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- April 21, 2026
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구글 검색 누락 워드프레스도 생기나요?
구글 검색 누락 워드프레스도 워드프레스로 만든 사이트를 운영하다 보면 “구글 검색 누락 워드프레스도 생기나요?”라는 질문을 자연스럽게 하게 됩니다. 실제로 많은 블로그 운영자와 기업 사이트 관리자들이 워드프레스는 검색 엔진에 잘 노출된다고…
- October 9, 2025
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How does executive knowledge sharing drive innovation?
executive knowledge sharing drive innovation Innovation is the lifeblood of modern organizations, and understanding how executive knowledge sharing drives innovation has become crucial for companies seeking a competitive edge. Executive…
- September 10, 2025
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Toying with identity: The Labubu mania
Actor Liam Neeson recently confessed in a podcast that he had absolutely no idea what a Labubu was — despite the tiny monster dolls having become a global cultural phenomenon…
- September 9, 2025
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On the campaign trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
Mahabali reimagined in Deconstruct’s Onam 2025 campaign titled “Kuda Mathram Mathiyavilla” The festive beats continued as brands marked their presence at Ganesha Chaturthi pandals and Onam celebrations and started whipping up…
- September 9, 2025
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Premium, ‘no nasties’ products fly with rise in conscious parenting
From skincare to infant formula, parents want the best | Photo Credit: iStock Indian parents are willing to shell out big bucks when it comes to their babies, going out…
- September 8, 2025
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Game over: Saving lives or killing an industry?
India’s recent ban on money-based online gaming has set off a storm in a teacup – a very large teacup worth ₹20,000 crore, as claimed. The government argues it is…
- September 8, 2025
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Dentsu at crossroads – The Hindu BusinessLine
Is Japan’s Dentsu group contemplating selling its international business? Media reports suggested a sale, describing how the group had signed up M&A partners to find potential buyers. But then a…
- August 31, 2025
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Kerala Tourism’s meme-led-makeover to woo gen next
Kerala Tourism UK F-35B advertisement; memes on popular shows and films When a British F-35B stealth fighter jet made an emergency landing at Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and then found itself…
- August 30, 2025
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Grains of Hope – The Hindu BusinessLine
This year’s campaign stressed: true freedom is only realised when no child goes to bed hungry. This Independence Day, KRBL Limited, which owns the India Gate Basmati Rice, launched the…
- August 30, 2025
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The enduring magic of Sholay
Actors Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra in a still from ‘Sholay’ Exactly fifty years ago, in 1975, I watched Sholay for the first time. I was a young school boy in Kollam in…
- August 29, 2025
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Anti-Hangover Chips! – The Hindu BusinessLine
The crisps are laced with natural ingredients like turmeric, ginger, black pepper and green tea antioxidants found in hangover-prevention supplements. Morning after mixes and drinks are common enough to combat hangovers.…
- August 29, 2025
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Unpacking India’s orders – The Hindu BusinessLine
Four packets of Maggi noodles were ordered every minute throughout the year. | Photo Credit: iStockphoto Flipkart Minutes which launched just a year ago and is now in 19 cities,…
- August 28, 2025
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Smiling eyes – The Hindu BusinessLine
Actor Kalyani Priyadarshan in the ad. When your eyes smile, the whole face smiles, declares actor Kalyani Priyadarshan, as she lines her eyes with Himalaya Wellness’s Kajal. A quick montage of shots…
- August 28, 2025
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Come home call – The Hindu BusinessLine
South Indian Bank’s Onam film makes a heartfelt call to every Malayali, wherever they are, to come home for Onam. The joyous film, which shows a girl somehow making it to…
- August 27, 2025
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Be the family to someone
Sujata Appliances Onam campaign is also about homecoming. But it’s completely different – it’s about people in an old age home awaiting their loved ones, living abroad, to visit them…
- August 26, 2025
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Fans not Owners – The Hindu BusinessLine
It’s 25 years of Škoda Auto in India and the auto brand’s new campaign pays homage to the affection and loyalty it has earned from its fans. At the heart of…
- August 26, 2025
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Decoding Digital – The Hindu BusinessLine
(from left) Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, DS Group, and Prasanth Kumar, CEO, WPP Media, South Asia FMCG conglomerate Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group) in collaboration with WPP Media, has launched DCODE – The Guide to…
- August 14, 2025
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Hollywood movie F1 boosts brand search & walk-ins for Tommy Hilfiger: Arvind Fashions
F1 is a 2025 American sports drama film directed by Joseph Kosinski and stars Brad Pitt as Formula One racing driver Sonny Hayes | Photo Credit: Ritaja Roy _12104@Delhi Marketing investments into “F1”, the hollywood movie starring Brad…
- August 14, 2025
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How we snack
New report on snacking challenges assumptions driving marketing investments
- August 13, 2025
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AI in advertising: Dumb gets dumber… and smart, smarter
A few months back, I wrote about AI adoption in Indian advertising, close on the heels of the WPP CEO stepping down — allegedly for not making WPP agencies AI-friendly.…
- August 13, 2025
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Welcome to film marketing 3.0
In an audacious move, Christopher Nolan’s film The Odyssey opened for ticket sales a full year before its scheduled release on July 17, 2026. And yet, there was mad fan…
- August 12, 2025
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The forgotten friend – The Hindu BusinessLine
Friendship Day gets a fresh twist this year with Bingo!’s new campaign, ‘From BFF to FF — Forgotten Friend’, conceptualised and executed by Tonic Worldwide. What happens when your best…
- July 30, 2025
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ZOFF’s sweet spot in the spice market
If there is one thing in the kitchen that Indians are very particular about, it’s the spices they use. And the choice of spice brand is most often dictated by…
- July 30, 2025
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Not policing but protection, says self-regulatory body
DOS AND DON’TS: Sahil Chopra, Chairman, Indian Influencer Governing Council For many brands, influencers have become a core pillar of marketing. For consumers, an influencer’s endorsement now carries more weight…
- July 29, 2025
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Redefining masculinity – The Hindu BusinessLine
Vinsmera Jewels’ sparkling ad campaign, which is breaking the internet, opens on a film set where the crew is arranging props for a jewellery shoot, even as Malayalam superstar Mohanlal…
- July 28, 2025
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Why marketers should ditch the car and take a metro (or bus)
GREAT UNIFIER: Commuters of all hues ride the metro | Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN When I visit Mumbai, I often take the local train from Churchgate station to Borivali. The…
- July 28, 2025
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How about a relatable risk metric?
