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  • Aniruddha Basu named national head of ABP One, driving growth strategy

    Aniruddha Basu named national head of ABP One, driving growth strategy

    MUMBAI: ABP Group, one of India’s most respected media conglomerates, has elevated Aniruddha Basu as national head of ABP One, its integrated media solutions arm. The move signals the group’s sharpened focus on delivering high-impact, client-centric campaigns in an increasingly competitive media landscape.

    With over a decade of experience at ABP, Basu brings a nuanced understanding of advertiser expectations, content innovation, and regional market dynamics. In his new role, he will lead strategic direction and business growth for ABP One, which acts as a bridge between brands and audiences by offering a suite of services including creative content, data-led media strategy, and omnichannel execution.

    The group credits Basu with playing a pivotal role in building ABP One into a trusted partner for national and regional marketers alike. He is widely acknowledged for his collaborative leadership style and ability to translate business objectives into engaging, measurable campaigns that stand out in a cluttered media environment.

    Industry observers say Basu’s elevation reflects a broader trend within Indian legacy media houses to empower leaders who can navigate changing client needs, leverage first-party data, and build long-term value through integrated brand experiences.

  • S8ul adds global stars to CODM roster ahead of Esports World Cup 2025

    S8ul adds global stars to CODM roster ahead of Esports World Cup 2025

    MUMBAI: If Call of Duty had a multiverse, S8ul Esports just assembled the Avengers version of a roster. S8ul Esports is locked, loaded, and gunning for global glory as it unveils a turbocharged Call of Duty: Mobile (CODM) lineup featuring some of the most decorated names in the game. The Indian esports juggernaut has added Jezz (USA), Frann (Indonesia) and Marvel (France) to its already promising CODM squad, ahead of its international campaign at the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh.

    Joining the elite trio are coach ZIM winner of the 2020 Best CODM Coach Award and strategic analyst Cali Gaming, who’ll be decoding gameplay and fine-tuning tactics from the sidelines. The revamped roster now includes six players from across the globe, including Indian players Samruddha (SAMs), Samartha (JOKOs) and Rishi Dubey (Trunks).

    And these aren’t just flashy imports. Jezz, aged 21, was part of the squad that clinched the 2022 CODM World Championship, netting a cool 700,000 dollars (approx. Rs 6 crore) in prize money. He’s consistently placed in the Top 8 globally and recently triumphed at the Snapdragon Pro Series Season 5 – North America.

    Frann brings serious heat from Southeast Asia, having won every Major Series title from Season 7 to 12 and finishing Top 8 at the 2023 World Championship. Marvel, the French phenom, adds Euro-style precision with wins at SPS Season 5 (India) and Season 6 (Europe), and a Top 5 finish at the 2021 West Finals.

    With this blend of global talent and homegrown stars, S8ul becomes the only Indian organisation competing across 12 esports titles, reinforcing its ambition to be more than just dominant, it wants to be definitive.

    S8ul co-founder Naman Mathur aka Mortal called the signings “a big moment for us not just as a team, but as a community.” He added that the new roster reflects S8ul’s broader vision: “To build strong, competitive teams while staying true to who we are.”

    With its foot firmly on the gas and crosshairs locked on Riyadh, S8ul isn’t just playing to compete, it’s playing to rewrite the rulebook for Indian esports.

    (If you are an Anime fan and love Anime like Demon Slayer, Spy X Family, Hunter X Hunter, Tokyo Revengers, Dan Da Dan and Slime, Buy your favourite Anime merchandise on AnimeOriginals.com.)

  • Ting and Swisse give wellness a wink with Aditya Roy Kapur snoozefest

    Ting and Swisse give wellness a wink with Aditya Roy Kapur snoozefest

    MUMBAI: Ting has once again proved that wellness doesn’t have to be boring. The homegrown advertising agency teamed up with Swisse, to roll out a campaign featuring Bollywood heartthrob Aditya Roy Kapur and it’s making the internet sit up (or nap) and take notice.

    The buzz began with a blink-and-miss teaser: paparazzi pages like Viral Bhayani, Manav Manglani, and Instant Bollywood quietly dropped a clip of Aditya catching some serious shut-eye. No captions, no context — just a peacefully dozing star. Naturally, social media went into sleuth mode.

