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  • Tata Motors overhauls board as it splits commercial vehicle unit

    Tata Motors overhauls board as it splits commercial vehicle unit

    MUMBAI: Tata Motors is reshuffling its boardroom as India’s biggest carmaker prepares to spin off its commercial vehicle business into a separate listed entity. The Mumbai-based company announced sweeping changes to its leadership on 26 September, with three independent directors stepping down and a new managing director taking the helm.

    The biggest change sees Shailesh Chandra appointed as managing director and chief executive, replacing Girish Wagh, who will move to head the soon-to-be-listed TML Commercial Vehicles. Chandra, currently joint managing director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, will serve a three-year term from 1 October.

    Three independent directors are departing as part of the reorganisation. Hanne Sorensen, a former Tata Consultancy Services board member, will step down on 30 September  but remain on the board of Jaguar Land Rover, Tata Motors’ British luxury car unit. Kosaraju Veerayya Chowdary and Guenter Karl Butschek will both leave on 1 October  to join the commercial vehicles entity’s board.

    Replacing them is Sudha Krishnan, a former senior civil servant who retired in 2020 as member finance to India’s Space Commission and Atomic Energy Commission.  Krishnan, who has four decades of experience in public policy and finance, will serve a five-year term as independent director.

    The changes come as Tata Motors executes a composite scheme of arrangement approved by India’s National Company Law Tribunal. The demerger, which becomes effective on 1 October, will see shareholders receive one share in TML Commercial Vehicles for every share they hold in Tata Motors.

    In another significant move, P B Balaji will resign as group chief financial officer on 17 November  to become chief executive of Jaguar Land Rover. He will be replaced by Dhiman Gupta, currently chief financial officer of Tata Passenger Electric Mobility. Unusually,  Balaji will rejoin Tata Motors’ board as a non-executive director on the same day he steps down from his executive role.

    The restructuring reflects Tata Motors’ strategy to separate its commercial vehicle operations from its passenger car and Jaguar Land Rover businesses. The company is also transferring Rs 2,300 crore worth of non-convertible debentures to the commercial vehicles unit as part of the demerger.

    The board changes were approved at a meeting that ran from 2pm to 5pm on 26 September, with all appointments subject to shareholder approval.

  • PVR Inox brings India–Pak final to 100 plus big screens

    PVR Inox brings India–Pak final to 100 plus big screens

    MUMBAI: Popcorn, cheers and nail-biting overs, cricket’s fiercest rivalry is ready for its close-up. PVR Inox is turning the Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan into a cinematic spectacle, screening the clash live on 28 September across more than 100 cinema halls nationwide.

    Partnering with ITW Universe and the Asian Cricket Council, PVR Inox is offering fans an ad-free, stadium-like atmosphere, only this time with Dolby sound and plush recliners. Earlier India–Pakistan matches saw audiences clap, chant and celebrate in unison, recreating the charged energy of the stands.

    “The screenings have shown us how deeply cricket connects our audiences,” said PVR Inox lead specialist – innovation, film marketing & digital programming Aamer Bijli. “It’s about creating an experience where fans feel every roar, every wicket and every boundary as if they were inside the stadium itself.”

    The India–Pakistan final promises high drama, unforgettable gameplay and the kind of intensity that only this rivalry delivers. With tickets already live, fans are being urged to book fast to secure a seat for what promises to be more than just a match, a community celebration on the big screen.

  • Polycab sparks festive joy with safe and happy connections across India

    Polycab sparks festive joy with safe and happy connections across India

    MUMBAI: Festivals may be about faith and fireworks, but this year it’s Polycab India limited that’s turning up the voltage on celebration. As India steps into its busiest festive calendar from Navratri in Gujarat to Durga Puja in Kolkata and Dasara in Mysuru Polycab is proving that a safe connection can be just as powerful as a spiritual one.

    At the heart of it all is the brand’s promise: “India’s Safe & Happy Connection.” And Polycab is delivering it with community-first activations that blend tradition, comfort, and inclusion.