Processed foods typically mention saturated and transfat per serving. But how will you know whether, say, 20 gram of saturated fat per 100 gram serving is too much? You could…
- July 16, 2025
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India bond yields may inch higher as US yields move up
A likely drop to a record low in July is prompting calls for at least one more rate cut this year | Photo Credit: John Kevin Indian government bond yields…
- July 15, 2025
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Trackable luggage – The Hindu BusinessLine
Luggage brand Safari and wearable tech company boAt have come together to help you keep your bags safe. With the campaign ‘Your Safari Got Safer’, launched on Amazon during Prime…
- July 14, 2025
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Meet the modern Indian family — filled with pets, friends, Alexa, et al
FURRY RELATIVE: India’s pet population is set to touch 40 million | Photo Credit: Dimple Bhati Think ‘family’ and what comes to mind? A small cosy unit with a husband,…
- July 14, 2025
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Online likes and lies: The 2025 influencer marketing playbook
Fifteen years ago, the Great Indian Influencer was a perfectly coiffured, English-medium-type blogger (WordPress, usually) from south Delhi, coyly promoting a fashion or skincare product on Twitter or Facebook, in…
- July 11, 2025
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Big tech’s new AI ad tools could disrupt the agency model
For the last few months, Swiggy, India’s hyperlocal food delivery platform, had been involved in the beta testing of Google’s advertising-focused AI solutions to boost its reach to audiences. One…
- July 1, 2025
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Take a big, bold idea and back it consistently
SHOT AT FAME: Apple’s award-winning ‘shot on iPhone’ campaign has driven brand affinity for nearly a decade Many a powerful marketing trend came to the fore at the Cannes Lions…
- June 30, 2025
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When K-drama met Bollywood – The Hindu BusinessLine
Casual footwear company Crocs served us a playful K-drama-Bollywood crossover that totally stole our heart. Tapping into pop culture from both countries and sprinkling loads of monsoon magic into it,…
- June 30, 2025
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Creativity gets democratic and diverse at Cannes Lions
Adieu, Cannes! India returned from the 2025 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity with 32 medals, including a Grand Prix, nine gold, nine silver and 13 bronze. This is not…
- June 29, 2025
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Burger Singh’s saucy new twist in the franchise development model
PUNJABI PATTY: Burger Singh is high on desi flavours Yashveer Yadav is enjoying his new role as a retail entrepreneur. A few years ago, Yadav, who is in his 40s,…
- June 17, 2025
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Creative environment: Biophilia is a branding imperative
ORGANIC APPEAL: Greenery at Bengaluru airport | Photo Credit: Shivendu Jauhari Is it possible that the humble fruit in Apple’s logo is part of what makes its customers among the…
- June 16, 2025
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Go long-form Ad. You have our attention!
RAPT FACTOR: Krafton India’s 24-minute ‘DoomTroopers’ campaign Seen the Sleepy Cat “slap facial” ad that is trending and has attracted rapturous posts by marketers? It’s outlandish, hilarious, quirky… and quite…
- June 16, 2025
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Hurry up, ad folk! The time to use AI is now
Recently, Mark Read stepped down as advertising behemoth WPP’s global CEO, and a not-so-secret reason murmured in industry circles was the network’s inability to truly embrace AI in its marketing and…
- June 3, 2025
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Daring to disrupt with bold, brave ideas
BREAKING THE CLUTTER: Yourri Guerassimov, CEO and CCO , Marcel “Creativity in agencies should really be linked to the business gain of our clients. Our main job is to make…
- June 3, 2025
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PUMA roars on the ‘RCB Shotline’ for fans
PUMA India’s new Instagram campaign, ‘RCB Shotline’, which features Virat Kohli, Usain Bolt, PV Sindhu, Jack Grealish, Rajat Patidar, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and Krunal Pandya, is fun, quirky and hooks…
- June 2, 2025
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The many expected and unexpected delights of long-haul flights
IT’S A STRETCH! Luxury sleeping pod for business-class nomads | Photo Credit: Chesky_W Last month, I undertook a long journey from India to the US and back. The flying time…
- June 2, 2025
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Of pacing it, self-love, and code Gen Z
Takeaways from Goafest2025, where the ad and marketing community aired its worries about the future
- June 1, 2025
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An Ohriginal venture – The Hindu BusinessLine
Rohit Ohri, Founder, Ohriginal | Photo Credit: Advertising veteran Rohit Ohri, who retired from FCB last September, has launched a culture consultancy, cleverly named Ohriginal. The 62-year-old adman says he…
- May 21, 2025
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So, who won the social media war over Operation Sindoor?
