ITV

Blog

  • Soorma scores big with new Belgian coach and Argentine game brain

    Soorma scores big with new Belgian coach and Argentine game brain

    MUMBAI: When it comes to hockey, Soorma’s making sure its next move is pure precision with a Belgian mind and an Argentine heart behind the stick. Soorma Hockey Club has appointed Olympian Philippe Goldberg of Belgium as the new head coach of its Men’s Team ahead of the upcoming Hero Hockey India League Season 2, signalling a bold shift in strategy and style. Joining him in the dugout is Argentina’s Olympian Ignacio Ricardo Bergner, who takes on the role of Analytical Coach, bringing with him the flair and data of South American hockey.

    In a well-balanced reshuffle, current coach Jeroen Baart will transition to an advisor role, continuing to lend his tactical vision and technical guidance. The club, owned by JSW Sports, clearly isn’t leaving anything to chance in its quest for the title.

    After finishing third in the league in its debut season, Soorma has managed to retain the core of its high-performing squad while adding new firepower. Jeetpal, a promising young recruit, and seasoned forward Akashdeep Singh, whose attacking instincts have thrilled fans for years, are set to bolster the team’s arsenal.

    JSW Sports CEO Divyanshu Singh said the appointments mark an exciting new chapter: “Philippe’s tactical sharpness and international leadership experience are exactly what this team needs to take the next leap. Ignacio’s analytical insights will make our preparation smarter and our play more consistent. Together with Jeroen’s advisory role, we’ve built a coaching setup that balances creativity with structure.”

    Arjun Halappa, the club’s technical director, echoed the sentiment: “The combination of Philippe’s disciplined European approach and Ignacio’s data-driven analysis aligns beautifully with Soorma’s philosophy structured yet expressive. We’re ready to take our game to the next level.”

    Both Goldberg and Bergner arrive with sterling credentials. Goldberg, a European medallist and former Belgium U21 and senior team coach, was instrumental in shaping Belgium’s meteoric rise in world hockey. Known for building cohesive, attack-minded teams during his tenure with Braxgata Hockey Club, he brings a playbook steeped in precision and discipline.

    Bergner, meanwhile, adds the flair and science of Argentine hockey. An Olympian and former Argentina international, he was part of Belgium’s support team during their 2016 World Cup runner-up and 2017 European Championship campaigns, before coaching Argentina’s senior and women’s national sides (Las Leonas). His mastery of analytics and performance tracking brings a cutting-edge, scientific dimension to Soorma’s preparation.

    Expressing his excitement, Philippe Goldberg said, “Joining Soorma Hockey Club is an exciting opportunity to contribute to India’s evolving hockey landscape. The foundation here is strong my aim is to build a strategic framework that balances discipline, creativity, and sustained performance. Together, we’ll craft a brand of hockey that’s bold, intelligent, and unmistakably Soorma.”

    The team’s leadership for Season 2025–26 now reflects a rare fusion of global hockey philosophies European precision, South American flair, and Indian grit. With Sardar Singh serving as Indian Coach and Mentor and Harmanpreet Singh leading on the field, the club’s coaching lineup promises both experience and innovation.

    Soorma’s full coaching roster reads like a dream team of hockey intellects:

    1. Philippe Goldberg – Men’s head coach

    2. Sardar Singh – Indian coach and mentor

    3. Ignacio Ricardo Bergner – Analytical coach

    4. Arjun Halappa – Technical director

    5. Jeroen Baart – Advisor

    The team will open its 2026 campaign against defending champions Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers on 4 January in Chennai, a fixture already tipped as a clash of tactics and temperament.

    If last season was about potential, this one’s about polish. With brains from Belgium, data from Argentina, and heart from India, Soorma’s playbook looks ready to turn precision into poetry and maybe, a championship.

