ITV

Blog

  • Lexar snaps up No.1 spot in India’s camera memory card market

    Lexar snaps up No.1 spot in India’s camera memory card market

    MUMBAI: Lexar zooms into top frame with India’s No.1 camera card crown. If memory serves you right make it Lexar. The global memory and storage brand has just captured the No.1 position in India’s camera memory card market, according to the latest CMR Consumer Storage Flash Devices Report (Q1 CY2025).

    The numbers speak volumes: Lexar holds a whopping 69 per cent share in the high-performance CFexpress category and 36 per cent market share by value in SD cards, making it the overall leader in the segment. Cfexpress cards, known for lightning-fast speeds, are the go-to choice for professionals working with 4K and 8K content and Lexar seems to have won the confidence of India’s digital creators by a landslide.

    “Securing the No.1 position in India’s camera memory card market is a significant milestone,” said Lexar general manager of India Middle East and Africa Fissal Oubida. “This latest CMR report is a testament to our focused strategy, product innovation, and growing trust among professionals and enthusiasts alike.”

    Lexar’s rise has been powered by a portfolio that ticks all the right boxes: breakneck read/write speeds, rugged reliability, and storage options that range from compact gigabytes to hefty terabytes. Whether it’s a wedding in the monsoon or wildlife in the Thar, Lexar’s weather-sealed, shockproof cards are built to take the shot and survive it.

    The company’s professional-grade offerings include Cfexpress, SDXC, microSD, card readers, and portable SSDs, all geared toward creators who need storage that keeps up with their vision.

    Lexar’s Indian distribution muscle via Redington Ltd., Creative Newtech Ltd., and Supertron Electronics Pvt Ltd has also helped the brand stay close to the country’s fast-expanding imaging and content creation ecosystem.

    As digital storytelling and creator-led content continue to boom in India, Lexar’s ability to blend speed, safety, and scale has positioned it as a brand not just capturing data but capturing the moment.

  • NBDSA cracks the whip: news channels caught in a spin over sensationalism

    NBDSA cracks the whip: news channels caught in a spin over sensationalism

    MUMBAI: The News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) has been rather busy, doling out a series of rulings that have left several prominent Indian news channels with a bit of egg on their faces. It appears some broadcasters have been playing fast and loose with the facts, prompting the watchdog to flex its regulatory muscles.

    In a decision that’s got everyone talking, ABP News found itself in the NBDSA’s crosshairs over one 7 September 2024, interview with the former BJP MP, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The complainant, Indrajeet Ghorpade, wasn’t chuffed about the alleged “character assassination” of olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat. The NBDSA, clearly not amused by the chuckles at Phogat’s expense, closed the complaint with an “observation to take care of the issue,” effectively telling ABP to mind its manners. It seems some interviews are more of a grapple than a chat.

    Not to be outdone in the “oops” stakes, Times Now Navbharat received a stern talking-to for a broadcast from 5-6 September 2024, titled ‘अवैध मस्जिद’ पर महिलाओं ने मुसलमानों पर खुलकर सब बता दिया ! (Women openly tell everything about illegal mosques). Ghorpade, a busy chap indeed, also lodged this complaint, citing misleading thumbnails and a rather leading line of questioning about Shimla’s Muslim population. The NBDSA, advising broadcasters to ensure “tickers and thumbnails should conform to the actual version of the discussions/interviews,” has told Times Now Navbharat to snip, snip, snip that thumbnail from the video, if it’s still lurking online. A case of “don’t judge a broadcast by its cover,” perhaps.

    Meanwhile, Zee News felt the heat over a quartet of programmes aired on 15 and 16 October 2024, all revolving around the rather unsavoury (and frankly, bizarre) concept of “thook jihad” and “urine jihad”. Utkarsh Mishra’s complaint highlighted how a perfectly sensible UP law about CCTV cameras in eateries was spun into a battle against “thook jihad,” seemingly legitimising “state-sponsored and legislative targeting based on one’s religious identity”. The NBDSA, clearly unimpressed by this “spitting image” of sensationalism, issued a warning to Zee News not to “repeat such violations.” They’ve also been told to scrub the offending videos from their digital presence. Looks like Zee News got a bit of a sticky wicket there.

