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  • Fasten your card belts Niyo delivers travel banking at jet speed

    Fasten your card belts Niyo delivers travel banking at jet speed

    MUMBAI: Passport? Check. Luggage? Check. Forex card… still stuck in the mail? Not anymore. India’s travel fintech disruptor Niyo has just rolled out Niyo Express, a 24-hour doorstep delivery service for its international debit card and it’s aimed squarely at last-minute jet-setters. For those who treat travel plans like pop quizzes, this might just be the perfect lifeline.

    Available across Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru, Niyo Express promises to swoop in and save the day getting a Niyo DCB Debit Card into travellers’ hands within 24 hours, complete with doorstep KYC, account setup, and card activation. And for now, it’s completely free.

    This rapid-response rollout isn’t random. Niyo dug deep into shifting travel behaviours and found that 48 per cent of flight bookings in 2024 were made just 0–7 days before departure, with over 41 per cent of international travellers leaning toward visa-free destinations to accommodate spontaneous trips. So, in a world of impulsive getaways, delayed cards and sky-high forex rates were becoming all-too-familiar travel tantrums.

    Leisure getaways account for nearly 40 per cent of last-minute trips, while work travel and family emergencies make up a significant chunk too, according to Niyo’s pre-launch survey. The result? Travellers often end up paying steep forex rates or relying on patchy currency fixes from local agents or WhatsApp groups.

    Niyo Co-founder and CEO Vinay Bagri said, “As international travel continues to rise, particularly among first-time travellers, and with the growing accessibility of visa-free destinations, impromptu travel plans have become more common than ever. Coupled with India’s thriving quick-commerce culture, it’s clear that the needs of today’s travellers are evolving rapidly. With Niyo Express, we are redefining travel banking by offering fast, seamless solutions that cater to these changing demands, ensuring our customers have access to the financial tools they need, when they need them.”

    By merging fintech agility with the urgency of travel, Niyo Express is giving travellers one less thing to panic about now you can pack late and swipe early. The brand plans to expand the service beyond its current metros, meaning last-minute might just become the new first-class.
     

  • Jojo Movies rolls out Gujarati hits for rent on Prime Video across India

    Jojo Movies rolls out Gujarati hits for rent on Prime Video across India

    MUMBAI: Regional cinema just turned a corner, and Gujarati films are leading the way. Jojo Movies, a rising force in vernacular content, has partnered with Prime Video to make its acclaimed film library available on the platform’s movie rentals offering starting May 2025. The rollout marks a landmark moment for Gujarati cinema, which now finds itself accessible to a pan-Indian audience on demand.

    Films such as 3 Ekka, Veer Esha Nu Seemant and other recent crowd-pullers will now stream as paid rentals, adding a fresh layer of visibility and viability to the regional film industry. The model lets viewers across India rent these films without subscription barriers, opening a direct monetisation channel for creators while broadening exposure for Gujarat’s cultural narratives.

    “We are at a turning point in the evolution of regional cinema, and our collaboration with Prime Video is a game-changer for both Gujarati cinema and regional content as a whole”, said Jojo Movies founder & CEO Dhruvin Shah. “This isn’t just about distribution—it’s about redefining how regional stories are shared, valued, and experienced nationally. The availability of Gujarati films via Movie Rentals on Prime Video underscores the rising demand for culturally rooted storytelling. Our vision has always been to take powerful regional narratives to wider audiences, and this launch is a significant step in making Gujarati cinema a cultural force”.

    The move is part of a larger strategic pivot by OTT platforms to tap regional growth engines. As internet penetration deepens and linguistic audiences seek relatable content, vernacular storytelling is no longer a side note—it’s a mainstage act. Jojo’s catalogue hitting Prime Video isn’t just about renting films; it’s about renting pride, culture and a slice of the state to the rest of India.

    The digital release also sets the stage for new business models, giving filmmakers a chance to earn directly from pay-per-view audiences instead of relying solely on theatrical or subscription-led returns. For regional storytellers, that could be a ticket to creative independence.

