WFB Baird, stitching a growth story for linen
Bought a Ralph Lauren linen shirt? Or one from Tommy Hilfiger? Chances are the linen would have been made in Kerala by an Irish linen company WFB Baird and Co. The Irish company that dates back to 1912 is one…
O is for OTPs: Outrageously tedious pain-points
Ever felt like you’re drowning in a sea of one-time passwords while trying to make a simple online transaction? If you have, welcome to the club of those who believe OTPs should actually be dubbed OPTs — Overwhelmingly Persistent Texts….
The national creators awards: Padma 2.0!
Bhopal. Madhubani. Jai Khor. Ajmer. Sonipat. Prayagraj. Even Chamoli. The recently-held National Creators Award was like the Padma Awards of social media — most nominees were from non-major metros. Even remote districts many hadn’t heard of. There’s a refreshing wind…
‘Never follow a leader, be a disruptor’
In New Delhi’s Okhla business district is a swank, airy, modern building — Mankind Pharma’s corporate office. It’s a building that would look more at home in Gurgaon where the ritzy business towers are. But Rajeev Juneja, MD and Vice-Chairman…
Unveiling Arcadia: The roll of bespoke luxury
You can see, but you can’t touch it! It was an exclusive ‘Coachbuild’ preview of the latest Roll-Royce Motor Cars model for just a few of us from around the world, before the magnificent piece of art was to be…
N for Nightie: Whispers under the Aala Maram
On a sunny afternoon, under the shadow of a mighty Aala Maram (Banyan tree), in the midst of Palakkad’s bustling streets, hung Srimati Saree, Madame Nightie, and Rani Salwar Kameez, chatting away like old friends, with Dear Dupatta by their…
Never Follow the Leader, Try and Disrupt the Market: Rajeev Juneja
ankind Pharma entered the OTC products space as a challenger brand in categories like condoms and antacids and yet managed to grab consumer mind space. Vice chairman and MD, Rajeev Juneja shares some of the marketing strategies of the company,…
M for Mixer : The speedy revolution in women’s lives
Several members of Pulkit’s family had questioned his love for cooking, but he was convinced that it was the only thing he wanted to do. “The kitchen is not a man’s domain,” some of them had said. His parents supported…
The many shades of aspiration — from the utilitarian to the romantic
As we head towards International Women’s Day later this week, I would like to pray tribute to a woman who has deeply influenced my thinking about Indian consumers. Rama Bijapurkar was my professor at business school four decades ago. There,…
The mall makeover: Driving footfalls through promotions, pop ups and fests
I was surprised when I got a call from the manager of the local supermarket recently to tell me that they were running a discount sale over the next few days and as a valued customer to make sure not…
Mind mapping the new Indian consumer
How is the Indian consumer changing? Well, she is showing more self love, taking great pride in all things Indian, showing a growing desire to retire young and sample the good things of life and is very aware and reading…
Generation Equality Ally – The Hindu BusinessLine
Women’s Premier League (WPL) team UP Warriorz owned by Capri Sports, has been recognised by UN Women as a ‘Generation Equality Ally’. The team will be the sole sporting entity to join other Generation Equality Allies, selected by UN Women…
On the campaign trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
Brands typically march into March with women’s day campaigns and we have already seen a few get off to an early start on the theme of “inspiring inclusion”. Rising above narrow vision Urban Company’s nearly four-minute long ad film on…
Health influencers: Sift chaff from whole wheat
Who hasn’t come across a chirpy Insta health influencer telling us what to eat, how to sleep, how to rest, how to make love, how to be mentally healthy, spiritually fulfilled, and so on? Now, wait. Don’t get me wrong….