    Finally, Citizens for Justice & Peace landed Times Now Navbharat in hot water again, this time for 19 August 2024, programmes dissecting “teaching in Madrasas in Bihar”. The complaint alleged inflammatory language and selective reporting surrounding claims about “Pakistan-Published books” and “non-Muslims as ‘Kafir’”. The NBDSA, after a good long chinwag with both parties, concluded that the broadcasts had indeed fallen short of journalistic standards. They’ve directed the broadcaster to take down the objectionable segments and, in a polite but firm tone, told them to get their house in order.

    In all four cases, the NBDSA emphasised the importance of factual integrity, responsible language, and a strong editorial spine. The verdicts serve as a wake-up call to India’s noisy newsrooms: shock and sensationalism may fetch eyeballs, but they won’t go unchecked.

    For some broadcasters, it’s clearly time to trade outrage for oversight — or risk a growing pile of takedown notices. 

  • Pulp Strategy launches NeuroRank to crack the AI search code

    Pulp Strategy launches NeuroRank to crack the AI search code

    MUMBAI: In a sharp pivot from traditional SEO playbooks, Pulp Strategy has unveiled NeuroRank, India’s first end-to-end LLM SEO solution designed to help brands dominate AI-powered search platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and Perplexity.

    Forget keywords and backlinks – NeuroRank focuses on a brand’s inclusion in AI-generated answers, not just its rank on a results page. With over 44 billion searches now happening on LLM platforms, this is SEO reimagined for a world where algorithms shape awareness, not just clicks.

    “With over 44 billion searches now happening on LLM platforms and 72 per cent of B2B buyers relying on AI for early brand discovery, waiting is not an option,” said Pulp Strategy founder & chief strategist  Ambika Sharma. “This is not traditional SEO. It’s not about backlinks or page speed. LLM SEO is about training the algorithms that are already shaping customer intent.”

    What makes NeuroRank a smart bet?

    .  LLM signal mapping: Tracks whether a brand is cited or invisible in current AI responses

    .   Semantic layer engineering: Rewrites content into machine-optimised formats — Q&As, explainer blocks, schema-rich text

     .  Source priority indexing: Seeds brand presence into model-trusted platforms like Reddit, Quora, and Medium

     .  Knowledge graph stitching: Builds brand-topic-author clusters to boost citation probability

     .   Live model conditioning: Continuously tests and tweaks prompt performance across major LLMs

    “If your brand isn’t part of the model’s learned memory, you’re not in the conversation. And if you’re not in the conversation, your competitor already is,” Sharma added.

    In one standout case, a mid-market SaaS firm cut its cost-per-MQL by 22 per cent in just eight weeks using NeuroRank’s full deployment suite — a strong signal of performance meeting potential.

  • Collective Artists Network hits the road with India’s first bilingual AI travel influencer

    Collective Artists Network hits the road with India’s first bilingual AI travel influencer

    MUMBAI: Collective Artists Network has unveiled Radhika Subramaniam, India’s first AI-powered travel influencer fluent in both English and Tamil, and the latest entrant in the firm’s expanding world of virtual creators.

    Unlike her glossier predecessor Kavya — who leans into luxe aesthetics — Radhika is your girl-next-door meets globetrotter. A Gen Z solo traveller with a backstory that reads like a millennial quit-notice, Radhika ditched her corporate job to chase culture, conversations and chai at roadside stalls across India.

    “Radhika feels like someone we all know — that one friend who took the leap and actually went on the trip. She’s thoughtful, independent, and interested in the world around her. With her, we wanted to build more than just a new kind of influencer — we wanted to create someone who could tell stories with heart, and make people feel seen,” said Collective Artists Network founder & group CEO Vijay Subramaniam.

    What sets Radhika apart isn’t just her synthetic pixels — it’s her human nuance. From local folklore to hidden cafés, she dives into places and perspectives often left behind by mainstream tourism content. And her bilingual voice allows her to bridge geographies, resonating deeply with both urban metros and regional markets.

