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Tag: Varun Dhawan

  • Booking.com: Expanding horizons, redefining travel

    Booking.com: Expanding horizons, redefining travel

    Mumbai: With the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup – one of the world’s most notable cricket tournaments – around the corner, the excitement amongst fans is palpable as sports tourism soars. Booking.com, the official accommodation partner for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, launched its integrated campaign ‘Howzat for your perfect stay’, integrating the world of travel, cricket, and its passionate fans that make it happen. A press event was hosted in Mumbai with former Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan, Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan, and Booking.com country manager – India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia Santosh Kumar.

    The campaign featuring Indian team captain Rohit Sharma along with well-known international cricketers Jos Buttler, captain of the England team, and Glenn Maxwell highlights the fun and excitement of booking with Booking.com. It showcases the end-to-end ease and incredible choice of accommodations that Booking.com offers by taking viewers through the journey of a family dreaming of their perfect cricket stay.

    With more than 28 million reported listings in over 171,000 destinations worldwide, including destinations where ICC matches are taking place, Booking.com offers the widest selection of incredible places to stay including hotels, resorts, apartments, villas, and more.

    On the sidelines of the event, Indiantelevision.com caught up with Booking.com country manager, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia Santosh Kumar.

    Edited Excerpts:

    On the differentiation between Booking.com and its competitors

    Number one, I would say the flexibility and convenience that we offer to our consumers. Second is the transparency in pricing because what you see on the first page when you get the search listing is ultimately the price that you book. There are no hidden fees of any sort, etc. So it’s very much consumer-focused. So I would say, those are the two key USPs.

    On the specialty that Sports Tourism has, that other forms of tourism don’t

    I think both sports and travel go pretty well because they both connect people, they help people see the destination and get access to experiences that they would not have otherwise. I think, in general, it also helps people connect across cultures. Sports is a great leveler and I think travel does the same. Therefore, I think they both go hand in hand.

    On reaching out to tier-2 and tier-3 markets

    Earlier this year, we introduced Hindi as a new language option to enhance our appeal to regional consumers seeking a localized experience. Hindi is now available both on our website and app. Our partners can access our platform in Hindi, allowing them to upload their property listings and manage their inventory in this language. Likewise, consumers can browse, search for, and make bookings in Hindi, making our services more accessible and relevant at the local level.

    Hindi marks the first Indian language we’ve introduced, and it is the 46th language available globally on our platform. If it proves beneficial, we may consider launching additional regional languages in the future.

    Furthermore, we are actively working to increase our local relevance in social media marketing, such as on Instagram, to better connect with Indian consumers. Additionally, through our investment in ICC Cricket-related initiatives, we hope that we’ll be able to bring about more brand awareness in tier-2 and 3 markets as well.

    On future expansion plans

    In general, we’ve obviously launched new categories beyond accommodation. We were primarily an accommodation player previously. Now we have launched, flights, cars, and attractions, with flights being live in over 50 countries globally now.

    In India, it’s been live for about 18 months. We are also continuously expanding our range of attractions, forming partnerships with companies like Kluck and Viator in the Asia Pacific region. We want to become the one-stop shop for somebody who’s traveling.

    Secondly, we’re investing also in the area of sustainability, because a lot of consumers want to travel more sustainably. They want to find sustainable options. So, we have a sustainable badge that we launched in 2021. This badge offers various levels of certification for accommodations and properties, allowing travelers to easily identify and choose sustainable options when booking.

    This is our effort to continue to meet the net zero ambitions in the hospitality and travel industry.

  • Varun Dhawan & Kriti Sanon front Fossil’s Fall 2023 collection campaign

    Varun Dhawan & Kriti Sanon front Fossil’s Fall 2023 collection campaign

    Mumbai: Fossil unveils its new global campaign ‘Made For This’ to the Indian market, with brand ambassadors Varun Dhawan & Kriti Sanon as the face of its revamped collection of timepieces, leather goods, and jewellery

    FOSSIL is excited to announce the launch of their latest campaign, Made For This. Alongside the campaign unveils, the brand reveals a complete overhaul of its creative expression across all touchpoints, inclusive of a modernized brand image and premium product assortment.

