Tag: Germany

  • Pratiman joins Bosch to power global growth

    Pratiman joins Bosch to power global growth

    MUMBAI: After over a decade of driving growth for some of the world’s biggest brands, Pratiman is now steering into a new chapter as senior growth & demand marketing manager at Bosch, based in Stuttgart, Germany.

    In his new role, he will lead global growth and demand marketing for Bosch Software & Digital Solutions, focusing on account-based marketing, campaign strategy, pipeline acceleration, and customer engagement across markets.

    Pratiman’s career is a masterclass in modern marketing. Before joining Bosch, he served as CRM marketing lead at Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, where he drove global CRM transformation through Microsoft Dynamics 365, aligning marketing, sales, and IT to enhance customer journeys and operational efficiency.

    Previously, at SAP LeanIX, he honed his expertise in marketing automation and data-driven strategy, leading cross-channel campaigns via HubSpot and Salesforce while ensuring GDPR compliance and advanced analytics for global audiences.

    His freelance consulting years were equally prolific, advising brands such as Aviatrix, T-Systems, Rydoo, and Zeotap on intent-based marketing and CRM integrations. Earlier roles at Simba Dickie Group, Eran Group, and Audi shaped his early understanding of brand building, experiential marketing, and international market dynamics.

    Recognised as one of India’s youngest Top 100 Most Influential Marketing Leaders by the World Marketing Congress, Pratiman has built a career at the intersection of creativity, data, and technology.

    Now at Bosch, his focus is clear, to accelerate growth through precision marketing that fuses global insight with local relevance. For a marketer who’s driven results from Mumbai to Munich, this next pit stop at Bosch looks like another winning lap.

  • Creators boost Mipcom 2025 as television’s old guard opens the door

    Creators boost Mipcom 2025 as television’s old guard opens the door

    CANNES: The suits and the streamers are finally doing business. Mipcom 2024 pulled in 10,600 delegates—a modest uptick from last year’s 10,500—but the real story wasn’t in the numbers. It was in who showed up and what they were selling.

    Buyers rose to 3,340, up 100 from 2023, with Britain leading the pack, followed by the US , France, Germany, Turkey, Canada, Spain, Italy, Japan and South Korea. Yet the buzz on the Cannes market floor centred on a new breed of attendee: the creator economy, which Lucy Smith, RX France’s Mipcom and Mip London boss, called “the biggest shift in a generation for Mipcom.”

    YouTube planted its flag with a prominent presence, including a packed keynote featuring Pedro Pina, the platform’s EMEA chief, media cartographer Evan Shapiro and BBC Studios’ Jasmine Dawson. The session offered what Smith described as the “definitive playbook on partnerships,” demonstrating how traditional media can tap new audiences and build fandoms through collaboration.

    The convergence went beyond talk. Deals between legacy players and digital creators flowed throughout the week. “It feels like a tipping point for the industry,” Smith told reporters at a wrap press conference. “The relationship between the creator and mainstream economies isn’t binary. The opportunities come from collaboration, not from working in isolation.”

    Mipcom’s pitch to creators was simple: meet everyone worth meeting in one place, at one time, and figure out who can help build new business models. The market staged its first brand-funded content summit, BrandStorytelling, bringing agencies and brands face-to-face with the global production and distribution world. Early feedback suggests it’s here to stay.

    Traditional sales and distribution—”the engine of MIPCOM,” as Smith put it—roared back to life. Every major American studio turned up. Three big international advance screenings drew talent from around the world. Rights deals showed fresh flexibility, with windowing making a comeback, albeit in more complex forms than before.

    The market floor hosted 350 exhibitors, including 88 newcomers such as YouTube. Yet not everything pointed upward: MIPJunior attendance slipped to 940 from 1,000, reflecting ongoing headwinds in children’s programming.

    Smith struck a bullish note. “From change comes opportunity. The industry is resilient, it regenerates. The fact that this definitive global market has been held here every year for the past four decades is testament to that.”

    Next year’s edition runs from 12 to 15  October. The creators will be back. So will everyone else.

  • Digital i report: Netflix’s ad-tier viewing soars by nearly a third across Europe

    Digital i report: Netflix’s ad-tier viewing soars by nearly a third across Europe

    MUMBAI: Here’s some data that validates what Indian streamers have known all along and have been following for quite some time. If you want masses to consume you, then give away content at a lower price or for free – especially entertainment shows – but populate it with ads. Viewers don’t seem to mind it all.

