Tag: India

India – Mondelez India, the maker of Oreo, has unveiled a limited-edition Pokémon range, featuring an interactive experience that invites fans to explore the exciting digital world of Pokémon.

This launch brings together Oreo cookies and the excitement of collecting Pokémon, with each cookie featuring a unique Pokémon design. For the first time in India, Oreo has introduced a special-edition yellow cookie showcasing 16 distinct Pokémon, adding a collectible element to its digital campaign.

Fans can scan the QR code on the Oreo Pokémon packs to access a digital platform where they can create personalised Pokémon-themed avatars and collect all 16 Pokémon designs featured on the cookies. Each scan adds a new Pokémon to their digital collection, the ‘Oreodex,’ while also unlocking accessories and customisation options for their avatars.

Additionally, other Oreo pack sizes include special Pokémon photo cards and collectible Pokémon stickers for fans to gather and enjoy.

Nitin Saini, vice president of marketing at Mondelez India, said, “This collaboration is all about creating magical moments that bring families closer, spark excitement, and offer something truly memorable for everyone.” 

“Oreo has always been at the heart of joyful rituals, and by teaming up with Pokémon, we’re not only offering an exciting collectible experience, but we’re also bringing a sense of nostalgia for everyone who grew up with Pokémon. This shared love for Pokémon across generations creates a unique bonding experience where families can come together over the thrill of discovery, fun, and play. It’s a playful emotional journey that unites the world of Oreo and Pokémon in the most exciting way possible,” Saini added. 

Susumu Fukunaga, corporate officer at The Pokémon Company, also shared, “We are thrilled to see Pokémon featured on Oreo cookies. This campaign will take Pokémon to fans of both brands all across the country. Customers will enjoy the fun, surprise element of finding out which Pokémon cookies are included in the pack they purchase. We hope that this playful experience will delight our existing fans and help us connect with new audiences as well.” 

This initiative was developed by Dream Theatre, a representative agency of The Pokémon Company in India. 

“We are delighted to bring together two all-time favourites—Oreo and Pokémon—to create a standout experience for fans across ages and endless hours of play, making it a truly meaningful campaign,” said Jiggy George, founder and CEO of Dream Theatre.

Shekhar Banerjee, chief client officer and office head at Wavemaker India, added, “Our approach was to create a dynamic, multi-phase experience that mirrors the excitement of a Pokémon adventure. Be it access to exclusive packs, enabling fans to collect and compete for rewards, each media placement of the campaign is carefully crafted to spark curiosity, build anticipation, and drive sustained engagement.”

India – Ludic, the footwear-first lifestyle brand, has launched a new ad campaign for its latest slider collection, blending relatable nostalgia and humor to highlight the comfort of its stylish footwear. 

Created by Braindad, Ludic’s new ad film offers a light-hearted take, showcasing the comfort and versatility of its sliders through a humorous interaction between a customer and a sales staff. The storyline playfully suggests that, despite exploring various options, Ludic sliders remain the top choice for both comfort and style.

The campaign, with the tagline “Comfort aisa, ki ab kya bataayein (Comfort so good, words can’t describe it),” blends nostalgia and humour to create a relatable and enjoyable experience. Through its witty execution, the campaign captures the brand’s essence while connecting with a broad audience.

Commenting on the launch, Ishit Jethwa, founder of Ludic, said, “At Ludic, we’ve always been committed to crafting products that blend comfort with bold, stylish designs. With over six months of meticulous development behind them, our new Sliders break the mould—quite literally. Furthermore, with multiple colourways and a competitive price point, we are confident that this product will enjoy a large acceptance. And working with Braindad on the campaign was an incredible experience, as this film perfectly captures the essence of Ludic—fun, functional, and deeply relatable.”

Vishal Dayama & Devarsh Thaker from Braindad added, “Working with Ludic has been super! At Braindad, we love brands that approach the unconventional ideas we bring to the table with a certain trust and freedom—allowing us to cook! Ludic has been a really supportive partner through this journey of concept to execution where humour and individuality shine, bringing forth the brand’s vision and personality.”

Ludic’s Slider collection reflects the brand’s vision, offering a blend of all-day comfort and a fresh design. Crafted from the ground up, it aims to meet the demand for both comfort and style in footwear.

India – Enormous Brands has appointed Akshat Trivedi as its national creative director – West, bringing onboard a seasoned creative leader renowned for his impactful campaigns and innovative storytelling.

Trivedi transitions to Enormous Brands from The Womb, where he served as creative partner and played a pivotal role in crafting iconic campaigns for brands like Fogg and Saregama Carvaan. 

