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Tag: Usha Uthup

  • Mccain serves a musical treat this Diwali with Usha Uthup’s ‘Jugalbandi’

    Mccain serves a musical treat this Diwali with Usha Uthup’s ‘Jugalbandi’

    MUMBAI: This Diwali, McCain is striking all the right chords. The brand’s new campaign, Jugalbandi, brings together three generations of the Uthup family in a heartwarming celebration of food, music, and togetherness.

    Created by Schbang, the film stars the queen of Indian pop, Usha Uthup, alongside her daughter Anjali and grandson, in a delightful musical face-off that turns into a moment of family unity. Set at a lively Diwali house party, the film captures Uthup’s iconic disco charm blending with Anjali’s spirited beats and her grandson’s modern DJ flair. The playful competition melts into harmony when the irresistible aroma of Mccain snacks fills the air, bringing everyone together over hot, crispy treats.

    With Jugalbandi, Mccain celebrates the idea that food bridges more than just hunger, it bridges generations. By fusing two of India’s biggest passions, food and music, the campaign transforms a simple snack into a symbol of connection and joy.

    “These days, families are often spread across cities and time zones, and it’s only on special occasions that everyone comes together,” said Mccain Foods India managing director Mainak Dhar. “Our Jugalbandi campaign celebrates how different generations, each with their own rhythm, can find harmony over a plate of Mccain snacks. Usha Uthup embodies this spirit perfectly, rooted in culture yet modern and relevant.”

    Schbang president – brand solutions Jitto George added, “When we set out to create a generational ‘jugalbandi’, the first and only choice was Usha Uthup and her family. Their real bond brought the idea to life, blending nostalgia, music, and the joy of food which is the very essence of Mccain’s philosophy of togetherness.”

    The campaign runs across digital platforms, reinforcing Mccain’s role as the snack that turns festive gatherings into shared moments of warmth, laughter, and love. 
     

  • CNBC-TV18 and HSBC India concludes ‘HSBC presents CNBC-TV18 SME Champion Awards’

    CNBC-TV18 and HSBC India concludes ‘HSBC presents CNBC-TV18 SME Champion Awards’

    Mumbai: CNBC-TV18, India’s leading business and financial news channel, in collaboration with HSBC India, successfully concluded the “HSBC presents CNBC-TV18 SME Champion Awards”. The awards ceremony, held at the prestigious Taj Mahal, Man Singh in New Delhi, marked the culmination of a transformative six-month initiative dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the extraordinary achievements of India’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The evening began on a high note with a  performance by singer Usha Uthup. 

    The awards ceremony was graced by the Honorable Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, Shri. Nitin Gadkari. While addressing the audience he said, “MSMEs have been excelling with new research, technology, and innovations. We believe this is the right time for India to reduce imports and increase exports. For instance, the government spends INR 2,00,000 crores annually on fertilizer subsidies. Today, we passed a resolution in the cabinet regarding the same. By using new technologies like nano fertilizers and nano pesticides, we can reduce costs and increase profitability. MSMEs are doing an excellent job in this regard and boosting exports.”

    CNBC-TV18 managing editor Shereen Bhan gave a welcome address to the audience. In her address, she said, “CNBC-TV18 and HSBC India SME Champion Awards celebrate the outstanding individuals driving the SME sector. As we honour these remarkable champions, it’s important to acknowledge the impact of the MSME sector. With 63 million enterprises, MSMEs contribute approximately 30% to India’s GDP, 45% to manufacturing, and 40% to the country’s exports, generating over 110 million jobs and showcasing their vital role in employment creation. Embracing digital transformation, 72% of MSME payments are now conducted online, and 43% are engaged in e-commerce, highlighting their adaptability and competence. Additionally, the recent budget emphasises development with a capital expenditure allocation of 20,000 crores for creating industry clusters, tech hubs, and common facility centers, enhancing operational efficiency and competitiveness.

    SMEs from various sectors were recognised for their remarkable work in their respective industries. Thirteen organisations, including two entrepreneurs, were honoured under seven different categories such as Manufacturing SME of The Year, Excellence In Sustainability Practices, Retail & E-Commerce SME of The Year, and Entrepreneur of The Year, among others. These awards underscore the sector’s essential role in driving the nation’s economic growth and honour the resilient spirit of India’s entrepreneurial landscape.

