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Tag: Times of India

  • Partha Sinha bids adieu to Times Group, gears up for global innings

    Partha Sinha bids adieu to Times Group, gears up for global innings

    MUMBAI: Partha Sinha—engineer, brand whisperer, and boardroom charmer—has called time on his high-profile stint at Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (aka The Times of India Group). Word on the street (and confirmed by Sinha himself) is that he’s moving on to a global giant  in an advisory role. But true to form, he’s zipped his lips on the details.

    “I will announce where I am headed in the next fortnight or so when my on-boarding process is completed,” Sinha told indiantelevision.com. 

    Sinha’s departure closes a defining chapter in BCCL’s brand and revenue playbook. Since joining in 2020 as president, response (that’s the revenue engine, in TOI-speak), he led the post-COVID business bounce-back with flair—sharpening monetisation levers, dialling up audience-centricity, and reimagining legacy brands for a digital-first world.

    In July 2024, he took on the dual hat of president and chief brand officer, overseeing consumer-facing powerhouses like The Times of India, Economic Times, Femina, and Mirror. His brand play? Bold, contextual, and never shy of a pivot.

    A rare crossover of nuclear engineering, Citibank cubicles, and Madison Avenue swagger, Sinha’s career reads like a greatest hits compilation of Indian marketing. An IIT Kharagpur and IIM Ahmedabad alum, he kicked off in nuclear design (yes, really) before finding his groove in the brand world via Citibank. What followed was a series of heavyweight gigs at Ogilvy & Mather, Publicis, BBH, and McCann Worldgroup India—where he wore the vice chairman and MD mantle with style.

    At Ogilvy, he helped birth strategic planning as a serious discipline in Indian advertising. BBH and McCann only deepened his rep as a master of merging business metrics with cultural mojo.

    So what’s next for the brand sage? For now, he’s staying tight-lipped. But if history’s any clue, it’ll be clever, culture-shifting, and possibly global in scale. An ardent Arsenal fan who loves listening to Hindustani classical music, Partha’s jovial self will be missed at the Old Lady of Boribunder. 

    Stay tuned. The next episode of the Partha Sinha show promises to be unmissable. Where once again, he will set the corridors alive.

  • Kondur climbs to director Times Experiences

    Kondur climbs to director Times Experiences

    MUMBAI: Sundar Kondur has announced his move to Bennett Coleman & Co Ltd. (The Times of India), taking on the role of director – Times Experiences. This appointment marks a significant shift for Kondur, a seasoned sales professional, into the realm of experiential events, where he promises to weave “logic of numbers with magic of ideas,”.

    Kondur’s ascent within the Times group is notable. He previously held senior positions, including senior vice president and regional head – south, where he consistently delivered strong sales performance. 

    Before his tenure at the Times group, Kondur held a vice president – advertising sales role at Kasturi & Sons, Ltd., where he was responsible for national sales at The Hindu. There, he is credited with achieving record revenue growth and recruiting a substantial number of new advertisers, contributing to the company’s turnaround.

    His earlier stint at the Times group included a long tenure as vice president and response head, where he oversaw advertising sales for various publications, including Vijay Karnataka and Bangalore Mirror. He also served as publisher and general manager at Mid Day, launching the Bangalore edition and driving significant revenue growth.

  • EMVIE Awards turn 25 with a grand celebration of advertising brilliance

    EMVIE Awards turn 25 with a grand celebration of advertising brilliance

    MUMBAI- Mumbai’s advertising elite gathered under one roof as The Advertising Club marked a spectacular 25 years of the EMVIE Awards, widely regarded as the Oscars of the media world. The milestone edition, held at the Jio World Convention Centre on 28 March 2025, celebrated the finest in media strategy, innovation, and brand storytelling, honouring industry leaders who have redefined the advertising landscape.

    With an unprecedented 1,779 entries from 33 agencies, a record-breaking feat, the competition was fierce, culminating in 443 shortlisted campaigns. The night saw a grand total of 191 winners, including 1 Grand EMVIE, 46 gold, 71 silver, and 73 bronze trophies.

    Best Media Agency of the Year 2025 - Wavemaker India

    Wavemaker India dominated the night, clinching the title of Best Media Agency of the Year with 665 points, while Mondelez India Foods Pvt. Ltd. took home Best Media Client of the Year with 380 points.

    The coveted Grand EMVIE was awarded to Initiative Media (India) Private Limited for their innovative use of AI-driven interactive storytelling for Amazon Prime Video’s Mirzapur, bagging the trophy in the Best Media Innovation: Best Use of AI for a Media Solution category.