At Enormous, Trivedi will lead the creative vision for the western region, driving innovative campaigns and cultivating a culture of creativity across diverse client portfolios. He will mentor creative talent and ensure the agency delivers work that exceeds audience expectations.

Before joining Enormous, Trivedi built an impressive career at Ogilvy, Ibs Fulcro, and The Womb, where he consistently delivered impactful, results-driven campaigns. His portfolio includes work for leading brands like Fogg, Saregama Carvaan, Piramal Finance, Star Plus, Astral, Vicco, Cadbury Perk, and Mumbai Indians. At Ibs Fulcro, he was instrumental in creating award-winning campaigns for UPI, Kotak, and Bajaj Electricals, effectively blending digital and traditional creative approaches.

A storyteller at heart, Trivedi co-wrote the screenplay and dialogue for the feature film Trial Period, earning Filmfare OTT Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Dialogue, showcasing his talent for crafting compelling narratives.

Trivedi’s appointment underscores Enormous’ dedication to pushing creative boundaries and driving exceptional innovation.

Speaking on his new role, Trivedi said, “As I write this, it has already been a few days working with the super talented bunch of people at Enormous. Their minds are always buzzing with ideas, and their hearts not only applaud individuals in the team but also celebrate great advertising work, no matter which agency or place they come from. I believe it comes from or rather multiplies by the way Ashish thinks and feels about advertising. I am thrilled to be a part of the Enormous team and look forward to creating great work together.”

Ashish Khazanchi, managing partner & CCO at Enormous Brands, stated, “Akshat’s work speaks volumes. His ability to blend compelling storytelling with a nuanced understanding of consumer behaviour sets him apart. At Enormous, we’re committed to redefining creativity in the industry, and Akshat’s leadership will be instrumental in this journey.” 

India – Duolingo, in partnership with creative agency Talented, has unveiled a vibrant new campaign steeped in Tamil pop culture, marking the launch of its latest language-learning course, ‘Learn English from Tamil.’

The campaign introduces ‘English Vaathi Duo,’ inspired by ‘Vaathi,’ the Tamil word for teacher, and filled with the style, energy, and charm of Tamil cinema. By embodying Kollywood’s mass-entry flair and adopting a nickname that reflects Tamil Nadu’s love for creative monikers, the campaign blends Duolingo’s global appeal with local cultural pride.

Duolingo and Talented tapped into iconic pop culture moments, featuring vibrant dance sequences, catchy kuthu beats, and larger-than-life theatrics to breathe life into the campaign. The result is a seamless fusion of Duo’s playful, persistent charm with the dazzling spectacle of Tamil Nadu’s superstar-driven culture.

Karandeep Singh Kapany, regional marketing director at Duolingo India, said, “Localisation lies at the heart of our mission to make language learning accessible and relevant for everyone. With the ‘Learn English from Tamil’ course, we’re excited to offer Tamil speakers an opportunity to learn English in a way that feels culturally resonant and engaging. India’s linguistic diversity inspires us to create courses that reflect the unique needs of our users, and this launch is another step in our journey to empower learners across the country.” 

Abhishek and Nikhil Unni, brand strategy and creatives at Talented, also shared, “In Tamil Nadu, earning a moniker isn’t just about a name—it’s a rite of passage. It signifies a connection with the people, an acceptance into the cultural fabric of this vibrant state.” 

“With ‘English Vaathi Duo,’ we wanted to create a moniker that not only reflects Duo’s role as a teacher but also becomes a natural extension of Tamil Nadu’s pop culture landscape. This campaign was the result of a true meeting of minds between the brand, production, and agency teams, moving in lockstep to every stage with a shared excitement, trust, and unwavering commitment to the idea,” they added. 

The launch of the Tamil language learning course marks Duolingo’s fourth addition to its series of free, engaging, and culturally resonant English lessons taught in regional languages, following Hindi, Bengali, and Telugu.

“Duo, a mascot with a global mass appeal and an outrageous brand of humour, gave us the perfect canvas to reimagine his personality through the lens of Tamil cinema’s flair and energy. Exploring this superstar flavour for the campaign was not just a fun creative challenge but an incredibly rewarding experience that allowed us to celebrate the best of both worlds,” Abhishek Jayakrishnan and Naveen Cano, directors and co-founders at Out of Syllabus Productions, said. 

India – Microsoft has announced a US$3b investment in India over two years to enhance cloud and AI infrastructure, skilling, and establish new datacenters, driving AI innovation in the country.

During his visit to India, Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella announced plans to expand the company’s cloud and AI infrastructure across its datacenter campuses. With three datacenter regions already operational and a fourth set to launch by 2026, the investment aims to build a scalable AI ecosystem to support India’s growing AI start-ups and research community.

