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Tag: Lakme

  • 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.

  • Delhi set to take the catwalk as Lakmē Fashion Week turns 25 in style

    Delhi set to take the catwalk as Lakmē Fashion Week turns 25 in style

    MUMBAI: Delhi, dust off your heels the runway is calling. Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI is strutting back to the capital for its 25th anniversary showcase, scheduled from 8 to 12 October 2025 at The Grand, Vasant Kunj. Fresh off a glittering Mumbai edition earlier this year, which kicked off the silver jubilee celebrations, the spotlight now shifts to Delhi long regarded as India’s fashion nerve centre. Over the past quarter century, Lakmē Fashion Week has been more than just sequins and spotlight; it has launched careers, celebrated craft, and built India’s identity in the global style playbook.

    With its bi-annual format across Mumbai and Delhi, the platform powered by Lakmē, Reliance Brands Ltd., and the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) has been a springboard for iconic names while staying committed to sustainability, diversity, and innovation.

    “Each edition serves as a catalyst for the industry setting benchmarks, launching talent, and reimagining what fashion can be,” said Lakmē India VP Sunanda Khaitan hinting at a season where heritage will meet futuristic ideas.

    For Reliance Brands’ Group VP Jaspreet Chandok, Delhi offers the perfect stage: “With every edition, we aim to elevate the experience not just as a runway, but as a cultural moment.”

    Echoing the sentiment FDCI chairman Sunil Sethi framed the October showcase as both a celebration and a business opportunity: “Our endeavour is to empower designers, open new markets, and drive engagement between creativity and commerce. This edition will spotlight India’s craft, innovation, and diversity.”

    The fashion week’s legacy is undeniable. Since its inception, it has championed India’s handloom weavers and artisans, while opening global markets for contemporary designers. With over two decades of influence and a growing list of international collaborations, its catwalks have been as much about commerce as couture.

    Final details spanning designer line-ups, collabs, and headline shows remain under wraps, but one thing is certain: come October, Delhi will be where heritage and haute couture collide, and the runway will be louder than Diwali fireworks.

  • Cred and T Rajendar show Chennai the rewards of paying bills on time

    Cred and T Rajendar show Chennai the rewards of paying bills on time

    MUMBAI: Cred invoked the iconic T Rajendar to spotlight the rewards of good financial behaviour in its new, quintessentially ‘TR’ brand film.

    Speaking directly to ‘TR Nation’, the campaign celebrates the legendary performer’s unmistakable delivery and presence as a multi-hyphenate actor, director, producer, lyricist, composer, and singer. Now, he dons one more hat: that of an explainer,  where he transforms creditworthiness from a concept to a conversation – a rewarding one.

    The campaign comes at a time when Chennai is emerging as one of India’s most financially aware cities. In a recent Cred–YouGov survey:

    ●     65 per cent of respondents in Chennai know their exact credit score, the highest among all Indian metros

    ●     52 per cent report credit adoption, indicating deeper engagement with formal credit systems

    ●     Nearly 1 in 2 residents (46 per cent) rely on personal finance apps to manage their money

    With the film, Cred and TR show this financially progressive community that creditworthiness can be rewarding too. In a few seconds, a late-night doomscroll turns into a walk through the rewards that Cred members earn by paying their bills on the app – jewellery, vacations, gadgets, makeovers, and other experiences.

    Launched yesterday, the film will run for six weeks across Tamil Nadu. The campaign continues on the app as well, with curated offers on brands like Butterheads, VS Mani, Bodycraft, Sangeetha Veg, Cha Republic, Giva, A2B, Lakme and many more. CRED members in Tamil Nadu can also access limited-edition TR merchandise on CRED Store.

  • Sunscreen spat sees HUL and Mamaearth kiss and make up, with a few tweaks

    Sunscreen spat sees HUL and Mamaearth kiss and make up, with a few tweaks

    MUMBAI: The beauty world’s latest dust-up has settled, with Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) and Honasa Consumer, the brains behind Mamaearth, calling a truce after a courtroom rumble. It all kicked off when Lakmé, HUL’s flagship beauty brand, launched a “sun superiority campaign” that rather pointedly suggested some “online bestsellers” were fibbing about their SPF claims. Honasa, whose Derma Co. brand sports a rather distinctive orange, felt a tad singed, accusing Lakmé of throwing shade on their packaging and claims.