    “Made For This is the culmination of extensive efforts across all areas of our business, in all regions, with both internal and external partners. We dug deep into Fossil’s nearly 40-year heritage and explored not only the role Fossil has played in so many lives for so long but also how the next generation of consumers is connecting most deeply with brands. The result of this work is our multi-year strategy that will bring our beloved heritage brand into its next era and to a new audience,” says Lisa Pillette, Chief Marketing Officer at Fossil Group. “A core element to this journey is a shared value between Fossil and our consumers: the ownership of one’s time. They’re incredibly thoughtful that time is spent with purpose, intentionality and community. Each way in which Fossil is a part of someone’s life—crafting leather goods that get better with age, the intention behind a watch’s intricate details, the methods in which we connect with our audience—is similarly defined by the time and care taken to create lasting products to be alongside them.”

    The holistic brand work also extends into the product, including the identification of refreshed signature design elements, premiumization of materials and a refined design vision with the establishment of iconic platforms across categories—elevating the line to coincide with the revitalised brand ethos.

    “As people experience moments, big and small, we want Fossil to be present and an important companion on their journey,” said Melissa Lowenkron, chief brand officer. “Fossil has a rich history built on innovation and craftsmanship. Our brand strategy focuses on product elevation across watches, leather goods and jewellery. This includes deliberate attention to design, incorporation of premium materials and establishing identifiable signature design elements across categories.

    The Crest

    Fossil is known for its original graphics. It has created thousands of illustrations over its nearly 40-year history that have shown up across every aspect of the brand—from tins to advertisements to the products themselves. The Fossil Crest is a special icon that has been used since the beginning—and one that kept coming back throughout the decades. Like all crests, its design carries a piece of the Fossil legacy. Look for it across the collections—a defining Fossil design element bridging the past to the future.

    Legacy Charm

    Fossil has always celebrated individuality and creativity. The new Legacy Charm is made to be personalised with your favourite letters or initials. With a nod to Fossil’s watchmaking heritage, this engravable charm is inspired by classic pocket watches. It rotates to evoke a globe, an important icon throughout Fossil’s history and a reminder of all the places you’ll go. The Legacy Charm tells Fossil’s story-now let it tell yours.

    Signature Knurling

    A defining texture of Fossil watches through the decades—knurling is inspired by American innovation. This diamond-etched texture was created for functional purposes, to make metal tools easier to handle and work with. Fossil used its Signature Knurling to add grip to its watch crowns since the beginning, but today you can find this distinctive texture across all of the brand’s accessories, from watches to leather goods.

    Heritage D-Link’s

    Timeless design that ingeniously blends form and function has always inspired Fossil creations. The d-link is just this kind of design—it’s as stylish as it is functional. To make it their own, Fossil softened its aesthetic, paired it with its signature materials and featured it as an iconic design element across their watch, jewellery and bag collections. Whether it links a watch strap to its case or forms a sculptural chain to wear— the Fossil Heritage D-Link connects design heritage to modern style.

    “It’s an absolute delight for me to collaborate with Fossil as we celebrate the enduring legacy and rich heritage of this iconic brand through its new Made For This Global campaign. Thoughtful design and innovation are the foundation of Fossil timepieces, and this shines brilliantly in the Fall 2023 collection. It seamlessly blends Fossil’s tradition of exceptional craftsmanship with contemporary styles. Whether it’s a significant life event or a casual day, I rely on Fossil timepieces to elevate my look and express my style.” said Fossil India brand ambassador Varun Dhawan

    Timepieces

    Timepieces

    An instant classic, Carraway is thoughtfully designed down to every last detail. With a two-layered dial in navy or gold tones, curved-for-your-wrist case and bracelet options of two-tone or gold-tone stainless steel 7-link bracelet, or leather strap with soft nubuck lining, it’s as timeless as it is comfortable.

