Tag: Lufthansa

  • Lufthansa takes off with Sreeleela for Insider 2.0 travel storytelling

    Lufthansa takes off with Sreeleela for Insider 2.0 travel storytelling

    MUMBAI: When a rising star meets Europe’s sky-high classic, you know the journey won’t be ordinary. Lufthansa German Airlines has rolled out the latest chapter of its Insider campaign, this time headlined by actress Sreeleela, who brings a touch of homegrown charm to the airline’s premium global pitch.

    The campaign steered by Mindshare India with its UK counterparts and supported by WPP Media reimagines Lufthansa not just as a carrier but as a travel-lifestyle brand. Dubbed Insider Guide 2.0, it turns the spotlight on London’s cultural and culinary secrets, with Sreeleela exploring the city alongside UK creator Anastasia. From hidden haunts to haute cuisine, the duo presented a version of London few tourists ever see.

    For today’s premium Indian traveller, the sweet spot lies in blending indulgence with authenticity. The campaign taps into that appetite: immersive journeys that go beyond glossy itineraries, mixing Lufthansa’s signature service with storytelling that feels personal.

    Lufthansa Group head of marketing for South Asia, Southeast Asia & Pacific Sng Ju Stephanie summed it up as “experience-led travel, powered by authentic influencer engagement,” while WPP Media South Asia’s Amin Lakhani called it a “cross-border collaboration that raises the bar for cultural nuance and consumer connection.”

    With Insider 2.0, Lufthansa isn’t just chasing wanderlust; it’s serving up a menu of global discovery with an Indian garnish. For a brand that has long been a bridge between continents, this campaign ensures the story soars just as high as the aircraft.

  • Aman Kishore appointed head of marketing at Bits Pilani Digital

    Aman Kishore appointed head of marketing at Bits Pilani Digital

    MUMBAI: Bits Pilani Digital, the online education arm of India’s esteemed Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, has announced the appointment of Aman Kishore as its new head of marketing. Kishore, a seasoned professional with over 24 years of experience in integrated marketing and communication, steps into the role with immediate effect, having joined in April 2025.

    His extensive career spans a diverse portfolio of leading brands, including Samsung Mobiles, BMW, Mini Honda, Lufthansa, Nestle, Vodafone, Dabur, Walmart, Singapore Red Cross, and Mundi Pharma. At Bits Pilani Digital, Kishore will leverage his expertise in integrated campaigns, digital strategy, media integration, and performance marketing to expand the institution’s legacy to a wider audience.

    Before this latest assignment, Kishore served as integrated campaign lead at Cheil India, where he spearheaded marketing efforts for Samsung Mobiles’ innovative A-series, M-series, and F-series, focusing on GenZ engagement through digital, influencer, and social content. He also led the Samsung CSR initiative, ‘Solve for Tomorrow.

    His prior experience includes a notable four-year tenure as deputy general manager at The Times Of India, where he managed business development, revenue growth, and P&L for a unit responsible for marquee events such as the Literature Festival and Global Music Festival – Life in Colour. He also held significant roles at Serviceplan India, overseeing integrated media for BMW, MINI, and Lufthansa, and at Ogilvy & Mather, where he led business and strategy for clients like Honda Jazz and Vodafone.

    Kishore’s appointment signals Bits Pilani Digital’s commitment to robust marketing and a content-driven approach as it expands its digital offerings in data science and artificial intelligence. He brings a proven track record of developing communication solutions that deliver business goals, fostering consumer insights, and mentoring teams, all while maintaining a keen focus on technology and digital innovation.

  • Air India expands Lufthansa partnership to spread its wings across Europe

    Air India expands Lufthansa partnership to spread its wings across Europe

    MUMBAI: Air India is soaring to new heights in its partnership with the Lufthansa Group, expanding its codeshare network to offer seamless connectivity between India and Europe. The enhanced deal, which now includes Austrian Airlines, adds close to 60 new codeshare routes, bringing the total to nearly 100 flights across 12 Indian and 26 European cities.

    For Indian travellers, this means greater access to 26 European destinations and three key American cities beyond Air India’s hubs in Frankfurt, Vienna, and Zurich. Passengers can now book Air India-coded flights on Lufthansa, Swiss, and Austrian Airlines, making travel to cities like Amsterdam, Barcelona, Munich, and Stockholm smoother than ever.