MESSAGING MATTERS: Col Sofiya Qureshi (left), Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh at a media briefing on ‘Operation Sindoor’ | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR I woke…
- May 20, 2025
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Making cross-cultural waves in the orange economy
Mayo Murasaki, a Hindi-speaking Japanese YouTuber At the inaugural World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (Waves), cine stars Shah Rukh Khan, Rajinikanth, Mohanlal, et al, created a buzz, as expected.…
- May 20, 2025
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Diving down memory lane for branding cues
HERITAGE INC: Godrej Enterprises Archives records the nation’s history through the evolution of the company’s product portfolio For marketers, old can be the proverbial gold if leveraged well. Recently, IIM-Ahmedabad…
- May 19, 2025
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Myntra’s ‘It’s a maa thing’ – The Hindu BusinessLine
Actor Neena Gupta and her daughter Masaba bring a smile to your lips in Myntra’s Mother’s Day campaign. Neena asks Masaba what she will gift her for Mother’s Day and…
- May 19, 2025
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Grey moves to Ogilvy – The Hindu BusinessLine
In yet another structural shift, WPP has moved creative agency Grey from the AKQA group to Ogilvy. Grey’s global chief Laura Maness will now report directly to Devika Bulchandani, the…
- May 7, 2025
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Why are pizzas so popular everywhere?
PIE CHART: A delivery platform sent out 5.84 crore pizzas in 2024 | Photo Credit: jimkruger Last month, I visited the US for six days. Within this brief period, I…
- May 6, 2025
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The new mantra now is to create desire at scale: Prem Narayan
Advertising as we know it seems nearly dead. Brands are seen making more Instagram reels than 30-second commercials. The planning and strategy function in ad agencies must obviously keep step.…
- May 6, 2025
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AI tools drive conversions with sharper targeting
BUY WORD: E-commerce drives 21 per cent of India’s digital ad market | Photo Credit: filadendron With digital advertising, marketers gained amazing reach. Now, with AI tools, we are at…
- May 5, 2025
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A ‘crea-tea-ive’ symphony
Sunscreen wars spilled over into some opportunistic campaigns, but it was the tech-fuelled melodic ode to the ‘cup that cheers’ that wowed
- May 5, 2025
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A wave of announcements – The Hindu BusinessLine
Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan speaks during a session titled ‘The Journey: From Outsider to Ruler’ at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, in Mumbai | Photo…
- April 30, 2025
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GRT Jewellers launches a special campaign for Akshaya Tritiya
GRT Jewellers has launched a special sales campaign Akshaya Tritiya, titled ‘Akshaya Tritiya Celebration’. In Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, the campaign will be called ‘Akshaya Tritiyai Kondattam’. In Andhra Pradesh…
- April 23, 2025
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How founders’ public personas impact their businesses
Recently, Nikhil Kamath of Zerodha publicly offered to intern — without pay — at Aravind Srinivas’s company Perplexity, to learn about the AI industry. Kamath had interviewed Srinivas on his…
- April 22, 2025
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Challenging the platform monopoly model
The sheen is wearing off traditional ecommerce. For all their size and scale, platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, Zomato, and Swiggy are grappling with user fatigue, seller disillusionment, and a workforce…
- April 22, 2025
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For Royal Canin, vet education is key to growing its business
Satinder Singh, GM India, Royal Canin “The entire market has transformed from when we first arrived in India,” declares Satinder Singh, GM India of pet nutrition company Royal Canin, which has…
- April 21, 2025
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Brands cook up a storm with cricketers
Cricket is a passion for most Indians. So is food. Imagine marrying the two — the brand engagement can go up 10X. This IPL season has seen two such combos…
- April 21, 2025
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Brand recall of IPL ads
IPL season is hotting up and the ad breaks are as interesting as the match play. But guess which ads are scoring? Men seem to recall auto ads while women…
- April 9, 2025
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To market marketing is the coolest job: Lara Balazs
To be at the company that actually markets marketing is incredible, says Lara Balazs, the new CMO of Adobe, the San Jose-based tech company that sells digital marketing solutions and…
- April 8, 2025
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Have you looked at your handbag or shirt for more than 10 minutes?
LAYERS OF MEANING: ‘Marilyn Diptych’ by Andy Warhol Whenever I am in London, I make it a point to visit the Tate Modern because its collection of art is amazing.…
- April 8, 2025
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Making God’s own toothpowder & more
KP Bhavadasan, Managing Director of KP Namboodiri’s KP Namboodiri’s — the toothpowder company in Kerala famous for offering its flagship Dantadhavanachoornam product to Lord Krishna in Guruvayoor — turned 100…
- April 7, 2025
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Double whammy
Trump’s tariffs have heightened uncertainty among brands and advertisers
- March 25, 2025
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Smart stoves and hobs for the YouTube cooking era
If you look at your living room, the TV has evolved from the old cathode-ray tube model to LED and a smart TV with a voice remote. But if you…
- March 24, 2025
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Confluence of creativity, marketing and AI
It was AI that dominated conversations at the just concluded Adobe Summit in Las Vegas, which saw over 12,000 attendees, largely from the marketing community. The 23rd edition of the…
- March 24, 2025
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Is it going to be IPL or ‘Indian Digital League’?
