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Tag: Citroën

  • Boss move! Bigg Boss 19 smashes OTT records with blockbuster JioHotstar debut

    Boss move! Bigg Boss 19 smashes OTT records with blockbuster JioHotstar debut

    MUMBAI: The house isn’t just full, it’s overflowing. Bigg Boss Season 19 stormed onto JioHotstar with India’s biggest-ever OTT launch, pulling in record-breaking Day 1 numbers that set the stage for a fiery season ahead. The opening episode clocked a 2.3x surge in reach and a 2.4x jump in watch-time compared to last year, while peak concurrency doubled over Bigg Boss 18’s launch. For a franchise that has ruled non-fiction TV for 18 years, this digital-first outing has levelled up the game.

    It wasn’t just the audience piling in brands rushed in too. With 11 marquee sponsors across FMCG, auto, lifestyle, and personal care ranging from Vaseline, Appy Fizz, Flipkart and Lakme Peach Milk to Citroën, Manforce and Lux Cozi, the season has lured a mix as diverse as the housemates themselves. For advertisers, Bigg Boss continues to be more than a show; it’s a cultural juggernaut with unmatched reach and recall.

    Keeping fans hooked round the clock, JioHotstar has added interactive features like live chats, polls, and a 24×7 live feed, ensuring audiences don’t just watch but actively play along. And of course, fronting it all is Salman Khan bringing charisma, banter, and that signature mix of star power and swagger that keeps audiences coming back.

    As Alok Jain of JioStar put it, “The overwhelming response reflects not just the property’s scale but the deep bond audiences share with Bigg Boss.” With the launch already rewriting records, Season 19 is shaping up to be more than entertainment, it’s a 24×7 obsession.

  • Bigg Boss 19 gets a full house of sponsors before drama even begins

    Bigg Boss 19 gets a full house of sponsors before drama even begins

    MUMBAI: Before a single fight erupts or a tear is shed, Bigg Boss 19 has already pulled off its first big win, a full house of nine heavyweight sponsors, proving its unmatched pull in India’s reality TV arena. Premiering Sunday, 24 August 2025, across JioHotstar (9 pm) and Colors (10.30 pm), the Salman Khan-hosted show enters its 19th season with the theme “Gharwalon Ki Sarkaar”, where for the first time in the franchise’s history housemates hold the power to make decisions. The Parliament-inspired house promises a cocktail of people politics, power plays and unpredictable twists, all with unfiltered consequences.

    On the advertiser side, the line-up is as eclectic as the show’s contestants: Vaseline, Appy Fizz, Danube Properties, Flipkart, Citroën, Silver Coin Atta, Manforce, Lakmé Peach Milk, and Haier. From FMCG giants to auto brands, the mix underscores the show’s rare ability to capture consumer attention across categories.

    “Bigg Boss remains the top choice for brands seeking unparalleled reach,” said JioStar head of revenue for entertainment Mahesh Shetty adding that its seamless integrations deliver “unmatched value for both audiences and advertisers.”

    Returning sponsor Vaseline is back as co-presenting partner, with HUL’s Pratik Ved calling the association “a platform to showcase its upgraded product portfolio while staying India’s official skincare partner.” Meanwhile, Appy Fizz’s Nadia Chauhan dubbed the show “culturally relevant rocket fuel” for brand engagement, while Danube Group’s Rizwan Sajan highlighted last season’s “record-breaking global viewership” as reason to double down.

    Auto major Citroën, rolling out its India 2.0 strategy, sees the show’s raw energy as the perfect match for its refreshed product line-up, with Citroën MD Shailesh Hazela saying it allows the brand to “embed itself into the rhythm of Indian lives.”

    With 18 years of dominance, a 24×7 live feed, and its enduring power to spark conversation across 240 plus countries via JioHotstar, Bigg Boss 19 isn’t just a show, it’s India’s biggest pop culture juggernaut. And this year, the nation’s “gharwalas” get the gavel.

  • Artha Animation Delivers High-Impact Commercials for Qubo & Citroën..

    Artha Animation Delivers High-Impact Commercials for Qubo & Citroën..

    MUMBAI: ARTHA Animation, a leading production house, continues to push creative boundaries with its latest campaigns. The studio recently delivered three commercials for Qubo, a Hero Group venture, which aired during the high-profile India-England cricket series on JioHotstar. Directed by Milind Nandanwar and produced by Gaurav Malhotra, these ads highlight Qubo’s smart home innovations in a fresh and engaging manner. A special thanks to Rachit and Manas from Team Qubo for their invaluable support. Watch here.

    In addition, ARTHA Animation collaborated with Citroën and Altertype to craft two compelling films—one for Valentine’s Day (February) and another for Holi (March)—bringing the brand’s vision to life through storytelling and dynamic visuals. Also directed by Milind Nandanwar and produced by Gaurav Malhotra, these films capture Citroën’s distinct personality and connection with its audience. A heartfelt thanks to Team Citroën and Altertype for their trust and collaboration.

