Tag: NEXA

Maruti Suzuki Smart Finance accelerates past two million car loan mark

MUMBAI: Fasten your seatbelts! Maruti Suzuki Smart Finance (MSSF) is racing ahead, crossing the landmark of two million car loans in just five years. Bossing the car-buying experience since its launch in 2020, the platform has partnered with 28 finance institutions to offer seamless, transparent, and hassle-free financing solutions across the Arena and Nexa channels.

Maruti Suzuki India senior executive officer for marketing and sales, Partho Banerjee, said, “Five years ago, Maruti Suzuki pioneered a digital, end-to-end car financing solution, transforming the car-buying experience in India. Today, almost 50 per cent of our car finance cases are being done through MSSF, reflecting our commitment to enhancing the convenience of our customers with innovative digital solutions. Furthermore, using this platform, customers can get their cars financed 24×7, 365 days a year from anywhere.”

Designed to put customers in the driver’s seat, MSSF offers tailored loan plans, competitive financing options, and rapid approvals, sometimes within a day. The platform’s industry-first features, including on-road price configuration, credit score-based interest rates, pre-approved and customised loan offers, and real-time loan status tracking, have made car financing faster, more flexible, and effortless.

February 7, 2025
Vh1 Supersonic announced set of artistes, experience categories and brand partners

Mumbai: One of India’s multi-genre music and lifestyle festivals, Budweiser Beats presents Vh1 Supersonic Co-powered by Nexa, 2024, is coming back with a bang with the best in music, lifestyle, art and food this time. The festival has been aching all these years by filling the gap of techno and EDM music with over 10 more genres, unlike any other music and lifestyle festival in India. Spread across 3 days and 5 stages, the festival with their brand manifesto, Be There, Be Free will be held at Mahalakshmi Lawns, Pune, on 16,17,18 February 2024.

The festival curators have unveiled its illustrious line-up including top names from across the globe, such as Major Lazer Soundsystem, Adam Beyer, King, Yotto, Denis Horvat, Hamdi, Patrice Bäumel, The Midnight, Arjun Vagale, Browncoat, Kohra, Taba Chake and The Yellow Diary. Legends like 10,000 Lions, Bass Maya, Chromaderma, D2, Dr. Sel, Earl Gateshead, Ital Soup, Major C, NZ Selector, Rasta Yuga, Rudy Roots and Sanyas-I will also be ramping up the much-loved Reggae Corner.

At Vh1 Supersonic, the experience takes centre stage and for this, the festival has partnered with distinguished sponsors who share the vision of creating unforgettable moments. Leading the way as the title sponsor is Budweiser Beats, setting the tone for an unparalleled adventure, co-powered by Nexa, along with Maybelline as the beauty partner. Celebration partner, Jose Cuervo Margarita Mix, joined the line-up, adding their unique flavour to this extraordinary celebration.

Top of form, Viacom18 LIVE (integrated network solutions) business head, Gaurav Mashruwala said, “Vh1 Supersonic has been at the forefront of bringing new experiences to India and curating a festival within a festival. True to our legacy, even this year it’s about more than just music and we are back with a bang to make the 9 edition as legendary as the experience. Right from international icons to indie stars, the stellar line-up is sure to give an out of this world experience to the festival-goers. With the support of our esteemed partners, we are looking forward to an iconic celebration of music and culture combining multi-genre stages, experience zones, the best of fashion, lifestyle, F&B and art.”

AB InBev India, CMO Vineet Sharma said, “Globally and in India, Budweiser believes in connecting authentically with consumers through shared passion points. Music and culture are important touch points for our consumers and Vh1 Supersonic, year on year, brings together these elements and redefines the essence of live entertainment. Budweiser has been a long-standing partner at Vh1 Supersonic, and we’re excited to see what the 9 edition of the festival brings us. It’s not only about the music, it’s about co-creating culture, music lifestyle and bringing India’s electronic music subculture through BudX to the forefront that resonate with a diverse audience”

Maruti Suzuki India Pvt Ltd Sr executive officer, marketing and sales Shashank Srivastava said, “NEXA is an automotive lifestyle brand that has been setting new benchmarks in the automobile industry and caters to every need of the incessant seeker of ‘new’. NEXA has three pillars based on our target audience’s affinities: lifestyle, journeys, and music. NEXA has always been closely associated with music with their own IP featuring A R Rahman. Our association with Vh1 Supersonic reflects our commitment to seamlessly blend automotive excellence with cultural dynamism. Vh1 Supersonic has consistently crafted a significant consumer journey through experiential excellence. We are happy to take this relationship into yet another year and are excited by the fact that our association brings us a step closer to our new age customers who seek global experiences in their everyday lives.”