    “There’s a warmth to Radhika that’s hard to fake. She’s not just spitting out trends or trying to be viral — she actually gets the context,” said Collective Artists Network chief revenue officer and CEO of Big Bang Social CEO Sudeep Subhash. “For brands, that’s gold. You get someone who’s always on, always in sync with your voice — but also genuinely engaging for the audience. That kind of storytelling at scale is really exciting.”

    As AI-powered influence evolves from novelty to nuance, Radhika signals a bold step forward — where connection trumps curation, and virtual creators feel less like code and more like companions.

  • Zee TV rolls out ‘Aapka Apna ZEE’ with a heartwarming mohalla moment

    Zee TV rolls out ‘Aapka Apna ZEE’ with a heartwarming mohalla moment

    MUMBAI: Zee TV has unveiled a refreshed brand identity with its new campaign ‘Aapka Apna ZEE’, celebrating the power of connection, community and collective resilience.

    Rooted in the emotionally resonant tagline “Saath aane se baat banti hai”, the campaign serves as a love letter to the everyday stories that unite India — the bonds that go beyond biology, and the strength found in shared joys and struggles.

    The campaign’s flagship brand film centres on an army officer called away on duty days before his daughter’s wedding. In his absence, the entire neighbourhood rallies behind the family, orchestrating every detail — from Genda Phool decor to the sound of the dholak — creating a wedding as heartfelt as any kin could imagine. On his return, the officer is overcome with emotion, his wife gently saying, “Itna bada parivaar hai, aaram se ho gaya.”

    Set in the vibrant alleys of Faridabad, the film is as much a cultural portrait as it is a brand message — complete with sangeet nights, Boondi Ladoos, rooftop camaraderie and the unmistakable warmth of North Indian mohallas. It features a mix of beloved Zee TV artists like Devansh, Vasudha, Neel, Riddhi, Reet and Raghav, further grounding the story in familiarity and shared nostalgia.

    The channel’s content slate is also getting a viewer-first refresh. Shows like Saru, which follows a village girl chasing big-city dreams, and the upcoming Tumm Se Tumm Tak, a mature love story that challenges age-based norms, reflect Zee’s push toward storytelling that feels personal, progressive, and rooted.

    With Aapka Apna ZEE, the network isn’t just rebranding — it’s re-bonding with audiences, one shared story at a time.

    Speaking about the logo transformation and content lineup, Zee TV chief channel officer Mangesh Kulkarni said, “As we deepen our connection with viewers, our content palette grows richer, more diverse, and more reflective of contemporary India. ‘Aapka Apna ZEE’ reflects our dedication to genuine storytelling. We carefully created this brand film to authentically capture the Indian cultural fabric, ensuring every detail, from landscapes to rituals, it mirrors the lived experiences of our viewers. While the film draws inspiration from North Indian culture, the emotions and relationships it portrays are universally relatable. We are building a content ecosystem that’s rooted in cultural familiarity but speaks to today’s sensibilities. We want to reflect not just who our viewers are today, but who they’re becoming, navigating new family dynamics, career ambitions, and social transformations with resilience and hope.”

    The campaign was unveiled with great impact during the telecast of the 23rd Zee Cine Awards 2025, where all seven versions of the brand film premiered simultaneously across ZEE’s channels and digital platforms, allowing viewers to experience one powerful idea through seven unique regional voices, all at once.

    With ‘Aapka Apna ZEE’, the network emerges as a companion that reflects every home, every voice, and every lived emotion. A brand that belongs to its audience, because it speaks their language, shares their values, and grows with them.

     

  • DriveX shifts gears with Vipin Yadav as head of marketing

    DriveX shifts gears with Vipin Yadav as head of marketing

    MUMBAI: Marketing in the fast lane, DriveX puts Vipin Yadav in the driver’s seat. DriveX Mobility, the TVS Motor Company–backed disruptor in India’s booming pre-owned two-wheeler market, has turbocharged its leadership by appointing Vipin Yadav as Vice President and head of marketing. With over 17 years of experience building consumer brands, Yadav’s arrival signals a clear intent: to take the DriveX brand from showroom to stardom.

    In his new role, Yadav will spearhead omnichannel marketing, brand strategy, digital innovation and customer engagement key ingredients in DriveX’s vision to scale up to 500 outlets by 2027.