    •    Valentine Film: 

     
    •    Holi Film: 

    Currently, ARTHA Animation is gearing up for its next celebrity-led commercial, scheduled for production next month. While details remain undisclosed, this project promises to reinforce the studio’s reputation for high-quality, impactful content.

    However, ARTHA Animation is not just limited to advertising—it has a rich legacy in the animation space. The studio’s upcoming Premium Original Series, is set to redefine how India perceives animation. Slated for release this year on a leading OTT platform, the series aims to set new benchmarks in storytelling and visual excellence.

    With a growing portfolio of successful campaigns and ground breaking animation projects, ARTHA Animation remains a powerhouse in the industry, blending creativity and innovation to deliver storytelling that resonates with audiences.  
     

  • Stellantis awards India communications mandate to Concept PR

    Stellantis awards India communications mandate to Concept PR

    Mumbai: Global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis has announced the appointment of Concept Public Relations (Concept PR) as its PR agency in India for 2022. The agency will consult and execute Stellantis group communication in India along with Jeep and Citroën communication mandates.

    The mandate includes strategic consultation, planning, media relations, issues and crisis management, and integrated campaign development for the group and both brands, said the statement.

    “2022 is a big year for both brands with key products lined up for launch and so our communication strategy will be crucial,” stated Jeep India brand head Nipun Mahajan. “We believe Concept Public Relations (Concept PR) will be the right partner to ensure the brands remain engaging and exciting.”

    “We were impressed with their ideation capabilities, passion and energy, and felt this is the right time to bring in some new thinking for both brands. We are excited for the next phase of Stellantis and look forward to a great year ahead with Concept,” added Citroën India brand head Saurabh Vatsa.

    The mandate will be managed by Concept PR’s nationwide network offices. The account will be serviced by the corporate team in Mumbai complemented with the required topline industry experience in the auto sector from across the Concept network, said the statement.

    “Working with iconic brands like Jeep and Citroën is an honour for everyone in Concept,” said Concept PP managing director Ashish Jalan. “Both brands are at the pinnacle of their craft. This is an exciting opportunity for the Concept family and we are committed to driving significant impact for the brands through effective communication strategies.”

  • Stellantis bolsters leadership team with key appointments in India

    Stellantis bolsters leadership team with key appointments in India

    Mumbai: Automotive company Stellantis on Tuesday announced a slew of appointments to bolster its leadership team in India. All appointees will report to Stellantis India, CEO & managing director Roland Bouchara, the statement said.

    The latest development follows the recent remodeling of the brands’ leadership in India with Saurabh Vatsa and Nipun J Mahajan taking over as brand heads for Citroen and Jeep, respectively.

    “The Stellantis India organisation is firmly in place with a rock-solid leadership,” Bouchara said. “The appointed senior executives, with their extensive experience, will support me in integrating our operations, strengthening our processes, and driving Stellantis India’s operations to the next level.”

    According to the automaker’s recent announcement, Joel Verany will be responsible for sales & marketing (S&M) efficiency for Stellantis in India. Joel, an automobile engineer by qualification, has worked with PSA, including Citroen India, for 20 years. Based in India since 2017, Joel previously was PCA India’s VP sales and network, Citroën.

    “Going forward, Joel will support both Jeep and Citroën brands in India to achieve volumes, maintain quality and profitability. Besides providing processes and tools for the entire ecosystem of sales & marketing, he will drive synergies for the overall scope of this function and deploy best practices for both brands,” the company said.

    Ashish Sahni will be at the helm of the customer journey & digital transformation for Stellantis in India, and also for digital transformation and performance marketing for the India & Asia Pacific (IAP) region. “Ashish has a strong track record and reputation as a digital strategist, marketing maven and business builder over 20 years, across industries such as automobiles, travel & tourism, insurance, and media. Under his leadership, Citroën India shaped its digital customer journey, which offers Indian customers a rather unique and seamless online experience and retail journey. His previous job was PCA India director of digital marketing,” the company said.

    Hitesh Jain, is appointed as general counsel, India within Stellantis IAP region and is responsible for legal functions for all Stellantis entities in India. Hitesh, a science and law graduate has two decades of work experience in a variety of legal and corporate secretarial roles across diverse organisations. He is also a member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India. Previously, Hitesh was responsible for legal and company secretary functions at the erstwhile FCA India.

    Puneet Sabharwal is responsible for finance at Stellantis India, and also assumes responsibility as the sales & marketing controller for Jeep as well as Citroën brands. He will be responsible for accounting, reporting, and taxation for India operations. Puneet is a member of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and has diverse work experience spanning 25 years in the automotive industry. Previously, Puneet was responsible for the finance function at PCA India.