    In Ahmedabad’s Heritage Garba, revellers are welcomed with selfie installations and cooling zones to keep spirits high (and temperatures low). Vadodara’s VVN Garba takes it a step further with illuminated connect points designed to help people meet, plus mobile charging stations that keep phones buzzing long after the dandiya beats. At the iconic Nyay Mandir Garba, grand Polycab-branded entry gates greet thousands, lighting up the festive nights with style and safety.

    Polycab’s theme “Priyojoner Safety, Anonder Connection” (Loved ones’ safety, the connection of happiness) is making a cultural splash across the city’s pandals. At Samaj Sebi Sangha, Goddess Durga’s Vaahans come alive with Polycab products woven into their design, symbolising modern innovation anchored in tradition. Over at Ballygunge Cultural Association, a striking curved LED tunnel narrates Polycab’s journey through culture and light.

    For the crowds weaving through Kolkata’s Puja routes, comfort zones offer not just shade and seating but also mobile charging hubs, wheelchair assistance for the elderly, and baby care rooms for young mothers thoughtful touches that make pandal hopping more inclusive.

    In Karnataka, Polycab’s footprint shines during the grandeur of Mysuru Dasara. At the Chamundi Hill Temple, devotees find relief in cool zones with water and charging points, while the brand backs the Mysuru Traffic Police with branded jackets and booths to aid crowd management. High-visibility hoardings across the Nada Habba routes ensure that Polycab remains part of the city’s most iconic spectacle.

    “At Polycab, our purpose has always been to put people first, and India’s festivals are a natural extension of this belief,” said Polycab India senior vice president for brand & marcom Shwetal Basu. “By creating activations rooted in tradition yet aligned with evolving community needs, we aim to make celebrations safer, more inclusive, and truly memorable.”

    This isn’t Polycab’s first tryst with cultural milestones. From Lalbaugcha Raja in Mumbai to Rath Yatra in Puri, the brand has consistently delivered comfort zones, safety booths, and charging hubs to millions of devotees. With its 2025 festive activations, Polycab has cemented its role not just as an electrical brand but as a partner in India’s most cherished celebrations.

    In a season where lights, sound, and spirit converge, Polycab has managed to weave in its own sparkle ensuring that the connection of happiness is not just felt, but safely shared.

  • Jockey slips into seamless with new women’s range

    Jockey slips into seamless with new women’s range

    MUMBAI: Comfort has never been so well dressed. Jockey is taking innerwear to the next level with its new women’s collection under the Designed to disappear campaign.

    Launched by Page Industries, the range uses advanced bonding technology to create bras and shapewear that fit like a second skin. From T-shirt and strapless bras to lounge and shaping styles, the collection promises invisible support, sleek lines, and all-day ease in a versatile neutral palette.

    “This collection is for the modern woman who won’t compromise on either comfort or style,” said Jockey India CMO Nihal Rajan. “Bonding technology allows each piece to feel effortless, letting it disappear into the day as naturally as it fits.”

    To make the experience more personal, Jockey is also rolling out an in-store “Size Check” fitting service, helping women find their perfect match in comfort and style.

    Now available across Jockey exclusive brand stores, multi-brand outlets, and online, the launch is backed by a multi-platform campaign spanning digital, outdoor, and in-store media, ensuring seamless comfort makes a strong, and subtle, statement.

  • Sara Ali Khan adds star shine as new face of Streax Shine Hair Serum

    Sara Ali Khan adds star shine as new face of Streax Shine Hair Serum

    MUMBAI: Bad hair days just lost their drama. Streax, from the house of Hygienic Research Institute pvt ltd (HRIPL), has signed Bollywood’s sunshine girl Sara Ali Khan as the face of its Streax Shine Hair Serum, launching the sparkling new campaign “Frizz Gone, Smooth Shine On.”

    With her youthful charm, quick wit, and effortless sense of style, Sara mirrors Streax’s promise of helping women “shine on” with confidence. The new TVC captures everyday moments where frizz strikes windy rooftops, chaotic commutes, surprise selfies and flips them into smooth, glossy, camera-ready looks with just a quick touch of the serum.

