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  • Havas Creative India wins India’s First Gold at Cannes Lions 2025 for ‘Ink of Democracy’

    Havas Creative India wins India’s First Gold at Cannes Lions 2025 for ‘Ink of Democracy’

    MUMBAI: Havas Creative India, the creative agency of Havas India, has brought home the country’s first Gold Lion at Cannes Lions 2025 for its powerful campaign ‘Ink of Democracy’, created in partnership with The Times of India.

    Rooted in the symbolic power of electoral ink, Ink of Democracy, which won in the Print 
    & Publishing category, was a visceral call to action for India’s citizens ahead of the general elections. By printing The Times of India’s editorial page entirely in purple – the very colour used to mark fingers of those who vote – the campaign served as a silent yet powerful protest against voter apathy. No headlines. No logos. Just a stark reminder of the voices that were never heard.

    Havas India group CEO South East Asia and North Asia, Rana Barua said, “Winning a Cannes Lions for Ink of Democracy is a moment of immense pride—for the work, the people behind it, and what it stands for. At our core, we’ve always believed in the power of creativity. We truly believe it has the power to shape conversations and spark change.

    I’m incredibly proud of Anu, Ravinder, Soham and our team that brought this idea to life. Also, a huge shoutout to Team TOI, Joji, and our global team for their belief in the idea and all the support. Here’s to a team that continues to raise the bar, pushing boundaries with integrity, heart, and fearless creativity.”

    Havas Creative India joint MD & chief creative officer, Anupama Ramaswamy added, “From the moment we thought of Ink of Democracy, I knew in my gut this idea needed to be made and needed to be seen by the world. It wasn’t loud or flashy, but it had truth, purpose, and heart. One thing I held onto was patience. And a quiet tenacity to see it through, no matter how long it took.

    What makes this Cannes Lions win truly special is my young team that brought it to life—Soham, Ravinder, and Annie—who poured everything into it. They carried the idea with courage and craft, and I couldn’t be prouder.

    A big thank you to Rana and the global team at Havas for believing in the work and helping us take it beyond borders. This is a shared win, and a reminder of what’s possible when we trust our instincts and support one another.”

  • Times Network enters Canada via Rogers Xfinity TV with ET NOW and Times Now Navbharat launch

    Times Network enters Canada via Rogers Xfinity TV with ET NOW and Times Now Navbharat launch

    MUMBAI: The Indian diaspora in Canada just got a front-row seat to India’s pulse—served hot, straight from Mumbai. Times Network, the broadcast arm of Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd., has expanded its international footprint by launching two of its flagship channels—ET Now and Times Now Navbharat—on Rogers Xfinity TV in Canada.

    The channels went live on Rogers Xfinity via a strategic tie-up with Ethnic Channels Group (ECG), the world’s largest multicultural broadcaster. ET Now is now available on Channel 2651, while Times Now Navbharat airs on Channel 2696. Both channels will be accessible under a free preview window till 17 June, after which Canadian subscribers can opt in via theme packs for premium Indian news content.

    “Our presence on Rogers Xfinity TV and partnership with Ethnic Channels Group marks a pivotal step in our international growth strategy. As we continue to build a truly global presence, this launch reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality Indian news content to the diaspora in Canada. We see this partnership as a gateway to new opportunities, enabling us to serve our viewers better and strengthen Times Network’s position as a trusted global media brand”, said Times Network executive president & COO Jagdish Mulchandani.

    The move taps into a growing appetite among the south Asian diaspora for India-focused, real-time news. ET Now delivers market-savvy programming like The Market, The Money Show, Startup Central, and Buy Now Sell Now, offering Canadian viewers a front-row seat to India’s economic engine. Meanwhile, Times Now Navbharat broadcasts Hindi-language shows like News Ki Pathshala, Sawal Public Ka, and Opinion India Ka, focusing on ground-up perspectives, citizen voices, and sharp political analysis.