    Before hitching a ride with DriveX, Yadav was the marketing director at Hisense India and head of marketing at Toshiba TV. But his longest and perhaps most high-octane stint was with OPPO India, where he played a pivotal role in building the brand’s identity and accelerating market share during its growth sprint.

    “This is more than marketing. It’s about reimagining trust in a segment that’s ripe for disruption,” said Yadav. “DriveX isn’t just selling refurbished two-wheelers. It’s crafting a bold new mobility experience and I’m here to make sure India hears that story.”

    Known for balancing creativity with data, Yadav has contributed to marketing forums and jury panels, while also sharing his insights at institutions like IIT Delhi and Symbiosis Pune. He holds dual MBAs in Marketing from International Management Institute (Europe) and the Indian Institute of Planning & Management, alongside a Bachelor’s in Commerce from the University of Delhi.

    Welcoming him aboard, DriveX founder & director Narain Karthikeyan said, “Vipin understands the pulse of Indian consumers and knows how to convert insight into impact. His leadership will be crucial as we scale operations and deepen our connect with riders across the country.”

    With the Indian mobility space revving up, Yadav’s entry at DriveX feels less like a pitstop and more like a high-speed overtaking manoeuvre one that’s aimed squarely at pole position.
     

  • Machaxi aces $1.5m fund raise from Padukone and Nithin Kamath’s Rainmatter

    Machaxi aces $1.5m fund raise from Padukone and Nithin Kamath’s Rainmatter

    BENGALURU:  Machaxi, a Bengaluru-based grassroots sports-tech startup, has netted $1.5 million in fresh funding to power its AI-driven badminton coaching revolution. The round was led by Rainmatter, the investment arm of Nithin Kamath’s Zerodha, and featured a rousing smash from Indian badminton legend Prakash Padukone himself.

    The funding will fuel Machaxi’s expansion into Hyderabad, Pune and Chennai, while laying the groundwork for over 1,000 tech-enabled coaching centres over the next four years, in partnership with the Padukone School of Badminton. At the heart of this initiative: an AI-led training system built to bring consistency, performance tracking and scalability to India’s fractured coaching landscape.

    “I’ve always believed the future of Indian badminton lies in structured grassroots development,” said Padukone. “Machaxi’s AI vision ensures quality without compromise — no matter where you’re from.”

    The startup’s tech doesn’t aim to replace human coaches but to empower them — standardising training methods, flagging performance gaps, and ensuring even remote centres can tap into world-class insights.

    Machaxi co-founder Pratish Raj said, “This partnership is a big step forward in our mission to make quality sports coaching accessible to everyone in India. With the support of Rainmatter and the visionary backing of Padukone, we’re working toward a future where every aspiring athlete no matter where they come from can train with consistency, purpose, and access to world-class infrastructure. Our AI powered model is built to ensure that potential is discovered and nurtured, not overlooked. We’re proud to be at the forefront of this shift in grassroots sports.”

    The playbook is timely. According to MarketsandMarkets, the global AI-in-sports market is set to grow from $1.03 billion in 2024 to $2.61 billion by 2030. Machaxi aims to ride that wave straight into India’s heartland, transforming courts and communities alike.

    Founded in 2022, Machaxi has made a name blending on-ground grit with digital smarts — and now, it’s game on for India’s next gen of champions.

    (Pictured Above (L-R)-Nithin Kamath,  Ashish Anand, Tushar Raj, Prakash Padukone, Pratish Raj, and Dilip Kumar)

  • Zee Tamil unveils new identity with heartwarming campaign on togetherness

    Zee Tamil unveils new identity with heartwarming campaign on togetherness

    MUMBAI: In a stirring rebrand that leans into emotion over ornament, Zee Tamil has unveiled its new identity and ethos ‘Ullathil Oruvarai Ungal Zee Tamil’ reaffirming its place not just on television sets, but in the hearts of Tamil households. With its latest brand campaign, the channel swaps spectacle for sentiment, tapping into the emotional truths of Tamil Nadu’s everyday lives.

    The new brand film is a love letter to community. At its heart is a poignant tale of an army father, called away just before his daughter’s wedding. In his absence, the entire neighbourhood steps up like family decorating, planning, and celebrating. The moment he returns to find the festivities perfectly intact is not just a plot point, it’s a collective sigh of relief, a testament to the strength of togetherness.