    Global streaming media measurement firm Digital i conducted a study between November 2024 and April 2025 which revealed that viewing time on Netflix’s ‘Standard with Ads’ plan jumped 32 per cent across five key west European markets, signalling robust growth for the streaming giant’s advertising business. The Standards with Ads plan is priced at Euro 6.99 per month as against the standard plan which has a sticker price of Euro 13.99 and the premium one which costs Euro 19.99 This Standard with Ads package offers ad-supported streaming on two devices simultaneously in Full HD (1080p) and allows for downloads

    Digital i’s study  revealed  a collective rise of 152.7 million hours in the UK, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain. Total viewing hours on the ad-supported tier surged from 470.2 million in November 2024 to 622.9 million by April 2025.

    Germany led the charge with a 44 per cent increase, as hours viewed on the ‘Standard with Ads’ plan climbed from 81.3 million to 116.9 million. Spain and the UK each saw a 34 per cent uplift, with viewing rising from 59.9 million to 80.2 million and 150.7 million to 202.6 million hours respectively. France experienced a 26 per cent rise (from 129.1 million to 163.2 million), while Italy registered a 22 per cent gain (from 49.1 million to 60 million).

    Digital i chief analytics officer Matt Ross hailed the figures. “Netflix’s ad-supported tier has experienced strong growth in the past six months, and the increased take up has led to increased viewership across all regions,” he remarked. “This is good news for Netflix’s ad business which now boasts strong levels of reach combined with high levels of viewership.”

  • Ad it up, Moloco and Xiaomi dial up global reach with ML-powered alliance

    Ad it up, Moloco and Xiaomi dial up global reach with ML-powered alliance

    MUMBAI: What happens when one of the world’s biggest smartphone giants teams up with a machine learning marvel? A global ad tech power play. Moloco, the operational machine learning company, has struck a global strategic partnership with Xiaomi’s International Internet Business Department, unlocking a fresh frontier in mobile advertising across more than 100 countries and regions. With Xiaomi boasting a staggering 702 million monthly active users, the alliance is set to supercharge advertising efficiency, targeting accuracy and developer growth worldwide.

    As part of the deal, Moloco will bring its ML chops to optimise ad placements across Getapps (Xiaomi’s overseas app store), in-app inventory and lock screen ads. In return, Moloco’s advertisers get front-row access to Xiaomi’s high-value user base served through a tech ecosystem spanning mobile, smart homes, and even electric vehicles like the new Xiaomi SU7.

    Having tested the waters in a pilot partnership in 2023, the results spoke for themselves. Daily ad spends soared, native and interstitial ad formats drove stronger conversions, and Xiaomi’s presence across Brazil, India, Turkey and Germany emerged as a serious magnet for advertisers chasing scale and precision.

    Moloco, co-founder and CEO Ikkjin Ahn called the partnership a response to the rising need for “efficient monetisation and the ability to reach the right users.” He added, “Xiaomi’s global ecosystem is a perfect match for our machine learning platform. Together, we’ll unlock serious ROI for advertisers and push the boundaries of programmatic efficiency.”

    Xiaomi International Internet Business general manager Qiang Song echoed the sentiment, noting that Moloco has already “helped enhance the competitiveness of our ad platform.” With more AI-powered tools on the horizon, both companies are eyeing innovative monetisation models that could reshape how brands connect with mobile-first consumers.

    Whether you’re an app developer chasing downloads or a marketer craving smarter reach, this partnership may just be the algorithmic edge you’ve been waiting for.
     

  • V-Guard’s Insight-G fan blows away the competition with German Design Award

    V-Guard’s Insight-G fan blows away the competition with German Design Award

    MUMBAI: V-Guard’s Insight-G BLDC fan has breezed past the competition to claim the prestigious German Design Award 2025 in the excellent product design category, solidifying its place among world-class innovations. Recognised for its sleek aesthetics, user-friendly technology, and dust-repellent durability, the fan stands as a testament to intelligent design and efficiency.

    The award was presented at a glittering ceremony at Frankfurt Messe, Germany, attended by over 1,300 global industry experts. Organised by the German Design Council, the award is among the most esteemed in the world, honouring trailblazing products that redefine design excellence.

    An elite jury of 30 international design experts from 16 countries lauded the Insight-G fan for its premium build, advanced functionality, and sustainability, placing it alongside global titans like Toyota, Porsche, and Siemens.