    Ethnic Channels Group co-founder & CEO Slava Levin added, “It’s an attention economy in today’s fast changing world. Credible news is of paramount importance and tuning out the noise from the facts is critical. Ethnic Channels Group is proud to partner with the Times Network for ET Now (Business News) and Times Navbharat (Hindi News) enriching the media landscape in Canada. As Canada’s largest multicultural TV operator, ECG continues to widen its channel portfolio and strengthen its footprint worldwide”.

    For Times Network, the expansion is part of its larger ambition to become a global Indian media brand, targeting audiences who straddle two worlds and crave credible, timely news from both. For ECG and Rogers, it adds further depth to their international content offerings at a time when demand for multicultural programming is on the rise.

    With this launch, Times Network cements its Canadian presence and adds yet another milestone in its global journey—delivering Indian news, with nuance and depth, to viewers navigating life across borders.

  • Media gets a reality check as Kantar maps India’s new viewing habits

    Media gets a reality check as Kantar maps India’s new viewing habits

    MUMBAI: In a world where content is king and attention spans are currency, India’s media playbook is in desperate need of an update and Kantar just handed the industry a fresh set of rules. With the launch of Media Compass, the insights giant has dropped a data bomb, charting a 360-degree view of how Indians are consuming media across TV, print, digital, and even influencer content in 2025.

    The numbers are as revealing as they are disruptive. Based on a rolling sample of 87,000 consumers with quarterly reporting, Media Compass throws a spotlight on emerging behaviours that marketers can no longer afford to ignore. For starters, a staggering 23 per cent of Indians are now digital-only, they’re online but off the TV grid entirely. Even more surprising: 74 per cent of these digital-only users live in rural India, upending the long-held urban-tech stereotype.

    While 58 per cent of Indians still watch linear TV every month, the small screen’s dominance is being nibbled away at by the rise of Connected TV (CTV). With 35 million new viewers, CTV has quietly become a premium battleground, especially among NCCS A households and younger male audiences. In fact, CTV viewership now splits evenly between urban and rural India, proving that the shift is not just a metro phenomenon.

    Age remains a clear divider. Viewers aged 15–34 are tuning in to digital (55 per cent), OTT (55 per cent), and social media (57 per cent), while the 45 plus demographic still prefers the comfort of linear TV (44 per cent). Meanwhile, both CTV and digital-only audiences skew 57 per cent male, signalling a need for more inclusive programming and targeting.

    Perhaps the most quietly revolutionary insight? Digital is not just democratising entertainment, it’s also redrawing the socio-economic map. Digital-only consumption is over-indexed among lower NCCS groups, showing that smartphones and cheap data are bridging access gaps once thought insurmountable.

    “We’ve gone nearly five years without a formal, holistic view of Indian media consumption,” said Kantar director of specialist businesses and insights division for South Asia Puneet Avasthi. “Media Compass is here to fix that. In a fractured landscape, we’re giving advertisers the clarity and precision they’ve been craving.”

    With quarterly updates and multi-platform granularity including cross-media interactions and influencer reach Media Compass doesn’t just raise the bar for media research in India. It torches the old one.

  • Boom time at the box office as May grosses over Rs 1,100 crore

    Boom time at the box office as May grosses over Rs 1,100 crore

    MUMBAI: May-day magic as moviegoers power record box office collections.  When Ajay Devgn raids the screen and Tom Cruise races to the finish, you know it’s a blockbuster month. The report released by Omrax Media explains how India’s box office rang up a robust Rs 1,136 crore in May 2025, making it the second-highest-grossing month of the year so far just behind February. The cinematic surge was led by homegrown action thriller Raid 2 and Hollywood spectacle Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which together contributed a cool 28 per cent of the month’s takings.

    Raid 2 alone punched through the Rs 200 crore barrier, earning it the crown of May’s top earner and placing it just behind Chhaava in the year’s Hindi film rankings. Meanwhile, Ethan Hunt’s final outing delivered over Rs 115 crore at the Indian box office.