    Soon after, the mystery unravelled with a mock-interview-style digital video that playfully introduced the real hero: Swisse Magnesium, touted for better sleep and muscle recovery. Riding on Aditya’s easy charm and not-so-subtle wit, the film skipped the usual wellness preach and instead served up a dose of relatable humour and laid-back cool. Ting’s brief was clear — ditch the dull and spotlight Swisse’s magnesium benefits with a campaign that felt more Instagram swipe than instruction manual.

    “We wanted to take advantage of Aditya’s easy charisma and magnetic screen presence by letting him get up close and personal with the audience,” said Ting senior creative director Sahil Joshi. “When you present your insight as a fun little inner joke between your celeb and your audience, the brand messaging feels a lot more authentic.”

    “At Ting, we love telling stories that simplify wellness without dumbing it down,” says Ting partner, Aadil Mehta. “Our partnership with Swisse will go a long way to prove that you can build awareness and entertain at the same time.”

    “Aditya brings a calm confidence that reflects everything we stand for at Swisse. Swisse Magnesium is already Australia’s #1 — and it’s fast becoming a favourite here in India too. We’re proud to lead the conversation around wellness and recovery with a product that’s genuinely effective, easy to trust, and made for real, everyday life,” says Swisse Wellness marketing head India Abhishek Barur.

    With this, Ting continues its winning streak in the wellness category, transforming functional messaging into fun, human-first storytelling, all while flexing its signature mix of insight, humour and just the right amount of celebrity sparkle.

  • Moneycontrol launches Super Pro with expert tips and real-time AI alerts

    Moneycontrol launches Super Pro with expert tips and real-time AI alerts

    MUMBAI: In the noisy circus of market chatter, Moneycontrol’s new Super Pro is tossing out the megaphone and handing you a scalpel. Moneycontrol, already India’s biggest financial content destination, is levelling up its premium offering with the launch of Moneycontrol Super Pro, a subscription tier built for those who want to go from market watchers to market movers.

    Launched at a special price of Rs 2,499 (until 15 July 2025), Super Pro doesn’t just promise deeper insights, it delivers real-time actionable strategies, sharp charting tools, and AI-powered alerts, all tailored for the serious trader and informed investor.

    At the heart of the offering is Alpha Generators, a feature that plugs subscribers directly into the brains of four SEBI-registered experts: Ambareesh Baliga, Nooresh Merani, Dhaval Vyas, and Dhwani Patel (CMT). Expect exclusive trading strategies, investment ideas, and constant updates designed to keep you one step ahead of the market’s mood swings.

    Next up: exclusive chart patterns hand-picked by technical analysts to identify breakout opportunities before they hit mainstream radar. Whether you’re hunting reversals or riding momentum, Super Pro gives you tools to spot trends before the herd does.

    But the most intriguing feature might just be the AI Stock Alert, a real-time Whatsapp-based notification system that flags key corporate announcements on your chosen stocks. Earnings surprises, board reshuffles, regulatory twists? You’ll know when the market knows.

    The launch builds on Moneycontrol’s digital dominance. With over 100 million unique visitors in 2024, and 1 million plus paying subscribers to Moneycontrol Pro, the platform ranks among the top 15 global news subscription services, according to Press Gazette’s 2025 “100k Club” ranking.

    Super Pro is a calculated leap from insight to initiative fusing analysis, AI and access into one sleek package for those looking to cut through the noise and act with conviction.

    In a market where timing is everything and clarity is rare, Super Pro isn’t just a toolkit, it’s a trading compass with edge. And for investors looking to be more shark than fish, it might just be the upgrade they were waiting for.

    (If you are an Anime fan and love Anime like Demon Slayer, Spy X Family, Hunter X Hunter, Tokyo Revengers, Dan Da Dan and Slime, Buy your favourite Anime merchandise on AnimeOriginals.com.)
     

  • Hyundai celebrates 10 years of Creta with a story-sharing contest

    Hyundai celebrates 10 years of Creta with a story-sharing contest

    MUMBAI: A million journeys, a million stories and now Hyundai wants to hear yours, with prizes in tow. To celebrate a decade of Creta-fuelled adventures, Hyundai Motor India has shifted into nostalgia mode with a nationwide digital contest called ‘Creta X Memories’, inviting owners and fans to share their fondest moments with the SUV that has logged over 1.2 million sales since its 2015 launch.