    HSBC India CEO Hitendra Dave took the stage for a keynote address. He said “We aim to support entrepreneurship by honouring entrepreneurs. The tagline ‘Excellence Meets Recognition’ embodies our belief that SMEs are crucial to the country’s economy, often more than we realise. Managing small and micro businesses is incredibly tough, and only those who have experienced it can fully grasp the challenges. We are dedicated to supporting entrepreneurship and are pleased that these awards and their visibility will inspire younger generations.”

    The discussion delved into the impact of PLI Schemes with insights from Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, DPIIT, and S Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, in an intriguing fireside chat. Speaking about the PLI Schemes Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, DPIIT said “The overall progress of the PLI schemes highlights significant achievements across various sectors. Notably, sectors such as electronics, food processing, bulk drugs, and pharmaceuticals have shown exceptional performance. We have recorded sales of nearly 1,10,000 crores, around 13,000 crores in new greenfield investments, and exports totaling approximately 40,000 crores. Moreover, these initiatives have created employment opportunities for over 8.12 lakh individuals. The swift development in these rapidly advancing sectors has helped offset some slower areas, benefiting a broader ecosystem of vendors, mainly from the MSME sector.”

    Furthermore, S Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India said “If I were in the electronics sector and these schemes were introduced, it would present a significant opportunity for growth. With internships and similar initiatives, the industry can address the major challenge of skills by providing the necessary manpower, thereby facilitating the establishment of new units. The government is actively supporting these efforts.”

    A subsequent fireside chat featuring Rajnish Kumar, Former Chairperson of SBI, addressed the critical importance of enhancing credit availability within the financial system. T. Koshy, MD & CEO of ONDC, discussed ONDC’s preparations to ensure equal opportunities for both small and large enterprises. These fireside chats provided valuable industry insights. Ajay Sharma, MD and Head of Commercial Banking at HSBC India, delivered a special talk highlighting the financial challenges faced by Indian SMEs. The event featured a Q&A session with the esteemed jury panel.

    The event concluded with an enchanting performance by Usha Uthup, dedicated to Kargil Diwas on July 26, which deeply moved the audience.

    Mentioned below is the list of winners –

    Umbrella Sr. No Category Winners
    Medium Enterprises 1 Excellence in Community Engagement RuralShores Business Pvt Ltd
    2 Excellence In Export Promotion Real Time Data Services Pvt Ltd
    3 Excellence In Sustainability Practices Banyan Sustainable Waste Management Pvt Ltd
    4 Manufacturing SME of The Year Rotex Automation Pvt Ltd
    5 Retail & E-Commerce SME of The Year Ikon Retail Pvt Ltd
    6 Services SME of The Year eMudhra Ltd  
    Special Jury Awards 7 Entrepreneur of The Year Sanjay Kabra –Raghav Productivity Enhancers Ltd
    Small Enterprises 8 Excellence in Community Engagement VSS Tech Solutions Pvt Ltd
    9 Excellence in Digital Transformation IoTechWorld Avigation Pvt Ltd
    10 Excellence In Export Promotion Noble Cast Comp Pvt Ltd
    11 Excellence In Sustainability Practices Health Wheels Pvt Ltd
    12 Manufacturing SME of The Year Upstander Technologies Pvt Ltd
    13 Retail & E-Commerce SME of The Year Newjaisa Technologies Ltd
    14 Services SME of The Year Meraqui Ventures Pvt Ltd
    Special Jury Awards 15 Entrepreneur of The Year Dhaval Mehta –Upstander Technologies Pvt Ltd
  • CLIRNET®’s #SheWinsCancer campaign garnered 6.5 million reach in ten days

    CLIRNET®’s #SheWinsCancer campaign garnered 6.5 million reach in ten days

    Mumbai: CLIRNET®, a leading knowledge platform for Doctors, in alignment with its company vision launched the #SheWinsCancer campaign around International Women’s Day 2024 on DocTube, a platform for genuine medical education videos for patients by verified Doctors. The campaign recorded an impressive reach of over 6.5 million and over a million viewers. The 10-day campaign ran from 1 March to 10 March and aimed to raise general awareness and empower women on preventing, detecting, and beating breast, cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancer.