    Fossil

    This 45mm Machine features a grey brushed sunray dial, automatic movement and a brown LiteHide leather strap.

    Fossil

    Our most innovative dive-style watch is tested to 100 meters of water resistance and tracks multiple time zones*. The Fossil Blue GMT also features a rotating 24-hr. bezel, bold oversized crown and lume indices for easy readability. Made for any adventure.

    Purposeful design details define our time-honoured watch collection, Fossil Blue Dive. This dive-style timepiece is expertly crafted with a three-link stainless steel bracelet, geometric indices and a unidirectional rotating top ring. Tested to 100 meters of water resistance*.

    “The Made For This campaign beautifully commemorates Fossil’s incredible journey, connecting its timeless history to its exciting future plans. The Fall 2023 collection is a testament to this vision, exploring classic and vintage elements to create fresh and modern designs. With a diverse range of choices, the collection allows me to showcase different facets of my personal style. I’m truly thrilled to be part of this remarkable campaign and can’t wait to share it with the world.” said Fossil India brand ambassador Kriti Sanon

    Fossil

    The 23mm Raquel features a white satin dial, three-hand date movement and a black LiteHide leather strap.

    A true icon from our archives, the rectangular Raquel watch is updated for the current moment. Slim and versatile, it features a mother-of-pearl watch face with a glitz inner-frame, three-hand date movement and a brushed and polished two-tone 7-link bracelet.

    Fossil

    This 38mm Scarlette features a gold sunray dial, three-hand date movement and a gold-tone stainless steel bracelet.

    Fossil

    Introducing Lennox, a beautifully crafted, elevated handbag collection that transcends trends with its rich, smooth-grain leather, suede microfiber lining and contrast stitching. Available in various sizes and colourways – including mahogany Italian leather embossed with a lizard-scale texture-it features our signature Crest closure and Legacy Charm. It’s sure to establish its status as your newest must-carry.    

    Fossil

    A reinterpretation of an “it” shape from the ‘90s, this refined version of our crescent-shaped bag is replete with thoughtful details. Outfitted in soft black leather, Harwell features saddle stitching, a leather-wrapped buckle, knurled studs—a design code adopted from our watches—and an adjustable strap.

    Fossil

    Our Fossil Heritage Jewelry collection is defined by bold, iconic hardware and refined finishes. This striking gold-tone collection features a necklace with mother-of-pearl charm and lobster clasp, an anchor chain necklace with our signature D-link design that can be worn solo or layered with your favourite necklaces. It also includes a gold-tone bangle with a D-link design, and earrings with clear glass crystals can be worn solo as an everyday piece, or stacked with your favourite studs and hoops.

    Fossil

    Introducing the Candy Jewels collection—a modern take on elements of Art Deco. The on-trend pinky cocktail ring features a cushion-cut emerald green crystal with a navy enamel border (available in sizes 3-9).   

    Fossil

    The Fossil hoop earrings feature gold-tone stainless steel and hoop closures. The multi-strand necklace features gold-tone stainless steel and a lobster clasp closure.

  • Too Yumm! Introduces BHOOT Chips in a fiery collaboration with Naagin

    Too Yumm! Introduces BHOOT Chips in a fiery collaboration with Naagin

    Mumbai: New Age snacking brand Too Yumm! from Guiltfree Industries, a part of the FMCG division of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group bids to rekindle the spirit of innovation and taste in the snacking category with this tantalizing and exhilarating new flavour – Too Yumm! BHOOT Chips. Infused with the searing heat of India’s spiciest Chilli, Bhut Jholokia, Too Yumm! attempts an exceptional collaboration that marks an industry-first; teams up with India’s pioneer hot sauce brand, Naagin, to deliver an unparalleled snacking experience that tantalises the taste buds and ignites the senses.

    Too Yumm! and Naagin, both catering to the preferences of today’s vibrant and dynamic youth, have united to create an exceptional product that not only boasts intense heat but is also astonishingly delectable, making it impossible to resist. Not content with revolutionising just the product, Too Yumm! has infused innovation into every aspect of BHOOT Chips. From its distinctive flavor and eye-catching packaging to its evocative name and holistic digital-first approach, the brand has orchestrated an immersive snacking experience. 