    Enriched with Walnut Oil and Vitamin E, Streax Shine Hair Serum is known for its ability to instantly tame frizz while adding smoothness and radiant shine. Available in pack sizes of 45 ml, 100 ml, and 200 ml, the serum is designed for every occasion whether a casual college day or a red-carpet evening. The Streax haircare range extends further to Frizz Control Hair Serum, Heat Protect Spray, and Moisture Boost Spray, offering tailored solutions for every hair need.

    “Sara Ali Khan is the perfect face to front the Streax movement where haircare is not just about products but about confidence and everyday style,” said HRIPL sr. VP of marketing Priyanka Puri. “Frizz Gone, Smooth Shine On brings alive the idea that frizz can strike anyone, anywhere, and Streax Shine Hair Serum is a simple, everyday solution that transforms frizz into smooth, shiny, camera-ready hair in an instant.”

    Adding her own sparkle, Sara Ali Khan said: “I’m truly excited to join the Streax family! For me, hair isn’t just about style, it’s about confidence and self-expression. What I love about Streax Shine Hair Serum is how it instantly adds shine and smoothness, making every look feel complete.”

    With this campaign, Streax isn’t just selling a product; it’s amplifying a philosophy confidence as style, everyday radiance as empowerment. By placing Sara Ali Khan at the heart of this movement, Streax aims to inspire women across India to embrace their shine, whether they’re stepping into a boardroom, a classroom, or onto a dance floor.

    From battling frizz to flaunting gloss, the message is clear: with Streax Shine Hair Serum, every woman can shine on boldly, beautifully, and instantly.

     

  • Veteran journalist M L Kotru, former The Statesman editor, dies at 91

    Veteran journalist M L Kotru, former The Statesman editor, dies at 91

    MUMBAI: M L Kotru, one of India’s most respected journalists and a former editor of The Statesman, passed away on Thursday at his home in Gurgaon. He was 91.

    Kotru’s career stretched across nearly sixty years, during which he reported, edited and mentored across some of India’s leading publications. He began with stints at Sunday Mail and ANI before rising through the ranks at The Statesman, where he worked for years as diplomatic correspondent and later as editor. Even after stepping away from full-time newsroom roles, he remained active in commentary, contributing columns to The Statesman until 2013 and writing frequently for outlets in his native Kashmir.

    Beyond his professional accomplishments, Kotru played a vital role in shaping generations of reporters. A senior member and former secretary-general of the Press Club of India, he was widely regarded as a guiding hand for younger colleagues. His writing earned recognition with the Watumull Award for The Other Side, a series praised for its evocative depth and sharp observations.

    Condolences poured in from colleagues and protégés across the media industry. Furquan Moharkan of Morning Context described him as “the doyen of journalism,” while fellow journalist Parul Chandra remembered him as “a reporter’s editor and a brilliant writer.” The Press Club of India called his passing “an irreparable loss to journalism,” honouring him as a founding presence who upheld integrity and rigour in the profession.

  • ABD Maestro shakes up spirits with AI-driven marketing

    ABD Maestro shakes up spirits with AI-driven marketing

    MUMBAI:  ABD Maestro stirs up the spirits scene with a high-tech twist. The luxury and super-premium spirits company has launched India’s first generative AI-led consumer engagement initiative, putting Zoya Gin and Woodburns Whisky at the forefront of tech-driven marketing.

    Zoya Gin is unveiling AI-generated Value added packs (VAPs) alongside AI lifestyle influencer Kavya Mehra, while Woodburns Whisky teams up with AI influencer Kabir Manja to create immersive storytelling experiences for its community of “Bold Explorers.” The initiative combines AI-driven design, content creation, and influencer collaborations to engage consumers like never before.

    “Generative AI is reshaping how alcobev brands communicate,” said ABD’s director of marketing and special accounts Arvind Hangal. “It helps us reduce production timelines, push creative boundaries, and deliver culturally relevant narratives that resonate with today’s consumers.”

    By embracing AI, ABD Maestro is not just innovating product marketing, it is pioneering a new standard for personalised, meaningful engagement in the Indian spirits market.

  • Insurance on the move with HDFC Ergo’s OOH ride

    Insurance on the move with HDFC Ergo’s OOH ride

    MUMBAI: HDFC Ergo has just made your commute a little more secure, at least in spirit. The general insurance giant, in partnership with Posterscope India, has rolled out a campaign that turns everyday travel hubs into larger-than-life reminders of trust and protection.