The new datacenters will also feature zero-water cooling, reinforcing Microsoft’s commitment to sustainable AI growth. Additionally, long-term renewable energy contracts with Amplus and ReNew support the company’s goal of becoming carbon-negative by 2030.

Nadella said, “India is rapidly becoming a leader in AI innovation, unlocking new opportunities across the country. The investments in infrastructure and skilling we are announcing today reaffirm our commitment to making India AI-first and will help ensure people and organisations across the country benefit broadly.”

Puneet Chandok, president of Microsoft India and South Asia, further explained, “In the last 12 months Microsoft has been a copilot to making AI a reality in India, taking it from boardrooms to classrooms, commerce to communities, and finance to farmers. Today’s announcement strengthens our belief in India’s potential and our resolve to equip the country with the resources and future-ready skills needed to excel in the global marketplace. We will continue to use AI to unlock possibilities for the next few decades and ensure communities across the country have access to the compute they need to prosper in the AI era.”

Moreover, Microsoft plans to bolster India’s long-term competitiveness by equipping 10 million people with AI skills over the next five years through the second edition of its ADVANTA(I)GE India program. As part of Microsoft’s Global Skills for Social Impact charter, the program will deliver training in collaboration with government, nonprofit, and corporate partners, as well as local communities.

Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said, “India’s vibrant youth and tech talent are key to shaping the future of AI. Through the ‘AI for India’ mission, we aim to empower citizens with cutting-edge AI skills, driving innovation, creating jobs, and bridging the digital divide. Collaborations with global leaders like Microsoft and similar companies are pivotal in this transformation. By equipping our workforce, especially women and youth, with advanced skills, we are building an AI-ready India, poised for digital leadership and sustainable economic growth.”

To strengthen its commitment to India’s AI ecosystem, Microsoft Research (MSR) Lab also launched an AI Innovation Network. This initiative will drive new collaborations, particularly with digital-native companies, to accelerate the translation of AI research into practical business solutions.

In line with this, Microsoft signed an AI MoU with SaaSBoomi, an Indian B2B startup community. The partnership aims to fuel the growth of India’s AI and SaaS ecosystem, positioning the country as a global product powerhouse and contributing to its trillion-dollar economy.

By combining SaaSBoomi’s network with Microsoft’s technology, the collaboration seeks to support over 5,000 startups and 10,000 entrepreneurs, upskill 150,000 employees, and drive regional development in more than 20 tier II cities. Over the next five years, the initiative aims to create 200,000 new jobs, attract $1.5b in venture capital, and nurture 50 unicorns and soonicorns, advancing innovation, sustainability, and tech infrastructure across India.

Microsoft underscores that its investments in accelerating AI innovation are crucial to supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming India into a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.

India – To spotlight its dedication to sustainability, Britannia has teamed up with creative agency Talented for a unique campaign where nature takes centre stage, shaping the brand’s outdoor advertising in a new way.

Titled ‘Nature Shapes Britannia,’ the out-of-home (OOH) campaign features billboards that physically conform to the shape of nearby trees, creating a powerful visual and metaphorical statement about how one of India’s largest organisations adapts to nature, rather than forcing nature to adapt to it.

Each of Britannia’s billboards is paired with a message highlighting the brand’s sustainability efforts across key areas, including plastic neutrality, waste management, circular economy, water stewardship, and energy management. The surrounding trees dictate the design and typography, causing the brand name to bend, curve, or compress based on their shape. 

For Britannia, this approach to the campaign reflects the flexible, adaptive mindset that large brands must adopt to drive real progress in sustainability.

Amit Doshi, chief marketing officer at Britannia, shared, “Britannia has been committed to being a sustainable organisation with a deep commitment towards its strategic ESG pillars. Through the years, we’ve learnt that sustainability needs a conscious, adaptive, flexible approach. This initiative is an embodiment of this flexible approach, with nature shaping ‘Britannia,’ quite literally. The team ensured even the material used for the hoardings was 100% cotton and biodegradable, ensuring we stay committed to the cause we are delivering.” 

The campaign’s creative agency, Talented, collaborated with multiple media partners to execute a unique strategy that defied the usual billboard selection process. Since media agencies don’t maintain data on billboards partially covered by trees in major Indian cities, the team also conducted on-ground surveys to handpick suitable locations.