    Overall, 2025 is shaping up to be a stellar year for the big screen. The cumulative domestic box office from January to May now stands at Rs 4,812 crore 27 per cent higher than the same period last year.

    May was also a Hollywood high in India. With Final Destination: Bloodlines and Thunderbolts joining Mission: Impossible in the top 10, English-language films raked in Rs 262 crore marking the best month for Hollywood here since the Barbenheimer boom of July 2023.

    Interestingly, the top 10 films so far this year span languages and industries, with four Hindi films and two each from Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam cinema. The box office is proving to be one of India’s most multilingual success stories.

    With summer in full swing and June releases lining up to impress, the only question now is can the heatwave at the box office get any hotter?

  • Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages launches PET-free Rath Yatra drive with Puri Municipality and NGOs

    Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages launches PET-free Rath Yatra drive with Puri Municipality and NGOs

    MUMBAI: In a city where devotion spills into the streets each year, this time the bottles won’t. Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB) in partnership with Puri Municipality and several civic bodies has flagged off the ‘Used PET Bottle-Free Rath Yatra 2025’ initiative to tackle plastic waste during the iconic annual chariot festival in Puri, Odisha.

    The campaign was formally unveiled on 16 June in the presence of Hon’ble deputy chief minister of Odisha Parida; Minister of Housing and Urban Development Krushna Chandra Mahapatra; and other senior officials including Puri Municipality executive officer Satyabrata Sahu (ACS) and Abhimanyu Behera.

    Targeting the swelling crowds expected between June 27 and July 5, the effort builds on the momentum of last year’s drive, aiming to significantly reduce plastic litter with city-wide collection and public engagement. The programme will deploy more than 180 trained volunteers and install 200 PET collection bins across high-footfall areas like Swargadwar Beach, Puri Railway Station, and Badasankha.

    “At HCCB, we believe real change happens when businesses, communities, and the government come together to work towards one goal. The Rath Yatra brings together people from all over the country, and with that comes a shared responsibility to care for the city that hosts them. Through our ‘Green Sweep’ initiative this year, we will be working closely with civic partners to set up strategic collection points, deploy trained volunteers, and introduce creative engagement tools like street plays to raise awareness. We’re proud to be part of this effort alongside Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, the Odisha government and aim to make the Puri Rath Yatra free of used PET bottles”, said HCCB chief public affairs and sustainability officer Himanshu Priyadarshi.

    The project is being executed in collaboration with Anandana (The Coca-Cola India Foundation), the Odisha Development Management Programme (ODMP), and the Y4D Foundation. The municipal partnership includes awareness-building drives like plogging activities and a PET collection rally held earlier this month. These efforts aim to educate locals and tourists on responsible PET disposal and segregation.

    “Managing plastic waste during high-footfall events like the Rath Yatra in Puri is a shared responsibility and requires collective action. Through PET collection points, volunteer-led engagement, and awareness outreach, we are humbled to play a role in making responsible disposal easier and more accessible for everyone attending”, said Coca-Cola India and southwest Asia VP, public affairs, communications, sustainability Devyani R L Rana.

    The initiative will also feature live street plays and help desks manned by trained vendors to ensure correct usage of the disposal infrastructure, especially in temple zones and beach areas. Volunteers will double as on-ground educators, encouraging visitors to sort their used bottles correctly into designated PET bins.

    The campaign officially flags off on 26 June, a day before the main festival begins, and underscores a rare feat—blending religious fervour with environmental action. If successful, it may just inspire more pilgrimages to go plastic-free.

  • Fantasy goes full audio as Pocket FM brings epic tales to your ears

    Fantasy goes full audio as Pocket FM brings epic tales to your ears

    MUMBAI: No dragons were harmed in the making of this story mostly because they now live in your ears. Fantasy, once the VFX-glutton of cinema and OTT, has found a sleeker, sound-based avatar and it’s booming on Pocket FM. Gone are the days when building a kingdom required a 300 million dollars budget and a green screen army. Today, all it takes is a mic, imagination, and the immersive magic of audio.

