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  • Bioderma launches ‘Glow with Science’ to redefine the meaning of radiance

    Bioderma launches ‘Glow with Science’ to redefine the meaning of radiance

    MUMBAI: No filters, just formulas. Bioderma, the french skincare brand known for its dermatological expertise, has launched a new digital campaign titled ‘Glow with Science’: a fresh take on what it truly means to shine.

    In an age where social media filters promise instant glow-ups, Bioderma flips the narrative by focusing on radiance that’s rooted in biology, not illusion. The campaign spotlights the brand’s pigment bio foaming cream, positioning it as the go-to product for everyday clarity and care.

    “Glow with Science is more than a campaign, it’s a reflection of who we are,” said  NAOS India director – marketing, ecommerce & modern trade Roshan Kunder. “At Bioderma, science is always guided by empathy for the skin. True glow isn’t instant; it’s built through consistency, care, and understanding your skin.”

    Targeting gen z and millennial consumers who crave both authenticity and efficacy, the campaign transforms dermatological precision into relatable storytelling. It blends AI-led creativity with clinical credibility, turning complex skincare science into something visual, engaging, and easy to understand.

    The launch also coincides with Bioderma’s refreshed global packaging identity under its care-first vision, uniting science, skin, and sustainability. The new design embraces simplicity and eco-responsible materials, reinforcing the brand’s long-term commitment to mindful beauty.

    Unveiled across Youtube and Instagram, the campaign is being amplified through influencer collaborations and digital media partnerships. With Glow with Science, Bioderma bridges the gap between beauty and dermatology, proving that the best glow is the one built on understanding, not filters.

     

  • Network18 turns up the volume on growth with a golden quarter

    Network18 turns up the volume on growth with a golden quarter

    MUMBAI: In a quarter where the media landscape was static at best, Network18 managed to change the channel to growth. The company’s second-quarter results for FY26 show that while much of the news industry wrestled with weak ad demand, Network18 found its own breaking news: a 7.2 per cent year-on-year rise in operating revenue, clocking Rs 477.2 crore in Q2 FY26, up from Rs 445.3 crore a year earlier and Rs 430.4 crore in the previous quarter.

    The bump came despite a 7 per cent dip in TV news inventory demand, hinting that the network’s improved pricing yields and robust market position helped it stay ahead of the curve. For an industry still feeling the aftershocks of cautious advertiser sentiment, Network18’s showing signals a quiet revival, one that could pick up further pace through Q3 and Q4.

    But the quarter wasn’t just about numbers, it was also about narrative. Cementing its leadership in regional news, Network18 acquired the remaining 50 per cent stake in IBN Lokmat News pvt. ltd. (IBNL) for Rs 25 crore, making News18 Lokmat a wholly owned subsidiary. The Marathi news powerhouse has seen strong revenue growth over the past three years and continues to reign supreme in the Marathi segment.

    For viewers, the move means a smoother experience across TV and digital; for the network, it’s another piece in the puzzle of regional dominance. “This acquisition strengthens our market-leading portfolio of national and regional news channels,” said Network18 chairman Adil Zainulbhai. “Our mission is to be the one-stop news destination for audiences across India.”

    Beyond news, the company is expanding into new frontiers. Moneycontrol, its flagship digital platform, has been building serious fintech muscle. Lending has emerged as a key growth engine, and its partnership with HDFC Bank, announced at the Global Fintech Festival 2025, adds further heft positioning Moneycontrol as India’s largest and most trusted financial destination.

    Meanwhile, Creator18, the network’s newest vertical, is crafting a future beyond headlines, one built on hashtags and human stories. The platform has already worked with over 1,000 creators, managing many exclusively, and is building what could become one of India’s largest creator ecosystems. From influencer campaigns to social-first storytelling, Creator18 is expanding Network18’s reach into lifestyle, culture, and commerce areas that increasingly shape public conversation.

    Network18’s 20-channel portfolio, which includes 14 regional channels, makes it the largest TV news network in India by both reach and viewership. And even as overall revenue growth for the first half of FY26 stayed broadly flat, the company’s tight cost control kept operating expenses steady, a sign of resilience in an uneven market.