Luna: Electric from Kinetic – The Hindu BusinessLine
Nearly half a century ago, when the Kinetic Group Chairman Arun Firodia decided to develop and manufacture the Luna — the two-wheeler that became an iconic symbol of its time, complete with the catchy jingle ‘Chal meri Luna’ (let’s go,…
Growing appetite for dining out
In its latest report titled ‘Winning recipe for food brands in India’, Redseer Strategy Consultants says there is a surge in eating out among diverse age groups in metro and Tier-1 cities. Food service revenue will cross $100-billion mark by…
On the campaign trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
Superbowl season is when adland shows its creative best — so this fortnight we trained our lens on the commercials that wowed viewers on game nights in the US. Back home, the Valentine mush continued, though this time, smart brands…
Adding byte to digital marketing
Publicis Commerce India has launched a digital growth marketing playbook in conjunction with Amazon Ads. It identifies challenges such as rising competition, technological disruptions, uncertain demand, and rising costs, and suggests provides directions for growth marketing. It traces the digital…
General elections, IPL to drive Indian ad revenue growth in 2024
Ad revenue forecasts are out with GroupM India, dentsu and Madison World putting out reports. While figures vary, the trends are similar in all three. Digital is driving growth, powered by retail media. Also read:BCCI Invites bids for IPL title…
M is for Mosquito repellent: Bringing families closer
Every evening, Neil’s mother would send him off to play only after she had applied mosquito repellent on his tiny hands and legs. The hint of neem in it confirmed the efficacy for her, but Neil didn’t like its smell….
Driving customer loyalty and earning higher brand value
We’re all in awe of how well Netflix knows its end consumers – personalising homepages tailored to every viewer based on their viewing history, “Because you viewed YYYY, you may like XXXX.” Another excellent example of a consumer brand that…
Heaven in a dumpling: call of the momos
During a recent visit to Kolkata, my wife insisted that I accompany her to a small Tibetan restaurant called ‘The Blue Poppy Thakali’. She said that the place would surprise me. And indeed, it did. Momos by Doma Wang The…
Asus has the highest young gen consumers in India
Arnold Su, Vice President, Consumer and Gaming PC, System Business Group, Asus India, is preparing for a Triathlon in March and so these days he’s jogging, cycling and swimming intensely. The marketer who loves marathons says his most memorable run…
How DNFT can create more buzz and revenues for the film industry
For the film industry, which witnessed a decline in the number of movie-goers post-Covid, decentralised non-fungible token (DNFT) has opened a new avenue for revenue. Introduced by UK-based Techbank Movies London the innovative technology offers production houses an opportunity to…
L is for Lunchbox: The Great Uniter
Adil would go to school with his Milton lunchbox hung around the sleeve of his uniform. It was like an identity card for a school-going child. His friends could spot him in a crowd from a mile away just by…
On the campaign trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
The month of love is here, so be prepared for a lot of mush; though chocolate maker Cadbury cleverly balances it by taking a different line with different products. Zoya plays cupid for Silk Cadbury Silk from Mondelez India is…
New agency launch: Why not now?
Sharad Gupta, former Vice President and Lead-Corporate Communications at Escorts Kubota Ltd, has unveiled his new venture, WNN – WHY NOT NOW, a brand advisory firm dedicated to transforming the landscape of marketing and strategic brand development. Gupta who has…
Brand Bopanna: Oldest Grand Slam winner is also an entrepreneur, has own coffee line
Rohan Bopanna’s Grand Slam win at the Australian Open soon after becoming the World No 1 in the ATP World Doubles Rankings, has triggered a buzz about age being no bar to realise dreams. From PM Modi to corporate honcho…
Godrej unlocks memories from the the almirah to share its biz history
Imagine a fat book devoted to the art of sitting! From the Frugal to the Ornate, Stories of the Seat in India is a delightful chronicle of an everyday object that is indispensable in our lives. The book, put together…
Sleep well, sleep adequate: Virat Kohli
Ace cricketer Virat Kohli, who is a fitness enthusiast, has said that one should have quality sleep to do lead a health life. Kohli, who has been appointed as a brand ambassador for sleep solutions provider Duroflex, said he understod…
The power of creativity is not in chat GPT but in solving problems: Dheeraj Sinha
At Goafest 2023, Leo Burnett India was crowned the Creative Agency of the Year at the Abby Oneshow Awards 2023. It was also named Branded Content & Entertainment Specialist Agency of the Year and Brand Activation & Promotions Specialist Agency of…
Destination Ayodhya: The city of the moment
India’s crowded pantheon of temple towns has got one more shrine city added to the mix. With the consecration of the Ram Mandir, being built at a cost of over ₹1,800 crore in the Nagara style, on the banks of…
Hey, stupid! Get off WhatsApp!