Steve Jobs famously said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.” The same is true with technology — you never really know what’s…
- March 23, 2025
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Aamir tricks Ranbir – The Hindu BusinessLine
It’s the season of Holi, and IPL is not far behind. While the premier T20 tournament kicked off on March 22, brands are scrambling to use cricketers in their campaigns…
- March 10, 2025
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Flipping the coin just right
Reshma Budhia, CEO of Toss the Coin (TTC), joked with co-founder and Managing Director Jayan Narayanan that their 12-year-old marketing consultancy should work so well that it should make money even…
- March 10, 2025
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A foretaste of new flavours in global F&B
Fairs offer a fun way to gauge what’s trending. A walkthrough at Aahar 2025 in Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam gave one a whiff of what’s cooking and brewing in food and…
- March 9, 2025
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Her choice – The Hindu BusinessLine
It has become de rigeur for brands to put out some strong positive messaging around women’s empowerment in the first week of March, and this year too there is the…
- March 8, 2025
- 0 Comments
She-commerce: Why women-led brands are different
Does gender play a role in entrepreneurship? Women have faced challenges of gender bias — both conscious and unconscious — for centuries. And they continue to build, facing these challenges.…
- February 25, 2025
- 0 Comments
myTrident homes in on luxury furnishings for growth
It’s the opening day of Bharat Tex — the mega textile trade fair at Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi. The attractively designed Trident pavilion is buzzing with visitors. The ₹6,808…
- February 24, 2025
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India bets big on zero-waste fashion
India’s formidable array of craft traditions got full play at the just concluded Bharat Tex 2025, the mega textile trade show in New Delhi that showcased the best of Indian…
- February 24, 2025
- 0 Comments
How the Beer Biceps controversy impacted influencer marketing
Charles Dickens sums up the Ranbeer Allahabadia episode quite well: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Both go hand in hand these days. Free…
- February 23, 2025
- 0 Comments
Rest & restore, Amazon style, at Maha Kumbh
This must be the busiest February for brands, who have been showering Valentine’s Day love, pulling out new activations at Mahakumbh, celebrating Shivaji’s birthday and then padded up for the…
- February 21, 2025
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‘Our intent is to be one of the largest FMCG cos straddling categories’
Ketan Mody, the COO of Reliance Consumer Products Ltd, the FMCG arm and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd, was in Chennai recently to announce the acquisition of the…
- February 12, 2025
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What can brands learn from the Delhi elections?
Brands and political parties are about right positioning. Brand position is what you stand for and political position is the ideology you espouse. It is important to understand what defines localness…
- February 11, 2025
- 0 Comments
The king of rock’n’roll lives on in Bad Nauheim
Bad Nauheim is a small town in Germany, with a population of just 33,000. It is a health resort noted for its salt springs. I visited this town recently, and…
- February 11, 2025
- 0 Comments
The new beauty playbook — science-backed skincare
Meghana Sundaresan, 24, a microbiology researcher, is extremely conscious of what she puts on her face, hair and body. Aware that she is acne prone, she peruses labels and looks…
- February 10, 2025
- 0 Comments
Art and BMW — from rolling sculptures to cultural partnerships
As you enter the India Art Fair grounds, a monstrous cement truck that has been repurposed into a piece of outdoor art, with bits and pieces of metal scrap, catches…
- February 10, 2025
- 0 Comments
Valentine’s Day and the ‘Uncle’ weapon
Come February and brands begin smelling of roses and romance. Even as Valentine’s Day fever is peaking with brands playing Cupid, Cadbury as usual gets the eyeball for taking a…
- February 9, 2025
- 0 Comments
Digital grabs ad spends – The Hindu BusinessLine
India’s advertising industry grew by 6.3 per cent in 2024 despite macroeconomic headwinds; and, within that, digital advertising surged by a whopping 21.1 per cent, says the 9th edition of…
- January 28, 2025
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Puma’s untamed creativity – The Hindu BusinessLine
The New Year seems to have put new energy into the ad world, which has given us lots of lovely work this past fortnight — from Absolut’s unlabel campaign, which…
- January 27, 2025
- 0 Comments
A confluence of brand creativity
A golden rule in marketing, says brand consultant Giraj Sharma, is to go where the people are, and the numbers will follow. With 400 million people attending the once-in-144-year spectacle…
- January 27, 2025
- 0 Comments
Maha Kumbh 2025: Where faith meets technology
If Shehzad (the man accused of stabbing Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan) had tried his stunt at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, he’d have been identified, located, and apprehended faster…
- January 26, 2025
- 0 Comments
Trends 2025: Get set for alternative reality, otherhood, and a curator economy
The year 2025 could well be one of contradictions, going by the 11th edition of VML’s ‘The Future 100’ report, which pinpoints business and cultural trends based on a survey…
- January 14, 2025
- 0 Comments
Unpretentious, earthy and comforting — brown is the new colour in town
The Pantone Color Institute has declared its colour of the new year 2025 — ‘mocha mousse’, an evocative soft-brown. When I first saw this lovely colour, it suggested cocoa, coffee…
- January 14, 2025
- 0 Comments
CES 2025 shows how AI will own the year
At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the influential tech event in Las Vegas that opens every calendar year and gives us a glimpse of trends to come, there was a…
- January 13, 2025
- 0 Comments
Friendship and a filmi reprisal – The Hindu BusinessLine
Three guys in a convertible, off on a holiday. Reminds you of Dil Chahta Hai, perhaps? Or Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara? Phone maker Oppo’s new ad for its Reno13 smartphone series is…
- January 13, 2025
- 0 Comments
Digital privacy and marketing – The Hindu BusinessLine
The Digital Personal Data Protection (DRDP) rules have been put out by the Indian government for public consultation until February 18, 2025. They can impact the digital and influencer marketing…
- January 12, 2025
- 0 Comments
Joker & Witch’s three Cs strategy to brand building
In a world filled with heavily funded start-ups that create noise by throwing money, how a small, cash-strapped jewellery and watch brand grew through frugal marketing makes for an interesting…
- December 31, 2024
- 0 Comments
Inside Reddit’s rising popularity in India
Whether it’s the inside story on Zepto’s work culture, or a British tourist’s take on India’s infrastructure, or the latest ‘tea’ on Bollywood celebrities, many of these viral discussions on…
- December 30, 2024
- 0 Comments
Branding 2.0: The art of seducing smart algorithms
I don’t know if it’s in 10 years, five, or sooner, but change is coming. And it won’t trickle in gently; it will sweep through like a wave, leaving behind…
- December 30, 2024
- 0 Comments
Cashmere calling – The Hindu BusinessLine
Newly launched uber luxury fashion brand Riccaro Corduso has unveiled a bold, stylish campaign called ‘Rise Above’, shot in Ladakh. Featuring international models, the brand film promotes the cashmere fabric…
- December 29, 2024
- 0 Comments
End-of-the-year reflections: Are we all just non-playable characters?
