Top Trending Advertising/Media News & Highlights
Why the fundamental fault lines in the business won't be resolved by the Omnicom–IPG merger
The Omnicom–IPG merger is now more than just a balance-sheet event as India's advertising sector faces one of its largest structural changes in decades. In a sector already struggling with AI disruption, customer distrust, and shifting talent economics, it is a stress test for scale, relevance, and trust.Veteran executives Ashish Bhasin, Anita Nayyar, Shubho Sengupta, and Kunal Lalani provide starkly different interpretations of what consolidation actually means, including whether it signals the emergence of a three-player oligopoly, a long-overdue efficiency reset, or a defensive reaction to an industry that has already moved on.One thing unites their opinions: size by itself is no longer a guarantee of advantage. The next stage of competition will be characterised by speed, specialisation, and credibility rather than scale as holding corporations compete to handle conflicts, merge cultures, and reassure clients. In 2026, artists, agencies, and advertisers will focus more on who still matters than on who is the biggest."This era of consolidation in advertising and media did not begin recently—it has been unfolding over the past decade," notes Ashish Bhasin, founder of The Bhasin Consulting Group and former CEO APAC, Dentsu. He reminds us that media owners and broadcasters have travelled the same route as agencies, with mergers like Star and CNBC indicating what was to come. Given that "the top four or five holding companies now account for nearly 80–85% of the market share," as noted by Bhasin, the merger of Omnicom and IPG seems like the next obvious step. The level of competition has changed. "A very formidable competitor emerges for WPP," which has long maintained the top spot in India, as a result of the merger. "Going forward, WPP, Omnicom, and Publicis are likely to become the three largest holding companies in India," according to Bhasin, who envisions a market dominated by three titans. Scale will continue to be important, especially in the media, driving rivalry and making "further consolidation inevitable."However, Bhasin takes pains to avoid portraying this as everyone else's demise. He acknowledges that "the overarching trend clearly points towards consolidation," but adds that "India remains a large and fast-growing market, so there is space for multiple players to coexist."
Published 31 Dec 2025 11:11 PM
Network18 defies industry slowdown; Rahul Joshi charts bold growth path for 2026
In a year when the majority of advertising-driven media firms struggled with diminishing earnings, dwindling viewership, and industry consolidation, Network18 has reported growth in all of its major businesses while increasing its emphasis on relevance, subscription, creative collaborations, and digital-first expansion.Rahul Joshi, Managing Director & Group Editor-in-Chief at Network18, stated in an internal year-end message to staff members that the organization had "beaten the odds" in a difficult year for classic news formats by emphasizing unique content, ecosystem thinking, and non-traditional revenue streams. The group established Creator18 to bolster its creator economy strategy, providing a platform for a variety of digital artists while also utilizing their audiences to increase relevance and income share. Additionally, the business emphasized a fresh emphasis on high-quality tools, research, and insights across its major brands, Moneycontrol and CNBC-TV18, as opposed to chasing "click-baity" traffic.Joshi emphasized the quick expansion of Moneycontrol's lending platform, the success of MC Pro, which has over a million users, and the early popularity of SuperPro, which targets high-value traders and investors and increases average revenue per user. He reaffirmed that the company's next growth phase will be defined by non-news content, digital tools, and product innovation. Stronger advertiser access, even from emerging markets, is made possible by the regional news cluster's ongoing multilingual expansion, which is bolstered by a robust national sales network and improved digital outreach. According to Joshi, the firm is still "de-risked" in comparison to its traditional ad-dependent counterparts because subscriber income is growing, transactions are scaling, and events and IPs are bolstering heritage monetization.He acknowledged the structural changes in media consumption, particularly among Gen Z, and pointed out that speedier, platform-native storytelling is becoming more relevant than conventional news formats. With a greater emphasis on CTV and social media, he emphasized that Network18's brands will lead with subtlety, intelligence, and digital-first execution, driven by platforms like Firstpost, Kadak, News18 India, and CNN-News18. Joshi declared 2026 to be a "mission mode" year to foster youthful leadership, experiment vigorously, and keep reinventing the future of Indian news media as he celebrated his ten years with the organization. "We made 2025 count in a year that was really difficult for many. He used Roald Dahl to encourage teams to maintain their faith in "magic" in the face of change, saying, "Let's make 2026 rock."
