Tag: Ankit Agarwal

  • Rajasthan’s rising stars multi-sector growth showcased at Gems of Rajasthan

    Rajasthan’s rising stars multi-sector growth showcased at Gems of Rajasthan

    MUMBAI: ET Now Swadesh, the Hindi business news channel of Times Network, hosted ‘The Gems of Rajasthan,’ a prestigious event celebrating the state’s dynamic economic growth. Honouring excellence across 15 key industries, the event highlighted Rajasthan’s evolving business landscape, attracting investors and innovators alike.

    The event’s chief guest, government of Rajasthan minister of water resources department Suresh Singh Rawat presented awards to distinguished achievers. Speaking on the state’s progress, he remarked, “Rajasthan is witnessing remarkable growth, attracting significant investments. Beyond Pushkar, all religious and tourist sites in the state are being developed with better infrastructure. The industrial sector is also receiving strong support from the government. Our goal is to ensure that every entrepreneur and investor finds a transparent, efficient, and supportive system. The government is committed to both ‘development and heritage’ while accelerating growth.”

    ‘Royal Rajasthan: Multi-Sector Growth Catalyst’, where industry pioneers explored the state’s promising future in tourism, Agri-tech, and business innovation. The panel featured Federation of Hospitality & Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR) president Kuldeep Singh Chandela, Freshokartz Agritech Startup & Warmup Ventures founder & CEO Rajendra Lora, Pachar Group of Hotels director Radhika Pachar, and RMC Switchgears Ltd. CEO Ankit Agarwal. Together, they shared expert insights on Rajasthan’s evolving economic potential.

    With a blend of heritage and progress, Rajasthan continues to cement its status as a thriving hub for industry and investment.

  • PepsiCo India launches Gatorade in Jammu & Kashmir

    PepsiCo India launches Gatorade in Jammu & Kashmir

    Mumbai: PepsiCo India is expanding its beverage offerings in Jammu & Kashmir with the launch of its iconic hydration brand, Gatorade for the first time in the market. Gatorade is known for its commitment to inspire young individuals to lead active lifestyles and reinstates the important role hydration plays in helping them unlock their full potential. Gatorade will be available in Jammu & Kashmir in all three of its flavors: blue bolt, orange, and lemon.

    With the rollout of Gatorade across Jammu & Kashmir, PepsiCo India will further the brand’s ongoing ‘Sweat Makes You Shine’ messaging and campaign in the state. Beyond refueling audiences physically to combat dehydration, Gatorade will inspire all consumers with the confidence and self-belief they need to achieve peak performance.

    The launch of Gatorade was celebrated by a marquee event in Jammu in the presence of renowned personalities including Vivrant Sharma, Ajay Sharma, head coach, seniors of JKCA, Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) member Brig. Anil Gupta, and current captain – Jammu & Kashmir cricket team and former India U19 player Shubham Khajuria. The event also welcomed PepsiCo India leadership and Jai Beverages Pvt. Ltd owner Anurag Jaipuria. These designated guests engaged in a conversation that highlighted Gatorade’s role in hydration and maintaining an active lifestyle, positioning it as the preferred choice for athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike.

    PepsiCo India associate director, energy & hydration Ankit Agarwal said, “Backed by GSSI (Gatorade Sports Science Institute), Gatorade has consistently been at the forefront of hydration, delivering athletes and people with active lifestyles the essential means to enhance their performance through consistent replenishment. We are thrilled to bring Gatorade to Jammu & Kashmir and are hopeful that we inspire professional athletes or anyone who enjoys an active lifestyle across the region to keep pushing the limits and stay hydrated in their fitness journey with Gatorade.”

    PepsiCo director- north, east and central Saurabh Sharma said, “As we introduce Gatorade in Jammu & Kashmir, I’m absolutely thrilled. Our goal is to inspire everyone in the region, be they athletes or those who follow active lifestyle, to stay hydrated and pursue their goals with the support of Gatorade every step of the way.”

    Jai Beverages Pvt Ltd VP sales and marketing Sami Butt said, “Gatorade believes in the importance of staying active and healthy. We’re happy to bring Gatorade to Jammu & Kashmir, hoping to motivate athletes and active individuals to stay hydrated and reach their goals.”

    Gatorade is available in three variants – blue bolt, orange, and lemon in 250 ml packs across all traditional and modern retail outlets as well as leading e-commerce platforms.