    Other big winners included Mindshare India, finishing second with 570 points, and Essencemediacom, securing third place with 275 points.

    The EMVIE for Diversity, Equality & Inclusion (DE&I) was awarded to Interactive Avenues for their impactful campaign ‘Ek Macchhli Paani Mein Gayi’ for Chhanv Foundation, shedding light on the resilience of acid attack survivors.

    The Young EMVIE of the Year went to Navneet Kabra from Wavemaker India, who crafted a winning hand for Cadbury 5 Star & Cadbury Celebrations with ‘The Joker Who Got Cadbury the Winning Hand’.

    Havas India, group CEO for South East, and North Asia & and The Advertising Club, president Rana Barua, said, “As we celebrate 25 years of the EMVIES, it’s a moment to acknowledge how these awards have become a true reflection of our industry’s relentless pursuit of innovation, creativity, and excellence. The EMVIES have consistently evolved to capture the spirit of transformative storytelling and the power of effective media strategies. This milestone is a tribute to the passion and dedication of media professionals who continue to raise the bar with their groundbreaking work. Congratulations to all the winners of the 2025 EMVIE Awards — your achievements are an inspiration, driving our industry forward. Here’s to the next 25 years of pushing boundaries and setting new benchmarks.”

    EMVIES Committee chairperson Punitha Arumugam said, “The EMVIES have played a crucial role in shaping India’s media landscape by setting new benchmarks in effectiveness and innovation. As we mark 25 years of this incredible journey, we recognize the immense talent, creativity, and strategic brilliance that elevate industry standards. This year’s winners exemplify the best of what media can achieve when insights, strategy, and technology come together.”

    With support from The Times of India & UltraTech Cement Limited, the EMVIE Awards 2025 once again proved why they remain the gold standard of advertising recognition. As the industry looks ahead, the only thing certain is that the future of media will be bold, boundary-breaking, and built on brilliance.

  • MSEED takes root in Mumbai as Bhavan’s College launches creative institute

    MSEED takes root in Mumbai as Bhavan’s College launches creative institute

    MUMBAI: Mumbai’s academic landscape just got a creative boost with the launch of Bhavan’s College Management School of Events, Entertainment & Design (MSEED) in Andheri west. Aimed at redefining industry-led education, this powerhouse institute is helmed by some of the most influential names in events, media, and education, promising a hands-on, experiential approach to learning.

    Led by Deepak Chaudhary, a pioneer in events education and the force behind EVA Live MSEED boasts an elite leadership team, including Prof Ujjwal K Chowdhury as director general, Vinod Janardhan (joint MD, founder of Team Rustic), Jimmy Choudhary (director, Eventfaqs and WOW Awards), and Jateen Rajput (executive director, event management academic expert). Media entrepreneurs Chirag Shah and Mustafa Rangoonwala round out this stellar lineup, bringing real-world industry insights into the classroom.

    The launch event was nothing short of spectacular, drawing an elite gathering of industry stalwarts from media, design, and entertainment. Zarine Bathena, Principal of Bhavan’s College, welcomed the new entrant into the Bhavan’s ecosystem, setting the stage for a groundbreaking academic journey. The event saw participation from FICCI AVGC Forum chairman Ashish Kulkarni, filmmaker Ketan Anand, Laqshya Media Group chairman Alok Jalan, Times of India HR head Amit Das, Shamiana Short Films founder Cyrus Dastoor, and communication expert Amitesh Banerjee.

    MSEED is set to offer Mumbai University-approved Bachelors and Masters degrees in events, media, and design, along with advanced PG Diplomas in entertainment, communication, and fashion business management. Additionally, postgraduate students can opt for a dual MBA degree in partnership with UniMarconi University of Rome, Italy, making this an institution with global aspirations.

    “A good institute needs a great infrastructure provided to MSEED by Bhavan’s College, a good recognition which is from Mumbai University in this case, and a powerful eco-system which is provided with the industry led learning at MSEED. We are hopeful of making a marked contribution to India’s creative soft power,” noted EVA Live, MD and founder, MD Deepak Chaudhary.

    “MSEED brings in the collective wisdom of a few eminent educational institution-builders and creative business entrepreneurs, and promises a hospital-medical college model of learning where education and its application through live projects shall go hand in hand,” noted director general prof Ujjwal K Chowdhury.