     

  • 404 Innovation Studio taps Arthur Lobão as CD

    404 Innovation Studio taps Arthur Lobão as CD

    MUMBAI: Creativity just got a new code at 404 Innovation Studio. The Galeria Holding company has appointed Arthur Lobão as its new creative director, joining forces with Thayssa Szymanskyj and creative duo Carlos Yanke and Michelle Gorodski, collectively known as Carchelle.

    Lobão’s arrival marks a new creative era for the studio, following the integration of part of EST.31, the independent creative outfit he founded in 2024. Known for its equity-based business model built for startups, EST.31 earned international acclaim for rethinking how creativity fuels entrepreneurship, even bagging the title of New Studio of the Year at the Latin American Design Awards 2025.

    A self-described hands-on creative, Lobão brings over a decade of experience leading teams across Latin America, including Mexico. He helped build and scale creative hubs at Nubank, NotCo, and Stone, taking them across 12 countries. His portfolio also spans global giants such as Netflix, Google, Amazon Prime, and Diageo, reflecting a blend of tech fluency and artistic finesse that few can match.

    “Arthur represents the future of creative leadership,” said 404 Innovation Studio co-founder and chief creative officer Rafael Caldeira. “He doesn’t just craft great ideas, he understands how creativity drives business value at every stage. His mix of entrepreneurial mindset, global experience, and creative sharpness makes him the perfect fit to lead our next phase of growth.”

    Lobão shared his excitement for the new role, saying, “Great creative work only happens when you’re fully invested in every layer of a brand, from story to business. That’s why I’m thrilled to join 404 Innovation Studio, a place built to push boundaries and work side by side with brands at their core.”

    In his new role, Lobão will oversee creative output across brand strategy, campaigns, and experiences, working closely with clients to craft ideas that spark both cultural impact and business growth. His appointment signals 404 Innovation Studio’s continued commitment to blending strategic innovation with creative excellence, a combination that’s fast becoming the studio’s signature.

  • Gold glitters less as base metals shine brighter

    Gold glitters less as base metals shine brighter

    MUMBAI: Gold bulls blinked in October as the yellow metal slipped 0.5 per cent in rupee terms after touching record highs near Rs 1.21 lakh, while silver sparkled briefly before easing 1 per cent. After months of glitter, profit-booking and a stronger dollar dimmed the bullion buzz.

    Silver still outshone gold over the year, up 68.3 per cent versus gold’s 57.2 per cent. A supply squeeze and soaring ETF premiums kept silver in the spotlight, even as China curbed retail gold access and cut VAT exemptions from 13 per cent to 6 per cent.

    Base metals stole the show. Copper broke above Rs 1,000, riding renewed trade optimism and mine disruptions that trimmed global inventories by nearly half. LME copper stocks fell 50 per cent, while refined production rose only 4 per cent against a 6 per cent surge in demand.

    Zinc surged 4.5% as smelter shutdowns in Japan, Italy, and the US shrank supply. LME zinc stocks plunged to a two-year low of 38,000 tonnes, pushing the market into tight backwardation unseen since 1980.

    Aluminium climbed 5 per cent, buoyed by easing US-China tensions and shrinking warehouse stocks, which are down 14 per cent this year. With global demand expected to soar nearly 40 per cent by 2030, supply strains are set to linger.

    Energy markets flickered between hope and hesitation. Crude oil slipped 2.6 per cent on weaker demand despite geopolitical flare-ups, while natural gas gained 3.1 per cent as winter loomed and AI-driven power demand lifted consumption forecasts.

    Central banks held steady, with the RBI keeping rates at 5.5 per cent and trimming inflation forecasts to 3.1 per cent. The Fed paused its balance-sheet runoff after two rate cuts this year, as the US shutdown stretched past 30 days.

    From bullion dips to base metal breaks, the month painted a picture of cooling glitters and glowing grit, proof that in commodities, it’s never all gold that glitters.
     