Is WhatsApp damaging young people’s careers by stunting their intellectual growth?
Trends from CES 2024 – The Hindu BusinessLine
This year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) — the year beginning event in Las Vegas that showcases not only transformative technology, but also gives pointers on the future of marketing — predictably saw a lot of buzz around AI. The use…
McCann is ‘agency of the year’
McCann Worldgroup India was named Agency of the Year at the Advertising Club’s ‘EFFIE India Awards 2023’. Mondelez India was judged the EFFIE India Client of the Year, while the coveted Grand EFFIE was won by Enormous for Jaquar’s campaign…
K for Kapda: The art of holding on
The A-Z Series: This series of short articles explores how familiar objects from everyday life embody concepts and values dear to the urban Indian middle class. It takes a light-hearted and humorous look at how objects shape our wants &…
Is there coffee in your wrist watch?
Last week, the luxury brand Hublot announced a very special range of wrist watches, called the “Hublot Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin”. What makes these products unique is that they are the first watches to be made of recycled Nespresso…
The Seven Principles of Creativity
“It is our responsibility to stop thinking about technology as anything other than a medium that makes us more creative and not less,” said Nick Law, Global Creative Chairperson, Accenture Song, during his session at GoaFest 2023. Laying down his…
Contemplating the future of creativity
Music vibrated at Goafest2023 — from Kanika Kapoor’s pulsating performance on day one to Papon’s effortless crooning on the final day, with McCann Worldwide Chief Prasoon Joshi’s impromptu renditions as well. Even cricketer Harbhajan Singh belted out a rousing number,…
Social media sentiment analysis of IPL 2023
On ground, it may seem as though Chennai Super Kings enjoyed the maximum support in the Indian Premier League 2023 edition, yet on social media, the team with the most conversations was Royal Challengers Bangalore, followed by Mumbai Indians and…
On the Campaign Trail. – The Hindu BusinessLine
IPL’s last fortnight saw some exciting brand collabs with franchises as the action hotted up on and off-field. Ready Madi Adi Matches featuring Chennai Super Kings always result in a sea of yellow in the stadium as fans turn up…
Techno Paints ropes in Actor Mahesh Babu as brand ambassador
Paints manufacturer Techno Paints has roped in South Indian film actor Mahesh Babu as its brand ambassador for a period of two years. “For the past 22 years, we have been offering quality paints and quality painting services to business…
.jpg "Unravelling the mystique of Sabyasachi")
Unravelling the mystique of Sabyasachi
It’s always the women who gift the inspirations. For Raj Kapoor it was the woman in white who would flit in and out of his mind and movies; for Christian Dior it was an aunt who imagined herself a princess…
‘I’m not hanging up my boots, but changing socks’
Sanjiv Mehta has been with Unilever for 31 years, ten as the MD and CEO of Hindustan Unilever, taking over in 2013. Mehta leaves behind a rich legacy, with turnover up by 2.3x, operating margins up by three-and-a-half times, market…
Understanding Bharat – The Hindu BusinessLine
Rediffusion and the University of Lucknow have come together to launch ‘The Bharat Lab’ — a consumer insights think tank aimed at delivering cultural and consumer insights about the people of Bharat, which it defines as Tier 2 and Tier…
On the Campaign Trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
Brands did a lot of moment-marketing around World Environment Day and Pride Month this time. But Zomato’s ‘kachra’ campaign featuring the character called Kachra from the movie ‘Lagaan’ backfired badly. Netizens took umbrage at what they perceived as caste discrimination…
Embracing m-commerce: The rise of a new frontier in retail
Smartphones, the core component of the new digital commerce growth, are shifting the field of action to m-commerce. M-commerce, or online transactions using handheld devices, is taking over the e-commerce industry simply because they offer easy access to products/services. As…
Harish Bhat is ranked 10 on Forbes list of top 50 global CMOs
For the second consecutive year, Forbes has ranked Tata group’s brand custodian Harish Bhat as among the top ten most influential CMOs (chief marketing officers). Bhat is ranked 10th on the latest list. He was at the ninth position last…
