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.
MUMBAI: Talk about a creative twist in the plot. DDB Tribal has brought on board Anusheela Saha as its new creative head, marking a fresh chapter for the Gurugram-based agency within the DDB Mudra Group.
Saha moves from FCB India, where she was national creative director, spearheading campaigns that paired emotional resonance with cultural impact. With more than two decades of experience at agencies such as Cheil and FCB, she has built a portfolio spanning Unilever, KFC, Mahindra Automobiles, Uber, Google, Samsung, UN AIDS and the Times of India. Her work has earned recognition at Cannes Lions, D&AD, One Show, Clio Awards, Spikes Asia and Kyoorius.
Notable among her projects is ‘Unbox Me’, which shines a light on gender identity in children and sparks conversations well beyond the advertising world. She marked a personal milestone when she stepped into her FCB role as a new mother.
Saha will report to DDB Mudra Group, chief creative officer, Rahul Mathew, taking over from Iraj Fraz who transitions into a new role within the company.
“Over the last few years, we’ve seen DDB Tribal grow stronger and more confident,” Mathew said. “Anusheela will help take this growth into its next phase. She shares many of the values we hold dear, especially when it comes to big ideas and craft.”
Saha added, “For me DDB is the perfect alignment of culture, creative vision and leadership. I look forward to partnering with Rahul, Ashutosh and the team to take this legacy forward.”
MUMBAI: Crack open a cold one with no rules attached. Coolberg, India’s favourite non-alcoholic beer brand, is shaking up the beverage aisle and the status quo with its new campaign, “No Rules, Just Cool.” A celebration of everything unapologetically Gen Z, the campaign invites India’s youth to drop the labels, ditch the expectations, and sip on their own terms.
Whether you’re breaking free from a bad breakup or just breaking the mould, Coolberg wants you to know that the best rebound isn’t a person it’s a mindset. Kicking off with cheeky relationship advice and rolling out across digital platforms like Snapchat, Spotify, Meta, and OTT channels, the campaign is every bit as quirky and unfiltered as the generation it speaks to.
Commenting on the campaign, Ghodawat Consumer Limited, head of marketing, Shubham Shukla said, “Coolberg is the ultimate drink for Gen Z as it’s fun, inclusive and unique. With No Rules, Just Cool, our objective is to align with the evolving mindset of Gen Z, a generation that values authenticity, individuality, and freedom of expression. This campaign kicks off with a quirky take on relationship advice, a reminder that the best rebounds aren’t people, they’re powerful mindset shifts. At Coolberg, we are not just making a drink but building a brand that resonates with today’s youth culture.”
And the numbers fizz louder than ever. Since its acquisition by Ghodawat Consumer Limited in 2022, Coolberg has gone from cool to cooler. Now available in over 50,000 outlets across 150 cities, the brand has even made its way to 15 plus international markets. It’s not uncommon to spot Coolberg alongside your burger and fries at KFC, Barbeque Nation, or Wow Momos, and it’s just a few clicks away on Zepto, Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, Flipkart Minutes, and Amazon.
With a flavour profile as bold as its branding, Coolberg is serving up more than a sip, it’s serving a cultural reset. So the next time you crack open a bottle, remember: the only rule is to be cool.
MUMBAI: A tech topping on a global pizza, Yum! Brands is stirring the pot in India with a spicy leadership update. The parent company of KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Habit Burger & Grill has appointed Manish Jain to lead its digital and technology (D&T) India Global Capability Centre (GCC).
Jain will take charge of Yum!’s India-based digital operations and shared services, bringing to the table over two decades of experience spanning the US, Malaysia and India. He will report directly to James Watts, chief people officer, Yum! digital & technology.
Yum!’s D&T India GCC is a crucial cog in the company’s global engine, tasked with building tech solutions and supporting services across all Yum! brands. Jain’s appointment marks a strategic step forward in reinforcing India’s position as a digital powerhouse for the global quick-service restaurant (QSR) giant.
“I am honored to take on this role and excited to help build the India Global Capability Centre in support of Yum! Brands’ strategy for good growth and its goal to be an employer of choice in the region,” Manish Jain said.
Before joining Yum!, Jain served as service director for the Asia-Pacific region and India country head at Getronics International, overseeing customer success and shared services. He was also the founding director of BT Group’s Global Business Services unit in India, where he spent over 10 years scaling operations from the ground up.