Luigi Mangione — a name that has sparked debates across the globe. The young man, hailing from a prominent real estate family in Baltimore, US, shocked the world when he…
- December 17, 2024
- 0 Comments
A very happy new year, delivered to you in 10 minutes flat
As 2024 nears its end, many of you may be planning year-end parties to ring out the old and ring in the new. Or you may not have begun planning…
- December 16, 2024
- 0 Comments
How Wonderchef became a handy assistant to home cooks
If you follow food vloggers on Instagram, you cannot help noticing the Wonderchef brand in their cooking videos — be it the cookware, the gas lighter, the Nutri-Blend mixer, or…
- December 16, 2024
- 0 Comments
On the campaign trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
A seven-city roadshow, several high-decibel brand collaborations, scintillating trailers… Pushpa 2: The Ruleaced it not just at the box office but also on the marketing front. From Tata Tea to Uber…
- December 13, 2024
- 0 Comments
Omnicom-IPG merger: How it will change the Indian ad landscape
Back in 2013, ad networks Omnicom and Publicis tried to merge citing technological threats. The feeling was that by combining their armoury, they could manage the digital wave sweeping the…
- December 2, 2024
- 0 Comments
OHM, Colgate chants, to push more usage
Colgate-Palmolive MD and CEO Prabha Narasimhan had put in place a four-pillar strategy that has been successfully driving growth for the company in the last few quarters. The first pillar…
- December 2, 2024
- 0 Comments
On the campaign trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
Cosmetics brand Swiss Beauty’s campaign #SajDhajKe celebrates the new-age bride who confidently takes charge of her big day — from directing decorators, helping her friends with makeup and juggling professional…
- November 30, 2024
- 0 Comments
Our competitive advantage is that we are from the East: Takeshi Sano
Takeshi Sano, who took over as CEO of Dentsu Japan in January this year and will soon assume an additional role as deputy global COO of the network, was in…
- November 30, 2024
- 0 Comments
Marico’s well-oiled digital play
Consumer goods major Marico Ltd made a strong play in digital a few years ago with a string of acquisitions. This has emerged as a strong pillar of growth for…
- November 18, 2024
- 0 Comments
Leopard prints and the animal instinct
I have been in three big cities over the past month — Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Madrid. In all three, I have observed the resurgence of a timeless fashion trend —…
- November 17, 2024
- 0 Comments
Quick commerce’s disruptive digital distribution
Quick commerce is highly disruptive and, with multiple triggers for strong growth over the medium to long term, it’s all set to impact India’s FMCG and retail ecosystem in a big…
- November 17, 2024
- 0 Comments
Myntra’s mantra for wooing Gen Z
A year ago Myntra launched FWD — short for ‘Forward’ — its dedicated Gen Z offering. Three months ago it launched The Ultimate Glam Clan, a creator programme on the…
- November 16, 2024
- 0 Comments
‘The South is a vibrant market for WPP’
The WPP group, which comprises a host of agenciessuch as VML, Ogilvy, Group M, and Burson — spanning creative, media, PR, and digital, among other segments — recently opened its…
- November 5, 2024
- 0 Comments
Rejuvenating the millet market in rural India
B Dayakar, CEO of the ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research’s Nutrihub, insists it’s a misconception that millet consumption is low in rural areas. Traditional grains have not lost their appeal…
- November 5, 2024
- 0 Comments
Diwali ads: Breaking the tradition of festive tropes and formulaic scripts
Diwali ads are generally high in sugar. As in, 95 per cent range from bad to very bad. The basic formula is to weave some soppy, sugary narrative around the…
- November 4, 2024
- 0 Comments
What’s new in pop culture
Culture collective Kommune’s insights vertical, Stumble, has released its first culture report, ‘Consumed: A Deep Dive Into Consumer Culture In India’. The report aims to help brands, students, collectives, academics,…
- November 4, 2024
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On the campaign trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
Ethnic clothing brand Sabhyata, which produced a lovely festive campaign in 2022 featuring Sheeba Chadha, is back this Diwali with another heartwarming ad — this time celebrating motherhood. The advertisement…
- November 3, 2024
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For Dentsu Creative, the big focus is on digital-plus-plus
“Every day sees a new trend,” declares Amit Wadhwa, CEO, South Asia, Dentsu Creative, a self-declared “impatient soul” who craves constant action. Well, the creative industry, which has been transforming…
- October 22, 2024
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The secret sauce behind ITC’s enduring restaurant brands
This October, ITC Maurya gave a taste of its seven-year-old progressive South Indian gastronomy brand Avartana to Delhi-ites as it opened the restaurant in its flagship hotel. At the preview,…
- October 22, 2024
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Brand expertise and heritage bubbling in a moka pot
When I visited Spain last month, my wife and daughter had only one ask of me. “Bring back a Bialetti moka pot.” I searched for it in Madrid and finally…
- October 21, 2024
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Ads ooze Diwali fervour – The Hindu BusinessLine
Home Centre’s Diwali campaign is centred around gifting items that elevate the beauty of a home. The digital-first campaign ‘Speaking Gifts by Home Centre’ shows highly aspirational home products, even…
- October 21, 2024
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Taking desi flavours to the US – The Hindu BusinessLine
Customers in the US can look forward to more Indian flavours on store shelves. Ahead of Diwali, Walmart is making available popular Indian food and snack products in that country.…
- October 20, 2024
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New venture Zerofifty from ad veterans wants to simplify the agency model
When three advertising veterans with a distinguished body of work band together to start a new venture, you sit up and take note. Former Lintas and Tilt Brand Solutions executives…
- October 8, 2024
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Get rich or die trying: A marketer’s guide to day trading
What keeps housewives, college students and corporate leaders glued to screens from 9.15 am to 3.30 pm on days the stock market is open? And what lessons are there in…
- October 7, 2024
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Why co-ord sets are still trending comfortably
In the post-pandemic world, all of us had crawled out of our work-from-home caves in pyjamas, and realised that we may not need to look so put together anymore. Comfort…
- October 7, 2024
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On the campaign trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
Festive season is here — the time when brands up their creativity and pull out sparkling ideas. It’s also the season of giving, and many of the campaigns are full…
- October 6, 2024
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Dharams and the Kandee Factory
It was a pitch fest of the Keiretsu Forum Chennai in late 2018, and Anusha and Mahesh Dharam were understandably nervous as two of their earlier pitches for venture funding…
- September 24, 2024
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Are books better gifts than chocolates?
