ITV

Tag: Consumer Engagement

  • Aarthy Sridhar shifts into the fast lane as CMO of Gulf Oil India

    Aarthy Sridhar shifts into the fast lane as CMO of Gulf Oil India

    MUMBAI: Aarthy Sridhar is shifting gears—from FMCG powerhouse to the high-octane world of lubricants. After an illustrious 14-year journey at Hindustan Unilever (HUL), she is now stepping into her new role as chief marketing officer at Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd. And if her track record is anything to go by, the brand is about to get a turbocharged marketing revamp.

    Sridhar, an IIM Ahmedabad alumna and seasoned marketing leader, has built an impressive career at Unilever, where she drove consumer engagement and brand strategy across multiple categories. Now, she’s set to bring her expertise to a completely different playing field—one filled with high-performance engines, cutting-edge innovation, and a fiercely competitive market.

    In her new role, Sridhar will oversee brand strategy, product innovation, and customer engagement for Gulf Oil India. Known for its strong presence in automotive and industrial lubricants, the company is gearing up for its next phase of growth, and Sridhar is at the helm, ready to fuel its marketing evolution.

    Sridhar expressed her excitement about the new challenge on Linkedin, stating, “Firsts are always special, and after nearly 14 years with my first job at HUL, this one feels especially significant. A truly incredible stint—filled with growth, learning, and countless memories that I will cherish forever. Today, I’m excited to announce the next chapter of my journey as chief marketing officer at Gulf Oil Lubricants India Limited.”

    Sridhar’s transition from FMCG to the automotive lubricant industry is an exciting shift that highlights her adaptability and marketing acumen. Gulf Oil, a brand synonymous with endurance, performance, and legacy, is poised to leverage her deep understanding of consumer behaviour and brand-building strategies to stay ahead in the race.

    During her tenure at Unilever, Sridhar spearheaded multiple successful campaigns and strategic initiatives, leaving an indelible mark on the FMCG sector. Now, as she takes charge at Gulf Oil, industry insiders are keen to see how she will apply her data-driven, consumer-focused approach to an industry known for its legacy-driven brand loyalty.

    With 14 years of Unilever experience under her belt, a sharp strategic mind, and an unmatched passion for marketing, Sridhar is ready to hit the ground running—or rather, hit the accelerator full throttle.

     

  • Charuta Saoji joins Viacom18 as Colors marketing head, leaving L’Oréal

    Charuta Saoji joins Viacom18 as Colors marketing head, leaving L’Oréal

    Mumbai: In a notable move within the marketing and media landscape, Charuta Ambardekar Saoji has joined Viacom18 as the vice president and head of marketing for Colors, the network’s flagship entertainment channel. Saoji’s transition from L’Oréal, where she served as marketing director, marks a strategic shift in her career towards the dynamic world of television.

    Saoji brings with her a wealth of experience in brand management, having successfully spearheaded campaigns for several high-profile brands at L’Oréal. Her appointment at Viacom18 comes as Colors continues to seek innovative ways to engage audiences and strengthen its market position in the highly competitive television space.

    Expressing her enthusiasm for the new role, Saoji stated, “I am thrilled to join the Viacom18 family and look forward to shaping the future of Colors’ brand strategy. It’s an exciting time for the channel as we explore fresh approaches to content and audience engagement.”

    This move comes at a crucial time for Viacom18, as the company aims to further consolidate its leadership position in the entertainment industry. Saoji’s expertise in consumer insights and her ability to craft compelling marketing narratives are expected to play a pivotal role in driving Colors’ growth trajectory. The channel, known for its wide range of popular shows, stands to benefit from her leadership in enhancing brand communication and expanding its reach across diverse audience segments.

    Prior to this, Saoji made significant strides at L’Oréal, where she led campaigns that bolstered the brand’s presence in the Indian market. Her experience in navigating the complexities of consumer behavior and brand loyalty will be instrumental in crafting Colors’ future marketing strategies.

    Industry insiders view Saoji’s appointment as a strategic hire that will add considerable depth to Viacom18’s leadership team. With her track record of executing successful marketing strategies, she is well-positioned to elevate the brand’s market presence.

    “Charuta’s appointment reflects our commitment to bringing on board marketing leaders who can drive brand growth through innovation and consumer focus,” said a Viacom18 spokesperson. “Her ability to understand consumer trends and create impactful brand stories aligns perfectly with our vision for Colors.”