With Jain at the helm, Yum! Brands aims to not just scale digitally but serve up innovation with a side of world-class culture. His appointment is expected to bolster the GCC’s ambitions in tech development and shared services, reinforcing India’s growing influence in global operations.
MUMBAI; In a world where Gen Z tunes out the moment an ad feels off, Vdo.ai is on a mission to turn advertising from an interruption into an interaction. The video ad tech powerhouse just hosted a high-stakes roundtable, pulling together marketing’s sharpest minds to crack the Gen Z conundrum—how to sell to a generation allergic to brand loyalty, sceptical about data tracking, and always on the lookout for the next big trend.
Vdo.ai co-founder & CTO Arjit Sachdeva set the tone. “Advertising is evolving fast, and Gen Z is calling the shots. If your ads aren’t immersive, interactive, and tailored to them, they won’t just scroll past—you won’t exist.”
The event drew heavy hitters from brands that shape how we eat, drive, and shop: Arpita Gandotra (avp marketing, Reliance Digital Retail), Varun Sethuraman (business head, Nestlé), Anshuman Goenka (global director – incubation brands, Bacardi), Sneha Jha (head of media and CLM, KFC), Sakshi Malhotra (head – digital marketing & d2c, PNB MetLife), Anuj Somani (senior marketing manager, Volvo Cars), Karan Kumar (cmo, Hero Realty), Jitendra Choudhary (head of digital, Honasa Consumer Ltd – Mamaearth), and Himanshu Sirohi (head of digital marketing & credit card business, Apollo 24×7).
Some of the nuggets that emerged from the roundtable included:
The numbers don’t lie: * 60 per cent of Gen Z disengage from ads they find irrelevant or overly personal. * Just 9.6 per cent feel any real brand loyalty—they care more about price and trends. * 43 per cent are wary of being tracked online. * A mere five per cent say product quality or cost matters more than a killer brand experience.
What’s hot, what’s not: * Repeating an ad doesn’t build reputation anymore—it just builds resentment. Brands need sharp, engaging storytelling. * AI-driven content is rewriting the rulebook on audience targeting. * Digital-first touchpoints aren’t a nice-to-have, they’re the whole game.
Vdo.ai chief business officer Akshay Chaturvedi pointed to the $1.8bn consumption potential Gen Z will bring to the table by 2035. “If brands want in, they need AI-powered, hyperlocal and immersive experiences—because attention is the new currency, and Gen Z isn’t handing it out for free.”
As the conversation wrapped up, one thing was clear: the advertising playbook is being rewritten in real time. And keeping pace with that is crucial if one wants in with the GenZ audience.
Mumbai: In a significant career advancement, Saumya Tandon has officially announced her appointment as marketing head for KFC at Devyani International.
In her LinkedIn announcement, she stated, “I’m excited to share that I am taking on the role of marketing head for KFC at Devyani International”.
Tandon brings over five years of experience with Devyani International, having previously served in several capacities within the Pizza Hut franchise. Most recently, she held the position of Deputy General Manager of Marketing, where she played a crucial role in the development and execution of strategic marketing initiatives, thereby contributing significantly to the brand’s growth across India. Her responsibilities encompassed driving annual marketing calendars, planning for new store openings, and cultivating partnerships with key aggregators.
Prior to her tenure at Devyani International, Ms. Tandon served as Senior Manager of Marketing at Viu India, where she specialized in social media and digital marketing strategies. Her diverse skill set and extensive experience position her well to lead KFC’s marketing strategies in a competitive and evolving market landscape.
In her new role, Tandon is expected to enhance brand visibility and drive customer engagement for KFC, leveraging her expertise to implement innovative marketing initiatives. Her career trajectory reflects not only her accomplishments but also broader movements within the marketing sector, where strategic thinking and creativity are increasingly vital.
With Saumya Tandon at the forefront of KFC’s marketing efforts, the brand is poised for a promising future, marked by innovative strategies and enhanced customer connections.
Mumbai: ‘Bring back Rice Bowlz!’. ‘I want Rice Bowlz’.‘Rice Bowlz were the best. KFC should bring them back.’
These are just some of the comments made by fans over the last few years on KFC India’s page. And after a long time of waiting and wishing, petitioning, and requesting, commenting, DM-ing, and even meme-making – KFC India surp-riced every Rice Bowlz fan! The iconic Rice Bowlz are back! And not just that, they are the only thing on the KFC menu.
Wait, what?
