MUMBAI: Talk about coming clean… Himalaya Wellness is washing away more than just pimples.
Ahead of pimple acne positivity day, the brand unveiled its first-ever ‘world of neem’ at Taj Lands End, Mumbai, blending skincare science, celebrity voices and real-skin stories to change how young Indians see their skin.
With 20 crore teenagers and young adults in India battling pimples, the brand’s mission was clear: fight the stigma, not the skin. The immersive event brought together dermatologists, influencers and celebrities, showing that skincare can be simple, effective and stigma-free.
On stage, Dr Rashmi Shetty, leading dermatologist, busted myths and highlighted Neem’s natural antibacterial power. Actor Nitanshi Goel struck a chord with her personal take: “Real skin is beautiful. We don’t need to hide behind filters or shame.”
The event also spotlighted the evolution of Himalaya’s iconic neem face wash, now upgraded with a unique 5-part neem formulation that helps “skip the pimple episodes.” It’s the latest step in Himalaya’s 25-year journey as India’s most trusted face wash brand.
“Himalaya has always stood for care that’s gentle, effective and rooted in nature,” said Himalaya Wellness, business director, Rajesh Krishnamurthy. “This new formulation continues that legacy, empowering young people to embrace their skin with confidence.”
Alongside the launch, Himalaya kicked off a nationwide school programme reaching over five lakh students, championing acne positivity and holistic skincare habits.
MUMBAI: Sujata Appliances has turned up the marketing heat with the appointment of Akshaya Vasishth as chief marketing officer (CMO) for its appliances division. Known for its robust mixer-grinders, the brand is now expanding into a premium range of small domestic appliances and Vasishth is expected to be the force that propels this next phase.
With over 18 years of experience leading brand growth across global FMCG giants like Sun Pharma, Abbvie APAC, Himalaya Wellness, and Hamdard Foods, Vasishth brings serious marketing muscle to the table. He has also worn the entrepreneurial hat as the founder of the digital health platform GCC+ and is an alumnus of IIM Lucknow.
“Akshaya’s dynamic leadership and deep marketing expertise come at a pivotal time for us as we expand into new categories and premium segments. His strategic vision will be instrumental in strengthening Sujata’s brand presence and driving the next phase of growth.” says Management, Sujata.
“Akshaya’s dynamic leadership and deep marketing expertise come at a pivotal time for us as we expand into new categories and premium segments. His strategic vision will be instrumental in strengthening Sujata’s brand presence and driving the next phase of growth,” said Sujata Appliances chief marketing officer Akshaya Vasishth.
Established in 1979, Sujata Appliances has long been a household staple in Indian kitchens. With its recent foray into hand blenders, breakfast appliances, and irons, the brand is evolving from a functional favourite to a premium lifestyle choice. Under Vasishth’s leadership, the company aims to blend innovation, digital transformation, and expansion into a recipe for long-term success.
MUMBAI: Zits are popups on a teenager’s face which get him or her all riled up. Riled up enough to lose sleep and shed a river of tears.
To address the knowledge gap about pimples, wellness firm Himalaya Wellness organised its impactful My First Pimple campaign and even successfully wrapped it up.
It reached thousands of young girls in over 125 schools across west Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. The initiative aimed to empower adolescents with knowledge and confidence to navigate puberty-related skin changes, particularly pimples.
The campaign educated participants on the hormonal shifts that cause pimples, emphasising that they are a natural part of growing up. Interactive sessions led by local skincare influencers offered insights into managing skin health, including practical tips and emotional support.
Himalaya Wellness marketing director – beauty & personal care Ragini Hariharan stated, “Pimples are a common experience that shouldn’t undermine a young person’s confidence. With My First Pimple, we normalised these changes and equipped girls with the knowledge to embrace healthy skincare habits.”
Mumbai: Himalaya Wellness has launched a new music video, Zara Muskurade, celebrating joy, kindness, and self-confidence for the festive season. Featuring singer Monali Thakur and actor-influencer Aneri Vajani, the video is part of the brand’s campaign for World Smile Day, which encourages spreading positivity through simple gestures, like sharing a smile and performing acts of kindness.