How to make your brand unmissable
Cannes is a beautiful place to visit, particularly during summer. The sea is azure blue, the air smells sweet and there are more yachts anchored in the Cannes harbour than I have ever seen in my entire life. This is…
A winning knock for Airtel by Leo Burnett
“It took a lot of hard work to do this campaign. I think I aged a bit while de-aging Kapil Dev,” exclaims Dheeraj Sinha, CEO, Leo Burnett South Asia, ecstatic after winning the gold for Airtel 175 Replayed at Cannes…
TVS Motor Company intervenes for a safe ride
At Cannes Lions 2023, TVS Motor Company’s campaign The Responsible Manhole, made by Dentsu Creative — an innovative initiative to prevent deaths due to submerged open manholes in the city of Mumbai — was shortlisted under the category – Brand…
On the Campaign Trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
The fortnight that went by was dominated by Father’s Day campaigns showing how much moment marketing drives ad content these days. Recipes for the perfect dad Godrej came out with a witty campaign — #PerfectForDadRecipe — that pays an ode…
The Zuck vs Musk Shootout
Elon Musk recently challenged Mark Zuckerberg to a ‘çage fight’ — a fight in a cage I guess — and the result was declared on July 5th. Zuck won hands down. He blew Musk — and his $44 billion social…
J is for Jeans: unravelling the threads of freedom
I remember the first time I got a pair of jeans. I felt so happy that there was finally an alternative to my boring school shorts. They were the best that happened to me, I didn’t feel like a kid…
Viacom18 ropes in 13 sponsors for India-Afghanistan T20 series
Viacom18 has roped in 13 sponsors for the India vs Afghanistan T20 series for both TV and digital. Tata Commercial Vehicles and HDFC Bank have come onboard as co-presenting sponsors. Associate sponsors for the T20 series include Matrimony.com, Eureka Forbes,,…
The six yard drape weaves a stunning growth story
The saree’s amazing comeback saga continued in 2023. In its year-end report Flip Trends 2023, online retailer FlipKart said that the most shopped lifestyle product in the year gone by was the saree. Other online retailers too reported a big…
If OTT in 2023 was about growth, in 2024 it will be about profitability
India’s OTT market, sized at $2.5 billion (this includes YouTube), went through a major disruption in 2023, as Jio Cinema offered the most premium content—Indian Premier League—free to users. This negatively impacted subscription revenue growth for peers and the industry…
Peaches and fitness—searching for new insights in the New Year
Welcome to 2024! This is the time when marketers are looking for new trends and insights that can power their brands during the new year. Several consulting and research firms have duly produced reports on the big consumer trends for…
Sanchayeeta Verma is new CEO of Carat India
Carat India, the media agency from the house of dentsu, has announced the appointment of Sanchayeeta Verma as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). She will report to Anita Kotwani, CEO Media, South Asia, dentsu. Verma will be based in Bangalore and…
How Rooftop created a new canvas for learning art
Imagine a platform where you can match brushstrokes with the top exponents of Pichwai, Phad, Bhil and other folk art forms. Chartered accountant turned entrepreneur Kartik Gaggar’s online art learning start-up Rooftop allows you to do just that. Through its…
The Biggies vibe: Grilling ahead with ‘a new taste’
At the bustling Biggies Burger outlet in Chennai’s Nexus Vijaya Mall, burgers spiced with distinct flavours are flying off the grill. People seem to be particularly digging the Tandoori Chicken fillet burger, loaded with rich sauce and succulent grilled patties….
UFO Moviez and Qube Cinema to join hands for cinema advertising
Digital cinema company UFO Moviez India Ltd and Qube Cinema Technologies Pvt Ltd have announced, subject to necessary approvals, their intention to forge a strategic alliance, proposing two 50:50 joint ventures aimed at bolstering recovery post-pandemic. One joint venture will…
On the Campaign Trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
Brands continued to invest in moment marketing with odes to days like World Social Media Day and Doctor’s Day that has yielded some enchanting work. Bonding over tea On the occasion of World Social Media Day, Brooke Bond Red Label…
Can You Handle Large-Scale Graphic Design Projects For Corporations?