  • Gatorade’s ‘Turf Finder’ initiative utilises data to unlock urban playgrounds

    Gatorade’s ‘Turf Finder’ initiative utilises data to unlock urban playgrounds

    Mumbai: Gatorade, PepsiCo India’s iconic hydration brand, has introduced its ‘Turf Finder’ initiative aimed at promoting the love and will for playing sports, amidst the hustle and bustle of India’s metropolitan areas, in partnership with Leo Burnett India. Gatorade seeks to inspire young individuals to embrace physical activity as a key part of their daily lives.

    Addressing the scarcity of recreational space in urban India, Gatorade’s ‘Turf Finder’ initiative is committed to finding us places to play, wherever and whenever space permits in the city. Utilizing historical maps data, Gatorade will pinpoint appropriate locations, including vacant parking lots or empty streets, and transform them into accessible playing areas for citizens across India’s metropolitan cities. The first Turf will be launched in Mumbai, with successive releases planned for other metropolitan cities, including Bengaluru.

    To launch the initiative, Gatorade has released a compelling film that depicts the chaotic and fast-paced lifestyle of city dwellers. Amidst the frenzy of bustling schedules and cramped quarters, the film delivers a powerful reminder, that all one needs is the will to play and we will find them the space. Gatorade is leading the charge by showing us how these spaces can be used to embrace an active lifestyle.

     

     

    Speaking on the initiative, PepsiCo India associate director, energy & hydration Ankit Agarwal said, “Gatorade has consistently championed the importance of fitness and an active lifestyle as integral components of well-being. However, in today’s fast-paced and chaotic society, finding both time and a suitable space for physical activity poses a significant challenge. We firmly believe that this initiative will make sport accessible to a lot more people, thereby cultivating a healthier lifestyle. By providing convenient and inviting spaces for play, we hope to inspire communities to embrace the intrinsic value of staying active amidst the demands of modern life.”

    Adding further, Publicis Groupe – South Asia CCO & Leo Burnett – South Asia chairman Rajdeepak Das said, “This is a true HumanKind idea where we are using technology to find solutions for modern day problems. Our cities are temporal in nature, they behave different by day and different by night. We have validated this spirit and used historic Google map data to find empty spaces at specific times which can be made into a turf. The most exciting part is that this campaign can be scaled across the country and not only promote an active lifestyle but also make a cultural impact in communities making sport an equalizer.”

    Gatorade’s new initiative will be amplified through a 360-degree campaign across digital, outdoor, and social media. Gatorade is available in 3 variants – Blue Bolt, Orange, and Lemon at 250 ml @Rs 20 and 500 ml @Rs 50 – both in traditional and modern stores and through leading e-commerce sites/apps.

    Consumers can visit Gatorade’s exclusive website to find out more details and clues on the upcoming Turf drops – www.gatoturffinder.com 

  • Gatorade launches ‘Sweat Makes You Shine’ campaign with Hardik Pandya

    Gatorade launches ‘Sweat Makes You Shine’ campaign with Hardik Pandya

    Mumbai: Gatorade, PepsiCo India’s iconic hydration brand, has made a marquee announcement to launch its first television commercial in a decade in India. This eagerly awaited campaign, titled ‘Sweat Makes You Shine,’ features youth icon, Hardik Pandya.

    The ‘Sweat Makes You Shine’ campaign is set to captivate audiences nationwide with its powerful message on the significance of hydration in contributing to achieving great performance. The campaign emphasizes Gatorade’s commitment to inspire young individuals to lead active lifestyles and reinstates the important role hydration plays in helping them unlock their full potential.

    In the compelling film, we witness the inspiring journey of Hardik Pandya illustrating that true success only comes when your talent is amplified with sweat and hard work.  As he’s hailed ‘Man of the Match’ for his extraordinary talent, a bead of sweat on his forehead takes us back to the scenes of his tireless training – each moment a testament to his persistent commitment and sweating it out to achieve his goals, bringing out the fact that it is his hard work and sweat that makes his talent shine. Throughout, Gatorade stands as his unwavering companion, helping him hydrate and propelling him forward. Hardik accepts his honor and acknowledges that it’s his sweat and hard work that magnifies his talent, echoing the importance of preparation and Gatorade’s role in keeping him hydrated.

