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  • Havas gets a CX glow-up with Enverta Digital acquisition

    Havas gets a CX glow-up with Enverta Digital acquisition

    MUMBAI: Havas is flexing its customer experience (CX) muscle in North America with the acquisition of Toronto-based Enverta Digital, a boutique CRM and digital transformation outfit known for its tech-savvy mojo and smooth client integration model.

    With operations across Canada and Poland, Enverta brings a potent mix of Salesforce, Adobe, Microsoft, and Braze expertise to the table—making it the perfect fit for Havas’ converged strategy, which blends creativity and tech to craft personalised, data-led brand journeys.

    ““I’m delighted to welcome Jacob and the entire Enverta Digital team into the Havas family. This addition represents a meaningful step forward in our ongoing mission to  redefine and elevate customer experience. By placing CX at the core of our Converged strategy, this move underscores our unwavering commitment to innovation and strengthens our ability to lead in the CX space with transformative, tech-enabled solutions that are fully integrated across our service offerings,” shared Havas CEO & chairman Yannick Bolloré.

    The move sees Enverta absorbed into Havas CX Canada, adding serious firepower to the agency’s North America operations—particularly its growing US client base. Enverta’s offshore setup in Poland will also give Havas added scale and cost efficiencies, with its recurring revenue model sweetening the deal.

    Havas CX Canada president Alex Chepovetsky summed it up neatly: “With Enverta’s CRM game and our creative chops, we’re now better placed than ever to deliver end-to-end brand experiences that move the needle.”

    “Our focus on CRM and digital enablement aligns seamlessly with Havas’ commitment to delivering holistic, customer-centric solutions. This partnership will allow us to combine Havas’ global resources and creative expertise with our strengths to deliver a full service digital offering, centered on driving highly-personalised consumer experiences across all touchpoints and channels,” shared Enverta Digital founder & CEO Jacob Ciesielski.

    It’s a win-win deal wrapped in customer-first thinking—just the way modern marketing likes it.

  • Marco Bassetti to be bestowed with Variety Vanguard Award at Mipcom Cannes

    Marco Bassetti to be bestowed with Variety Vanguard Award at Mipcom Cannes

    MUMBAI: Marco Bassetti, the no-nonsense chief of Banijay, is set to receive the prestigious Variety Vanguard Award at Mipcom Cannes this October. Known for helming global smashes like Survivor and Peaky Blinders, Bassetti will be honoured on 13 October during a keynote conversation at the Palais des Festivals.

    The award—jointly presented by Variety and Mipcom—recognises television titans who’ve reshaped the global entertainment business. And few have done it with as much panache (and profit) as Bassetti.

    “Marco Bassetti is one of the most entrepreneurial, visionary and impactful television executives of our era who has led Banijay Entertainment to be the world’s largest production and distribution group through his championing of creativity, independence, and innovation,” said Mipcom Cannes & Mipcom Junior director Lucy Smith. “It is our privilege to partner with Variety to recognize his achievements in front of the global TV industry at Mipcom Cannes and to hear his insights on wider opportunities, developments and trends globally, which as a true vanguard, are always invaluable.”

    Variety co-editor in chief Cynthia Littleton said “Banijay has proven to be one of the most dynamic of the super indie content groups to emerge on the global stage.” She added: “Under Marco Bassetti’s leadership the company has delivered strong results and ambitious slates. We are happy to present him with the Variety Vanguard Award at Mipcom 2025 for his contributions to this ever-growing industry.” 

    Strong and ambitious are understatements. In 2024, Banijay racked up a staggering €3.3 billion in content business and posted an EBITDA margin of 15.8 per cent. While already ruling the unscripted kingdom, Bassetti now has scripted squarely in his sights—with the company eyeing €1 billion in scripted revenues for 2025. The pipeline includes Carême (Shine Fiction for Apple TV+), Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight, and a much-hyped Peaky Blinders film for Netflix.

    If that wasn’t enough, Bassetti’s been on a shopping spree: acquiring Caryn Mandabach Productions (home of Peaky), Fábrica, The Forge, and Balich Wonder Studios (FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022), plus stakes in Hyphenate Media Group, Conker Pictures, Rabbit Track Pictures, and Lenny Henry’s Esmerelda.

    The award will be the crowning moment of C-Suite Conversations—a Mipcom-Variety initiative helping top execs decode the chaos of today’s content world.

    Mipcom Cannes runs 13–16 October. And with Bassetti centre stage, the festival’s finale promises to be nothing short of blinding.

