ITV

Tag: Royal Enfield

  • Rannvijay shifts gears with Madcap Luxe lunch

    Rannvijay shifts gears with Madcap Luxe lunch

    MUMBAI: Fasten your seatbelts, luxury just hit the fast lane. Rannvijay Singha, along with co-founders Arvind Balan and Rohit Jha, has launched Madcap Luxe Travel Experiences, India’s first cultural powerhouse that merges motorsport, heritage, and high-end adventure into one roaring movement.

    Born from the thrill of the open road, Madcap Luxe redefines travel as an emotion rather than an itinerary. The brand blends self-drive expeditions with world-class hospitality, taking travellers from private F1 paddocks and Dakar rally zones to royal palaces and Michelin-starred dining tables, all wrapped in an unmistakable spirit of Indian luxury.

    “Madcap Luxe is not about itineraries, it’s about emotion engineered,” says Rannvijay Singha. “It’s for those who live boldly and want to drive their own legend.”

    The venture also introduces a second vertical, Madcap Lifestyle & Adventure IPs, with its debut property, Blackout 40, India’s first 40-hour non-stop biker festival in the deserts of Rajasthan. Designed as an immersive cultural celebration, it unites bikers, artists, and adventurers in a heady mix of music, craftsmanship and desert soul.

    “We are creating formats that go beyond festivals, these are cultural movements,” says Arvind Balan. “Blackout 40 celebrates India’s roots and modern identity in one frame.”

    Powered by experiential marketing giant Maxperience, the creative force behind 500 plus campaigns for Porsche, Hyundai, and Royal Enfield, Madcap Luxe is positioning itself as a global experiential brand built in India for the world.

    The 2026 global luxe drive calendar revs up the experience with curated international expeditions, from the Saudi Grand Drive – Dakar Edition to the Grand American Drive – Route 66 Centennial Edition. With its bespoke “Curate Your Own” journeys and “Rare Experiences” offering everything from F1 laps at Monza to desert glamping in Arabia, Madcap Luxe is redefining how India travels, where adrenaline meets elegance, and every mile tells a story.
     

  • Eicher Motors’ electric vehicle chief heads for the exit

    Eicher Motors’ electric vehicle chief heads for the exit

    NEW DELHI: Mario Alvisi is revving off into the sunset. The chief growth officer for electric vehicles at Eicher Motors has tendered his resignation, effective from the close of business on 31 December 2025. His departure marks the end of a standalone EV push at the Indian automotive firm.

    The company, better known for its Royal Enfield motorcycles, says it is strategically integrating its electric vehicle brand and commercial teams with its core operations. Translation: the EV experiment is being absorbed into the main business. Eicher reckons this will harness the company’s “full strength, scale and expertise” to execute its electrification strategy with speed and precision.

    The regulatory filing to India’s stock exchanges was notably thin on gratitude or future plans for Alvisi and was dated 13 October.  It focused squarely on the reorganisation—a signal that Eicher is betting its EV future on integration rather than isolation.

    Whether folding the cards or going all in remains to be seen. But for Alvisi, the road ahead lies elsewhere.

  • Dentsu crowns new creative kings as Dhruv Tiwari and Zubin Jauhari join

    Dentsu crowns new creative kings as Dhruv Tiwari and Zubin Jauhari join

    MUMBAI: Two sharp minds, one bold mission Dentsu Creative Isobar has doubled down on its creative firepower with the appointment of Dhruv Tiwari and Zubin Jauhari as group executive creative directors. The move, announced this week, signals the agency’s intent to marry creativity with culture and commerce, shaping campaigns that don’t just win awards but win hearts across India. Both will report to Dentsu Creative Isobar chief creative officer Abhijat Bharadwaj and will lead a 150 plus strong creative team charged with pushing boundaries for some of the country’s most ambitious brands.

    Dhruv Tiwari arrives from DDB Mudra, where he transformed the North office into a creative powerhouse with work for McDonald’s, Royal Enfield, Kent RO and DLF Mall of India. His campaigns blended cultural spark with business impact and earned recognition at Adfest, The Abbys and Kyoorius. As he quipped: “I’m here to stir things up to craft work where creativity, tech and culture collide. Work that earns attention, sparks conversation, and maybe even rewrites the rulebook. If the shiny metals follow, well… we won’t complain.”