    Whether it’s that monsoon road trip gone sideways, the family’s first highway holiday, or a parking-lot proposal, Hyundai wants your story and maybe a photo or video to prove it. The rules are simple: pen down your Creta memory in 150 words or more and email it to cretamemories@hmil.net before July 31, 2025.

    The best entries will win some rather enviable perks. Top storytellers get to meet brand ambassador Deepika Padukone, while others drive off with prizes like Apple iPhones, exclusive vouchers, and Creta merchandise. Select heartwarming tales will also be featured on Hyundai’s social media, taking your Creta story from garage to grid.

    According to HMIL  AVP & vertical head of marketing Virat Khullar, this isn’t just a contest, it’s a tribute to the emotional mileage the SUV has racked up. “Creta isn’t just a vehicle, it’s a symbol of aspiration and emotional connection for over a million Indian families,” he said.

    Ten years on, Creta remains more than just four wheels and a badge. It’s a photo album on wheels, a road trip playlist, and for many, a trusted co-pilot through life’s big and small milestones. ‘Creta X Memories’ puts that sentiment in the spotlight, celebrating not just a product, but the people who made it iconic.

    So if your SUV’s seen it all from dhol-filled baraats to roadside breakdowns this might be your moment to take the driver’s seat in Hyundai’s hall of fame. And maybe, just maybe, score a selfie with Deepika too.

    (If you are an Anime fan and love Anime like Demon Slayer, Spy X Family, Hunter X Hunter, Tokyo Revengers, Dan Da Dan and Slime, Buy your favourite Anime merchandise on AnimeOriginals.com.)

  • Too Yumm! adds new K-Bomb flavours and signs Ananya Panday as brand face

    Too Yumm! adds new K-Bomb flavours and signs Ananya Panday as brand face

    MUMBAI: What do you get when you mix Korean noodles, rapid-fire banter, and Ananya Panday? A slurpy, spicy, sass-loaded campaign that’s anything but instant. After making a fiery splash in India’s instant noodles scene last year, Too Yumm! K-Bomb is back for a second serving with bold flavours, bolder content, and a brand ambassador who brings both heat and humour. Actor Ananya Panday has joined hands with the snack brand in a bid to stir the pot further and cement K-Bomb’s street cred among Gen Z.

    Known for its punchy Korean-style variants like Hot n Spicy and Tom Yum, K-Bomb now gets a triple upgrade with Kimchi, Korean Chicken, and Sichuan Pepper Corn, a flavour bomb that aims to tantalise a taste-obsessed, trend-tracking youth market. There’s also an OTG (On-The-Go) cup noodles pack for those who want their K-spice with convenience.

    The centrepiece of the campaign is ‘Slurp n Spill’, a rapid-fire podcast hosted by Panday, where noodles are slurped, secrets are spilled, and snack culture takes centre stage. The series combines cheeky questions, celebrity chatter, and slurpy sound effects, making it less brand plug and more bingeable content. As Yogesh Tewari, CMO at Too Yumm!, puts it, “It’s not just about being seen, it’s about being enjoyed.”

    To match the energy of its new host, the rollout went full throttle. Think QR code activations across metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Kolkata, leading fans to snackable digital content. Add in Manga-inspired OOH installations and meme-led amplification across social and fan communities, and the campaign feels more like a K-pop comeback than a noodle ad.

    But the real flavour lies in strategy. With Indian consumers growing weary of conventional ads, Too Yumm! is betting big on what it calls entertainment-as-experience. The podcast format, backed by a strong digital-first push and cultural fluency, taps into Gen Z’s craving for authenticity with noodles in hand.

    As Tewari sums up, “K-Bomb isn’t just about filling you up, it’s about firing up your taste buds.” With Ananya Panday in the driver’s seat, it looks like Too Yumm! isn’t just riding the K-wave, it’s steering it.

    (If you are an Anime fan and love Anime like Demon Slayer, Spy X Family, Hunter X Hunter, Tokyo Revengers, Dan Da Dan and Slime, Buy your favourite Anime merchandise on AnimeOriginals.com.)