Maybelline New York assistant general manager Smruthi Rajagopalan said, “Our collaboration with Vh1 Supersonic is a celebration of self-expression- bringing the world of music & makeup together for our Gen Z consumers. Recognising the transformative power of music and makeup, Maybelline New York aims to create an immersive experience at Vh1 Supersonic to experience the world of New York trends and makeup, crafted for all.”

Monika Alcobev Ltd national sales director Hemang Chandat said, “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with VH1 Supersonic 2024, where Jose Cuervo Margarita Mix takes centre stage as the Celebration Partner. This collaboration is more than a fusion of music and spirits; it’s a symphony of passion, a celebration uniting the dynamic worlds of concert enthusiasts and aficionado of margaritas. After our successful partnership with VH1 Supersonic Arcade, this collaboration with Viacom18 Live marks an even more exciting synergy between the vibrant energy of one of the country’s premier music festivals and Jose Cuervo Margarita lovers.”

Vh1 Supersonic 2024 will encompass 5 spectacular stages dedicated to multiple moods. The Main Stage will offer attendees the main headliners of the festival along with the best of Pop, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Indie Pop! Ardent LIVE music fans can get their dose of their favourite LIVE artists at the NEXA Live Stage. The ultimate techno and dance music lovers can head directly to the Budx Spectrum Stage. The Reggae Corner will pack a musical punch in its dedicated space curated for Reggae enthusiasts.

Vh1 Supersonic 2024 headliner, major Lazer Soundsystem, said, “India is a special place to us, so we are thrilled to be back at Vh1 Supersonic this year with some amazing sets planned. With each tour that we do in India, it’s always exciting to connect with more and more people and watch our fan base grow.”

Known as the music & lifestyle festival of India, Vh1 Supersonic will amp up its experiential zones with more than 80 specially curated Fashion and lifestyle brands & an art showcase at the Superflea which will be curated by All You Can Street! This will be topped with the best of F&B partners, flea areas & art installations across the festival.

Festival curator Nikhil Chinapa said, “We’re back, as promised and this time we’re bringing Major Lazer, Adam Beyer, King, Yotto and a massive array of festival favourite artists from across the world. We’re opening our gates on the 16 of Feb to welcome back friends and fans for our 9 edition in 2024 and it’s going to be a massively memorable weekend. See you on the dance floor!”

Headlining the edition, the crowd’s favourite: Major Lazer Soundsystem — the legendary global dance trio of Diplo, Walshy Fire and Ape Drums — returns to Vh1 Supersonic. Also making a much awaited comeback while raising the BPM, is Swedish techno DJ & the king of modern techno music – Adam Beyer. Keeping up with the iconic league of Indian rappers who became a rage overnight with his hits like Maan Meri Jaan, OOPS – King – is making his debut at Vh1 Supersonic! Adding to the buzz is world-renowned – Yotto, aka Otto Yliperttula – a Finnish DJ with a deep house techno sound who’s garnered a fan following that spans all borderlines!

Other debut artists at Vh1 Supersonic who have been known to create heart-thumping sets across the world, are Denis Horvat, Hamdi and Patrice Bäumel – the master of melodic techno, who are all going to be contributing their unique flair to the sonic stage! For the first time in India – The Midnight – an American Synth-wave band, known for their soulful R&B music is definitely going to be the act you just cannot miss.

Apart from these star-studded international acts, are the stellar Indian acts who have not only earned an international presence as the pioneers of live acts in India but have been a driving force in putting India on the worldwide music map: Arjun Vagale, The Yellow Diary, Taba Chake, Kohra, Browncoat and many more to be revealed in the coming weeks.

Going beyond the ordinary, Budweiser Beats Presents Vh1 Supersonic co-powered by Nexa 2024 is determined to provide a joyous & sustainable experience to be a part of as promised year-on-year! The festival curators encourage all to Be There, Be Free as safety, wellness and festival-goers’ happiness will be well taken care of at utmost priority!

Tickets available on: https://www.gosupersonic.in/ and www.skillbox.co

January 30, 2024
Lollapalooza India 2024 redefines the festival experience

Mumbai: Following the resounding success of the Asia-first edition last year, the iconic, global multi-genre music festival Lollapalooza India 2024 is now gearing up for an even more exciting second edition with a steadfast community-first approach, curating a world of non-stop entertainment that is immersive, interactive, holistic and transcendental. Carrying forward its legacy, the iconic music festival has collaborated with leading global and Indian brands across various industries spanning auto, CPG, retail, beauty, fintech, and food & beverages industries to elevate the on-ground consumer engagement and festival experience surrounding the music.