    Brand ambassador Varun Dhawan, also shared his experience with their followers – “Fiery on the outside and equally spicy on the inside. BHOOT Chips ka jhatka sach me yaad raha.” 

    KL Rahul, an Indian cricketer, has also joined Dhawan as the brand ambassador for Too Yumm! Chips. He has also expressed his delight for the product through a reaction video, “Too Yumm! Has struck gold again with Bhut Jholokia Chillies – a truly exceptional creation, BHOOT Chips indeed!”

     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by KL Rahul (@klrahul)

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Cv7dAxwrnYB/

    Embracing a comprehensive digital-first strategy, Too Yumm! has harnessed a myriad of digital platforms to connect with its audience on their preferred channels – including influencer collaborations, engaging AR filters, vibrant Twitter conversations, and more. 

    Commenting on the launch, Guiltfree Industries Ltd. vice president – marketing Yogesh Tewari said, “Too Yumm! Being a new age brand always aims to cater to the needs of today’s dynamic youth, and it is this passion to disrupt the category that has birthed this innovative flavour. The team has worked out such a wonder with BHOOT Chips that once tasted, you cannot resist them. The taste and spice blend of these BHOOT Chips is just perfect.”

    Naagin co-founder Mikhel Rajani also commented on the launch, “Innovation and originality is at the heart of all our products at Naagin. When we got the opportunity to work with Too Yumm!, an Indian brand that shares the same values as us, a successful collaboration was inevitable. Adding our twist to their amazing product has led us to the oh-so-wonderful BHOOT CHIPS!”

  • At ‘Creator Day’ in Delhi, Meta highlights its commitment to the Indian creator economy

    At ‘Creator Day’ in Delhi, Meta highlights its commitment to the Indian creator economy

    Mumbai: Meta (formerly Facebook) highlighted its commitment to creators in Delhi and across the country by organising its first ‘Creator Day’ in Delhi-NCR.

    ‘Creator Day’ is Meta’s annual flagship event to celebrate creators and provides an opportunity for them to create, collaborate, and learn from each other. The 2022 version of the event is unique because it took place across five cities: Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Delhi, which was the city for the event finale. It is also the first time, at ‘Creator Day’, that Meta provided the fans an opportunity to meet and interact with creators – an engagement aimed at strengthening their relationship.

    In the run-up to the event, creators Komal Pandey, Saloni Gaur, Vishnu Kaushal, Sushant Divgikr, RJ Abhinav, Avneet Kaur, Aksh Baghla, Game Guru, and Shlok were ambassadors for ‘Creator Day,’ with them featuring on outdoor ads that were visible in different parts of the city. Over 350 creators finally attended the event and had the opportunity to sit through sessions on collaborating with each other in the best possible manner, on brand partnerships, and on inspirational creator growth stories.

    Meta highlighted the way creators from the north of India like RJ Karishma, Shubham Gour, Amulya Rattan, and Naveen Singh aka @bihariladka are pushing culture through their content and building loyal communities all through their content on reels.

    Facebook India (Meta) director & head of partnerships Manish Chopra said, “Young people across India, and what some call Bharat, are expressing themselves on reels and being discovered by audiences across the country. They’re becoming the new generation of creators, with a national following, in the process shaping culture and influencing trends. For this reason, we believe a key pillar of India’s new economy is going to be built and fuelled by creators. And with reels, everyone has a stage to be a global icon of tomorrow.”

    Actor Varun Dhawan was a part of the opening keynote, as he shared the way he’s inspired by creators as well. He said, “It’s impressive the way young people are showcasing their talent on reels, and how they’re breaking through every day, every moment. Being authentic and keeping experimenting is the best advice I can give creators. From Student of the Year to the upcoming Bhediya, these are two principles I’ve lived by and maybe that’s something you could follow too. I wish you the best in finding your own path and being advocates for your collective success. I’m glad Meta’s providing you with opportunities like Creator Day, and I’m happy I got to be a part of it too.”