    “Events and experiential marketing in India might actually have a turnover perhaps more than that of TV and cinema industries if calculated factually. Together with animation & gaming-based entertainment, events industry is poised to make a huge economic and employment impact in India of tomorrow,” opined the AVGC evangelist and government’s animation-gaming policy-adviser, Ashish Kulkarni.

    India’s events and experiential marketing industry may already be bigger than TV and cinema combined, according to Ashish Kulkarni, an AVGC policy expert. He highlighted the vast employment and economic potential of this sector, especially when combined with gaming and animation.

    Meanwhile, legendary filmmaker Ketan Anand reflected on Indian cinema’s evolution, while Amit Das of TOI emphasised the need for creative talent that merges storytelling with emerging technology for innovative media outreach.

    MSEED is already planning a nationwide campaign to promote careers in events, media, and design, bridging the gap between education and industry. With its first batch commencing in July 2025, this institution is set to shape the future of India’s creative landscape, one innovative mind at a time.

  • Times of India introduces TOI Health+

    Times of India introduces TOI Health+

    Mumbai: In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant shift in the public’s approach to health and well-being, moving from a curative to a preventive mindset. To address this evolving landscape, The Times of India is proud to announce the launch of TOI Health+, a new initiative designed to provide reliable, relevant, and customised health and wellness information to Indian audiences.

    Addressing the information gap With the increased interest in health information, many people struggle to find trustworthy sources amidst the sea of unverified data. TOI Health+ aims to fill this gap by offering a comprehensive, credible platform that caters to the unique health needs of Indians. Available in both print and digital formats every Wednesday, TOI Health+ features the latest in health, nutrition, wellness, and prevention with a special focus on health tech.

    Unique Features of TOI Health+

    1.    Customized Content: Sections on nutrition, prevention, wellness, body, and health technology. Interactive columns like “Ask Your Doctor.”

    2.    Latest Solutions: Up-to-date, credible health and health tech information every week.

    3.    Comprehensive Coverage: Articles on nutrition, diet, fitness, and lifestyle diseases.

    4.    Health Trackers: Quizzes, trackers, and self-assessment tests to help readers monitor their health.

    5.    Engaged Community: Building an active community of health enthusiasts on social media and through offline events like the TOI Health+ Summit.

    6.    Consumer Engagement: Access to renowned doctors, health experts, and researchers through webinars, videos, and podcasts.

    Curating the Content TOI Health+ leverages The Times of India’s extensive expertise and trusted sources to curate the most credible, well-researched health content. With a long history of initiatives such as “Times Organ Donation Drive,” “Beat Heart Failure,” and “Let’s Fight Diabetes,” TOI has built a strong legacy of championing health causes in India. Every day, more than a dozen health reporters from TOI across the country reach out to leading doctors, hospitals, researchers, and dieticians to obtain the very best and latest in healthcare. TOI Health+ taps into this expertise to bring you the best in health and wellness information, offering a weekly distillation of the most credible and actionable health information, all in one place.

    BCCL (Bennett, Coleman & Company Ltd) director Kaustuv Chatterjee said, “TOI Health+ is our commitment to providing the Indian audience with trustworthy and relevant health and wellness information. In an era where misinformation is rampant, we aim to be the definitive source for credible and well-researched content which contributes to their well-being. Our goal is to empower individuals to take proactive steps towards better health.”

    BCCL president & chief brand officer Partha P. Sinha stated,  “TOI Health+ is an incredible opportunity for brands to connect with highly engaged health and wellness enthusiasts. This product will also provide a platform for established players, emerging nutraceutical and health tech brands to showcase their work and innovations, helping them reach a broader audience. We are excited about the potential this initiative holds for our readers and advertisers

  • Varanasi to host final chapter of TOI Dialogues Uttar Pradesh edition

    Varanasi to host final chapter of TOI Dialogues Uttar Pradesh edition

    Mumbai: The Times of India (TOI) Dialogues series concludes its Uttar Pradesh edition in the holy city of Varanasi on 27 June. This event will showcase compelling stories highlighting Varanasi’s role in Uttar Pradesh’s growth and development.

    TOI Dialogues, a nationwide series of conclaves, provides a platform for vibrant discussions on each region’s unique stories, challenges, and opportunities. Following successful events in Gorakhpur and Lucknow, the Uttar Pradesh edition now moves to the sacred city of Varanasi.

