitment to the region” and its goal of offering “reliable, future-facing measurement solutions” in a changing media landscape.

    The move cements Comscore’s ambitions to strengthen its India and APAC footprint, arming advertisers, agencies and publishers with the insights they need to navigate an increasingly fragmented digital

  • Škoda drives emotion with Heartbreak campaign

    Škoda drives emotion with Heartbreak campaign

    MUMBAI: They say love hurts, and Škoda Auto India is proving it with Heartbreak, a tongue-in-cheek campaign celebrating the coveted Škoda Octavia RS, created in collaboration with BBH India.

    The limited-edition Octavia RS, launched as part of Škoda’s 25-year anniversary in India, sold out in a blistering 20 minutes, leaving enthusiasts heartbroken, and inspired.

    At the centre of the campaign is a high-octane brand film that channels the car’s rally-bred spirit, turning FOMO into full-blown automotive passion. But the heartbreak doesn’t stop there.

    Fans can head to an interactive microsite, octavia heartbreak.skoda-auto.co.in, to explore the playful ‘Non-owner’s manual’, a witty guide for those who didn’t manage to grab one of the 100 cars.

    Adding to the fun, Škoda also launched ‘Driver’s Seat’, a special body perfume inspired by the RS’s thrill, letting fans “smell the drive” even without the keys.

    Škoda Auto India brand director Ashish Gupta said, “The ‘Heartbreak’ campaign celebrates not just those who own the Octavia RS, but also the countless fans who’ve kept its spirit alive. True performance isn’t just felt on the road, it stays with you.”

    BBH India chief creative officer Parikshit Bhattaccharya added, “When you’ve got 100 cars and a million fans, you create a coping mechanism for heartbreak. Every element of this campaign was crafted to make the experience unforgettable.”

    From film to fragrance, microsite to memes, Škoda’s Heartbreak proves that even when love for a car goes unrequited, the passion can still go full throttle.

  • UPKL powers up play with new technical director

    UPKL powers up play with new technical director

    MUMBAI: The Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) is gearing up for a stronger, sharper second season, and it’s making a power move on the mat. The league has appointed Tejnarayan Prasad Madhav, a veteran kabaddi coach and former gold medallist, as its new technical director ahead of Season 2.

    Currently serving as chief coach of the Bahrain National Kabaddi Team, Madhav brings decades of experience across playing, coaching and technical supervision. From mentoring squads at the Senior Nationals and Asian Games camps to shaping future champions at grassroots level, his record speaks of precision and purpose.

    Commenting on the appointment, SJ Uplift Kabaddi founder and director Sambhav Jain said, “UPKL has emerged as a credible platform that mirrors the sport’s rise across India. This season, our goal is to deepen that foundation by strengthening player development and maintaining the highest technical standards.”

    For Madhav, the focus is clear, getting every move right. “UPKL has created a structured environment where players can compete, learn and grow. My goal is to bring technical discipline and dynamic gameplay that highlights kabaddi at its finest,” he said.

    Season 2 of UPKL kicks off on 25 December 2025 in Noida, featuring 64 matches of full-throttle action. The player auction, set for 3 November, will set the stage for a season that promises both strategy and spectacle.

    With Madhav at the helm, UPKL isn’t just levelling up its game, it’s rewriting the playbook for how kabaddi should be played.

     

  • Isha Koppikar’s Rocketship soars to new heights

    Isha Koppikar’s Rocketship soars to new heights

    MUMBAI: Looks like Isha Koppikar’s latest project is truly sky-bound. Her new film Rocketship has taken off in style, bagging official selections at not one but two international film festivals, the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival 2026 and the Mokkho International Film Festival 2025.

    For Koppikar, the recognition feels deeply personal. Having built her career without a godfather, she chose to collaborate on this film with students from Subhash Ghai’s Whistling Woods International, offering young talent a chance to shine. The partnership reflects her belief that grit and opportunity, not privilege, should power one’s journey in cinema.

    Expressing her excitement, Isha Koppikar said, “This is such an honour, not just for me but for the entire team behind Rocketship. I’m especially proud of the students who worked tirelessly and are now getting the recognition they deserve. Dreams really do take flight.”

    The film’s trailer, which dropped recently, drew wide praise for its emotional tone and strong performances. Rocketship, directed and written by Arjun Menon and produced by Harmanraai Singh Sehgal, tells a moving story about the unbreakable bond between a mother and her daughter, a tale of strength, sacrifice and dreams that refuse to burn out.

    Starring Isha Koppikar alongside young talent Amayira Sharma, the film promises to tug at heartstrings while celebrating the spirit of perseverance. With Rocketship earning critical attention on the festival circuit, it seems Koppikar’s latest venture is not just a cinematic journey, it’s a story of hope taking flight.

     

  • Techugo & Nik Baker’s whip up digital delight

    Techugo & Nik Baker’s whip up digital delight

    MUMBAI: There’s something cooking, and this time, it’s digital. Nik Baker’s, the beloved premium bakery chain known for transforming north India’s café culture, has teamed up with Techugo, a global technology leader, to craft a seamless digital ecosystem that blends indulgence with innovation.

