Top Trending Advertising/Media News & Highlights
Banking on attention: The need for BFSI marketing to engage customers between UPI and Instagram
The financial services sector is at a pivotal juncture as India moves closer to its Digital Bharat vision, with the expectations of a generation of digital natives reshaping legacy institutions. The FINIXX Summit & Awards 2025, which has as its forward-thinking topic "Reimagining BFSI: Powering Digital Bharat Goals," put this change front and center.In order to examine the changing relationship between technology, trust, and consumer engagement in the BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) industry, a diverse group of marketing experts, digital strategists, and financial innovators convened for the summit.Experts discussed how rapidly changing consumer behavior is upending traditional marketing strategies in a fascinating panel titled "The Next-Gen BFSI Consumer: Understanding & Engaging Digital-First Audiences." They also discussed what it will take to foster trust, loyalty, and meaningful engagement in an increasingly app-first and attention-deficit world. The panel, which was presided over by Teamology Softech and Media Services Vice President of Growth and Strategy Lawrence Suchitha, included marketing directors from top BFSI institutions: VP of Digital Marketing at HDFC Bank, Aashir Allana AVP of Social Media Marketing at Tata Capital, Nikita Dilip Gupta SBI General Insurance's Head of Marketing and CSR, Rathin Lahiri Varun Mundra, Motilal Oswal Financial Services' Head of Media & Innovations Vishal Lohia, Hybrid Associate Director of Sales."The BFSI landscape has decisively moved from branch-first to app-first engagement," said Lawrence Suchitha, who opened the debate. Consumers of today need digital experiences that are quick, simple, and integrated—all while maintaining the transparency and trust that have traditionally characterized our industry. "The next-gen customer has never seen a passbook or stepped inside a branch," said Aashir Allana of HDFC Bank, emphasizing the point. They view the bank as an app rather than a physical establishment.Allana asserts that modern consumers evaluate their banking experiences by comparing them to Netflix, Amazon, and Zepto rather than other banks. "They want Zepto-level speed and Netflix-level personalization." Despite their impatience and impulsivity, they have a strong research bent. They expect the application procedure to take three minutes, but they will spend hours comparing credit cards. He pointed out that because of this behavioral mismatch, marketers must reach users "somewhere between Instagram and a UPI app."
Published 16 Oct 2025 05:15 PM
As Q3 growth jumps 5.7%, Arthur Sadoun praises Publicis' AI-powered pace.
Building on its impressive organic growth of +5.7% for the third quarter of 2025 (Q3'25), Publicis Groupe has increased its prediction for organic growth for the entire year. The quarter's great performance outperformed the first half of 2025's high growth of +5.4%.The business has increased its forecast for organic growth in the full year (FY) 2025 to a new range of +5% to +5.5%. This represents an improvement over the original estimate of +4% to +5%. A number of factors, including consistent client spending (without any significant budget cuts or slowdowns) and growing demand for its AI-powered goods and services, underpin the decision to increase the outlook. Long-term scope development with current clients, a robust business environment for new ventures, and a more advantageous competitive environment are all important growth drivers.Arthur Sadoun, Publicis Groupe's chairman and CEO, "Q3 was yet another excellent quarter, exceeding forecasts, with no slowdown in customer demand. At Publicis, we are proving that artificial intelligence is not a pipe dream but rather a current reality that is propelling our expansion. We are demonstrating once more how our distinct AI-powered methodology may help us acquire market share and establish ourselves as a Category of One. We achieved organic growth of +5.7%, which significantly widened the gap with our counterparts by over 700bps2. In addition to not seeing any significant reductions in marketing expenditures, we also witnessed a surge in demand for our AI-powered goods and services. This was evident in our Epsilon-powered Connected advertising initiatives, which had high single-digit growth as a result of our capacity to use AI to link influencers, commerce, and paid advertising. Due to the growing demand for customized content, our AI production platform experienced double-digit growth. Additionally, Publicis Sapient maintained its favorable results for the second consecutive quarter thanks to our capacity to create agentic networks for clients that are looking to de-silo their own businesses.We anticipate that this upward trend will continue throughout Q4. Because of this, we are comfortable raising the higher end of our prediction to +5.5% for our 2025 organic growth guidance. Additionally, we are reporting that our already industry-leading margin has improved to just over 18% throughout the course of the year. With net new billings for the first nine months of the year already surpassing our 2024 total, we are now planning for 2026 because of our unparalleled new business track record. For the seventh consecutive year, we anticipate outperforming the industry the following year. I want to express my gratitude to our teams for their exceptional work in getting us to this point and to our clients for their ongoing trust.