    On the flip side, Lufthansa Group customers can now connect to 15 Indian destinations with Air India, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Goa, Kolkata, and Pune. The partnership also extends to Air India’s international routes to Kathmandu, Melbourne, and Sydney from Delhi and Mumbai.

    Air India chief commercial officer Nipun Aggarwal stated, “Our goal is to enable our customers to travel seamlessly across the world via Air India and its partner airlines. Expanding our partnership with Lufthansa Group strengthens this mission and elevates the travel experience for our passengers.”

    Lufthansa Group chief commercial officer Dieter Vranckx said, “We are thrilled to enhance our cooperation with Air India. This partnership will offer greater travel flexibility and reinforce Lufthansa Group’s commitment to the Indian market.”

    As both airlines are part of Star Alliance, frequent flyers can continue to earn and redeem miles, while elite members enjoy priority services, additional baggage allowances, and access to premium lounges.

    Subject to regulatory approvals, the expanded codeshare flights will soon be available for booking, promising a smoother and more connected travel experience for passengers across India and Europe.

  • MG Motor India and Red Comet Films come together to celebrate #GharKiLaxmi

    MG Motor India and Red Comet Films come together to celebrate #GharKiLaxmi

    Mumbai: Red Comet Films (RCF), a renowned ad film and digital content production house, recently launched two powerful films during the festive period in collaboration with MG Motor India celebrating #GharKiLaxmi. The films, rooted in the essence of familial relationships, aim to redefine the traditional narrative around festivals, emphasizing the significance of empowerment, acceptance, and enduring love within Indian households.

    Inspired by a real-life story, #GharKiLaxmi captures emotions of parents who celebrate the homecoming of their daughter after a divorce, the way they celebrated her bridal farewell. The campaign aims to break shackles associated with societal stigmas and paradoxes where women are looked down upon by society once they decide to step out of an abusive marriage.

    The second movie depicts girls from various homes being raised in a conventional way, with rules about what toys to play with, how they should behave, and what activities are exclusive to men. It then goes on to show how there is a Laxmi in every home and that achieving dreams and following passion is not gender specific but more about the will to do things.

    Talking about the company’s commitment to showcasing powerful stories in a simple yet effective way through video, Ankit Ahuja, Founder, Red Comet Films, said, “At Red Comet Films, we believe in narratives that inspire change and celebrate the strength within our families. The #GharKiLaxmi campaign is a testament to our dedication to fostering empowering stories that resonate with audiences on a deeper level. MG Motor India collaborated with us to challenge societal norms and promote diversity while also laying emphasis on the integrity, dedication, and energy of women. Together, we aim to create a narrative that not only captivates but also catalyses positive change in society.”

    Commenting on the launch of this social media campaign, MG Motor India marketing head  Udit Malhotra said, “Diwali is associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and in India, women are revered like Lakshmi. Through this soul-stirring narrative, MG aims to challenge societal taboos, encourage empowerment, and promote Stree Shakti which also resonates with our philosophy to unravel the hidden potential of women and enable them to take up challenging roles at every step of their journey.”

    In a short span of time, Red Comet Films, an IJCP Group company has become a leading production house, celebrated for creativity, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to exceptional results. Some notable names that the production house has worked with since inception include Morris Garages, Cognizant, JCB, Microsoft, Lufthansa, BITS Pilani, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Nestle, Dettol, Flipkart, and Uber, among many others. With a seasoned team of professionals in advertising and digital media, the production house specializes in crafting visually stunning ad films and digital content ranging from fashion, fiction, consumer goods to technology, automotive and more.

    #GharKiLaxmi | Happy Diwali | MG Motor

    Celebrating the Laxmis of our nation | #GharKiLaxmi

  • Season 4 of ‘Runway to Success’ from Lufthansa and Times Network takes off

    Season 4 of ‘Runway to Success’ from Lufthansa and Times Network takes off

    MUMBAI:  50,000 contestants are vying for top honours in Season 4 of India’s biggest SME stage, Lufthansa Runway to Success. The 10-episode television series, produced in partnership with The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) and India’s premier business broadcast channel ET Now, begins 4 June 2016.