    Zubin Jauhari, meanwhile, is making a homecoming to dentsu. Over the past decade, he has worked on everything from Swiggy and Flipkart to Google, Facebook and Ola Electric, turning brands into cultural icons. His trophy cabinet features Cannes Lions, a Spikes Asia Grand Prix and a Kyoorius Black Elephant. On returning, he said: “It feels incredible to return to a place that shaped some of my fondest professional memories. I’m here to create work that resonates far beyond the industry, help define the future of creativity, and build a team that everyone can’t stop talking about, all while having a ton of fun doing it.”

    For Bharadwaj, the appointments cap a year-and-a-half-long talent build: “Now that the bottom and middle levels of our structure are solidly in place, it’s time to crown the top of this creative pyramid. I can’t think of anyone better than Dhruv and Zubin. Zubin is an award-winning creative who is an expert at new-age creativity and Dhruv is an excellent leader with a vast portfolio of successful campaigns. We’re in the fight and gunning for greatness.”

    Dentsu Creative Isobar CEO Sahil Shah echoed the sentiment: “The future of creativity lies in fusing culture, technology, and influence to deliver impact at scale. Dhruv and Zubin embody this new-age thinking and inspire those around them. Backed by a hugely talented team of 150 plus creatives, they will craft transformative work for brands and society while nurturing a culture that empowers our people to dream bigger and create bolder.”

    Together, Dhruv and Zubin are expected to deliver campaigns that channel India’s diversity and dynamism, harnessing technology to amplify culture and content to drive influence. The duo’s remit aligns with Dentsu Creative’s global mission: building work that’s emotionally resonant, culturally rooted and commercially meaningful.

    As the agency puts it, this is not just about crafting ads, it’s about “celebrating Bharat while speaking to modern India”. With this creative power pairing, Dentsu Creative Isobar seems ready to script its next blockbuster chapter.

  • Bajaj Auto ropes in marketing chief to rev up brands

    Bajaj Auto ropes in marketing chief to rev up brands

    PUNEL:  India’s third-largest motorcycle maker has hired Kia India’s head of marketing and public relations to spearhead its marketing as well as kick start its sports bike brands further, as competition intensifies in the premium two-wheeler segment.

    Shakti Upadhyay has joined Bajaj Auto as vice president for brands. His first task will be to take charge of the company’s sports motorcycle portfolio including the once-dominant Pulsar and premium Dominar ranges. The appointment comes as Bajaj battles declining market share in key segments whilst rivals like TVS Suzuki and  Honda gain ground.

    Upadhyay spent over seven years at Kia India, where he orchestrated the south Korean carmaker’s transformation from unknown challenger to household name. Under his stewardship, Kia launched the Seltos compact SUV, Sonet sub-compact SUV, and Carnival MPV, helping the brand capture nearly 4 per cent of India’s passenger car market within five years.

    His track record includes award-winning campaigns that blended “bold positioning with emotional storytelling.” At Samsung Electronics, where he spent eight years before Kia, Upadhyay led marketing for consumer durables including premium television ranges.

    Bajaj’s hire signals urgency in revitalising brands that once dominated Indian roads. The Pulsar, launched in 2001, pioneered the performance motorcycle segment but has faced intensifying competition from Honda, and TVS Motor.  Dominar, positioned as a touring motorcycle, has struggled to gain traction since its 2016 launch.

    The Pune-based company’s motorcycle business has faced headwinds as consumers increasingly favour electric vehicles and premium brands. Bajaj’s domestic motorcycle sales fell eight per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2024, whilst competitors expanded market share.

    “Bajaj has always stood for innovation, performance, and a strong challenger spirit,” Upadhyay said in a LinkedIn post announcing his appointment. He emphasised plans to deepen “brand love” and drive “global ambition” for the motorcycle portfolio.

    The marketing veteran’s mandate extends beyond just the domestic market.  Bajaj exports motorcycles to over 70 countries, with international sales contributing roughly 40 per cent of total volumes. The company has a particularly strong presence in Africa and Latin America through partnerships and local assembly operations.

    Upadhyay’s appointment reflects broader industry trends as traditional automotive companies hire  talent from successful challengers. His experience launching new brands in competitive markets could prove valuable as Bajaj seeks to reinvent mature product lines whilst expanding into electric vehicles.

    The company faces particular challenges in the 125-250cc segment even as electric vehicle startups like Ola Electric and Ather Energy have begun encroaching on urban commuter segments traditionally dominated by conventional motorcycles.

