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Tag: BMW

  • Infectious Advertising appoints Smriti Tewari business head

    Infectious Advertising appoints Smriti Tewari business head

    MUMBAI: Infectious Advertising, one of India’s leading independent agencies, has named Smriti Tewari as business head, marking a strategic move to sharpen client focus and expand new business opportunities.

    With 13 years in advertising and marketing, Tewari has worked across categories including automobiles, FMCG, home paints, fashion, real estate and financial services, at agencies such as Ogilvy, FCB, The Minimalist and VML. She has partnered with brands like Honda Cars, BMW, KFC, Dulux Paints and Colgate Palmolive, managing integrated campaigns across ATL, BTL and social media.

    Managing partner & chief operating officer Siddhartha Singh said, “Smriti will play a pivotal role in strengthening client relationships and unlocking new opportunities. Her vast experience lays a strong foundation for driving work that is both effective and highly shareable.”

    On her appointment, Tewari said, “Stepping into this role is both an honour and a thrilling responsibility. Infectious has always believed in ideas that spark energy and drive meaningful change. I’m eager to elevate the agency through creativity, collaboration and client focus.”

    Infectious Advertising continues to focus on delivering bold, effective campaigns that connect with audiences across platforms.

  • BMW drives engagement with interactive CTV ads

    BMW drives engagement with interactive CTV ads

    MUMBAI: BMW India is shifting gears in advertising. In partnership with Interactive Avenues and VDO.AI, the luxury carmaker has launched interactive connected TV (CTV) campaigns, bringing its flagship models: the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé and BMW X3, to life in viewers’ living rooms.

    Moving beyond conventional video ads, the campaigns allowed audiences to engage directly through their TV remotes. The 2 Series Gran Coupé offered an interactive carousel experience, while the X3 campaign layered dynamic backdrops with clickable elements, creating an immersive storytelling journey.

    Powered by VDO.AI’s proprietary CTV technology, the campaigns reached high-intent, premium households and encouraged deeper exploration in high-attention environments. BMW’s marketing director Vitesh Barar said, “This collaboration with VDO.AI has redefined how we approach awareness campaigns. By making them more interactive and intuitive, we’ve been able to connect with audiences in meaningful new ways. As CTV cements its role in luxury content consumption, this platform enables BMW to continue leading the way.”

    VDO.AI co-founder and CTO Arjit Sachdeva added, “Partnering with a forward-thinking brand like BMW has been a truly rewarding experience. Together, we’ve redefined what CTV can deliver in India, elevating viewing into discovery and transforming campaigns into immersive, memorable brand journeys through our interactive technology.”

    Interactive Avenues associate vice president Anjani Sankhyan said, “With CTV rapidly establishing itself as the new prime-time for sophisticated audiences, this campaign successfully captured attention, fostered memorability, and elevated BMW’s digital presence.”

    Executed across select premium platforms, the campaigns have set a new benchmark in interactive automotive storytelling, combining luxury, design, and technology for a connected future.

     

  • Publicis brings Ravi Bhaya home to script client-first transformation

    Publicis brings Ravi Bhaya home to script client-first transformation

    MUMBAI: Talk about a full-circle moment, Ravi Bhaya is back at Publicis, this time to steer the ship as chief client officer at Publicis Media India. Based in Mumbai and reporting to Lalatendu Das, CEO of Publicis Media South Asia, Bhaya’s brief is crystal clear: transform client partnerships with a mix of data, AI and creativity that sets the group apart in what it calls a “Category of One.”

    It’s a homecoming for Bhaya, who spent over two decades shaping global media strategies across India, Germany, South Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore and North America. His CV reads like a travelogue of transformation leading mandates for marquee brands including P&G, Samsung, Coca-Cola, BMW and Mondelez, expanding agency capabilities in new markets, and driving growth strategies rooted in performance-led marketing.

    Bhaya also dabbled in the startup world, co-founding Rsquared Global Ventures (R2GV) to advise Martech, Adtech, data and commerce ventures on scaling strategies, while working closely with VCs to spot high-growth bets in emerging tech. Before that, as managing director for global growth at Munich-based Serviceplan Group, he was instrumental in driving alliances, partnerships and international expansion.

    His return to Publicis signals a sharper client-first agenda. With Starcom, Zenith and Performics under his wing, Bhaya is tasked with deepening partnerships and pushing integrated, future-ready solutions in India’s rapidly shifting media landscape. For Publicis Groupe, which has doubled down on data-led and AI-powered offerings, the appointment underscores its ambition to blend global expertise with local impact.