    In an industry that thrives on breaking news, Network18 seems to have created some of its own from acquisition-led regional growth to digital diversification and creator-led storytelling. The message is clear: while others are still buffering, Network18 is already streaming into the future.

  • Tata Soulfull personalises chai-time with No Maida rusk and AI Manoj Bajpayee bot

    Tata Soulfull personalises chai-time with No Maida rusk and AI Manoj Bajpayee bot

    MUMBAI: When tea meets tech, sparks fly. Tata Soulfull, the ‘better-for-you’ foods brand from Tata Consumer Products, has brewed up something fresh for chai lovers with its latest campaign ‘Tata ka Rusk – Chai Time with Manoj Bajpayee’.

    At the heart of this campaign is a first-of-its-kind Whatsapp bot that lets consumers create personalised images and videos featuring Manoj Bajpayee, transforming a simple tea break into a shareable, star-studded moment.

    The launch also introduces Tata Soulfull no maida rusk, made with 16 per cent jowar and completely free of maida. The product offers a wholesome, less crumbly take on the traditional rusk, perfect for guilt-free dunking.

    Tata Soulfull CMO Rasika Prashant shared, “With ‘Tata ka rusk – Chai time with Manoj Bajpayee’, we wanted to go beyond a standard product launch. Rusk is a deeply habitual category, and changing that takes more than innovation, it takes interaction. The Whatsapp bot lets people not just try the product, but live the experience.”

    Supported by a 360-degree marketing push across digital and BTL platforms, the campaign blends nostalgia with new-age engagement. With Manoj Bajpayee’s charm and Tata Soulfull’s tech-driven creativity, chai-time just found its modern-day twist: personal, playful, and perfectly brewed for India’s homes.

  • Women take the wheel as ETO Motors powers Amaravati’s green drive

    Women take the wheel as ETO Motors powers Amaravati’s green drive

    The road to sustainability just got a lot more empowering. In a move that blends women power with green power, Hyderabad-based ETO Motors has signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) to roll out a fleet of fully electric three-wheelers all driven by women across the capital region of Amaravati.

    The initiative, inaugurated by chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, is part of Andhra Pradesh’s renewed vision to develop Amaravati as a model sustainable capital. The Chief Minister launched the new APCRDA headquarters while unveiling a series of infrastructure and connectivity initiatives designed to transform the region into a hub of smart, inclusive mobility.

    Commending ETO Motors’ efforts, Naidu said, “These women drivers will ferry passengers from nearby villages to the Capital Region, becoming financially independent and contributing to a cleaner, greener Amaravati.”

    And it’s not just about the environment, it’s about empowerment. Every woman behind the wheel has been trained, certified, and deployed under the programme, creating a blueprint for inclusive, sustainable growth that extends beyond transport.

    ETO Motors chief marketing officer Rajeev YSR said, “With a unified ticketing system, passengers can seamlessly travel across three-wheelers, buses, and cars for first-mile, middle-mile, and last-mile connectivity. Our goal is to build a fully electric fleet that connects the Capital Region quadrangle Gannavaram Airport, Vijayawada, Amaravati, and Guntur through clean, accessible transportation.”

    The rollout is ambitious. In its first phase, ETO Motors plans to deploy 300 electric three-wheelers, 100 electric cars, and 20 electric shuttle buses, integrating a multimodal network that’s both affordable and zero-emission.

    Beyond mobility, the programme is designed to generate employment and micro-entrepreneurship for women and marginalised communities ensuring that the transition to clean energy also drives social change.

    ETO Motors expressed its gratitude to the state’s leadership, including minister for MA&UD P. Narayana and APCRDA commissioner Sri Kannababu IAS, for their vision in enabling the project. The company’s senior leadership Bhaskar Ponnapula (director, ETO Group), Preethi Belinda Jasti (vice president of operations), and Nirmal (president, ETO Motors) were also present at the event.

    With e-rickshaws driven by women and powered by clean energy, Amaravati’s new mobility model isn’t just about getting from point A to B, it’s about moving towards a future that’s electric, equitable, and empowering. In this journey, Andhra Pradesh isn’t just going green, it’s going gracefully green.