Scheduled on 27 – 28 January, Lollapalooza India 2024 will once again transform the iconic Mahalaxmi Race Course, Mumbai into a captivating haven for all music enthusiasts, showcasing an eclectic line-up of 40 plus renowned artists from around the globe across a two-day extravaganza. BookMyShow Live, the live entertainment experiential division of BookMyShow, India’s leading entertainment destination will spearhead Lollapalooza India as the promoter and co-producer for the festival’s Indian edition along with global producers, Perry Farrell and C3 Presents.

Some of the biggest brands from the world and India including Budweiser Beats Energy Drink, Johnnie Walker Refreshing Mixer Non-Alcoholic, NEXA, RuPay, Levi’s®, Maybelline New York, CRED and Bisleri Vedica Himalayan Spring Water along with Maharashtra Tourism have come together to collaborate with Lollapalooza India 2024 curating integrated immersive experiences & unforgettable moments that resonate with the audience.

Brand partners are investing heavily in festival experiences such as Lollapalooza India 2024 and other BookMyShow Live Intellectual Properties (IPs) towards marketing, curating on-ground live experiences that act as real-time consumer touchpoints where young, digitally savvy, spending audiences are present. Live events have become an integral part of the marketing mix across the board, even as brands in B2B or B2B2C industries are eyeing this space as a lucrative opportunity along with B2C brands, and this trend will remain unaffected as long there is a promise of quality and relevance. This has created an opportunity for like-minded brands across sectors to invest strategically in building salience and brand love through entertainment, which is a core part of the consumer’s ecosystem.

Budweiser Beats Energy Drink as Co-Presenting Sponsor continues to honour Lollapalooza’s legacy with the main stage, the Budweiser BudX stage. This main stage at the festival will feature highly anticipated headliners Jonas Brothers and Sting, along with iconic artists who are absolute crowd favourites. Going beyond conventional partnerships, Budweiser is actively co-creating experiences at the music festival, as it joins the Lollapalooza India bandwagon once again. At Lollapalooza India 2024, Budweiser will launch ‘BudX Uncovered’, an initiative to spotlight breakout artists, with two surprise acts on its stage. Through the ‘Bud and Burgers’ initiative, top chefs compete to create burgers that pair perfectly with Budweiser beer, that festival attendees can vote for to crown the ‘King of Burgers’! The ‘Brew District’ will enhance the festival experience with immersive attractions like Bud’s iconic Ferris Wheel, a viewing deck for some Lolla-favs, tattoo and hairstyling stations, arcade arenas and more. Lolla attendees can also get featured on the Budweiser BudX Stage through the ‘Bud Cam’ and win attractive prizes.

Johnnie Walker Refreshing Mixer Non-Alcoholic, also the Co-Presenting Sponsors for Lollapalooza India 2024 and a big advocate for progress, hailed the inaugural edition as exceptional. The Walkers & Co. stage this year, will feature headliners Halsey and OneRepublic while the vibrant Walkers & Co lounge will stand out as a space encouraging bold creativity, self-expression and a testament to the festival’s commitment to collective progress and innovation. Building on its ethos of empowering a community of walkers to always keep walking, this year, Walkers & Co. lounge is focussing on an interplay of interactivity and visually stunning displays created in collaboration with Aashna Malik, a multidisciplinary artist who uses a combination of traditional and digital media to investigate ideas of perception, distortion, immersion and experience. The Walkers & Co Lounge will give the festival goers a chance to dive into Cymatics Installation to feel the beats, see the ripples and let motion be their playful guide. Also part of the lounge is a Kinetic Wall that will give people a chance to dance to their heartbeats. The Tech Drum Circle will allow people to become part of a lively symphony through joyful sounds and movement, bringing the iconic Striding Man to life through rhythmic beats. Additionally, festival-goers will get a chance to personalise their merchandise through screen printing, giving them an unforgettable keepsake.

