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Rohit Roy patches in as investor in wellness disruptor Bigme

MUMBAI: It’s out with the pills and in with the patch. Bigme, a new-age health-tech brand reimagining wellness, has brought actor Rohit Roy onboard as strategic growth advisor and investor, adding star power to its science-backed mission of delivering wellness quite literally through the skin.

Bigme is among India’s first movers in transdermal wellness, a delivery format that skips the gut entirely and releases clinically backed ingredients directly into the bloodstream. The result? Faster absorption, longer-lasting effects, and no need to gulp down pills or mix up messy powders.

Built for modern, always-on lifestyles, Bigme’s patches use timed-release technology to address real-world concerns like stress, PMS, energy crashes, and poor sleep no water required. Just peel, slap, feel.

“I started out as a curious customer,” said Rohit Roy, explaining what drew him to the brand. “The patches fit seamlessly into my workouts and routine. It’s rare to find something that’s so rooted in science but still incredibly simple. I’m not just endorsing it, I’m investing in what I truly believe is the future of wellness.”

Co-founders Arjit Jain and Gurman Bhatia see Roy’s involvement as more than a celebrity tie-in. “This isn’t trend-chasing, it’s transformation,” they said. “Rohit joining the journey after experiencing the product first-hand adds authenticity and momentum to a format that’s set to change how India approaches self-care.”

Each Bigme patch is formulated with targeted functional ingredients by experts in nutraceuticals and wellness, designed for specific needs: calming anxiety, boosting energy, aiding post-workout recovery, supporting hormonal balance, and improving sleep.

With no pills, no powders, no guesswork, Bigme aims to make wellness minimal, effective, and mobile like slapping on a solution and moving on with your day.

As of now, Bigme’s transdermal patches are live and available online, marking the beginning of what could be a major mindset shift in India’s Rs 50,000 crore plus wellness market. This isn’t just a supplement. It’s self-care, simplified and wearable.

July 16, 2025
Comscore gets social to boost global media reach across nine new markets

MUMBAI: Audience measurement just got a serious glow-up. Comscore, the NASDAQ-listed media analytics firm, is now tracking social reach as part of its global MMX platform suite adding nine new international markets to its existing lineup. The latest expansion brings Chile, Colombia, Peru, Germany, Ireland, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Australia into the fold, allowing for a deduplicated view of audiences across desktop, mobile and now, social media.

With this move, Comscore’s Social Incremental enhancement is poised to change the measurement game for brands and publishers, offering a sharper lens on total digital reach, a boon for campaign optimisation, cross-platform planning, and unlocking real value from social audiences.

Already available in 10 other countries including India, the US, UK, and Brazil, this expanded rollout means that publishers and advertisers can now track true audience overlap, total combined reach, and platform-specific lift with unprecedented precision.

“Having Comscore’s unified view of audiences across all platforms, including social, is incredibly powerful,” said Future senior director of marketing Vic Chappell. “It’s essential not just for transparency, but for unlocking value in our advertiser partnerships.”

Social media isn’t just getting its due, it’s becoming a cornerstone. As Sandra Prosperi of Hearst Spain put it, “Social media is essential for building brand relationships. Now we can show total reach that includes social, an absolute must for global campaigns.”

Comscore’s secret sauce? A proprietary digital panel at scale, which powers its Social Incremental methodology privacy-first, deduplicated, and engineered for action. According to Comscore EVP international Alejandro Fosk the innovation “efficiently organises data with precision and uncovers interconnections across platforms. This is not just audience tracking. This is audience intelligence.”

The update will also reflect in Comscore’s Digital Industry Rankings, provided entities have activated full measurement now with social baked in.

With attention spans fleeting and platforms multiplying, Comscore’s new move might just be the clearest signal yet: in the race for reach, you can’t afford to leave social on the sidelines.

July 16, 2025
PW adds more force to its formula with Satish Sharma as new CMO

MUMBAI: It’s not rocket science, it’s marketing. And Physicswallah just found the right mind to lead the charge. In a move to amplify its brand and deepen its market resonance, India’s edtech powerhouse has appointed Satish Sharma as its new chief marketing officer (CMO). Sharma, a seasoned leader with over two decades of experience, has donned many hats entrepreneur, brand strategist, and tech transformation expert. Most recently, he co-founded Unyscape, a global marketing and analytics firm, where he served as both COO and CMO. Prior to that, he held formative roles at IBM and Tata Steel, adding operational muscle to his marketing brain.