Published 14 Oct 2025 05:28 PM
FINIXX Summit & Awards 2025: Transforming BFSI for a Bharat empowered by digital technology
The financial services industry is at the forefront of change as India moves closer to realizing its goal of having a digitally inclusive economy. The FINIXX Summit and Awards 2025 returns against this dynamic backdrop with the audacious and forward-thinking subject, "Reimagining BFSI: Powering Digital Bharat Goals." The FINIXX Summit and Awards 2025 will take place in Mumbai tomorrow, October 14.FINIXX Summit 2025, which is set to bring together some of the most prominent voices in banking, financial services, insurance (BFSI), fintech, and marketing in the nation, is expected to be more than just a forum for discussion; it seeks to incite change, foster trust, and establish new standards for how financial brands interact with a rapidly changing customer base.Examining how digitization, human-centric design, trust-building, and integrated marketing tactics are changing the game for financial institutions throughout India is the main goal of the summit. As the underserved, underbanked, and technologically savvy Bharat sector becomes a strategic priority, FINIXX 2025 urgently highlights inclusive and transformative innovation. The summit will examine topics that represent the industry's continuous development through keynote addresses, fireside chats, CXO panels, and real-world case studies. The agenda gives a broad overview of the future, covering topics like figuring out how AI and data are changing engagement and risk assessment, as well as deciphering the next wave of fintech disruption.The comprehensive approach of FINIXX 2025 is what makes it unique. Exposure to cross-functional viewpoints will enable attendees to go with more than just talking points—they will leave with practical frameworks. C-suite executives, marketing strategists, product developers, compliance officers, and digital growth architects who want to remain on top of trends are the target audience for this event.
Published 13 Oct 2025 04:59 PM
CNN-News18 dominates as the leading prime-time English news channel
CNN-News18 has reaffirmed its position as the unrivaled leader in India's English news sector. CNN-News18 reigns supreme in the primetime slot without any rivals, establishing the channel as unparalleled. The most recent BARC data reveals that CNN News18 commanded the prime time slot with a remarkable 64.4% market share, far surpassing its rivals, NDTV at 15.4% and Times The channel’s credibility and its capacity to provide accurate, timely, and impactful journalism that connects with its audience have contributed to this consistent performance. The channel’s robust performance is fueled by its dedication to providing precise information and showcasing elite news figures such as Zakka Jacob, Anand Narasimhan, Rahul Shivshankar, and Shivani Gupta. The channel guarantees thorough coverage of all significant national-interest news through its vast network of reporters nationwide.
Published 09 Oct 2025 04:10 PM
Advertising/Media
Advertising and Media are the essential verticals in any country and both goes parallely while deciding any strategy for promotions. Advertising has been segregrated between Online & Offline advertising which has further wings under them whereas the Media is also categorize in Offline which is Traditional Media like TV, Newspaper, Magazine and its Online Media form which is through digital platforms like Websites, Social Media, Video Channels and others.
Navjot Singh Sidhu joins Artkonnect as an exclusive talent.
Renowned public figure Navjot Singh Sidhu has been exclusively onboarded by Artkonnect, a creative talent management firm. Artkonnect will oversee Sidhu's business dealings and assist in amplifying his social and personal endeavors as part of this collaboration.In order to provide viewers a more intimate, unvarnished glimpse into Sidhu's world, Artkonnect has started an official YouTube channel called "Navjot Sidhu Official." His personal transformation journey, daily workout routines, fashion, motivating philosophy, and his trademark commentary that combines comedy, charisma, and cricket will all be included in the channel's extensive selection of lifestyle material.It is the thought that initiates transformation. I want to share my path of self-control, devotion, and resolve with the world—not just as inspiration, but also as a message of hope. In this new chapter, I'm thrilled to collaborate with Artkonnect," Navjot Singh Sidhu stated.With this project, Artkonnect hopes to transcend Sidhu's legacy as a cricket player and commentator and reposition him as a thinker, inspiration, and significant public figure. His YouTube channel launch is the first in a planned sequence of digital-first projects aimed at showcasing his vibrant personality and love of life. Sidhu Ji is a great addition to the Artkonnect family. We are thrilled to share his transformational tale with a larger audience via captivating digital platforms because it is so inspiring. Through this collaboration, we are able to honor his incredible journey in a genuine, approachable, and inspiring manner," stated Anand Kanwar, Artkonnect co-founder.