Zara Muskurade serves as a reminder of the impact of small acts of kindness. The music video highlights the beauty of natural smiles and the self-care that comes from embracing one’s natural beauty. Himalaya Wellness’s strawberry shine lip balm is featured prominently, enhancing smiles with 100 per cent natural lip care to keep lips soft and nourished. Targeting young women and girls, this campaign encourages them to embrace their true selves and share their happiness. With its natural lip balm, Himalaya aims to ensure everyone can smile confidently, making every smile brighter and more beautiful.
“As we enter the festive season, it’s a time to spread warmth and joy. We believe that a smile is contagious and can brighten up anyone’s day,” said Himalaya Wellness marketing director – beauty & personal care Ragini Hariharan. “At Himalaya Wellness, we’re committed to enhancing our consumers’ well-being through innovative, natural solutions that embody our holistic approach to health and beauty. Our campaign for World Smile Day aims to inspire people to spread joy and kindness through simple act, and we are thrilled to have Monali Thakur join us on this journey.”
Monali Thakur, who sang the song, shared, “A smile is such a simple yet powerful gesture, and ‘Zara Muskurade’ beautifully captures the joy and warmth it brings. It was wonderful to collaborate with Himalaya Wellness on a project that radiates inner wellness, defying every storm and lighting the path to harmony. ‘Zara Muskurade’ is a refreshing tune that lifts the spirit and brings a sense of calm, reminding us that true wellness begins from within.”
This 360-degree music campaign was conceptualised by Hoopr Brand Solutions, in collaboration with the creative agency, Motivator.
“We crafted this music-led campaign keeping Himalaya and its users at the core, using music as a powerful vehicle to connect with the target audience for whom music is the highest and most engaging form of media consumed,” said Hoopr co-founder & CRO Meghna Mittal.
For every Himalaya Strawberry lip balm sold, a portion of the proceeds is donated to Smiletrain, a global charity that provides cleft surgery and related care.
Mumbai: The much anticipated Bigg Boss Tamil season eight premiered on 6 October 2024, featuring 14 sponsors across various categories. Presented by Nandu White Dhothis and powered by KAG Tiles and A23 Rummy, the season is also co-presented by Cadbury 5 Star, with support from associate sponsors like Kaleesuwari, Haier, and Cera Sanitaryware.
The show continues to offer brands a prime platform to reach a wide audience. Vijay Sethupathi’s debut as the new host has generated excitement, with the teaser promo gaining over 10 million views in 24 hours.
“Bigg Boss Tamil is a marquee show which continues to captivate millions across Tamil Nadu and beyond. For brands and advertisers who are keen on making a lasting impression amongst consumers, there is no better TV show than this one. Year-on-year, Bigg Boss Tamil has demonstrated its ability to deliver significant value to sponsors and advertisers and the eighth season is poised to elevate the entertainment experience to new heights. The grand launch yesterday, set the stage for what promises to be a remarkable and engaging season,” said Disney Star’s head of entertainment, ad sales & strategy, Dev Shenoy.
Nandu Brand MD V. S. Gadigachalam shared his enthusiasm about securing the title sponsorship: “We are excited to be the title sponsor of the popular Tamil TV show, Bigg Boss season eight on Star Vijay. This brand integration offers us an opportunity to showcase our product range and unique features to our customers. Our association with Bigg Boss season 8 opens up new avenues for our brand, allowing us to explore innovative ideas and showcase different styles with our entire NANDU 100 per cent cotton dhothis range. As a show that connects with people on a daily basis, we are super excited to be an integral part of the show.”
Head Digital Works (A23) VP – marketing Gunnidhi Sareen expressed his thoughts on the collaboration, stating: “We are happy to collaborate with Bigg Boss Tamil for the second time. This association is an organic fit for A23, given the increasing visibility and engagement of reality TV in regional languages. Bigg Boss Tamil is all about showcasing one’s skill to win the game, which perfectly aligns with A23’s focus on skill-based gaming. The show’s popularity will yet again help us build meaningful relationships with audiences in key geographies to further strengthen our presence in the market.”
Himalaya Wellness media manager Pratheep Kumar shared his excitement about the partnership: “Coming from Tamil Nadu, I have seen Bigg Boss evolve into a household name over the years. I have witnessed viewers across age groups discussing the happenings in the house during social conversations. We at Himalaya are excited to associate with Bigg Boss Tamil for the first time to launch our new aloe vera face wash campaign. Through this association, we hope to address the need for skincare, both, inside with the BB Housemates and outside with the Tamil Nadu audience as well.”