    Speaking on the campaign, PepsiCo India associate director – energy & hydration Ankit Agarwal said, “Backed by GSSI (Gatorade Sports Science Institute), Gatorade has consistently been at the forefront of hydration, delivering athletes and people with active lifestyles the essential means to enhance their performance through consistent replenishment. With our latest campaign, we hope to inspire professional athletes or anyone who enjoys an active lifestyle to keep pushing the limits and stay hydrated in their fitness journey with Gatorade.”

    Commenting on the campaign, cricketer Hardik Pandya, who is exclusively managed by RISE Worldwide, said, “I strongly believe in the transformative potential of hard work, unwavering determination, and putting in the effort.  With this campaign alongside Gatorade, I aim to emphasize the importance of these principles to my fans, reinforcing the value of dedicating oneself to working harder and, in turn, maintaining peak performance through consistent hydration.”

    “As an athlete, there is no short cut to success – it takes dedication, hard work and discipline to outshine. Our campaign spotlights Gatorade as the perfect partner to help you keep pushing your limits in this journey to success. And who better than Hardik Pandya one of the most successful and iconic sports personalities to bring home this message.” said Leo Burnett CEO and chief creative officer – South Asia Raj Deepak Das.

    Gatorade’s new campaign will be amplified through a 360-degree campaign across television, digital, outdoor, and social media. Gatorade is available in three variants – Blue Bolt, Orange, and Lemon at 250 ml @Rs 20 and 500 ml @Rs 50 – both in traditional and modern stores and through leading e-commerce sites/ apps.

  • PepsiCo India sparks a surge of energy with the launch of Sting Blue Current

    PepsiCo India sparks a surge of energy with the launch of Sting Blue Current

    Mumbai: PepsiCo India’s brand, Sting is all set to electrify consumers across India with the launch of its limited-edition flavour, Sting Blue Current, a captivating new addition to its Sting Energy lineup. The launch of Sting® Blue Current is accompanied by a quirky new brand campaign that reaffirms Sting’s mantra of electrifying energy with, ‘Sting Blue Current, Kamaal ka Current’ tagline – inviting consumers to experience the exhilaration of Sting Blue Current firsthand.

    The film starts with a young couple sitting under a star – lit sky. The girl hopes to see a shooting star to share her secret wish. The boy, in his quirky Sting style, decides to jolt himself up by getting a bolt of energy as he takes a sip of the new Sting Blue Current. He creatively turns himself into a shooting star as the girl closes her eyes to make her wish.  The film concludes with an electrifying note, echoing the brand’s tagline ‘Sting Blue Current, Kamaal ka Current’, igniting a sense of possibilities through Sting Blue Current’s ‘Can-Do’ energy.

    Speaking about the launch of Sting Blue Current and the new campaign, PepsiCo India associate director – energy & hydration Ankit Agarwal said, “Over the past few years, Sting has carved a special place in the hearts of consumers across India. Building on the love we have received in the Indian market, we’re adding Sting Blue Current to the line-up, a new variant that gives consumers the choice to experience Sting energy with a refreshing new flavour. Sting Blue Current embodies our brand’s core of energizing consumers and represents our commitment to giving our audiences an electrifying boost, all while staying faithful to the brand they’ve grown to adore.”

    The new Sting Blue Current TVC will be amplified through a 360-degree campaign across television, digital, outdoor, and social media.

    Sting Blue Current is available at Rs 20 at 200 ml in single serve packs across India. Sting’s red flavor will continue to be available in small single serve packs in 200ml and 250ml and multi serve pack of 500 ml across all modern and traditional retail outlets in India, as well as on leading e-commerce platforms.  

  • Gatorade welcomes Sumit Nagal as its new family member

    Gatorade welcomes Sumit Nagal as its new family member

    Mumbai: After coming across tennis player Sumit Nagal’s heartfelt confession, Gatorade came forward to support Nagal by welcoming him to the Gatorade family with a 3-year association. Gatorade’s purpose has always been to fuel hardworking athletes forward along with its mission to remove the barriers to sporting success and encouraging greater participation.

    With a vast history of supporting athletes across the world, Gatorade believes in enabling athletes to achieve peak performance. This move by Gatorade underscores its commitment towards helping athletes. In addition, Nagal will be assisted on his recovery and nutrition needs under the guidance of a team of experts at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI). Gatorade Sports Science Institute helps athletes optimize their health and performance through research, innovation and education on hydration and nutrition science which is key element for sportspeople.  