Speaking on the campaign, Aabhaas Shreshtha, founding member and creative at Talented, explained, “Nature shapes Britannia, and so it was natural for us to want nature to shape its advertising as well. And so began our mission to find ‘rare trees with billboards right next to them.’ After a long and rigorous recce-ing with our media partners, we studied the contours of each tree, understood its growth and coverage, and designed around them. Large-scale sustainability charters are extremely consequential in the bigger picture but can feel distant. By partnering with nature around us to tell the story, Britannia is bridging that gap.” 

Sonia Lal, partner at Coral Media, added, “We were pleasantly surprised when we were briefed on the current campaign ask and honestly feel incredibly proud to support Britannia’s initiative, which is not just a wonderful way to show the impact of the brand’s sustainability initiatives but also a signal from one of the country’s long-standing advertisers to other advertisers and media owners to think differently. Not everything great must come at the cost of nature.” 

The ‘Nature Shapes Britannia’ OOH campaign launched across four cities—Hyderabad, Kolkata, Meerut, and Pune—in collaboration with various tree species, including Nag Kesar, Aam, Neem, and Peepal.

India – Ankit Goyle has officially joined Snap Inc. as head of India marketing, following a successful nine-year tenure at Apple India, where he played a key role in shaping the brand’s marketing strategy.

In his new role, Goyle will establish and lead the marketing function in India, driving efforts to support Snapchat’s mission of empowering self-expression and fostering meaningful connections.

Goyle brings 17 years of marketing experience across sectors like consumer durables, technology, retail, and fashion, with expertise gained from working with prominent brands such as Apple, Myntra, Aditya Birla, and Google.

Before joining Snap, Goyle spent nine years at Apple India as head of category marketing and demand generation for iPhone and AirPods. During his tenure, he spearheaded national ATL and BTL campaigns across multiple channels. He project-managed successful product launches, collaborating with teams across marketing, sales, PR, and distribution. 

Goyle also conceptualised INDIAiSTORE.com, Apple’s first global channel product and store platform in India, and drove digital transformation with partners and distributors. Additionally, he implemented innovative O2O programs, led co-marketing partnerships with major retailers, and ensured seamless execution across teams.

In a LinkedIn post, Goyle said, “A heartfelt thank you to my mentors and teammates at Apple for shaping my journey. Here’s to new beginnings and exciting opportunities! Let’s Snap into the future!”

India – After nearly three years with Zalora Group in Singapore, Achint Setia is returning to India to take on the role of chief executive officer at Snapdeal, the e-commerce platform under AceVector Group.

In a LinkedIn post, Setia announced his appointment as CEO, highlighting his commitment to serving Snapdeal’s extensive consumer base and unlocking the vast “untapped” potential of India’s e-commerce market.

“[I am] humbled and supercharged to take on my next mantle of serving Snapdeal and millions of consumers in the large untapped value e-commerce market in India. Thank you [co-founders] Rohit Bansal, Kunal Bahl, and the AceVector board for entrusting me with this responsibility,” he wrote. 

Setia’s appointment at Snapdeal follows closely on the heels of his recent departure from Zalora.

Setia most recently served as chief revenue & marketing officer and country managing director at Zalora Group, where he managed the P&L for key markets, including Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. He also led the group’s marketing and ad sales efforts across Southeast Asia, covering major markets such as Indonesia and the Philippines.

Prior to Zalora, he held senior leadership roles at prominent companies, including CXO and head of marketing & social commerce at Myntra, as well as senior vice president of digital ventures and head of VStEP at Viacom18 Media Private Limited.

India – RepIndia, an India-based digital agency, has announced key leadership promotions, elevating Neelanjan Dasgupta, Durgesh Tiwari, Sanya Sitlani, Nitin Sharma, and Guru Mishra to new roles. These changes underscore the agency’s commitment to enhancing its digital capabilities and fostering innovation.

The five senior team members promoted have played a pivotal role in driving RepIndia’s success and innovation over the years. These promotions are designed to strengthen the agency’s core leadership and accelerate growth across various digital verticals.

Previously serving as creative head (West), Dasgupta has been appointed vice president of creative strategy and innovations. During his tenure, he delivered award-winning campaigns and onboarded high-profile clients including JSW Steel, JSW Energy, MTV, JBL, Joyville, Amante, Amazon Mini TV, and many more.

In his new role, he will focus on enhancing RepIndia’s creative offerings and driving innovative solutions across markets.

Speaking on his promotion, Dasgupta said, “RepIndia has taught me everything I know about advertising. It has provided me with a safe space to grow, where accountability and kindness go hand in hand. I will always carry these values as a leader and professional.”

Following suit, Tiwari has also been promoted to associate vice president for listening, ORM, and analytics.