The Possible creator explains to The Drum why he wants to make the popular event into marketing's equivalent of Davos rather than a CES or Cannes clone.Christian Muche appeared to be a Miami native. W
The Possible creator explains to The Drum why he wants to make the popular event into marketing's equivalent of Davos rather than a CES or Cannes clone.Christian Muche appeared to be a Miami native. Wearing a flamingo-pink suit from head to toe, he could have easily passed for the owner of the South Beach tequila empire as he strode around the Fontainebleau like a guy who understands exactly what he's built. However, Muche is here to promote a fresh idea for event promotion, not to sell alcohol.Possible, the show he started at the end of the pandemic, has grown to become one of the most talked-about events on the industry calendar in just three years. CMOs, internet innovators, media moguls, and platform giants are drawn to it because of its sun-drenched Miami Beach setting. Furthermore, Muche made it clear this year that this is something completely different from CES and Cannes.He told The Drum, "I hope Possible becomes the Davos of the marketing world. " We had never heard that before, and it seemed like a significant change from how the event has been positioned up to this point. Because of the lush landscaping, well-known speakers, and brand events, it was dubbed the "Cannes of the US." He remarked, "Davos brings together the biggest decision-makers from industry, science, and politics." "The same is required for marketing."Muche has an impressive record and is the kind of guy you usually listen to. With more than 60,000 participants and 1,200 exhibitors, he co-founded Dmexco in Germany in 2008 and helped it grow into one of the biggest marketing trade exhibitions globally. He started it in New Zealand, where he relocated after Yahoo in search of a more tranquil life for his family. But the desire to construct came back. He claims, "I told my wife I was doing something new three months after moving." In Germany, it's Dmexco. It caught her off guard.
As AI Advances, Meta's Q1 2025 Revenue Soars to $42.31B
For the first quarter of 2025, Meta Platforms, Inc. reported strong financial results, showing a notable increase in revenue and net profits from the previous year. In comparison to the $36.46 a trillion dollars reported in the same period last year, the company's first-quarter sales of $42.31 billion is a significant 16% gain. Additionally, net income increased significantly, rising 35% from $12.37 billion in the first quarter of 2024 to $16.64 billion. In line with this, diluted profits per share (EPS) increased to $6.43 from $4.71 the previous year.Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and CEO of Meta, was upbeat about the company's performance, saying, "We've had a strong start to an important year, our business is performing very well, and our community continues to grow." With nearly 1 billion monthly actives, Meta AI and AI glasses are both making good strides. This impressive success was the result of several reasons. The company's main source of income, advertising revenue, increased by 16% year over year to $41.39 billion. A remarkable 10% increase in the average price per ad and a 5% increase in ad impressions throughout Meta's Family of Apps were the main drivers of this gain.Operationally, Meta's Family daily active persons (DAP) increased by 6% from the previous year to an average of 3.43 billion in March 2025. Reality Labs, Meta's metaverse branch, reported $412 million in revenue and an operational loss of $4.21 billion, while the Family of Apps sector demonstrated outstanding financial success with $41.90 billion in revenue and $21.77 billion in profitability from operations.
With five wins for the "Ink of Democracy" campaign, Havas Creative India wins the 2025 Clio Awards.