    Samuel Jacob will be the head of human resources for the Stellantis IAP region as well as the India market. Samuel has 26 years of overall work experience, in India and overseas, across diverse industries such as hospitality, manufacturing, and aviation.

    Sreeji Kumar is responsible for information technology and digital transformation at Stellantis India. His role encompasses IT and technology solutions across sales and marketing, after-sales, manufacturing, import & export, connectivity, and R&D. A digital technology expert with over 21 years of work experience, Sreeji has worked with a variety of MNCs and industries. He joined the erstwhile PCA India as chief information officer, in 2020 and is credited to spearheading end-to-end IT solution deployment and activation of Citroën India manufacturing operations, including the C5 Aircross SUV launch in the market.

    M Raj Kalyanarajan, is responsible for vehicle manufacturing for the Citroën brand. His experience of 27 years spans automotive and earthmoving industries in India and in the US. Raj has been instrumental in reviving the brownfield car manufacturing facility at Thiruvallur from its idle state to its current operations, for manufacturing of the C5 Aircross SUV and future products.

    Xavier de Gaudemaris takes charge of supply chain operations at Stellantis India. Xavier has worked in the supply chain industry for over 20 years and his new role includes production planning, vehicle domestic, and export logistics.

    Moreover, Jerome Dubrac will oversee manufacturing finance in India and Vincent Baron for Hosur plant operations.

    Goëry Weymuller is responsible for customer experience in India within Stellantis India & Asia Pacific (IAP) region. He has spent 42 years working in PSA in R&D and quality positions in Europe, Latin America, and China before beginning his automotive customer and product stint in India four years ago. ” Goëry will be responsible for Citroën customer satisfaction including setting quality targets for new products till the final approbation of the vehicles after the completion of the manufacturing of the vehicle and before delivery to customers,” the company added.

  • Stellantis announces new brand heads for Citroën & Jeep in India

    Stellantis announces new brand heads for Citroën & Jeep in India

    Mumbai: After the announcement of Roland Bouchara as CEO & managing director for Stellantis in India earlier in April, the automaker giant on Thursday announced key leadership appointments for its operations in India. Saurabh Vatsa and Nipun J Mahajan will now be responsible for its Citroën brand and Jeep Brand in India, respectively. 

    Vatsa and Mahajan will report directly to Roland Bouchara and the newly integrated organisation structure is already effective from 7 June, said the company in a statement.

    Vatsa who is an industry veteran with over 25 years of experience, had joined PSA in 2018 as senior director – marketing & corporate communications. He has been instrumental in devising and implementing the unique strategy for the launch of Citroën brand and C5 Aircross SUV in India. In his new role, Vatsa will be responsible for sales, marketing, aftersales, product planning & PR functions for Citroën in India.

    For the Jeep brand, Mahajan will be responsible for sales, marketing, aftersales, product planning & PR functions in India. He has over 25 years of experience in the automotive industry and has been with the Jeep brand for five years in the position of vice president, sales operations, and network development. Mahajan has been instrumental in launching the Jeep brand in India and achieving the 50,000 sales milestone for the Jeep Compass.

    “I am pleased to welcome Saurabh and Nipun to our India leadership team. These appointments are a continuation of the seamless integration process that has been well underway since Stellantis was born,” said Bouchara. “Both Saurabh and Nipun bring to their position a series of stellar achievements and rich industry experience from which our customers, partners, and the group as a whole will benefit greatly.”

  • Citroën partners with kotak mahindra prime to offer auto finance solutions

    Citroën partners with kotak mahindra prime to offer auto finance solutions

    MUMBAI: Citroën, a globally successful brand of the auto conglomerate, Groupe PSA, has partnered with Kotak Mahindra Prime Ltd (KMPL), a leading car finance company in India, to offer innovative retail finance and enable mobility solutions in India. The partnership with KMPL will offer innovative finance solutions and value added products to the customers and customised credit solutions to dealers in India. This tie-up, in addition to the earlier agreements signed with Axis Bank and ALD, will provide Citroën India customers with wide array of finance options, making their experience more rewarding.

    Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Roland Bouchara, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing, Citroën India said, “At Citroën, we are continuously looking-out for new collaborations that will deliver best ownership experience to our future customers and dealer partners. Auto finance is a big enabler for customers to  buy cars in India, hence, we consider this as critical to reach out to the prominent financial institutes like KMPL to offer  new-age finance solutions by supporting future customers to own their dream Citroën cars and dealers to have seamless access to customised credit solutions.”

    The flagship vehicle, Citroën C5 Aircross SUV, will be the first product from the Citroën brand for the Indian customers, which will be launched in 2020. The SUV will set a benchmark in style, comfort and innovation in its segment in India.