Tag: India

New Delhi, India – Oppo India is celebrating unity amidst diversity in its latest Diwali campaign ‘Vishwas Ka Deep.’ The campaign highlights the different ways Diwali is celebrated across India.

The campaign film expresses the message “Har Diwali Vishwas Ka Deep Jalati Hai,” which focuses on the hope that connects people across various communities during the festive season.

Featuring various Diwali traditions, the film begins with the celebration of Budhi Diwali in Kullu Valley, where tribes sing and dance around a flame. It then moves to Mandrem, where the Narak Chaturdashi is held, commemorating the destruction of evil through a torch. It also shows the celebration of Thar ki Diwali in Rajasthan, where the puppetry art form can be seen.

The film also features the durability of OPPO’s smartphones, including the Reno12 Pro 5G, F27 Pro+ 5G, and A3 Pro 5G.

Additionally, OPPO has released an interactive microsite showcasing unique Diwali traditions in different places in India.

“With #VishwasKaDeep, we are bringing together the diverse cultural essence of Diwali, and how the light of trust and hope unites families, friends, and communities. We have also created an interactive microsite that allows smartphone users to explore Diwali from various regions and create their AI-driven festive postcards,” Karan Dua, head of brand marketing at OPPO India, said. 

“The sentiment of trust and resilience aligns with OPPO India’s commitment to delivering premium user experiences through durable and reliable smartphones,” Dua added.

India – To enhance its creative leadership in the southern markets, DDB Mudra has brought on board Priya Shivakumar as its new creative head for the South region.

Shivakumar brings a wealth of experience to her new role. She joins DDB Mudra from Wunderman Thompson (JWT), where she progressed from executive creative director to chief creative officer for the South region.

With over two decades of experience in the industry, Shivakumar has garnered numerous awards and accolades for her work, including multiple Cannes Lions, D&AD Pencils, One Show Pencils, and Spikes Asia awards. One of her recent achievements is for ‘Hidden Truth,’ a powerful campaign addressing domestic violence.

As the new creative head, Shivakumar will closely collaborate with Rahul Mathew, chief creative officer at DDB Mudra Group, and share leadership responsibilities with Menaka Menon, president of growth and strategy at DDB Mudra.

Speaking on the appointment, Matthew commented, “We have been evolving our offering in the South to go beyond national campaigns and offer specialised expertise for the five South markets. And we believe what will make our solutions even more effective is our creativity. Priya will play a critical role in us achieving this vision for the South Office. She has the unique ability to capture local and cultural nuances and execute them to international standards. I’m excited to have her partner with us on our journey.”

Meanwhile, talking about her new role, Shivakumar said, “I’m thrilled to join DDB Mudra and contribute to the legacy of creating culturally resonant brands. These are exciting times where you can take storytelling to new and unexpected places…through technology, craft, or experience…”

She added, “I’m looking forward to leveraging the power of emotions in my work, driving choices, creating conversations, shaping markets, and rewriting brand stories.” 

India – Colgate-Palmolive in India has unveiled its latest campaign, ‘#TheDailyGrind,’ under the Colgate Strong Teeth brand, addressing the widespread rise in snacking habits across India that contribute to tooth weakening and negatively affect overall oral health.

Colgate’s campaign draws from a study revealing that 44% of Indians are snacking or drinking at any given hour, a behaviour prevalent in both urban areas with frequent munching and rural regions with constant tea and snack breaks.

The campaign highlights how frequent daily snacking accelerates calcium loss from teeth, leading to weakening over time. It also spotlights Colgate Strong Teeth’s formula with arginine and calcium boost technology, which are designed to help replenish lost calcium and strengthen teeth.

Created with Ogilvy India, the campaign features two films following the daily routines of two fathers, one urban and one rural, constantly snacking. Concerned by their behaviour, their sons explain how frequent eating causes calcium loss in teeth and introduce Colgate Strong Teeth as the solution to restore it for better oral health.

The film has been rolled out in two versions across India and contextualised to resonate with diverse audiences.

Speaking on the campaign, Gunjit Jain, executive vice president of marketing at Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited, said, “8 out of 10 Indians suffer from cavities; only 1 out of 10 realise that they do! The extent of the issue is alarming because we all end up eating food multiple times in a day. This leads to teeth losing calcium through a process known as demineralisation.”

“Frequent snacking will only increase during the upcoming festive season. Just the act of brushing teeth with Colgate Strong Teeth toothpaste can be a savior! Its unique Arginine and Calcium Boost technology remineralises teeth by restoring the lost calcium, making them 2X stronger. Now we can enjoy our favourite foods without the worry of developing cavities,” Jain added. 