    Lufthansa Runway to Success has grown exponentially over the past three years to be amongst India’s most popular platform for start-ups & SMEs. Preceding the competitive leg each year, are free mentorship camps held across the country where over 50 mentors invest time in guiding young entrepreneurs. Additionally, this season saw for the first time ‘The Start-up Expo’, co-created by Lufthansa, and recognised as India’s largest ecosystem for start-ups. The unique event brought together 10,000 participants and led to 50,000 applicants for the TV series, a 100 per cent increase over last season.

    From the vast array of contenders, the 21 most innovative ventures will be shortlisted by TiE business experts to compete in the series. The Grand Prize winner will fly away with a seat at the prestigious Design Thinking Boot Camp at Stanford University sponsored by Kalaari Capital, a Business Class ticket to any destination in the US and coveted mentorship from TiE.

    In partnering the success of Indian business, the Runway to Success platform reflects Lufthansa’s Nonstop You philosophy which pledges a relentless focus on its customers and people in the community. It also reinforces the airline’s commitment to be ‘More Indian than you think.’

    “It has been an absolute privilege for Lufthansa to be an enabler in India’s entrepreneurial revolution. The overwhelming response to the Runway to Success platform has led to its progressive expansion over the past three years into what is today a nationwide campaign. It is also an affirmation of the fact that as an airline, Lufthansa truly has an Indian heart within a German soul,” said Wolfgang Will, Director, South Asia, Lufthansa German Airlines.

    “At a time when young entrepreneurs are the driving force of the Indian economy, Runway to Success is recognized as a crucial growth catalyst for Start-ups and SMEs,” said TiE Delhi-NCR executive director Geetika Dayal. “The unprecedented success of this platform, built through a unique partnership with TiE, reflects Lufthansa’s strong commitment to enabling the success of entrepreneurs in India.”

    The Runway to Success TV series will feature leading icons such as C P Gurnani, CEO and Managing Director, Tech Mahindra; Dr. Mahesh Gupta, President, PHD Chamber, and Chairman & Managing Director, Kent RO Systems; Ajay Kaul, CEO, Jubliant FoodWorks; Alok Kejriwal CEO and co-founder, Games2win; Dilip Chhabria, founder DC Designs; celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor; and Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa, Chairman, The Akshaya Patra Foundation. These pioneers will inspire, motivate, mentor and select the best among 3 shortlisted entrepreneurs in each episode, who will each win a Business Class ticket to the US, and then go on to compete in the semi-finals and finale for the Grand Prize. A parallel “Viewer’s Choice” award will also be decided via social media, through online voting based on elevator pitch videos by the contestants.

    This year, the Runway to Success TV series was preceded by mentorship camps in 10 cities, including Jaipur, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Pune and Chennai amongst others. This was followed by the first-ever ‘Start-up Expo’ organized in Gurgaon end-April. The Expo attracted more than 30 investors, 100 partners, 200 start-up exhibitors, 500 mentors, and 10,000 participants. The one-day event facilitated over 700 business meetings, a start-up job fair, and day-long interactive workshops drawing over 3000 participants. It was attended by an array of government dignitaries and business icons including Mr. Amitabh Kant, CEO Niti Ayog & architect of the Government of India’s Start up initiative; Mr. Ramesh Abhishek, Secretary of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP); Mr. Saurabh Srivastava Chairman Emeritus TiE, Delhi and NCR; Mr. Deep Kalra; founder, Makemytrip.com; Mr. Sanjeev Bhikchandani, Vice Chairman naukri.com amongst others.

    Times Network CEO & MD M K Anand said, “Lufthansa Runway to Success is an experience which will inspire you ahead on the journey of entrepreneurship like never before with live access to illustrious minds, exciting discussions, and a grand celebration of the spirit of entrepreneurship. Lufthansa Runway To Success, now in its fourth season, is an excellent showcase of the ideas, efforts and achievements of SMEs, which deserve the biggest news audiences. As India’s most influential television network with the biggest English and Business news channels, we are pleased that our channel ET Now, India’s foremost business news channel, will provide it the right communication platform it deserves.”