Large-Scale Graphic Design Projects For Corporations Graphic design is a crucial skill for business of all kinds. Often, the quality of a marketing campaign is determined by the quality of its design – if a not-so-great message is delivered with…
Angels invest ₹1.35 cr in reality show start-ups
Several angels have announced an investment of Rs 1.35 crore in the startup companies promoted by contestants appearing in the first week of the business reality show ‘Nenu Super Woman’ (I’m a Super Woman) on the OTT platform aha. “To…
‘We are moving from reach to right reach’
Last week Adam Gerhart, Global CEO Mindshare, which won the Media network’s agency of the year at Cannes Lions, was in India. “One of the reasons I’m here is because the velocity, scale and the pace of change and development…
Why marketers need to look at the colour green
My new book, Office Secrets, was launched recently. This book offers a selection of useful workplace learnings and is also a light and fun read. As the book was being developed, my publishers and I were searching for a cover…
The swoosh and the squiggle: Is there a logic to logos?
Pepsi’s recent announcement of its new logo has put the spotlight on brand logos, those ubiquitous symbols that often convey much more about a brand than any textual description could.The redesign of Pepsi’s logo makes us wonder whether the design…
On the campaign trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
The most awaited event this year is the cricket world cup (CWC) that kicks off in October. On Thursday, 77 days before the first match, the International Cricket Council released its first ad campaign for CWC 2023. The two minute…
Whatsapp on a watch – The Hindu BusinessLine
WhatsApp has launched its standalone app for smartwatches running on Wear OS. You can start new conversations, reply to messages and take calls — all from your wrist, and no longer need a phone to stay connected. Meta CEO Mark…
How to build sustainable pricing power
With the current economic instability, senior leadership teams are scrambling to protect margins. The best prepared companies are the ones that never waver on brand building. They reap the benefits of consistency. They have built sustainable pricing power over the…
A is for air conditioner: The ultimate symbol of comfort in a tropical country
Once considered a luxury and now an essential in every household, I am the #UpparwalaInDemand, especially in the summer. To beat the outdoor heat, I overwork from 9 to… Oh, well, I don’t have a log-out time, I log out…
Celebrities on social media — Is brand fatigue creeping in?
If we are to continue this relationship on Instagram, then I must lay bare my rules of engagement,” wrote Zeenat Aman recently, on her Instagram account. The former actor — popularly called Zeenie baby — has been a hit on…
On the Campaign Trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
The start of August has seen a plethora of Friendship day ads — especially by young digital companies. Brand Indigo soared with some captivating work on its 17th birthday while Thums Up opened its innings for Cricket World Cup 2023…
Manzoor Alam joins Dentsu as Executive Creative Director
Dentsu Creative India has announced the appointment of Manzoor Alam as Executive Creative Director (ECD). Manzoor will spearhead teams working on brands like Honda Cars, Max Healthcare, Catch Spices, Royal Stag, 100 Pipers, Herbalife, Hamdard and Carlsberg, to name a…
Dipty Gurjar and Priyanka Magan join Rediffusion
Rediffusion has announced the appointment of Dipty Gurjar as Vice President and Client Servicing Head of Bombay 2. Dipty comes with a rich 15-plus years of experience across India and Australia; having worked on a mixed basket of brand categories…
How to market museums and bring brands into the space
Think museums and most people would imagine stuffy, academic places where the past is recreated and presented, and where the young would go only unwillingly. But museums can become thriving, throbbing experiential hubs — and a great place for brands…
On the Campaign Trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
The screens were dominated by Independence Day ads over the last fortnight as brands gave creative expression to the idea of freedom. Hearteningly, the ads showed on-ground effort by the brands. End dependence Federal Bank’s Independence Day campaign was themed…
B is for Backpack: A symbol of freedom & adventure for gen next
“Donkey! Gadha!” said an irate Briefcase. “Talking to me?” asked the Backpack in a perplexed tone. “Yes, you…you who have converted people into beasts of burden, carrying heavy weights on their back. I don’t understand how you young people want…
A digital island and a sonic trophy
