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Tag: Natural Diamond Council

  • DSP Mutual Fund snaps up marketing powerhouse Aparna Kulkarni

    DSP Mutual Fund snaps up marketing powerhouse Aparna Kulkarni

    MUMBAI: Aparna Kulkarni has stepped into the role of vice president of consumer marketing at DSP Mutual Fund, leaving behind a glittering six-year stint at the Natural Diamond Council.

    At the Natural Diamond Council, Kulkarni built what she calls “the world’s biggest content publishing platform” for natural diamonds, masterminding celebrity campaigns and driving digital performance.

    Her impressive media background includes key positions at Times Network, where she headed marketing for premium movie channels, and Star India, where she managed high-profile shows including Siya Ke Ram and MasterChef India.

    Kulkarni now takes charge of brand marketing and investor education at DSP, bringing her content expertise and digital savvy to the financial services firm at a time when mutual funds are racing to connect with India’s rapidly expanding retail investor base.

    From entertainment to luxury to finance, Kulkarni’s fast-paced career shows no signs of slowing as she takes on this latest challenge at the respected fund house.

  • Kulkarni exits Natural Diamond Council after six-year sparkle

    Kulkarni exits Natural Diamond Council after six-year sparkle

    MUMBAI: Aparna Kulkarni, a marketing heavyweight with a glittering CV, has hung up her diamond-studded boots at the Natural Diamond Council, after a six-and-a-half-year stint. She’s leaving behind a legacy of celebrity-fuelled campaigns and a digital strategy that, one might say, was rather brilliant.

    Kulkarni, who previously cut her teeth at media giants like Star India and Times Network, joined the Diamond Council in 2018, tasked with building their Indian consumer marketing strategy. She’s credited with transforming the brand’s digital presence, turning it into a “content publishing platform” – a fancy way of saying she made diamonds look good online.

    Her tenure saw a focus on “luxury content creation,” celebrity endorsements, and a PR blitz to polish the diamond narrative. She also dipped her hands deep into the nitty-gritty of performance marketing, tracking digital metrics and strategising annual social media plans. No mere baubles, then, but hard graft.

    “It felt like home,” Kulkarni said of her time at the council, adding that she’s “equally excited about what’s next.”

    She offered a heartfelt thanks to colleagues, and a cheeky “may the diamond prices keep going north!”

    One imagines a few champagne flutes were raised.

    Her departure leaves a vacancy for a marketing director who can maintain the brand’s digital sparkle and keep the celebrity endorsements shining. The diamond industry, it seems, just lost one of its brightest facets.

  • Jos Alukkas Reports 28 per cent surge in diamond jewellery sales, emphasises natural rocks

    Jos Alukkas Reports 28 per cent surge in diamond jewellery sales, emphasises natural rocks

    MUMBAI:  Natural is in. That is natural diamonds versus the lab-cultured diamonds. No further proof of that is needed than  jewellery retail chain Jos Alukkas sales graph which has seen a 28 per cent uplift in diamond jewellery sales, reflecting a growing consumer preference for high-quality, natural diamonds.

    The brand’s commitment to elegant designs and quality has propelled this growth, aided by a recent partnership with the Natural Diamond Council (NDC) to boost awareness about natural diamonds.

    The surge in sales signals a shift in consumer attitudes towards diamonds as symbols of personal style and sophistication. Key categories like engagement rings, wedding bands, and diamond necklaces have seen significant demand, driven by rising disposable incomes.

    Jos Alukkas Group managing director Varghese Alukkas stated:  “India has become the second-largest market for diamond jewellery. Our 28 per cent  growth this financial year underscores the emotional connection customers have with natural diamonds. Our collaboration with the NDC enhances our mission to educate consumers about their brilliance and heritage.”

    NDC managing director  India and the Middle East Richa Singh said that engaging content and workshops to elevate consumer understanding of ethical diamond sourcing were in the offing..

    Jos Alukkas  managing director John Alukkas highlighted the future potential of the diamond market in India, predicting a growth of 150 per cent to $18 billion in the next decade. He pointed to the brand’s goal of making natural diamonds more accessible through innovative designs.

    Managing director Paul J. Alukkas added that the company takes pride “in celebrating the legacy of natural diamonds and aims to build trust and admiration through our work with the NDC.”

    Jos Alukkas has been a prominent name in the jewellery industry for over six decades, offering quality gold, diamond, and platinum designs. The company operates over 60 showrooms and an online store, maintaining a commitment to quality and innovation.