    Honasa co-founder Ghazal Alagh  took to LinkedIn with a saucy post, welcoming Lakmé to the “in-vivo tested SPF 50 club,” a move that, the Bombay High Court suggested, might have been a tad disparaging itself. HUL, not one to take such cheek lying down, hit back, claiming their tests showed some rivals were, shall we say, economising on the truth.

    But the Delhi high court, like a stern headmaster, stepped in and told both parties to play nicely. Lakmé was ordered to tweak its ad, swapping out “online bestseller” for the more vague “some sellers” and changing the offending orange to a demure light yellow. Honasa, in turn, agreed to scrub their social media jibes.

     HUL maintained that their campaign was all about keeping consumers safe from those who might be stretching the truth about SPF.

    Honasa, perhaps with a sigh of relief, agreed to take down their digital digs. Both parties also promised to remove their physical hoardings, which were apparently giving each other the evil eye, within 48 hours.
    This skirmish highlights the fiercely competitive nature of India’s Rs 2,000 crore sun care market, where brands are fighting tooth and nail for a slice of the pie. With consumer understanding of SPF still patchy, there’s plenty of room for both innovation and, it seems, a bit of the old marketing mischief.

  • India’s fashion powerhouses celebrate 25 years of Lakme Fashion Week

    India’s fashion powerhouses celebrate 25 years of Lakme Fashion Week

    MUMBAI: India’s fashion world threw a dazzling bash as Lakme Fashion Week marked its 25th anniversary with a glittering gala that brought together the country’s design royalty. The spectacular event, hosted by Lakme, the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and Reliance Brands on 30  March, was a runway romp through a quarter-century of catwalk history.

    Kareena Kapoor KhanHollywood actor and former White House staffer Kal Penn played master of ceremonies, bringing his trademark wit to proceedings as Hindi cinema heavyweight Kareena Kapoor Khan made a triumphant return to the ramp. Draped in white, the superstar—who has twice been the face of Lakme—delivered a nostalgic speech that had fashion-watchers swooning.

    The silver jubilee extravaganza featured a who’s who of Indian fashion, with 30 celebrated designers including Rajesh Pratap, JJ Valaya, Namrata Joshipura, Varun Bahl, Manish Malhotra, Ashish Soni and Tarun Tahiliani strutting their sartorial stuff. Former Lakme models including Lisa Ray, Lisa Haydon, Indrani Dasgupta, Sarah Jane Dias, Shimona Nath and Archana Akil returned to strut down memory lane, reviving the magic of past finales.

    FDCI chairman Sunil Sethi  raised a toast to the “design-soaked journey. This year the celebrations were robust, reflecting on how we shaped design and its sinuous curves through crafts and heritage. Let’s raise a toast to the future, forward with insightful and innovative ideas that will change our relationship with style. “  

    The fashion gurus

    Lakme India vice president  Sunanda Khaitan  highlighted the brand’s “unprecedented” commitment to democratising fashion. She added: “Lakmes longstanding and consistent commitment to furthering fashion in India is  unprecedented. It has given fashion designers, makeup artists, and models a world-class platform to showcase their creativity. While fashion may sometimes feel like it’s only accessible to a select few, Lakme’s contribution to LFW has made it a cultural phenomenon, merging fashion and beauty. For the past 25 years, Lakme, through innovations debuted each season, has led the charge on beauty, bringing beauty trends to India. We have collaborated closely with the best fashion talent in the country to curate their collections, complementing the beauty trends for the season.”

     

    Said Reliance Brands  group vice-president Jaspreet Chandok:  “The platform’s 25th anniversary was not just a celebration, it was a powerful reflection of how far Indian fashion had come and the limitless possibilities that lie ahead. This Gala brought together pioneers and pathbreakers of the industry in an unprecedented showcase of design excellence. From iconic designers to global talent like Kal Penn joining us as host, the evening was a historic tribute to creativity, culture, and collaboration.” 