Previously senior account director, Tiwari grew his team from 20 to over 100, significantly boosting the agency’s capabilities in social listening, ORM, and analytics. His strategic leadership has been key in acquiring major clients like NPCI, DigiYatra, BluSmart, and Subway, contributing to RepIndia’s international expansion.

Joining Tiwari, Sitlani also takes on the role of associate vice president for planning and growth, where she will drive strategic initiatives and uncover new opportunities to advance the agency and its clients.

Previously an account director for account planning and growth, Sitlani played a key role in acquiring clients such as JBL, Pearl Academy, Kajaria, Colorbar, CARE Hospitals, and others, further expanding RepIndia’s portfolio and market presence.

“We’re heavily involved in a wide range of initiatives—from pitches to strategy for existing clients and reviewing work across accounts,” she shared. 

Mishra also joins the roster of promotions, having been elevated to senior vice president for digital media and buying, underscoring RepIndia’s commitment to expanding its media capabilities.

Before this, he served as vice president for digital media and buying. Under Mishra’s leadership, the digital media team expanded significantly, securing clients like Kajaria, Instax, M3M, Fortis, Haldirams, and others. His extensive experience in digital media strategy is expected to drive RepIndia’s media operations and innovate digital buying practices.

Commenting on his new role, Mishra shared, “When I joined RepIndia, the team was just 2 members. Today, it’s grown to over 18 members. The journey has been rewarding, and I look forward to leading our media operations into the future.”

Finally, Sharma joins the leadership team as associate vice president for search, recognised for his crucial role in enhancing the agency’s search marketing expertise.

Sharma has been instrumental in strengthening RepIndia’s search capabilities, working with prominent brands like Hero MotoCorp (across 8 countries), Merino Laminates, Kajaria Ceramics, Migsun Group, and more. Previously associate director of SEO, he has grown his team to over 20 members, further bolstering RepIndia’s search marketing expertise.

These leadership appointments come as RepIndia positions itself for growth in 2025. With a strengthened team across search, media, creative strategy, planning, and analytics, the agency aims to enhance its offerings and drive digital innovation. The changes reflect RepIndia’s focus on building internal capabilities for the future of digital marketing in India.

Archit Chenoy, CEO of RepIndia, commented, “At RepIndia, our strength lies in our people and their ability to drive meaningful impact for our clients. These promotions are a testament to the incredible talent, dedication, and innovative spirit that define our team. As we look ahead to 2025, this strengthened leadership will play a critical role in shaping the future of digital marketing, delivering cutting-edge solutions, and unlocking new growth opportunities for our clients and our agency alike.” 

India – Kimberly-Clark is set to strengthen its presence in India by scaling up operations and boosting investment at its Bengaluru-based Global Digital Technology Center (GDTC), with a strategic focus on advanced innovations and digital transformation.

Kimberly-Clark revealed that over the next three years, its GDTC will expand its AI/ML capabilities and digital solutions to enhance operational efficiency and customer engagement, further supporting its global ‘Powering Care’ strategy and commitment to consumer-centricity.

The Bengaluru GDTC is driving Kimberly-Clark’s tech advancements while contributing to India’s innovation ecosystem by partnering with startups, universities, and industry leaders to develop cutting-edge solutions.

“Our Bengaluru GDTC is a testament to Kimberly-Clark’s deep-rooted commitment to innovation and the immense breadth of Indian talent,” said Zack Hicks, chief digital and technology officer at Kimberly-Clark. 

“In just five years, the centre has evolved into a key growth engine for our digital strategies, delivering AI-powered commercial and supply chain solutions and pioneering advancements in modern manufacturing. Looking ahead, we remain focused on further investing in India, leveraging the country’s outstanding talent and technological expertise to shape the future of Kimberly-Clark and pioneer industry-leading innovation in our core categories,” Hicks explained. 

Founded in 2018 with a $2.5 million investment, the Bengaluru GDTC has grown eightfold in five years, focusing on digital capabilities like AI, ML, data analytics, and cloud transformation. The center leverages AI/ML to optimise sales predictions, refine e-commerce pricing, and automate processes like order entry. In 2024, Gen AI platforms boosted employee productivity by 25%, while AI-driven sales analytics improved execution by 10% in regions including Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. These innovations enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve accuracy.

The GDTC recently hosted its third Digital Hackathon, ‘UNLOKC 2024,’ bringing together Kimberly-Clark employees and tech partners to create digital solutions for business opportunities in supply chain, marketing, and finance.

As Kimberly-Clark’s largest tech hub, the Bengaluru GDTC will remain a key driver of global growth and innovation, attracting top talent and expanding its capabilities to shape the company’s future and its tech ecosystem.