  • Zepto names Rachit Ranjan its chief public policy officer in a bid to power responsible growth

    Zepto names Rachit Ranjan its chief public policy officer in a bid to power responsible growth

    MUMBAI: The delivery race isn’t just about speed anymore; it’s about strategy. India’s breakout quick commerce unicorn, Zepto has appointed Rachit Ranjan as its chief public policy officer, effective May 2025. The move signals the startup’s intent to double down on responsible innovation as it scales across India’s hyper-competitive e-commerce landscape.

    Ranjan will lead Zepto’s policy, regulatory and government affairs, helping shape frameworks that align the company’s rapid expansion with national priorities like digital inclusion, job creation, and ethical growth. He brings with him more than 15 years of policy and regulatory experience, with a CV that spans Dream11, Whatsapp, Juul Labs and Uber.

    “We’re thrilled to welcome Rachit to Zepto. As we scale rapidly across India, having a sharp, mission-driven leader in public policy is more important than ever. Rachit brings a deep understanding of the policy landscape and a proven ability to build trust with diverse stakeholders—qualities that are crucial to navigating a fast-evolving regulatory environment and building long-term value”, said Zepto co-founder & CEO Aadit Palicha.

    An alumnus of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and NUJS Kolkata, Ranjan has operated at the intersection of governance and tech for over a decade. On his appointment, he noted, “Zepto’s incredible growth story has captured the imagination of the entire country. I’m thrilled to join Zepto at such a transformative time for both the company and the quick commerce space. I look forward to working with the amazing team at Zepto to deliver innovation that is responsible and aligned with the broader vision of inclusive growth. In doing so, I also look forward to working in partnership with the Government and stakeholders to ensure Zepto plays a crucial role in realising India’s techade”.

    His appointment reaffirms Zepto’s commitment to shaping a transparent, sustainable and compliant growth path in a sector where policy uncertainty and scale are often at odds. With Ranjan at the helm of public policy, Zepto appears ready to zip past that contradiction.

  • Boomer brings back the pop with new lollipops and a swagger-filled Bumrah twist

    Boomer brings back the pop with new lollipops and a swagger-filled Bumrah twist

    MUMBAI: For over three decades, Boomer has ruled India’s chewing gum turf with its iconic elasticity and fruitiness. Now, the bubble bursts into a stick. On 19 May 2025, Mars Wrigley India launched Boomer Lollipop, a bold foray into the Rs 800 crore lollipop market, aiming to inject a fresh dose of fun, relevance and confidence into a category often dismissed as childish.

    The new Boomer Lollipop comes in three punchy flavours — Strawberry, Orange, and Watermelon — crafted to appeal to Gen Z’s expressive spirit. The brand is repositioning the segment as not just a kiddie indulgence but a confident snack that oozes individuality. Tapping into this ethos is cricket star Jasprit Bumrah, whose calm swagger and unflappable poise front the brand’s campaign.

    The high-octane TV commercial, now live, opens on a cricket field. A young player stands alone, pressured by a hostile gang. Enter Boomer Lollipop. With a pop and a bite, his confidence flips the script, changing the game. Narrated by Bumrah in his trademark cool, the ad delivers a clear message: your swag speaks when you hold a Boomer.

    “Boomer has stood for everything fun and strawberry at its core, for several generations. We are expanding this equity to the fast-growing segment of lollipops. Accompanying a strong launch in trade, we have Jasprit Bumrah lending his brand of fun and swag to Boomer Lollipop. The creative campaign crafted with DDB and Essence Mediacom projects the swag and attitude associated with Lollipops but perhaps lost over the last decade. From the factory to trade and in the media, our associates have added special touches to make this new launch truly unique and carve a space for Boomer at front of store and in people’s minds”, said Mars Wrigley India CMO Nikhil Rao.

    DDB Mudra Group CCO Rahul Mathew added, “It’s always great when you get to work on a brand with such a strong memory structure and a brand ambassador whose name also has an effortless connect to the brand. What we now had to do is bring it all together to give a new attitude to Boomer’s newest format – Lollipop.”

