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  • Goafest 2025 levels up with ‘Advertising Plays’ to spark camaraderie through sport and wellness

    Goafest 2025 levels up with ‘Advertising Plays’ to spark camaraderie through sport and wellness

    MUMBAI: Goafest 2025 is serving up more than awards and panels. The festival’s latest initiative, ‘Advertising Plays’, will bring delegates out of boardrooms and onto courts, beaches and walking trails for inter-agency competitions and wellness experiences designed to build industry bonds through play.

    Conceptualised as a people-first property and curated by Havas Play, ‘Advertising Plays’ will debut this year as part of the revamped Goafest Village format. The programme features gender-neutral games including Chess, Carrom, Darts, Arm Wrestling and Net Cricket, alongside high-energy matchups in Pickleball and Table Tennis. Wellness activities like Yoga by the Bay and the Beach Walkathon will help delegates start their day with clarity and calm.

    “The connections that move our industry forward aren’t always made in boardrooms or at award ceremonies. Advertising Plays offers a space for professionals to engage beyond the usual format. It’s a people first initiative which will enable our industry to build more connections and collaborate in the longer run”, said Goafest 2025 Organising Committee co-chair and Havas Media Network India CEO Mohit Joshi.

    Havas Play India COO R. Venkatasubramanian added, “Goafest has long been a premier platform that unites the brightest minds in the world of advertising. In 2025, it takes a bold new leap by introducing Advertising Plays—a dynamic initiative designed to elevate the spirit of friendly competition among industry professionals”.

    Inter-agency contests will run throughout the festival, culminating in awards for performance and team spirit. Winners will take home trophies and year-long bragging rights. The initiative aims to encourage participation across all fitness levels, offering spontaneous play zones and community-led wellness formats.

    The 18 edition of Goafest will take place from 21-23 May 2025 at the Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon. The festival is co-hosted by The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club (TAC).

  • Shyam Tallamraju takes charge as VP – fan loyalty & live experiences at JioHotstar

    Shyam Tallamraju takes charge as VP – fan loyalty & live experiences at JioHotstar

    MUMBAI: From co-founding a tier-2 India gaming platform to curating spiritual live events with Bachchan, Shyam Tallamraju has made career pivots look easy. Now, he has stepped into his latest—and arguably most dynamic—role as JioHotstar vice president – fan loyalty & live experiences, marking a major milestone in the OTT giant’s audience engagement evolution.

    Tallamraju announced the move via LinkedIn, reflecting on a whirlwind two-month sprint where he already led the platform’s non-sporting live experiences for Mahashivratri and Ram Navami. Both events featured Hindi cinema legend Amitabh Bachchan and signalled a shift in JioHotstar’s content curation playbook—one that stretches beyond just cricket and cinema.

    “It’s always Day One at JioStar”, Tallamraju wrote, hinting at the long runway ahead in crafting moments that go beyond screen time to forge fan bonds. His appointment signals a clear commitment by the platform to build deeper, more interactive viewer journeys across festivals, fandom, and everything in between.

    Prior to this role, Tallamraju co-founded Hi Hello, a multilingual social gaming app that clocked over two million downloads and $100,000 in revenue. Despite its eventual closure, the three-year journey gave him a front-row seat to India’s tier two digital pulse.

    “Running a startup is a crash course in life”, he admitted, acknowledging the grind and lessons that shaped his vision for building meaningful fan ecosystems. His earlier stints include leadership roles at Gupshup, OZiva, Bookmyshow, and Radio Mirchi—adding to a portfolio that blends media strategy with brand insight and digital storytelling.

    With over two decades of experience and a knack for turning everyday moments into fan rituals, Tallamraju’s new chapter is poised to push the boundaries of experiential entertainment at one of India’s biggest OTT platforms.

    As the streaming race heats up, JioHotstar’s next big wins might not just lie in what’s on-screen, but in how deeply it can embed itself into the lives—and emotions—of its viewers. And Tallamraju seems all set to lead that charge.

  • Oliva Clinics extends digital brief to Team Pumpkin to boost its skin-deep storytelling online

    Oliva Clinics extends digital brief to Team Pumpkin to boost its skin-deep storytelling online

    MUMBAI: Oliva Clinics is dialling up its digital game—this time, with a little help from Team Pumpkin. On 13 May 2025, the dermatology brand extended its social mandate to the integrated marketing agency, entrusting it with the task of amplifying Oliva’s clinical credibility through crisp digital storytelling.

    Founded in 2009, Oliva has grown from a single clinic in Hyderabad to 32 locations across nine cities, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Kochi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Vizag. With over 115 dermatologists on board, the brand offers science-based treatments ranging from acne and pigmentation solutions to advanced skin ageing procedures and body contouring services.