  • Indian & Singapore artistes come together for cross-cultural virtual chat

    Indian & Singapore artistes come together for cross-cultural virtual chat

    NEW DELHI: BookMyShow (BMS) and the Singapore Tourism Board have teamed up to launch My Singapore Connect, an initiative that brings together acclaimed talents from India and Singapore, through a four-part web series which will be released exclusively on the streaming platform BookMyShow Online, on 28-29 November and 5-6 December.

    A true reflection of the initiative’s tagline ‘Where Passions Meet’, the web series celebrates creativity across various art forms, including film-making, music, food and comedy through interesting, candid conversation between renowned artists across India and Singapore. Each episode will be headlined by an Indian artist in an engaging interaction and conversation with their Singaporean counterpart, giving consumers a rare opportunity to catch them as they share stories of their passion for their respective crafts.

    The line-up will feature MasterChef India judge Chef Ranveer Brar partner with MasterChef Singapore counterpart Chef Bjorn Shen to share their culinary pursuits, passion for food and what keeps them busy when they are not cooking. Zoya Akhtar, critically acclaimed director-producer of Gully Boy and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Boo Junfeng, an award-winning Singapore film director will share how they unwind after a hectic filming schedule, why food plays a prominent role in deciding a shoot location and what first excited them to pursue filmmaking.

    Audiences will witness the candid bonhomie between Singapore’s home-grown DJ and music producer Manfred Lim (Myrne) and Prateek Kuhad, singer-songwriter who was among the line-up of international artists at the off-track entertainment gala at the 2016 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix and see them perform their popular music sets and chat about how they keep their fans engaged during this pandemic and the urge to perform live once again. Varun Thakur, the crowd-favourite Indian comedian who performed in Singapore in 2018 and Sharul Channa,  female stand-up comedian based in Singapore, will reminisce the time they met in Mumbai, upcoming gigs they are planning and test each other on who can remember the most number of shopping brands at the Changi airport.

    While entertaining audiences with lesser known facts about the artists from both countries, the videos will also showcase the different locations in Singapore and the affinity between the artists, thus furthering the initiative’s underlying theme of My Singapore Connect – Where Passions Meet.  

    Singapore Tourism Board regional director India, Middle East & South Asia (IMESA)  G B Srithar said, “India and Singapore share many cultural similarities and we want to use this opportunity to further highlight and strengthen the emotional connect between both countries. We are delighted to bring together these virtual experiences and continue reaching out to people of common passions. The STB’s association with BookMyShow reaffirms our commitment to innovatively engage with our consumers by bringing together renowned artistes from both countries to collaborate and deliver engaging, entertaining content. We hope that the ‘My Singapore Connect’ videos will delight the viewers and inspire visits to Singapore, when the time is right.”

     BookMyShow head – marketing and business Intelligence Marzdi Kalianiwala said, “BookMyShow’s extensive capabilities of robust data analytics, customer insights and an entertainment-loving user base of millions of loyal consumers along with STB’s rich and deep understanding of the cultural ethos of Singapore as one of the most loved global travel destinations meant this partnership was a natural fit.”

    Beyond the episodes, the partnership will also look to take ‘My Singapore Connect’ to the next level by enabling the artists to meet in person in Singapore, when normalcy returns and travel is possible, to turn their inspirations to reality across their art forms. 

    Speaking on their association with My Singapore Connect, the artists said:

    Zoya Akhtar: "The appetite for cinema is fast continuing to evolve, with audiences across the globe having access to content like never before! Cinema as an art form has been transcending geographical barriers for decades now but technology has enabled it to reach everyone. My association with ‘My Singapore Connect’ – an initiative by the Singapore Tourism Board and BookMyShow is a true reflection of that evolution. I am so excited to catch up with Boo Junfeng and see the world through his films, his eyes as he takes me through some of the most iconic locations in Singapore, a country that remains one of my most favourite destinations to visit and I can’t wait to shoot there now that I have seen locations that were as yet hidden away to a tourist."

