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  • Butterfly unveils new identity with fingerprint wings, celebrates change in every Indian kitchen

    Butterfly unveils new identity with fingerprint wings, celebrates change in every Indian kitchen

    MUMBAI: Some brands age.

    Others evolve.

    And then there’s Butterfly-the Chennai-born kitchenware veteran that just reinvented itself with a deeply personal twist.

    On 23rd June 2025, Butterfly unveiled a revamped identity that fuses a timeless symbol with a powerful message: celebrate change without losing yourself.

    At the centre of this makeover is a design choice that’s as poetic as it is powerful. The new Butterfly logo incorporates a fingerprint seamlessly merging into the wings—marking every swirl with the individuality of the person using it. In a world that’s obsessed with change, Butterfly seems to say: your essence still matters.

    This refreshed identity isn’t just a nod to design—it’s a shift in mindset. Butterfly now speaks to a psychographic, not a demographic. Targeting what it calls the ‘zillenial attitude’, the brand aligns itself with those who may not be united by age but by how they engage with life: fluid, evolving, yet fiercely authentic.

    “For over 40 years, Butterfly has been a part of millions of kitchens across India. Today, as homes become more fluid and identities more self-defined, our new identity reflects not just who we are—but who we’re here for”, said Butterfly CBO Swetha Sagar.

    Backed by Crompton, the parent company known for its home solutions muscle, Butterfly is now turning the heat up in India’s fast-modernising kitchens. From mixer grinders to cooktops, its products are being overhauled to match the rhythms of hybrid lifestyles and shifting household roles—without losing durability or design edge.

    “This is more than a rebrand. It’s a reimagining of what it means to belong in a modern Indian kitchen. Butterfly is for the originals. The ones who grow, shift, and adapt, but never lose the essence of who they are”, Sagar added.

    The campaign—titled ‘Celebrating Change’—embraces the unpredictability of modern life, while doubling down on authenticity. In tone, language, and iconography, Butterfly signals a departure from traditional kitchen narratives that once revolved around functionality alone.

    The new visual identity reflects the stories of those who stir with soul, sauté with sass, and season with self-expression. It’s not just a kitchen upgrade—it’s an identity reset.

  • Dove mends it like Kintsugi in rebonding tale of strength and strands

    Dove mends it like Kintsugi in rebonding tale of strength and strands

    MUMBAI: Hair today, stronger tomorrow. Dove is flipping the damage-care narrative with its biggest launch in 15 years the Peptide Bond Strength range, fronted by a powerful campaign titled ‘Reborn Stronger’. But this isn’t just about split ends and smooth strands. This is about scars, strength and strand-by-strand self-acceptance.

    Drawing inspiration from Kintsugi, the Japanese art of honouring cracks with gold, Dove isn’t just sealing split hair, it’s celebrating the story behind it. Just like the artform, the new campaign doesn’t aim to return things to their former state. It shows that every break can lead to beauty that’s more profound, more radiant, and more resilient than before.

    At the centre of the campaign is a poetic film that quite literally glows. Fractured hair strands are mended with soft golden light, a visual metaphor for Dove’s new Protein-Peptide Complex, which rebuilds hair from within by restoring broken bonds. The result? Not just repaired hair but reborn hair.

    “The campaign isn’t about hiding damage, it’s about redefining it,” says Unilever vice president for hair care Sairam Subramanian. “This is for every woman who’s picked herself up and rebuilt, stronger and more radiant. ‘Reborn Stronger’ is her story, told strand by strand.”

    With warm tones, gentle voiceovers and real women in everyday acts of care brushing, tying, letting their hair down the campaign paints a picture that’s less about vanity and more about vulnerability. The message: resilience isn’t loud, it’s lived-in.

    Dove’s Peptide Bond Strength range is more than a formula upgrade. It’s a philosophy. Powered by the Protein-Peptide Complex, the new line works at a molecular level to repair internal hair damage and strengthen fibres from the inside out.

    The brand that has stood for real beauty now invites everyone to see hair and healing as more than a return to form. As the campaign quietly declares: It’s not about going back. It’s about coming back stronger. And that’s a promise as deep as the roots.