NEXA, Maruti Suzuki’s premium retail channel and Co-Presenting Sponsors of Lollapalooza India 2024 are set to deliver an unparalleled festival experience with the premium ‘NEXA Lounge’. The elevated deck lounge will include reserved tables, a complimentary curated premium culinary and beverage experience, limited front stage access with an open bar, valet and exclusive festival shuttles to the entry point, between the performance stages and more. Music has always been an important pillar for NEXA and the brand will celebrate it through the specialised ‘NEXA Stage’ at Lollapalooza India 2024, featuring coveted international and home-grown artists such as Caribou and Eric Nam that Indian audiences are waiting for, with bated breath. NEXA cars customised in Lollapalooza themes carrying the vibe, culture and colours of the festival as they have taken over the streets of India across Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru and Pune amongst others in the run-up to the festival featuring a troupe of hip-hop dancers that electrified five iconic locations in each city, drawing massive crowds! NEXA also collaborated with renowned artist Anime who added an urban touch by creating a graffiti art canvas that perfectly blends NEXA’s brand ethos with Lollapalooza India. The lively journey continues with NEXA’s entertaining multi-episode YouTube series, ‘NEXA Car-a-oke.’ Hosted by Nikhil Kini, the series features engaging conversations with influential figures in the music industry, including Tsumyoki, Dhruv Viswanath, Gaia Meera, Frizzell D’Souza, Anoushka Maskey, Shaan Kambli.

Iconic denim brand Levi’s returns to Lollapalooza India 2024 following the phenomenal response to their consumer engagement installations and activities at the festival’s inaugural edition. The one-of-a-kind ‘Levi’s Tailorshop’ is all set to be a crowd-favourite, community hotspot once again, unveiling 15 designs inspired by music, moments and memories in collaboration with renowned artists Aaquib Wani, Mira F. Malhotra and Anirudh Mehta a.k.a Big Fat Minimalist. Festival-goers have the opportunity to personalize their Levi’s festival product with these limited-edition designs through tailored panelling, heat press stickers and screen prints, expressing their individual style through Levi’s iconic denim only at Lollapalooza India 2024. Levi’s aims to elevate the experience at Lollapalooza India 2024, leveraging the festival as a strategic touchpoint to connect with a targeted audience deeply embedded in pop culture.

Adding to the dynamic brand partnership roster at Lollapalooza India 2024 is Maybelline New York, the world’s leading makeup brand. Orchestrating a comprehensive campaign designed to captivate festival-goers, the brand’s focal point will be the ‘Makeup Playground’ — a never-before-seen immersive experience at the festival. This feature will showcase ‘Lolla Looks’ inspired by artists performing at the festival including Komorebi, Aarifah, Kavya and Mali, offering consumers an opportunity to explore the vibrant world of Maybelline makeup in the style of the festival. Maybelline New York will unveil a new makeup range, providing festival-goers with first access to the Tattoo Liner PLAY collection, featuring six bold, colourful and shimmery liners. Additionally, the brand will showcase the limited edition ‘Music Collection’, featuring favourites like the SuperStay Matte Ink and the viral sensation Superstay Vinyl Ink from its 2023 launch slate. This partnership reflects a shared vision of empowering young GenZ audiences through the freedom of self-expression, whether through music or make-up. Recognizing the pivotal role of music in self-identity and expression for its audiences, Maybelline New York aims to create an exciting playground to experience the world of New York trends and makeup, crafted for all.

In keeping with Lollapalooza India’s promise of making sure that everyone stays amply hydrated at the festival, Bisleri Vedica Himalayan Spring Water has stepped in to not only provide hydration for all festival attendees but do it by creating luxe touchpoints for them. As a premium water brand, every on-ground brand interaction will be curated for a premium experience, featuring sophisticated water carts and a distinctive activation incorporating helium balloons synchronized with the tagline #FullOfAltitude. This innovative approach not only seamlessly integrates the brand but also introduces a vibrant blue hue to the artistic festival landscape.

Another new addition to Lollapalooza India 2024’s exciting brand roster is CRED that will bring with it ‘The Claw’, a fun arcade game machine. The gameplay is straightforward where members can utilize CRED coins earned through bill payments to unlock an access token. Placing the access token into The Claw machine, can help commence play and discover the surprises destiny has in store for the player! CRED’s ‘The Claw’ promises enticing rewards including top-ups, vouchers, watches, accessories and intriguing cross-brand collaborations with other partners featured at Lollapalooza India 2024.

Along with these brands, a Global Card payment network RuPay who helmed the early pre-sale window of tickets for Lollapalooza India 2024 will also engage with digitally-savvy audiences at the festival. RuPay Credit cardholders will get special access through exclusive aisles, special parking, additional discounts and unique experiences at the festival, in a bid to enhance the overall experience of the festival-goers.

Spearheading Lollapalooza India as the co-producer and promoter for the festival’s Indian edition, BookMyShow, India’s leading entertainment destination, has been a driving force, presenting diverse live entertainment acts across various formats and scales, enhancing the live entertainment ecosystem. The entertainment platform itself has created an interactive installation space at Lollapalooza India 2024 which is a creative spin on Whack A Mole called ‘All The Right Moves’ that will feature the thrilling pit-stops one must have on their entertainment calendar in 2024 across music, comedy, activities and more! This engaging space will act as the ticket to entertainment with exciting offers on Lollapalooza India 2024 merchandise and the Lolla Food Park. The platform actively cultivates a digitally-savvy consumer base of young discerning audiences, seeking world-class experiences in music, comedy, performances, theatricals and more. This has opened avenues for brands to strategically invest in the heart of the entertainment ecosystem, fostering a community of relevant audiences.