Kainaz Karmakar and Harshad Rajadhyaksha, CCOs from Ogilvy India, also commented, “Colgate Strong Teeth explains itself by its name. Our job in communication is to bring that alive in different ways. This year, our insight is about how we end up using our teeth more than we should. How? By munching something or the other all day. This is not about being a foodie or a glutton. If you see the film you realise it is simply the way life is nowadays. Seen through the eyes of a son, the film and the accompanying song, tell the story of a man who ends up eating from morning to night. Credit to Juneston Mathana, our ECD on Colgate and Amit Sharma, from Chrome Films for making this piece so much fun.”

India – Ratan Naval Tata, the former chairman Indian conglomerate giant Tata Group as well as chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, has passed away at the age of 86, the company announced in a media statement.

The company, whose operations has extended to more than 150 countries, described the late chairman as a ‘a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of [India].’

“For the Tata Group, Mr. Tata was more than a chairperson. To me, he was a mentor, guide and friend. He inspired by example. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation, the Tata Group under his stewardship expanded its global footprint while always remaining true to its moral compass,” N Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons, said.

He also added that the late chairman’s dedication to philanthropy and the development of society has touched the lives of millions. 

“From education to healthcare, his initiatives have left a deep-rooted mark that will benefit generations to come. Reinforcing all of this work was Mr. Tata’s genuine humility in every individual interaction,” he further added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to the businessman, describing Tata as a ‘visionary’.

“I would meet him frequently in Gujarat when I was the CM. We would exchange views on diverse issues. I found his perspectives very enriching. These interactions continued when I came to Delhi. Extremely pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and admirers in this sad hour,” the prime minister said in a post on his official X (Twitter).

Some of Tata Group’s major affiliates include Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Motors, Tata Steel, Tata Power, Titan, Tata Projects, Air India, Indian Hotels Company, Tata Consumer Products, Voltas, Trent, Cromā and BigBasket.

New Delhi, India – Vivo, a smartphone brand, has launched a new campaign about the Diwali festival in celebration of its 10 years in India. The campaign, titled ‘The Spirit of Homecoming,’ celebrates the joy of family reunions during the festival.

In partnership with FCB India, Vivo’s campaign highlights the brand’s commitment to building meaningful connections. It reflects the brand’s mission to connect people with their loved ones in India, especially during the festive season.

The campaign tells the story of children who want to return home for the festival, despite being in different areas. Meanwhile, their parents’ longing to see them remains unspoken. It is a reminder that the essence of Diwali is not found in festive lights but at home.

Diwali is the festival of lights celebrated in India during autumn every year.

Geetaj Channana, head of corporate strategy at vivo India, said, “As we celebrate 10 years of vivo in India, this Diwali campaign is a tribute to the unbreakable connections that define us. In a world pulling us in different directions, true joy lies in moments shared with those who matter most.”

“At vivo, our goal has always been to bridge distances and empower consumers to capture life’s meaningful moments. With our innovative camera technology, we enable families to preserve and revisit the joy of togetherness, wherever life takes them,” Channana added.

Mayuresh Dubhashi, chief creative officer at FCB India, commented, “Every festive season, every parent across India, has just one question for their children – ‘When are you coming home?’ Sometimes, it takes the form of words, asked matter of factly, in a phone conversation. And sometimes, it takes the form of pictures – missing fairy lights, that you would help put over the doorway, a missing rangoli, that you would help decorate the verandah with, or a missing smile, that you, and only you, could bring to your parent’s face. This Diwali, vivo celebrates ten years of taking the pictures that bring millions to where they belong during the festive season – to the ones they love.”

India – NESCAFÉ Sunrise, a coffee brand under Nestlé India, has partnered with Dentsu Creative Webchutney to launch a campaign that celebrates coffee farmers by honouring their dedication and tireless efforts in cultivating high-quality coffee.

Directed by George K. Antoney and produced by Kadhai Films, the campaign film pays tribute to the dedication of coffee farmers while highlighting their collaboration with Nestlé agronomists as part of the NESCAFÉ Plan. 