  • AnyMind levels up consumer research game

    AnyMind levels up consumer research game

    MUMBAI: AnyMind Group and InQognito Insights have unveiled “Beyond Panels,” a pioneering cross-regional study that’s reshaping how marketers in Southeast Asia, India, and the GCC understand digital consumers. The research, presented at ESOMAR Trends Horizon 2025 in Washington D.C., dives into how in-game advertising environments can unlock richer, faster, and more authentic consumer insights.

    Breaking away from traditional research panels and static questionnaires, Beyond Panels takes a behavioural-first approach, embedding research directly within mobile gaming ecosystems. Conducted using the POKKT mobile gaming platform, the study tracked 25,000 participants across eight markets between April 2024 and August 2025, using rewarded ads, in-app intercepts, and post-game surveys to capture responses in real time.

    The findings reveal a clear shift in how consumers discover and engage with brands. In Southeast Asia, 62 per cent of respondents reported their first brand exposure through in-game ads, surpassing even OTT and YouTube. Ads delivered within a week before decision windows saw a 64 percent lift in brand recall and consideration, while the combined use of in-game ads, YouTube, and influencer videos achieved 51 per cent reach with just four exposures, proving that attention, when captured in the right moment, can be incredibly powerful.

    Speaking about the research, AnyMind Group managing director, growth markets Aditya Aima said, “In a world where attention is fleeting and fragmented, marketers can no longer rely on retrospective panels. This study is a call to evolve, from measuring after the fact to understanding behaviour as it unfolds in natural, immersive environments.”

    Echoing the sentiment, InQognito Insights research lead Smriti Singh Bhatia noted, “Traditional panels are like rear-view mirrors, they show us where we’ve been, not where the consumer is going. The era of claimed behaviour is over; it’s time to study consumers as they live, scroll, play, and shop.”

    By grounding research in the spaces where people actually spend their time, Beyond Panels signals a new era of real-time, context-rich consumer understanding. In today’s mobile-first world, insight, it seems, is no longer found in forms, it’s found in the game.

  • BigCity goes Down Under to play the loyalty game in Australia

    BigCity goes Down Under to play the loyalty game in Australia

    MUMBAI: When it comes to loyalty, BigCity just levelled up this time, all the way Down Under. BigCity Promotions, one of India’s most awarded sales promotion and loyalty agencies, has announced its entry into Australia with the launch of a new office in Sydney, marking its first international expansion in nearly two decades. The move signals the company’s ambition to replicate its India success across the Australia–New Zealand (ANZ) region, a market ripe for disruption in the loyalty and engagement space.

    Founded in 2006, BigCity has become something of a legend in India’s reward ecosystem known for turning mundane promotions into high-voltage brand experiences. With 8,000 plus programs executed for over 500 global brands, including Pepsico, Unilever, Mondelez, Coca-cola, Samsung, and Amazon, the agency has earned a reputation for blending creativity, technology, and measurable impact.

    From B2C reward programs to B2B loyalty solutions and gamification-led engagement, BigCity has redefined how brands connect with consumers and trade partners alike. Its proprietary plug-and-play platform lets brands launch campaigns within days offering faster time-to-market, reduced costs, and full creative flexibility. Built on an in-house technology and analytics stack, it also enables deep insight into consumer engagement, redemptions, and ROI, giving marketers the holy grail of modern marketing measurable loyalty.

    The Sydney office will serve as BigCity’s regional hub for Australia and New Zealand, extending its full-service suite to local and global brands in the region. The operations will be spearheaded by Gunjan Kumar country director, who brings over 27 years of global experience across telecom, banking, retail, and FMCG. Having driven client engagement and loyalty strategies across continents, Kumar is tasked with building the BigCity playbook for the ANZ market, one that blends local insight with the brand’s signature executional agility.

    “Australia is a market ripe for transformation, and our goal is to bring the same scale, creativity, and speed that have powered some of India’s biggest campaigns to brands here,” said BigCity Promotions co-founder Vikas Shah. “For nearly two decades, BigCity has redefined how brands engage through innovation, technology, and storytelling this expansion is a natural next step in that journey.”