     

  • Network18 seizes full control of Marathi news channel in Rs 25 crore deal

    Network18 seizes full control of Marathi news channel in Rs 25 crore deal

    MUMBAI: Network18 Media & Investments has moved swiftly to acquire complete control of IBN Lokmat News Pvt Ltd, snapping up 86.25 million equity shares and preference holdings from its long-time partner Lokmat Media Pvt Ltd for Rs 25 crores. Come late October, IBNL will be Network18’s wholly owned subsidiary.

    The transaction marks a decisive shift in the broadcaster’s strategy towards the Marathi news market, where News18 Lokmat reigns as the segment leader. IBNL, which Network18 and the Lokmat Group established as a joint venture in 2007, has been quietly expanding. Its revenues jumped from Rs 22.5 crore in FY2022-23 to Rs 31.1 crore the following year, then surged again to Rs 36.5 crore by FY2024-25—a clear signal that the channel is hitting its stride.

    The deal is a related party transaction structured at arm’s length, with independent valuations from Ernst & Young Merchant Banking Services signing off. Network18’s promoters and group companies have no stake in the arrangement. Regulators have given the green light; no government approval is required. The acquisition should close before month’s end, cementing Network18’s dominance in regional news.

  • Korean TV format powerhouse plants flag in India with two ambitious deals

    Korean TV format powerhouse plants flag in India with two ambitious deals

    CANNES: Seoul’s Something Special has cracked India’s booming television market with a one-two punch, licensing two Korean formats to Karman Unlimited that promise to deliver both tears and laughter to subcontinental audiences. The Seoul-based agency announced the deals at Mipcom, the world’s largest television content marketplace held this month in Cannes.

    First up is Unforgettable Duet, a heart-wrenching unscripted series that reunites dementia patients with their pasts through music and memory. Families curate mementos and a cherished song, which are then loaded onto a Memory Bus that triggers long-buried recollections. The finale sees the patient perform an emotional duet with a family member, crowned by a tribute song from a professional artist. It is therapeutic television at its most potent.

    Then there is Hit & Miss Tour, a raucous comedy show featuring five long-time comedian friends competing in six to eight daily mini-challenges across tourist destinations. With over 210 games in the bank and sponsorship from tourism boards across Turkey and Greece, the format has proved a ratings winner on Channel S in South Korea.

    Something Special president and executive producer Jin Woo Hwang sees the deals as validation of the company’s mission to export Korean creative firepower globally. Karman Unlimited founder & chief executive Sunita Uchil —who previously held sway at Zee TV International—is equally bullish, predicting that Unforgettable Duet will strike a chord with Indian families whilst Hit & Miss Tour delivers the laughs the country desperately needs. Two formats, two markets, infinite possibilities.

  • Network18 flexes muscle in brutal news market as rivals gasp

    Network18 flexes muscle in brutal news market as rivals gasp

    MUMBAI: Network18 Media & Investments is allegedly India’s undisputed news titan, but even emperors struggle when their kingdom is contracting. The media giant posted a crisp 7.2 per cent year-on-year rise in operating revenue to Rs 477 crore in the second quarter, yet the underlying story is far more complicated: the firm is buying market share by keeping costs flat rather than harvesting profits from its dominance.

    The numbers are seductive on the surface. Network18 commands 13.5 per cent all-India viewership share in news, reaches over 250 million people monthly—roughly 30 per cent more than its nearest rival—and operates 20 channels spanning 12 languages. Its YouTube network racked up 13 billion video views this quarter, three times its closest competitor. CNBC TV18 lords over business news with 67.8 per cent share. News18 India owns Hindi at 13.1 per cent. CNN News18 dominates English with 36.7 per cent.

    Yet look closer and the picture is not as rosy. Revenue growth of 7.2 per cent matched operating expense growth of 7.2 per cent. Not one rupee of margin expansion. For the half year, revenue limped ahead just 1.1 per cent whilst operating costs stayed flat.

    The digital realm offers crumbs of comfort. Network18 ranks second for digital news reach with 270 million monthly users. Moneycontrol, its financial news crown jewel, boasts 1.8 times the page views and three times the time spent of its nearest rival. The premium subscription service Moneycontrol Pro hit one million paid subscribers. The newly minted Moneycontrol Super Pro is gaining traction. YouTube accounts at News18.com are expanding multilingual hyperlocal coverage with AI-powered podcasts and rapid-read summaries. Firstpost’s YouTube channel is approaching nine million subscribers.