    As part of the collaboration, Team Pumpkin will craft content strategies and drive engagement across Oliva’s social channels. The campaign will lean into aspirational storytelling while staying grounded in the brand’s clinical rigour and patient-centric ethos.

    Team Pumpkin co-founder Swati Nathani said, “We’re excited to work closely with the Oliva team and help communicate the brand’s core values of trust, credibility, and transformation through impactful storytelling and engaging content”.

    The agency’s Bangalore office will oversee execution, working under Oliva’s brand guidelines to ensure consistency across creative and strategic outputs.

    With India’s aesthetic dermatology market growing rapidly, the collaboration marks a timely play for brand visibility in a digitally-driven skincare landscape. Oliva’s latest move positions it to lead both offline with clinics—and online with content.

     

  • Noto scoops up Bandra buzz with launch of Meltshop, its first-ever dessert flagship outlet

    Noto scoops up Bandra buzz with launch of Meltshop, its first-ever dessert flagship outlet

    MUMBAI: Mumbai’s dessert scene just got a serious sugar rush. Noto Ice Creams & Desserts opened the doors to its first-ever physical scoop shop—Meltshop by Noto—in Bandra. Known for pioneering guilt-free indulgence in the digital delivery world, the brand has now gone brick-and-mortar, and it’s not holding back on flavour.

    Positioned as more than just an ice cream parlour, Meltshop introduces the Notoverse—a dessert destination designed to blend comfort with creativity. At its core is a cheeky, joy-filled menu featuring 15 artisanal scoop flavours, a signature softy, and six single-serve sundae creations crafted for dessert maximalists and minimalists alike.

    Among the must-tries: Trip to Thailand—a combo of mango swirl ice cream, sticky rice and popping boba—and Coffee Biscoff with a sneaky cocoa finish. Other highlights include fruity favourites, Matcha Raspberry and Pistachio. For loyalists, Noto’s packaged ice cream range remains available on-site, bridging the brand’s online roots with its new offline identity.

    “With Meltshop by Noto, we didn’t just want to create a place to eat ice cream, but we wanted to build a joyful escape”, said Noto co-founder Varun Sheth. “A space where our community can enjoy both the healthy and indulgent sides of Noto in their most fun and feel-good form. We see you—bad day, good day, or just a boring old Monday, we’re here with the scoop.”

    Visually, Meltshop doubles as a dopamine hit. The store is painted in bold hues, fitted with playful touches and corners seemingly designed for Instagram. But behind the photogenic flair lies serious scoop intent. Whether you’re in for a casual fix or a full-blown dessert spree, Meltshop serves it up with what the brand calls “Big Scoop Energy”—high on flavour, low on guilt.

    For Mumbai’s dessert crowd, Noto’s Meltshop is not just a new place to eat—it’s a feel-good mood with a sprinkle of indulgent rebellion.

  • Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses make stylish AI debut in India with voice, camera and livestream power

    Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses make stylish AI debut in India with voice, camera and livestream power

    MUMBAI: Meta Platforms and Essilorluxottica have officially launched their Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in India, combining iconic design with high-tech performance. The AI-powered eyewear offers voice-activated assistance, live translation (coming soon), real-time video capture, and livestreaming capabilities—all without needing to lift a finger.

    Starting at Rs 29,900, the Ray-Ban Meta collection enters the Indian market with the promise of making smart eyewear more accessible, stylish and useful. Pre-orders are live at india.ray-ban.com, and the glasses hit stores on 19 May 2025.

    The new collection comes equipped with a 12MP ultra-wide camera for high-quality stills and immersive 1080p vertical videos. Five microphones allow seamless transitions between calls and music, while discreet open-ear speakers boost audio with better bass response and noise suppression—without blocking ambient sounds.

    Users can now livestream directly to Instagram or Facebook Live using voice commands, with a maximum runtime of 30 minutes. They can toggle between the phone and glasses camera mid-stream, delivering content with an eye-level POV.

    “Hey Meta” voice prompts activate on-the-go AI support, enabling users to ask questions, get recommendations, or translate signs. Soon, the AI will support real-time conversations in Spanish, French, Italian, and English—even in airplane mode, provided language packs are pre-downloaded.

    The collection includes styles like Wayfarer, Wayfarer Large, and Skyler in finishes such as Shiny Chalky Grey and lens options ranging from Transitions®, prescription, polarised, to sun and clear. Lenses promise advanced clarity and comfort with added UV protection.

    The compact glasses come with a classic charging case and improved Meta View app (iOS and Android), which allows users to manage multiple glasses, import and edit photos and videos, apply effects, and post to social platforms in seconds.

    The Meta AI features will receive ongoing updates, making the eyewear smarter over time. The blend of fashion and function positions the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses as a new tech-lifestyle hybrid for Indian consumers.