    Set against an evocative score, the film features beloved Zee Tamil artists and characters in a narrative stitched together by rituals, resilience, and that signature Tamil warmth.

    Zee South cluster head Siju Prabhakar noted, “This isn’t just a new identity, it’s an emotional reaffirmation. Zee Tamil has always been a part of the household, but with ‘Ullathil Oruvarai’, we hope to be a part of people’s inner worlds too. We’re telling stories that feel lived-in, not just viewed.”

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd CMO Kartik Mahadev added, “The larger ‘Aapka Apna Zee’ campaign echoes the heartbeat of the many Indias that make up our nation. Each of the seven brand films, including Zee Tamil’s, is rooted in the rituals, rhythms, and raw emotions of its region. From the rains in Kerala to an army village in Telangana, we’re reflecting the truths people carry in their hearts.”

    The refreshed Zee Tamil identity isn’t a surface-level makeover, it’s a deeper realignment with the spirit of the land it serves. With stories that don’t just entertain but embrace, Zee Tamil is writing a new chapter, one where the screen feels like a mirror, and the message is clear: we’re one of you.

    And in a time when connection matters more than ever, Zee Tamil isn’t just broadcasting, it’s belonging.

  • Siddhartha Vachaspati resigns as sales leader from P&G

    Siddhartha Vachaspati resigns as sales leader from P&G

    MUMBAI: Siddhartha Vachaspati, one of Procter & Gamble’s most seasoned sales leaders, is set to exit the company on 30 June 2025, drawing curtains on a 21-year tenure that saw him helm P&G’s Rs 1,200 crore health care business and lead a 1,000-strong sales force across India.

    Known for his deep command over FMCG, OTC, and pharma markets, Vachaspati’s career has been a masterclass in commercial leadership – spanning P&L ownership, trade marketing, GTM strategies, and post-M&A transitions for global giants like P&G, Unilever, Henkel Spic, and Gillette.

    With a résumé that criss-crosses India, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, he’s navigated everything from general trade to e-commerce, pharmacy to military channels, and key accounts to B2B.

    The company confirmed his resignation to the Bombay stock exchange through a regulatory filing, adding that Vachaspati will be moving on to pursue interests outside P&G. As he signs off, he leaves behind a legacy of scale, strategy, and shopper smarts – a sales playbook few can rival.

  • Tenon FM elevates Ankur Sachdev to CEO as it eyes next-gen growth

    Tenon FM elevates Ankur Sachdev to CEO as it eyes next-gen growth

    MUMBAI: Tenon Group has named Ankur Sachdev as the new chief executive officer of Tenon FM, its facility management arm, in a leadership move that signals a sharper focus on tech, scale, and bottom-line muscle.

    A Tenon veteran since 2008, Ankur brings nearly two decades of experience in FM and security services, having risen through the ranks after his start at Peregrine Guarding, the group’s flagship security venture. Prior to that, he held roles at Sodexo FM India and is an MBA by training.

    Ankur now takes the wheel at a pivotal juncture as Tenon FM pushes for deeper digital integration, client-centric innovation, and international expansion. His remit includes beefing up operational efficiency, strengthening the P&L, and leading the charge across both domestic and overseas markets.

    Commenting on the appointment, Tenon Group global chairman Major Manjit Rajain said, “Ankur has played a pivotal role in the Group’s journey, and his elevation reflects our commitment to nurturing leadership that truly understands our DNA. His deep industry expertise, unwavering focus on operational excellence, and proven track record of securing and retaining marquee clients make him the ideal leader to steer Tenon FM into its next phase of growth.”

    He further added that this leadership move reaffirms Tenon Group’s commitment to innovation, continuity, and excellence in integrated service delivery.

    Reflecting on his appointment, Sachdev said, “It is an honour to lead Tenon FM during such a transformative period for the facility management industry. I look forward to leveraging cutting-edge technologies, fostering strong client relationships, and driving sustainable, profitable growth across India and global markets.”

    With presence across India, the UK, Singapore, and Germany, Tenon FM is positioning itself as a future-ready player in integrated services—and Ankur’s elevation is a clear play to make that ambition real.