    Once restricted by the cost of spectacle, fantasy is now unbound. Voice acting, rich sound design and tight storytelling are transporting listeners to enchanted forests, post-apocalyptic wastelands, and mythological battlegrounds all without leaving their headphones. Pocket FM is leading the charge, transforming India’s epic sensibilities and global fantasy hunger into a streaming revolution.

    From interdimensional thrillers like Number Zero to modern mytho-sagas like Shoorveer, the app’s Hindi catalogue reads like a binge-list for fantasy junkies. Titles like Super Yoddha, Shivam, and Mahabali Mayank are giving traditional storytelling a tech-savvy twist. And in a major nostalgic coup, Pocket FM is reviving Shaktimaan India’s first superhero as an audio series for a whole new generation.

    But this isn’t just desi drama. Pocket FM’s English-language fantasy series are climbing charts across the US, UK and Latin America. Shows like My Vampire System, Jack’s Retribution, and God’s Eye are proving that the genre travels and how. Several of these series have surpassed 100 million plays, with some galloping past the 500 million mark.

    It’s a testament to fantasy’s enduring grip and audio’s new-age power. While video shackles creators with budgets, crews and camera gear, audio lets them run wild. One whisper can summon a war, one footstep can launch a saga. Creators can now build entire universes from dorm rooms or dining tables.

    As Rom-coms chase virality and thrillers flood OTT, fantasy is quietly flourishing in your pocket literally. And audio is doing what CGI never could: make it personal. With earbuds in and the real world tuned out, fantasy becomes not just a genre, but a feeling.

    The future of fantasy doesn’t just look good. It sounds epic.

  • Cyber threats loom in Special Ops 2 trailer

    Cyber threats loom in Special Ops 2 trailer

    MUMBAI: JioHotstar has plugged in with the trailer for Special Ops Season 2, signalling the electrifying return of Kay Kay Menon as the redoubtable R&AW officer Himmat Singh. This time, the stakes are not just high, they’re sky-high, as the series pivots to a perilous cyber front.

    Created and directed by Neeraj Pandey, who also serves as a writer for the series, alongside Deepak Kingrani and Benazir Ali Fida, the show’s cinematography was handled by Sudheer Palsane, Arvind Singh, and Praveen Kathikuloth.

    Under the keen eye of director Shivam Nair, the new season plunges audiences into a volatile geopolitical skirmish. Wars, it seems, are no longer confined to muddy battlegrounds but are now waged in the digital ether, with the enemy lurking in plain sight. Himmat and his crack squad face a silent, insidious war – one of coordinated cyber breaches that threaten to dismantle national stability without a whisper of warning or a single visible scar. It’s a battle for the very soul of the nation, folks.

    A sterling ensemble cast, including Prakash Raj, Vinay Pathak, Karan Tacker, Saiyami Kher, Muzammil Ibrahim, Gautami Kapoor, Parmeet Sethi, and Kali Prasad Mukherjee, lend their considerable talents, adding layers of intensity to this high-octane narrative.

    The Grand Hyatt Mumbai played host to the grand unveiling, where the full cast mingled with the press. JioStar CMO & head-SVOD Sushant Sreeram, offered a fascinating insight into the streaming giant’s greenlighting philosophy. Addressing the perennial question of audience attachment to characters, Mr Sreeram mused that on-screen personas transcend mere viewing figures, becoming integral to a process. He elaborated, rather pointedly, that audiences seek inspiration, hope, or solace in these journeys, finding reflections of ‘either what we are or what we want to be.’

    While JioHotstar boasts a ‘repertoire’ of ‘best characters’, their true vibrancy, he noted, stems from the collective genius of ‘writing it, to directing it, to the people who actually portray the characters,’ not forgetting the ‘fantastic teams at JioStar’ who bring them to the screen. In essence, he argued, these on-screen figures are but echoes of ‘our close relationships’, promising both familiarity and ‘surprise and, you know, delight’ this season.