    Or as Bhaya himself put it, coming back feels both “familiar and fresh” rooted in trust, fuelled by renewed ambition, and very much tuned to what’s next for clients in an industry where data, creativity and AI are increasingly inseparable.

  • Infectious Advertising hires Divesh Mehta and Kiran Salkar for key roles

    Infectious Advertising hires Divesh Mehta and Kiran Salkar for key roles

    MUMBAI: Infectious Advertising has just doubled its dose of creative and strategic medicine and the side effect could be potent campaigns. The independent agency has onboarded two industry veterans: Divesh Mehta as associate vice president planning and Kiran Salkar as creative director for art, bolstering both its brand strategy muscle and design flair.

    Mehta, who clocks in nearly 15 years in marketing communications, was a founding member of an omni-channel apparel brand that shook up casual wear retail. His advertising innings have spanned BFSI, finance, hospitality, pharma and heavy industry, all with the belief that “the right strategic intervention can transform client business.” On his move, Mehta said Infectious’ work is “both rooted and refreshing the kind of energy I want to be part of.”

    Salkar also brings over 15 years of adland experience, leading campaigns for marquee brands like Lux, Sunsilk, BMW, Tata Motors, Parle, Taj, SBI and Orra. An illustrator at heart with a photographer’s sensibility, he’s known for marrying bold aesthetics with brand storytelling. “I’m excited to join Infectious and look forward to doing some kickass work,” he said, adding that he’s been following the agency’s work “for a while” and likes what he’s seen.

    Co-founders Nisha Singhania and Ramanuj Shastry called the duo’s arrival a shot in the arm: “Both bring the attitude and skill sets needed to take Infectious to the next level.” With Mehta’s strategic scalpel and Salkar’s visual sizzle, the agency looks set to turn more heads and maybe win a few more awards in the months ahead.

  • Aman Kishore appointed head of marketing at Bits Pilani Digital

    Aman Kishore appointed head of marketing at Bits Pilani Digital

    MUMBAI: Bits Pilani Digital, the online education arm of India’s esteemed Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, has announced the appointment of Aman Kishore as its new head of marketing. Kishore, a seasoned professional with over 24 years of experience in integrated marketing and communication, steps into the role with immediate effect, having joined in April 2025.

    His extensive career spans a diverse portfolio of leading brands, including Samsung Mobiles, BMW, Mini Honda, Lufthansa, Nestle, Vodafone, Dabur, Walmart, Singapore Red Cross, and Mundi Pharma. At Bits Pilani Digital, Kishore will leverage his expertise in integrated campaigns, digital strategy, media integration, and performance marketing to expand the institution’s legacy to a wider audience.

    Before this latest assignment, Kishore served as integrated campaign lead at Cheil India, where he spearheaded marketing efforts for Samsung Mobiles’ innovative A-series, M-series, and F-series, focusing on GenZ engagement through digital, influencer, and social content. He also led the Samsung CSR initiative, ‘Solve for Tomorrow.

    His prior experience includes a notable four-year tenure as deputy general manager at The Times Of India, where he managed business development, revenue growth, and P&L for a unit responsible for marquee events such as the Literature Festival and Global Music Festival – Life in Colour. He also held significant roles at Serviceplan India, overseeing integrated media for BMW, MINI, and Lufthansa, and at Ogilvy & Mather, where he led business and strategy for clients like Honda Jazz and Vodafone.

    Kishore’s appointment signals Bits Pilani Digital’s commitment to robust marketing and a content-driven approach as it expands its digital offerings in data science and artificial intelligence. He brings a proven track record of developing communication solutions that deliver business goals, fostering consumer insights, and mentoring teams, all while maintaining a keen focus on technology and digital innovation.

  • JK Tyre shifts into top gear as Indian Racing Festival hits the North-East

    JK Tyre shifts into top gear as Indian Racing Festival hits the North-East

    MUMBAI: The sound of screeching tyres is about to echo through the hills as JK Tyre & Industries, India’s leading tyre manufacturer and motorsports trailblazer, flags off its “JK Tyre powered Indian Racing Festival, a carnival of Total Control” in the North-East. Scheduled from 12th to 22nd April, the adrenaline-fuelled tour will race across Kohima, Aizawl, Shillong, Guwahati, and Gangtok turning winding mountain roads into thrilling motorsport runways.

    With more than four decades of racing legacy, JK Tyre is going full throttle to bring professional motorsport closer to the people. And in the North-East, a region that hums with cultural vibrancy and adventure, the fit couldn’t be more perfect.