A graduate of IIT Varanasi, Satish now steps into Physicswallah (PW) at a time when the company is doubling down on its mission to democratise education across India and beyond. With offerings spanning test prep, skilling, higher education, and study abroad, PW is evolving rapidly and it needs marketing leadership to match its ambition.

“The brand’s attempt at making education accessible to those who wish to learn deeply resonates with me,” Sharma said. “I look forward to amplifying the impact with authenticity and empathy.”

PW’s Founder and CEO, Alakh Pandey, echoed the sentiment: “Satish brings a rare mix of strategic clarity and operational excellence. As we enter the next chapter of growth, his experience will be invaluable in building a brand learners trust and love.”

With Sharma in the cockpit, Physicswallah is clearly gearing up to accelerate its brand journey powered not just by formulas and facts, but by focus and finesse.

July 16, 2025
Subhojit Roy joins Sony Pictures Networks India as VP, ad sales

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India has appointed Subhojit Roy as vice president, ad sales, strengthening its leadership ranks as it seeks to sharpen its commercial edge in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

Roy brings with him over 14 years of experience in media and technology sales, having previously held senior roles at TV Today, ABP Network, Viacom18, Zee Studios and Reliance Broadcast Network. Most recently, he served as vice president, sales and strategy at TV Today, where he led monetisation efforts across broadcast and digital verticals.

An alumnus of ICFAI University and IIM Ahmedabad, Roy has been a driving force behind branded content monetisation, revenue expansion through original IPs, and advertiser-led partnerships. His career spans stints in digital, broadcast, OTT and even government-tech interface sales, underscoring his deep understanding of both legacy and emerging revenue streams.

At Sony Pictures Networks, Roy is expected to helm advertising strategy across the network’s diverse portfolio, bringing a data-driven approach to branded content, inventory optimisation, and advertiser solutions. His appointment comes at a time when broadcasters are grappling with shrinking linear margins and the urgent need to futureproof monetisation models through digital convergence.

In his own words, Roy believes, “Almost every industry is getting massively disrupted by the combination of tech and media. Embrace it and empower your people.”

July 16, 2025
Leadership hires rise as firms chase performance over pedigree

MUMBAI: From corner offices to boardroom briefings, India Inc. is hitting refresh on its leadership roster. As Indian enterprises tighten the screws on performance, governance and risk agility, CXO-level hiring has seen a 9.5 per cent spike in FY25, according to retained executive search firm Venator Search Partners. The leadership shuffle is part of a structural shift, with companies moving away from legacy-driven appointments toward outcome-oriented roles. According to Venator, over 50 per cent of its hires last year were board-level director positions, and business head mandates have risen by more than 30 per cent this fiscal year.

“Leadership is no longer inherited. It’s being sculpted to meet sharper expectations,” said Venator Search Partners founder Deepraditya Datta.

Post-pandemic pressures have forced boards and promoters to rethink how they evaluate leadership no longer by tenure, but by tangible impact. When results fall short, change comes swiftly.

With regulatory scrutiny mounting, especially after the Reserve Bank of India imposed Rs 54.78 crore in penalties on 353 entities in FY25 for compliance failures, companies are seeking leaders who blend execution with governance.

There’s rising demand for CXOs who can steer boardroom conversations, think through risk scenarios, and embed compliance into enterprise culture. Finance, audit, and risk functions are no longer just back-office guardians, they’re becoming frontline strategists.

Inclusivity, too, is taking root at the top. Women now hold 20.6 per cent of CXO roles and 28 per cent of functional head positions, signalling a shift in how leadership pipelines are being built.

Cybersecurity and digital resilience are also shaping boardroom priorities. As reliance on tech grows, so does the need for leaders who can manage digital risk and business continuity, especially across mid-market firms and large conglomerates alike.

“The impulsive hire-and-fire culture is giving way to strategic realignment cycles, structured performance reviews, and impact-led assessments,” Datta added.

In the age of transparency and accountability, Indian companies are rewriting the rulebook on what it means to lead and making sure the boardroom isn’t just where strategy starts, but where results are demanded.

July 16, 2025
vivo V50 5G – First Impressions and Bajaj Finserv Offers

Stylish design and impressive camera performance are two strong points of vivo’s V series smartphones, and the latest V50 5G is no different. The vivo V50 5G was launched on 17th February 2025 as the successor to the vivo V40. This mobile phone offers a seamless blend of looks, power, and impressive camera performance. Equipped with a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, powerful ZEISS shooters, and an all-day 6,000 mAh battery, the vivo V50 5G is just the mid-range power-performer you need to step into the 5G world.