Havas Creative India, the company's creative agency, has made a significant impact on the world arena by taking home five precious metals from the 2025 Clio Awards for their powerful campaign, Ink of Democracy, which was created in partnership with The Times of India. This acknowledgment at one of the world's most prominent creative festivals solidifies the agency's expanding impact in producing audacious, mission-driven work that cuts across boundaries. Ink of Democracy, a powerful campaign created in partnership with The Times of India, earned five prestigious metals at the 2025 Clio Awards, marking a significant milestone for Havas Creative India, the company's creative agency.Ink of Democracy, a powerful campaign created in partnership with The Times of India, earned five prestigious metals at the 2025 Clio Awards, marking a significant milestone for Havas Creative India, the company's creative agency. This acknowledgement at one of the world's most prominent creative festivals solidifies […] Havas Creative India won five Clio Awards for their "Ink of Democracy" ad in The Times of India.
Reality check or cookie delay? How prepared is the adtech industry for a future where privacy comes first?
Google's current task is to make the Privacy Sandbox actually useful by improving its APIs, coordinating with authorities, and assisting the sector in implementing it without sacrificing efficiency. This change isn't only Google's, though. The entire ad tech ecosystem is being forced to shift as privacy becomes a brand requirement. The cookie delay draws attention to a more pressing need: creating advertising models that are sensitive to privacy. That entails adopting clean rooms for secure data sharing, investing in first-party data, and embracing contextual targeting.Not only is it time to phase out cookies, but it's also time to rethink digital advertising in a way that emphasizes openness, trust, and moral innovation. Though slower, more intricate, and more cooperative than anyone initially anticipated, the future is nonetheless coming. According to Sindhu Biswal, CEO & Founder of Buzzlab, Google put the ecosystem on hold because it isn't ready, not because it changed its intentions. According to him, eliminating third-party cookies may seem like a good idea in theory, but in reality, it would be like abruptly stopping a moving train without alerting the occupants.For targeting, measurement, and attribution, the ad tech sector still heavily relies on cookies, particularly outside of walled gardens. This delay essentially indicates that, at least not just yet, Google cannot afford to destroy the system it helped create. Publishers need to be monetized, advertisers still want responsibility, and alternatives like Topics API and Privacy Sandbox don't offer the same degree of control or accuracy. This is more of a reality check than a reprieve for the larger ad tech community.
A sedentary lifestyle, excessive use of painkillers, and other behaviors that compromise liver health
Your body's liver is an essential organ that aids in digestion, controls metabolism, and filters pollutants. Numerous daily lifestyle decisions have the potential to either improve or worsen liver health. Furthermore, unless they worsen, the majority of liver diseases go undiagnosed. Being conscious of the habits that may be causing more harm than you realize is therefore essential.Chronic drinking and liver damage are frequently confused, according to Dr. Swapnil Sharma, a consultant liver transplant, HPB, and GI surgeon at Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai. Even social drinking might cause inflammation or fatty liver if it is done often over time. Repeated exposure to alcohol, even in modest doses, puts the liver into overdrive since it is metabolized there. Liver cirrhosis may result from this over time due to irreversible damage and scarring, he says.Although alcohol is a well-known cause, unhealthy eating practices can now pose an even greater risk to liver function. Dr. Sharma warns that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly becoming a serious liver issue, particularly in diabetics and overweight individuals. Without a trace of alcohol, diets high in sugar, processed carbs, and trans fats can lead to hepatic cell fat accumulation. The liver is further strained by a lack of physical exercise, which also leads to obesity and insulin resistance. Poor eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle are what subtly create the foundation for liver disorders, he claims.
Britannia Marie Gold launches season 2 of 'Her Start-Up Show'
Season 2 of Britannia Marie Gold's Start-Up Show has begun airing. This national reality series, which was started in collaboration with Mindshare and GroupM Motion Entertainment, gives only female entrepreneurs nationwide a stage on which to present their ideas. With 40 finalists vying for the Rs. 10 lakh Britannia Marie Gold Grant, the show debuted on JioHotstar on April 19.The British Empire The result of the Her Start-Up Contest, which was introduced in July 2024 and attracted thousands of entries from all over India, is Marie Gold's Her Start-Up Show. Forty of the more than 100 women who received professional training were shortlisted. Funding, mentorship, national exposure, and ecosystem access will be provided to all participants. Some will participate in the NSDC Women Entrepreneurs Mentorship Program, while the top 10 will be awarded the Golden Grant. GroupM Motion Content was responsible for the show's conception. The 40 competitors, who represent places such as Indore, Aurangabad, Coimbatore, Jammu & Kashmir, and others, present concepts related to cuisine, fashion, sustainability, technology, and agri-solutions. Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada are the six languages in which the program is available, along with audio and subtitles. Eight episodes that cover everything from pitching to mentorship to the Rs. 10 lakh Britannia Marie Gold Grant are available on JioHotstar, with two new ones premiering every weekend starting on April 19.Aarti Gupta (Jagran Group), Riya Joseph (Britannia), actor-entrepreneur Neha Dhupia, MasterChef winner Shipra Khanna, artisan Ruma Devi, Suta's Sujata Biswas, and Shreshtha Gupta (NSDC India) make up the jury for the show, which is hosted by actress Shriya Saran. Every weekend, two episodes of the eight-episode series are released.