It all started with a cryptic message on KFC India’s Instagram handle hinting at a comeback. Next up the brand’s profile picture on Instagram proudly displayed the Rice Bowlz, which got netizens buzzing. With so many hints, all pointing towards KFC fans’ biggest wish potentially coming true, consumers couldn’t contain their excitement anymore and rushed to their nearest KFC restaurant. And all they saw was Rice Bowlz!
In a fan video released on social media, consumers were stunned to find nothing but Rice Bowlz on the KFC menu. Excitement levels max, fans rushed to place their orders. But wait…
Where was the rest of the menu? The OG Hot and Crispy Bucket? The juicy and crispy Zinger? The Chicken Roll?
In the video, KFC team members seem to have just one answer – “Only Rice Bowlz are available”.
Thrilled, yet thoroughly confused, fans asked, ‘KFC, what’s this behaviour?’ only to realize that this was the brand’s bold, yet hilarious way to announce the comeback of everyone’s favourite Rice Bowlz, on April Fool’s Day.
Mumbai: Raise your hand if you have ever said “Let’s connect for a quick call at 1:00 pm.” Or declared “I’ll eat lunch after class.” Or sighed and said “Aaj lunch main same khaana hai”. Or looked at your wallet and had to say, “No lunch today, I’m saving my pocket money.”
Well, things are about to change in 2024. Thanks to the KFC Lunch Police.
In KFC’s latest campaign for the all-new KFC Lunch Specials, the iconic Colonel Sanders leads a squad he proudly calls the KFC Lunch Police. Colonel Sanders and his crew have a single mission – catch those who think missing lunch is okay.
In the new campaign unveiled today, the KFC Lunch Police are seen visiting an office where everyone seems to have something to do at lunchtime, except eat lunch! Colonel and his crew swiftly move around grabbing people’s phones, shutting laptops, closing files, switching off the power supply, and much more. So that Lunch can get justice.
Confusion takes over every employee as they wonder what’s happening. Until Colonel Sanders declares that all lunch offenders are under arrest. After all, lunchtime par lunch ke alawa aur kuch karna is a crime.
The film ends with a powerful declaration of “Aao Lunch Karein!” by Colonel Sanders as he urges everyone to join in the lunch revolution and indulge in the KFC Lunch Specials.
KFC India & partner countries CMO Aparna Bhawal said, “Lunch is often the most compromised meal of the day, because of a myriad of reasons – we’re on the move, or there’s an assignment to finish, a meeting to get to, pocket money running low, or simply because we want more variety for lunch. KFC Lunch Specials is a range of meals combining value and variety and will come to the rescue of those looking for an option that is filling and at the same time gives them good value for money at just INR 149. The new launch is in line with our ambition to expand our core menu through interesting formats to provide unmatched variety and value to our consumers. With the range of options under KFC Lunch Specials, there is something for everyone to enjoy, whether they are existing KFC fans or trying our deliciously crispy menu items for the first time.”
Ogilvy-North CCO Ritu Sharda said, “Lunch doesn’t always get the justice it deserves. Sometimes we work at lunchtime, or have working lunches, or skip lunch. We settle for what’s available around us, at the table or in our bags, with convenience towering over love. With KFC Lunch Specials, we wanted to highlight this cultural shift that has slowly crept into our lives. So we created the KFC Lunch Police. Led by Colonel Sanders with a team of undercover lunch agents, who pop out of thin air and catch lunch offenders on the fly. It’s a fun, slightly wacky, and a completely unmissable way to remind people that with KFC Lunch Specials, we are bringing back the adage, lunchtime means lunchtime.”
Subsequent films in the campaign will showcase different situations and reasons people are compelled to skip lunch – whether it’s a boss who wants his team to eat the exact same thing each day or a college student whose pocket money won’t stretch for a lunch outside the canteen.
The campaign will run on TV and digital platforms, along with a robust 360-degree plan.
With KFC Lunch Specials, consumers can choose from a variety of meals including Longer burgers, Rolls, or Rice Bowlz, paired with the iconic Hot & Crispy chicken, Peri Peri Chicken Strips or Fries, along with refreshing beverages. There’s something for everyone as consumers can choose from a variety of veg and non-veg options.
KFC Lunch Specials are available exclusively from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at all KFC restaurants. So, get set for a crispy, crunchy, delicious lunchtime, with options starting at Rs 149.