    The spotlight is on Mumbai’s Airport road metro station, chosen for its steady stream of office-goers and long dwell times. For the next three years, everything from bus queue shelters to station spaces will serve as living billboards for the brand, making HDFC Ergo a familiar companion on thousands of daily journeys.

    “Branding the Airport road metro station is not just about scale, it is about connection,” said Posterscope India CEO Imtiyaz Vilatra. “We see OOH not just as advertising, but as a way to naturally integrate brands into people’s lives.”

    With every wait at a shelter and every ride through the station, commuters will find HDFC Egro quietly weaving itself into the fabric of their routine, a brand that travels with them, rain or shine.
     

  • Kareena shines in kids’ haircare’s starry new role

    Kareena shines in kids’ haircare’s starry new role

    MUMBAI: Talk about a hair-raising debut. Kareena Kapoor Khan is now the face of a kids’ care revolution. KT Kids, India’s first dedicated children’s haircare brand, has roped in the Hindi cinema icon as its brand ambassador, blending her glamour and credibility with the playful charm of Spongebob Squarepants. The collaboration promises to make haircare both safe and fun, turning daily routines into moments children look forward to.

    From shampoos and serums to protein creams, KT Kids’ Spongebob line delivers clinically tested, premium-quality solutions designed specifically for little ones. With age-specific ranges for boys and girls, the brand is already winning parents’ trust while adding a splash of colour and joy to everyday grooming.

    “As a mother, I know how important safe and effective products are for kids,” said Kareena, adding that KT Kids’ range balances science with fun.

    KT Kids founder Dhruv Sayani calls it a “bold leap,” combining science, trust and star power to set new standards in children’s haircare. 

    Looks like the kids’ aisle just got its most stylish upgrade yet.

  • Steelers turn style raiders with Puma in kabaddi’s coolest crossover

    Steelers turn style raiders with Puma in kabaddi’s coolest crossover

    MUMBAI: Kabaddi just got a wardrobe upgrade. The Haryana Steelers, known for rewriting rules on the mat, have stepped into an all-new arena fashion. In a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Puma India, the team’s official kit partner, the Steelers have launched a stylised campaign that reimagines kabaddi stars not just as athletes but as cultural icons of desi cool.

    The campaign takes kabaddi out of the mud pits and into the mainstream, blending the sport’s raw energy with the swagger of Haryanvi rap, hip hop and street style. It’s a bold statement: kabaddi belongs not just in stadiums but also in playlists, conversations and wardrobes.

    Traditionally, kabaddi players have been showcased through a lens of grit, sweat and physicality. This time, the Steelers are seen in a never-before avatar styled like trendsetters who embody aspiration, pride and pop culture. By tapping into subcultures shaping youth identity in North India, the campaign redefines kabaddi athletes as off-field style leaders.

    “This collaboration with Puma is more than just fashion; it’s about breaking stereotypes,” said Haryana Steelers and JSW Sports CEO Divyanshu Singh. “Kabaddi players are not only athletes; they are cultural icons who inspire a generation. With this campaign, we wanted to showcase their journey in a way today’s youth can relate to and look up to. Our aim is to make kabaddi, and the Haryana Steelers, truly aspirational, something that represents pride, ambition and coolness both on and off the mat.”

    Echoing the sentiment, Puma India head of marketing Shreya Sachdev added: “As the leading sports brand in the country, Puma believes that investing in sport beyond cricket is crucial. Kabaddi is already the second-most watched sports league in India, and the Haryana Steelers have consistently proven their mettle. Now, it’s time for their fans to see them as off-field rockstars too.”

    With this HS x Puma India collaboration, the Haryana Steelers are cementing themselves not just as athletes but as a lifestyle statement. By blending fashion, music and sport, they’re spearheading a cultural shift that positions kabaddi as cool, aspirational and deeply rooted in India’s evolving youth identity.

    From mitti ke akhadas to global conversations, the Steelers are proving kabaddi is more than just a game, it’s a movement.