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to chair the jury for the Drum Marketing Awards for the Asia Pacific region. These prestigious awards attract hundreds of entries. For many young marketers, winning a Drum Award is a career…
I is for Inverter: A reminder that nothing should be taken for granted in everyday life
The A-Z Series: This series of short articles explores how familiar objects from everyday life embody concepts and values dear to the urban Indian middle class. It takes a light-hearted and humorous look at how objects shape our wants &…
On the Campaign trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
For a year that started with inflation and recession worries and fears that it would impact ad volumes, brand spends on campaigns remained fairly healthy in 2023 — thanks to marquee events like the IPL in the first half of…
What’s been cooking—food flavours that took centre of the plate
What was on your plate in 2023? With millet mania sweeping the country, you must have added it to your meal plan. All major food brands as well as start-ups served up ragi, foxtail, barnyard and kodo millet in one…
Cool creators and companies that use digital in smart, funky ways
So we’ve come to the last column of the year and before anything else, thanks for your support. For the last column this year, some of you wanted me to cover small companies/organisations/creators who use digital in a smart, unconventional…
Shaving the logo – The Hindu BusinessLine
The Air India rebranding grabbed the limelight. But yet another company that rebranded in August was the young start-up Bombay Shaving Company, which started as a D2C brand seven years ago. It has done a dramatic cut of the word…
Tourism Ministry launches campaign to promote weddings
The Ministry of Tourism has launched an ambitious wedding tourism campaign, with the aim of tapping into the immense potential of the country’s wedding industry. The campaign is aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Developing Tourism in Mission…
IKEA to carry forward India success story with strong omnichannel presence
Hyderabad, August 28 IKEA, Swedish home furnishings retailer which celebrated five years of retail operations in India, is confident about carrying forward its India success story. Susanne Pulverer, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA India, said, “India has given us an opportunity…
Mensa Brands forays into UAE market to launch Villain, Pebble and Folkulture on Amazon UAE and ecommerce platform noon
Tiger Global-backed Mensa Brands is foraying into the UAE’s e-commerce space. The company will launch brands including Villain, Pebble and Folkulture on Amazon UAE and ecommerce platform noon. It will also launch the peanut butter brand MyFitness, which falls under…
Colgate sinks its teeth into core biz
It’s a rainy day in Mumbai as one battles the thick traffic in Powai to the Colgate-Palmolive India HQ. Calm follows after the tumult outside when one enters the enormous foyer of the imposing building; open upwards to the high…
Retailers clock lower than anticipated festival sales growth
Retailers witnessed lower than anticipated growth during the recently-concluded festival season. As per the latest survey released by Retailers Association of India (RAI), retail players garnered an average growth of 7 per cent in October and November compared to the…
C is for Cake: The growing influence of the spongy slice
Hey, let’s talk cake! I mean, seriously, is there anything better than sinking your teeth into a perfectly moist slice of cake? But you know what’s even cooler? Cake has this whole symbolic thing going on in cultures all around…
There’s more to Generative AI than Chat GPT!
I was listening to a conversation in an ad agency about ChatGPT, which sounded like Generative AI — and vice versa. The conversation suggested that both were the same and that they were about cool fantasy visuals basically. That’s about…
On the campaign trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
In the fortnight gone by, brands were in full festive mood putting out Onam and Raksha Bandhan campaigns —but it was food delivery platform Swiggy that broke the Internet with its joyous Kerala feast ad. Swiggy’s sadhya Pulsating music, zany lyrics,…
To Sir with love, respect and awe
More than 40 years ago, I was a schoolboy in the temple town of Madurai, in Tamil Nadu. I completed my higher secondary education at the Vikaasa School, an excellent institution, originally promoted by Madura Coats. Our school principal was…
C is for Car — Safarnama of the Indian middle class
In the heart of the bustling Indian city, where the cacophony of life echoes through narrow lanes and crowded markets, there lies a symbol of aspiration for us, the middle class: the modest Alto or WagonR car. It is not…
On the Campaign Trail.