    Ranveer Brar: “For me, food and travel always go hand in hand because I connect with a cuisine better when I have understood how it has evolved. I have fond memories of my last few visits to Singapore and exploring its diverse culture and cuisine, especially, street food. I am super excited to team up with Chef Bjorn Shen, with whom I discovered a lot of common ground, not just w.r.t food, but life and business too! All this and more coming your way, thanks to ‘My Singapore Connect’ by Singapore Tourism Board and BookMyShow.”

    Varun Thakur: “Singapore was the first international destination I went to as a child so it always holds a special place in my heart. Going there as an adult last year brought all the fun memories back and helped me make some more. I’m grateful to ‘My Singapore Connect’ for the opportunity to collaborate with Sharul, someone whose personality, vibe and comedy I admire a lot. I’m excited to chat with her about food, music, culture and get all possible tips and tidbits for my next Singapore visit. I want to thank the Singapore Tourism Board and BookMyShow once again for this opportunity that’s bringing artists together from both countries.”

    Prateek Kuhad: “While I only got to travel to Singapore in 2016 for the Music Matters festival and a couple of shows at the F1, I’d love to find more of a ‘My Singapore Connect’ with the city. I’m looking forward to chatting with Myrne to understand and learn more about Singapore, its music and the food surprises they have to offer. Hopefully our stories of touring and travels make for an interesting conversation for you guys. Shout out to Singapore Tourism Board and BookMyShow for putting this piece together!"

    Boo Junfeng: “Cinema has always held sway over the Indian audiences and even here, in Singapore we have seen how popular Indian movies can be. I am very fond of Zoya Akhtar’s film, Gully Boy, and it’s a privilege for me to share screen space with her in a video where we talk about our shared passion for filmmaking. In addition to this, I shall be taking Zoya through the vivid cultural scenes of Singapore and rediscovering the source of ideas for our favorite art form. I am thrilled to be a part of this initiative by Singapore Tourism Board and BookMyShow for offering this platform to reach out to the Indian audience.”

    Chef Bjorn Shen: “Food is always a subject of great interest whenever I travel; and having visited India, I have seen first-hand the buzzing food culture of the country. I’m thrilled to join hands with rockstar Indian chef Ranveer Brar in discussing our passions for cooking and swapping stories of the great culinary cultures of both our countries. I hope that through ‘My Singapore Connect’, viewers are able to taste these delights, even if only through their screens for now.” 

    Sharul Channa: “The world has seen some really grey days over the past few months and I think we all collectively value the power of a good laugh now. I’ve always had great fun when I’ve visited and performed with an Indian audience and I’m thrilled to collaborate with Varun Thakur for ‘My Singapore Connect’. I’m sure we both have some interesting anecdotes to share and this will translate into a friendly banter. Through all of this we also hope to showcase a lot of common ground between both countries. This is a wonderful and unique platform for us to connect with our fans.”

    DJ Myrne: “For me, music has always transcended barriers. So, I am thrilled to collaborate on this project with Singapore Tourism Board and BookMyShow to engage with Indian fans! It will be great to virtually meet Prateek Kuhad and understand the roots of his music. Also, to share ‘My Singapore Connect’ and chat about how our home base enables us to draw inspiration for our common passion of creating music. Singapore has a growing and diverse music scene, while India is well known for its rich legacy in music. I hope Prateek and I will be able to jam together someday in person representing the best of both countries.”

  • Vidnet 2019 to discuss how to engage the OTT consumer

    Vidnet 2019 to discuss how to engage the OTT consumer

    MUMBAI: While user acquisition comes in the priority list of over-the-top players in India, maintaining consumer engagement also seems to remain a challenge. Although a number of new users are flocking to OTT platforms, many of them don’t stay on the platform for long. To stay relevant in the highly competitive market, OTT players should focus on consumer needs to keep them engaged.

    At the stage of Vidnet 2019, experts from the industry will discuss on the topic – Competing for Consumer Engagement. The session will provide insights on different approaches adopted by platforms to keep their subscribers hooked.

    Many reports have indicated that brand loyalty is not very high among digital audiences as a number of apps are abandoned pretty quickly. Poor app interface, lack of personalised content and recommendation, and lack of quality content are among the most important causes of this challenge.

    Easier content discovery, data-driven marketing approach with the use of AI and machine learning, tracing consumer behaviour properly can help the platforms to overcome this challenge. As retention of consumer should be given equal priority to customer acquisition, the panel discussion on 3 October at Vidnet stage will dive deep into the topic.