  • Colors Cineplex and Colors to premiere ‘Jugjugg Jeeyo’

    Colors Cineplex and Colors to premiere ‘Jugjugg Jeeyo’

    Mumbai: This Diwali, get ready to embrace the double dhamaka of entertainment with the television premiere of the movie Jugjugg Jeeyo on Colors Cineplex and Colors.

    Colors Cineplex is all set to present the premiere of Jugjugg Jeeyo on 22 October at 8 p.m. The film will also be aired on Colors on 24 October at 12:00 p.m.

    Viacom18’s premium movie channel, Colors Cineplex, showcases blockbusters from its vast repertoire of movies, spanning various titles with a mix of Hindi originals and dubbed titles from other languages, consolidating its library of superhit films with a robust addition.

    Directed by Raj Mehta, Jugjugg Jeeyo chronicles the marital issues of two couples from different generations while taking the viewers through a volley of emotions, hilarity, and drama. The movie, set against the picturesque backdrop of Punjab, delves into issues of love and family values. This dramedy, starring Varun Dhawan, Anil Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Neetu Kapoor, Maniesh Paul, and Prajakta Koli, has received widespread acclaim for its high level of entertainment.

    Viacom 18 Hindi mass entertainment and kids TV network head Nina Elavia Jaipuria said, “An out-and-out family entertainer, Jugjugg Jeeyo is one of the most successful movies of the year and it brings us immense pleasure to have its television premiere on Colors Cineplex and Colors. It’s our special Diwali offering of a power-packed dose of entertainment for the viewers. We’re thrilled to showcase a movie that rides on high-octane drama and comedy while capturing the cultural pulse of India.”

    Viacom18 Hindi movies cluster business head Rohan Lavsi said, “After fortifying our presence in the movie space by showcasing acclaimed blockbusters, we are thrilled to present Jugjugg Jeeyo, a perfect family entertainer this Diwali. While the movie has broken numerous records and emerged as a massive blockbuster, we are confident of taking its success on television a few notches higher with its premiere. Premised on family drama and relationships, the film will strengthen our arsenal of content offerings and enhance the variety of our movie library. We hope that the viewers enjoy the world television premiere of one of the most loved blockbusters of the year.”

  • IIFA Weekend & Awards: Abu Dhabi to host the 23rd edition of the event in Feb 2023

    IIFA Weekend & Awards: Abu Dhabi to host the 23rd edition of the event in Feb 2023

    Mumbai: The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend And Awards, which brings together the best of the Indian film industry, will return to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, in February 2023. IIFA 2023 will be held in collaboration with the department of culture and tourism in Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Miral, which creates immersive destinations and experiences.

    The 22nd edition of IIFA this year at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, was hosted by Salman Khan, Riteish Deshmukh and Maniesh Paul. It had performances by talent from the Indian film fraternity. The three-day awards weekend was attended by more than 350 media from 17 countries across the globe, and more than 20,000 people thronged the arena.

    The 23rd edition of IIFA will again be hosted at the world-class Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi—the Middle East’s largest state-of-the-art indoor entertainment venue in February 2023. The upcoming edition will see Salman Khan, Varun Dhawan, Karan Johar, Kriti Sanon, and many more in attendance.

    For many decades, India and Abu Dhabi have had strong cultural and commercial ties. IIFA Weekend & Awards will be a celebration of togetherness and positivity, returning to Yas Island in Abu Dhabi and enhancing, strengthening, and building even stronger bonds. IIFA 2023 will be a grand celebration of the best talent in Indian cinema, bringing together global dignitaries, international media, fans, and film enthusiasts worldwide. The aim is to also present a greater opportunity for long-term impact in tourism, trade, and the film production business for the destination.