It is Apple season and the iPhone maker commandeered the world’s attention as it unveiled its latest phone and climate initiatives ad campaign. Digital and BTL engagements by brands also caught our eye.
A taste of the future
Beverage giant Coca-Cola has uncorked a bubbly taste of the future using AI to develop a new flavour — Y3000 Zero Sugar. Artificial intelligence played a role in not only creating the flavour but also the design and packaging of…
Fashioning growth with frills and flares
It has been a tumultuous seven years for D2C start up FS Life, formerly Fable Street. After a good start in 2016 focussed on Western work wear for women with a USP of catering to all body types, a pivot…
Brands pad up for Cricket World Cup 2023
The big fat cricket event is here and brands are padding up enthusiastically for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 that starts on October 5. As it coincides with the festival season, marketers are expecting it to be a…
D is for Dining Table: A place to eat, share, study, play and bond
So, there we were, taking a leisurely stroll through a vibrant middle-class locality in one of the smaller towns, being nosy and peeping through windows. We were on a mission to see what was happening around dining tables. Turns out,…
‘The lady doth protest too much, methinks’: The HOB controversy
One wonders what Queen Gertrude in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet would have said about the ongoing Humans of Bombay controversy, but I suspect her original comment, in response to a character’s insincere overacting, wouldn’t be off the mark. The background, in…
.jpg "Restaurateurs plate up a big revival")
Restaurateurs plate up a big revival
Remember those days of social distancing when the world was just opening up post pandemic? Restaurant after restaurant downed shutters. The gloomy forecast was that dining out would be a casualty and consumers would opt for dine-in. Home chefs emerged…
E is for EMI: A tale of two generations
Born in 1997, I slid into the world during India’s vibrant post-liberalisation era. Fast forward to my teenage years in the late 2000s, and while the rest of the world’s fever about the new millennium had got a bit of…
A year when many fresh new brands made a big impact
As I look back at 2023, I would like to reflect on one key theme that marked the year — surprising new brands which have entered our active mindspace in India over the past twelve months. For all of us…
Influence expands its reach in a big way
At the end of the year, the spotlight is back on influencers. If Jasmeen Kaur’s catchphrase — “So beautiful, so elegant, just looking like a wow” — is on the lips of everyone, making this Delhi boutique store owner with…
Peach for Peace – a neutral choice
At a time when the world is racked by conflicts and violence, Pantone’s colour for 2024 — a gentle shade of peachy orange — is non confrontational and neutral. The influential consultancy, regarded as the world’s biggest authority on colour,…
India’s e-retail segment to reach over $160 billion by 2028, growth rates expected to bounce back
India’s e-retail market is expected to reach over $160 billion by 2028 as more Indian households join the upper middle and upper income consumer cohorts. According to a report released by Bain & Company and Flipkart, the e-retail market is…
How GenZ will drive culture in 2024
The 2024 Instagram Trend Talk is out and it highlights how Gen Z will drive culture in 2024. The insights are derived from a survey carried out by the trend forecasting firm WGSN and Instagram, spanning the United States, UK,…
Ex-Dentsu CCO launches new agency
Aalap Desai — former Chief Creative Officer of Dentsu Creative West and Dentsu Creative Experience India — has announced the launch of TGTHR (Together), a new future-focussed, full-funnel ad agency. Desai introduces TGTHR as a place where happiness meets creativity…
Anti Black Friday campaigns – The Hindu BusinessLine
Black Friday sales are coming in for considerable attention. The uniquely American retail phenomenon that has now been adopted by marketers world over, saw some twists this year. Indian online retailer Nykaa stood out from the clutter by marketing the…
Dentsu spots five macro 2024 trends
Dentsu Creative’s 2024 Trends Report unveils five macro trends for 2024 and beyond, each with a number of sub trends to explore. It starts with what it calls ‘ode to joy’, with advertising rediscovering the transformative power of humour. A…
On the Campaign Trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
Post Diwali, the tempo of ads has slowed down in India. But it picked up pace globally as brands scramble to put out their Christmas/Holiday season campaigns. The narratives mostly focus on heart-tugging stories. Fuzzy feelings Apple’s holiday ad, released…
What delivers outstanding creative communication?