    The campaign’s bedrock was CLIRNET’s public video platform, DocTube™, which played a pivotal role in disseminating knowledge and support. With an unwavering commitment to its vision, the platform launched a remarkable 1,000 short informational videos from over 500 Gynaecologists and Oncologists from across India, releasing a new video every 15 minutes in vernacular languages throughout the campaign.

    The Campaign also garnered support from industry giants like ICICI Bank and celebrities like Padma Bhushan Singer Usha Uthup, who came together to support the cause.

    Viewers had free access to a wealth of information, including guidance on symptoms, tests, treatments, support groups, and the latest research related to each type of cancer. Users were found accessing information around Uterine cancer more than any other, indicating high need for quality information. Videos busting common cancer myths and highlighting risk factors drew the most attention. The comprehensive campaign coverage extended across various types of cancers, with cervical cancer receiving the maximum views.

    Doctors from major cities, including Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, actively participated in the initiative, providing in-depth knowledge and raising awareness about breast, cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancers. The videos offered invaluable insights on cancer prevention, early screening, reducing mortality rates, and finding community support.

    CLIRNET co-founder Saurav Kasera said, “With the burden of cancer cases reaching alarming heights, awareness and early intervention have become more critical than ever. The latest WHO estimates show over 20 million new global cases in 2022 alone, with India reporting over 1.4 million cases of which 50%+ impact women. At CLIRNET, we aim to directly tackle this by empowering women with knowledge. Our #SheWinsCancer campaign features insights from renowned specialists to educate women on symptoms, screening, prevention and support for the four major cancers impacting their health. Knowledge is power and through this campaign, we aim to equip Indian women and their family with the tools they need to gain the upper hand against cancer.”

    The campaign boasted the involvement of esteemed medical professionals dedicated to women’s health. Among the key doctors leading this initiative were Dr. Ratnabali Chakravorty, a distinguished Gynecologist from Kolkata; Dr. Ambuja Choranur, a retired Professor and former Head of the OBGY Department at Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad; and Dr. Pramod Kumar Julka, Vice Chairman of Cancer Care/Oncology at Max Hospital.

    Additionally, the campaign featured expertise from Dr. Duru Shah, a prominent Gynecologist and IVF Specialist based in Mumbai, along with Dr. Kiran Cohelo, a respected Gynecologist in Mumbai. Padmashri awardee Dr. Manjula Anagani, renowned for her contributions to Gynecology in Hyderabad,  Dr. Nandita Palshetkar, renowned gynecologist and IVF specialist from Mumbai, further strengthened the campaigns roster of specialists.

    The #SheWinsCancer campaign has left an indelible mark, empowering women with knowledge, support, and hope in their battle against cancer. CLIRNET®’s commitment to raising awareness and promoting early detection and prevention has resonated deeply with viewers, paving the way for a healthier and more informed society.

  • Zepto hits a six at IPL with its new campaign

    Zepto hits a six at IPL with its new campaign

    Mumbai: The grocery delivery app Zepto has launched its latest brand campaign at the IPL which made it the most talked about brands. Created by L&K Saatchi and Saatchi, the campaign is rooted in the fact that time is seen as an expandable commodity in India.

    Whether it’s waiting for your food at a restaurant or to board a flight, Indian Stretchable Time is something we’ve all experienced. Zepto stands apart with its proven track record of always delivering within the time committed.

    It brings alive this idea in a surprising way using three famous singers – Kailash Kher, Shankar Mahadevan and Usha Uthup to drive home the point. The campaign features them in unusual roles where they literally stretch time in their own inimitable style. And hence make the point for Zepto, and its on-time delivery promise.

    “Our consumers lead busy, fast-paced lives. At Zepto, through our on-time delivery promise and at the back of our exceptional tech, we constantly strive to let them know and reassure them that we value their time,” said Zepto chief marketing officer Amritansu Nanda. “This campaign, featuring some of the most iconic pop-culture voices of the country, brings alive our proposition of quick delivery and strikes the right chord with our core TG through relatable entertainment. It is also a critical milestone in our journey towards becoming synonymous with quick-commerce in India.”