    Previous events featured notable participants, including UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak, BJP MP Ravi Kishan, actors Rasika Dugal, Jimmy Sheirgill, Randeep Hooda, Amit Sial, Faisal Malik, and cricket legend Mohammad Kaif.

    Times of India business head Prasad Sanyal expressed excitement about bringing TOI Dialogues to Varanasi, noting the city’s unique blend of ancient heritage and modern development.

    TOI Dialogues Varanasi: Event highlights

    The event will open with The Times Of India Lucknow resident editor Pravin Kumar and a keynote address from Advisor to the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh’s advisor Awanish K Awasthi.

    Key sessions include:

    1.    “Sporting Spirit: Advancing Athletic Aspirations in Varanasi” featuring athletes Anju Bobby George, Sardar Singh, Rahul Chaudhari, and Puja Tomar.

    2.    A discussion on Varanasi’s culture and artistic soul with chef Pankaj Bhadoria, actor Shweta Tripathi, folk singer Malini Awasthi, author Yatinder Mishra, and travel influencer Vaishali Seta.

    3.    A panel on infrastructure growth impact featuring Pulkit Garg, Deepak Madhok, Dr. Sandeep Chaudhary, and Umang Sah.

    4.    A session on the intersection of history and modern politics with authors Anuj Dhar and Shefali Vaidya, historians Vikram Sampath and Abhijit Chavda, and journalist Yashwant Deshmukh.

    5.    A fireside chat with actor Vikrant Massey on Uttar Pradesh’s connection with cinema and the arts.

    Watch TOI Dialogues Varanasi live on 27 June at 5:30 pm.

  • Muneet Pal Singh joins B4U Network

    Muneet Pal Singh joins B4U Network

    Mumbai: Muneet Pal Singh joins B4U Network as as NORTH & EAST BRANCH HEAD, comes with around 20 years of rich experience in the media industry with extensive exposure across multiple sectors, including print, media, events, and advertising sales. He has worked with renowned companies like Goldmines, Times of India, Zee Network, Viacom, and Sony.

    Muneet played a pivotal role in establishing the northern business for Goldmines Telefilms and contributed significantly to scaling business operations at Pen Music Channel in his last assignment.

    Commenting on Muneet’s appointment, Johnson Jain (CRO) said “We Welcome Muneet Pal Singh into our B4U family! Muneet has a focused approach towards his vision and is backed by strong PR skills and network in the industry. He is an ideal choice to head our North & East region to calibrate the business.”

    Muneet Quote: “With my extensive experience and deep understanding of various genres spanning across GEC, Hindi Movies, and Music channels, my skill set is well-aligned to drive the growth and success of B4U Network to next expansion phase. 

  • Space Creattors Heights appoints Henna Misri as chief executive officer

    Space Creattors Heights appoints Henna Misri as chief executive officer

    Mumbai: Space Creattors Heights, a leading premium co-working, has appointed Henna Misri as their chief executive officer, she will contribute in making decisive and strategic business decisions aimed at propelling dynamic growth and success. This step will massively augment the company’s operations, marketing strategies, business development initiatives, financial endeavors, and human resources.

    Being a high-end coworking space, Space Creattors Heights offers world class amenities and stellar workspaces. It is an eminent Indian brand with three centers in Delhi NCR market and a compelling expansion plan to increase their footprint across geographies in the coming years. Their workspaces have an ISO 45001 certification for the management of occupational health and safety.

    Space Creattors Heights co-founder & managing director Aryann Suri said “I welcome Henna and extend my heartfelt congratulations on her appointment as the CEO. Henna has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and a keen understanding of our industry. Her strategic vision and dedication to excellence align perfectly with our company’s ethos. I have full confidence in her capabilities, and look forward to scaling new heights of success, innovation, and unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled value to our clients and stakeholders.”

    Misri said on her appointment, “I am really looking forward to stepping into the role of Chief Executive Officer at Space Creattors Heights. I am committed to driving our business forward by fostering innovation, strategic collaborations, and a people-first approach. I am looking to engage with our talented team to elevate our operations, strengthen our market presence, and uphold our core values. Together, we will navigate challenges and seize opportunities to achieve colossal growth and success.”

    Prior to Space Creattors Heights, Misri has held leadership positions in legacy companies such as Hindustan Thompson Associates, Ogilvy & Mather, Bates India, and Times of India, with a track record of twenty two years. 