Following Dilwale, Rohit Shetty discusses his disagreement with Shah Rukh Khan. This is the reason they aren't working on movies together.
With Chennai Express, Shah Rukh Khan and Rohit Shetty's cooperation was a success, but Dilwale was unable to recreate the same enchantment. A rumor of a breach between the two has been circulating ever since. Now that Rohit has officially addressed the rumors, they may be put to rest. Also see: According to Rohit Shetty, young performers are "insecure" and afraid of failing. "They use social media excessively. "Following Dilwale's disastrous box office performance, Rohit Shetty addressed rumors of a falling out with Shah Rukh Khan in a recent interview with Komal Nahta on his Game Changers podcast. “Nahi aisa kuch nahi” (nothing like that), he said.Ek respect hai humare beech me aur Dilwale ke baad ye hua ki instantly phir humne humare khud ki production house kholi," Rohit continued. Kiya ki hum khud ki filmein banayenge humne decision kiya ki. Jabki loss nahi hua thi, agar loss bhi ho to humara ho. (We respect one another. After Dilwale, we opened our own production company. We made the decision to produce our own movies so that we would be responsible for any losses. We did not, however, lose in Dilwale.The director also mentioned how well-received Dilwale was abroad. Notably, Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan produced Dilwale under the Red Chillies Entertainment production company. Released on December 19, 2015, Dilwale clashed with Bajirao Mastani, a period drama directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Priyanka Chopra.
Francesco Poletti is welcomed by the Ad Club as the International Jury Chair for the One Show-powered ABBY Awards 2025.
Francesco Poletti, Chief Creative Officer of Le Pub Publicis Italy, has been appointed by the Ad Club to serve as an international jury chair for the Young Maverick Abby category of the ABBY Awards 2025, which are powered by One Show. As CCO, Francesco Poletti is in charge of Le Pub Publicis Italy. Previously, he served as Jung Van Matt's CCO, VMLY&R, and Creative Director. Francesco is one of the most successful creative executives in the business. He comes to Le Pub from VMLY&R, where he started in 2018 and rose to the position of CCO just two years later.Francesco collaborates closely with Bruno Bertelli on projects for domestic and international customers, such as Netflix, Barilla, and Heineken.Francesco has won multiple D&AD and One Show pencils, as well as the Cannes Lions and Grand Prix. His Rocking Mamas advertisement for Rolling Stone made him famous. On May 21, 22, and 23, 2025, the ABBY Awards 2025, presented by One Show, will be held at Goafest 2025 at Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon in Goa.The Advertising Club and the Advertising Agencies Association of India co-host Goafest.As CCO, Francesco Poletti is in charge of Le Pub Publicis Italy. Previously, he served as Jung Van Matt's CCO, VMLY&R, and Creative Director. Francesco is one of the most successful creative executives in the business. He comes to Le Pub from VMLY&R, where he started in 2018 and rose to the position of CCO just two years later. Francesco collaborates closely with Bruno Bertelli on projects for domestic and international customers, such as Netflix, Barilla, and Heineken.
From financial constraints to AI brunch: Will Sora make Indian cinema more accessible?