While the V50 5G prices start from Rs. 34,999, you can shop for this handset without having to splurge the entire amount upfront. Instead, you can shop for it on the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network on Easy EMIs to lighten the burden on your pocket.

vivo V50 5G: The power-packed mid-range performer

● Sleek design: vivo mobile phones have always set the bar high when it comes to design, and the V50 5G handset is no different. This model sports a refreshing look with sleek and rounded edges. The phone comes in Titanium Grey, Starry Night, and Rose Red shades, with the Starry Night option featuring a unique 3D holographic star effect. With a thickness of just 7.6 mm, this vivo mobile phone is one of the slimmest 6,000 mAh battery handsets! The V50 5G also gets IP68 and IP69 ratings for water and dust resistance.

● Ultra-slim quad-curved display: Designed for binge-watching bliss, the vivo V50 sports a 6.7-inch quad-curved AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of 120Hz. This 1.5K resolution display renders true-to-life colours. This HDR10+ screen is perfect for watching movies, streaming videos, and playing games. It also comes with a peak brightness of 4,500 nits for seamless outdoor use. In terms of protection, the vivo V50 5G gets a new Diamond Shield Glass that makes the handset 50% more drop-resistant than the previous generation’s Alpha Glass.

● All-day battery: While vivo V50 5G maintains sleek curves, the phone does not compromise on power. It runs on a heavy-duty 6,000 mAh battery that’s designed to power up to 21 hours of video playback on a single full charge. So now, you can game, binge-watch, and scroll without worrying about power drains. For quick refuelling, the phone gets a 90 W Flash Charging support as well.

● ZEISS cameras: The V50 5G continues the brand’s legacy of impressive camera features with its ZEISS camera set-up. The latest vivo mobile phone packs a 50MP ZEISS main camera and a 50MP ZEISS ultra-wide camera with a FoV of 119 degrees. Additionally, the device sports a 50MP ZEISS front camera for selfies. The phone is designed to master the ZEISS multifocal portraits with impressive Bokeh effects. Photography enthusiasts can access standout features, including the underwater mode, wedding photography mode, AI studio light portrait, and classic ZEISS lens effect, to make their captures stand out. The Aura Light feature further helps transform pictures into masterpieces.

● Power-packed Snapdragon chipset: Equipped with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, the vivo V50 5G delivers impeccable multitasking performance. This chipset is paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage to ensure all-around efficiency. Additionally, you get up to 12GB of Dynamic RAM to juggle up to 40 apps in the background without lag or glitches.

● Super-fast 5G support: The V50 5G lets you embrace the all-new 5G world with its cutting-edge connectivity features. The latest vivo mobile phone comes with dual 5G support to ensure super-fast uploads and downloads. Apart from low-latency 5G calling perks, it also offers a host of other connectivity features, including dual-band Wi-Fi, NFC, GPS, OTG, and Bluetooth v5.4 support.

vivo V50 5G price in India

vivo launched the V50 5G model as a mid-range powerhouse that is built to offer the best specs and features at a relatively lower price point. To this end, vivo V50 5G prices start from Rs. 34,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB ROM model. The 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM variant costs around Rs. 36,999, while the top-tier 12GB RAM + 512GB ROM variant costs Rs. 40,999.

How to buy the vivo V50 5G on Easy EMIs

You don’t need to spend a fortune to buy the vivo V50 5G handset and experience the best of smartphone photography and style. You can do so on a budget by shopping for this vivo mobile phone on Easy EMIs on the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network. Purchasing the handset on Easy EMIs allows you to divide the cost of the phone into nominal instalments payable over a convenient tenure of 1 to 60 months. You can even tap into exciting offers and zero down payment perks on select products. All you have to do is visit your nearest Bajaj Finserv partner store to check out the vivo V50 5G in person. While checking out, choose an Easy EMI plan that suits your budget to bring home your favourite handset!

July 16, 2025
Prime Video’s new campaign says it all: laugh, cry, love, repeat

MUMBAI: Prime Video is wearing its heart on its sleeve. In a snazzy new brand campaign titled ‘Every kind of emotion. It’s on Amazon Prime’, the streaming giant is trading in genres for gut punches, spotlighting its diverse catalogue through the lens of pure feeling.

The campaign features two punchy ad films—one with national treasure Manoj Bajpayee and another with South sensation Samantha—each crafted for specific markets. But the message is universal: Prime Video isn’t just about what you watch, it’s about what you feel.