  • Brands queue up for Neeraj Chopra Classic as javelin goes prime time in India

    Brands queue up for Neeraj Chopra Classic as javelin goes prime time in India

    MUMBAI: India’s golden boy of athletics is attracting more than just medals. The inaugural ‘Neeraj Chopra Classic’—India’s first global javelin competition—is drawing serious brand muscle ahead of its 5 July debut at Bengaluru’s Sree Kanteerava Stadium.

    The event is headlined by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and backed by a power-packed sponsor roster that includes Visa (official partner), Audi India (mobility partner), BodyArmor Lyte ORS (hydration partner), Duolingo English Test (learning partner), and Snapchat (content partner).

    Radisson Hotel Group is the hospitality partner, JioStar the broadcast partner, and FanCode Shop is handling official merchandise—making the NC Classic a 360-degree sporting spectacle both on-ground and online.

    Speaking on the response from brands to the NC Classic, JSW Sports chief commercial officer, Karan Yadav said, “The versatility and range of brands that have decided to come on board with the NC Classic is testament to the potential this competition has. These are the biggest names in world javelin, spearheaded by Neeraj, competing on Indian soil for the first time. The event has all the ingredients to be a blockbuster, and a regular fixture on the world athletics calendar. The response to partner with the event has been fantastic, and it only augurs well for the future of live sport planned to global standards, in India.”

    With the world’s top javelin throwers gearing up to compete, the Neeraj Chopra Classic is shaping up to be more than just a one-off event—it’s India’s blockbuster entry into the world of elite field sports.

  • Ugro Capital appoints Anuj Pandey as CEO to steer its MSME engine into the next growth orbit

    Ugro Capital appoints Anuj Pandey as CEO to steer its MSME engine into the next growth orbit

    MUMBAI: In India’s rapidly evolving fintech theatre, few stages are as critical-and crowded-as MSME lending. Now, Ugro Capital, the Datatech-driven non-banking finance company, has shuffled the deck and handed the reins to a man who helped script its earliest chapters. On 24 June 2025, Ugro announced the elevation of Anuj Pandey—its founding team member and chief risk officer—as its new chief executive officer (CEO).

    Pandey steps into the top role at a pivotal moment. The company recently crossed Rs 12,000 crore in assets under management, announced the strategic acquisition of Profectus Capital, and completed a large capital raise. With over 300 branches now in play, Ugro is transitioning from growth mode to scale mode—and Pandey has been handed the wheel to steer that transition.

    As CEO, he will lead Ugro’s national MSME operations, digital lending platforms, and partner ecosystem. He will report to Shachindra Nath, founder, VC, & managing director, who continues to helm the company’s strategic direction, governance and investor relations.

    “Anuj’s elevation as CEO is a natural progression in Ugro’s evolution as an institution. As a founding member and chief risk officer, his deep understanding of MSME lending, risk, and technology-driven operations makes him ideally suited to lead execution. I will remain fully accountable for Ugro’s strategic and governance matters, while Anuj takes full charge of the business. With recently concluded acquisition of Profectus and a large capital raise, I along with my Board felt that Ugro should be steered under one strong hand who exclusively focuses on the operating performance while I continue to focus on the strategic agenda of making Ugro as India’s largest financial institution for MSME financing”, said Nath.

    Pandey, an alumnus of IIM Lucknow with a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering, brings over 25 years of experience from GSK Consumer, ABN AMRO, Barclays and Religare. At Ugro, he has built its credit and risk architecture from the ground up, helping shape the company’s data-first approach to MSME financing.

    “I have been working with Shachindra for last seven years even prior to our formation. Being part of Ugro’s founding journey has been a privilege. I look forward to leading the next phase of growth — expanding our MSME reach, scaling embedded finance, and continuing our mission of ‘solving the unsolved’ credit gap with discipline and innovation”, Pandey said.

    His elevation signals Ugro’s ambition to pair entrepreneurial vision with institutional rigour. As it scales new lending frontiers, the company appears intent on anchoring growth with continuity—and trusting those who helped build the ship to now captain it.