    L&K Saatchi and Saatchi Jt NCD Kartik Smetacek commented, “It’s often said clients get the work they deserve. Zepto is case in point. From scripting these, to presenting them, to producing them, working on the campaign was an absolute pleasure, with the agency and client working as one team completely committed to the end product. I think the results speak for themselves.”

    Zepto is now available beyond Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi and includes Gurgaon, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and Kolkata, according to the statement.

  • Barbeque Nation launches a musical video with singing sensation Usha Uthup to promote its ‘Year-End Carnival’

    Barbeque Nation launches a musical video with singing sensation Usha Uthup to promote its ‘Year-End Carnival’

    Bangalore, December 23, 2019: Barbeque Nation, India’s leading casual dining restaurant chain, has launched a musical video with singer, Usha Uthup, to promote its ‘Year-end carnival’, being held between December 20th and January 5th, across the country. Titled, “Jhoom Barbeque Jhoom”, the musical video is an ode to all the fans of Bollywood, especially those who love the hits of the Disco era, popularised by the star singer herself. The special song fuses retro lyrics with items on Barbeque Nation’s menu, to create an amazing track for the brand.

    The musical offers diners at Barbeque Nation, the perfect setting to enjoy their year-end get-togethers, with some retro style Bollywood music and great food, the combination of which, creates the perfect mood to unwind and indulge.

    About the Music Video:

    The musical video has been shot at multiple Barbeque Nation outlets, with Usha taking centre stage, singing and tapping her foot, along with staff members at the restaurant. The song, ‘Jhoom Barbeque Jhoom’ is extremely catchy, with Usha’s unique voice and style adding to the splendour. The video takes viewers through the set-up of a studio that records music, which essentially is a counter at the restaurant, followed by some amazing shots of special recipes of Barbeque Nation.

    Creative Credits:

    Production House: Usha Uthup team

    Lyrics: Barbeque Nation team

    Choreographer: Piyush Malhotra

    Mr. Kayum Dhanani, Managing Director, Barbeque Nation, said, “Everybody wants to end the year on a happy, fun and celebratory note, so we decided to infuse all of them into a package, creating a video song with the sensational, Usha Uthup, to entertain and satiate our esteemed guests. The special décor at our restaurants too, add to the flavour of music and food, creating the perfect atmosphere for an amazing year-end party. The ‘Jhoom Barbeque Jhoom’ song perfectly enunciates what the brand stands for, on a lighter note and will leave hundreds of thousands of people humming the tune for the rest of the year and beyond.”

    The video is being promoted extensively on Barbeque Nation’s social handles, Facebook and Instagram, and also on YouTube.

  • Paper Boat floats stories as brand’s core identity

    Paper Boat floats stories as brand’s core identity

    MUMBAI: There are certain fragrances, sites, and flavours that appeal to us just by virtue of the nostalgia they evoke within us. Three friends realized this over a lunch table on a hot Indian summer’s day, and one of them later went on to conceive Paper Boat, the popular beverage brand that served old favourites like aam panna, aam ras and chilled rasam in a new avatar.

     

    “While the regular ‘sharing-the-dabba’ ritual was underway, my American friend tried the aam panna that had come from one of our homes,” narrates Paper Boat founder and CEO Neeraj Kakkar. “We realised that raw mango ale, a.k.a aam panna, is not available anywhere in a ready-to-drink format. We were instantly married to the idea, and that was the inception of Paper Boat.”

     

    A product of Hector Beverages, Paper Boat found its brand identity in the indigenous flavours that we are oh so familiar with, and yet have a refreshing appeal.

     

    Since its inception in 2013, the brand has kept its advertising strategy very simple. “We believe in life and how easy it is to be happy. There are always plenty of opportunities for simple pleasures and we just want to bring that alive. And it’s through these little joys that we wish to connect with our consumers. That basically forms the key premise of all our communication,” states Kakkar.

     

    Explaining that their campaign focus is mostly skewed towards social media and television, Kakkar also shed light on the brand’s currently airing 20 sec TVCs. “The three 20-second TVCs are being aired on prime time across a host of English lifestyle, news as well as Hindi and English general entertainment channels with a focus on top cities. We’ve taken special care in the channel mix that we have chosen. The attempt is to make our presence felt across markets in a very targeted way,” says Kakkar, thanking Paper Boat’s creative agency Lowe Lintas,  for the innovative campaign ideas.