  • Partha Sinha in the Effie HongKong Grand Jury

    Partha Sinha in the Effie HongKong Grand Jury

    Mumbai: Partha Sinha, President of the Times of India group, was the only international face in the recently concluded grand jury meeting of Effie HK.  The Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of Hong Kong (HK4As) is the organiser and presenter of the Effie Awards in Hong Kong and has been doing so since 2004.  

    Other than Partha following four marketing experts were members of the grand jury.

    1. Andreas Moellmann (independent brand and marketing consultant)

    2. Eva Ng (global director of brand strategy, Schneider Electric)

    3. Jason Spencer (managing director, Kantar Insights Hong Kong)

    and

    4. Lambert Chan (adjunct professor, City University of Hong Kong)

    DDB Group Hong Kong’s ‘Unbroken’, for Hagar International, won the Grand Effie.

    Talking of the experience, Partha said, “ It’s very interesting for an Effie to get an international jury member for the grand Effie. Grand Effie judging is the only place where some meaningful discussion takes place about the work from that market and about the award winning cases. HK could be a small market, but there are some great thought provoking pieces of work from that market. The Grand Effie winning case worked on cultural authority and hence got some disproportionate traction in the marketplace. For me, personally, it was an enriching experience”

  • #Unstoppable21 initiative celebrates India and its youth through a new anthem

    #Unstoppable21 initiative celebrates India and its youth through a new anthem

    Mumbai: The Times of a Better India, an initiative of Times of India is excited to launch an anthem for its initiative, #Unstoppable21. This empowering and inspiring new anthem titled ‘Hum Ho Rahe Kamyaab’ is a fantastic, hummable music piece composed by the celebrated Shantanu Moitra.

    With a young population of 512 million Indians under 21, India is poised to reap its demographic dividend. To celebrate India’s youth, the #Unstoppable21 campaign is felicitating 21 Indians under 21 in humanities, science, sports, fine arts, performing arts, social activism and entrepreneurship.

    As a celebration of the achievements of our youth and the country, this groundbreaking masterpiece is set to captivate and galvanise the young and hopeful, offering a voice to the thoughts, dreams, and aspirations of a new generation.

    To celebrate the spirit of India’s youth, #Unstoppable21 is highlighting the limitless potential of our people. Inspiring stories of individuals, institutions and organisations that symbolise a coming together of various facets of India to contribute to their success.

    This song marks a significant milestone in the journey of celebrating our collective success and resilience – from ‘hum honge’ to ‘hum ho rahe’, and finally ‘hum ho gaye’ kamyaab. This song aptly supports #Unstoppable21 in celebrating our country’s human spirit and our unstoppable achievements.

    1. Catchy lyrics: The anthem’s lyrics are crafted to reflect the authentic celebration of the youth and their achievement 
    2. Upbeat melody: Composed by Shantanu Moitra, this energetic melody is bound to get people moving and feeling the rhythm of today’s India 
    3. Empowering message: The anthem carries a powerful message of our youth’s success, its empowerment, and the belief that India is winning the world 
    4. Meet the talent behind ‘Hum Ho Gaye Kamyaab’ anthem:  
    5. Esther Hnamte from Mizoram is a little singer – winning hearts through her music and singing 
    6. Chotu Khan, a young musical spark from the Merasi community is a folk singer who got his first break in a music video called Hariyo Patang through and gained considerable fame. 
    7. Ayaan Deshpande is a 9-year-old piano prodigy from Mumbai 
    8. Sartaz Khan Barna is a folk singer from a small village Barna, in Jaisalmer with a powerful voice 
    9. Rahul Vellal started his journey with Indian Classical music at the age of four   
    10. Anirban Roy started learning flute at the age of four and a half and gave his first public performance at the age of five.  
    11. Steven Samuel Devassy is a child prodigy adept in playing drums, and singing.  
    12. Imnainla Jamir is a musician, and guitar artist from Nagaland 
    13. Aditya started learning classical vocal and violin from the age of 3. 
    14. A bunch of talented, cool kids making music – Dharavi Rocks is a collective of slum kids jamming to a better life.

    Speaking on the occasion Indian composer and musician Shantanu Moitra said, “The concept of Unstoppable21 by The Times of India is simply mind-boggling. What truly astounds me is the unwavering confidence of these young talents. Their level of self-assuredness is profoundly inspiring and is quite a departure from my own experiences at their age. I’ve been learning so much from them. These prodigies are from our own nation, the future of our country, and they are nothing short of incredible. Talent is undoubtedly abundant, but the spotlight you’ve cast on these young achievers has bestowed upon them a sense of significance that is truly praiseworthy.”