    BigCity’s forte lies in its ability to gamify engagement, transforming passive audiences into active participants. Its campaigns often feature instant-win mechanics, leaderboards, challenges, and digital contests, all designed to boost brand love and repeat purchase intent. This gamified approach has proven especially potent in cluttered categories like FMCG and telecom, where attention spans are short but loyalty can be won with the right mix of fun and function.

    The expansion also comes at a time when the ANZ market is seeing brands look beyond conventional loyalty cards and cashback models. With digital-first consumers demanding more personalised, experiential rewards, BigCity’s data-driven, experience-centric approach may find fertile ground.

    In India, the company has long been the behind-the-scenes architect of some of the country’s most memorable campaigns, the kind that combine large-scale activation, complex fulfilment, and regulatory precision without ever losing the element of play. It’s this operational mastery that BigCity now hopes to bring to Sydney’s brandscape.

    As the company steps onto foreign shores, the move underscores how homegrown Indian marketing innovation is beginning to travel the world not as an imitator, but as an industry leader exporting expertise. For BigCity, the next game has just begun. And this time, it’s on a whole new continent.

     

  • Digitally Inspired wins Om System integrated mandate

    Digitally Inspired wins Om System integrated mandate

    MUMBAI: Talk about a picture-perfect partnership! Digitally Inspired Media has bagged the integrated communications mandate for Om System (formerly Olympus Cameras) after a keenly contested multi-agency pitch, capturing a major win in India’s imaging industry.

    The agency, celebrated for its strategic storytelling and culturally sharp campaigns, will spearhead Om System’s national rebranding journey in India. The move marks a significant milestone for the legendary 85-year-old brand as it reintroduces itself to a new generation of creators, explorers, and photography enthusiasts.

    From digital media planning and buying to influencer collaborations and PR, Digitally Inspired is crafting a holistic campaign that blends heritage with innovation. The aim is to build trust, reinforce the brand’s legacy, and position Om System as a creative powerhouse in the Indian market.

    Om Digital Solutions Corporation vice-president and head of APAC, managing director – Australia and Hong Kong Vivek Handoo said, “After a rigorous pitch process, Digitally Inspired emerged as the clear choice. Their deep understanding of Indian consumers, creative strength, and passion for storytelling align perfectly with our rebranding vision.”

    Echoing the excitement, Digitally Inspired Media co-founder and CEO Manish Kishore shared, “This partnership is more than just a campaign; it’s about reintroducing a legendary brand to a new generation. We’ve translated Om System’s global vision into a language that truly resonates with Indian audiences.”

    With this win, Digitally Inspired Media continues to sharpen its edge in the world of integrated marketing, proving that when creativity and strategy come into focus, the results are always picture-perfect.

     

  • TV9’s Manish Kumar Jha wins big as honest voice of global journalism

    TV9’s Manish Kumar Jha wins big as honest voice of global journalism

    MUMBAI: In a world where headlines often blur the line between noise and news, TV9 Bharatvarsh’s executive editor Manish Kumar Jha has made India’s voice ring clear and credible on the global stage. Jha was honoured with the ‘Honest View 2025’ International Media Award in Moscow on 29 October 2025, a distinction that celebrates truth-driven journalism in an era of polarised narratives.

    The award part of the Honest View International Competition of Information Projects for Foreign Media, now in its fourth edition recognises excellence in global journalism that champions objectivity, factual integrity, and balanced storytelling. Each year, it spotlights journalists and media projects that illuminate international affairs with nuance and honesty, particularly in their coverage of the Russian Federation’s humanitarian and global engagements.

    Jha received the award in the ‘Best Journalism & Documentary’ category for his gripping reportage on the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ shelling of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), a story that demanded both courage and clarity. His coverage combined on-ground observation with deep geopolitical insight, presenting an unflinching account of one of the world’s most sensitive conflict zones.