Published 30 Dec 2025 10:03 PM
On December 26, 2025, India will have early access to Now You See Me, Now You Don't.
The widely watched heist-adventure show With an early access release set for December 26, 2025, NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON'T will make its digital premiere in India, offering viewers looking for a premium watching experience a rental fee of INR 499. The movie will be accessible on several key digital platforms, like as Google/YouTube, Apple TV, and Amazon, giving viewers a variety of ways to enjoy the magical series. The film NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON'T, which was directed by Ruben Fleischer, brings back the Four Horsemen along with a new generation of illusionists. It offers an exhilarating mix of mind-bending twists, shocks, and expansive magic sequences that have never been seen on screen before. With bold illusions and intense storytelling, the movie raises the stakes while maintaining the franchise's trademark blend of spectacle and tension.Along with an ensemble cast that includes Dave Franco, Woody Harrelson, and Jesse Eisenberg, the movie maintains the adventurous tone of the trilogy while adding new characters and audacious new heists. The Now You See Me franchise, which is well-known for its chic graphics and deft storytelling, has amassed a sizable worldwide following thanks to its distinctive blend of magic and criminality.
Published 23 Dec 2025 11:00 PM
How an Indian Gen Z leader is reinventing design education
Director of the JD Institute of Fashion Technology Rinesh Dalal talks with Adgully about his experience reinventing design education through innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity. Dalal, who joined the education sector at the age of 18, offers a unique combination of strategic thought and artistic vision to his leadership position. He considers creating experiential learning ecosystems outside of classrooms, from fostering creative communities and supporting emerging talent to extending the JD tradition into digital-first platforms like JDOnline and JD Podcast. Dalal also discusses how technology, narrative, and purpose will continue to influence design education in India.I was never ready to start working at such a young age, much less establish my own business. I had intended to continue my education in film in London, but because my family is very business-oriented, I decided to use that money to start my own company. In retrospect, I can see how much I have developed both myself and inside the company. I joined JD Institute four years ago, and it has been two and a half years since I assumed full leadership. I have acquired extensive practical experience throughout this period, which enables me to firmly continue this tradition. As a member of the same generation as today's youngsters, I am aware of their goals, mindset, and the help they require at various phases of their development.JDOnline was developed to close the accessibility gap by enabling anybody, anywhere, to receive top-notch design education without being constrained by traditional classroom settings. JD Podcast helps students grasp the real-world dynamics of the creative industry by providing them with authentic talks, thoughts, and experiences from artists, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. This helps close the industry awareness gap.
Published 21 Dec 2025 09:53 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.
Madhvendra Das on how The Good Edge is helping companies develop enduring goodwill
The field of public relations is entering a new era. The significance of reputation management has changed dramatically in recent years. Public relations is being closely examined by more brands and clients, particularly those from the leadership teams. The emergence of social media has drastically altered the industry and, to a great extent, the way public relations is approached. In the upcoming years, we will have to deal with a younger and more youthful audience, which presents greater obstacles for companies and public relations professionals who must be more creative and aggressive in their thinking in order to develop business solutions for customers. In our exclusive weekly column, PR Conversation, Adgully interacts with leading business leaders to gain their exclusive views and insights on various trends in the PR and communications industry.Adgully engages with top corporate executives in our special weekly feature, PR Conversation, to obtain their unique perspectives and thoughts on a range of PR and communications issues.Madhvendra Das, co-founder and director of The Good Edge, talks about the communication and corporate social responsibility gap that resulted in the establishment of the company in an exclusive interview with Adgully. Das offers insights on the distinctions between managing communications internally and as an agency partner, having worked with multinational financial behemoths such as Deutsche Bank and Citibank. He also looks at important business trends, the foundations of a successful crisis response plan in the digital era, how CSR has changed from philanthropy to purpose-driven branding, and more.