     

    Further explaining the concept behind the TVCs, Lowe Lintas executive creative director Rajesh Ramaswamy adds, “Memories are not merely an advertising concept. ‘Drinks and Memories’ is the DNA of the brand. Every beverage of Paper Boat are recipes that are more than a 100 years old. Every drink has a lot of memories associated with it. So we aren’t selling drinks, we are selling memories though drinks.”

     

    The agency has mostly stayed away from the ‘celebrity’ route with Paper Boat with the exception of singer Usha Uthup, but rather kept the faces in the TVC fresh and relatable. “We just go about casting people who suit the role. They need to reflect a certain personality. Innocence and an inherent niceness are the qualities we look for in adults. Also, kids are invariably a part of the concept,” he adds.

     

    Regarding Uthup, he says, “Usha Uthup as a person is contemporary and full of joy, and she has a childlike innocence to her which will never ever fade away. The minute we suggested her name, the client had a big smile and said: ‘She is Paper Boat.’”

     

    ‘Stories’ are the core of every promotion that the brand does. “Early this year, as a part of our promotional program, we decided to reprint a classic, Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome. People were pleasantly surprised and so were we,” says Kakkar.

     

    Having a USP doesn’t lessen the fierce competition in the FMCG sector. Surely Dabur’s Hajmola Yodley poses a direct competition to Paper Boat? To which, Kakkar says, “We feel our real challenge is the distribution and the only way we can compete fairly with our rival brand is by reaching out to as many consumers as possible. We are growing at a very fast pace but the key challenge for us is distribution. We are working very hard to work out the right distribution channels. The ultimate aim is to expand the category and it is always good when the consumer has choice,” he says.

     

    Till now Paper Boat has been adding mainstream flavours such as aam ras, aam panna etc to its mix, but Kakkar shares that the company has plans to bring in regional flavours targeted at a niche consumer base as well. “We plan to get some local gems from smaller towns and bring them closer to our consumers. We are putting an extra effort in the North Eastern region. Recently, we launched Anaar and we are aiming to launch flavors like Neer More, Chilli Guava, Kanji etc. in the next year,” Kakkar informs.

  • VCare Sings along with Usha Uthup in Support of Cancer Patients

    VCare Sings along with Usha Uthup in Support of Cancer Patients

    MUMBAI: VCare foundation, a non-profit organization and a registered Public Charitable Trust that has been providing financial and emotional support to all the cancer patients and survivors in the country, over the weekend successfully hosted a fund raiser in support of those battling against cancer. 

    The fund raiser saw Usha Uthup perform at Tata Theatre at NCPA, to celebrate life with cancer survivors from across the country. It also gave a chance to cancer victims and survivors to forget their worries and sing along to popular foot tapping songs with Usha.

    Sharing her excitement, Ms. Jogita Jagwani said, “I had a great evening, singing aloud and matching steps with Usha to some great music. I am extremely grateful to Usha Uthup and VCare Foundation to acknowledge our battle against cancer and stand by us.”

    Vandana Gupta, Founder of VCare Foundation said, “We are thankful to Usha for supporting our fight against cancer. We will continue our endeavor to help cancer victims and their families to receive the best information, treatment, care and support possible. Over the years VCare Foundation has supported over 80,000 patients and we will continue our efforts to touch as many lives as possible.”

    Usha Uthup said, “Cancer does not only affect individuals but also their families. It is time we acknowledge survivors and celebrate these courageous individuals. I am glad to be associated with VCare Foundation that offered me a platfor
    m to give back to the society.”

    The funds raised from the sale of tickets would be going towards providing financial assistance to those affected by cancer.

    In case you would like to contribute towards this noble cause, you could log onto: www.vcarecancer.org/ or call 98219 49401 /402 for danations.

    On the 15th of February 2014, the VCare Foundation will be celebrating 20 successful years of providing financial and emotional support to the cancer patients and survivors. It fights cancer on multiple fronts, offering a wide range of programs and services that are free of charge and available in communities through hospitals and centers, in person or by telephone.