    The partnership aims to deliver a next-generation mobile app and in-store tech experience designed to make every bite smoother, smarter, and more rewarding. The upcoming Nik Baker’s mobile app will allow food lovers to browse exclusive products, place quick orders, receive personalised recommendations, and redeem loyalty rewards, all through a frictionless checkout system supporting multiple payment options.

    Inside the cafés, Techugo’s digital solutions will add flavour to convenience. Each table will feature scannable QR codes for instant menu access and ordering, with the system synced in real time with the kitchen and admin panels to ensure quick, accurate service.

    Commenting on the collaboration, Techugo COO Ankit Singh said, “We are thrilled to partner with one of north India’s most adored bakery brands. Our goal is to build a scalable, intuitive, and future-ready platform that enhances customer experience while strengthening backend efficiency.”

    The initiative also includes an advanced admin dashboard for real-time order tracking, inventory management, and performance insights, ensuring consistency across Nik Baker’s 34 bustling outlets.

    By pairing its signature charm with Techugo’s innovation, Nik Baker’s is serving up a fresh recipe for café culture, one where taste meets technology and every order is a little more delightful.

     

  • Moneycontrol summit fuels MF industry’s next leap

    Moneycontrol summit fuels MF industry’s next leap

    MUMBAI: When India’s top fund minds gather under one roof, the conversation is bound to compound. Moneycontrol, India’s leading financial news platform, hosted the Bengaluru edition of the Moneycontrol Mutual Fund Summit 2025, presented by HDFC Mutual Fund and powered by Axis Mutual Fund, bringing together the country’s sharpest asset management leaders to decode the next phase of India’s mutual fund revolution.

    With the theme “Decoding purpose, product, and tech,” the Bengaluru leg built on the momentum of the Mumbai debut, spotlighting the industry’s journey toward a 1 trillion dollars AUM by 2030. The discussions explored how innovation, trust, and digital transformation are reshaping mutual funds from passive savings tools into dynamic wealth-creation engines.

    The summit featured an illustrious line-up including D.P. Singh (SBI Mutual Fund), Navneet Munot (HDFC AMC), Vaibhav Shah (Mirae Asset), Sandeep Tandon (Quant MF), and Neil Parikh (PPFAS MF), among others. Together, they offered insights into everything from investor behaviour and regulatory frameworks to the rise of AI-driven financial advisory.

    Highlighting the potential of the newly launched SIF category, D.P. Singh noted, “SIF bridges the gap between mutual funds and AIFs/PMS, offering evolved investors flexibility with oversight. Within a year, SIFs could grow into a Rs 1 lakh crore category.”

    HDFC AMC’s Navneet Munot struck an optimistic note, “India is transforming from a nation of savers to a nation of investors. People are ambitious, aspirational, and want to create wealth. India is a compounding story.”

    Echoing this forward-looking sentiment, Mirae Asset’s Vaibhav Shah underscored the importance of a liberalised framework for cross-border investments, while Motilal Oswal’s Akhil Chaturvedi observed that Indian investors are now more resilient and long-term focused.

    As India marches toward Viksit Bharat 2047, the Bengaluru edition of the Moneycontrol Mutual Fund Summit 2025 reinforced the sector’s crucial role in driving financial democratisation and wealth creation. With technology, purpose, and innovation steering the next phase, the mutual fund industry seems poised not just to grow, but to evolve.

     

  • Rahul Dravid helps buildAhome hit it home

    Rahul Dravid helps buildAhome hit it home

    MUMBAI: He’s defended wickets, now he’s defending dreams. Rahul Dravid has teamed up with Bengaluru-based home construction company buildAhome for a one-of-a-kind outdoor campaign that turns home dreams into brick-and-mortar reality.

    Centred on the warm call to action “Banni, let’s build a home”, the campaign combines emotion and innovation with a cutting-edge “sensing billboard” that interacts with passers-by, bringing technology and trust to life on the streets of Bengaluru.

    Spanning hoardings, bus wraps, metro ads and digital storytelling, the campaign paints the city blue and white, echoing buildAhome’s promise of reliability, clarity, and integrity. It positions the brand as a one-stop solution for everything from design to delivery, with over 300 in-house experts and a strict no-subcontracting model to ensure precision and peace of mind.

    For Dravid, whose name is synonymous with dependability, the partnership was a natural fit. The cricketing legend chose buildAhome’s green homes for their focus on sustainable design and energy efficiency, values that mirror his own grounded approach to success.

    “At buildAhome, we believe in promoting not just aspirational living but responsible living,” said founder and CEO Abhijith R. Priyan. “We don’t just build houses; we create homes that inspire confidence and stability.”

    From sensing billboards to storytelling that speaks the local language, buildAhome’s latest campaign hits home on every front, proof that when Rahul Dravid’s in your corner, even homebuilding can become a masterclass in patience, precision, and pure dedication.