    IIFA VP Noreen Khan said, “IIFA this year was an amazing experience thanks to the wonderful partners Miral and DCT. Coming back after two years, we really worked hard to deliver the very best of live entertainment again. The best part was that the entire weekend delivered a positive experience for everyone who witnessed or experienced the event in any way. We have been inundated with unprecedented appreciation and comments from everyone who truly has had a wonderful time this year in Abu Dhabi, and so we are pleased and excited to bring it all back again, but with much more magic to come next year.”

    DCT Abu Dhabi DG for Tourism HE Saleh Mohamed Al-Geziry said, “We are honoured to once more welcome the IIFA Weekend and Awards to the Etihad Arena. With the eyes of the world’s film industry upon us, we have an amazing opportunity to share with the world Abu Dhabi’s exciting nightlife, inspiring cultural experiences, and restorative escapes. The awards in February can only enhance our reputation as a global centre for top-tier leisure, entertainment, and business events.

    Miral executive director of group communications and destination marketing Taghrid Al Saeed said, “We were thrilled to see the immediate impact that IIFA presented to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi when we hosted the event last June, which created great engagement around the world. We are excited to be back hosting again this year and to be the first destination to consecutively hold the IIFA Weekend and Awards.  We are proud of this partnership, which is already delivering valuable business and tourism opportunities from India to the island.  The return of this great event is another testament to Yas Island’s position as a global entertainment and leisure destination as well as an international events hub.”

    People can now buy tickets to the awards ceremony spanning over three days at https://www.etihadarena.ae/en/ from 30 September 2022. The price range begins at 100 AED and goes up to 1,500 AED. People can now get an opportunity to buy tickets to the celebration of Indian Cinema at https://www.etihadarena.ae/en/box-office or head to www.yas island.ae where fans can add all that they need for their visit to Yas Island as a travel package.

  • It’s very disappointing that this wasn’t caught before going live: ASCI CEO on suspended Layer’r Shot’s ad

    It’s very disappointing that this wasn’t caught before going live: ASCI CEO on suspended Layer’r Shot’s ad

    Mumbai: Deodorant ads have not exactly been known to propagate gender sensitivity values. However, two recent controversial advertisements from deo brand Layer’r Shot probably take the cake in offending gender sensibilities. The latest ad film from the brand raised a stink on social media with several netizens flagging the commercials, accusing them of promoting rape culture, trivialising sexual violence against women, and being plain creepy. So much so that even the MIB (ministry of information and broadcasting) sat up and took notice.

    The ministry on Saturday wrote to social media platforms, Twitter and YouTube to remove the offending video commercials of the deo brand for their alleged obscene content.

    The move came after the advertising self-regulatory body, Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) found the ads to be in serious breach of its code and against the public interest, and ordered its suspension.

    Following the ministry’s action, the channel Sony ten 1, which originally aired the ad during a sports telecast, has pulled it down.

    Coming right on the back of the Asci updating its code to prevent new areas of possible discrimination or derision, the council was alerted to the offending ad for the deodorant product on the morning of 3 June 2022, ASCI CEO & secretary general Manisha Kapoor told IndianTelevision.com. After seeing the ad, which was in serious violation of Chapter II of the ASCI code against offensive advertising, the council immediately invoked a special process called “Suspended Pending Investigation (SPI)”.

    On the same day, the industry body informed the advertiser of the decision to suspend the advertising and invited the advertiser’s response, which would be tabled before the Consumer Complaints Council in the coming days, Kapoor added.

    The SPI, Kapoor informed, is invoked, in exceptional circumstances, when it appears prima facie that an advertisement is in serious breach of the ASCI code and its continued transmission on any medium causes public harm, injury, or its continuation is against the public interest. In which case, the company would, pending investigation, forthwith direct the advertiser/the advertising agency/the media buying agency and the media concerned to suspend the advertisement with immediate effect.

    The first of the ads features a couple getting intimate in a bedroom. Four of the guy’s friends barge into the room, sneer at the couple and ask a seemingly loaded and crude question. After a few moments of suspense, wherein the girl is seen visibly getting alarmed at what the guys’ true intentions are, the ad reveals that the friends were simply asking if they can use the Shot deo kept in the room!