Bigg Boss Tamil season eight introduces amnen vs women competition, adding a new twist to the show. With fresh contestants, new rules, and Vijay Sethupathi as the host, the season promises drama and intense competition. It airs daily at 9:30 pm on Star Vijay and streams 24×7 on Disney+ Hotstar.
Mumbai: Himalaya Wellness, a leading FMCG wellness brand, has recently made a return to the Women’s T20 League, this time with a unique and engaging campaign titled #TakeMySPOT which goes beyond basic product promotion / integration, celebrating women in sports and resonating with audiences through humour and engaging storytelling.
The campaign serves as a rallying cry, urging individuals to challenge the status quo and create space for themselves and others in every sphere of life. It encourages people to embrace their uniqueness and stand tall in a world that often seeks to confine them within predefined roles and expectations.
#TakeMySPOT cleverly used the concept of “spot” with a playful twist. The teaser phase, launched during the first RCB match, saw players sporting #TakeMySPOT on their caps, leaving viewers curious while sparking social conversations. A video featuring RCB star cricketers Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, and Shreyanka Patil alongside content creator Danish Sait who added a layer of humour into the video with his witty take on the “spot” theme kept the audience guessing. This effectively amplified the campaign’s message making the teaser hashtag #TakeMySpot trend no1 on Twitter during RCB’s first match. To build further excitement, the brand utilized a 360-degree strategy across radio, social media, outdoor advertising, and YouTube.
Indiantelevision.com reached out to Himalaya Wellness Company’s business director Rajesh Krishnamurthy, who shed light on the overall campaign and how the brand has taken a shift from traditional sponsorships to creating narratives that connect with audiences emotionally.
Edited excerpts
On the inspiration behind Himalaya Wellness’s decision to return to the Women’s T20 League with the #TakeMySPOT campaign
The inspiration behind Himalaya Wellness’s decision to return to the Women’s T20 League with the #TakeMySPOT campaign stems from the resounding success of our previous collaboration with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Last year’s “#NotFair” campaign with RCB achieved remarkable brand awareness and sparked positive conversations about inclusivity, aligning perfectly with Himalaya’s commitment to celebrating women in sports and promoting beauty and wellness. Building on this momentum, we recognized the strategic opportunity to continue leveraging our partnership with RCB for the second season. Our decision to return to the Women’s T20 League with the #TakeMySPOT campaign is driven by our desire to replicate the prior season’s positive brand impact and further build upon our association with RCB. By promoting our latest product, the Himalaya Dark Spot Clearing Turmeric Face Wash, through this campaign, we aim to continue supporting and acknowledging the well-deserved SPOT of women in sports.
On this campaign aiming to celebrate and empower women in sports
The #TakeMySPOT campaign aims to celebrate and empower women in sports in several ways. Firstly, by partnering with the Women’s T20 League and featuring prominent female cricketers from RCB, the campaign highlights the talent and achievements of women in cricket, showcasing their capabilities on a significant platform. Through the #TakeMySPOT campaign, our focus has been to celebrate women in sports and acknowledge their well-deserved place on the field, while launching our latest Himalaya Turmeric Dark Spot Clearing Face Wash and Face Care Range. Continuing the association also allowed us to keep driving relevant discussions around women’s spot in sports. Additionally, the Women’s T20 League embodies empowerment, inclusivity, and diversity in cricket, values that resonate with Himalaya’s brand narrative, further reinforcing the campaign’s message of celebrating women in sports. Moreover, the campaign leverages the significant online viewership and popularity of the Women’s T20 League to reach a diverse demographic of cricket fans in India, including sports enthusiasts. Through collaborations with RCB and the BCCI’s efforts in equalizing the sport and supporting the Women’s T20 League, the campaign promotes gender equality and empowers women by providing them with equal opportunities and recognition in sports. Also, as the campaign prominently features renowned female cricketers from the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team, it not only supports these athletes in their journey but also serves as an inspiration for young women looking to pursue their passions in sports.