    Speaking about the upcoming tour, JK Tyre & Industries director for sales & marketing Srinivasu Allaphan said, “For JK Tyre, the North-East is not just a stronghold for our brand, but a region where our passion for adventure and performance truly resonates with the people. With this festival, we are deepening that engagement bringing adrenaline-driven experiences to the heart of the hills while also reinforcing our leadership in the market. We are especially grateful to the governments of the North-Eastern states for their unwavering support in helping us foster a thriving motorsport ecosystem in the region. The JK Tyre Powered Indian Racing Festival is a celebration of performance, innovation, and excitement values that define both our products and our long-term vision for this dynamic and culturally rich part of the country.”

    Backed by the governments of the North-Eastern states, the tour aims to deepen JK Tyre’s emotional and commercial footprint in a region where the SUV segment and by extension, JK Tyre’s Levitas Ultra range rules the roads. The festival promises high-octane action with a thrilling lineup designed to get pulses racing. From International Formula 4 and Wolf cars roaring in straight from the Indian Racing Festival, to tyre-scorching drifting showcases in BMWs and Lexus machines, the adrenaline will be in full flow. Superbike stunt riders will defy gravity with jaw-dropping manoeuvres, while prodigious talents in Rotax Karting including nine-year-old speedsters will prove that age is no barrier to burning serious rubber on the track. Each city will play host to these dazzling displays of speed and skill, culminating in an experience that celebrates motorsport as lifestyle, entertainment, and aspiration.

    This region isn’t new territory for JK Tyre. From its presence at Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival to the Orange Festival in Arunachal, the brand has long raced beyond the track nurturing grassroots talent, aligning with local culture, and steering community involvement.

    And when the engines cool, the legacy still revs. JK Tyre’s influence has shaped the careers of motorsport giants like Narain Karthikeyan and Gaurav Gill, and its flagship JK Tyre National Racing Championship (JKNRC), now in its 28th year, remains the country’s most enduring racing event.

    So, whether you’re a hardcore gearhead or a curious onlooker, this festival promises to be a pit stop like no other one where the scent of burning rubber blends with the mountain air, and the roar of engines harmonises with the rhythm of the hills.

  • Pallavi Singh exits BMW India, takes a sabbatical

    Pallavi Singh exits BMW India, takes a sabbatical

    MUMBAI: BMW India marketing head Pallavi Singh has stepped down from her role. Singh took to professional networking platform LinkedIn to break the news. In the post, she stated that she will be on a sabbatical for the next year or so and will be focusing more on driving impact projects and initiatives for start-ups and non-profit organisations. 

    "The last decade has been super exciting and eventful. We have witnessed major shifts in society – climate change, communication, mobility, clean energy, social connections, and healthcare. The underlying theme for my work during this time has been to harness the power of communities, build sustainable and meaningful brands, and leverage technology to make an impact," she wrote.

    Singh added that the world has been changed fundamentally and radically across various dimensions, especially after the Covid2019 outbreak. 

    "The truth is, that great changes have been in the works way before this global pandemic. These will forever have an impact on work, life, and play," her post said. 

    Singh has more than 15 years of experience in various marketing functions. She started her career in 2007 in Yamaha as an assistant manager. Later, she joined Harley Davidson Motor Company and worked there for eight years. She left the company as director – marketing. In 2017, she moved to MG Motors India as the head of marketing and worked there until 2019. In 2019, BMW India brought her on. 

    "My focus and efforts are now aimed at engaging with businesses, brands, start-ups, and non-profits to work on – demystifying and leveraging our digital-first reality, Creating data-centric strategies for business, and Building purpose & vision-based programs," Singh detailed her future plans. 

  • Jaguar Land Rover to lay off a third of India workforce

    Jaguar Land Rover to lay off a third of India workforce

    NEW DELHI: Tata Group-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is undertaking its biggest ever retrenchment drive in its India operations, slashing its workforce by nearly a third, according to a report by Business Today.

    The layoffs, which have already started and are expected to continue through this month, are part of its global strategy to shed about 2,000 non-manufacturing jobs by next fiscal, reported two weeks ago. JLR had also reduced its global headcount by 1,000 in 2018 and another 4,500 in 2019. These are part of its ongoing restructuring drive Project Charge+ through which it aims to save about £2.5 billion.

    The news of restructuring was a "shocker" to the automaker's India workforce, who believed that they would be spared due to the small market JLR has in the country, Business Today quoted a source as saying. Moreover, there was a false sense of complacency that because JLR's parent firm Tata Motors is an Indian entity, it would not touch its Indian employees.