    Layer’r shot deo ad #1

     

     

    The second ad plays out along similar lines, where the four men are showcased indulging in an animated conversation at a supermarket. A woman is shown in the forefront, while they discuss who will take the “shot” since there are four of them and just one of “it”. Again, the ad plays on the fear factor of the woman, as she looks back in alarm at the four men, only to find that they are talking about the single bottle of the Shot deo left in the store, while the ad makes it look as if they are talking about her.

    Layer’r shot deo ad #2

     

     

    Needless to add, such casual propagation of sexual violence is alarming and completely unacceptable in a country like ours, which’s already reeling under the problem, as was pointed out by several netizens.

    Does the ad industry watchdog need to be more proactive in weeding out such ‘bad apples’ before they hit our screens, we ask Kapoor.

    She responds that everyone in the ecosystem has a role to play, including the advertiser, agency, production partners, and endorsers. “An ad goes through many layers of discussions and approvals, and it is very disappointing that such ads were not weeded out,” Kapoor said.

    Adding that ASCI takes action on already-released ads, she points out, “We do offer a pre-production advisory service which responsible advertisers can use in order to ensure that their ad does not have objectionable or misleading content. Due diligence done can prevent this sort of incident from being repeated.”

    Kapoor also noted that the channel has stopped airing the ad after the intervention of ASCI and the MIB. “We expect the ad being played on YouTube to be pulled down shortly.”

    Layer’r Shot’s mother company Adjavis Venture was incorporated in 2013. Its current portfolio includes body deodorants, body spray and perfumes.

    The same brand had released a ‘woke’ commercial in 2018, featuring actor Varun Dhawan. Which is in stark contrast to, and seems to go completely against the grain of its own messaging propagated by its recent ads. The slogan for the earlier ad went (believe it or not!): ‘Gandi soch ki badbu no more, soch ho khushbudar’ in regards to misogynistic, petty and shallow thoughts of people. The creative was credited to Triton Communications agency.

    Watch the 2018 Varun Dhawan ad here:

    The latest set of offending ads, however, are not conceptualised by Triton, Kapoor clarified. “To the best of our knowledge this is an in-house ad,” she added.

    Well, going from its latest creatives, it looks like the brand could do with a dose of its own product for some “khushbudaar soch”, even as it is in dire need of some fresh ideas to remove the stink kicked up by its recent ads.

  • Skybags unveils campaign ‘Chase The World’ with Varun Dhawan

    Skybags unveils campaign ‘Chase The World’ with Varun Dhawan

    Mumbai: Skybags has unveiled a new brand campaign “Chase The World” with Varun Dhawan, highlighting three of its recently launched most stylish range of luggage bags – the Globerunner, the Openskies and the Abstract. Keeping in mind the Gen Z traveller’s aspirations to stand out and explore, the campaign showcases fashion-forward bags featuring bold, colourful and maximalist designs.

    The campaign aims to rightly capture the impulsive, fun and fashion sensibilities of today’s youth. The actor and youth icon has been representing the brand Skybags for a few years now. Skybags is the pioneer and market leader in the printed hard luggage category in India.

    Varun’s vibe connects with millennials and GenZ consumers, who are looking to make a statement with stylish & eye-catching Skybags design and functionality.

    With Varun Dhawan urging youngsters to Chase the world, the campaign taps into the aspirations of a growing number of young people who want to venture out in search of new experiences, wanting to scale new heights in their lives. It is expected to stoke people’s desire to travel, encouraging viewers to get their ‘bucket lists’ out and get ready to make it real. It will resonate with the millennial and GenZ travel enthusiasts who had to spend large parts of the past two years being holed up at home on account of intermittent lockdowns.

    The campaign is ready for a 360-degree launch across a range of media like TV, Cinema, digital platforms & OOH for a maximum impact. Interaction between the brand & the audience will be on the digital platforms, where people like to share their travel experiences through pictures, Vlogs and more. These new-age travellers want to look their best across various locales, with the trendiest gear on them.