Review of the Ad: A dramatic yet realistic approach to waterproofing
A comical yet powerful commercial for Dr. Fixit is produced by Pidilite and its creative agency, Ogilvy India, solidifying the brand's reputation as the "Baap of Waterproofing." The commercial uses an exaggerated but realistic technique, showing a heavy downpour turning rooftops into swimming lakes while the inside walls stay entirely dry, demonstrating Dr. Fixit's exceptional waterproofing capabilities.In honor of Pidilite and KBC's 25-year partnership, the campaign will launch on Monday during Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC).Amitabh Bachchan sings and splashes around in the rain while portraying the carefree husband, adding his trademark charm and comedic timing. Unconcerned and grinning with assurance, his wife relishes the dry interiors while knowing that Dr. Fixit has completed its task. The brand's proficiency in waterproofing solutions is highlighted by the memorable phrases, "Paani hai baahar, sookha hai andar, Dono ko never mix it - Waterproofing ka sach mein, Baap hai Dr. Fixit."The wife discovers wet shoes on the carpet and yells, "Geele joote???" Just when everything appears ideal, a humorous and realistic turn of events occurs. Carpet pe? Get out! The ad is made much more interesting by this unexpected irony, which gives the humor a last punch.
On March 5, Faye D'Souza will give the AAAI Subhas Ghosal Memorial lecture in Mumbai.
A group of seasoned professionals founded the Subhas Ghosal Foundation decades ago, shortly after Subhas Ghosal's death.Delhi, New Delhi: The Subhas Ghosal Foundation (SGF) and the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) have announced that independent digital journalist Faye D'Souza would give the AAAI Subhas Ghosal Memorial Lecture 2025 on March 5 at St. Regis in Mumbai.A group of seasoned professionals founded the Subhas Ghosal Foundation decades ago, shortly after Subhas Ghosal's death. The promotion of professional values is one of the Foundation's main goals. For a number of years, the Foundation has hosted the AAAI Subhas Ghosal Memorial Lecture series in partnership with the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI). During these events, prominent figures such as Rajan Anandan, Uday Shankar, Ronnie Screwvalla, Aroon Purie, and Sudhir Sitapati have given inspiring and educational speeches."With her extensive experience as a fearless journalist, Faye D'Souza will share the opportunities and challenges for independent journalists as well as what this trend means for the future of information, democracy, and the public's role in shaping the narrative," stated Sam Balsara. "We live in a world where news and opinions play a very important role in our day-to-day life." It will undoubtedly be a very enlightening discussion. This year, we also welcome Amazon MX Player as a new sponsor."Faye D'Souza's work as a journalist has always been grounded in addressing issues that matter," said Prasanth Kumar, President of AAAI. Her ability to draw attention to issues that the average person can relate to is powerful and inspirational. We appreciate her sharing her thoughts, which will surely provide a chance for all of us in the media, marketing, and advertising industry to think, grow, and learn. To receive an invitation, experts in the fields of advertising, marketing, media, and digital can send an email to aaai@aaai.in.
New York (World Newswire) -- Taboola, a world leader in providing marketers with performance at scale, today revealed a new focus that goes beyond native advertising as well as a po
For almost ten years, Taboola has been at the forefront of native advertising, helping clients succeed, mostly with bottom-of-article placements. With the launch of Realize, an industry-first platform that focuses exclusively on performance outcomes at scale beyond search and social, Taboola has expanded well beyond its legacy in the modern day.To meet performance goals, Realize leverages Taboola's exclusive data, performance AI, and a growing variety of inventory and innovative formats. Advertisers require specialist solutions, even if they require excellent solutions for every stage of the marketing funnel. It is quite difficult for current solutions that guarantee full funnel service to succeed at every stage of the marketing funnel. Taboola is now making Realize available to all performance-driven advertisers. According to Taboola, advertisers spend $25 billion annually trying to gain performance results on DSPs and specialized AdTech solutions. However, these channels frequently lack the scale, data, and performance expertise necessary to provide advertisers with the results they require. While AdTech businesses typically lack the scale necessary for success, DSPs typically concentrate on video and CTV, which is excellent for branding objectives but not performance. According to Taboola, social media expenditure is also experiencing declining returns at a rate of about $30 billion.
Champions Trophy: Exaggerated or exaggerated? An India-Pakistan dispute puts advertisements on hold.
