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Tag: success

  • Denver and Mahesh Babu redefine success in new TVC ‘Poise Meets Power’

    Denver and Mahesh Babu redefine success in new TVC ‘Poise Meets Power’

    MUMBAI: Denver has unveiled its latest television commercial (TVC) featuring none other than Mahesh Babu, the embodiment of grace and success. In this striking new extension of the brand’s iconic ‘Success Should Not Go to Your Head, But Your Heart’ campaign, Denver once again champions the belief that true success is built on character, integrity, and humility.

    The campaign isn’t just another glossy ad—it’s a bold statement. In an age where ‘success’ is often flaunted like a flashy badge, Denver flips the script. It reminds us that real triumphs are silent, steady, and steeped in substance. With Mahesh as its face, Denver positions itself as the fragrance of men who lead with dignity and confidence—without arrogance.

    The TVC showcases Mahesh, often hailed as the ‘Prince’ and ‘boss of blockbusters’, exuding effortless charm and quiet confidence. His journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of India’s most celebrated actors mirrors Denver’s rise as a frontrunner in men’s grooming. Much like Mahesh’s composed and charismatic presence, Denver’s fragrances captivate not with noise, but with authenticity and undeniable appeal.

    Mahesh’s association with Denver isn’t just an endorsement; it’s a shared philosophy. Since 2019, the superstar has embodied Denver’s values of excellence, hard work, and humility. His presence in the campaign isn’t about celebrity—it’s about credibility. When Mahesh speaks, people listen. And when he wears Denver, it isn’t just about smelling good—it’s about carrying success with dignity.

    The campaign positions Denver as the go-to fragrance for men who refuse to choose between ambition and ethics. It celebrates the modern man—the dreamer, the doer, and most importantly, the gentleman. Chivalry, respect, and humility are not outdated—they are the hallmarks of true success. In a world obsessed with accolades, Denver shifts the focus back to values.

    “Success isn’t just about fame or power; it’s about staying true to your roots, working hard, and leading with humility,” says Mahesh as he unveils the campaign.

    HSPL MD & chairman Saurabh Gupta echoes the sentiment, “Success is not a trophy—it’s a testament to character. Our campaign reflects the belief that true gentlemen never forget where they come from, no matter how high they rise. Mahesh Babu’s association with Denver continues to amplify our commitment to elevating the essence of leadership, ambition, and grounded values.”

    As Mahesh leads Denver’s latest charge, the brand cements itself as the ultimate symbol of refined success. This campaign isn’t just about making an impression; it’s about shaping a lifestyle. Because in the end, success isn’t counted in trophies—it’s measured in the values that define every step of the journey.

  • Guest Column: Life’s biggest stand-out success lesson

    A ship is safe in the harbour. But, that is not what ships are built for: John A Shedd. Why does stand-out success elude the early achievers from making it finally in the game of life. Did they learn this ONE thing!

    Think of that brightest one in your class back in school or college. Did they change the world or achieve extraordinary success?

    Umpteen number of studies from time to time throw up statistics to show that achievers of the highest grades in schools and colleges as a ratio of proportion of overall extraordinary achievers almost always is weighed in favour of those who did not have those fancy grades and did not walk away with a gold medal at the passing out graduation ceremonies.

    In his new book “Barking Up the Wrong Tree,” Eric Barker explores the maxims we use to discuss success. He finds that just as nice guys don’t always finish last, valedictorians rarely become stand-out successes.

    Not to be misled – by standards of ordinary success, they do well and find good lives but they do NOT achieve extraordinary success to become billionaires who change the world.

    Barker writes:
    There was little debate that high school success predicted college success. Nearly 90 per cent are now in professional careers with 40 percent in the highest tier jobs. They are reliable, consistent and well-adjusted, and by all measures the majority have good lives.

    But how many of these number-one high school performers go on to change the world, run the world or impress the world?

    The answer seems to be clear: zero
    Many academically brightest are acknowledged (even by themselves) to be as not the smartest students in their class but simply the hardest workers. Smartness is restricted to delivering against a teacher expectation rather than true ‘imbibing’ of the knowledge.