     

  • Swastik stories brings culture to every screen

    Swastik stories brings culture to every screen

    MUMBAI: When history hits ‘play’, India listens. Swastik Stories, the creative powerhouse behind television’s grandest epics, has launched India’s first cultural storytelling & entertainment FAST channel, a platform where scale meets soul, and mythology meets modernity.

    Streaming free across JioTV, LG, Xiaomi TV and RunnTV, the new channel already reaches over 50 million users, bringing India’s timeless tales into the digital age. Known for iconic shows like Mahabharat, Porus and RadhaKrishn, Swastik now takes its storytelling legacy into the FAST lane, blending cultural heritage with the ease of on-demand entertainment.

    The curtain rises with Hamara Vinayak, Swastik’s first digital original, premiering on 31 October at 6 pm IST. Presented by 1 Finance, the short-format series tells cinematic stories in 10–12 minutes, made for today’s audiences who seek meaning in minutes. Episodes will stream every Friday on Youtube and the Swastik Stories FAST channel simultaneously.

    “Swastik Stories is about giving Indian culture a new rhythm in the digital age,” said founder and chief storyteller Siddharth Kumar Tewary. “This isn’t just a channel launch, but a movement, a way to carry India’s stories forward with heart and honesty.”

    Echoing the sentiment, 1 Finance AVP marketing Drashti Thaker said, “Our partnership with Hamara Vinayak mirrors our own philosophy. Just as Vinayak guides people through life’s crossroads, our advisors help individuals navigate their financial journeys.”

    With plans to reach 90 per cent of connected-TV households by March 2026 and a growing slate of originals inspired by Indian culture, Swastik Stories is rewriting the way India watches, proving that ancient wisdom can stream just as smoothly as the latest blockbuster. Because when stories have soul, every screen becomes sacred.

     

     

  • Kareena shines in KT Kids’ tender new TVC

    Kareena shines in KT Kids’ tender new TVC

    MUMBAI: When it comes to parenting, perfection takes a backseat and love takes the wheel. KT Kids’ new national TVC, featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan, celebrates exactly that, the unfiltered, joyfully messy world of motherhood.

    Conceptualised by Lumos Studios, the ad film positions KT Kids as “A mother’s trusted choice”, blending emotional storytelling with its promise of gentle, science-backed care. Kareena’s effortless warmth and authenticity bring a relatable charm to the film, capturing those everyday moments that define parenting, from bubbly bath times to sleepy hugs and everything in between.

    Set in a soft, cinematic palette, the visuals highlight the brand’s philosophy of care that’s pure, safe and full of heart, while subtly showcasing its range of shampoos and conditioners.

    “This campaign truly resonated with me as a mother,” said Kareena Kapoor Khan. “It captures the laughter, the chaos and the magic that come with raising children. KT Kids gives parents the confidence to care with love and without compromise.”

    KT Kids founder Dhruv Sayani added, “We wanted to celebrate the real side of motherhood, the mess and the magic. Kareena’s warmth brought that alive perfectly. Our goal remains to create products parents can trust completely.”

    Adding to the charm, the campaign introduces new SpongeBob SquarePants packaging, turning bath time into a splash of fun. Clinically tested and paediatrician-approved, KT Kids’ products are free from harsh chemicals like parabens, sulfates and silicones, a reflection of the brand’s ongoing commitment to care that’s as gentle as a mother’s touch.

    KT Kids keeps it simple: safe care, happy kids and a little love in every bubble.

     

  • Shaadi.com stirs up Lucknow with giant kadhai ad

    Shaadi.com stirs up Lucknow with giant kadhai ad

    MUMBAI: Who knew a humble kitchen kadhai could cook up such a storm? Shaadi.com’s latest outdoor campaign in Lucknow has done just that, turning a beloved North Indian superstition into a citywide spectacle.

    Partnering with Moms, the outdoor specialist from Madison World, the matchmaking platform unveiled a giant kadhai installation that instantly caught eyes and sparked conversations both on the streets and online. The campaign draws from the cheeky local saying, “Kadhai se kha liye? Shaadi mein baarish pakki!,” a superstition as familiar as it is funny.

    By turning that everyday phrase into a playful visual, the campaign struck a chord with audiences who couldn’t resist stopping for selfies, laughs, and a touch of nostalgia. It was a perfect recipe for virality, a mix of wit, warmth and cultural flair.

    “With this campaign, we wanted to showcase Shaadi.com’s relatable, light-hearted side in a way that truly connects with regional culture,” said Moms chief executive officer Jayesh Yagnik. “The kadhai idea taps into a shared superstition and turns it into a moment of joy and connection.”

    Shaadi.com brand manager – creative and social Johanna Israni added, “Some of the best ideas come from simple memories. Sneaking a bite from the kadhai is a universal moment, and we just blew it up, literally, to bring a smile to everyone’s face.”

    Conceptualised by Shaadi.com’s in-house creative team and executed with Moms, the campaign was further amplified digitally by Pulpkey. The result? A light-hearted outdoor activation that served equal parts nostalgia and novelty, proving that in advertising, sometimes all it takes is a good story, a great laugh, and one oversized kadhai.