    Industry analysts suggest Bajaj’s brand revival efforts will need to balance heritage appeal with contemporary relevance, particularly among younger consumers who increasingly view motorcycles as lifestyle statements rather than purely utilitarian transport.

  • South Side Story hits the right notes as Red FM fest dazzles Delhi crowd

    South Side Story hits the right notes as Red FM fest dazzles Delhi crowd

    MUMBAI: When Carnatic ragas meet hip-hop beats and an Onam Sadhya feeds thousands, you know Delhi has been treated to more than just a music festival. 93.5 Red FM’s South Side Story returned for its 7th edition at KD Jadhav Wrestling Stadium, drawing over 12,000 attendees for a two-day cultural feast of sound, flavour, and art.

    Day one was a blend of heritage and innovation. Carnatic maestro TM Krishna struck a soulful opening chord, followed by Job Kurian’s indie charm and the fresh energy of Aattam & Bhadra Rajin. Padma Bhushan awardee Shobana stole the spotlight with her first-ever North India stage performance, a dazzling fusion of Bharatanatyam and cinematic artistry. The evening closed with Avial’s trademark Carnatic rock anthems that had the crowd chanting for more.

    If tradition led the way on day one, day two was about shaking things up. All-women hip-hop collective Wild Wild Women turned up the swagger, Sooraj Santhosh brought his melodic warmth, Thaikkudam Bridge electrified the stage, and the Raghu Dixit Project delivered a high-voltage finale. Beyond the music, audiences tucked into a grand 20-plus dish Onam Sadhya and explored food pop-ups from Mahabelly, Naivedyam, Dakshin Canteen and more. With 60–65 per cent of attendees from southern states and a strong turnout from northern India, the festival lived up to its promise of being a cultural bridge.

    “South Side Story is more than just a music festival, it’s a vibrant celebration of art, culture, literature, cuisine, and community,” said Red FM and Magic FM Director & COO Nisha Narayanan. “It was uplifting to see such a diverse audience immersed in the South’s spirit at our 7th edition. At Red FM, we don’t just host events, we curate experiences that inspire, connect and resonate long after the final note.”

    With partners ranging from Royal Enfield and Bank of Maharashtra to Oxford Bookstore and Kerala Literature Festival, the event became a pan-cultural showcase. From ragas to rap, sambar to rock, South Side Story once again proved that Delhi can handle the heat and the spice of the South.
     

  • Royal Enfield rolls out ‘art of motorcycling’ S5 with launch of ‘cine-verse’

    Royal Enfield rolls out ‘art of motorcycling’ S5 with launch of ‘cine-verse’

    MUMBAI: Lights, camera… kick-start! Royal Enfield has shifted gears on creativity with the launch of Season 5 of its global platform, ‘art of motorcycling’, this time with a cinematic twist called ‘cine-verse’. The campaign challenges artists across 12 countries to imagine themselves as stars of their own film and condense the story into a striking movie poster with a Royal Enfield taking centre stage.

    And in a first, the platform is opening the throttle for a younger crowd with the debut of AOM young talent, a category for creators aged 11–18. These budding artists will share the same stage and spotlight as seasoned professionals, with their work showcased at Motoverse 2025 in Goa.

    The jury line-up is nothing short of blockbuster: Harun Robert (Rob) of M.A.D, poster-design maestro Raj Khatri, Colombian street artist Diana Ordóñez, and Indonesian pop-art maverick Muklay. Each guest will not only judge entries but also create their own cine-verse posters, which will be turned into exclusive merchandise.

    Last year’s edition drew over 42,000 entries from 12 countries, reaching more than 23 million people worldwide. Season 5 promises to be bigger, bolder and more global than ever, blending cinema, art, and motorcycling’s freewheeling spirit.

    Artists can submit digital or hand-drawn works under regular or young talent categories, with winners earning an all-expenses-paid trip to Motoverse 2025, where their creations will take the spotlight at the AOM Arena.

    Here is the link for registration – https://www.royalenfield.com/in/en/art-of-motorcycling/theme/ 
     

  • Bappa Majha brings Maharashtra together for Ganeshotsav on ABP Majha

    Bappa Majha brings Maharashtra together for Ganeshotsav on ABP Majha

    MUMBAI: When Bappa arrives, even differences take a holiday. This Ganesh Chaturthi, ABP Majha is once again turning television screens into pandals with its flagship festive programming Bappa Majha, celebrating Maharashtra’s favourite season of devotion, spectacle, and unity.