There were conflicting responses when OpenAI presented its potent text-to-video model, Sora, to Hollywood studios. Others viewed it as a powerful disruptive force that could endanger creative jobs, while others regarded it as a revolutionary instrument.Will Indian filmmakers encounter a similar wave of ethical, legal, and creative issues that are already igniting discussions in the West, or should they adopt AI-powered video technologies to get beyond long-standing financial constraints? In India, filmmakers who frequently lack the financial resources of major production companies might benefit from tools like Sora.The promise is alluring on the one hand. AI tools like Sora could democratize access to high-end visual storytelling in a nation where independent filmmakers and regional creators frequently operate with limited resources. This would allow for realistic simulations of elaborate sets, action scenes, or fantastical worlds—all without the need for enormous budgets. They provide Indian film with a fresh avenue for creativity, pace, and genre exploration.However, the chance is accompanied by caution. Indian filmmakers must think about how AI will affect a sector that is based on human narrative, cultural diversity, and specificity, just as Hollywood struggles with issues of job displacement, copyright, and the erosion of creative authenticity. The path forward necessitates a careful balancing act that preserves the spirit and morals that characterize Indian cinema while embracing the efficiency and inventiveness AI can offer.
In a new advertisement, Ranbir Kapoor and Kriti Sanon make the globe say "O."
Kriti Sanon and Ranbir Kapoor have joined Ozone as brand ambassadors. Makes the World Go O is a new campaign that the corporation has started. The ad emphasizes how Ozone's designs change environments. Alok and Vrinda Aggarwal expressed their enthusiasm for the partnership. The function of architectural hardware solutions was covered by Ashwin Varkey.Hardware solutions Ozone has launched a brand campaign called Makes the World Go O and appointed Ranbir Kapoor and Kriti Sanon as brand ambassadors. A highly accessible and true insight served as the foundation for the campaign. Every individual designing a space, whether it be residential or commercial, has a ton of ideas about what they want to accomplish with it. However, due to limitations like space, functionality, durability, and aesthetics, many of those concepts frequently remain just that—ideas.
Women leaders on vulnerability, strength, and structural changes in "Authentic Ascent"
An interesting panel discussion on the topic of "The Authentic Ascent: Leading with Vulnerability and Strength" took place at the 6th edition of the Women Disruptors Summit & Awards 2025. Industry pioneers gathered to talk about systemic changes that enable women in leadership positions in addition to their own personal journeys.Pritha Mitra Dasgupta, Chief Marketing Officer of Havas India, presided over the meeting, and panelists included: Kinnari Dave, Shemaroo Entertainment's Business Head for ShemarooMe Prachi Bali, Head of Saatchi Propagate and EVP Shwetal Basu, Polycab India's Senior Vice President and Head of Brand & Marketing"We are no longer applauding leaders who never flinch," said Pritha Mitra Dasgupta, who opened the conversation by saying .that the days of leaders who stood like rock without flinching were long gone. In actuality, we are admiring those who possess the capacity for tenderness, resilience, empathy, and ambition.She continued by asking Kinneri Dave how both astute strategy and flexibility are necessary to successfully navigate a legacy business through the digital maelstrom. "Could you describe a situation where you were able to bring things back on track when they were veering off course because of your transparency rather than just your strategic abilities?""When you take over a brand, a legacy brand as large as Shemaroo, the burden of the brand and the legacy is huge, and you're always on edge, making sure you're not denting it," Kinnari Dave said, citing a server crash as an example that demonstrated the leadership transfers. I can clearly recall that five years ago, I oversaw product and technology for another company before taking the helm at Shemaroo.I remember clearly the day one of our servers broke and we lost a lot of data because it's a legacy brand and we had a major tech move. At that period, leading product technology for a heritage company felt extremely risky because of the media and people' doubts about a legacy brand going digital in comparison to Netflix. We told stakeholders, "Yeah, we've had a crash, lost data, and need time to figure this out," rather than jumping into solution mode, I said. However, we'll make sure that things return to normal. I then said to the crew, "All right, so this is where we are." Let's focus on finding a solution and separating the problem from the who.That made things more relatable and encouraged cooperation. Because we came together and worked as a single, cohesive team, I believe that's where we found the solution and recovered more quickly than anticipated.
Green Agency of the Year' at the IAA Olive Crown Awards goes to RK Swamy.