Mumbai: KFC India has launched a new campaign featuring Allu Arjun and Colonel Sanders on Monday. The campaign is executed by Ogilvy and the ad film for the campaign is produced by First Frame Entertainment.
Having struggled with finding the ‘right spice’, in KFC’s new film, Arjun is seen defiantly declaring, “Apun ko aansu acha nahi lagta hai, na emotion wala, na mirchi wala.”
The film opens with Allu Arjun, in his suave demeanour at a KFC restaurant, in a drool-worthy close of him biting into the new KFC Peri Peri Chicken, as we are treated to a glimpse of that Peri Peri flavouring over a piece of perfectly crispy chicken. He continues to enjoy that discerning bite when he declares, in his signature style, “Apun ko aansu acha nahi lagta hai, na emotion wala, na mirchi wala.”
We feel the tension rising as he asks for the Colonel. It’s nothing less than an edge of the seat thriller as a perplexed Colonel walks up to him, eagerly awaiting Allu Arjun’s verdict on the product. “Spice…” says Allu Arjun, followed by a dramatic pause, only to declare “Correct hai boss!” Celebrations ensue as Allu Arjun assures that KFC Peri Peri is “soooper very very” and the Colonel joins in imitating Allu Arjun’s signature Pushpa step.
On bringing together 2 OG stars – the Colonel and Allu – for the biggest launch of the season, a KFC India spokesperson said, “We Indians have an innate knack for all things spice. And when the spice is such that it makes you tear up or leaves you underwhelmed, it is disappointing. So, who better than KFC, along with the superstar himself, Allu Arjun, to present a product with just the right spice? Our latest launch, Peri Peri Chicken, has all the makings of a blockbuster-it’s crispy, crunchy, with a dash of spice! With Colonel Sanders and Allu Arjun turning up the heat, this latest KFC film is nothing but soooper very very!”
Talking about the film, Ogilvy chief creative officer north Ritu Sharda said, “Peri Peri, as a flavour, is already a hit. But when we tasted KFC’s Peri Peri, we realised it was something extra special. We were confident people were going to find this bigger than a hit; it was going to be a superhit. And who better to get a nod of approval on anything super hit than Allu Arjun? So, we turned the tasting session into a dramatic ad, with all the bells and whistles, and ended it with our Colonel Sanders finishing off with Allu’s signature move.”
Talking about his latest KFC film, Allu Arjun said, “It was great collaborating on KFC’s Peri Peri campaign. Coming together with the OG Colonel Sanders for their new irresistible peri-peri sprinkle has been a lovely experience altogether. All I can say is, “Chicken Peri Peri, soooper very very!”
New Delhi: Leading QSR brand, KFC India announced key changes to its leadership in India. Moksh Chopra has been elevated as the General Manager for KFC India BMU (Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives), effective 15 July 2022.
He succeeds Samir Menon, who will take on the regional role of Managing Director of MENAPakT (Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan, Turkey) and India. Samir and Moksh, along with the robust leadership team, have been instrumental in driving the stellar performance of KFC in India.
On assuming the new role, Moksh Chopra said, “We are famous for serving Finger Lickin’ good food, that’s done the right way. I’m privileged & honoured to be leading the mandate for the brand in India. We have been driving significant growth in the Indian market with disruptive products, expanding our footprint with more than 600 restaurants, strengthening our regional outreach, increasing access and enhancing customer experience. I look forward to deepening KFC’s relevance, while retaining the distinctiveness KFC is known for – in India, with India.”
Speaking about his move Samir Menon said, “I am honoured and excited to be able to galvanize the strategy for KFC’s next chapter of growth for the MENAPakT & India region. While we continue to build on the strategic roadmap for India, I look forward to driving our global strategy and delivering long-term, sustainable growth for the brand, our teams, franchisee partners and customers. With Moksh’s rich experiences and excellence in strategic thinking, he has proven to be an incredible leader for KFC India BMU; and would continue to unlock potential for the brand.”
The KFC India BMU witnessed breakthrough growth under Samir’s stewardship. Thanks to his heart-led leadership and drive for performance, the brand has emerged as a leading QSR player in every country in the region.
During his tenure as chief marketing officer, Moksh Chopra has led and executed a winning formula for success for the brand across all the markets in the region, consistently delivering sales and category-leading brand metrics. Both Samir & Moksh have been associated with the brand for over a decade now and partnering closely with the forward-thinking leadership team, they have crafted the go-forward strategy for the India business, creating the roadmap for continued growth.