  • Stage gets Clear on PFT’s AI-powered content management solution

    Stage gets Clear on PFT’s AI-powered content management solution

    MUMBAI:  Prime Focus Technologies (PFT), the muscle behind indigenous tech Clear and a global maven in AI-led media solutions, has inked a long-term pact with Stage —the homegrown OTT star championing regional India. The goal? To supercharge Stage’s content operations and serve up smart entertainment with a tech twist.

    With this tie-up, Stage will plug into PFT’s Clear media asset management (Mam) and Clear AI suite. Expect an overhaul of workflows, from AI-assisted post-production to intelligent tagging, slick compliance, natural language search, and turbo-charged team collaboration. In short: more brains, less brawn.

    “As our content library continues to grow, adopting a forward-looking Mam platform became crucial,” said  Stage co-founder Shashank Vaishnav. “With Clear and its integrated AI features, we gain the scalability and intelligence to enhance operational efficiency, improve metadata quality, and ensure quick access to the right content. We’re looking forward to the innovation and impact this partnership will bring.”

    PFT SVP & head of APAC Anupam Sharma added: “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Stage on this transformative journey/This agreement underscores the increasing demand for intelligent Mam systems that go beyond asset management—unlocking insights, accelerating workflows, and driving monetization through AI.”

    This alliance marks another feather in PFT’s APAC cap and underscores its growing grip on the media-tech landscape across borders.

    (Featured in the picture above Stage co-founder Shashank Vaishnav)

  • Alia Bhatt turns up the gloss with L’Oréal Paris’ bold new hair colour drop

    Alia Bhatt turns up the gloss with L’Oréal Paris’ bold new hair colour drop

    MUMBAI: L’Oréal Paris has turned up the shine dial with its latest campaign featuring global ambassador Alia Bhatt, who’s riding high on her Cannes red carpet glow. The new launch? A revamped Casting Crème Gloss range, now supercharged with glycolic gloss complex and promising 5X glossier hair — minus the ammonia.

    The tagline says it all: “My Time To Shine… Is Now.” 

    And Alia Bhatt, in full glossy glory, is living proof. Flaunting her vibrant locks on-screen, she spells out why this latest innovation is more than just hair colour — it’s a confidence coat.

    The new formula offers visible grey coverage, healthier hair, and a commitment to self-expression. Hair, as the campaign argues, is more than strands — it’s a symbol of transformation, bold choices, and personal reinvention.

    L’Oréal Paris India  general manager Dario Zizzi said:  “Alia has brought incredible energy to the L’Oréal Paris family, and we’re delighted to see her light up the screen in this new campaign with us. With this campaign, we’re celebrating powerful milestones, and the role of beautifully glossy hair in helping women feel confident, proud, and ready to shine. At L’Oréal Paris, we remain committed to delivering cutting-edge innovations that not only elevate hair color but also resonate with our consumers’ evolving aspirations.”

    This drop reaffirms L’Oréal Paris’ spot at the top of the global beauty leaderboard, combining science-backed formulations with empowering messaging. With 40 years of research heritage and a mission to inspire women everywhere, the brand is more than make-up — it’s a movement.

    So whether it’s covering greys or making a glossy statement, L’Oréal’s message is crystal clear: when it comes to self-expression, you’re worth it.

  • Ad-scrollers welcome VDO.AI’s new format puts static in motion

    Ad-scrollers welcome VDO.AI’s new format puts static in motion

    MUMBAI: Scrolling just got a serious glow-up. In a bid to rewire how static ads grab attention, advertising tech innovator VDO.AI has unveiled a first-of-its-kind In-Scroll Display Ad Format, breathing 3D motion and interactivity into the previously one-dimensional world of banner ads. This dynamic new format features a slick 50-50 split-screen design half static brand imagery, half immersive product storytelling. But the real twist? As users scroll through content, the ad responds with subtle 3D transitions and interactivity, making viewers stop mid-scroll and engage.

    The result? A 25 per cent uplift in engagement rates, proving that the future of display isn’t just visible, it’s scroll-activated.

    VDO.AI co-founder and CEO Amitt Sharma said, “This format infuses static creatives with vitality and dimension. As consumers grow more selective in their digital interactions, ads must not only be seen they must be felt. This format helps brands do both.”

    Designed to work across desktop and mobile, the ad unit marks a step-change for marketers aiming to break the banner-blindness curse. The format brings storytelling to the scroll, letting users explore USPs, features, and even animations within the ad frame without clicking away.

    VDO.AI, CTO Co-founder Arjit Sachdeva, added, “This is more than just a format, it’s a reimagination of what static ads can be in a performance-first world. We’re constantly evolving our ad tech stack to keep brands a step ahead in crowded digital spaces.”