Since its launch in India in 2012, this initiative has promoted sustainable agricultural practices, landscape management, and biodiversity enhancement, integrating traditional cultivation knowledge with modern scientific methods. Through this effort, Nestlé India collaborates with approximately 5,000 coffee farmers across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

Talking about the campaign, Sunayan Mitra, director of coffee and beverages business at Nestlé India, said, “Behind every delightful cup of Nescafé, there are coffee farmers whose hard work and dedication contribute to the exceptional taste of our coffee. On International Coffee Day, we paid tribute to these remarkable farmers by sharing their stories on our jars and through this beautiful campaign crafted with love by our teams at Nestlé and Dentsu Creative Webchutney.” 

“The coffee farmers are the backbone for our NESCAFÉ Plan. They have helped us gain immense consumer love and trust for our brands by upholding the safety and quality of our products. This campaign is a homage to their perseverance and dedication, and I hope that it will be appreciated by our consumers,” Mitra added. 

Vidya Sankar, senior vice president at Dentsu Creative Webchutney, also shared, “This campaign is centred on the hard work of coffee farmers and the collaborative work between Nestlé India and the coffee farmers. It also shines the spotlight on the contributions made by coffee farmers to our society and how they impact the consumer’s experience while they enjoy a delicious cup of Nescafé Sunrise. Set amidst verdant green coffee plantations in Coorg, the film is an ode to every coffee farmer, the backbone of the coffee industry.”

As part of the campaign, NESCAFÉ Sunrise also introduced five new packs featuring the images of five coffee farmers from Karnataka’s coffee-growing region, all of whom are involved in the NESCAFÉ Plan. Each pack includes a QR code that, when scanned, reveals the stories of these farmers and their journeys with Nestlé India.

India – dentsu X India has been awarded the digital media mandate for LG Electronics, India’s leading consumer electronics brand. The account was won following a competitive multi-agency pitch and will be serviced from the agency’s New Delhi office.

As per the mandate, dentsu X – the data & tech-driven agency from dentsu India, will cater to a gamut of digital media solutions for the brand. 

It will also offer a comprehensive suite of solutions overseeing online marketing plans across social media platforms, content creation, influencer marketing, media planning and buying, analytics, and full-funnel management for LG Electronics’ B2B segment and B2C website.

This partnership underscores dentsu X’s commitment to upholding the brand’s philosophy of transparency and integrity. The agency will play an instrumental role in amplifying and expanding the brand’s digital footprint with innovative and engaging brand strategies. 

Leveraging its expertise in media, tech, data, and content, dentsu X aims to deliver transformative digital-first experiences, driving business growth and solidifying LG Electronics’ leadership in the consumer electronic industry.

Commenting on the partnership, Jose Leon, CEO at dentsu X India said, “We are thrilled to welcome LG Electronics onboard. This strategic win aligns perfectly with dentsu X’s digital-first and data-driven approach. Our objective is to enhance LG’s digital presence through cutting-edge strategies, driving growth and reinforcing its leadership in the consumer electronics industry.”

Meanwhile, Anita Kotwani, CEO of media for South Asia at dentsu added, “We are excited to join forces with LG Electronics, a leader in the Consumer Electronics industry. LG’s blend of contemporary innovation and authentic approach, along with its evolving core philosophies, aligns seamlessly with dentsu X’s goal of creating transformative brand experiences. Our commitment to driving revenue growth through distinctive data-driven and consumer-centric strategies will add significant value to LG Electronics. We are confident that our digital solutions will support them in achieving its business objectives and further strengthen its industry leadership.”

Lastly, Jae Hyung Jun, head of corporate marketing at LG Electronics India commented, “We are thrilled to partner with dentsu X as we elevate our digital presence. With dentsu X’s innovative approach and deep understanding of the digital landscape, we are confident this collaboration will further strengthen LG’s connect with our customers across digital platforms. We look forward to leveraging their expertise to enhance brand engagement and drive impactful results for LG India.”

Mumbai, India – Cosmetics brand L’Oreal Paris empowers women to define their self-worth in its latest ‘I’m Worth It’ campaign with McCann India. Starring Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, the film campaign persuades women to ignore societal standards that hinder them from their aspirations. 

The campaign is backed by research that revealed how Indian women are hounded by standards set by society in the way they look and act. These standards set limits on women and their dreams, influencing how they see their worth.

As L’Oreal’s new global brand ambassador, Bhatt conveys inclusivity and empowerment in the film campaign. While celebrating her self-worth, she encourages other women to do the same.

‘I’m Worth It’ has been L’Oreal’s tagline since 1971, empowering women to see their beauty. 