     

  • Sportz Interactive doubles down on Europe with new hires across UK, France and Iberia

    Sportz Interactive doubles down on Europe with new hires across UK, France and Iberia

    MUMBAI: Sportz Interactive (SI), the sports technology and fan engagement powerhouse, is deepening its European footprint with a string of new strategic hires across the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Portugal. The move marks a significant leap in the company’s bid to digitally transform sports engagement across the continent.

    These appointments strengthen SI’s business development and marketing teams as it continues to deliver next-gen digital experiences for fans and commercial partners alike. The new team members bring industry insights and local expertise to support SI’s partnerships with global heavyweights like the International Olympic Committee, Fiba, Formula 1, Disney, and European Athletics.

    “We’re thrilled to welcome such exceptional talent to our growing team”, said Sportz Interactive director – head of UK & Europe operations Alex Chamberlen. “Their experience and insights will be instrumental as we continue to deliver transformative digital solutions to leading sports organisations across the region”.

    From advanced data platforms to immersive fan experiences, SI’s tech toolkit is powering how sports bodies connect with audiences, expand their global reach, and tap new revenue streams. Its European playbook now gains fresh momentum with on-ground leadership in key markets.

    “This marks a significant step forward in our growth journey”, added Sportz Interactive chairman Arvind Iyengar. “These appointments enhance our local expertise and reinforce our position as a trailblazer in digital fan engagement – ensuring we deliver outstanding value to our partners and unforgettable experiences to fans”.

    Sportz Interactive’s global expansion continues to gain pace, as it blends technology, sport, and storytelling to redefine the fan experience in stadiums, on screens, and across platforms.

  • Tribes and Xiaomi light up Chennai skies with 3D billboard for Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s bold reveal

    Tribes and Xiaomi light up Chennai skies with 3D billboard for Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s bold reveal

    MUMBAI: Billboards aren’t what they used to be-at least not in Chennai. On 12 May 2025, Tribes Communication and Xiaomi India teamed up to deliver a 3D billboard experience that left commuters in Alandur doing double takes. The campaign, designed to launch the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, brought the device’s modular photography kit to life in mid-air, piece by piece.

    Co-engineered with Leica, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra has positioned itself as a precision tool for mobile photography. But instead of another digital drop or influencer tease, the brand chose to hit the streets-literally-with a physical spectacle that reimagined how smartphone storytelling unfolds in the real world.

    The billboard used spatial layering and animated mechanics to simulate the Gour Guptaproduct assembling itself-lens by lens, module by module—directly above a major Chennai intersection.

    “At Tribes, we believe in turning brand stories into unforgettable experiences. With Xiaomi, we didn’t just showcase a product — we created a street-level spectacle. Together, we pushed the boundaries of outdoor engagement, capturing attention and sparking conversations”, said Tribes Communication MD & chairman Gour Gupta.

    Placed in one of Chennai’s busiest corridors, the campaign offered a rare offline pause amid digital clutter. According to Xiaomi India’s associate director of brand marketing, Ritij Khurana, the goal was not just to display the phone but to start a conversation about the future of mobile photography.

    “With the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, our vision was to reimagine what smartphone photography could feel like in everyday life. By placing it in familiar, everyday environments – like a morning commute, we’re not just showcasing a product, but hoping to start a quiet conversation about what the future of mobile imaging can look like,” Khurana said.

    The campaign sets a benchmark in India’s OOH advertising landscape, merging motion design and consumer engagement into an experience you don’t scroll past—you look up to.

  • Prime time for hoops as NBA lands on Prime Video in slam-dunk global deal

    Prime time for hoops as NBA lands on Prime Video in slam-dunk global deal

    MUMBAI: The courts are going digital and Prime Video is making the first move. In a slam-dunk announcement for basketball fans across India, Prime Video has unveiled the official logo for its upcoming coverage of the NBA, marking a major play in the global sports streaming arena. Starting October 2025, hoops action will stream straight to your screens no extra charges, no cable required.

    This follows Prime Video’s landmark 11-year media rights agreement with the NBA, making it the exclusive destination for 67 regular-season games each year, along with knockout matches from the Emirates NBA Cup and the Play-In Tournament. The deal also includes select playoff games and the Conference Finals in six out of the 11 seasons, an unmissable lineup for Indian fans.

    But wait, there’s more. Starting in 2026, the platform will tip off its WNBA coverage too, streaming 30 regular-season games and exclusive playoff matchups, including three WNBA Finals over the course of the agreement.

    With this move, Prime Video becomes more than just a platform, it becomes a prime court-side seat. NBA legends and Hall-of-Famers like Dwyane Wade, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Blake Griffin and Udonis Haslem will join sports journalist Taylor Rooks for a studio show filled with insights, stories, and signature style. WNBA star Candace Parker will bring her expertise to both NBA and WNBA coverage, making the lineup as star-studded off court as it is on.