  • Disney Star signs 14 sponsors for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

    Disney Star signs 14 sponsors for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

    Mumbai: With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 starting on 3 October, Disney Star unveiled its impressive sponsorship line-up, reflecting the growing enthusiasm and anticipation for the tournament. Featuring a remarkable array of top brands from a host of industries such as automotive, technology, finance, and more, Disney Star has onboarded 14 sponsors across linear TV and digital platforms. The sponsors include Dream11, Natural Diamond Council, OnePlus, Dazller, ICICI Bank, Asus, Asian Paints, Maruti Suzuki, Aramco, Hero, SBI, Lenskart, Kajaria, Skechers.

    Disney Star head of network – ad sales Ajit Varghese stated, “The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is set to transform the sporting landscape, offering a powerful opportunity to unite global audiences and spotlight the very best of women’s cricket. Building on the success of previous tournaments, which have driven remarkable growth, this year’s event promises even greater impact. We are excited to onboard prestigious brands whose support not only reflects their commitment to advancing women’s cricket but also acknowledges the immense value this tournament delivers. With Disney Star’s expansive linear TV and digital coverage, we look forward to offering brands and advertisers unmatched opportunities to engage millions of passionate viewers.”

    The matches will be broadcast exclusively on the Disney Star network, and Disney+ Hotstar. The tournament begins on 3 October, and 10 teams will compete in 23 matches over 17 thrilling days at two premier venues in the UAE, the Dubai International Stadium and the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

  • Wavemaker creates the perfect match: Natural Diamond Council and Made In Heaven season two

    Wavemaker creates the perfect match: Natural Diamond Council and Made In Heaven season two

    Mumbai: When you think of lavish Indian weddings, you think of families and food, larger-than-life brouhahas, stunning diamonds and of course wedding planners. So when Wavemaker India, GroupM’s most awarded agency, brought together Natural Diamond Council with the most loved wedding-centric show in the country, it was truly a match Made In Heaven. This partnership sees some of India’s finest jewellery brands adorned by renowned celebrities who are starring in the highly anticipated second season of the International Emmy-nominated series – Made in Heaven.

    Produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar (Excel Media & Entertainment), Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti (Tiger Baby), Made In Heaven Season 2 is directed by Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Alankrita Shrivastava, Nitya Mehra and Neeraj Ghaywan. The seven-episode series is now out on Amazon Prime Video exclusively.

    Natural diamond jewellery is integral to weddings – be it the sparkling solitaire from your engagement ring, the elegant glimmer of your mangal sutra or the dazzling diamonds donned by the bride on her most special day. The association designed by Wavemaker and GroupM ESP aims to showcase the versatility of natural diamond jewellery amidst opulent, contemporary Indian weddings. Natural Diamond Council’s mission is to support and promote the modern diamond industry and has provided a perfect platform for 6 jewellery brands – Khanna Jewellers, Anmol Jewellers, Jaipur Gems, Khurana Jewellers, Om Jewellers and Gaurav Gupta Occasions Jewellery to be a part of one of India’s most celebrated OTT series.  

    Made in Heaven beautifully reveals the dichotomy of tradition, modern aspirations and belief systems set against the canvas of lavish Indian weddings. The series centres around the journey of two wedding planners as they navigate through the challenges of their jobs and personal lives together, against a backdrop of lavish weddings, complex relationships and the pursuit of happiness.  

    Just as natural diamonds symbolize love, legacy and commitment which has been forged through fire, the series depicts the value of love, trust, and self-discovery as every relationship undergoes the heat of adversity & aspiration.

    Natural Diamond Council managing director Richa Singh “At Natural Diamond Council, we are always on the lookout for innovative methods of showcasing how integral the wonders of nature are to every key moment of our lives; and what is more precious or memorable than a wedding? It made perfect sense to collaborate with a series like Made In Heaven Season 2 and give our consumers a glimpse of how easily their diamonds can help them shine on their special day. I am very happy to have on board a partner like Wavemaker who are able to contribute with out-of-the-box ideas and support our endeavour to build the natural diamond dream.”

    Wavemaker India’s chief client officer & Office head- North, West & East Shekhar Banerjee said, “Despite the cultural shifts we have witnessed across consumer patterns, diamond jewellery still holds an extremely significant status in our Indian weddings and it will continue to do so. Made in Heaven beautifully portrays the nuanced narrative of traditional Indian weddings set against modern aspirations and belief systems. At Wavemaker, we study the brand’s culture and craft the partnership to match its audience. Thus, creating a perfect platform for the brand and the viewers. We believe, through this partnership, it’s a true match made in heaven!”

    Excel Entertainment  CEO Vishal Ramchandani, “Teaming up with Natural Diamond Council for Made in Heaven 2 was quite the perfect match. Their collection added a new dimension to the show, capturing the essence of each occasion in its most radiant form. The collaboration truly transformed moments into memories, making the series an unforgettable visual delight”.