  • Reliance unifies FMCG brands, bets big on affordable consumer products

    Reliance unifies FMCG brands, bets big on affordable consumer products

    MUMBAI: Reliance Retail is taking a major step in its fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) play by consolidating nearly all of its snack, beverage, and home-care brands under Reliance Consumer Products Ltd (RCPL)—a subsidiary created just two years ago. The move brings together over 15 brands including Campa, Independence, SnacTac, Puric, and Enzo under a single umbrella, a structure already cleared by the company’s board.

    The goal: to compete directly and efficiently with household giants such as Hindustan Unilever, ITC, PepsiCo, and Coca-Cola. Industry insiders suggest this is far more than a backend shuffle. RCPL will
    receive up to Rs 3,900 crore in fresh capital from Reliance Retail Ventures, with planned investments of Rs 6,000–8,000 crore over the next 18 months to expand manufacturing and distribution—particularly for Campa beverages, which have staged a rapid comeback since relaunch.

    Bringing all brands under one roof allows Reliance to make quicker decisions, simplify partner collaboration, and streamline operations. Crucially, it enables RCPL to function as a full-fledged standalone
    FMCG entity, backed by its own resources and agile enough to scale quickly. The company’s stated ambition is to reach 600 million Indian consumers by offering high-quality products at prices 20–40 per cent lower than current market leaders—while deepening its commitment to kirana-first distribution.

    That hyperlocal strategy is already in motion. RCPL products currently reach over one million outlets via 3,200 distributors nationwide. Campa Cola—relaunched at Rs 10 per bottle with bold, modern
    packaging—has become a flagship success, already crossing Rs 1,000 crore in sales and capturing double-digit market share in several states. New bottling plants in Bihar, Assam, and Tamil Nadu are being commissioned to scale the brand nationally and challenge entrenched players in the Rs 67,000-crore soft drink market.

    RCPL’s expansion isn’t limited to drinks. The consumer division’s revenue has grown 3.5x over the past year to Rs 11,500 crore, making it the fastest-growing vertical in Reliance Retail. Alongside Campa and Independence, the company now owns legacy brands like Velvette (personal care), Lotus and Ravalgaon (confectionery), and is set to launch new functional beverages such as Spinner sports drink and Campa Energy.

    The consolidation under RCPL also enables sharper media planning, packaging efficiencies, and supply chain optimisation—all while embedding sustainability goals such as lighter bottles and recyclable
    materials.

    (If you are an Anime fan and love Anime like Demon Slayer, Spy X Family, Hunter X Hunter, Tokyo Revengers, Dan Da Dan and Slime, Buy your favourite Anime merchandise on AnimeOriginals.com.)

     

  • India rises as the world’s third largest IPO hub, surpassing China

    India rises as the world’s third largest IPO hub, surpassing China

    MUMBAI: India IPO rankings, global IPO market, SEBI reforms, confidential filings, Axis Capital, IPO pipeline India, Reliance Retail IPO, Indian startups, public markets, capital markets, retail investors, valuation sensitivity

    India has rapidly emerged as a major force in the global initial public offering (IPO) market, now ranking as the world’s third-largest hub for public listings—and at times, even surpassing China. Not more than a decade ago, India sat outside the top ten. Today, it is one of the leading forces in the world when it comes to reshaping domestic capital markets and altering how global investors view growth, innovation, and capital access across emerging economies.

    Fueling this rise is a confluence of global and domestic tailwinds. Indian mutual funds and retail investors now contribute over half of the capital raised in public issues, signalling a deepening pool of local capital that insulates the market from external volatility. Regulatory reforms have added momentum: the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced faster listing timelines, confidential filings, and T+1 settlements—shrinking the IPO cycle from nearly two years to under nine months.

    The confidential route, adopted by companies such as boAt, Physics Wallah, and Shadowfax, has widened the IPO pipeline to include more mature and strategically timed listings. This reformdriven flexibility has been crucial in attracting a diverse set of issuers.

    As of mid-2025, more than 140 IPOs are in the queue with a combined estimated value of $26 billion, cutting across sectors including financial services, renewables, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). Unlike the last IPO boom, which leaned heavily on tech, the current wave reflects a more balanced mix. Major players like LG Electronics India, Credila, and JSW Cement are already preparing to list.