    Diversification beyond advertising is no longer optional—it’s survival. Moneycontrol’s fintech arm announced a partnership with HDFC Bank to offer personal loans through its platform. Creator18 has engaged over 1,000 social media influencers to pivot into culture, commerce and fashion. These feel like the right moves. 

    The real profit story could be better. Standalone total income reached Rs 478.8 crore this quarter, yet total expenses clocked Rs 548.9 crore, leaving a pre-tax loss of Rs 70.1 crore before exceptional items. The Eenadu Television windfall—a Rs 587 crore exceptional gain from fair-valuing a 24.5 per cent stake after losing voting control—masked the red ink. 

    Consolidated figures tell a sharper story. Pre-tax profit of Rs 41.2 crore this quarter looks respectable until you remember it came on total income of Rs 500.8 crore. Last year’s comparatives of Rs 2,059.4 crore are a mirage: they included operations since deconsolidated. The company swung from a Rs 152.3 crore loss to a Rs 41.2 crore profit, but the goalposts moved entirely.

    Network18’s regional ambitions reveal its strategic thinking. The board approved acquisition of the remaining 50 per cent stake in IBN Lokmat News Pvt. Ltd. for Rs25 crore, transforming News18 Lokmat into a wholly owned subsidiary. Marathi news generates revenue momentum, and full ownership could unlock margin expansion. Could. That word carries weight.

    Adil Zainulbhai, chairman, declared the move “another step in that direction” of becoming “the one-stop news destination” whilst positioning the firm to benefit from government initiatives to boost consumer demand. The language is hopeful. The arithmetic is unforgiving.

    Network18 conquered the mountain and discovered nothing worth eating at the top. Market dominance means nothing when advertising inventory shrinks seven per cent industry-wide. Viewership share rises whilst revenue flatlines—the very definition of a saturated market where volume gains evaporate into pricing pressure. 

    Fintech partnerships, influencer ecosystems, and subscription tiers are the moves of a legacy business fighting for relevance, not a titan in its ascendancy. The firm hasn’t yet proven these new ventures can move the needle at scale. Until they do, Network18 remains a winner in a losing game.

  • Galeries Lafayette lands in Mumbai with massive bet on Indian luxury

    Galeries Lafayette lands in Mumbai with massive bet on Indian luxury

    MUMBAI: Mumbai will get its first luxury department store next month when Galeries Lafayette throws open the doors of its 90,000 sq ft flagship in the heritage Turner Morrison and Voltas House buildings at Kala Ghoda. The move marks the French retailer’s biggest bet yet on India’s exploding luxury market, forecast to hit $85bn by 2030.

    The partnership between the 130-year-old Parisian institution and Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL), struck in 2022, brings more than 250 global luxury brands to five floors of meticulously restored colonial grandeur. London’s Virgile + Partners has designed the space to blend Parisian refinement with Mumbai’s architectural heritage.

    Aditya Birla group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla called it “a coming-of-age moment for Indian luxury retail.” He pointed to India’s fastest-growing affluent population and a new generation of globally exposed consumers hungry for high-end experiences. “For the first time, India will welcome a luxury department store, housed in landmark real estate, executed with precision, and infused with the elegance of Indian sensibilities,” he said.

    Galeries Lafayette group executive chairman Nicolas Houzé described the Mumbai opening as “a defining moment” that brings together French heritage with India’s energy and cultural richness. The partnership with the Aditya Birla group, he added, gives the project “a particularly strong foundation.”

    To mark the occasion, both chairmen sailed from the Gateway of India aboard a flotilla of yachts for a celebration on the Arabian Sea—a suitably theatrical arrival for a brand built on spectacle.

    Beyond the merchandise, the flagship offers personal styling, private lounges, concierge services and curated cultural programmes. ABFRL, managing director Ashish Dikshit said the store aims to create “cultural experiences” that go beyond retail. “We are setting new benchmarks in assortment, service and experience,” he said.