    As attention spans shrink and scroll speeds soar, VDO.AI’s latest innovation gives brands a tactile edge proof that in today’s digital game, motion may just be the new emotion.
     

  • Colors Kannada turns 10: Dashakada Mahotsava promises stars, sparkle and Shivanna nostalgia

    Colors Kannada turns 10: Dashakada Mahotsava promises stars, sparkle and Shivanna nostalgia

    MUMBAI: Colors Kannada is rolling out the red carpet for a full-blown birthday bash — and it’s bringing the who’s who of Sandalwood along for the ride. The channel is celebrating its 10-year milestone with Colors Kannada Dashakada Mahotsava, a two-day televised gala airing on 7th and 8th June at 7:00 PM.

    Presented in association with Sunpure (special partner) and Dazzler Cosmetics (beauty partner), the primetime celebration will see the Kannada entertainment fraternity light up the screen with nostalgia, spectacle and a salute to the channel’s legacy.

    Leading the charge? None other than Karunada Chakravarthy Dr. Shivrajkumar, whose own cinematic milestone — 40 years in the industry — will be honoured in a specially curated segment titled Shivanna 40. Expect emotional throwbacks, on-stage surprises, and a starry-eyed salute from industry stalwarts and family alike.
    From screen legends like Geetha Shivarajkumar, Sri Murali, Vijaya Raghavendra, Dr. Tara Anuradha, and Mukhya Mantri Chandru, to small-screen sweethearts like Shwetha Prasad, Ranjini Raghavan, Dhanush, and Sushma Nanaiah, the Mahotsava promises a parade of familiar faces and fan-favourite moments.

    Themed Ade Beru, Hosa Chiguru (Same Roots, New Shoots), the celebration honours a decade of cultural storytelling while teasing a bold new era with the launch of fresh shows and formats.

    “For over a decade, Colors Kannada has been more than just a channel — it has been a true companion to every Kannadiga. We’ve strived to reflect the lives of our viewers, celebrate their spirit, and tell stories that echo the heart and soul of Karnataka. As we mark this remarkable milestone, we extend our deepest gratitude to every viewer who welcomed us into their homes and hearts. This celebration is as much theirs as it is ours — a tribute to the journey we’ve shared and the promise of many more stories to come. A heartfelt thank you to Shivanna for being part of this momentous occasion and leading us forward into a bright and inspiring new chapter for Kannada entertainment.” said JioStar head of cluster entertainment -south Krishnan Kutty.

    From Puttagowri Madhuve to Bigg Boss Kannada, the channel has been at the forefront of fiction and non-fiction storytelling in Karnataka, shaping viewing habits and setting new benchmarks.

    For fans, this weekend is more than just a celebration — it’s a love letter to 10 years of prime-time magic. Don’t miss the Mahotsava on Colors Kannada, 7 and 8 June, 7:00 PM sharp.Colors 

  • Dushyant Panda takes charge as VP marketing at Razorpay, adds SME business P&L to his plate

    Dushyant Panda takes charge as VP marketing at Razorpay, adds SME business P&L to his plate

    MUMBAI: Dushyant Panda has been elevated to vice president, marketing at Razorpay, while also taking the reins of the fintech giant’s SME business P&L. Known for blending brand-building brilliance with business acumen, Panda will now spearhead central marketing and drive growth across Razorpay’s core verticals—including Payments, POS, Engage, and Cross Border.

    In his new role, Panda wears multiple hats: brand custodian across units, growth leader for digital and performance marketing, and business builder with full ownership of SME revenues. He now commands the entire product marketing and creative ecosystem, bringing scale, swagger and sharp positioning to every Razorpay launch.

    Before this, he served as senior director, leading marketing for payments and the SME vertical. Panda joined Razorpay in 2021, quickly climbing the ranks from director of emerging business to now owning the company’s full-stack growth engine.

    A NestAway veteran and Kadence research alumnus, Panda began his career decoding consumer insights in southeast Asia. Now, with Razorpay’s rocket ship under his command, he’s out to turn marketing into a “true growth engine”—in his own words, “why settle for just one challenge?”

    The industry will be watching as Panda attempts to do what marketers rarely get to—run both the story and the store.

  • Care packages from maa, signed by Himalaya

    Care packages from maa, signed by Himalaya

    MUMBAI:  From soft lullabies to messy mealtimes, every mum knows: parenting is part instinct, part endurance and a whole lot of heart. Now, Himalaya Babycare, India’s No.1 doctor-prescribed baby care brand, is honouring this quiet strength with its new digital campaign, ‘Maa Ka Bharosa’.