    With a career spanning over two decades and 25 countries, Jha has become one of India’s most seasoned and respected voices in international relations, defence, and conflict reporting. From exclusive interviews with world leaders to ground reports from war zones, his work embodies journalism that informs, contextualises, and connects.

    Congratulating Jha on the honour, the Rossotrudnichestvo Representative Office in India extended its appreciation on X (formerly Twitter), commending his contribution to “cross-cultural understanding through truthful storytelling” and wishing him continued success in advancing ethical journalism across borders.

    TV9 Bharatvarsh, managing editor Paritosh Chaturvedi lauded the recognition, calling it “a proud moment not just for the network, but for Indian journalism at large.” He added, “Manish’s work exemplifies our newsroom ethos fearless, factual, and global in perspective. His achievement reinforces TV9 Bharatvarsh’s commitment to telling stories that matter, beyond borders and biases.”

    The accolade also reflects the growing global footprint of TV9 Network, which has steadily redefined India’s Hindi news landscape through its editorial depth, credible storytelling, and focus on international relevance. In recent years, TV9 Bharatvarsh has distinguished itself as the Hindi channel with a global outlook, delving into how geopolitics, diplomacy, and global economics shape India’s strategic position in the world.

    Its consistent emphasis on explaining, not sensationalising the news has positioned TV9 Bharatvarsh as a new-age leader in Hindi journalism, a channel that bridges the local and the global, giving audiences both context and clarity.

    For Jha, the ‘Honest View’ award is not just a personal milestone but a validation of his two-decade pursuit of stories that hold power to account while connecting humanity across borders. And for Indian journalism, it’s another reminder that integrity travels and sometimes, it brings home the world’s applause.

     

  • Birlas and Galeries Lafayette dazzle Mumbai night

    Birlas and Galeries Lafayette dazzle Mumbai night

    MUMBAI: When Paris met Mumbai, it wasn’t on a runway but at a rooftop under the stars. The Birla family, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Neerja Birla, Ananya Birla, and Aryaman Birla, hosted a glittering private soirée with Galeries Lafayette, turning an ordinary evening into a masterclass in culture, couture, and conversation.

    The night unfolded like a love letter to Parisian charm with a Mumbai heartbeat. Guests journeyed floor by floor through immersive spaces, each telling a different story of elegance.

    At La Beauté on the lower ground, beauty and wine mingled to the sound of a live cello. The Ground Floor’s La Coupole shimmered with over 800 designer bags, champagne bubbles, and decadent desserts, indulgence at its most refined. On the first floor, L’Atelier transformed into an art-meets-fashion haven, while L’Édition Femme on the second floor glowed with violin notes, couture, and champagne.

    Style took a suave turn at L’Édition Homme, where whiskey flowed and a live saxophone serenaded guests amid sharp tailoring and timeless sophistication. The energy rose at Flip Side, a denim-fuelled floor pulsing with tequila, laughter, and live guitar, proving that luxury can let its hair down too.

    The evening reached its crescendo at Turner Terrace, the rooftop finale. A breathtaking cross-cultural symphony united harpist Victor Espinola, sitar maestro Purbayan Chatterjee, Japanese violinist Suyaka Kurokichi, percussionist Satyajit Talwalkar, and drummer Shikhar Naad, a harmony of East and West under the night sky.

    The 130-year-old French maison provided the perfect backdrop for a guest list that sparkled as brightly as the chandeliers. Among those in attendance were Anil Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Aditi Rao Hydari, Arjun Kapoor, Tamannaah Bhatia, Angad Bedi, Neha Dhupia, Armaan Malik, Anuv Jain, Shankar Mahadevan, Tarun Tahiliani, and Ahaan Shetty, all adding their own flair to the soirée’s splendour.

