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  • Maddys 2025 celebrates creativity with record entries and global reach

    Maddys 2025 celebrates creativity with record entries and global reach

    MUMBAI: The Advertising Club Madras proudly announced the successful completion of the 43rd edition of Maddys, presented by Dinamalar and powered by Peps, marking a grand celebration of creativity, media, digital, design and strategy under the theme “AI vs AI: Awesome Ideas vs Awesome Ideas.”

    The gala evening brought together the best of India’s creative, digital, and media industries and witnessed one of the most competitive editions in the award’s storied history, with 929 entries across 155 categories from over 106 agencies and clients spanning India and Nepal.

    Advertising Club Madras, secretary, Surej Salim said, “Maddys 2025 was an incredible celebration of ideas that inspire culture and transform businesses. Congratulations to all the winners whose creativity continues to be the heartbeat of our industry.”

    Demonstrating its credibility and fairness, Maddys 2025 employed a two-stage judging process, with each entry independently scored by at least three jurors in the first round and then deliberated upon in the second round by panels chaired by respected leaders, under the guidance of eight jury chairs, 27 industry experts, and jury convenor and process auditor Gokul Krishnamoorthy.

    This rigorous system resulted in 340 shortlisted entries and ultimately 184 awards, including four Grand Prix, 31 gold, 61 silver, 76 bronze, and 12 special recognitions across creative, media, digital, design, print, film, and audio categories, making this year’s edition a milestone in scale and competitiveness.

    With its legacy of 68 years and an active calendar of more than 50 programmes in just the past two years ranging from adtalks to student initiatives, the Advertising Club Madras reaffirmed its role as a driving force in the creative ecosystem, and through Maddys 2025, proved once again that this is where legends begin.  
     

  • Colour me record L’oréal inks Guinness title with 422 stylists in action

    Colour me record L’oréal inks Guinness title with 422 stylists in action

    MUMBAI: When 422 hairdressers pick up their brushes in unison, history gets a new shade. On 17 September 2025, L’Oréal Professionnel turned Mumbai’s NESCO into the nation’s largest ever salon, setting a Guinness World Records title for ‘Most people colouring hair’ in one go.

    The grand spectacle, dubbed Hair Color Coders 2025, saw 422 hairstylists and 422 models take over a 1 lakh sq ft space, powered by 60 backwashes and more than 5,000 tubes of colour. The palette of the day? Iconic Browns, the brand’s colour trend of the year versatile tones designed to capture India’s evolving love affair with understated glamour.

    But this was more than just a numbers game. With L’Oréal Professionnel Artistic Ambassadors and Indian Hairdressing Award winners leading the charge, the event spotlighted the rise of the hairdresser-as-creator. Stylists weren’t just colouring hair they were shaping digital stories, creating over 1,000 social mentions in a single day, and claiming their place as influencers in India’s booming beauty ecosystem.

    “What we achieved today showcases our ability to set global benchmarks,” said Zeenia Bastani, Director, Professional Products Division, L’Oréal India. “From Min Kim’s mega masterclass to 422 Iconic Brown makeovers under one roof, it was a celebration of artistry, entrepreneurship, and an overwhelming love for hairdressing.”

    The day was anchored by Min Kim, L’Oréal Professionnel’s Global Color Ambassador, who demonstrated cutting-edge techniques like face-framing and tonal layering. To prove the power of browns, she delivered a live makeover for actress Kritika Kamra, transforming her locks into a glossy, dimensional brunette showstopper that set Instagram buzzing.

    Mathilde Barthélemy-Vigier, General Manager, L’Oréal Professionnel India, called the event a “pivotal step for the professional hairdressing industry”. She underlined how premium salon services like hair colour are now driving unprecedented growth, with salons morphing into destinations for personalised, elevated experiences.

    The record-breaking showcase was the culmination of four intensive pre-event masterclasses where hairdressers were trained in not just cut, colour and style but also social savviness ensuring their artistry resonates both in salons and online feeds. “Education has been the backbone of our brand,” said Priya Kasthuri Rangan, Head of Education, L’Oréal Professionnel India. “Hair Color Coders wasn’t only about setting a record, it was about equipping stylists with the skills and confidence to shine as creators.”

    For the hairstylists, the event was both a celebration and a career-defining stage. Glossing, balayage, and gloss-layering techniques were redefined at scale, proving that Indian hairdressing can match and even set global trends.

    As Min Kim summed it up: “This moment reflects the power of sharing knowledge and elevating hair artistry internationally. Browns are being reimagined globally and India just coloured itself onto that map in a record-setting way.”