New Delhi: To purchase the limited number of advertising slots available for Sunday's Indi, advertisers are vying with one another and with time.Delhi, New Delhi: According to media executives, 10-second ad costs for Sunday's India-Pakistan Champions Trophy match in Dubai are ₹50 lakh, double the rates for other matches, as advertisers compete with one another for the limited number of available advertising spots. Mother Dairy managing director Manish Bandlish said the major match "is set to capture the undivided attention of the entire nation." Regular advertisers like Coca-Cola, Mother Dairy, and RedBeryl are all hoping to make a big splash with fresh commercials.
The Samsung F06 5G Eyebrow Dance challenge on SW Network gets viral.
Through a creative eyebrow dance challenge, SW Network has effectively turned the Samsung F06 5G debut on Flipkart into a national cultural phenomenon. The ad demonstrates the agency's capacity to develop multi-channel, culturally relevant campaigns that skillfully combine engagement and amusement.Ayushmann Khurrana, a Bollywood celebrity, starred in the campaign's centerpiece movie, which sparked a social media movement. Through clever alliances with digital influencers Jannat and Faisu, the agency further expanded the campaign, causing a stir on social media.The agency leveraged an unanticipated Flipkart app problem to create a viral meme moment that generated natural conversations on social media, a noteworthy example of agile marketing. As influencers and meme pages joined in, producing content related to Flipkart searches for the Samsung Galaxy F06 5G, the fad quickly gained traction. Through several customer touchpoints, the campaign's reach was expanded. SW Network successfully incorporated the campaign's theme song into dancing communities and coordinated distinctive eyebrow transformation trends. Additionally, the agency created eye-catching digital billboard advertisements with inclusive language, including "This phone is for everyone and everyone is having fun with it," in several places. It could be Beta G, Papa G, or Maa G.
This Valentine's Day, RedBus is searching for the most unmarried person in India.
RedBus' humorous and entertaining "Sabse Single Kaun" campaign is a celebration of singlehood this Valentine's Day. This Instagram-first campaign, in partnership with stand-up comedian Haseeb (@a_sad_comic), seeks to identify the most unmarried people in India and give them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win lifelong free redBus tickets!Valentine's Day is typically thought of as a day for couples, but redBus is changing that by encouraging people to proudly embrace their single status. By using humorous anecdotes or painfully related situations, participants can persuade redBus of their supreme singlehood in their written or video entries. The ultimate prize will be awarded to the entries that are the most imaginative, eccentric, or emotionally stirring.Tie's Day RedBus' humorous and entertaining "Sabse Single Kaun" campaign is a celebration of singlehood this Valentine's Day. This Instagram-first campaign, in partnership with stand-up comedian Haseeb (@a_sad_comic), seeks to identify the most unmarried people in India and give them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win lifelong free redBus tickets! The Idea for the Campaign Valentine's Day is typically thought of as a day for couples, but redBus is changing that by encouraging people to proudly embrace their single status. By using humorous anecdotes or painfully related situations, participants can persuade redBus of their supreme singlehood in their written or video entries. The ultimate prize will be awarded to the entries that are the most imaginative, eccentric, or emotionally stirring. Check out this Instagram post. Haseeb Khan (@a_sad_comic) shared this post. HowThe Grand Award *Lifetime free redBus tickets will be given to the winners! Pallavi Chopra, redBus' Chief Marketing Officer, commented on the ad, saying, "We've chosen a whimsical approach to the day of love this Valentine's Day. Younger and Gen Z travelers' concerns are addressed with our "Sabse Single Kaun" campaign. About 30% of our passengers are between the ages of 18 and 25, making them a crucial component of our target market. We're turning the story on its head to break through the clutter, and we that our target audience will be interested, engaged, and moved by this novel viewpoint.