    An evening of Parisian poise and Mumbai magic, it was a night where art, fashion, and music converged, proving that when the Birlas host, luxury takes centre stage.
     

  • Vanity Group goes green with Pack4Good pledge

    Vanity Group goes green with Pack4Good pledge

    MUMBAI: Talk about putting the planet on the guest list! Vanity Group, the global luxury hotel amenities brand, has checked into a new kind of partnership, one that swaps glitz for green. The company has joined Canopy’s Pack4Good initiative, committing to eliminate paper sourced from Ancient and Endangered Forests and champion forest-free, circular packaging.

    The move marks another milestone in Vanity Group’s ongoing effort to redefine what luxury means in the modern age: elegant, ethical, and eco-conscious. From sleek amenity kits to hotel gift boxes, paper packaging plays a starring role in hospitality’s environmental footprint. By making the switch, the brand aims to help protect biodiversity hotspots while aligning with global sustainability standards.

    “As a leader in luxury hotel cosmetics, we believe that true beauty protects both people and the planet,” said Vanity Group global head of quality, regulatory and ESG Belinda Shu. “Partnering with Canopy allows us to take tangible steps towards responsible sourcing and forest protection, one guest experience at a time.”

    Through Pack4Good, Vanity Group joins a prestigious circle of more than 470 companies, including fashion icons, publishers, and personal care brands, all working to replace tree-based paper packaging with low-impact materials. These include recycled fibres and innovative “Next Generation” options like wheat straw, flax, and agricultural waste.

    Canopy founder and executive director Nicole Rycroft, praised the collaboration, saying, “Vanity Group is setting a new bar for modern luxury, one that’s stylish, sustainable, and planet-aligned.”

    Supplying premium products to over 10,000 hotels worldwide, Vanity Group is already known for its partnerships with Jo Loves, Hermès, Kevin Murphy, and Molton Brown, alongside its own brands such as Appelles, Biology, and Urban Skincare Co. Now, with this green pledge, the brand adds forest protection to its portfolio of sophistication. Because when it comes to luxury, Vanity Group is proving that conscious is the new chic.
     

  • Sangram Singh flexes for Inlife’s Magnesium move

    Sangram Singh flexes for Inlife’s Magnesium move

    MUMBAI: Strength meets science as Inlife Healthcare ropes in champion wrestler and motivational powerhouse Sangram Singh to spearhead its Magnesium Range. The partnership promises to pack a punch in India’s wellness space, promoting magnesium as the unsung hero of holistic health.

    Known for his discipline and resilience both inside and outside the ring, Sangram is now taking his fight beyond the mat, this time, against poor nutrition and fatigue. Inlife Healthcare, a trusted name in nutraceuticals for over five decades, believes his journey mirrors its own mantra of balance, strength, and mindful living.

    “We’re honoured to welcome Sangram to the Inlife family,” said Inlife Healthcare founder mentor and strategic director Sandeep Gupta. “His authenticity and perseverance reflect our ethos. This isn’t just an endorsement, it’s an invitation for everyone to view health as a lifelong pursuit.”

    Echoing the sentiment, co-founder Prateek Agarwal added, “Our Magnesium range is built on the belief that wellness is a necessity, not a luxury. Sangram’s charisma will help us drive home the message of preventive care and everyday vitality.”

    For Sangram, the partnership is personal. “Magnesium is vital for strength, recovery, and energy, values that define my fitness journey,” he shared. “Together, we aim to empower people to nourish both body and mind.”

    Inlife’s Magnesium Glycinate and Chelated Magnesium Glycinate Forte tablets are designed to aid muscle recovery, energy metabolism, restful sleep, and mental calm. Crafted for athletes, professionals, homemakers, and health enthusiasts alike, the range aims to fit seamlessly into modern lifestyles.

    With its enduring philosophy, ‘Live Healthy, Live Better’. Inlife Healthcare continues to merge science and trust to make wellness accessible, one supplement at a time.