    Note to Editor:

    Lufthansa Runway to Success season 4, India’s biggest SME stage will feature India’s 21 most innovative ventures who inspired, guided and mentored by 7 pioneers. Please find below a brief profile of the participants as well as pioneers. 

  • Season 4 of ‘Runway to Success’ from Lufthansa and Times Network takes off

    Season 4 of ‘Runway to Success’ from Lufthansa and Times Network takes off

    MUMBAI:  50,000 contestants are vying for top honours in Season 4 of India’s biggest SME stage, Lufthansa Runway to Success. The 10-episode television series, produced in partnership with The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) and India’s premier business broadcast channel ET Now, begins 4 June 2016.

    Lufthansa Runway to Success has grown exponentially over the past three years to be amongst India’s most popular platform for start-ups & SMEs. Preceding the competitive leg each year, are free mentorship camps held across the country where over 50 mentors invest time in guiding young entrepreneurs. Additionally, this season saw for the first time ‘The Start-up Expo’, co-created by Lufthansa, and recognised as India’s largest ecosystem for start-ups. The unique event brought together 10,000 participants and led to 50,000 applicants for the TV series, a 100 per cent increase over last season.

    From the vast array of contenders, the 21 most innovative ventures will be shortlisted by TiE business experts to compete in the series. The Grand Prize winner will fly away with a seat at the prestigious Design Thinking Boot Camp at Stanford University sponsored by Kalaari Capital, a Business Class ticket to any destination in the US and coveted mentorship from TiE.

    In partnering the success of Indian business, the Runway to Success platform reflects Lufthansa’s Nonstop You philosophy which pledges a relentless focus on its customers and people in the community. It also reinforces the airline’s commitment to be ‘More Indian than you think.’

    “It has been an absolute privilege for Lufthansa to be an enabler in India’s entrepreneurial revolution. The overwhelming response to the Runway to Success platform has led to its progressive expansion over the past three years into what is today a nationwide campaign. It is also an affirmation of the fact that as an airline, Lufthansa truly has an Indian heart within a German soul,” said Wolfgang Will, Director, South Asia, Lufthansa German Airlines.

    “At a time when young entrepreneurs are the driving force of the Indian economy, Runway to Success is recognized as a crucial growth catalyst for Start-ups and SMEs,” said TiE Delhi-NCR executive director Geetika Dayal. “The unprecedented success of this platform, built through a unique partnership with TiE, reflects Lufthansa’s strong commitment to enabling the success of entrepreneurs in India.”

    The Runway to Success TV series will feature leading icons such as C P Gurnani, CEO and Managing Director, Tech Mahindra; Dr. Mahesh Gupta, President, PHD Chamber, and Chairman & Managing Director, Kent RO Systems; Ajay Kaul, CEO, Jubliant FoodWorks; Alok Kejriwal CEO and co-founder, Games2win; Dilip Chhabria, founder DC Designs; celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor; and Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa, Chairman, The Akshaya Patra Foundation. These pioneers will inspire, motivate, mentor and select the best among 3 shortlisted entrepreneurs in each episode, who will each win a Business Class ticket to the US, and then go on to compete in the semi-finals and finale for the Grand Prize. A parallel “Viewer’s Choice” award will also be decided via social media, through online voting based on elevator pitch videos by the contestants.

    This year, the Runway to Success TV series was preceded by mentorship camps in 10 cities, including Jaipur, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Pune and Chennai amongst others. This was followed by the first-ever ‘Start-up Expo’ organized in Gurgaon end-April. The Expo attracted more than 30 investors, 100 partners, 200 start-up exhibitors, 500 mentors, and 10,000 participants. The one-day event facilitated over 700 business meetings, a start-up job fair, and day-long interactive workshops drawing over 3000 participants. It was attended by an array of government dignitaries and business icons including Mr. Amitabh Kant, CEO Niti Ayog & architect of the Government of India’s Start up initiative; Mr. Ramesh Abhishek, Secretary of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP); Mr. Saurabh Srivastava Chairman Emeritus TiE, Delhi and NCR; Mr. Deep Kalra; founder, Makemytrip.com; Mr. Sanjeev Bhikchandani, Vice Chairman naukri.com amongst others.