With the crème de la crème of global and Indian brands coming together to create the Lollapalooza India 2024 experience for consumers and fans alike, the world’s most diverse music festival is certainly one that is not to be missed. Featuring over 40 artists, four stages and over 20 hours of unforgettable live music, art and culture, Lollapalooza India will be a treat for Indians and Asians all across, offering not just music, but also a cultural experience of a lifetime with innovative culinary selections, art, gaming, fashion and much more to be witnessed in India.

January 18, 2024
Zee Zest, Nexa partner to launch new show Luxe Pins

Mumbai: Zee Zest, in collaboration with Nexa, has launched the first episode of its multi-part Nexa Journeys series, Luxe Pins. The first episode, hosted by actor Karan Tacker, aired on Zee Zest on 14 August.

Luxe Pins is an eight-episode series that aims to let the audience experience exclusivity through the host’s eyes.

From luxury hotels to handcrafted fragrances, treetop adventures to bespoke personal accessories, India offers unfathomable luxury experiences to a select few.

The host takes the audience on an unexplored journey of the finer things in Nexa XL6 as he travels through this world of splendour.

The launch of Nexa Journeys presents Luxe Pins also marks the beginning of a year-long collaboration between Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. and Zee Zest, that aims to bring forth a series of unique shows, centred around travel, luxury, road-tripping and much more, over the next year.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises chief cluster officer-west, north & premium channels, Amit Shah, said, “Zee Zest, being a leader in the lifestyle space since launch, has always endeavoured to offer high-quality content and ideas for advertisers to partner. Our association with Nexa is a clear win for both since Luxe Pins aligns with our content philosophy to unlimit life and its experiences and Nexa Journey’s objective to create premium travel experiences. We hope this breathtaking series will capture our viewers’ hearts by offering them an experience they can enjoy with the entire family.”

Maruti Suzuki India senior executive officer marketing and sales Shashank Srivastava said, “Nexa was born in 2015 when conventions were challenged, ‘premium’ was redefined, and car buying was transformed. Nexa introduced three experiential pillars which catered to the expectations of the discerning customers; Nexa music, Nexa lifestyle, and Nexa journeys.”

He further added, “Being a part of exclusive curated experiences that are unique, resonates with the concept of Nexa journeys. Nexa is pleased to showcase the gateway to providing exclusive, immersive, and indulgent experiences. So, while viewers see the Nexa cars in action as they traverse across the country, they also savour some truly unique and marvellous sights to behold on this journey.”

ZEE Entertainment Enterprises chief sales officer-FTA cluster and north branch head Ali Zaidi said, “At ZEE, we have been at the forefront of delivering personalised, holistic solutions to our partners through our diverse offerings. We are glad to further strengthen our partnership with Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. through Nexa Journeys on Zee Zest. Through this association, our aim is to weave Nexa’s objectives seamlessly into our programming, enabling them to target their audiences more effectively.

August 19, 2022
Zee Zest & Nexa launches new show Luxe Pins

Mumbai: Zee Zest, in collaboration with Nexa, has launched the first episode of its multi-part Nexa Journeys series, Luxe Pins. The first episode, hosted by actor Karan Tacker, aired on Zee Zest on 14 August.

Luxe Pins is an eight-episode series that aims to let the audience experience exclusivity through the host’s eyes.

From luxury hotels to handcrafted fragrances, treetop adventures to bespoke personal accessories, India offers unfathomable luxury experiences to a select few.

The host takes the audience on an unexplored journey of the finer things in Nexa XL6 as he travels through this world of splendour.

The launch of Nexa Journeys presents Luxe Pins also marks the beginning of a year-long collaboration between Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. and Zee Zest, that aims to bring forth a series of unique shows, centred around travel, luxury, road-tripping and much more, over the next year.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises chief cluster officer-west, north & premium channels, Amit Shah, said, “Zee Zest, being a leader in the lifestyle space since launch, has always endeavoured to offer high-quality content and ideas for advertisers to partner. Our association with Nexa is a clear win for both since Luxe Pins aligns with our content philosophy to unlimit life and its experiences and Nexa Journey’s objective to create premium travel experiences. We hope this breathtaking series will capture our viewers’ hearts by offering them an experience they can enjoy with the entire family.”