    With supermodel Ujjwala Raut hosting the red carpet alongside fashion pundit Jessel Tank, the evening was a feast of fabrics and famous faces—proving that after 25 years, India’s premier fashion showcase remains as catwalk-crazy as ever.

  • HUL seals the deal: Uprising Science takeover gets CCI nod

    HUL seals the deal: Uprising Science takeover gets CCI nod

    MUMBAI:  Hindustan Unilever Ltd  (HUL) is set to expand its beauty and personal care empire, acquiring a 90.5 per cent stake in Uprising Science Pvt Ltd , with the remaining 9.5 per cent to follow in two years. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has given the green light to the transaction under Section 6(2) read with Section 5(a) of the Competition Act, 2002.

    HUL, a behemoth in the FMCG space, boasts a portfolio spanning home care, beauty and personal care, and food and refreshments. Its 50+ brands include household names like Lux, Surf Excel, Lakmé, Knorr, and Kwality Wall’s. With manufacturing facilities across India and a vast distribution network, the company dominates the consumer market.

    Uprising Science, the target in this acquisition, specialises in beauty and personal care, particularly skincare, body care, baby care and hair care products. The acquisition is expected to strengthen HUL’s grip on the premium beauty segment, expanding its product range and market share.

    The companies argued that the deal won’t shake up India’s competitive landscape. However, they acknowledged overlaps in key markets, including skincare and haircare, as well as vertical linkages such as sales through beauty salons. The strategic move aligns with HUL’s broader push into high-growth personal care categories.

    With CCI’s approval in the bag, HUL is set to make further waves in the beauty business. Expect bold moves ahead.

  • Sabu Jose appointed creative director at Identical Brains

    Sabu Jose appointed creative director at Identical Brains

    Mumbai: Post facility Identical Brains has announced the appointment of Sabu Jose as creative director, a strategic move aimed at strengthening the company’s post-production services for feature films, OTT, and advertising content. He will also play a key role in advancing its renowned visual effects division.

    With over two decades of experience in the film and advertising sectors, Jose has an extensive portfolio featuring collaborations with leading brands such as Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Samsung, Tata Motors, Airtel, Lakmé, and Garnier. His career includes leadership roles at prestigious studios, including Famous Studios, Prime Focus Ltd, Studio Mirage, and VC Studiioz.

    In his new role, Jose will oversee creative direction, digital content creation, and post-production consulting. Identical Brains is set to expand its DI colour grading services using advanced technologies like Baselight and Resolve, alongside bolstering audio post-production capabilities with Dolby Atmos and 5.1 mixing for immersive sound experiences.

    Previously, Jose served as COO and creative head at VC Studiioz, where he led post-production and brand services. He also founded ClearFX in 2024, offering visual design and filmmaking consultancy. His journey began as a 3D animator at Crest Communication, later progressing to roles as a senior editor and VFX artist at Famous Studios and Prime Focus.

  • Nykaa’s annual Pink Friday Sale is back with the year’s biggest deals!

    Nykaa’s annual Pink Friday Sale is back with the year’s biggest deals!

    Mumbai: The biggest beauty sale of the year is back as Nykaa’s annual Pink Friday Sale starts on 23rd November, with deals and steals that are bigger and better than ever. So get ready to step into the beauty-verse with deals that are out of this world, going up to 50% off on over 2,100 brands, including hot favorites such as Huda Beauty, M.A.C, Bobbi Brown, Charlotte Tilbury, Nykaa Cosmetics, Kay Beauty, Lakmé, Maybelline New York and L’Oréal Paris. With the widest selection of 100% authentic products, ranging from international bestsellers and iconic collaborations to runway trends and homegrown staples, all with the added bonus of free shipping and easy 15-day returns, Nykaa is the destination to be at! Expect amazing 1+1 deals from loved brands, interactions with the biggest Indian influencers via Nykaa Stream, exclusive treats and early access for Nykaa’s Privé Platinum and Gold members!

    If you are a Nykaa Prive Platinum or Gold member, then you get early access to the best curations and deals a whole 24 hours early on 22nd November from 4 PM onwards! And if you are a new user, you can get an additional 20% off on your purchases.