Comedy that’s awkward or absurd, love that’s unspoken or unrequited, thrills that sneak or strike—this is entertainment that sticks. The campaign taps into the viewer insight that when audiences scroll for genres, they’re actually hunting for emotional hits—those little jolts of joy, nostalgia, suspense, or heartbreak.

Gone are the days of slotting stories into neat boxes. Prime Video is throwing open the doors to content that’s as layered as life itself—across languages, formats, and cultures.

“At Prime Video, we believe entertainment isn’t about ticking genre boxes—it’s about delivering experiences that emotionally connect with customers,” said Sonal Kabi, director & head of marketing, Prime Video, India. “This campaign showcases our commitment to delivering a wide range of stories that capture a gamut of feelings that our viewers can relate to. ‘Every kind of emotion. It’s on Amazon Prime’ isn’t just a line—it’s a promise we deliver, day-in and day-out through our series and movies. Great stories can come from anywhere — and our goal is to ensure audiences don’t just watch them but truly feel and connect with them. We’re proud to be a service that reflects the full spectrum of human emotions.”

Bajpayee said, “The beauty of entertainment today is that it mirrors our own complexity. Just as my character Srikant Tiwari balances national security with family life in The Family Man, Prime Video masterfully balances the full spectrum of human emotions. One moment you’re craving a thriller that keeps you on the edge, the next you’re seeking the warmth of a heartfelt story. That’s what drew me to this campaign – it captures how we truly experience and consume entertainment in our lives. It’s smart, it’s emotional, it’s completely relatable and it beautifully showcases how Prime Video has become a destination where every emotion finds its perfect match. It was fun to play a version of Srikant Tiwari who is catching feelings instead of catching bad guys for once!”

Samantha said, “Every role is an emotional journey. From embodying the intensity of Raji in The Family Man to exploring the complexities of a covert operative in Citadel: Honey Bunny – each character has pushed my boundaries in unique ways. What fascinates me is how this mirrors our own viewing habits. We don’t just watch shows; we seek emotions that resonate with our moment. Sometimes it’s the adrenaline rush of a thriller, other times it’s revisiting that one scene that touched our soul. That’s the magic Prime Video has captured – understanding that stories aren’t just about genres, they’re about the feelings they evoke. Every story has its own emotional fingerprint, and there’s something beautiful about having a service like Prime Video that celebrates every shade of human experience.”

Created by Manja, the campaign will be deployed through a rollout across digital, social, and outdoors. Suyash Barve, Head of Creative, Manja said, “As more and more content gets added to our screens, our classical understanding of genres has become too vague. There is no action on one side and romance on the other. Now, every movie and TV show is a multi-hyphenate. An action-dramedy or a political-espionage-thriller or a political-espionage-action-dramedy. Now, you can choose between comedies that make you laugh out loud, or ones that make you chuckle. Horror movies that make your heart stop, or just ones that creep you out. We used this rephrasing of genre to tell our story of range. There’s just so much to watch on Prime Video, that you simply have to be more specific. The perfect sutradhars for this journey were of course, our Family Man, Manoj Bajpayee and the star of Citadel: Honey Bunny and The Family Man antagonist, Samantha – both of whom turn a simple discussion on what to watch into a days-long crusade to prove that there’s more than one kind of funny and more than one kind of thriller.”

It’s a slick, slice-of-life sell, reinforcing Prime Video’s pitch as India’s most beloved binge-spot. From belly laughs to big sobs, it’s all on tap—and just a click away.

July 16, 2025
Panja packs a punch as Season 2 locks arms with FanCode once again

MUMBAI: Get ready to grip your screens, India’s fiercest arm battles are back and bolder than ever. The Pro Panja League is flexing for a powerful comeback as Season 2 kicks off on 5 August , streaming live on Fancode. After a knockout debut that turned armwrestling into a must-watch phenomenon, the league is once again teaming up with India’s go-to digital sports platform to deliver unfiltered strength, strategy and spectacle to fans across the country.

Returning in an IPL-style franchise format, the tournament will see elite athletes from across the nation collide in high-voltage matchups over 17 action-packed days in Gwalior known as much for its heritage as, now, for hosting this homegrown showdown.

While the Kochi KD’s will defend their title, all eyes are also on the fresh crop of contenders eager to shake up the pecking order at the Panja table.