    “Winning the German Design Award is a moment of great pride for us,” said V-Guard Industries managing director Mithun K Chittilappilly. “The Insight-G BLDC Fan showcases our commitment to intelligent design, exceptional performance, and energy efficiency and we remain dedicated to delivering innovative thoughtful solutions that enhance consumers’ lives.” he added.

    This win follows V-Guard’s recent success at the Red Dot Design Awards, reaffirming its reputation for delivering high-quality, future-ready products. With Insight-G, V-Guard isn’t just reinventing the fan, it’s redefining the future of home comfort, one stylish spin at a time.
     

  • Billion Electric charges ahead with Sanjeev Kulkarni as CEO

    Billion Electric charges ahead with Sanjeev Kulkarni as CEO

    MUMBAI: Billion Electric Mobility (BillionE), India’s pioneering E-Mobility-as-a-Service (eMaaS) platform, has put its growth plans into high gear by appointing Sanjeev Kulkarni as chief executive officer. A seasoned industry leader with over 32 years in automotive and manufacturing, Kulkarni steps up from his role as chief operating officer to spearhead the company’s ambitious expansion in commercial EV solutions.

    With a stellar track record at Bosch Limited in India and Germany, as well as Kalyani Group Pune, Kulkarni has driven large-scale projects, strengthened OEM partnerships, and accelerated revenue growth. As CEO, his focus will be on scaling BillionE’s electric truck and airport tarmac EV bus business, enhancing industry collaborations, and boosting India’s clean mobility transition.

    Welcoming Sanjeev to his new role, Billion Electric Mobility founder & chief platform architect Kartikey Hariyani & co-founder Musfara Wajid said, “It has been more than 5-years we have known Sanjeev working on various strategic initiatives within the e-mobility space in India / abroad.  Since 2023, Sanjeev has been part of our leadership team and over the last 2-years, Billion Electric Mobility has seen the foundation laid for the e-MaaS business with his, strategic foresightand extensive industry experience. His proven ability to scale operations, drive innovation, and foster collaborations will be critical as we expand our E-MaaS business. With Sanjeev at the helm, I’m confident we will scale faster, deepen partnerships, and create a stronger foundation for India’s EV transition.”  

    Sharing his thoughts on the new role, Billion Electric Mobility CEO Sanjeev Kulkarni said, “The EV industry is at an exciting juncture, and Billion Electric is well-positioned to accelerate India’s transition to sustainable mobility. Our focus will be on scaling our E-MaaS business with various corporate customers with our range of Electric Trucks for inter-city transport, , maximizing operational efficiency, and strengthening collaborations with OEMs and fleet operators. I look forward to working with our talented team to develop robust solutions that power India’s EV future.”

    Quoting on the development, Billion Electric Mobility lead advisor Piroshaw Sarkari (Phil) added, “BillionE is a platform that drives a concept of energy on wheels, in a way different from traditional transporter and therefore Sanjeevs experience is found very relevant to lead this platform!”

    As BillionE continues to drive India’s EV transition through its Energy Transition Network, Kulkarni’s leadership marks a pivotal step in its journey. With a strengthened leadership team, including newly appointed lead advisor Pirojshaw Sarkari (Phil), the company is set to electrify the commercial transport sector and push the boundaries of sustainable mobility.

  • Amazon to launch linear TV channel for Prime Video members in Germany

    Amazon to launch linear TV channel for Prime Video members in Germany

    MUMBAI: Traditional television is far from dead as Amazon makes a decisive move into linear broadcasting with the launch of a new TV channel called Prime, exclusively for its Prime Video subscribers in Germany and Austria.

    Set to debut on 17 April 2025, the channel represents Amazon’s strategic push to bridge the gap between conventional television and streaming services, according to Christoph Schneider, country director of Prime Video Deutschland.

    PRIME VIDEO GERMANYSpeaking to German industry publication DWDL, Schneider explained the channel would serve as “an easy entry point into our Prime Video universe” for viewers who prefer the curated experience of traditional television rather than navigating through extensive on-demand libraries.

    The programming schedule will feature Prime Video originals including Reacher, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and Fallout, alongside live sports coverage of the UEFA Champions League for German viewers and Wimbledon tennis for both German and Austrian audiences.

    Prime will maintain a distinct advantage over traditional television by featuring “shorter and less frequent” commercial breaks, whilst still adopting familiar TV-style advertising models that will be open to standard industry measurement.