    The lollipops are being manufactured locally at Mars Wrigley’s Baddi facility, reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovation from within India. With a national rollout underway, Boomer Lollipop marks a flavourful, cheeky new chapter in the brand’s long-standing legacy.

  • Dream Sports Foundation and UTT team up to serve India’s next table tennis champs

    Dream Sports Foundation and UTT team up to serve India’s next table tennis champs

    MUMBAI: In a sharp backhand boost to grassroots talent, Dream Sports Foundation (DSF) and Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) have joined forces to launch ‘Dream UTT Juniors’ — a one-of-a-kind under-15 table tennis tournament designed to offer rising stars a taste of the big league.

    The initiative will see eight top-performing boys and girls from the recently concluded Dream Sports Championship Table Tennis 2025 drafted into UTT franchises. These young athletes will compete alongside the sixth season of the Ultimate Table Tennis league, scheduled from 29 May to 8 June in Ahmedabad, with matches streamed live on Fancode.

    “At Dream Sports, we are driven by our vision to ‘Make Sports Better’”, said Dream Sports CEO & co-founder Harsh Jain. “Thanks to Vita Dani and Niraj Bajaj, Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) has played a pivotal role in nurturing India’s table tennis talent to compete & win at the global stage. But there remains a pressing need to support grassroots talent, and our partnership to create Dream UTT Juniors is a big step toward bridging this gap. Through our Dream Sports Foundation, we aim to empower the next generation of athletes to make India proud in the 2030 Youth Olympics and thereafter at the 2036 Olympics”.

    Dream UTT Juniors marks a pivotal extension of DSF’s mission to build from the base. The U-15 stars were selected through a national talent pool, shaped during DSF and the Table Tennis Federation of India’s earlier initiative—one lauded for professionalism and intensity rarely seen at this level.

    “Dream UTT Juniors is a natural extension of our shared vision with Dream Sports Foundation — to strengthen the foundation of sport in India and empower young athletes”, added UTT co-promoter Vita Dani. “By giving budding table tennis talent early exposure to the world-class UTT ecosystem, we’re not just launching a tournament — we’re creating a pathway for the next generation of Indian stars to emerge”.

    Since 2017, UTT has helped rewrite the script for Indian table tennis, providing domestic talent the platform to share space with international champions. Now, Dream UTT Juniors aims to embed that exposure early in the athlete journey.

    With this initiative, DSF and UTT aim to establish a structured pipeline that bridges school-level promise with professional readiness. As Indian table tennis gains new traction, this partnership might just deliver India’s future champions.

  • Hdfc Ergo elevates Parthanil Ghosh to executive director as growth gears up

    Hdfc Ergo elevates Parthanil Ghosh to executive director as growth gears up

    MUMBAI: Hdfc Ergo General Insurance has elevated Parthanil Ghosh to executive director as the company prepares for its next phase of growth and transformation. The appointment remains subject to approval by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and other necessary regulatory clearances.

    The board of directors cleared Ghosh’s elevation as part of its strategic leadership strengthening, marking another milestone in his 15-year journey with the company. Ghosh, who joined Hdfc Ergo in 2010, brings more than three decades of cross-industry experience. His track record includes pivotal roles in sales, business risk management, underwriting, claims, and marketing.

    “Ghosh is a seasoned industry leader with over 30 years of experience across different industries and joined Hdfc Ergo in 2010. His deep understanding of the insurance landscape, along with his exceptional leadership has played a vital role in shaping Hdfc Ergo’s growth trajectory and has managed various functions including sales, business risk management, underwriting, claims & marketing”, the company stated.

    Ghosh’s appointment is expected to bolster Hdfc Ergo’s executive leadership bench at a time when the insurer is sharpening its focus on innovation, customer-centricity, and digital transformation to remain ahead in a competitive market.

    As the company intensifies its efforts to lead the next wave of insurance disruption, Ghosh’s elevation signals a commitment to continuity and institutional expertise while aligning with the broader strategic vision.