Overall, AdEx is predicted to expand 11% in 2025, with print AdEx growing 5% in 2024. Madison Ad Report Pitch
According to the Pitch Madison Advertising Report 2025, which was released on Wednesday, print advertising expenditure (AdEx) surpassed pre-Covid levels and increased by 5% to reach Rs 20,272 crore in 2024. It is anticipated to grow by 7% in 2025, indicating greater ad rates and premium pricing. According to the research, "we anticipate print to reach Rs 21,691 crore with a share of 18% in 2025." At 19% of total AdEx, print's proportion remained significantly greater than the global average of 3%. 50% came from the automotive, FMCG, retail, education, and real estate sectors.With a 42% share, agencies continue to be the biggest contributor to AdEx, with digital spending growing by 14% in 2024.Madison World Chairman Sam Balsara discussed the economic, consumer, and market factors that have contributed to AdEx's slow growth in India during the launch of the Pitch Madison Advertising Report 2025. Indian AdEx never ceases to amaze us. At the overall AdEx level, it has only increased by 9%, but the rise is much worse when looking only at traditional AdEx, which has increased by 6%. From 14% in 2022 to 7% in 2023 and 6% in 2024, traditional AdEx's growth has decreased. From 35% in 2022 to 15% in 2023 and 14% in 2024, digital adex has slowed down, he said. With an increased revenue of Rs 8,942 crore, the Indian advertising market has surpassed the Rs 1 lakh crore milestone and is currently valued at Rs 1,08,000 crore in 2024.Additionally, he provided a summary of the main causes behind AdEx's muted growth: All industries were nevertheless negatively impacted by food inflation, although FMCG was maybe more affected than others. Due to tighter financial flows, many businesses—particularly startups and SMEs—cut back on their marketing and advertising expenditures. Advertisers slowed their increased expenditure around Diwali because they anticipated low festival demand.The dwindling number of marketers using mass media channels is a clear indication of the advertising industry's sluggish growth, which increased by just 9% in 2024. From 11,100 in 2023 to 8,650 in 2024, there has been a notable decline in the number of television advertisers. Additionally, there is a slight decline in the number of radio and print advertising, albeit it is not as great," he continued.
Review of Thandel: Sai Pallavi and Naga Chaitanya carry a complex relationship but are overshadowed by flimsy drama
The story of Thandel centers on a group of fishermen from Srikakulam who spend nine months in Gujarati waters and spend a month with their loved ones every three months. Nearly every family in this fishing village depends on this for their livelihood. Even though Raju's father, a beloved hamlet leader, died at sea, his mother doesn't stop her son from venturing out into the ocean since she sees it as a way of life. In a similar vein, Sathya is aware that his inner heart beats for the sea and can tolerate being away from him for extended periods of time.She is truly proud of him and even celebrates his rise to the position of "Thandel," or hamlet head. However, the story of Sathya and Raju has a cyclonic aftereffect when a butterfly flaps its wings in a nearby house.Review of Thandel: The film is rather smooth when it centers on the highs and lows of Sai Pallavi and Naga Chaitanya's relationship, but as soon as it enters the murky seas of Pakistan, it transforms into a heroic story of improbable heroes whose grief is overshadowed by their bravery.Review of Thandel The saying "distant makes fonder" has always been true. However, this is rarely displayed with the same soul and longing as Chandoo Mondeti in Thandel. Chandoo crafts a story of passion that develops over the cracks in voices, the smell of a faded shirt, and the wind caressing a flag attached to a lighthouse, with the always reliable Sai Pallavi portraying Sathya and the incredibly effective Naga Chaitanya playing Raju. This love story, which thrives in the analog even in the digital age, is witnessed by the elements. The way Sathya even looks at Raju is lovely.When she is near Raju, who brilliantly displays vulnerabilities that can only be seen in a heartfelt romance, she radiates a great mixture of awe, romanticism, frustration, and a strange sense of pleasure in her eyes. It goes pretty well as long as Thandel concentrates on the highs and lows of this relationship. However, Thandel abandons control as soon as the film crosses the muddy waters of Pakistan, becoming a heroic story about improbable heroes whose grief is overshadowed by their bravery.