    JioHotstar, not one to miss a beat, shared the trailer on Instagram with a pithy caption: “This time, everyone is a Target! Cyber-Terrorism vs. Himmat Singh and his squad. #HotstarSpecials #SpecialOps2, streaming from July 11, only on #JioHotstar”.

    https://www.instagram.com/jiohotstar

    With a fresh antagonist in Tahir Raj Bhasin, and a global scale matched by razor-sharp performances, Special Ops Season 2 is set for a thrilling 11 July drop. Brace yourselves, because this time, the battlefield is everywhere!

     

  • Foxtale launches ‘No Fox Given’ comedy night to tackle stereotypes with punchlines, not platitudes

    Foxtale launches ‘No Fox Given’ comedy night to tackle stereotypes with punchlines, not platitudes

    MUMBAI: When skincare meets stand-up, you know someone’s rewriting the script—and Foxtale just did. The homegrown beauty brand has taken its boldest leap yet with No Fox Given, a no-holds-barred comedy experience aimed at Indian women, launching 27 June 2025 at Balgandharva Rang Mandir in Bandra, Mumbai.

    This isn’t a product plug in disguise. No Fox Given blends biting humour, candid conversation and unapologetic storytelling to call out the everyday judgments women face—from what they wear to how loudly they laugh. Foxtale is turning that noise into laughter and, in the process, building a stage that doubles as a megaphone.

    Taking the mic for the debut show are two names that need no introduction on the Indian comedy circuit. Swati Sachdeva, known for her brutally honest humour and viral reels, joins Shashi Dhiman, whose razor wit spotlights the many contradictions of womanhood in India. Together, they promise a night packed with truth bombs and belly laughs.

    “When women experience No Fox Given, I want them to shed the weight of expectations, judgment, and pressure that often come with simply existing as a woman”, said Foxtale founder & CEO Romita Mazumdar. “This isn’t just an event — it’s a statement. A cultural platform that reflects our brand’s purpose: to champion real voices and spark real conversations. Our hope is for No Fox Given to evolve into a cultural touchstone that continues to grow, year after year”.

    With tickets starting at Rs 499 on District, the show is targeted at Gen Z and millennial audiences who prefer unfiltered storytelling to picture-perfect campaigns. In a world where digital ‘likes’ don’t always translate to real connection, Foxtale is betting on the ancient power of laughter—live and unedited.

    “Building a brand today means showing up with purpose, not just products. No Fox Given is our response to the cultural and emotional realities our audience navigates every day. Comedy, when rooted in truth, becomes a powerful connector. This initiative turns consumer insight into a scalable cultural platform — one that celebrates identity, encourages self-expression, and moves the conversation forward”, said Foxtale CSO Anindita Biswas.

    The event marks Foxtale’s evolution from a skincare brand into a culture-shaping platform. In an industry obsessed with appearances, No Fox Given offers something radical: a space where realness is the only beauty standard.

    Tickets are live.

    The mic is on.

    Judgement’s off.

  • Highway Roop drives in Dharmesh Arora as CEO to steer its global ambitions in auto components

    Highway Roop drives in Dharmesh Arora as CEO to steer its global ambitions in auto components

    MUMBAI: For India’s auto component sector, the race is heating up—and Highway Roop just brought in a serious driver. The newly-formed platform has named industry veteran Dharmesh Arora as its CEO, marking a pivotal leadership shift as it gears up for scale and global competitiveness.

    The appointment brings over three decades of expertise to Highway Roop Precision Technologies Limited, a merged platform of Highway Industries Limited and Roop Automotives Limited. Arora previously served as
    Schaeffler Group CEO – Asia Pacific and led Schaeffler India for seven years before that. His career journey began in 1986 as a product engineer at Maruti Suzuki, later spanning leadership stints at General Motors across supply chain and procurement.