    Times Network CEO & MD M K Anand said, “Lufthansa Runway to Success is an experience which will inspire you ahead on the journey of entrepreneurship like never before with live access to illustrious minds, exciting discussions, and a grand celebration of the spirit of entrepreneurship. Lufthansa Runway To Success, now in its fourth season, is an excellent showcase of the ideas, efforts and achievements of SMEs, which deserve the biggest news audiences. As India’s most influential television network with the biggest English and Business news channels, we are pleased that our channel ET Now, India’s foremost business news channel, will provide it the right communication platform it deserves.”

    Note to Editor:

    Lufthansa Runway to Success season 4, India’s biggest SME stage will feature India’s 21 most innovative ventures who inspired, guided and mentored by 7 pioneers. Please find below a brief profile of the participants as well as pioneers. 

  • ET Now launches Pioneering Spirit 3 with Lufthansa

    ET Now launches Pioneering Spirit 3 with Lufthansa

    Mumbai: Lufthansa is partnering with ET Now for the third time for the television series Pioneering Spirit.

    Starting today, the show will air every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 6.30 pm, in which pioneers of today will select pioneers of tomorrow.

    The show provides budding entrepreneurs a chance to transform their business. A total of 30 entrepreneurs are shortlisted from 20,000 entries. They will compete over 10 episodes to win a Canaan sponsorship for a business programme at Cambridge, a mentorship from The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) and a Lufthansa Business Class ticket to Europe.

    Hosted by ET Now senior editor and anchor Shaili Chopra, each episode will feature one icon, who will then select a ‘pioneer of tomorrow’ among the three contestants that present their business plans.

    ET Now, Times Now and Zoom CEO Avinash Kaul said, “The success of the show lies in its unique format that adds a completely new dimension to reality television, and the fact that it goes one step further to actually help transform the business of these spirited entrepreneurs.”

    An accompanying poll has been organised by Lufthansa India on Facebook calling for popular vote on the ‘pioneer of tomorrow’ among the shortlisted participants on each episode.

    Lufthansa South Asia director Axel Hilgers said, “The overwhelming response to the show, with over 20,000 submissions received this season, reflects the pioneering spirit of Indian entrepreneurship. It is a privilege for us to partner the success of such trail blazing businesses that reflect a core leadership and customer service values shared by Lufthansa.”

    The industry icons being showcased this season include HSBC India group general manager and country head Naina Lal Kidwai, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, Fabindia MD William Bissell, Hero MotoCorp Joint MD Sunil Munjal, People Group Founder and CEO Anupam Mittal, Fortis Healthcare executive vice chairman Shivinder Mohan Singh, NIIT Group chairman and co-founder Rajendra S Pawar, Rajshree Sugars and Chemicals chairperson and MD Rajshree Pathy, Hotel Leela Venture chairman Capt CPK Nair and Sona Auto Comp Group founder and chairman Surinder Kapur.

  • CNBC-TV18 and Lufthansa roll out season 2 of ‘All for this one moment’

    CNBC-TV18 and Lufthansa roll out season 2 of ‘All for this one moment’

    MUMBAI: CNBC-TV18, along with Lufthansa Airlines, will soon roll out the second season of All For This One Moment.

    Starting 20 August, the eight-part series will showcase lives and achievements of business leaders and give budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to meet business legends.

    Set against the backdrop of Lufthansa’s first-class terminal, the show will be hosted by 
    CNBC-TV18 executive editor Shereen Bhan.

    With the theme ‘Aspiration meets Inspiration’ the show will provide opportunity to eight young entrepreneurs to interact with successful business people like Ram Shriram, Shobhana Bhartia, Kiran Karnik, Anil Agarwal, Kalpana Morparia, Dr. Parthap Reddy, Y.C.Deveshwar and Kishore Biyani in a one-on-one conversation, learning what drives them to excellence.

    “The first season redefined genres by providing the new generation of entrepreneurs with an unprecedented opportunity to meet the business legends and get a first hand account of their achievements. We are confident that Season 2 will continue to inspire entrepreneurs in India,” says TV-18 business media director Ajay Chacko.

    “Today’s tough economic scenario calls for innovative solutions and this series provides a wonderful platform for generating such creative ideas. We are proud to be associated with this program in which India’s business legends share the defining moments on their path to success with the next generation,” avers Lufthansa director South Asia Axel Hilgers.