The Puja and Diwali festive season is just ahead. This is the time of the year when many of us will think about gifting. We love receiving and giving gifts,…
- September 24, 2024
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How The Baker’s Dozen is flouring India with its sourdough offerings
The breakfast bread that India consumes is evolving — from the unhealthy white and brown loaves, there has been a shift to multigrain, atta and now millet bread. But a…
- September 23, 2024
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‘Building a strong personal brand is about showcasing your authentic self with humbition,’ says Landor’s Lulu Raghavan
Brand and design evangelist Lulu Raghavan has just released her book Go Further, Faster, which is about professional growth and the importance of personal branding. The articulate and charming Raghavan…
- September 3, 2024
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Farmery introduces cow and buffalo ghee for new generation
Farmery, a direct to consumer (D2C) disruptor redefining the consumer experience with fresh, organic food through its farm-to-fork ethos, has launched cow and buffalo ghee. These offerings, set to be…
- September 3, 2024
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QSQT: Quick se quicker tak
“Jack be nimble, Jack be quick Jack jump over the candlestick” Who would have imagined this early 19th century nursery rhyme was actually about the Indian quick commerce (q-commerce) scenario…
- September 2, 2024
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JK Tyres ‘Levitas Extreme’ powers speed demons on the race circuit
One advertisement tagline that has stuck on for years is JK Tyres’ ‘Total Control’. Over the weekend, tyres developed by the Singhanias-owned tyre major powered speed demons as they roared…
- September 2, 2024
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The business of ‘going-out’ has options galore
“This generation is an experience-seeker,” says brand consultant Sanjay Sarma, describing how, for the average 20-something in Delhi, a routine evening out means catching a gig at a place like…
- September 1, 2024
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On the campaign trail. – The Hindu BusinessLine
This fortnight has been marked by two films with standout storytelling that tugs your heartstrings. Brands are also gearing up for festive times ahead with bold campaigns. Pure nostalgia Snacking…
- August 21, 2024
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Dark patterns and digitally conscious products
A recent report released by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), in collaboration with Parallel, a product design studio, highlights the use of deceptive patterns by many leading Indian…
- August 20, 2024
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D23 dazzles with tantalising reveals and Disney magic
“Where else can you be 50-year old, wear Mouse ears or dress as your favourite Disney character and be free to be a child again, without being judged!” exclaims Corey…
- August 20, 2024
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A ‘Hearty’ addition to the exploding pet food market
Furry companions never had it so good. Till a few years ago, you could count the number of pet food brands on one paw, with Pedigrees and Whiskas from Mars…
- August 19, 2024
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On the Campaign Trail. – The Hindu BusinessLine
The monsoon is still active across India, and equally it has rained campaigns. After a brief dry spell, brands have found their muse in Independence Day, finding different ways to…
- August 19, 2024
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Ad Club launches The TAC Academy
The Advertising Club has forged a deal with the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) to offer global courses at special prices to its members under the aegis of The…
- August 18, 2024
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Stitching up big growth – The Hindu BusinessLine
India’s $130 billion lifestyle market, with fashion accounting for nearly 80 per cent and the rest beauty and personal care segment, is expected to grow at 10-12 per cent CAGR,…
- August 17, 2024
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Z for Zari: Threads of aspiration
(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…
- August 16, 2024
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ITC Grand Chola to host award-winning chefs for an evening of pan-Asian culinary delights
When two award-winning chefs get together it’s bound to be an unforgettable evening of gastronomic delight. ITC Hotels is bringing Chef Pam Pichaya Soontornyanakij of Bangkok’s Potong Restaurant, which boasts…
- August 8, 2024
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ITC Grand Chola’s brand new ‘Cholatail’ menu piques the palate
The Chola dynasty and its nearly 1,500 year rule over southern Indian and southeast Asia is legendary. There was an outpouring of nostalgia when the movie Ponniyin Selvan, depicting the early…
- August 7, 2024
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How SUGAR is spicing up the cosmetics market
The festive season is around the corner, with Raksha Bandhan, Janmasthami, Onam starting it all off. So is the beauty season. It’s the time when Indian women start to deck…
- August 6, 2024
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Y is for Yoga mat: A supportive friend who has your back
Yoga, an ancient practice that originated in India over 5,000 years ago, was traditionally limited to yogis or individuals deeply immersed in spiritual pursuits. Yet, it was not until the…
- August 6, 2024
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Dilwale digital le jayenge – the smart future of online learning
Imagine swapping your morning commute (groan!) for a cozy spot at home with a cup of kadak chai, and voila — you’re ready for class. From the hustle of Mumbai…
- August 5, 2024
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A tale of two brands reviving our grandma’s pots and pans
At 35-year Lisha Vineeth’s home in Kochi, dishes like rasam, avial and kaalan simmer in traditional red earthen pots. She is all set for this Onam, with a range of…
- August 5, 2024
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An adman and a philanthropist
It’s said that the good that people do lives on long after they are gone. In the case of advertising doyen and philanthropist Shambhu Venkatrao Sista — better known as…
- August 4, 2024
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On the campaign trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
Brands are chasing their own pot of gold at the Olympics, piggybacking on athletes and unleashing campaigns that highlight their grit and determination. But several brands without clear endorsement deals…
- July 23, 2024
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Brands pack their bags for the Olympics
With the Paris Olympics 2024 set to kick-off on July 26, a contingent of 117 athletes will represent India at the Games, carrying the hopes and dreams of the entire…
- July 22, 2024
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The Olympic torch can shine a light for marketers too
Later this month, the 2024 Olympic Games will open in Paris. For 19 days, millions of people across the world will be in front of their televisions, watching beautiful displays…