    In fact, research demonstrates that students who truly enjoy learning the most often struggle in school, trying to trade off attention given to subjects about which they’re truly passionate with the demands of their other distractions (read coursework). While intellectual students struggle with this tension, grade achievers excel.

    The most valued traits in school are self-discipline, conscientiousness and the ability to comply with rules. The ability to disrupt the world or make extraordinary breakthroughs however requires NOT these traits.

    The education system thrives on and rewards (remember the class monitor/rep) developing ‘promising ones’ with a positive trait of ‘trying to please everyone’. It is also the key to failure.

    I can’t give you a sure-fire formula for success, but I can give you a formula for failure: try to please everybody all the time — Herbert Bayard Swope.

    The high-grade achievers make it their business to be the best. ‘Best’ in real life is a label. It’s something someone decides for you – the ‘educational institution’ in case of students. ‘Better’ is more personal which pushes you to embrace ‘highs and lows’ to find that unique attribute called ‘individuality’ as the key to success while the graduation ceremony sees hundreds of them in identical caps and gowns.

    While the schools produce the best and the brightest to go and change the world, the achievers forget to unlearn to challenge notions and embrace uncertainty. The one thing that stands out is the inability of these ‘brightlings’ to encounter and treat real life’s chaos as a part of the deal.

    The ability to ‘shake things up’ is not a particularly well appreciated quality taught in schools.

    That one thing that keeps these ‘lives of promise’ from making it as truly THE ONE therefore is

    Unlearning is as important at all points in life as learning.

    Anyone whose goal is ‘something higher’ must expect someday to suffer vertigo. What is vertigo? Fear of falling? No, Vertigo is something other than fear of falling. It is the voice of the emptiness below us which tempts and lures us, it is the desire to fall, against which, terrified, we defend ourselves  ― Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being

    Education system mostly is akin to a ‘control experiment’ in science. Lots of mediocre students thrive outside a ‘controlled’ scholastic environment.

    In the school, rules rule life.  In the messy game called life, Chaos rules everything!  Unlearn and embrace it for your success.

     

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    (Piyush Sharma, a global tech, media and entrepreneurial leader, created the successful foray of Zee Entertainment in India and globally under the ‘Living’ brand. The views expressed here are of the writer’s and Indiantelevision.com may not subscribe to them.)

  • Guest Column: Dear Me…Be a good loser!

    I failed often, failed bitterly, had my fair share of ups and downs. I had my apprehensions and my faults. I share here the positive convictions I have gained. May be they hold some wisdom for the millennials of today too as they venture for their first inclines.

    A line in a poem by Czeslow Milosz that’s always stuck with me: “Love means to learn to look at yourself/ The way one looks at distant things/ For you are only one thing among many.” The key to happiness, the poem suggests, is to understand that you need to become less self-obsessed – so that you can better relate to the world around you.

    I was fortunate to rise to the job of a CEO within 11 years of take-off.

    24 years since I started and as an athlete at the peak of his game today, here are 7 things I would want my younger self to take care of. 

    1. Seize the moment. Carpe Diem. I would volunteer for the next responsibility and rise to the occasion. I would not make ‘best’ the enemy of ‘better’. No work is too small. I would relish the opportunity to work. If you’re not progressing, you’re regressing; so, keep moving forward. The key to success in any field or endeavor is to keep moving forward. In the block-buster Indian movie Baahubali, the Hero gives the dark horse a piece of advice – “Zindagi Ek Baar Sher banane ka mauka sabko zaroor deti hai” (Life gives you the chance to become a Hero at least once). This one moment must be seized. Also as goes the popular Hindi saying “Behta paani nirmala” – translated into English which is “Rolling Stones gather no moss”.

    2. Take care of myself. Your body is the greatest instrument you will ever have. I would keep it in fit condition. You are beyond your body. The quality and power of your mind will determine how you well you would fare in the wake of challenges. I would train my mind. The importance of constant upgradation of your intellect cannot be emphasised enough.