    PepsiCo India associate director – energy & hydration Ankit Agarwal adds on the association, “Gatorade has always believed in supporting sportspeople to achieve peak performance. Sumit is a role model for the new-gen athletes of India with his career being a true example of hard work and sweat that makes talent shine. As a brand that is dedicated to supporting athletes in removing barriers to sporting success, we are delighted to welcome Sumit to the Gatorade squad. We wish him the best as he represents the nation, and we hope to empower the next generation of athletes with this association as they continue to pursue their dreams.”

    Tennis player, Nagal said, “I am deeply moved and grateful to join hands with Gatorade. This association comes to me at a pivotal time, and I am thankful my hard work and passion is getting recognized and appreciated. With Gatorade by my side, I am sure I will reach new heights and give it my all both on and off the court.” 

  • Hardik Pandya joins Gatorade family

    Hardik Pandya joins Gatorade family

    Mumbai: Gatorade today announced its association with cricket sensation and youth icon, Hardik Pandya. This dynamic partnership comes on the back of Gatorade’s mission to reiterate the importance of hydration whilst being active.

    Pandya is known for his fitness and active lifestyle coupled with an unwavering spirit to win. On the other hand, Gatorade® demonstrates the importance of hydration whilst sweating it out, to help you move forward. The synergies between both Pandya and Gatorade will further deepen the brand’s role as a hydration partner with the sports, fitness, and active-lifestyle community and motivate consumers to fuel themselves forward to achieve their fitness goals.

    Commenting on the association, PepsiCo India associate director – energy and hydration Ankit Agarwal said, “Gatorade has been a pioneer in hydration, providing athletes and people with active lifestyles with electrolytes and fluids to help replace what is lost in sweat. Hardik’s relentless spirit and unyielding determination to be physically fit, work hard and sweat it out time and again align seamlessly with Gatorade’s philosophy of staying hydrated to help perform at one’s best. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Gatorade family.”

    Sharing his excitement, cricketer Pandya, who is exclusively managed by RISE Worldwide commented, “For me Gatorade is more than just a beverage; it’s a symbol of determination and resilience. Staying hydrated is a crucial aspect of any athlete’s performance, and I am glad to partner with a brand that has a long history and legacy in rejuvenating athletes with over 55 years of expertise in the field of hydration.”

    Gatorade is available in three variants – Blue Bolt, Orange, and Lemon at 250 ml @Rs 20 and 500 ml @Rs 50 – both in traditional and modern stores and through leading e-commerce sites/ apps.

  • Better completion rate and recall: Why vertical videos are the current big marketing tool

    Better completion rate and recall: Why vertical videos are the current big marketing tool

    DELHI: Early last year, a new buzzword caught the attention of marketers globally — vertical videos. Despite being a regular feature on apps like Snapchat and TikTok, the vertical video domain was not explored much by the marketers before the advent of IGTV by Facebook in mid-2018. Paired with improved business tools online, vertical videos started gaining prominence in the mobile marketing sphere. Big brands like Flipkart, Myntra, Zomato, delved into the space to reap early benefits of the trend.

    One year later, the question that looms is whether vertical videos are here to stay in the game or it will turn out to be a fad.

    Do Your Thng founder Ankit Agarwal believes that if big players like Facebook are talking about vertical videos, it will be advisable to sit up and take notice. He insists, “A brand can get up to 37 per cent of its total Instagram impressions merely from Stories. Also, the cost per view of vertical videos is 68 per cent less than square video according to Buffer, a company that makes social media tools.”

    He adds, “Focusing on just the ubiquitous mobile, the medium where vertical videos are consumed, 72 per cent of 18 to 34 years old view video content at least once a day. It’s safe to say that videos are leading the way, and I feel the future of vertical format is cast in stone. If you need added proof, then look no further than the fact that even YouTube has adapted to the format.”

    Vertical videos stand out also because mobile phone users tend to hold their phones vertically while online. They are used to scrolling and tapping on a vertical screen and if a video plays in the same format, it is convenient for them to view it. Brands, therefore, can better their engagement by building content in a way that caters to consumers’ consumption patterns.