In 2024, MS Dhoni endorsed the most products, and Akshay Kumar was the most visible personality in TV advertisements. Media TAM
Shah Rukh Khan emerged as the second most visible celebrity in 2024, following Akshay Kumar, who led TV advertising in terms of ad volume share.The most sought-after celebrity, MS Dhoni, was spotted promoting up to 52 brands on television in the previous year, closely followed by Amitabh Bachchan, who endorsed 51 brands, according to the Celebrity Endorsement Report 2024 published by AdEx India, a division of TAM Media Research.Overall, the number of celebrity-endorsed ads increased by 3% in 2024 over 2023, underscoring the ongoing impact of star power in marketing. Compared to 2022, the percentage of celebrity-endorsed advertisements decreased by 8% in 2023 and 6% in 2024. The AdEx India study stated that the April–June 2024 quarter was the peak time for daily ad volumes (measured in hours) due to the IPL season's considerable increase in advertising activity. Food and beverage, personal care and hygiene, and household products accounted for over half of the celebrity-endorsed advertisements in 2024. In 2024, Akshay Kumar was the most visible celebrity thanks to his 20 hours of daily visibility across all platforms, which dominated TV advertising. With 16 hours a day, Shah Rukh Khan trailed closely behind, confirming his ongoing impact on brand endorsements, the research said.Top category With a 9 percent share of celebrity ad volumes, toilet and floor cleaners rose to the top of the category rankings, followed by soaps at 5%. According to the survey, this demonstrates how heavily hygiene-focused firms rely on celebrity endorsements. Washing powders, aerated soft drinks, paints, building supplies, hair dyes, internet shopping sites, milk beverages, and cookies are other important sectors that relied on celebrities for their advertisements. According to the research, "the top ten categories together contributed 35% of all celebrity-endorsed ads in 2024." In fact, within the past year, the gaming industry has been reported to use up to 53 celebrities in TV advertisements. A total of 34 celebrities appeared in advertisements for spice products.
To fuel its next big jump, Ventura is searching for a creative powerhouse!
A new trading and investment platform was introduced in beta last year by Ventura, a full-service stock brokerage platform, and the company is currently preparing to expand. In order to provide the brand mandate for its first 360-degree mass media campaign, the corporation has started a systematic onboarding process for creative agencies.Ventura's business model, which previously depended on partners and physical distribution, has undergone a strategic change in recent quarters. With a 10-minute onboarding process and a DIY platform that is live on the web and accessible on both the Android and iOS stores, the company launched a new omnichannel digital platform that is geared toward the retail customer."Ventura has a devoted clientele and a solid history spanning more than 30 years. Making the business pin code neutral and taking advantage of the wider market opportunity are the goals of the new product proposition. "We are seeking a brand partner who will collaborate with us to grow the new business, not just a creative agency for a campaign," Ventura Director Manu Monga stated.An agency that has developed brands from the bottom up and worked on mandates that need to be solved for scale will be the preferred partner. Strategic account planning, execution excellence, and the ability to provide consumer insights are important characteristics that will be used in the selection process.
This year, ad spending in India may increase by 8–10%, said Lalatendu Das of Publicis Media.
Mumbai: According to Publicis Media South Asia CEO Lalatendu Das, advertising expenditure (AdEx) in India is predicted to rise 8–10% in 2025, primarily due to the growth of digital media, although conventional channels like TV and print are projected to continue growing steadily.In 2025, it is anticipated that advertising spending in India would increase by 8–10%, mostly due to the growth of digital media, while TV and print will continue to grow steadily. Even if softening is anticipated in the first part of the year, cricket will continue to draw large marketing expenditure.Super Bowl Sunday is more than simply the game; it's also the greatest arena for attention-grabbing and inventive advertising. Most people sigh when they see advertisements since they actively avoid them on streaming services. The tide changes, though, when the Super Bowl arrives. To capture every moment of the recognizable advertisements, people anxiously quiet their surroundings. Beer companies are leading the way this year with Michelob Ultra, which has pickleball players like Willem Dafoe and Catherine O'Hara, and Bud Light, which offers us a delightful hangout with Post Malone. David Beckham is included by Stella Artois for a humorous twist. Super Bowl advertisements, as usual, are expected to be just as interesting as the actual game.
Apni Kahaani Ka Hero by Protean eGov: An uplifting and well-written story
Renowned actor Pankaj Tripathi is the brand ambassador for Protean eGov Technologies' most recent campaign, "Apni Kahaani Ka Hero." Ogilvy India developed the campaign to highlight the company's role in empowering citizens by providing digital public infrastructure (DPI) services like eKYC verification, PAN cards, and National Pension System (NPS) enrollment.The advertisement aims to connect with aspirational India by incorporating Tripathi's own journey from a small-town upbringing to becoming a well-known Bollywood star. The plot appeals to the traditional Indian dream of overcoming adversity and being successful. It shows Tripathi thinking back on his upbringing in the country and emphasizing how his path was influenced by his access to essential government facilities. The advertisement highlights Protean's role in enabling more seamless citizen interactions with government procedures by subtly drawing a comparison between Tripathi's life story and the crucial services the company provides.With a focus on the tagline "Protean: Impacting everyone, every day," the ad presents the brand as an essential yet subtle force that makes growth possible for millions of Indians. The ad portrays Protean as a dream enabler in Digital Bharat through an uplifting and carefully constructed tale. The campaign would benefit from more specific information and a stronger call to action to make sure viewers fully comprehend the brand's offerings, even though the sympathetic brand message and emotive narrative are appealing.