Maruti Suzuki India senior executive officer marketing and sales Shashank Srivastava said, “Nexa was born in 2015 when conventions were challenged, ‘premium’ was redefined, and car buying was transformed. Nexa introduced three experiential pillars which catered to the expectations of the discerning customers; Nexa music, Nexa lifestyle, and Nexa journeys.”

He further added, “Being a part of exclusive curated experiences that are unique, resonates with the concept of Nexa journeys. Nexa is pleased to showcase the gateway to providing exclusive, immersive, and indulgent experiences. So, while viewers see the Nexa cars in action as they traverse across the country, they also savour some truly unique and marvellous sights to behold on this journey.”

ZEE Entertainment Enterprises chief sales officer-FTA cluster and north branch head Ali Zaidi said, “At ZEE, we have been at the forefront of delivering personalised, holistic solutions to our partners through our diverse offerings. We are glad to further strengthen our partnership with Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. through Nexa Journeys on Zee Zest. Through this association, our aim is to weave Nexa’s objectives seamlessly into our programming, enabling them to target their audiences more effectively.

August 18, 2022
‘Ranveer Calling’ for an exclusive XL6 experience: An interactive digital campaign from NEXA

MUMBAI: Maruti Suzuki NEXA will launch the promotional campaign ‘Ranveer Calling’ for its recently launched premium MPV, the XL6. An interactive digital film, ‘Ranveer Calling’ features the superstar Ranveer Singh in an XL6 enabling the viewer to book a drive experience of the XL6.

A first-of-its kind digital integration, ‘Ranveer Calling’ aims to bring the existing and prospective NEXA customers closer to the product in an interactive format. Based on NEXA’s value of innovation; this unique experience offers the viewer with a personalised experience. Launched to create awareness about Maruti Suzuki NEXA’s premium MPV, the XL6, this digital campaign is built to invite people to test drive the vehicle.

Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Mr. Shashank Srivastava, Executive Director, Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India said, “I am delighted to share that we have received a wonderful response from our customers for our exclusive 6-seater,the XL6, from all over India and we are focused on taking the momentum ahead. ‘Ranveer Calling’ is a step forward towards the creation of personalized experience for the customers. The digital campaign enables the customers to book a test drive of the XL6 and experience the comfortable and spacious interiors of the car by speaking to Ranveer Singh, who would assist the caller in getting to know the car. Ideas that are led by new technology are at the forefront of NEXA and we are confident that the engagement will connect well with audiences.”

Mr. Ranveer Singh, brand ambassador for NEXA commented, “I am glad to be a part of this interactive digital campaign along with NEXA. I am a firm believer of NEXA’s values of ‘Creating and Inspiring’. This campaign is going to be a truly unique experience for our customers. I urge everyone to pick-up their phones and “Wake Me Up”! ‘Ranveer Calling’ is launching today, and I look forward to everyone participating in this wonderfully novel experience.”

Customers can simply follow the instructions on the screen and book a test drive of XL6 in a fun, interactive manner.

Positioned strongly on comfort and style, the XL6 is powered by a BSVI compliant engine paired with the progressive Smart Hybrid technology. With its sporty styling, premium interiors with 2nd row captain seats, all black leather upholstery and un-matched safety for both occupants and pedestrians, the XL6 strikes a perfect balance of style, space, comfort, performance and safety. Launched in August 2019, the XL6 is available in 6 colour options and a choice of manual or automatic transmission across all 365 NEXA outlets in 208 cities.

September 27, 2019
NEXA partners with 20th IIFA Awards 2020 to bring a premium experience for its new-age customers

MUMBAI: NEXA, the premium auto retail channel by Maruti Suzuki, today announced its association with 20th IIFA Awards 2020. This marks the fifth consecutive edition of NEXA’s collaboration with IIFA- India’s most prominent awards that celebrates the very best of Indian Cinema. With this association, Maruti Suzuki aims to blend premium-ness and inspirational designs offered by NEXA with glitz, glamour and stardom studded- ‘Indian Cinema’. The nail biting award ceremony will be an amalgamation of B-town celebrities, music, fashion trends and premium experiences.

Up on Design

The audience will experience a bespoke and exclusive NEXA inspired fashion show at IIFA Rocks, curated by fashion veterans, Shantanu and Nikhil. This fashion show will highlight exclusive colours, aspirational themes and inspiring designs by Maruti Suzuki.

The major attraction of the entire show will be IIFA Green Carpet which will encapsulate the stylish new premium MPV; XL6 adding to the already glamorous world of IIFA.