    From 5,000 tubes of Inoa, Majirel and Dia Color to 422 synchronised transformations, Hair Color Coders 2025 wasn’t just about dyeing hair, it was about dyeing history.
     

  • Karnataka court tells X it must bow to Indian content rules

    Karnataka court tells X it must bow to Indian content rules

    BENGALURU: X has lost its battle against India’s content regulators. The Karnataka high court today rejected a petition by Elon Musk’s social-media company challenging the government’s authority to issue information-blocking orders.

    “Social media needs to be regulated, and its regulation is a must, more so in cases of offences against women,” declared justice M. Nagaprasanna. The court warned that without proper oversight, citizens’ constitutional right to dignity would be “railroaded.”

    X, formerly Twitter, had argued that only specific provisions of the Information Technology Act gave officials the power to block content. The company wanted a declaration that section 79(3)(b) of the 2000 act did not empower government officers to issue such orders. Instead, it claimed only section 69A, combined with 2009 blocking rules, provided the proper legal framework.

    The platform also sought to avoid joining the government’s Sahyog portal, a compliance mechanism for social-media companies.

    After months of hearings that concluded in late July, justice Nagaprasanna delivered a stinging rebuke to X’s American-style free-speech arguments. “Information and communication has never been left unchecked and unregulated,” he noted. “American judicial thought cannot be transplanted into the soil of Indian constitutional thought.”

    The Centre had opposed X’s petition, arguing that unlawful content deserved less constitutional protection than legitimate speech. The ruling reinforces India’s increasingly assertive approach to regulating global tech platforms, requiring them to comply with local content standards regardless of their corporate preferences.

    The decision comes as India tightens its grip on social media, with companies facing mounting pressure to remove content deemed harmful to public order or national security.

  • Communications veteran moves to realise Value 360’s growth ambitions

    Communications veteran moves to realise Value 360’s growth ambitions

    NEW DELHI: Abhishek Dikshit, a communications specialist with over 20 years of experience crafting narratives for global brands, has joined Value 360 as vice-president. The appointment signals the PR firm’s intent to accelerate its evolution from challenger to trusted partner in India’s competitive communications landscape.

    Dikshit arrives from Kaizzen, where he spent four years as associate vice-president leading campaigns for healthcare, IT, energy and infrastructure clients. His portfolio included high-profile mandates for CMRI Hospital, Cairn Energy, FabIndia and BM Birla, among others.

    The new hire brings particular expertise in crisis management—a skill that earned his previous firm PR Professionals two golds. His crisis communication blueprint helped clients navigate reputational challenges whilst maintaining stakeholder trust.

    Before his agency stint,  Dikshit spent over four years at Amway India, where he led corporate communications across north India. His CSR initiatives there earned him the company’s regional trophy for three consecutive years and a spot representing India at Amway’s global CSR summit in Michigan in 2013.

    His career spans blue-chip clients including Google, Intel, Volkswagen, Canon and TataSky. At 20:20 Media, he orchestrated regional campaigns across 10 states, amplifying brand visibility for technology and automotive brands in tier-one and emerging markets.

    The appointment comes as Value 360 seeks to capitalise on India’s growing demand for strategic communications. The firm, led by Kunal Kishore, Gaurav Patra and Manisha Chaudhary, has built its reputation on what it calls a “will do” culture—emphasising execution over promises.

    Dikshit holds a postgraduate diploma in mass communication from Jaipuria Institute of Management and is certified in digital marketing. His approach combines traditional storytelling with data-driven strategy, tailored for diverse audience ecosystems across traditional, digital and owned media platforms.

    “In a world full of noise, the power of communication lies in crafting clarity that connects,” Dikshit said, outlining his philosophy as he settles into his new role.

  • Adani declares victory over Hindenburg storm as profits soar in letter to shareholders

    Adani declares victory over Hindenburg storm as profits soar in letter to shareholders

    MUMBAI: Gautam Adani has emerged from his regulatory bunker swinging, declaring the Hindenburg Research controversy a “defining inflection point” that strengthened rather than weakened his sprawling business empire.

    In a defiant letter to shareholders, the Indian billionaire framed last week’s Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi)  clearance as complete vindication, proclaiming “truth has prevailed” after nearly two years of scrutiny following the short-seller’s damning January 2023 report.

    The Adani Group chairman marshalled impressive financial firepower to support his narrative of resilience. Portfolio EBITDA rocketed from Rs 57,205 crore in FY23 to Rs 89,806 crore in FY25—a staggering 57 per cent absolute growth representing a two-year compound annual growth rate of 25 per cent.

    Asset expansion proved equally dramatic, with gross block swelling from Rs 4,12,318 crore to Rs 6,09,133 crore over the same period. That Rs two lakh crore addition marks a 48 per cent surge whilst the group battled accusations of accounting manipulation and stock price inflation.