The International Advertising Association's (IAA) India Chapter hosted the 15th annual Olive Crown Awards 2025 on April 4th at the ITC Grand Central in Parel, Mumbai. The tallest business and creative executives made up the crowd.To determine the winners, a prestigious panel of jurors that included well-known experts like Rahul Ghosh (National Creative Director at VML), Ambareesh Chakraborty (Senior Partner & Executive Creative Director at R K Swamy Ltd.), Tista Sen (Founder of TistaThinks), and Carlton D'Silva (Founder of Musemakers & House of Awe) carefully reviewed the entries.The Hon. Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly and the Honorable Guest of Honor, Shri Rahul Narwekar, commended IAA for successfully hosting the Olive Crown Awards for the past 15 years in a row. He expressed his gratitude to IAA for taking on this effort at a time when sustainability may not have been as well-known as it is now and for taking on the challenge of spreading awareness of it among young people, the elderly, and the general public. He claimed that as a result of these initiatives, sustainability is now being taken seriously worldwide. "We've seen some amazing work being recognized—work that not only inspires us but also drives real change," stated Abhishek Karnani, President of the IAA India Chapter. Despite the difficult times we are living in, one thing is certain: sustainability is now a duty rather than an option. Unpredictable weather patterns, fierce wildfires, disappearing forests, melting ice caps, and the tragic loss of animal and bird species are all warning signs that are now too obvious to ignore. These are our realities, not just far-off headlines.These cautions are taken seriously at the International Advertising Association (IAA). The fact that media outlets, advertising firms, and corporations are following suit gives me hope.IAA Olive Crown Awards Chairperson Janak Sarda says They say that in an association's existence, fifteen long years are just a blink of an eye. The same is true for the International Advertising Association's India Chapter. What started out as a vision that was obviously ahead of its time has grown into one of Asia's most prestigious and sought-after honors. Protecting Brand Earth is a commitment made by our industry. The IAA is dedicated to consistently demonstrating the positive impact of communication.
Oo La La' by Kingfisher is reimagined: an IPL campaign that combines music and cricket
United Breweries Ltd., a division of the HEINEKEN Company, has reworked its famous "Oo La La" jingle to create a lively clarion cry for good times with Kingfisher Premium Packaged Drinking Water. In keeping with its reputation as the "King of Good Times," the company releases two new brand films starring players from the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). They convey the joy, fun, and refreshment that Kingfisher has long been known for, set to two brand-new, funky tracks: Vibe, produced by Tamil rapper Paal Dabba and producer Sickflip, and Besabar, performed by popular regional musicians Bharg and Lothika. SRH actors Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, and Heinrich Klaasen co-star with LSG actors Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, and David Miller in the two brand movies. As players groove to Besabar in the LSG movie, artists Bharg and Lothika transform a routine moment into unplanned joy, honoring the combination of cricket, music, and culture. In contrast, a poolside wait in the SRH movie is transformed into a wild party thanks to the vivacity and sexiness of musicians Paal Dabba and Sickflip."This campaign embodies everything Kingfisher stands for—fun, energy, and unforgettable moments," stated Vikram Bahl, Chief Marketing Officer of United Breweries Limited, in reference to the release. The brand films make this spirit come to life through Kingfisher Premium Packaged Drinking Water's partnership with Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Lucknow Super Giants. We are reaching a younger generation that thrives on the blending of music, sports, and culture by collaborating with local musicians to give our legendary "Oo La La" jingle a new, contemporary spin. India's spirit is rooted in cricket and music, and this campaign embodies Good Times to the fullest.
Knight Bites is introduced by KKR and TTK Prestige.