  • Vi levels up with one lakh towers and animated cricket squad in IPL-themed campaign

    Vi levels up with one lakh towers and animated cricket squad in IPL-themed campaign

    MUMBAI: Riding high on the IPL frenzy, telecom operator Vi has unveiled a new campaign that blends network growth with cricketing flair. The company marked a major milestone, adding over 1,00,000 towers across India in just six months of FY24-25 — a move it says reinforces its commitment to improving both scale and quality of connectivity.

    The campaign introduces ‘The Netties’ — a team of animated cricket avatars inspired by mobile towers. Positioned as the “strongest team of the season”, these characters symbolise the agility and strength of Vi’s growing network. The campaign, conceptualised by Ogilvy India, aims to explain a deeply technical upgrade through lighthearted, engaging storytelling.

    Vi’s recent strides include the launch of 5G services in Mumbai, Chandigarh and Patna, with Delhi and Bangalore next in line. Simultaneously, the telecom major has expanded its 4G footprint by enhancing capacity across spectrum bands — 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, and 2300 MHz — leading to wider indoor and outdoor coverage, faster data speeds, and improved user experiences. The strengthened 4G network now reaches 1.07 billion people.

    “Our network expansion is not just about scale, but also smart, strategic deployment,” said Vi CMO Avneesh Khosla. “By focusing on high-traffic areas and optimising spectrum usage, we’re delivering a future-ready, high-performance network”.

    The new TVCs aim to entertain while informing. In the first film titled The Catch, one of the Netties leaps outside the stadium to grab a sixer-bound ball, subtly drawing parallels to Vi’s reliability in catching even the weakest of signals. The campaign will roll out across TV, OTT, YouTube, radio, and social media starting 17 May.

    “Every Vi campaign should spark joy”, said Ogilvy senior executive creative director Rohit Dubey. “With animation, we turned technical achievements into a cricketing narrative that’s fun, yet impactful”.

    The campaign’s playful narrative underscores a serious message: Vi is investing heavily in infrastructure, prioritising quality, and betting big on entertainment-led engagement.

  • ting ropes in industry veteran Govind Shahi to supercharge global expansion

    ting ropes in industry veteran Govind Shahi to supercharge global expansion

    MUMBAI: ting, the India-based advertising agency known for its bold, data-driven marketing, is going global – and it’s bringing in the big guns. The agency has appointed industry veteran Govind Shahi as an advisor and consultant, a strategic move designed to turbocharge its international ambitions in the UK and UAE.

    Govind Shahi, a seasoned leader with a stellar record of scaling businesses worldwide, will steer ting’s global expansion, leveraging his expertise in cross-border growth and strategic alliances. 

    “I’m thrilled to join ting at this pivotal moment,” said Govind. “The agency’s strong foundation in creativity and performance-driven marketing presents an exciting opportunity to introduce its services to global brands. I look forward to working with the talented team at ting to craft expansion strategies that align with market needs and drive sustainable success.”

    Already known for its high-impact campaigns that blend creativity, technology, and data analytics, ting is set to build on its existing international footprint. Business heads Anirudh Ramanathan and Dhawal Shah will lead the UK and UAE markets, while Govind’s strategic guidance is expected to open new doors and deepen ting’s international influence.

    “Govind’s joining marks a bold step forward in our ambition to take ting global. His deep understanding of international markets paired with our creative and performance DNA sets the stage for meaningful global impact,” said ting partner Sudharshan Anandkumar.

    “We’re excited to partner with Govind Shahi to lead ting’s international business across the UK and UAE. With his depth of experience and proven track record, we’re confident he will add considerable value to our growing global ambitions,” added another ting partner Manan Vora.

    Third ting partner Aadil Mehta said, “This is a significant step forward for Ting as we continue to expand into global markets. Mr. Govind, a true veteran in our industry, brings invaluable experience and expertise to the table. We are both delighted and excited about this development, as it marks a new chapter in Ting’s growth and opportunities on the global stage.”

    As ting takes its signature blend of innovation and strategy to the world, brands can expect a bold new player on the global advertising stage.