Before landing his first role, Kartik Aaryan remembers receiving "countless" rejections: "Hogaya tha besharam."
After being turned down for over four years, Kartik Aaryan finally landed his first part. Kartik became an overnight success after his first movie, Pyaar Ka Punchanama, became a sleeper smash.Kartik Aaryan, a Bollywood actor, was present at the most recent SCREEN Live event in Mumbai on Thursday. Kartik, who is currently enjoying the success of his 2024 film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, claimed during the event that he had to endure almost four years of rejection before landing his first role in Pyaar Ka Punchnama, which instantly made him famous."I have encountered innumerable rejections," he stated. I used to do auditions every day. I was one of the many people who came here with the same goal of becoming an actor. I wanted to attempt it even though I had no idea what my options were. I got my first gig almost four years later. I am appreciative of the chance.He made the crowd laugh when he responded, "Aadat hogayi thi, besharam hogaya tha (I had become shameless)," when asked what kept him continuing in spite of all the rejections. "Every day I used to hear this role is not suitable for you," Kartik continued. You get numb after a while, but you have to be there every day. Self-belief is crucial, particularly when no one believes in your vision. I used to believe that there was nothing to lose by going. I felt overconfident and believed that their rejection was their fault. It's critical to work hard and have confidence in oneself. They complement each other. Like you, I was once a believer in manifestation. I used to write about it.
Disney+ Hotstar and Star Sports Network begin their "SKYball" campaign.
For the forthcoming India vs. England T20I series, which is scheduled to start on January 22, 2025, Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar have created the 'SKYball' campaign. The marketing film centers on T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, who will play in the five-match series in India.Four hours priorPrepare your drinks because India and England, two of cricket's biggest spectacles, will light up your screens with a five-match Twenty20 International series beginning on January 22. With England bringing their explosive Bazball style and Suryakumar Yadav leading the Blues, this series is much than simply a matchup of cricketing titans; it's a pyrotechnics show in the making. And what else? The whimsical and hilarious "SKYball" ad, which was launched by Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar, is, believe us, literally out of this world. Before we reveal every detail, consider this: Can the moon withstand SKY and Bazball's outburst?With India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav in the promotional video, cricket fandom is elevated to a whole other plane—space. Cricket balls are hilariously shown shooting toward the moon like miniature rockets in a mission control room. Before delivering his punchline, Suryakumar, often known as SKY, even apologizes to the heavenly body: "Moon, see you soon!"
Following Guneet Monga, Priyanka Chopra serves as executive producer for the Oscar-nominated short film Anuja: "Very proud"
Priyanka Chopra is thrilled to have joined the team as an executive producer for the Academy Award-shortlisted movie Anuja, which also has Guneet Monga's support.Priyanka Chopra, a global celebrity, is thrilled to have joined the team as an executive producer for the Oscar-nominated movie Anuja. Variety posted this information. (Also Read: Nick Jonas, Malti Marie, and Priyanka Chopra's relaxed New Year's getaway featured a Jacuzzi, a bonfire, and a rerun of Moana.)The main focus of Anuja is the nine-year-old title girl, who works alongside her older sister Palak in a clothing factory in the back alley. The story follows the young heroine as she must make a choice that will affect her family and her destiny."This beautiful film shines a spotlight on a subject that affects millions of children around the world, who are faced with the impossible decision between a future they cannot yet see and the immediate realities of their present," Priyanka said in a statement about her involvement with the movie.She described Anuja as a moving, thought-provoking work that causes us to consider the significance of our decisions and how they affect the trajectory of our life. Being a part of such an amazing and significant initiative makes me incredibly proud. The movie was made in association with Shine Global, which is well-known for its Academy Award-winning features War/Dance (2007) and Inocente (2012), as well as Krushan Naik features and the Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT), a non-profit organization that was established by Mira Nair's family to aid working and homeless children. One of the producers of the movie is Mindy Kaling. Guneet Monga Kapoor, the Oscar winner, has also joined Anuja as a producer.This might be Monga's third Oscar nomination. Her previous Oscar-winning films, Period: End of Sentence and The Elephant Whisperers, elevated Indian cinema to a glorious level. In addition to Anuja, Sandhya Suri's British-Indian film Santosh is another Indian film still in the running for an Oscar. Santosh, which stars Shahana Goswami, is the UK's official Oscar submission. The movie made its Cannes Film Festival debut earlier this year in the Un Certain Regard division.