With Knight Bite, an innovative new long-term project that uses food to connect fans with their favorite players, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are stepping up fan interaction.TTK Prestige, the top kitchen appliance brand in India, has teamed up with KKR to begin this campaign with #Let'sGetCooking with Knight Bite, a five-episode digital series that premieres on March 30. Fans can see a whole new side of KKR players as they cook, converse, and participate in entertaining culinary challenges on the show, which is hosted by famous chef Kunal Kapur.Binda Dey, Group Chief Marketing Officer of Knight Riders Sports, adds, "Our partnership with TTK Prestige is more than just a collaboration – it's a celebration of Indian culture and the shared passions that unite our fans beyond cricket.""Our study revealed that our supporters have strong passions for diet and fitness in addition to their love of the game and KKR. We have introduced two new IPs that provide new and meaningful ways to engage with them as a result of this discovery. We are excited to work with TTK Prestige to make the first of these initiatives, "Knight Bites," a reality. It's more than just a series; it's an opportunity to highlight the personality of our players off the field and honor a common bond: our shared love of food."Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Venkatesh Vijayaraghavan, MD & CEO of TTK Prestige, stated: "Knight Bite is the ideal combination of cricket and food, which have a way of uniting people. For many years, TTK Prestige has been a fixture in Indian kitchens, facilitating generations of people to enjoy cooking with ease. Like the game itself, this partnership with KKR enables us to rethink the kitchen as a place of enjoyment, excitement, and shared experiences. This series is really unique, and we're excited to be a part of it as we watch players leave the field and enter the kitchen, overcoming obstacles with humor and camaraderie. "In India, cricket is an emotion as much as a sport. It also has the ability to unite individuals from different generations and cultures, much like food. By combining these two interests, Knight Bites provides fans with an uncommon, unvarnished look at KKR players off the cricket field. The show turns cooking into an interesting and exciting activity full of humor, friendship, and healthy competition while showcasing TTK Prestige's state-of-the-art kitchen appliances.
Jessica Walsh will chair the 2025 Cannes Lions Design Lions Jury.
Walsh is hailed as a trailblazer in the design field for her unique aesthetic, which combines striking, emotionally stirring, and provocative imagery. In addition to cutting-edge businesses like Coconut Cult and Bombas, her agency, &Walsh, has worked with well-known companies like Google, Apple, and Converse.In addition to her accomplishments in design, Walsh is renowned for her commitment to advocacy and mentoring. She founded Ladies, Wine & Design, an international nonprofit dedicated to empowering women in leadership positions in the creative industries. She also makes use of her position to promote political and social change. Her 40 Days of Dating effort attracted attention from all over the world and resulted in a book and movie contract.The jury president for the Design Lions at Cannes Lions 2025 will be Jessica Walsh, the founder and creative director of &Walsh, a company based in New York. Walsh, a trailblazer in the field of design, is well known for her striking, emotionally stirring, and provocative images.
Former Ogilvy Harish Shetty has joined Buzzlab as Director of Client Services.
Harish Shetty has been named Director of Client Services at Buzzlab, Asia's first content-led growth consulting agency. Harish, a former Management Supervisor at Ogilvy, joins the team with more than 12 years of vast experience in integrated campaigns, brand marketing, and advertising.Working with some of the greatest names in the business, including as MullenLowe Lintas Group, Famous Innovations, and L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, Harish has accumulated significant knowledge in cross-platform marketing and strategic brand building. Harish is a brand and product GTM marketing professional with a track record of spearheading the creation and implementation of marketing initiatives that aim to boost brand equity and achieve business objectives. He has produced significant work for several top businesses thanks to his proficiency in ATL, BTL, and digital/social media marketing brand communication."I didn't choose advertising—advertising chose me, and I couldn't be more grateful," stated Harish Shetty, Client Services Director at Buzzlab, in reference to his new position. I discovered my love for data-driven marketing along the way, and it has been the motivation for everything I do. The true excitement is witnessing concepts become quantifiable effects.
Shraddha Kapoor becomes a brand ambassador for Neutrogena.
The skincare company Neutrogena introduced its new brand philosophy, "Beauty To A Science," and announced Bollywood star Shraddha Kapoor as its newest Indian brand ambassador. The announcement is a component of the brand's most recent Indian marketing campaign. Additionally, the company unveiled its newest creation, Hydro Boost Sunscreen, SPF 50, which provides intense hydration and weightless sun protection. The company has added a new Sunscreen SPF 50 to its Hydro Boost lineup. The product promises to keep you hydrated for up to 12 hours while protecting you from UVA, UVB, and long-UVA rays. It contains a complex of vitamins C and E, pro-vitamin B5, and hyaluronic acid. Clinically evaluated, the sunscreen is made to hydrate without leaving a greasy or white cast.Shraddha Kapoor has been named Neutrogena's latest brand ambassador, joining the skincare company to advocate for its principles and goods.