Up on Experience: with Creation and Innovation

As a part of the association, NEXA Experience launched a social media campaign with the hashtag #GoldenTicket. The participants will have to answer five questions tagging them and the winner will receive a golden chance to walk the green carpet at IIFA awards. This campaign is open to anyone and everyone.

NEXA celebrates the relentless spirit of creators that never stops exploring, innovating, influencing and experimenting. In a short span of 4 years, NEXA has exponentially expanded with 350+ outlets covering over 200 cities across the country. It believes in offering its services beyond just selling cars by creating exciting experiences for young and aspirational customers. Creating multiple experiential zones for their new-age customers, NEXA has successfully stepped in the fields of fashion and music. It has collaborated with iconic properties like IIFA, Lakme Fashion Week and renowned names from the music industry to launch NEXA Music which curates original English music.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Shashank Srivastava, Executive Director (Marketing & Sales), Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “The automotive industry has moved beyond ‘Retail Experiences’. It is about privileges now. From innovations to hospitality, the entire journey has become more evolved and indulgent. And NEXA’s association with IIFA awards is a wonderful testament to that fact. We are happy to take our relationship with IIFA into its fifth year. We are inspired by the fact that our association brings us a step closer to our new age customers who seek global experiences in their everyday lives. NEXA is as much about innovative technology, as it is about global design and sophisticated style. In just four years we have touched a million hearts and the newest member to embody NEXA's values is the all new exclusive 6-seater, the XL6. This premium MPV is all set to charm you with its looks and charm you with its premium interiors, leaving you truly inspired.”

September 9, 2019
NEXA invents sound of blue colour in digital campaign

MUMBAI: Hakuhodo India has invented an innovative digital campaign for #NEXABlue the signature shade, exclusively created for cars sold at NEXA.

The new digital campaign is targeted at the NEXA customer aged between 18-45, who follow online information and trends from around the world and is well versed with social media platforms. The #NEXABlue campaign brings to life a car colour through Synesthesia – an innate ability to translate sound to colours and vice versa, in a first-ever digital format across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

The objective of this campaign was to highlight both innovation and invention through this signature shade in a way never-before-seen. Here, color has been used to create something novel, something unprecedented. The Sound of NEXA Blue was the work of three western classical musicians with Synesthesia who came together and traveled to India to help create this signature tune. These uniquely gifted musicians Samara and Litsa from the United Kingdom and Eduardo from Canada were presented with the colour #NEXABlue and were asked to give notes that they ‘heard’ after seeing the colour.

Then, the Hakuhodo India team worked with a composer who helped create a symphony using only the particular notes. In a never-before-done collaboration, NEXA, musicians and a special colour came together to create the Sound of NEXA Blue.

Hakuhodo India national creative director Sabuj Sengupta says, “NEXA Blue is a unique colour created for the NEXA range of cars. By taking colour and elevating it to another level, this campaign has once again showcased NEXA’s ability to create something original, something inventive for its premium and exclusive customers in their car owning experience.”

The idea for #NEXABlue came from the age-old premise of the colour blue having been the inspiration for innovation be it art, science or culture. For instance, take the gemstone lapis lazuli, that lead to innovation of transporting it centuries ago to Egypt from present day Afghanistan; or how denim, the innovative fabric revolutionised the textile industry; architectural/photographic blueprints, or the blue rose, all discoveries in blue #BlueisInnovative!

June 13, 2018

Jio, Sun Direct, Dish TV among top 50 as HDFC retains BrandZ crown

MUMBAI: HDFC Bank has continued to maintain its leadership position in fourth consecutive year, according to the BrandZ Top 50 Most Valuable Indian Brands 2017 report released by WPP and Kantar Millward Brown.

HDFC Bank (24 per cent) is the India’s most valuable brand, almost doubling its brand value since the ranking started in 2014 from $ 9.4bn to $ 18.0bn.

“It has a strong purpose – to improve lives by bringing world class financial services to all sections of India – and demonstrates it through increased access to banking in rural areas, an expanded digital presence and leveraging the latest technology to simplify its offering for customers. BrandZ data shows that consumers perceive the bank as increasingly innovative,” the report stated.

India’s most valuable brands have increased their brand value by 21 per cent to US$ 109.3 billion in the last year. This compares with a two per cent decline in 2016, and is well ahead of the eight per cent value increase of the BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands 2017.