    Carrying the theme “Bappa Ale, Bhed Nimale” (As Bappa arrives, differences disappear), Bappa Majha is more than just programming, it’s a 10-day cultural immersion. From the grandeur of Mumbai’s iconic pandals to the intimacy of household traditions, the channel promises to capture every beat of Ganeshotsav.

    The line-up is as elaborate as a traditional sadhya:

    .  Live Aartis from Maharashtra’s most renowned temples and pandals at 6:30 am and 6:30 pm daily ( 27 Aug – 5 Sept).

    . Ganesh Pujan at ABP Majha’s office on Aug 27 at 9:30 am, giving viewers a peek into the channel’s own festive rituals.

    . Kaladhipati at 2:30 pm, where celebrities bring personal stories of devotion and celebration.

    . Daily festival bulletins, Bappa Majha, at 5:30 pm (repeat at 11:30 am), offering updates and stories from every corner of Maharashtra.

    . Maha Ganesh Mandal Contest (7 – 16 Sept), spotlighting the three most spectacular pandals from each of the state’s eight regions.

    . Anant Chaturdashi Special (Sept 6 from 7 am onwards), capturing the emotional farewell as Bappa is immersed with pomp and tears.

    With Ganeshotsav being Maharashtra’s most widely celebrated festival, the numbers tell their own story: over 10 days of immersive coverage, across 8 regions, spotlighting thousands of pandals and lakhs of devotees, all brought home by ABP Majha.

    ABP Majha’s Bappa Majha is co-presented by Gowardhan, Punit Balan group and Nirma Advance; powered by Hint, Royal Enfield and Kayam Churna; with Mahindra Tractor and Porter as supporting partners, and ABP Live as digital partner.

    In a state where Ganeshotsav is less a festival and more a way of life, ABP Majha has once again positioned itself as not just a broadcaster, but a cultural companion telling the stories, sharing the chants, and ensuring that when Maharashtra says “Ganpati Bappa Morya”, the whole state says it together.

  • Ratna Widhani takes charge as VP, business operations at Dentsu Merkle Sokrati

    Ratna Widhani takes charge as VP, business operations at Dentsu Merkle Sokrati

    MUMBAI: Ratna Widhani has been elevated to vice president, business operations at Dentsu’s Merkle Sokrati after a nearly two-year stint as associate vice president. With over two decades of experience in retail, ecommerce, and performance marketing, Widhani brings a potent mix of operational rigour and brand-building savvy to her new role.

    Her career arc spans global and Indian heavyweights — from Nike and Timberland to Bata, Royal Enfield, and Vedix — where she has driven retail turnarounds and ecommerce sprints with enviable consistency. At Incnut Lifestyle, Widhani led ecommerce marketplace relationships, pushing toplines from Rs 10 crore to Rs 40 crore in a single year across Amazon, Flipkart, Nykaa, and more.

    She has also helmed business strategy and marketplace growth at brands like Age Ayurveda and National Geographic’s travel gear, fine-tuning delivery timelines, catalogue hygiene, search marketing, and margin optimisation. Her P&L grasp is rooted in years of retail buying and merchandising leadership, from launching CAT footwear across India to running the Rs 250-crore Power brand portfolio for Bata.

    Widhani, an IIM Ahmedabad-certified ecommerce strategist, now shoulders broader responsibilities across Dentsu’s digital commerce clients. With a strategic eye on Amazon ecosystems, D2C scaling, and agile operations, she’s poised to push the growth lever harder in her new capacity.

    Outside boardrooms, she’s a budding writer, culinary enthusiast, and proud mum to a pre-teen artist.

  • Royal Enfield and Unesco rev up for Ladakh docuseries on Nat Geo

    Royal Enfield and Unesco rev up for Ladakh docuseries on Nat Geo

    MUMBAI — Royal Enfield and Unesco are shifting gears from adventure to archival with the third edition of ‘The Great Himalayan Exploration’—a four-part docuseries that captures the heartbeat of Ladakh’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. The series premieres on National Geographic and streams on JioHotstar from 8 PM, 21 June.

    Featuring 40 handpicked rider-researchers out of 1,500 applicants, the project blends motorcycling with meaningful discovery, traversing Ladakh’s remote valleys and high passes to document cultural practices that rarely make it to mainstream maps. From butter tea and Brokpa weaves to archery in Kargil and horse polo in Drass, the docuseries doesn’t just observe heritage—it lives it.