    Alchemy Group CEO Karan Gupta shares, “As compared to horizontal videos, consumers have better ad recall when they view vertical content. According to studies, consumers remember vertical content and find it to be highly innovative, especially during the time when it originally became a trend. It was also found that 90 percent of the videos that were vertical received a better completion rate. It is interesting to note that vertical videos see a completion rate of about 90 per cent compared to the 14 per cent horizontal videos assure.”

    Speaking about the technicalities of shooting vertical videos, Agarwal elaborates that the videos are to be shot in a 9:16 format and not in the standard 16:9 resolution. “On the creative side, digital natives tend to favour vertical videos in text-only and talking-head style. The determinant is the platform. For example, Twitter does well with easily digestible videos with only text. Another aspect to bear in mind is the first three seconds of the video. They are critical in generating interest. Don’t waste them on a CTA. Also, instead of a professional and polished video, root for organic and DIY impression.”

    Gupta further shares that the videos should be created in a social media-friendly format and should be published without any black borders to get maximum viewer attention. “When filming vertical videos, not only should the subjects fit the frame, but they should also be positioned in the center to avoid getting cropped during upload. In fact, when texts are placed, keep them away from the edges of the frame to steer clear of any cropping.”

    He also insists that the duration of the video should range between two and five minutes as snackable content is more likely to attract user attention and retain it for better recall.

    Vertical videos are surely set to have a bright future in the marketing world. The new Samsung TV allowing the user to flip it in the vertical mode, apps like YouTube accepting the model, and the ever-increasing video consumption are just some of the many indications that talk about the importance of investing in this mode of marketing.

  • Sterlite unveils smarter optical tech & FTTH solutions at Anga Com ’17

    MUMBAI: Sterlite Tech, an end-to-end global technology leader in smarter digital networks, has unveiled new optical communication technologies and integrated capabilities in designing, building and managing smarter digital networks at Anga Com 2017.

    As partners to global telecom operators in Europe, Middle East, Latin America and Asian markets, Sterlite Tech has a focused business spanning smarter products, services and software solutions with operators in more than 100 countries. The new customised, high-quality smarter network introductions this year include:

    FTTX Smarter Network Kit: Released by Susanne Stengade, CEO, 6X International, Denmark, Sterlite Tech’s highly reliable FTTX Smarter Network Kit addresses the needs of customers by providing fastest connectivity to the last-mile revenue-generating users in hours, instead of days. The solution is based on the simple approach of plug-and-play, with highest reliability and performance.

    Indicium Lite Cable: Launched by Sean Pillans, Head of Access Engineering, Liberty Global, Indicium Lite Cable is suitable for outdoor FTTH deployments in less densely populated areas. The small inner modules in the cable are designed to be cut at one point in the network and retracted to another, where these can be fed or blown through microducts, directly to the customer premises. This solution helps in efficient deployment with zero fibre cuts.

    Atlas Lite Cable: Unveiled by Christian Aasheim, CEO, Melbye Skandinavia AS, Atlas Lite Cable features ultra-compact, light-weight cable designs, containing maximised fibre capacity. This product family is versatile and finds application across access, FTTX, Drop and/or fibre to the desk links. These cables can be blown using compressed air in pre-installed micro ducts for long distance links.

    Olympus Lite Cable: Launched by Luca Facchinetti, Director, Metallurgica Bresciana, Italy, this cable is suitable for hazardous or heavy construction zones including heavy traffic area, wind farm developments, pipelines, oil and gas fields, heavy industrial sites and a variety of additional harsh environments. Mainly used for Metro rail/Railway networks which employ products complying with major industry standards including BS EN 50200, BS 8434-2:2003. This product has safety at its core and meets the customer’s individual specification safety like data transmission security by maintaining circuit integrity under fire conditions, withstanding ultra-high temperatures and long service life.

    Highlighting the new launches at Anga Com, Sterlite Tech CTO Dr Badri Gomatam said, “Our new products and solutions have been designed and developed in close engagement with all our key customers and considering their requirements for smarter network technologies that address the growing demands for higher bandwidth and last-mile connectivity.”

    Sterlite Tech head – global sales – telecom products Ankit Agarwal said, “With our integrated knowledge and expertise in designing, building and managing smarter digital networks, we are partnering leading global telecom service providers and municipalities to realise the European Commission’s aggressive targets to create a Gigabit society through ultra-fast internet access by 2025. With our innovative and future-proof range of fibre connectivity solutions, telecom operators and ISPs can realise this vision, and enable smarter network roll-out in Europe and other geographies.”