    Speaking about this campaign, VIP Industries vice-president-marketing Praful Gupta said, “The global unlock, signals the bouncing back of the travel and hospitality industry. To celebrate the new normal, we aim to connect very closely with our target millennial and Gen Z consumers who are all set to chase the world in style. We have endeavoured to reach out to the millennials who are always in quest of something truly unique and trendy. Both the campaign and the collection aim to capture this essence. Through our campaign, we are geared to cater specifically to the needs of this segment.”

     

  • Kingfisher ropes in Rashmika Mandanna, Varun Dhawan as brand ambassadors

    Kingfisher ropes in Rashmika Mandanna, Varun Dhawan as brand ambassadors

    Mumbai: United Breweries Ltd has roped in actors Rashmika Mandanna and Varun Dhawan as brand ambassadors for its iconic brand Kingfisher. The association will kick off Kingfisher’s ‘Spread the Cheer’ campaign, focused on celebrating this year as the ‘Year of the Cheer.’

    Through this campaign, Kingfisher has also created an exciting dance hook-step with Rashmika and Varun as their way of spreading the cheer. The TVC is shot by Raylin Valles and the music is composed by Ram Sampath.

    “Kingfisher has brought joy and energy to the lives of consumers over the years and has always been India’s first choice of a social beverage.  As we look back on this journey with humble pride, we also look ahead with renewed resolve to further strengthen our consumer connections, enhance the aspirational and iconic brand codes and dial up differentiated consumer engagement experiences,” stated United Breweries Ltd CMO Debabrata Mukherjee. “The ever-evolving consumer landscape and the continuous tectonic shifts in the media platforms are energizing us to strive for more in the way we approach integrated marketing communications and how we build winning partnerships. We are thrilled that Rashmika and Varun are joining forces with us as our brand ambassadors as we embark on this invigorating voyage.”

    “For me, Kingfisher represents passion, enjoyment and living life to the fullest. The last two years have been tough for everyone because of the pandemic and now I hope we all spread the cheer with Kingfisher and come together to have a good time,” said Varun Dhawan.

    “Kingfisher is one of the most iconic brands to have come out of India, enjoyed not just locally but across the world. I am very excited to be a part of the Kingfisher brand family,” added Rashmika Mandanna.

  • Battle of the boxers: ASCI dismisses Amul Macho’s complaint against Lux Cozi

    Battle of the boxers: ASCI dismisses Amul Macho’s complaint against Lux Cozi

    Mumbai: Lux Cozi has won the legal battle against Amul Macho regarding its latest advertisement starring actor Varun Dhawan. In a significant ruling, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has overruled the complaint filed by the rival innerwear brand stating that there was no similarity between the two ads in terms of concept and executional elements.

    Earlier this month, Amul Macho had alleged that Lux Cozi had “blatantly copied” its ‘Toing’ ad from 2007 and subsequently approached Asci to intervene. However, after inspection, the industry watchdog observed that there was no resemblance in the two advertisements. Asci dismissed Amul Macho’s accusation of plagiarism against Lux Cozi as ‘baseless’.

    According to the Consumer Complaints Council (CCC), the Lux Cozi’s ad is not at all similar to Amul Macho’s earlier TVC in general layout, copy, slogans, visual presentations, music, or sound effects, so as to suggest plagiarism. The CCC further concluded that Lux’s advertisement was not in contravention of chapter four of the ASCI Code related to fairness in competition and rejected Amul Macho’s complaint.

    According to a statement issued by Lux Industries, the win reiterates Lux’s brand equity over baseless claims by Amul Macho.

    Lux industries executive director Saket Todi said the Lux Cozi advertisement is unique on individual points as well as in totality, and any semblance is fleeting and only in respect of elements commonly used in the trade, such as shape and colour of the garment. “It is now an established fact that the advertisement bears no similarity whatsoever. The complainant’s advertisement was last aired in 2007, and thereafter, banned. No reputation, goodwill, or brand equity can be vested in publicity/marketing material that has been banned to the public for the last 14 years. We respect the verdict by Asci,” he added.