    Adani positioned his conglomerate’s infrastructure achievements as proof of substance over speculation. The group commissioned India’s first container trans shipment port at Vizhinjam, added six gigawatts of renewable capacity including the world’s largest single-location renewable project at Khavda, and completed what it claims is the world’s largest copper smelter.

    The rhetoric veered between wounded pride and renewed ambition. Hindenburg’s assault wasn’t merely corporate criticism, Adani argued, but “a direct challenge to the audacity of Indian enterprises to dream on a global scale.” The implication: attacking Adani amounted to attacking India itself.

    Looking forward, the chairman promised to “further strengthen governance standards,” “accelerate innovation and sustainability,” and “double down on nation building”—language that suggests the controversy has hardly dented his expansionist appetites.

    The letter’s tone reflects broader themes in Indian corporate culture, where business leaders frequently cast commercial success in nationalist terms. For Adani, surviving Hindenburg’s onslaught becomes not just corporate vindication but validation of India’s global ambitions.

    Whether Sebi’s clearance truly closes the book on governance questions remains to be seen. But Adani’s defiant missive makes clear he views the storm as survived rather than merely weathered, with ambitious expansion plans intact.

  • Palmolive bets on mood-boosting suds to capture India’s stressed millennials

    Palmolive bets on mood-boosting suds to capture India’s stressed millennials

    MUMBAI: Colgate-Palmolive India has unleashed its latest weapon in the battle for bathroom shelf space: a trio of body washes designed to tackle the daily grind of India’s perpetually knackered urban professionals.

    The Palmolive Moments range arrives with scientific-sounding credentials and mood-altering promises that would make a aromatherapist blush. Three variants target specific moments of millennial misery: “Mindful Awake” for groggy mornings, “Workout Fresh” for post-gym recovery, and “Restful Sleep” for winding down after another caffeine-fuelled day.

    “Today’s young, urban consumer leads an active and intense life,” declared Colgate-Palmolive India director of marketing  Swati Rao Jeyakumar. She painted a portrait of the target customer as someone perpetually “wired-but-tired”—struggling to sleep, waking up groggy, and feeling battered after workouts.

    The company’s answer involves patented fragrance technologies with names like VivaScentz and Meta SleepTech, promising scents that linger for six to eight hours. Mindful Awake pairs orange and hibiscus to jolt morning zombies back to life, whilst Workout Fresh combines spearmint and eucalyptus for post-exercise revival. Restful Sleep deploys the usual suspects—lavender, jasmine and chamomile—to allegedly ease the transition to slumberland.

    Priced at Rs 660 for 750ml pump packs, the range targets consumers willing to pay premium prices for promises of sensorial transformation. The products are rolling out across major e-commerce platforms including Amazon, Flipkart and Nykaa, reflecting the brand’s focus on digitally savvy shoppers.

    Colgate-Palmolive’s foray into mood-targeting personal care reflects the broader premiumisation of India’s Rs 45,000-crore personal care market. As consumers increasingly seek products that promise more than basic cleansing, brands are scrambling to create emotional connections through increasingly elaborate formulations and marketing narratives.

    Whether Indian consumers will pay premium prices to transform their shower routine from “ordinary to sensorial” remains to be seen. But with urban stress levels showing no signs of abating, Palmolive’s bet on therapeutic bathing might just strike a chord with India’s frazzled masses.

  • Phorce Club joins forces with Cheteshwar Pujara to popularise Pickleball in India

    Phorce Club joins forces with Cheteshwar Pujara to popularise Pickleball in India

    MUMBAI: Phorce Club, a pioneering company building the Pickleball ecosystem in India, has appointed former Indian cricket stalwart Cheteshwar Pujara as its brand ambassador.

    As Pickleball rapidly emerges as one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, Phorce Club aims to lead its adoption nationwide. Pujara, known for his focus, discipline, and consistency on the cricket field, embodies the qualities the brand seeks to inspire across households, combining professional grit with everyday fitness.

    Phorce Club operates across the full spectrum of the sport, from designing and manufacturing equipment, to developing accessible Pickleball courts, and organising national tournaments and leagues to foster skill, engagement, and community. The company is led by founders Sujay Jairaj, Premal Shah, and Heman Ajmera, whose combined expertise drives grassroots participation, business foresight, and strategic sustainability.

    Phorce Club, co-founder, Premal Shah, said, “Sport is more than fitness; it is a pathway to resilience, community, and collective growth. Cheteshwar Pujara embodies the Phorce mindset: focus, determination, and strength. With his support, we aim to take Pickleball beyond recreation and inspire every Indian to embrace both physical vitality and mental resilience.”