    Basketball fans who want even more can access NBA League Pass via Prime Video as a third-party add-on, giving them access to an extended buffet of live and on-demand action.

    From fast breaks to buzzer beaters, Prime Video is set to transform sports streaming in India, one triple-double at a time.

  • Plotting big moves Tribeca ropes in Dharam Mehta to lead new estates vertical

    Plotting big moves Tribeca ropes in Dharam Mehta to lead new estates vertical

    MUMBAI: Tribeca’s next chapter is being built brick by brick, and plot by plot with a fresh new leader at the helm. Tribeca Developers, known for its luxury real estate playbook, has appointed Dharam Mehta as managing partner of Tribeca Estates, a newly launched vertical focused on plotted developments, branded villas, and hospitality-led projects. With this move, the ‘trophy property’ developer is now stepping beyond high-rises to explore high-growth real estate segments with serious momentum.

    An MBA from The Wharton School of Finance, Mehta brings with him a rich and varied track record across real estate investment, workspace strategy, and development. He’s held leadership roles at Wework India and Phoenix Workspaces and played a key role in scaling Delta Corp’s hospitality portfolio.

    Tribeca Developers founder Kalpesh Mehta said, “I am thrilled to welcome Dharam to Tribeca. His deep expertise in real estate investment and operations aligns perfectly with our expansion into plotted developments and hospitality anchored projects. Dharam’s leadership, strategic mindset, and industry insights will be instrumental in shaping this new vertical and strengthening Tribeca’s position as a leader in innovative real estate solutions.”

    On his appointment, Dharam Mehta said, “I am excited to join Tribeca at such a pivotal moment. They have set new benchmarks in luxury real estate, and I look forward to leading its entry into plotted developments. This new vertical presents immense opportunities, and I am eager to leverage my experience to create lasting value and deliver best-in-class real estate offerings.”

    As India’s demand for gated plots, weekend villas, and lifestyle-led real estate rises, Tribeca’s Estates vertical is poised to meet it with the same design-first, quality-led approach that built its name. With Mehta now in the driver’s seat, the groundwork for a new kind of real estate play is officially in motion.

  • Dish it out Rishtey style with Shiv, Shakti and shape-shifting serpents

    Dish it out Rishtey style with Shiv, Shakti and shape-shifting serpents

    MUMBAI: Your living room’s about to turn into a TV temple and a snake pit all in one evening. Colors Rishtey has officially landed on DD Free Dish with a bang, and it’s bringing with it a dhamakedaar line-up that’s equal parts divine, dramatic and downright addictive. The channel is levelling up its entertainment game by airing two of Indian television’s most talked-about blockbusters Shiv Shakti- Tap Tyag Tandav and Naagin – Naash ka Vinaash for the very first time on DD Free Dish, starting 15 May.

    Myth meets masala as Shiv Shakti takes viewers on a soul-stirring journey through the cosmic love story of Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti, with Ram Yashvardhan and Subha Rajput slipping into their divine avatars at 7 PM sharp. And just when you’re catching your breath, Naagin slithers in at 9 PM with Tejasswi Prakash, Mahek Chahal, Simba Nagpal, and the evergreen Sudha Chandran in a double role that promises twice the chills and thrills.

    Shiv Shakti – Tap Tyag Tandav actor Ram Yashvardhan shared, “I’m genuinely thrilled that our show is now airing on Colors Rishtey and reaching so many more homes through DD Free Dish! This show is the divine love story of Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti, a timeless saga etched in our culture, our hearts, and our collective memory. What makes it even more meaningful is that it’s perfect for family viewing. From powerful visuals to deep-rooted emotions, and so many learnings, there’s something in it for everyone from kids to grandparents. As an actor, it’s incredibly fulfilling to be part of a show that’s not only cherished but also becomes part of everyday conversations in homes across the country.”

    Naagin – Naash ka Vinaash, actor Sudha Chandran shared, “After over 38 years in the industry, Naagin 6 gave me something I had always dreamed of—a double role. Playing both Seema and her mother Tara has been incredibly exciting and creatively fulfilling. As an actor, it’s a joy to switch between two such layered characters, especially when they appear in the same frame. I’m grateful to have this in my kitty, and I’m thrilled that millions of more viewers will now get to experience this journey on COLORS Rishtey through DD Free Dish.”

    But Colors Rishtey isn’t just banking on its primetime heavyweights. The channel is reviving fan-favourites like Sasural Simar Ka, Khatra Khatra Khatra, and a power-packed kids’ slate featuring Munki and Trunk, Keymon Ache, and Shiva. It’s full-family entertainment that’s free, fabulous, and finally on every screen.

    So whether you’re in the mood for divine dilemmas, slithery secrets, or just some nostalgic chaos, tune in to Colors Rishtey on DD Free Dish. Because this May, the remote deserves some drama too.