On the role of humour and storytelling resonating with the campaign’s target audience
Humour and storytelling play crucial roles in resonating with the campaign’s target audience by adding depth and relatability to the messaging. The campaign’s central message emphasizes the hard work and determination of every player to earn their spot on the team, highlighting their efforts to challenge societal norms in the field of sports. To add a playful twist to the narrative, we partnered with content creator Danish, who brings an element of wit to the film. By incorporating humour into the storytelling, the campaign effectively captures the audience’s attention and makes the message more engaging and memorable. Moreover, as I mentioned earlier, the quirky correlation between the efforts of women cricketers to secure their spot on the field and Himalaya’s efforts to eliminate tough spots on the face using the new Himalaya Dark Spot Clearing Turmeric Face Wash is cleverly woven into the storytelling. This connection not only resonates with the audience but also aligns with Himalaya’s core values. The execution of the #TakeMySPOT campaign was actioned in two phases, Teaser and Reveal, further enhances the storytelling aspect. The teaser campaign ignited user interest and stimulated online discussions during RCB’s opening match. The reveal phase of the campaign effectively answered the curiosity generated and the anticipation that was built among the audience during the teaser phase. This strategic approach to storytelling ensures maximum engagement and impact, ultimately driving the success of the campaign.
On some challenges faced in conceptualizing and executing this campaign, particularly considering the sensitive nature of gender representation in advertising
Advertising with gender representation can be sensitive but when done in alignment with the brand’s core values can become an advantage. Through this campaign, Himalaya aims to cultivate a supportive environment where female athletes can flourish and serve as inspirations to others. This reflects the brand’s values and contributes to building an encouraging society. By intertwining these themes with a quirky promotion of the product, we reinforced our commitment to driving social change through an engaging delivery. In this creative, Humor & quirkiness served as a powerful tool for engaging consumers across age groups while still communicating the main message. This holistic approach not only promotes Himalaya’s brand values but also contributes to creating a supportive and empowering space for female athletes to thrive and inspire others.
On any plans to extend the #TakeMySPOT campaign beyond the Women’s T20 League
Beyond cricket, Himalaya’s collaboration with the GoEqual Premier League expands our commitment to women’s empowerment. The collaboration aims to promote the celebration of women’s rightful place in sports, advocating for equality and breaking away from gender stereotypes. This partnership delves deeper into the community level, focusing on grassroots football programs that nurture participation and inclusivity. Here, our key objectives go beyond the playing field. We aim to invest in the future by supporting infrastructure development and skill-building initiatives for young female footballers. The GoEqual Premier League itself dismantles gender stereotypes by providing a platform where girls are valued for their abilities, not limited by outdated expectations. This collaboration is more focused on creating pathways for talented young women to succeed in life.
By engaging with local communities, schools, youth organizations, and professional teams through the GoEqual Premier League, we aim to strengthen our social impact and reinforce our overall commitment to inclusivity. This partnership aligns perfectly with our broader goals of promoting empowerment of women. Moreover, by connecting with a new audience passionate about women’s football, we’re expanding our brand reach and further solidifying our identity as a champion for positive social change.
MUMBAI: Leading Influencer marketing firm, BuzzOne, announced its expansion into the South East Asian market with the launch of its Malaysia operations, within months of opening its Philippines office in February this year. With this launch, BuzzOne becomes the first and only Indian Influencer Marketing firm to have multiple operations in the South East Asian markets of Philippines and Malaysia.
The award winning firm also announced the appointment of Mark Rodrigues as Business Head of its Malaysia operations. With over 30 years of experience in the Malaysia market, Mark Rodrigues joins BuzzOne with a deep understanding of the local market and media marketing trends. In a short span of time, BuzzOne has emerged as one of India’s fastest growing Influencer Marketing firms. BuzzOne’s stellar clientele in India includes leading brands such as Amazon, Himalaya Wellness, Dettol PayTm, Vivo, Britannia, Nissan, Vivo and Puma among others.
Speaking on the expansion, Sanjay Vasudeva, Founder and CEO, BuzzOne Influencer Marketing, said, “I am thrilled and look forward to expanding BuzzOne’s current portfolio with deep penetration into the South East Asian market with the opening of our Malaysia & Philippines offices this year. Having studied the region carefully, Malaysia & Philippines are one of the most promising markets for influencer led campaigns in South East Asia. With Mark Rodrigues spearheading our team, I am confident BuzzOne will form a strong foothold in the Malaysian market.”