    India raised $6.6 billion through IPOs in 2023, enough to claim third place globally after China and the United States. That momentum only accelerated in 2024, with India not only surpassing China in IPO proceeds but also setting a national record for deal count. In the first half of 2025 alone, Indian issuers have raised nearly $6 billion—accounting for more than 10 per cent of global IPO proceeds and 22 per cent of total global deal volume.

    A recent report by law firm White & Case noted that the country’s IPO momentum is largely domestic: billion-dollar offerings are being funded by local institutions rather than relying on foreign inflows.

    That said, challenges persist. Valuation sensitivity remains top of mind, with investment bankers cautioning that deals priced more than 10–15 per cent above listed peers are unlikely to find favour. Some companies have already revised pricing expectations downward. Additionally, global market turbulence can still affect timelines. SEBI is also under pressure to streamline its approval processes, a task it is addressing through increased automation and digitisation.

    Despite these headwinds, the outlook remains strong. Goldman Sachs estimates that India could raise $25 billion in IPO proceeds in calendar 2025, especially if large mandates like Reliance Retail or Hyundai Motor India materialise. Even without those mega-deals, India’s deepening investor base, policy stability, and sectoral diversity suggest it will retain its global standing.

    (If you are an Anime fan and love Anime like Demon Slayer, Spy X Family, Hunter X Hunter, Tokyo Revengers, Dan Da Dan and Slime, Buy your favourite Anime merchandise on AnimeOriginals.com.)
     

  • Difference Between Term Insurance And Life Insurance

    Difference Between Term Insurance And Life Insurance

    Insurance is an important tool to secure your loved ones’ future. Among the most common types are term insurance and life insurance. While both offer financial protection to your family, they work in different ways. Before you finalise what kind of coverage you want, it is important to understand the distinction between the two. Let’s explore what term and life insurance mean and the main differences between them.

    What is Term Insurance?

    Term insurance is a pure protection plan. It provides life cover for a specific period, i.e., around 10, 20, or 30 years. If the policyholder passes away during this term, the nominee receives the death benefit (sum assured). However, if the policyholder survives the term, there is no maturity or return benefit. Some plans may come with a return of premium feature, where you get the premiums refunded if you outlive the end of the term.

    The main aim of a term plan is to offer high coverage at a low cost. It is considered the most affordable and straightforward type of insurance. You can use a term insurance premium calculator to check how much premium you need to pay based on your age, income, and sum assured. If you are looking for the best term insurance plan, opt for one that offers flexible tenure, claim settlement ease, and rider options.

    What is Life Insurance?

    Life insurance is a broader term that includes products offering a life cover, which may come with savings or investment components. These plans not only offer a death benefit to the nominee in case of the policyholder’s demise but also provide a maturity benefit if the policyholder survives the policy term (endowment plans or ULIPs) or payouts during the plan (money-back policies). 

    Examples of life insurance include endowment plans, whole life insurance, money-back plans, and Unit-linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs). These policies are suitable for individuals looking to save (or invest) over the long term while staying insured. Though the premiums are higher compared to term plans, they offer the advantage of building a financial corpus over time.

    Key Points of Difference Between Term Insurance and Life Insurance

    Are you wondering which to choose – the best term insurance plan or the best life insurance in the market? The following points of difference will help you choose between the two: 

    Parameters  Term Insurance  Life Insurance 
    Purpose  It is purely for financial protection. It combines protection with savings or investment.
    Payouts Only pays the death benefit if the policyholder passes away during the term. Pays the death benefit and also offers maturity benefits if the policyholder survives.
    Premium Cost  Affordable and offers higher coverage for lower premiums.  Comes with higher premiums due to the savings component. 
    Policy Term Covers a specific period. Can offer coverage for a fixed term or even lifetime coverage (whole life).
    Returns Offers no returns unless you opt for return-of-premium variants. Offers returns through bonuses, savings accumulation, or market-linked gains. 
    Ideal For Those who want life insurance coverage at an affordable rate. Those looking to build savings with insurance over a longer period. 

    The right choice between term insurance and life insurance will depend on your financial goals and current life stage. Term insurance is best for those looking for affordable protection while life insurance is ideal for those looking to combine security and long-term savings. Use tools like a term insurance premium calculator to compare and choose the best term insurance plan for your family’s future. Whatever you choose, ensuring financial safety for your loved ones is always a wise decision.