TV channels raise tariffs despite shrinking base as costs bite
Mumbai: In order to counteract growing content expenses and a muted advertising landscape, TV broadcasters are enacting inflation-linked increases in TV channel bundle charges. But because DD Free Dish and over-the-top (OTT) services are becoming more and more popular, there are still worries about subscriber churn.A difficult advertising climate and growing content expenses are causing TV broadcasters like SPNI and ZEEL to raise channel bouquet fees by more than 10%. This occurs as the pay-TV sector loses customers to over-the-top (OTT) services and free substitutes like DD Free Dish.A difficult advertising climate and growing content expenses are causing TV broadcasters like SPNI and ZEEL to raise channel bouquet fees by more than 10%.
Six contentious races from 2024: what went wrong
For advertising to be remembered, it must have an impact. Although it doesn't always work, some firms aren't above igniting controversy to boost sales. These five campaigns in 2024 came very close to the line.The campaign title for the Unilever brand is "Nothing Satisfies Like a Pot Noodle." In 2024, a Pot Noodle that had (likely) one of the longest, most visceral slurps ever shown in the UK gave us a lot of satisfaction.The peculiar sound that was intended to highlight the product's delightful flavor wasn't to everyone's taste. Many people disliked the advertisement for being unpleasant and disruptive, while others thought it was funny. A "slurpless" version was produced in response to the criticism, although it was unable to completely resolve the issue. For next TVCs, the brand toned down the slurp, perhaps in a very tongue-in-cheek way.Additionally, it expanded on the fame by launching a "apology" campaign.2. The rebranding of Jaguar's "Project Roar" is more meow When a brand carries over its history, what happens? Well, the latest case study is Jaguar's rebranding. Jaguar unveiled the 'Project Roar' campaign, which featured futuristic design, cryptic wording, and abstract imagery as part of its shift to an all-electric luxury brand. The ad, according to critics, alienated devoted customers and separated the brand from its automotive heritage. Even though it attracted notice, many wondered if Jaguar's core demographic found it compelling.3. Google's "Dear Sydney" misrepresents AI narrative Google used an ad called 'Dear Sydney,' which portrayed a youngster utilizing AI to compose a touching letter to an athlete, to promote their Gemini AI during the 2024 Olympics. Although the purpose of the advertisement was to showcase Gemini's potential, some claimed it over-glorified AI and undermined true human creativity. Because of the overwhelming public criticism, Google finally removed the advertisement.4. The AI Christmas Ad for Coca-Cola Coca-Cola used AI to produce a holiday commercial that included viewers' personalized greetings and a hyper-realistic winter wonderland. Rehashing the popular 'Holidays Are Coming' song, which has been in use for decades, gave them a lot of brand equity to work with. Despite being novel, marketers criticized the ad for feeling impersonal and chilly in contrast to the brand's customarily endearing Christmas ads. It lacked the magic and human touch that Coca-Cola is known for, according to many.5. The "Crush" campaign by Apple Look, big tech is making a mistake once more. Apple's 'smash' campaign used a pneumatic press to smash home and hobby goods into the new iPad in order to increase the amount of functions that fit into the gadget. While the visuals were impressive, many criticized the ad of being unnecessarily violent and dramatic, generating questions about the ethics of glorifying devastation to sell items.6. The 'Vow of Celibacy' on Bumble embarrasses Women criticized a billboard with a celibacy theme from Bumble's recent "Opening Moves" campaign, claiming it was off-brand and tone deaf. The ad's poor timing was pointed out by strategists and creatives, as it was released immediately after Tinder's safety-focused "Share My Date" feature and during a period of increased discussion about women's safety.