- July 22, 2024
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On the campaign trail. – The Hindu BusinessLine
A noticeable trend this fortnight was the growing number of brand campaigns created by independent agencies outside the networks or films created in-house by companies. Fix it with AI OPPO…
- July 21, 2024
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How brands that defy conventional wisdom come out tops
A surprise recent success in the energy drinks category in India is Pepsico’s Sting which has upstaged Red Bull, capturing 90 per cent of the market share within just six…
- July 18, 2024
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W for Washing machines: Spinning change in homes
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…
- July 9, 2024
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V for voltage stabilizer: The behind-the-scenes hero
In the bustling households of India, where every appliance tells a story of utility and aspiration, there lies an unsung hero — the voltage stabilizer. Imagine entering a lively middle-class…
- July 9, 2024
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On the campaign trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
It was a dull fortnight for ad commercials — perhaps due to the confusion created by the new self-declaration certification norms. Some works of new brands, however, caught the eye.…
- July 8, 2024
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Adrian Mendonza joins Rediffusion – The Hindu BusinessLine
Adrian Mendonza has joined Rediffusion as a senior national creative resource. He will oversee creatives for the agency’s North India operations. He will be based in Delhi. Mendonza, who most…
- July 8, 2024
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Cheil X’s new visual identity
Cheil X, part of Cheil SWA group, has adopted a new visual identity and philosophy which takes its muse from the agency’s Korean heritage. Cheil X is an independent full-service…
- July 7, 2024
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Can tech make you a better athlete? Yes, but…
With India’s triumphant T20 World Cup win, the ongoing UEFA European Football Championship and Tour de France, and the impending Paris Olympics, I had to do a ‘sports’ column this…
- July 7, 2024
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Cricket’s exciting global knock captained by ICC
In February 2011, when the ODI World Cup was on, a friend who heads the South Asian operations of a Dutch tech company had some visitors from the Netherlands at…
- July 6, 2024
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‘It is time we manufacture vertical TV sets’ says Ram Madhvani
Think Ram Madhvani and most people would instantly recollect Sushmita Sen’s Aarya or Neerja — the sensitive biopic on the brave flight purser. But for ad folks, Madhvani is synonymous…
- June 25, 2024
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At 75, Cycle Agarbathi has fragrant ambitions to be India’s complete puja room companion
“India has been praying for years with Cycle brand agarbathies, and now the brand aims to be the country’s puja room brand,” declares Arjun M Ranga, Managing Director of N…
- June 25, 2024
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Coimbatore’s South Indian food sambar, dosas and filter coffee
My wife and I were in Coimbatore recently. While in this city, there is a place that I will never miss visiting. The legendary Annapoorna Hotel. This time, I ate…
- June 24, 2024
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Vignettes from the French Riviera
As ad folk networked alongside the azure blue Mediterranean sea, sunny beaches and glamorous yachts, the talk that dominated the festival of creativity this year was all about AI, Olympics…
- June 24, 2024
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On the campaign trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
Day marketing dominated the ads of last fortnight with Father’s Day eliciting a rush of campaigns. Pride Month and World Music Day came in for brand love too. Ode to…
- June 23, 2024
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The beautiful future of creativity
In a world where creativity is facing an imminent threat from AI, data and technology, Cannes Lions 2024 has been a celebration of creativity powered by these very seeming threats.…
- June 22, 2024
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U is for Uniform: The great leveller
The moment you think of a uniform, the first image to enter your mind would be a school uniform. You immediately see rows of children standing for morning assembly, with…
- June 19, 2024
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Retailers report sluggish demand in May
Retailers witnessed sluggish demand in May amidst elections, but are betting on a better second half. May sales were mostly led by essentials and consumer durables, including a strong demand…
- June 17, 2024
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Disney+ Hotstar: Launches pause ad feature for Connected TV feed
Disney+ Hotstar has launched an advertising feature for pausing ads exclusively for its Connected TV (CTV) feed, making it the first platform in the country to introduce this cutting-edge format.…
- June 11, 2024
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T is for TV: The tale of the idiot box
If there’s one object that has revolutionised the Indian middle-class living room, it’s the television — also known as the “idiot box”. More than just an appliance, the TV became…
- June 10, 2024
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Zomato’s healthier options: Now what?
Food delivery app Zomato recently introduced a new feature that suggests “healthier options” when customers select food items. For instance it will suggest roti, instead of naan, and if you…
- June 10, 2024
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Goafest 2024: Rise of joyful surrealism, adaptability and de-influencing
Is the ad and media community adapting to disruptive changes fast enough? The onslaught of technology, new consumer behaviours, changing equations with clients who increasingly treat them more like vendors…
- June 9, 2024
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Transcom thinks its CX centres are gold mines for brands
At any given point if you log into social media platforms, you will see people ranting about the customer service of some brand or the other. It is the biggest…
- May 31, 2024
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ITC Grand Chola to feature curated heirloom rice cuisine
ITC Grand Chola has organised a gastronomic celebration at Madras Pavilion to commemorate World Environment Day. The event will feature a curated selection of heirloom rice cultivated through time-honoured farming…
- May 28, 2024
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As right as rain – monsoon inspired marketing ideas
My wife and I were travelling in Meghalaya a few weeks ago. We visited Shillong and then we went to Cherrapunji in the East Khasi hills. These were mesmerising locations,…
- May 27, 2024
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Brands and billboards: Will marketers rethink outdoor advertising?