  • Spinny drives the point home with Sachin’s ‘God Promise’ on the move

    Spinny drives the point home with Sachin’s ‘God Promise’ on the move

    MUMBAI: When Sachin Tendulkar makes a promise, it’s not just heard, it’s driven home. Quite literally now, as Spinny’s ‘God Promise’ campaign hits the road across India’s metros, shifting gears from screens to the streets. After racking up millions of views online and sparking buzz on Linkedin, Spinny has now rolled out a high-visibility outdoor and transit campaign. Think branded cabs in Delhi, city buses in Chennai, Bengaluru and Pune, and even Mumbai’s iconic double-decker buses all bearing the message of trust, assurance, and India’s most beloved cricketer.

    It’s a smart move. Where better to meet your potential car buyer than during their daily commute?

    Much like the brand films, the OOH creative is no-nonsense and culturally grounded. The sight of Sachin paired with the words “God Promise” cuts through the usual billboard clutter not with flash, but with familiarity. The campaign strikes an emotional chord with Indians for whom trust, especially while buying or selling a car, is non-negotiable.

    In addition to the celebrity endorsement, Spinny has backed its ‘promise’ with action: a first-of-its-kind 3-year Assured+ warranty, a 5-day money-back guarantee, and access to over 10,000 plus verified cars. For sellers, the platform also promises best-price deals putting its money where its messaging is.

    From Delhi’s RWA networks to Mumbai’s bus routes and Chennai’s bustling corridors, Spinny’s strategy is simple: be visible where the buying intent brews. Not in boardrooms or banners, but on buses, in traffic jams, and on roads where real decisions are made.

    As one campaign insider put it, “Trust isn’t a tagline for us, it’s an everyday delivery.”

    With Spinny’s new route, the message is clear: in the great Indian used-car market, faith isn’t optional. It’s a feature.

  • GenXAI acquires Softgrid Computers to turbocharge AI innovation and scale global tech muscle

    GenXAI acquires Softgrid Computers to turbocharge AI innovation and scale global tech muscle

    MUMBAI: When a brainy AI firm joins hands with a code-savvy software shop, the result isn’t just more horsepower-it’s a new machine altogether. GenXAI, the AI-powered enterprise performance management (EPM) solutions provider, has acquired Softgrid Computers Pvt. Ltd., a name synonymous with application development and web design brilliance. The announcement came in June 2025, setting the tone for a future of deeper tech, global ambition, and sharper tools.

    This acquisition arms GenXAI with Softgrid’s decade-old strength in mobile-first digital builds, pairing it with its own AI smarts that already power collaborations with tech majors like Anaplan and SAP. The result? A platform ready to create more intelligent, intuitive digital experiences-at scale.

    “At GenXAI, we’ve always been driven by a vision to redefine the future of technology. Our partnerships with platforms like Anaplan and SAP demonstrate our commitment to excellence. Softgrid Computers shares our passion for transformative solutions and together, we’re poised to achieve greater milestones. With this collaboration, we combine GenXAI’s expertise in AI-driven solutions with Softgrid’s legacy in custom application development and web design”, said GenXAI founder & executive chairman Rakesh Agarwal.

    From front-end design to back-end intelligence, the combined entity promises to fuse form with function-turning legacy digital builds into adaptive, intelligent tools for startups, large enterprises, and government bodies worldwide. The unified venture will offer cutting-edge platforms embedded with real-time AI decision engines, opening new markets and widening its tech moat.

    “At Softgrid, we’ve always believed in building meaningful digital experiences through innovation and craftsmanship. Joining forces with GenXAI allows us to amplify our vision with the power of AI and reach new heights of impact. This is not just a milestone-it’s the beginning of a transformative journey for our team, our clients, and the future of technology”, said Softgrid co-founder Ajay Golani.

    With Softgrid on board, GenXAI has stitched together a broader technology portfolio that now spans web, mobile, and AI-first ecosystems. This will accelerate its push into international markets and boost its appeal among digital-first enterprises hungry for intelligent automation and agile infrastructure.