    JLR issued a statement clarifying that the layoffs were being undertaken to increase efficiency in a bid to find the right cost structure for its workforce. It did mention the number of employees being retrenched, details of the severance package being offered to them, or whether the salaries of the top management have been slashed.

    JLR is considered a straggler in the Indian luxury car market, which itself has not grown by much in the last five years. The British brands saw their sales decline by 74 per cent in 2020 and a loss of market share of 10.62 percentage points. In comparison, the biggest in the business – Mercedes Benz – saw a 43 per cent decline, BMW by 32 per cent and Audi by 63 per cent.

    Last month, JLR's global CEO Thierry Bollore, who took over the reins of the company only last September, said the Jaguar brand would move away from its iconic high-performance internal combustion engines entirely and produce only electric vehicles by 2025, while Land Rover will have its first fully electric SUV by 2024.

  • Ogilvy & BMW launch a new campaign – best enjoyed young

    Ogilvy & BMW launch a new campaign – best enjoyed young

    MUMBAI: BMW India wants to give out a very simple message: there are some things in life that you can best enjoy only when young. And the one thing that’s right on top of that list is, of course a BMW. To bring alive this campaign, Ogilvy created a series of films that show us the numerous things we miss out on when we delay the prospect of buying a BMW. It then goes on to explain how you can experience all of this with a financial plan, the BMW 360° Plan, that makes purchasing and maintaining a BMW absolutely easy.

    Ritu Sharda, CCO, Ogilvy India (North):  'Best enjoyed young' is a great way to describe when to get a BMW.  Sheer driving pleasure has always been for those who are young at heart. With the BMW 360° Plan, a BMW becomes more accessible and no one should have to miss out on the many experiences it can get you. 

    Pallavi Singh, Director Marketing, BMW India:  BMW is a brand that is built on performance and driven by passion. It has a young heart with a storied past. The current campaign thought stems from the millennial customer’s mindset of the Fear of Missing Out. It encourages people to experience Joy now while reinforcing the belief that being young and bold is merely a mindset. We become an enabler for the user through our products and through this campaign we also address cost of ownership barriers. We have consciously tried to move away from tactical communication that has become the norm in the segment and are focusing more on people, emotions and experiences. At the same time, the campaign story weaves in a strong message of our BMW 360 programme, which is very contextual to the user.

  • BMW leads among popular auto brands on Instagram

    MUMBAI: The BMW brand’s international Instagram channel has broken through the ten million followers’ mark, making it one of the most successful automotive brand on Instagram worldwide.

    The impressive figure of 10,000,000 followers underlines the BMW brand’s commitment to social media. For BMW marketing, Instagram is more than just another digital communication channel. BMW uses its Instagram channel to share the BMW brand lifestyle with its followers – through the latest news on upcoming models, glimpses of its own history or looking ahead to the future of mobility. With its clear focus on strong visuals and a highly-interactive community, Instagram is the ideal channel for communicating the brand values of joy (“sheer driving pleasure”), aesthetic appeal and innovation. However, growing the community is not top priority. It is more important to cover a wide variety of topics with relevant content that appeals to users and increases their involvement in the form of likes, shares and comments. The BMW Instagram channel impresses with its targeted, long-term channel management and regular publication of emotionally-engaging content.

    In addition to effective influencer marketing, the brand also celebrates the involvement and enthusiasm of each individual fan. Under the hashtag #bmwrepost, BMW shares photos taken by enthusiasts and hobby photographers with the community in appreciation of its loyal fans around the globe. Where else can you get this close to a brand and share your own photo millions of times? User activation through #bmwrepost has been a resounding success. It is no coincidence that #BMW has already been used more than 19 million times and is by far the most popular brand hashtag in the automotive sector.

    “The aim of our social media strategy is to optimise how we use the special features of the specific channels available to us,” explains BMW head of digital marketing Jörg Poggenpohl. “Instagram is made for initiating authentic dialogue with followers worldwide. It is important to us not only to celebrate our own achievements, but, above all, to share the excitement and enthusiasm of our fans and customers with an audience of millions.”

    BMW marketing was quick to recognise the enormous potential of the social media network. BMW published its first image on Instagram back on 30 May 2012: a high-gloss photo of a BMW 650i Coupé. By May 2014, BMW had a million followers. Since then, its Instagram fan community has grown exponentially: from two million followers in early 2015 to double that number by the autumn of the same year. A year later, in autumn 2016, BMW had already reached the eight million mark.

    BMW’s popularity on Instagram confirms the success of the brand’s social media strategy. The parameters are tailored, individual content, professional editing and authenticity. In addition to Instagram, international BMW marketing also successfully uses the social media channels Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.