The Mumbai billboard crash has shaken up the advertising industry. Will brands be reluctant to spend on the outdoor medium now? Even as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) seeks structural…
- May 27, 2024
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Masterclasses at Goafest – The Hindu BusinessLine
The 2024 edition of the ad and media festival Goafest will see a lot of focus on skilling and training. Goafest has entered into a strategic partnership with D&AD, an…
- May 26, 2024
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On the Campaign Trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
This fortnight a print ad overshadowed all the TVCs, becoming the talk of the town. As IPL draws to a close, cricket continued to be a big theme. Clever bites…
- May 25, 2024
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We can maximise the opportunity with our different brands, says Tanishq CEO Ajoy Chawla
It’s a rainy morning in Chennai, unusual during the peak heat of May. Ajoy Chawla, the CEO of Tanishq, is on a quick trip for a market visit to the…
- May 24, 2024
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S is for Suitcase: Revolutionising middle-class travel
With its adjustable handle, trolley wheels and lightweight exterior, the suitcase evokes style, and more importantly, the dream of a destination. With it by your side, you could be visiting…
- May 14, 2024
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Lux: A hundred-year-old secret – The Hindu BusinessLine
How to manage the marketing communication strategies for a brand that is sold all over the world? I do a session titled ‘Adopt, Adapt, Create’ at B Schools and it…
- May 14, 2024
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The rise and rise of deepfakes in India
A few days back, an AI-generated video featuring Mamata Banerjee made waves on social media, prompting the killjoy Kolkata Police to send a warning to the creator — which made…
- May 13, 2024
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The changing tone and language of job ads
Meet anyone in the recruiting industry and the constant lament is how finding the right-fit candidate is very tough. Could it be the fault of the job ads they are…
- May 13, 2024
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S is for Scooter: A ride back to the future
If there’s one object that symbolises the Indian middle-class pre-liberalisation, it is the scooter for sure. Scooter was not just a typical two-wheeler for the middle class, it gave wings…
- May 12, 2024
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On the campaign trail – The Hindu BusinessLine
Advertisers love mothers — after all they wield undue influence in the shopping decision. Millions of ads have been made portraying mothers recommending everything from tea to detergent. So it’s…
- May 1, 2024
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How the blended model is working for DDB Tribal
It’s been ten years since the DDB Group bought out 22feet, a fast growing independent digital agency (named interestingly after the size of our small intestine to denote its gutsiness)…
- April 30, 2024
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Brands keep time in so many interesting ways
I recently began using a Mont Blanc Meisterstück fountain pen. It is a pleasure to write with, and its overall look and feel is so beautiful. Whenever I write with…
- April 30, 2024
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Goafest is back — with a new theme and location!
Goafest, the premier event of the advertising and marketing community is back — but this time in Mumbai. The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club have…
- April 29, 2024
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Rethinking sizes – The Hindu BusinessLine
When the shoe does not fit, it’s time to rethink size measures! And that’s what is happening in India. There may soon be a new sizing system called ‘Bha’ to…
- April 29, 2024
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R is for remote: The clash for control in the middle-class melodrama
In a world where convenience reigns supreme, the evolution of technology has led us down a path where every aspect of our lives is meticulously controlled by a single, omnipotent…
- April 28, 2024
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On the campaign trail. – The Hindu BusinessLine
The advent of summer has seen brands at their light-hearted best. Quirky scenarios and humorous dialogues are being used to deliver summer laughs and the brand message. The cool Waah…
- April 15, 2024
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Lok Sabha elections 2024: Young turks on social media
With just a few days to go for the first phase of #GeneralElections2024 to begin, every politician worth his salt or her sugar is out campaigning. Physically and virtually. In…
- April 15, 2024
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In its 125th year, McDowell’s joins the single malt party with a wine-forward batch
There was homage to history. There was homage to grapes and wine and misty hills. There was homage to Indian capability. Last week, when the world’s largest selling whisky brand,…
- April 14, 2024
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On the campaign trail. – The Hindu BusinessLine
The start of the financial year has seen brands get off to a great start with several good campaigns flooding the screens. Some of these, like Ariel, are annual iterations…
- April 13, 2024
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Aligning people, purpose, passions and profit
It’s just over a month since Babita Baruah took charge as the CEO of VML India. For Baruah, who was leading WPP’s Ford business for several international markets and serving as…
- April 13, 2024
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P is for Pressure cooker: The quintessential icon of the great Indian kitchen
As symphonic as the ‘tring-tring’ of the telephone, and the ‘ding dong’ of the doorbell, is the whistle (Seeti) from a pressure cooker in an Indian home. The trademark sound…
- April 3, 2024
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Broken glass, expensive bananas and moment marketing
My favourite marketing moment of the recently concluded Tata Women’s Premier League (WPL) came when Ellyse Perry, playing for team RCB, hit a huge shot that broke the window glass…
- April 3, 2024
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The magic formula of celeb-owned brands
Guess who is hitting the jackpot on India’s start-up street? Their films might be hit or miss, but Bollywood celebrities are finding huge success with the brands they are co-creating.…
- April 2, 2024
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Aman Mannan and Shitu Pail join as NCDs at Publicis
Publicis India is ramping up its creative leadership. It has appointed Aman Mannan and Shitu Patil as joint National Creative Directors (NCDs). The duo will lead the creative vision for…