    The acquisition marks more than just growth. It’s a signal of intent from GenXAI-to scale up, smartly. And as tech firms race to bake AI into every interface and back end, this merger might just give it the edge in staying not only relevant but revolutionary.

  • Nasher Miles rolls out Pride campaign with Myntra and Lauren Robinson in full colour

    Nasher Miles rolls out Pride campaign with Myntra and Lauren Robinson in full colour

    MUMBAI: Airports often mark endings and beginnings, but this June, Goa Airport saw something more—a bold, unmissable celebration of Pride rolling down its baggage belt. Indian travel brand Nasher Miles and fashion giant Myntra joined forces to launch a flamboyant campaign titled ‘Show Your Colour With Pride’, aimed at making space for authenticity, individuality, and queer self-expression.

    The campaign goes far beyond rainbow-washing. Instead of putting on a colourful front, it hands over the mic—quite literally—to Lauren Robinson, an actor, voice artist, drag performer and proud LGBTQIA+ creator. Robinson’s presence at the centre of the campaign is a deliberate and powerful choice, offering representation not just through aesthetics but through storytelling.

    “Colour has always been more than a vibe. It’s been my resistance. My expression. My truth”, they shared, embodying the spirit behind the collaboration. With their bold styling set against Nasher Miles’ Zanzibar collection, the visuals balance vibrant expression with purpose.

    The Zanzibar range, known for its vivid colours and matte finishes, becomes a metaphor here—not just luggage, but luggage with a voice. And that voice says things like: “Labels belong on luggage, not people”. The campaign’s visuals feature stark white backdrops that let colour—and identity—do all the talking.

    To amplify the message beyond screens, the brand turned Goa Airport’s baggage claim into a vibrant Pride-themed carousel, complete with rainbow stripes. The spectacle, captured on travellers’ phones and shared organically across Instagram and influencer pages, brought the campaign out of the ad studio and into everyday life.

    This was not a one-and-done stunt. The campaign unfolded across digital creatives, influencer-led videos, and vox pops designed to ignite candid conversations around queerness, confidence, and colour. The carousel activation made the message unmistakably clear—this wasn’t about products; this was about presence.

    “Nasher Miles stands for colour. The alignment with the Pride community to celebrate their colours felt like a natural extension. And having Myntra as a partner helped us make it larger than life with the airport activation”, said co-founder & head of marketing Shruti Kedia Daga.

    The campaign now lives across Nasher Miles’ digital platforms, Myntra’s homepage, and in hundreds of reels and posts under the hashtag #SHOWYOURCOLOURWITHPRIDE. If you happened to pass through Goa Airport recently, you might’ve found more than just your suitcase—you may have found a little pride in motion.

  • SEPC joins forces with IAMAI to script India’s next big digital export success story

    SEPC joins forces with IAMAI to script India’s next big digital export success story

    MUMBAI: In India’s thriving bazaar of code and content, two powerhouses have shaken hands to push bytes across borders. The Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi to jointly drive the country’s digital services exports into high gear.

    The partnership aims to remove policy potholes, expand international market access, and prepare the country’s emerging digital sectors for the global stage. The MoU sets the stage for institutional collaboration across several fronts—from building working groups with ministries to participating in overseas delegations and trade shows.

    Under the agreement, SEPC and IAMAI will:

    ●    Establish joint working groups with ministries and regulators to resolve policy and trade bottlenecks for digital exporters.

    ●    Coordinate India’s participation in global trade forums and business delegations, creating pathways for startups and digital ventures to enter international markets.

    ●    Organise capacity-building programmes to ensure India’s digital sectors are export-ready.

    ●    Promote high-potential verticals including AdTech, FinTech, HealthTech, SaaS, Digital Entertainment, Edutech, Agri Summit, and Cross-Border E-commerce.

    “India’s digital sector holds immense potential in the global services economy. Through this partnership with IAMAI, we aim to create meaningful opportunities for digital enterprises to grow their international footprint and benefit from structured policy and trade support”, said SEPC director general Abhay Sinha.