There are seven newcomers in the overall ranking. Telecom provider Jio ranks at number 11 — only months after its launch, having disrupted its category with free-data promotions. The others are newly-listed retailer D-Mart (no.24), appliance brand Whirlpool (no.45), insurance brand Bajaj Allianz (no.49), Canara Bank (no.50) and entertainment brands Sun Direct (no.27) and Dish TV (no.47)

The Store WPP CEO EMEA and Asia David Roth said, “Indian consumers seek authenticity and value for money, and the meaning of those things is being constantly redefined. As consumers become wealthier, they look beyond price to factors such as extra features, innovation and a personalised experience. As reflected in this year’s ranking the most agile Indian brands have recognised the complexity in the market, and achieved just the right balance between aspirational and affordable.”

The automobile category, which also includes tyres, lubricants and motor fuels, grew 23 per cent in value. Brands responded to the changing market with new models that combined smart pricing and functionality with style and power. Royal Enfield, Maruti Suzuki and TVS were among the Top 10 overall fastest risers. Royal Enfield (no.40, 59 per cent) engaged with biker groups on social media, and marketed a range of accessories. Maruti Suzuki (no.7, 56 per cent) extended the brand beyond its traditional appeal to the value segment of the market, while introducing new showrooms called NEXA to reach premium customers.

India’s Top 50 faced successive disruptions in the last year, some global, some created by fast-growing competitors and others strategically imposed by the government – including demonetisation.

The FMCG category, which includes alcohol, food and dairy, personal care and soft drinks, was significantly affected by these challenges but still managed to grow 6 per cent in total value. Some brands achieved impressive value increases by accurately understanding and responding to Indian sensibilities. Noodle brand Maggi (no.32; 66 per cent), the overall second-fastest riser, aligned itself with the trend for nostalgia. This helped it bounce back after a difficult couple of years; its rapid regrowth demonstrating how a strong brand can help a company weather a crisis and recover faster, although it is still some way below its peak brand value of $1.1bn in 2014. Health food brand Saffola (no.36; 24 per cent), meanwhile, introduced oats in new localised flavours and expanded its range of oils into a new super premium sub-segment.

The financial services category increased its value by 26 per cent. The fastest rising banks were Punjab National Bank (no.39; 43 per cent), which is highly customer-focused and more agile than some of its competitors, and Kotak Mahindra Bank (no.6; 36 per cent), which has innovated in areas including digital banking. Both of these brands still have significant catching up to do, however, if they are to reach the top of the leader board.

The BrandZ™ Top 10 Most Valuable Indian Brands 2017

Rank 2017	Brand	Category	Brand value 2017 (US$M)	Change
1 (-)	HDFC Bank	Banks	17,965	+24%
2 (-)	Airtel	Telecom providers	10,233	+3%
3 (-)	State Bank of India	Banks	8,334	+31%
4 (-)	Asian Paints	Paints	4,717	+15%
5 (-)	ICICI Bank	Banks	4,697	+19%
6 (+1)	Kotak Mahindra Bank	Banks	4,522	+36%
7 (+1)	Maruti Suzuki	Automobiles	4,449	+56%
8 (-2)	Bajaj Auto	Automobiles	3,564	+5%
9 (-)	Hero	Automobiles	3,295	+17%
10 (-)	Axis Bank	Banks	2,428	+2%

Other trends highlighted in this year’s BrandZ Top 50 Most Valuable Indian Brands include: The long-term growth curve of the Top 50 is positive, with the total brand value of the ranking up 57 per cent since the study was first carried out in 2014, when it amounted to $69.6bn

India experienced a resurgence in national pride, while also embracing globalization. This manifested in a desire for products and brands that best reflect Indian heritage, sensibilities and tastes, which benefited local brands and put pressure on multinationals to follow suit. Colgate (no 28; two per cent) launched a toothpaste with Ayurvedic properties to meet this demand.

The top riser is insurance brand ICICI Prudential (no.35; 89%). It benefited from the ‘halo effect’ of other brands’ successful responses to rising consumer affluence, which led to an increase in sales of assets such as cars that need insurance protection

Kantar Millward Brown MD — South Asia Vishikh Talwar said, “There are now ‘multiple Indias’. Consumers continue to love the brands they’ve loved for generations, while equally embracing the brands of the future. Brands must be completely in rhythm with the pulse of the market. Those that can accurately interpret Indian sensibilities, while ensuring smart pricing, are likely to be most successful. This is easier for local brands, but people will relate just as positively to a global brand if it uses insight to understand and meet their needs, and communicate in a way that builds trust.”

For the first time, this year’s BrandZ Top 50 Most Valuable Indian Brands 2017 study incorporates new research from Y&R’s BAV Group into what it takes to build powerful nation brands. According to the 2017 Best Countries report, India stands out for its history, cultural influence, distinction and reputation for entrepreneurship; especially among the world’s business decision-makers.

September 14, 2017