    Rolling out across social media, the campaign comprises six digital video commercials (DVCs), each spotlighting a hero product from Gentle Baby Lotion to Baby Crème. But these aren’t your run-of-the-mill ads. Instead, they’re warm, slice-of-life vignettes that mirror what millions of mums do every day: massage, wash, soothe, repeat with unconditional trust.

    “These moments may seem ordinary, but they’re sacred,” says Himalaya Wellness Company director of Babycare Chakravarthi N V. “Through this campaign, we’re not just showcasing our products, we’re paying tribute to mothers who choose love and care in every routine.”

    And what are they choosing? Products packed with up to 99 per cent natural origin ingredients, pH 5.5 balance, and key Ayurvedic elements like olive oil, almond oil, and licorice. Each formulation is clinically tested, tear-free, and rooted in Kaumarabhritya the ancient Ayurvedic science of infant wellness.

    Importantly, Himalaya Babycare isn’t just mum-approved; it’s also pediatrician-endorsed, with products trusted by healthcare professionals for newborn use from day one.

    Whether it’s bath time or bedtime, the campaign reminds us that parenting isn’t powered by perfection, but by small, consistent rituals and the brands mums trust to carry them through.

    Because in the end, the best baby care isn’t just gentle on skin. It’s also gentle on a mother’s heart.

  • Keval Parekh cuts through the clutter with promotion to GM – eBusiness at Victorinox India

    Keval Parekh cuts through the clutter with promotion to GM – eBusiness at Victorinox India

    MUMBAI:  After over 15 years of sharpening Victorinox India’s digital chops, Keval Parekh has officially levelled up—taking charge as general manager – eBusiness at the premium Swiss brand’s Indian operations.

    A mainstay at Victorinox since 2010, Parekh has played a pivotal role in scaling the brand’s online presence—liaising with e-commerce giants, crafting sleek digital campaigns, and securing B2B deals with multinational corporates. From handling marketplace strategy to steering website development, he’s been the digital Swiss army knife the brand needed.

    Before his Victorinox innings, Parekh built his financial edge at ICICI Bank, where he drove forex solutions for multinationals and managed rural micro-banking initiatives. Earlier stints at Kewal Kiran Clothing and Print Electronics gave him his grounding in retail and B2B sales.

    Now, as GM – eBusiness, Parekh’s challenge will be to take Victorinox’s digital operations to the next gear—navigating a cluttered marketplace with the brand’s signature precision and flair.

    The message is clear: Victorinox isn’t just about sharp blades—it’s now about sharper digital growth.

  • Screen time gets smarter as Nielsen extends Inscape data pact

    Screen time gets smarter as Nielsen extends Inscape data pact

    MUMBAI:  As audiences juggle remotes across streaming, cable, and broadcast, Nielsen and Vizio’s Inscape have hit play on an extended multi-year partnership to keep a sharper eye on what viewers are actually tuning into. The duo first teamed up in 2022, and their renewed collaboration now promises even deeper insights powered by Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) tech from over 24 million Smart TVs.

    With media consumption growing more fragmented than ever, the new agreement helps Nielsen tap Inscape’s screen-level ACR data to track viewership irrespective of the source whether it’s a binge-worthy series on a streaming app, a late-night news bulletin, or that weekend movie on linear TV.

    “Consumers are watching content in more ways than ever before,” said Nielsen global head of content and syndicated products Michelle Gelman. “Inscape’s ACR data adds vital scale and granularity to help our clients reach audiences and measure ROI more effectively.”

    Inscape, the data division of Vizio, hasn’t been idle either. Over the past year, it has rolled out fresh capabilities like Tuner Data Solution, which brings big data insights to Over-the-Air (OTA) broadcasts, and Commercial Feed+, which integrates ad-level intelligence from streaming platforms. These upgrades are helping make sense of the ever-blurring lines between traditional and digital TV.

    Inscape, VP of data licensing and strategy Ken Norcross said the extended partnership reflects the market’s growing confidence in ACR-based insights. “This is a huge validation of the scale and sophistication of our dataset. Nielsen’s continued investment shows just how critical this kind of real-time, cross-platform intelligence has become,” he noted.

    With Nielsen’s measurement ecosystem now covering 75 million devices across CTV, digital, linear, and streaming this alliance with Inscape positions it to deliver more accurate cross-platform audience metrics in real-time.

    As the race to measure eyeballs evolves from channel ratings to content journeys, the Nielsen-Inscape tie-up ensures that media buyers, creators, and advertisers aren’t left in the dark no matter what screen viewers are glued to.