    IAMAI president Subho Ray added, “This MoU reinforces our commitment to building a robust ecosystem for digital services exports. By working closely with SEPC, we can jointly support Indian digital innovators in accessing global markets and driving the next phase of India’s export growth story”.

    While India has already cemented its name as a global IT outsourcing heavyweight, this pact shifts the spotlight to a new generation of digital players. From SaaS to streaming, from edtech to agri-tech, the initiative focuses on future-facing sectors that could define India’s next trillion-dollar export ambition.

    The MoU marks a decisive step in bridging industry with the government, injecting India’s digital export engine with both structure and scale. With policy in sync and the global market in sight, India’s digital disruptors may soon be trading in new time zones.

  • Digital i report: Netflix’s ad-tier viewing soars by nearly a third across Europe

    Digital i report: Netflix’s ad-tier viewing soars by nearly a third across Europe

    MUMBAI: Here’s some data that validates what Indian streamers have known all along and have been following for quite some time. If you want masses to consume you, then give away content at a lower price or for free – especially entertainment shows – but populate it with ads. Viewers don’t seem to mind it all.

    Global streaming media measurement firm Digital i conducted a study between November 2024 and April 2025 which revealed that viewing time on Netflix’s ‘Standard with Ads’ plan jumped 32 per cent across five key west European markets, signalling robust growth for the streaming giant’s advertising business. The Standards with Ads plan is priced at Euro 6.99 per month as against the standard plan which has a sticker price of Euro 13.99 and the premium one which costs Euro 19.99 This Standard with Ads package offers ad-supported streaming on two devices simultaneously in Full HD (1080p) and allows for downloads

    Digital i’s study  revealed  a collective rise of 152.7 million hours in the UK, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain. Total viewing hours on the ad-supported tier surged from 470.2 million in November 2024 to 622.9 million by April 2025.

    Germany led the charge with a 44 per cent increase, as hours viewed on the ‘Standard with Ads’ plan climbed from 81.3 million to 116.9 million. Spain and the UK each saw a 34 per cent uplift, with viewing rising from 59.9 million to 80.2 million and 150.7 million to 202.6 million hours respectively. France experienced a 26 per cent rise (from 129.1 million to 163.2 million), while Italy registered a 22 per cent gain (from 49.1 million to 60 million).

    Digital i chief analytics officer Matt Ross hailed the figures. “Netflix’s ad-supported tier has experienced strong growth in the past six months, and the increased take up has led to increased viewership across all regions,” he remarked. “This is good news for Netflix’s ad business which now boasts strong levels of reach combined with high levels of viewership.”

  • Vijay Chauhan to become general manager of adidas India

    Vijay Chauhan to become general manager of adidas India

    MUMBAI: adidas has appointed Vijay Chauhan as general manager of adidas India, effective 1 August 2025. Vijay will oversee operations in India and be based in the Gurugram office.

    Vijay succeeds Neelendra Singh, who will be stepping down after more than two decades with the adidas brand. Under Neelendra’s leadership, adidas India made remarkable progress, notably establishing cricket as a high-impact category for the brand. Neelendra played a pivotal role in transforming the cricket jersey culture in India, driving brand affinity and commercial success.

    Vijay Chauhan rejoins adidas from his most recent role as SVP International at American Eagle Outfitters in New York and brings over 25 years of industry experience across the sporting goods and fashion lifestyle. Vijay first joined adidas in 1999 and during his tenure he served in leadership roles including VP of Retail/Franchise for SEAPAC and general manager of Thailand.

    Emerging Markets managing director, Dave Thomas said, “We’re grateful to Neel for his strong leadership of the India business over the past six years, during which he significantly strengthened adidas’ brand presence, accelerated business growth, and deepened our connection with consumers across India. We also look forward to welcoming Vijay back to the three stripes. With his strong commercial acumen and growth mindset, I’m confident he will continue to drive the adidas brand and business forward in India.”

    Neelendra will remain in his role until August 2025 to ensure a seamless transition.