    3. Kill my ego. Adapt to the world. You need them. They don’t. Simple. Adapt to the situation or the challenge. Not even a whiff of entitlement. Please. Half of my problems is me. The other half is the circumstances. I would find the best combination.

    4. Choose to be happy. I would not be rigid about my wants. I would awake to the truth that I can change my wants. Happiness does not depend on anything but me. Wants are changeable.

    5. Save money. I would start early to create wealth by saving money. A dollar yesterday is bigger than one today. Money grows. The power of the exponential function is one of the most misunderstood!

    6. Be a good loser. I would rise every time I fall. You only fail if you do not get up. I would fail fast, fail often, fail uninhibitedly and fail – not quit – till I succeed. And again… A progressive mentality doesn’t mean that you’ll never experience major setbacks, or even utter failure–which can deliver vital lessons and invaluable experience. Additionally, reflecting on how far you’ve come can provide necessary motivation. Remember, there are no shortcuts. True success is as much about hard work as about resilience–the ability to keep getting up when you’re tempted to throw in the towel. Never give up. Ever.

    7. Find my spiritual center. I would involve myself in spirituality much earlier than I did. To know how to live better, be content and spend life so that it is worthwhile.

    Some of the above are convictions because they invariably stood me in good stead. Some of them I did not practise but would be wise to – were I to do it again! Happy Living.

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    (Piyush Sharma, a global tech, media and entrepreneurial leader, created the successful foray of Zee Entertainment in India and globally under the ‘Living’ brand. The views expressed here are of the writer’s and Indiantelevision.com may not subscribe to them.)

     

  • Guest Column: Start-up hacks: A cheat sheet for success

    With the convergence of technology and media, we are witnessing tremendous activity in the start-up space.  From content to distribution to broadcast to affiliate opportunities, there is no dearth of new ideas and their backers.  Surprisingly not all of them are covering all their bases to crack the start-up success code.

    Having been a part of four start-ups in leadership positions along with all the insights gained through studying hundreds of others, here are 9 ways that help us better understand them and reasons that make them succeed.

    1. Start-ups are not smaller versions of large organisations. Bonsai have a different life and game plan as compared to large trees. The two should not be compared and start-ups should not be expected to emulate the large organisation. 

    2. Start-ups do not adhere to a ‘set’ business plan – in most of the cases the challenge is to find one. As Mike Tyson famously said on his opponent’s pre-fight strategies: everyone has a plan till they get punched in the face. Business Plans are a necessary evil but for a start-up they are nothing more than fictional plans and rarely do they survive their first contact with customers.

    3. Customer Plan is much more important than the business plan. This may include customer engagement, customer stickiness, brand advocacy score, net promoter score, etc. “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning,” said Bill Gates.

    4. Data is the new oil. Data undergirds everything. Period.

    5. Start-ups need to fail fast, fail often, fail cheap and fail better. Constant experimentation and continuous learning is the name of the game rather than elaborate planning. Start-ups need to keep their persistence levels high. “You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing and falling over,” as famously told by Richard Branson.

    6. Iteration is the key word for every aspect of the business. Launch and iterate. And again. Everything is changeable except the intent to give one’s best to making it big.

    7. Repeatability and scalability are two pivots to search in the early life cycle stage. Investing in growth in stage 0 is almost a sure-shot pre-requisite. Mostly start-ups are dealing with a new concept and/or a habit change. This may initially require selling only on the strength of price (not the brand or anything else) and may call for disproportionate investments and therefore profitability may be a long way off.

    8. Turmoil and chaos are integral to the existence of a start-up. Those who cannot stand the heat, need to get out of the kitchen.

    9. Lastly as Jeff Bezos said – Entrepreneurs must be willing to be misunderstood for a long time.

    The M&E industry as much needs start-ups as the rest of the economy.  As research shows, the success quotient can go up if the above factors are kept in mind.

    public://piyu.jpgPiyush Sharma, a global tech, media and entrepreneurial leader, created the successful foray of Zee Entertainment in India and globally under the ‘Living’ brand. The views expressed here are of the writer’s and Indiantelevision.com may not subscribe to them.