    Talking about the sale, Nykaa Beauty CEO & executive director Anchit Nayar said, “We are excited to bring India’s biggest annual beauty festival to shoppers this season. Nykaa’s flagship Pink Friday sale has become much-awaited over the years, witnessing tremendous customer engagement and brand love. With leading international brands offering deals for the very first time, we are thrilled to be the ultimate beauty destination for millions of consumers online and across our 165 stores. From luxury international cult favorites to homegrown bestsellers, Pink Friday promises to cater to all kinds of beauty shoppers, further solidifying Nykaa’s position as a premier destination for unparalleled beauty experiences.”

    Here’s a special sneak peek into the jaw-dropping deals that await you on the other side of your phone screen!

    1   Best Luxury deals: Charlotte Tilbury, the iconic luxury makeup brand from the UK, is offering a whopping 25% markdown on its entire selection, you can grab the most iconic palettes from global bestseller Huda Beauty at a flat 50% off. This is also your chance to grab the always-in-demand M.A.C and Clinique at up to 20% off and get freebies on Estee Lauder and a buy-1-get-1 on Bobbi Brown

    2   Everyone’s favorites: L’Oreal Paris is offering up to 35% off, Maybelline is at 45% and L’Oreal Professionnel is giving away free minis on purchases of  ₹1199+

    3   Most-loved: Bestsellers from Lakme and Nykaa Cosmetics are at up to 50%. Colorbar has a stellar buy-1-get-1 free and so does the globally trending e.l.f. Cosmetics on their makeup range

    4   Superstar brands: Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ Anomaly is doling out hair essentials at a buy-1-get-1-free offer, and Katrina Kaif’s own Kay Beauty has a solid 40% off for shoppers. Your favorite skincare brands have some great deals too! Dot & Key is offering up to 30% off on its goodies. Plum, on the other hand, has a markdown of FLAT 30% on its complete range! There isn’t a better time to stock up on skincare staples from The Ordinary with buy 2 pick 1 free

  • Lakmé Academy ropes in Ananya Panday as its youngest brand ambassador

    Lakmé Academy ropes in Ananya Panday as its youngest brand ambassador

    Mumbai: Lakmé Academy powered by Aptech has signed Bollywood actress Ananya Panday as the brand ambassador. The association comes after a long-standing relationship of the actress with the brand. Appealing to a young, Gen Z audience with her quirky, cute and charming demeanour, Ananya is a recognised youth icon in India.

    The Rs 25,000 crore professional beauty and wellness industry in India, which includes salons, spas, parlours, men grooming outlets & skin clinics, amongst others, has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12 per cent over the last decade. The industry is extremely fragmented, but it is believed to have over one million outlets employing almost 15 million people, of which nearly 65 per cent are women. For a young country like India, with nearly 700 million individuals below 25 years of age, the beauty and wellness industry has the potential to generate livelihoods in small towns without promoting mass-scale migration to large metros.

    Focusing on professional training and providing opportunities in the space, Lakmé Academy powered by Aptech, with over 130 centres in 100 cities+ across India, has added tremendous value in not only upskilling thousands of students with their industry-relevant curriculum but also giving them hands-on experience of becoming professional artists beautifying their future and that of the industry as well.

  • HUL maintains lead in week 44: Barc

    HUL maintains lead in week 44: Barc

    Mumbai: With ad volumes of 5074.45 (‘000s), Hindustan Lever Ltd (HUL) was the most prolific advertiser in week 44 (30 October to 5 November) according to Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) data. Reckitt Benckiser grabbed the second spot at 1480.15.

    At the third to ninth positions were Ponds India, Brooke Bond Lipton India Ltd, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd, Procter & Gamble, Amazon Online India Pvt Ltd, Cadbury India Ltd, and Colgate Palmolive India Ltd. Lakme Lever Ltd was the new entrant at the tenth spot with ad volumes of 416.15 (‘000s).

    Horlicks was the most advertised brand in week 44 with ad volumes of 443.06 (‘000s). At 319.42 Clinic Plus Shampoo was second. It was followed by Brooke Bond Bru Instant (260.48) at the third position.

    Amazon Prime Video, Lalithaa Jewellery, Amazon India, Surf Excel Easy Wash, Close Up Ever Fresh (new) Vaseline Intensive Care Deep Moisture Body Lotion (new), and Boost followed.