According to industry reports, ad spending in digital media in Malaysia were US$512million in 2019. A growing Influencer Marketing market, Malaysia has shown unique trends such as Instagram emerging as the preferred platform for influencer marketing in the country and over with 80% of marketers investing in influencer marketing strategies in 2018. Malaysians trust lifestyle influencers’ opinions over opinions from traditional celebrities.
MUMBAI: Motivator, a GroupM agency, has appointed Upali Nag as National Head – Insights and Innovation. Upali will work out of the agency’s Bangalore office and will report to V.Narayanan, Chief Growth Officer, Motivator. Her role will involve providing strategic business solutions and data-driven insights to Motivator’s growing client base besides building the business and project consulting practice.
Speaking on the new addition to the team,Motivator MD Rabe Iyer said, “In the last couple of years, we have been fast tracking our journey to build a strong client business performance framework and product. Upali has fantastic experience to build sustainable strategies to deliver to broader client conversations. Upali will distinctly add value to nailing the clients’ central challenges in the context of marketing and manageable interventions. She will partner with Motivator, GroupM and WPP units to build a strategic framework to address the same. Her ability to identify and use the right lens in addressing client business issues will further fuel our performance centricity.”
On her new assignment, Nag added, “I am extremely excited and happy to join Motivator- India. GroupM has always been ahead of the industry in terms of its vision and commitment towards building knowledge and people assets which are geared for the future. This, combined with the fact that most of the Motivator clients are intrinsically Indian clients, makes the journey even more interesting and exciting. This is my second stint at GroupM, and in many ways, feels no less than a homecoming.”
An alumnus of MICA Ahmedabad, Upali brings to Motivator a rich experience of 18 years in media strategy, planning and development of business solutions. She started her career with the then known, Initiative Media, Lintas and since then has been associated with companies like Universal McCann, Starcom Mediavest Group, Yahoo and GroupM. Some of the brands she has worked on include TVS, Tata Tea, Himalaya Wellness, Wipro Consumer Care and SAB Miller among others.
Upali Nag also has substantial experience in setting up organization teams, processes and in strategic consulting. Following her business consulting practice, she has successfully driven projects on Consumer Understanding, Business Development, CRM, Business Analytics, Data Solutions and Identifying Performance Metrics.
MUMBAI: Motivator, a GroupM agency, has appointed Upali Nag as National Head – Insights and Innovation. Upali will work out of the agency’s Bangalore office and will report to V.Narayanan, Chief Growth Officer, Motivator. Her role will involve providing strategic business solutions and data-driven insights to Motivator’s growing client base besides building the business and project consulting practice.
Speaking on the new addition to the team,Motivator MD Rabe Iyer said, “In the last couple of years, we have been fast tracking our journey to build a strong client business performance framework and product. Upali has fantastic experience to build sustainable strategies to deliver to broader client conversations. Upali will distinctly add value to nailing the clients’ central challenges in the context of marketing and manageable interventions. She will partner with Motivator, GroupM and WPP units to build a strategic framework to address the same. Her ability to identify and use the right lens in addressing client business issues will further fuel our performance centricity.”
On her new assignment, Nag added, “I am extremely excited and happy to join Motivator- India. GroupM has always been ahead of the industry in terms of its vision and commitment towards building knowledge and people assets which are geared for the future. This, combined with the fact that most of the Motivator clients are intrinsically Indian clients, makes the journey even more interesting and exciting. This is my second stint at GroupM, and in many ways, feels no less than a homecoming.”
An alumnus of MICA Ahmedabad, Upali brings to Motivator a rich experience of 18 years in media strategy, planning and development of business solutions. She started her career with the then known, Initiative Media, Lintas and since then has been associated with companies like Universal McCann, Starcom Mediavest Group, Yahoo and GroupM. Some of the brands she has worked on include TVS, Tata Tea, Himalaya Wellness, Wipro Consumer Care and SAB Miller among others.
Upali Nag also has substantial experience in setting up organization teams, processes and in strategic consulting. Following her business consulting practice, she has successfully driven projects on Consumer Understanding, Business Development, CRM, Business Analytics, Data Solutions and Identifying Performance Metrics.