    “We are excited that Dharmesh has joined as CEO of Highway Roop. He is a highly experienced professional who has a deep understanding of the automotive industry and brings decades of global experience in building and managing automotive businesses. Dharmesh will be focusing on accelerating growth, driving operational excellence, and leveraging innovation to deliver enhanced value for the Platform’s customers and strengthen its market position”, said Highway Roop non-executive chairman Mohit Oswal.

    With the Indian automotive ecosystem entering an electrifying phase—literally and figuratively—Highway Roop’s timing is sharp. The company manufactures forged and precision-machined components, steering assemblies, and transmissions for electric, hybrid and ICE-powered vehicles. Under Arora’s stewardship, the company aims to add synergistic assets and expand its footprint across global markets.

    “I am honored to join Highway Roop at such an exciting time for India’s automotive industry. The platform’s strong manufacturing capabilities, diverse product portfolio, and global customer base create a powerful foundation for expansion. I am looking forward to collaborating with the talented Highway Roop team to create long-term and sustainable value for its customers and stakeholders”, commented Arora.

    Backed by a rich legacy and a forward-looking product lineup, Highway Roop appears ready to shift gears. With Arora at the helm, the company is positioning itself to play a leading role in the evolving auto supply chain—where scale, sustainability, and speed will define who leads and who lags.

  • Japan’s Kikkoman taps manga magic to introduce soy sauce to Indian consumers

    Japan’s Kikkoman taps manga magic to introduce soy sauce to Indian consumers

    MUMBAI: Global Japanese brand Kikkoman has introduced its signature soy sauce to India’s food tapestry by distributing it to more than 1.5 million restaurants through the cultural exports manga. They launched a new series Varun & Pramod – Their Secret Ingredient for the campaign.

    Kikkoman’s soy sauce is not just limited to the big food owners of India but is also accessible for junior chefs, cooks, and culinary school students to add a robust flavour to their platter. It  is tapping into India’s manga fanbase to spice up the country’s culinary scene. The campaign using manga series showcases Kikkoman’s creative approach to establishing a foothold in India and influencing the country’s dynamic cuisine.

    Using the manga approach to its marketing goal it uses its pivotal character Pramod- a young chef who learns that his job is in threat after changing the restaurant’s menu solitarily. However, his destiny led him to meet Varun who is a renowned restaurant owner’s heir. The two bond over their shared love for cooking and mutually agree to open a restaurant under their belt.

    They aim to use this movement to change the dynamics of the food industry by using their secret ingredient- Kikkoman Soy Sauce.

    Indian Federation of Culinary Associations and Kikkoman India Industry advisor Chef Manjit Gill complimented this campaign narrative as nostalgic and an enjoyable marketing approach.Talking about the campaign he said, “I strongly believe that Kikkoman’s message will resonate with many chefs in India. There are said to be more than 200,000 chefs in the organised sector alone.”

    “I was fondly reminded of my own younger days – when the hero was trying hard, making all possible efforts to make dishes more delicious – using the best ingredients. I look forward to this story reaching out to a wide audience, making a real impact in India. In fact, I’m waiting impatiently for the next episode of this interesting Kikkoman Manga,” Gill added.

    Currently, Kikkoman India is directly engaging with top chain restaurants and large format restaurants, gradually increasing its brand recognition and adoption. Given their fresh presence in India its recognition among restaurateurs and the country’s culinary experts is yet to be determined.

    This campaign aims to familiarise the Kikkoman brand with Indian chefs who might be unfamiliar with it, encouraging them to experiment with its soy sauce in their recipes, including Chinese cuisine, and ultimately increasing its adoption in the Indian food industry. With this innovative creative strategy Kikkoman’s manga project hopes to leverage their storytelling method to make their sauce as an important ingredient to the recipes in the Indian market.

    To make it accessible for all, the Kikoman manga will be available in English, Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, and Marathi.