“This campaign is crafted to ensure the message is both relevant and resonant in the evolving cultural landscape. The team’s endeavor is to present a campaign which reflects the cultural and aspirational values of Indian women. With Alia Bhatt as the global ambassador, it’s a compelling voice that aligns with the vision to honor and inspire the exceptional women of India,” Prasoon Joshi, chairman at McCann Worldgroup Asia and chief executive officer and chief creative officer at McCann Worldgroup India, said.

Siddhi Yadav, executive creative director at McCann Worldgroup India, commented, “It was an absolute delight to work with such an extraordinary woman for our latest campaign with our incredible and valued brand partner, L’Oreal Paris. Alia Bhatt delivers the message to women with great poise and authenticity reminding women that they hold the power to their own worth. The campaign resonates deeply with the women of India and is creating an empowering and impactful social conversation for the brand.” 

“The campaign – My Worth, My Choice – is a celebration of women and their choices being their own. With the extraordinary creative and executional talent of McCann we turned this beautiful insight into a powerful campaign that would inspire many. Who better to front this than Alia Bhatt – who speaks for all women in the film. L’Oréal Paris’ message of worth, McCann’s skill in creating masterpieces, and Alia’s inspiring personality created the perfect mix that shouts you’re worth it,” Dario Zizzi, general manager at L’Oreal Paris, India, said.

India – Hilton Shillim Resort & Spa has officially been rebranded as ‘Dharana,’ a luxurious new identity that emphasises wellness and conscious living, crafted in collaboration with the brand consulting firm Landor.

Dharana’s new brand identity revolves around ‘The Journey to Conscious Being,’ encouraging guests to embark on a personal voyage of self-discovery and growth. The brand’s wordmark draws inspiration from natural sounds, capturing a sense of harmony that embodies the tranquil experience awaiting every visitor at Dharana.

Dharana is a luxury retreat set amidst the tranquil Shillim landscape, spanning 350 acres of the scenic Sahyadri mountains in Maharashtra. Formerly known as Hilton Shillim Resort & Spa, Dharana provides a serene sanctuary dedicated to relaxation and mindfulness.

Landor’s crafted brand for Dharana is a retreat that offers a bespoke journey nurturing mind, body, and soul while fostering a deep connection with nature and promoting mindful living.

Speaking further on Dharana’s new brand identity, Ronita Mukerjee, executive director for client services at Landor India, said, “Our objective with the new brand identity for Dharana was to explore the concept of well-being through a vibrant, engaging, and unique visual representation that embodies a transformative journey, harmonising the body, mind, and spirit. The narrative of the brand centres on the theme of ‘The Journey to Conscious Being,’ which highlights wellness as a continuous evolution, offering various pathways at Dharana.” 

Meanwhile, commending Landor for crafting the new brand identity for Dharana, Gavin de Souza, managing director at Writer Realty, said, “We are incredibly proud of the exceptional work done by the team at Landor in shaping the new brand identity for Dharana. The design perfectly encapsulates our vision for Dharana as facilitating holistic well-being, where guests can immerse themselves in nature and experience personal growth and rejuvenation.” 

“The intricate details in the design reflect our commitment to providing a tailored wellness experience for each guest, nurturing a deep connection with the ecosystem and the true essence of nature. We believe this new brand identity truly reflects Dharana’s prestige as a luxury wellness brand, offering our guests a perfect blend of peace, tranquillity, and interconnectedness,” Souza added. 

India – E-commerce players Amazon and Flipkart have been found to have breached antitrust laws over alleged process of giving preference to select sellers on their shopping websites, according to the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

In a recent report by Reuters, CCI released a 1027-page report on Amazon and a separate 1,696-page report on Flipkart, both dated Aug. 9–which stated that the two companies were found to have created an ecosystem where preferred sellers appeared higher in search results, elbowing out other sellers.

“Each of the anti-competitive practices alleged … were investigated and found to be true,” CCI told Reuters.

The government body also said that the Indian units of five smartphone companies – Samsung, Xiaomi, Motorola, Realme and OnePlus – were ‘involved in the practice of exclusive’ phone launches in ‘collusion’ with Amazon and its affiliates, breaking competition law. Moreover, the Flipkart also mentioned that the Indian units of Samsung, Xiaomi, Motorola, Vivo, Lenovo, and Realme conducted similar practices.

“Exclusivity in business is anathema. Not only is it against free and fair competition but also against the interest of consumers,” CCI’s additional director general G.V. Siva Prasad wrote in the Amazon and Flipkart reports, in identical findings.

CCI also noted that during the investigation, both platforms had downplayed the allegations but government official stress the practices were rampant in the platform.