“Our aim has always been to make armwrestling accessible to every Indian household,” said Pro Panja League co-founder Parvin Dabas. “Fancode’s reach in Season 1 gave us the perfect platform and we’re ready to dial it up again for Season 2.”

Fancode co-founder Yannick Colaco added, “We’re proud to continue supporting the growth of indigenous sports. Panja isn’t just a contest of strength, it’s a celebration of pride and passion. And we’re excited to bring it to screens across India.”

Fans can catch all the action live on the Fancode app (Android and Ios), on TV via Amazon Fire TV Stick, Android TV, Samsung TV, Jio STB, and on the Fancode website.

Whether you’re a diehard fan or new to the grip-and-rip game, the Pro Panja League promises a second season that’s bigger, bolder, and guaranteed to leave viewers hooked.

July 16, 2025
Netflix schools rivals as streamers ace June TV viewership charts

MUMBAI: Class is in session and Netflix is teaching everyone a lesson in domination. In Nielsen’s 50th The Gauge report for June 2025, streaming flexed its muscle once again, accounting for a record 46.0 per cent of total TV usage in the US. Leading the binge brigade was Netflix, which saw a 13.5 per cent surge in viewership over May, grabbing an 8.3 per cent share of total television minutes. That’s 0.8 points up month-on-month and enough to account for 42 per cent of streaming’s total gain in June.

The platform’s winning streak was powered by its usual bag of tricks: original series Ginny & Georgia was crowned the most-streamed title of the month with a jaw-dropping 8.7 billion viewing minutes, while acquired shows Animal Kingdom and Blindspot together clocked 11.4 billion minutes. And just to put a cherry on top, Squid Game Season 3 dropped in the final three days of the month and still managed nearly a billion viewing minutes per day.

Peacock wasn’t far behind on the podium, notching a 13.4 per cent usage rise fuelled largely by the new season of Love Island USA, which bagged 4.4 billion viewing minutes and ranked fourth overall. The streamer finished June with a 1.5 per cent TV share, up from 1.2 per cent in May.

Much of the streaming spike can be chalked up to school being out. Kids and teens (aged 6–17) increased their TV usage by 27 per cent in June, with streaming accounting for 66 per cent of their total watch time. Netflix and Peacock saw viewership from this age group climb 32 per cent and 37 per cent, respectively.

This cohort also powered up consoles and cable boxes, leading to a 41 per cent jump in the “Other” category home to video games and set-top box viewing far above the overall 14 per cent gain in that segment.

Meanwhile, traditional TV continued its summer slump. Broadcast viewership dipped 5 per cent to an all-time low share of 18.5 per cent, slipping below the 20 per cent mark for the first time. Cable remained mostly flat but still ceded 0.7 share points to end at 23.4 per cent. Combined, cable and broadcast dropped from 44.2 per cent in May to 41.9 per cent in June.

That said, the NBA Finals threw broadcasters a lifeline, ABC aired all seven of the month’s most-watched telecasts, including the NBA Trophy Presentation. On cable, Conference Finals on ESPN and TNT scored big, while news and special programming like Fox News’ Army 250 Parade and CNN’s Goodnight and Good Luck helped shore up ratings.

With summer holidays in full swing and streamers rolling out irresistible content, one thing is clear: viewers are switching channels literally and figuratively. And if June is any indication, traditional TV might need more than just a timeout to catch up.

July 16, 2025
William Grant & Sons brings in Pernod Ricard veteran to head India ops

MUMBAI: William Grant & Sons (WG & S) has snapped up spirits industry veteran Kartik Mohindra as managing director for India, eyeing a bigger slice of one of the world’s fastest-growing whisky markets. The former chief marketing officer and head of global business development at Pernod Ricard India takes charge on 30 September.

The move signals a sharp play by the Scottish distiller, best known for brands like Glenfiddich and Monkey Shoulder, as it doubles down on India’s premium spirits surge. Mohindra brings over 20 years of experience across alcohol, beverages and FMCG – a seasoned hand to scale up WG&S’ ambitions.

His appointment follows the elevation of outgoing India MD Sachin Mehta, who steps into the role of managing director for Canada – another priority market for the group.

“These appointments reflect our continued investment in key growth markets,” said WG&S chief commercial officer Doug Bagley. “We’re thrilled to have Kartik join us in India – a critical market where Sachin and the team have already laid strong foundations.”

As global booze giants race to tap rising affluence and shifting tastes in developing economies, India has emerged as a battleground for premium spirits – and WG&S is clearly in no mood to play catch-up.

July 16, 2025