  • Cobalt turns up the signal at Broadcastasia with sharp new tech tune-up

    Cobalt turns up the signal at Broadcastasia with sharp new tech tune-up

    MUMBAI: The signal is loud and clear, Cobalt Digital is making serious waves at Broadcastasia 2025. The award-winning signal processing pioneer has rolled into Singapore with a powerhouse lineup of gear that’s equal parts precision engineering and next-gen swagger.

    From debuting its ARIA Aud-Mon Audio Monitor, a sleek, rack-mounted unit designed for top-tier sound in tight spaces to showcasing its IPMX-ready Sapphire mini converters and Pacific encoders, Cobalt is proving it’s not just keeping pace with broadcast innovation, but setting it.

    The ARIA Aud-Mon, inspired by real-world operator feedback, comes with eight mixable audio channels, a touch display, class-D amp, and a buffet of input options including SDI, MADI, AES, and even GPI. And yes, there’s a live video thumbnail because why not?

    Also on the floor is Cobalt’s Sapphire BBG range of mini converters tiny titans capable of HDMI-to-IPMX wizardry. These featherweight champs can mount behind monitors, operate near-silently, and juggle formats with ease. Meanwhile, the Pacific 9992-ENC encoder keeps things spicy with support for 4K, ST 2110, JPEG-XS, and asynchronous IPMX feeds all on an openGear card.

    Not to be outdone, the UltraBlue IP-MV software multiviewer gives broadcasters a no-fuss, format-agnostic view of the action supporting compressed, uncompressed, and SDI inputs, complete with audio bars and captioning. It’s even cool with portrait mode if your display is feeling dramatic.

    For routing needs, the Wave RTR-64×64 and RTR-32×32 models are Cobalt’s answer to the high-bandwidth prayer both built for 12G-SDI, web-controlled, and ready to tango with third-party protocols. Pair them with Cobalt’s smart control panels and you’ve got a broadcast ops room that runs like a dream.

    And because every great show needs a solid foundation, Cobalt’s new openGear-compatible frames the HPF-9500 and HPF-MAX pack serious power (360W and 600W respectively) while fitting right into the most demanding racks.

    Whether you’re into live production, digital transformation or just tired of juggling cables and converters, Cobalt’s BroadcastAsia booth (5F1-1) is clearly the place to tune in.

    One thing’s for sure: this is signal processing, amplified.

  • Glance Digital exec Manish Gupta joins L&T Finance as digital transformation czar

    Glance Digital exec Manish Gupta joins L&T Finance as digital transformation czar

    MUMBAI: L&T Finance has roped in Manish Kumar Gupta as chief executive – urban unsecured assets, payments & digital partnerships as it gears up for a new phase of digital transformation. A fintech veteran, Manish has over 23 years of experience across top financial and technology giants.

    Manish’s impressive CV reads like a masterclass in leadership – from launching India’s first mobile-only digital bank, digibank by DBS, to driving innovation at TransUnion CIBIL as chief product officer, where he developed the latest CIBIL score. He has led digital and business transformations at heavyweight names including ICICI Bank, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, DBS Bank, and TransUnion CIBIL.

    His latest stint was at InMobi Group’s Glance Digital, where he served as senior vice president and general manager, scaling the business globally with AI-powered content and commerce solutions on smart devices.

    Said Manish on Linkedin:  “Last week I completed a wonderful and enriching chapter of my life with InMobi and Glance ! The emotions of leaving Glance were overwhelming! I will miss the culture, my team, my friends that have supported me for the last five plus  years! As I embark on a new journey, I will cherish every moment I spent at Glance!  Once an InMobian always an InMobian!

    With a robust track record in both traditional and digital-first financial ecosystems, Manish is known for turning ambitious ideas into business wins. A certified financial planner and CertICM holder, he is an alumnus of IIT Delhi and holds an MBA from ISB, Hyderabad.

    Having worked in India, Hong Kong, and Singapore, Manish’s global experience makes him a strategic addition to L&T Finance’s leadership team.