    Notable voices such as Gul Panag, Prateek Sadhu, Bandana Tewari, and Clifton Shipway join the journey, each episode peeling back a different cultural layer, ‘Food, Sports, Crafts, and Community’. Together, they chronicle stories that echo with centuries of tradition but are increasingly at risk in a world spinning faster than the Himalayas can handle.

    For Royal Enfield Social Mission, this marks a significant step forward in our long-term goal of partnering with the Himalayan communities to build resilience.”, said Eicher Group Foundation, executive director, the CSR arm of Royal Enfield, Bidisha Dey.

    “Ladakh’s fragile mountain ecosystems and increasing exposure to climate risks make it more urgent than ever to recognize and value the traditional knowledge embedded in its living heritage. These cultural practices—whether in sustainable land use, food systems, or collective rituals—offer not only a sense of identity and continuity, but also vital insights into how communities adapt and thrive in harmony with their environment. At UNESCO, we believe the goal must extend beyond safeguarding and transmission. This is about understanding heritage as a source of resilience, creativity, and social cohesion in the face of global challenges. Our partnership with Royal Enfield’s ‘The Great Himalayan Exploration’ reflects this spirit—showing how heritage is not confined to monuments, but lives in the way we eat, speak, and gather. It is, at its core, a celebration of our shared humanity,” said Unesco Regional Office for South Asia, director and representative, Tim Curtis.

    Launched in 2022, the project is part of a multi-year partnership between Royal Enfield’s Social Mission and Unesco to document 200 ICH practices across the Eastern and Western Himalayas. With Ladakh in focus this season, the series brings visual storytelling to the forefront—culturally immersive, environmentally urgent, and filmed with boots (and wheels) on the ground.

    Because sometimes, preserving the past takes a little petrol, a lot of purpose, and a camera on the move.

  • Salt just got tastier as Sudeep Puthyathaya steps in as executive creative director

    Salt just got tastier as Sudeep Puthyathaya steps in as executive creative director

    MUMBAI: Just when you thought salt was merely seasoning your fries, along comes Salt Brand Solutions, sprinkling some creative magic into its leadership pot. Picture this: seasoned storyteller Sudeep Puthyathaya struts into Salt’s Mumbai office, bringing with him over 23 years of crafting iconic brand stories and enough creative spice to make even a bland briefing taste delicious. Could this be the recipe for ‘Salt 2.0’ we’ve all been waiting for?

    On 11 March 2025, Salt Brand Solutions announced the hiring of Puthyathaya as its new executive creative director, joining the existing duo—executive director Sagar Mahabaleshwarkar and director Mahesh Chauhan (Mash)—who’ve been shaking things up for quite some time.

    Welcoming the newest spice in Salt’s creative curry, Mash said, “This is a significant step towards further strengthening Salt’s creative leadership.” He further added, “with Sagar, Sudeep, and me coming together, it definitely will add great value to our clients, and this makes me truly excited for Salt 2.0.” Indeed, what good is curry without the right spices?

    Echoing his sentiments, Mahabaleshwarkar remarked, “Sudeep brings a deep understanding of storytelling that connects with real people. His craft in creating human insight-led narratives perfectly complements the creative force we are building at Salt.” Translation? Expect ads that tug at your heartstrings—or at least your purse strings.

    Puthyathaya isn’t exactly new to the storytelling circus. Having juggled creative campaigns for bigwigs like Mercedes-Benz India, Taj Hotels, Royal Enfield, J&J, and Citibank, he’s now ready to spice things up at Salt. With a passion for ‘human-centred narratives’, his style is less boardroom monotony and more Netflix binge-worthy storytelling.

    “I’ve always believed that the most powerful brands are built on stories that resonate at a human level,” Puthyathaya said. “Salt’s culture of bold, insight-driven thinking is a perfect fit for the kind of work I want to create. I’m excited to collaborate with Mash and Sagar to craft narratives that strengthens brand narratives and leave a lasting impact.” Forget salt bae; it’s story bae season now.

    Adding credibility to his creative cooking skills, Puthyathaya has judged the prestigious New York Festivals and Abby’s, proving he’s not just here to cook up stories—he knows how to taste-test them too.

    Founded in 2011 by Mash, Salt Brand Solutions prides itself on being the invisible yet indispensable seasoning of the branding world. With Sudeep now joining Mash and Sagar, expect the creativity (and the seasoning) to be dialled up to eleven, turning more heads, breaking more norms, and making brand storytelling anything but bland.