How many advertisements in the recent past have moved you to say “wow” or resonated deeply? Many marketers I speak to bemoan the mediocrity and sameness of most marketing communication around us, even as they agree that creativity is one…
On the Campaign Trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
It’s raining ads. The festive season combined with world cup cricket have got brands scrambling to put out campaigns. This year, there are some heart-warming Pujo creatives. Painting the town glitzy Asian Paints once again joins Kolkata’s vibrant Durga Puja…
Ginger adds a dash of spice to offering
Ginger, the midscale brand of the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), is getting bigger. One of the first to get into the branded budget segment, way back in 2004, Ginger had frittered away its pioneering advantage by being slow to…
The season for heartwarmingly soppy festival ads
Dissing festival ads on social media has become a national sport in the last few years, second only to cricket, and this month I’m going to explore this genre a bit. But let me kiss before I diss. Some campaigns…
‘Individual agency brands will stay strong. We love them dearly’
Aditya Kanthy recently took charge as CEO of the newly formed Omnicom Advertising Services group in India. With this appointment, the leadership of the three creative agencies within the group — DDB, BBDO and TBWA — has been centralised. The…
F is for Fridge — Chilling chronicles of the coolest kitchen companion
Hello Hello! We’re the cool crew inside your trusty old fridge, and let us tell you, our world is a treasure trove of tales just waiting to be told. If we could chatter away, we’d regale you with stories of…
Death of a legacy agency
Restructuring of agencies has been an ongoing process in the advertising world. But last week’s announcement by WPP that it is combining two of its big creative agencies, Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R, and calling the merged entity VML has shaken…
On the Campaign Trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
Brands continued to capitalise on the World Cup fervour, with cricket and cricketers being a big theme in many campaigns last week. The chips are up What’s a match without potato chips on the menu? Pepsico India’s new campaign, which…
South India presents an unique opportunity for us: Sanjeev Kumar Bijli
Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Executive Director, PVR INOX Ltd, sees major recovery for the cinema chain in the post-pandemic environment. With the PVR-INOX merger nearing completion, in a sit down interview with businessline, Bijli said that the multiplex chain has set…
‘50 per cent of our business will come from CX by 2030’
It has been a roller coaster ride for Dentsu in India in the last decade. From 2014 to 2019, the Japanese agency network went on an aggressive acquisition spree, building tremendous digital strength and becoming a corpulent 23-brands agency. Then,…
So many foodies on the travel trail
A few months ago, when my wife and I travelled to Mangaluru, Konkan seafood was on the top of our minds. My wife had ascertained in advance which restaurant we would first visit — it was appropriately named “Macchli”. As…
G is for Gold: Still shining bright
A-Z: This series of light hearted explorations on familiar objects from everyday life dear to the urban Indian middle class looks at how they shape our wants & desires and ultimately make us who we are as a people. Shubh…
The Orryfication of Indian social media
“No. I am working on myself. I am going to the gym, I am doing a lot of self-reflection. Sometimes I am doing yoga, I get massages. You know! I am working.” That’s Orhan Awatramani, or Orry for you. If…
The madman of Indian ad film-making
Ad man Prahlad Kakar is a self-confessed mad man, so much so that it’s the title of his recently released autobiography published by Harper Collins. The back cover is typically, scandalously, Prahlad: he’s in the buff, with nothing but a…
How quick commerce is rising to every occasion
This year on Karwa Chauth, Rekha Chanan, a rushed financial services professional, put together the Sargi gift set (a meal eaten before sunrise by women who fast on the occasion) for her daughter-in-law by ordering items on instant commerce app…
On the Campaign Trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
Brand associations with cricket hit a crescendo as the World Cup drew to an end. But several brands which had booked prime space in print to put out congratulatory ads anticipating an India win were caught on the wrong foot…