    The channel will launch with the premiere of the first two episodes of comedy series LOL: Last One Laughing at 20:15 CEST on its opening night, marking Amazon’s latest effort to enhance its comprehensive streaming ecosystem that already encompasses subscription, ad-supported and transactional video-on-demand services.

    (MAIN PICTURE COURTESY: KANTAR)

  • Wipro elevates Ranjita Ghosh to global chief marketing officer

    Wipro elevates Ranjita Ghosh to global chief marketing officer

    MUMBAI: It’s an oh my gosh moment for Wipro chief marketing officer Asia Pacific, middle east & Africa (Apmea) Ranjita Ghosh. She has just been elevated as global chief marketing officer of the multi-billion dollar IT firm, a position that becomes effective 1 February 2025.

    Ranjita  replaces current gobal CMO Laura Langdon who is scheduled to leave to explore other opportunities outside Wipro, said a company press release.

    Ranjita’s immediate reporting superior will be Wipro chief strategist & technology officer Hari Shetty. Her remit will now cover all marketing activities across the world.

    Ranjita has been with Wipro for nearly 20 years. She joined the company after completing her MBA in marketing and operations in 2005 from Goa Institute of Management and  has risen from a business development and pre-sales consultant, utilities industry role to her current position. 

    Over the nearly 20 years at Wipro, Ranjita has held various roles in sales, business development, growth marketing, buyer experience, and ecosystem partnerships. Additionally, she has managed marketing for several high-value portfolios and led teams across north America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

    Despite her busy schedule Ranjita  finds the time to teach and being a guest faculty, competitive intelligence at the Institute of Competitive Intelligence in Germany and has being do so for the past five years. Additionally, Ranjita is a Fellow at The Marketing Academy’s 2023 APAC Fellowship Program for chief marketing officers, sponsored by Salesforce and supported by McKinsey & Co. She is amongst a cohort of 21 business CMOs and growth leaders selected for the 2023-2024 merit based fellowship.

  • Grapes wins digital AOR mandate of Maharishi Ayurveda

    Grapes wins digital AOR mandate of Maharishi Ayurveda

    New Delhi: Maharishi Ayurveda has awarded its digital AOR mandate to Grapes. The agency won the mandate following a multi-agency pitch for the German market. The team from New Delhi will service the account.

    According to the mandate, Grapes will be responsible for handling the marketing communication activities for Maharishi Ayurveda. The agency will be looking after services such as content planning, digital marketing strategy, social media management and media planning & buying. Maharishi Ayurveda has been Europe’s leading brand for authentic ayurveda products since 1987.

    Speaking on the occasion, Maharishi Ayurveda head of global marketing & digital business Rajat Wahi said, “Considering that we live in a digital age, it becomes even more essential to establish the right communication and present a comprehensive brand image. We chose Grapes to achieve this purpose as it has a niche in curating end-to-end marketing strategies which will give the desired media mileage to our brand. The collaboration will help us in widening our target audience base, in our existing and new markets we plan to foray into, and at the same time instill a strong recall value amongst the consumers for our brand”.

    Sharing her thoughts on the win, Grapes co-founder & chief executive officer Shradha Agarwal said, “We are looking forward to our association with Maharishi Ayurveda. I believe working with them will bring a new set of experiences for us. We are determined to make Maharishi Ayurveda a go-to brand amongst the cohort who aspires to live a healthy and natural life. We are in perfect alignment with the aspiration of the brand which will help us in coming up with strategies and narration that will echo the excellence of the brand in their particular category. In this, our marketing expertise will play an instrumental role in creating awareness about the brand.”

  • Gillette India commences marketing and selling of Braun in India

    Gillette India commences marketing and selling of Braun in India

    Mumbai: Gillette India announced on Thursday that it has commenced marketing and selling of Braun® in India.

    With this latest addition, Gillette India (GIL) now has a holistic portfolio of grooming brands including Gillette®, Venus®, Braun®, and King C Gillette®. A subsidiary of Procter & Gamble, Braun was founded in Germany in 1921 and is a known brand in the field of electric grooming appliances across the world.

    The addition of Braun adds an extensive range of both male and female grooming products like electric shavers, trimmers, epilators, Intense Pulse Light (IPL) hair removal devices, and hair care devices to the company’s existing portfolio.

    “Our continued focus has been to understand and meet the evolving needs of our consumers with superior and newer propositions. The latest addition of Braun, world-renowned for incredible precision, good design, and innovative technology, will enable us to better serve the Indian consumers with devices that help in creating a perfect look,” GIL managing director Madhusudan Gopalan said.