    “The brand’s philosophy resonates deeply with me, true strength lies in persistence, focus, and collective growth. I’m delighted to be associated with Phorce Club. Together, we want to encourage people across India to push their boundaries and discover the Phorce within,” Pujara added.

    Phorce Club plans to roll out nationwide campaigns, community-building initiatives, motivational content series, and Phorce Clubs in major cities, serving as hubs for fitness, recreation, and networking. Partnerships with schools and NGOs will expand Pickleball access to underprivileged children, reflecting the brand’s belief that sport is both a right and a catalyst for empowerment.

     

  • Cricket body dangles south Asian media rights carrot

    Cricket body dangles south Asian media rights carrot

    LONDON: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has fired the starting gun on a potentially lucrative media rights auction, releasing tender documents for broadcasting deals across Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka spanning 2026 to 2028.

    The prize package includes some of cricket’s crown jewels: the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, and the Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Women’s cricket gets equal billing with the T20 World Cup 2026 and the inaugural Women’s T20 Champions Trophy.

    Pakistan emerges as the most complex battleground, with the ICC carving up rights into five separate packages covering both men’s and women’s tournaments. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka each get streamlined single-package deals combining television and digital rights—a nod to the region’s rapidly evolving media consumption habits.

    Broadcasters and streaming platforms eyeing the action must contact iccmediarights2024-2031@icc-cricket.com to access tender documents. The ICC promises more invitation-to-tender releases for additional markets in the coming weeks, suggesting a coordinated global push to maximise revenues.

    The timing reflects cricket’s commercial renaissance, particularly in south Asia where the sport commands religious devotion and advertising premiums. Pakistan’s multi-package approach hints at the ICC’s confidence in extracting maximum value from a market where cricket broadcasts routinely deliver audiences in the tens of millions.

    The tender covers four men’s events and three women’s tournaments, underlining the ICC’s commitment to gender parity in its commercial strategy. For broadcasters, the stakes are clear: miss out now, and watch rivals corner one of sport’s most passionate fanbases until 2028.

  • Hettich unveils ‘world of magic’ with innovative sliding solutions for modern interiors

    Hettich unveils ‘world of magic’ with innovative sliding solutions for modern interiors

    MUMBAI: Hettich, a global leader in furniture fittings, continues to set benchmarks with its innovative German designs. Known for creating magical interior solutions, the brand transforms homes with fittings that blend aesthetics, functionality, and comfort. Among its most celebrated innovations are sliding systems, valued for their space-saving benefits, seamless usability, versatility, and elegant appeal.

    Hettich offers a comprehensive range of sliding solutions, including top-running and bottom-running systems, room dividers, folding systems, special sliding applications, and thoughtfully designed wardrobe accessories, ensuring there is a solution for every design requirement. These products redefine convenience while elevating the style and efficiency of interiors.

    Hettich’s excellence is recognized globally, with its sliding solutions receiving accolades such as the ‘Red dot design award’, ‘Good design award,’ and ‘if design award’: testaments to their appeal among customers and experts alike.

    Hettich India, Saarc, Middle East & Africa, managing director, Andre Eckholt said, “At Hettich, we believe in creating magical interior solutions that go beyond functionality to truly transform spaces. Our award-winning sliding systems bring smooth, silent, and seamless experiences to every home. With our latest campaign, we aim to showcase the magic of sliding systems and how they can redefine modern interiors.”

    Hettich invites customers to experience its innovative sliding solutions first-hand at Hettich experience centres and exclusive stores.

     

  • Times Play makes US debut on Sling TV

    Times Play makes US debut on Sling TV

    MUMBAI: Lights, camera, action! Times Play has packed its bags and landed in America. The digital-first OTT platform from Times Network has made its international debut on Sling TV, giving the Indian diaspora in the US a fresh stage to enjoy short-form series, Hindi cinema favourites, documentaries and lifestyle shows tailored just for them.

    Already a familiar name in India, Times Play is the newest addition to Times Network’s strong line-up on Sling, which already beams channels such as Times Now, ET Now and Zoom to American homes.

    Thrilled about the launch, Times Network said the move is designed to deliver a curated and immersive entertainment experience that celebrates the cultural flavours loved by global audiences. From spicy food shows to star-studded Hindi cinema drama, Times Play promises a buffet of viewing options to suit every mood.

    The partnership with Sling TV, known for its diverse international and multicultural programming, marks a milestone in Times Network’s mission to take its premium content global and keep diasporic audiences feeling right at home.

    For the Indian community abroad, the message is clear, with Times Play now on Sling, there’s always something worth watching.