    The store opens early next month at 16 G. Vaidya Road, Kala Ghoda. If India’s luxury trajectory holds, it won’t be the last of its kind. Mumbai’s moneyed set, it seems, is ready to shop like Parisians—without leaving home.

  • Creators boost Mipcom 2025 as television’s old guard opens the door

    Creators boost Mipcom 2025 as television’s old guard opens the door

    CANNES: The suits and the streamers are finally doing business. Mipcom 2024 pulled in 10,600 delegates—a modest uptick from last year’s 10,500—but the real story wasn’t in the numbers. It was in who showed up and what they were selling.

    Buyers rose to 3,340, up 100 from 2023, with Britain leading the pack, followed by the US , France, Germany, Turkey, Canada, Spain, Italy, Japan and South Korea. Yet the buzz on the Cannes market floor centred on a new breed of attendee: the creator economy, which Lucy Smith, RX France’s Mipcom and Mip London boss, called “the biggest shift in a generation for Mipcom.”

    YouTube planted its flag with a prominent presence, including a packed keynote featuring Pedro Pina, the platform’s EMEA chief, media cartographer Evan Shapiro and BBC Studios’ Jasmine Dawson. The session offered what Smith described as the “definitive playbook on partnerships,” demonstrating how traditional media can tap new audiences and build fandoms through collaboration.

    The convergence went beyond talk. Deals between legacy players and digital creators flowed throughout the week. “It feels like a tipping point for the industry,” Smith told reporters at a wrap press conference. “The relationship between the creator and mainstream economies isn’t binary. The opportunities come from collaboration, not from working in isolation.”

    Mipcom’s pitch to creators was simple: meet everyone worth meeting in one place, at one time, and figure out who can help build new business models. The market staged its first brand-funded content summit, BrandStorytelling, bringing agencies and brands face-to-face with the global production and distribution world. Early feedback suggests it’s here to stay.

    Traditional sales and distribution—”the engine of MIPCOM,” as Smith put it—roared back to life. Every major American studio turned up. Three big international advance screenings drew talent from around the world. Rights deals showed fresh flexibility, with windowing making a comeback, albeit in more complex forms than before.

    The market floor hosted 350 exhibitors, including 88 newcomers such as YouTube. Yet not everything pointed upward: MIPJunior attendance slipped to 940 from 1,000, reflecting ongoing headwinds in children’s programming.

    Smith struck a bullish note. “From change comes opportunity. The industry is resilient, it regenerates. The fact that this definitive global market has been held here every year for the past four decades is testament to that.”

    Next year’s edition runs from 12 to 15  October. The creators will be back. So will everyone else.

  • Grandma rocks the screen in Jai Mata Ji digital premiere

    Grandma rocks the screen in Jai Mata Ji digital premiere

    MUMBAI: This Diwali, grandma takes centre stage! Jai Mata Ji – Let’s Rock, the heartwarming and hilarious Gujarati family entertainer, is making its world digital premiere on ShemarooMe on 16 October 2025. Starring Malhar Thakar alongside veterans Tiku Talsania, Vandana Pathak, and Neela Mulherkar, the film blends comedy, heart, and a pinch of drama to explore life, choices, and mischief at any age.

    The story follows an 80-year-old grandmother whose life flips upside down thanks to a government scheme. Suddenly, she faces life-altering decisions: taking a stand against her self-absorbed children, rekindling a lost romance, or embracing a flamboyant, modern lifestyle. The result is chaos, laughter, and moments that tug at the heartstrings.

    Speaking about the film, Malhar Thakar said, “Manish Saini turned a serious topic into comedy while keeping it sensitive. Shooting with such a talented cast was a joy, and this film makes you laugh and feel emotional all at once. It’s a step forward for Gujarati cinema.”

    Tiku Talsania added, “The film satirically shows how respect for parents is often tied to money, a painful truth. This digital premiere on ShemarooMe allows this message to reach more families while entertaining them.”

    Directed with wit and warmth, Jai Mata Ji – Let’s Rock celebrates resilience, second chances, and living unapologetically, proving that life at 80 can be just as unpredictable, joyful, and adventurous as ever. This festive season, skip the reruns and let grandma lead the charge on screen.