This weeks advertising landscape is abuzz with creativity, innovation and powerful social messages. From emotional storytelling to urgent calls for action against deadly weapons. Switzerland Tourisms latest advertisement features brand ambassador Roger Federer and celebrity Mads Mikkelsen, capturing the enchanting essence of Swiss autumn. The ad highlights Federer and Mikkelsen fully immersing themselves in the season's charm, presenting a playful and engaging portrayal of the picturesque autumn

Sahil Siddiqui has announced his departure from Dentsu Creative India, marking the end of a chapter in his career. He took to his LinkedIn to announce the same. His parting message read, One's lucky if they get to do something for the first time even at a later stage. After 14 long years I finally got to experience what it is like to 'quit' for the first time. 9th September was my day at Dentsu Creative Dentsu India.A long track that began with WATConsult in 2010 ended this week. Lot of people a

Meta has introduced additional reminder ad features via the Instagram Marketing API, which was previously only available in Meta Ads Manager. This update addresses feedback from developers and their clients, who experienced friction due to the lack of feature parity. Developers can now reach audiences on Instagram Reels, in addition to feed and stories, using reminder ads. This enhancement allows brands to expand their reach by delivering reminder ads across more Instagram placements. Jessica Hi

As Indias vibrant festive season approaches, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the shopping experience, making it smarter and more personalised than ever before. Heres a look at how AI is shaking up festive commerce, featuring insights from major online retailers. Personalisation: Tailored for the festive spirit The festive season in India is synonymous with unique gifts and stylish attire, and AI is enhancing this experience by offering tailored shopping recommendations. Research ind

Meta, Snapchat, and TikTok have launched a new initiative called Thrive, aimed at detecting and removing suicide and self-harm-related content. The initiative is overseen by the Mental Health Coalition and focuses on reducing exposure to harmful content for at-risk users. The three platforms will share data concerning content to enable faster, more effective cross-platform action. The data shared will be in the form of identifiable hashes (numerical representations of the content), allowing fast

In a new move towards Elon Musks goal of transforming X (formerly Twitter) into an 'everything app', the platform is reportedly working on a plan to separate its direct messaging (DM) functions from the broader in-app experience. This means users could soon use the platform as their primary messaging platform without engaging with any other part of the app. App researcher Nima Owji uncovered a new option in paltform's back-end code that appears to allow users to interact with DMs independently o

The home and interior market in India is experiencing significant growth, reaching approximately INR 2.4 trillion (US$ 29.5 billion) in 2023. Indoor living product segments lead the market, holding around 41% of the total market share. In this scenario, consumers are increasingly seeing home interiors as an expression and reflection of self while they prioritise quality over quantity when choosing dcor items, according to the Praxis Global Alliance report. The report notes that brand communicati

Influencer marketing should be viewed in light of the developments that are happening in the country. In my opinion, 2 key developments are tectonically shaping the marketing landscape in the BFSI sector: the Internet penetration in the country and the shift towards financialisation of savings of an average Indian. What does this mean? As of early 2024, Internet users in the country, as per data, stand at 752 million. With about 462 million users are active on social media- thats roughly 32% of

Skechers, announced the signing of Indian cricketer Yastika Bhatia as its newest brand ambassador for the Performance category in India. Bhatia will also appear in marketing campaigns supporting Skechers Performance and Lifestyle collections, as she helps expand the brands reach in Indias sportswear market. Bhatia, a member of the Indian national cricket team and a member of the Mumbai Indians team, is known for her aggressive batting style and fielding skills. Bhatia made her debut for the Indi

JK Super Cement announced Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah as its new brand ambassador. Love Raghav , AVP & Head - Branding at JK Cement , shared his thoughts on the partnership, stating, We are delighted to welcome Jasprit Bumrah as our brand ambassador. His qualities of discipline, consistency, and unparalleled strength mirror the values we uphold at JK Super Cement. This collaboration truly exemplifies our brand ethos and our dedication to delivering excellence. He further elaborated, Over t

Meesho released its E-commerce Festive Forecast 2024, this forecast will provide a detailed analysis of seller preparedness and insights into how consumers plan to shop during the upcoming festive season. The report delves into the evolving preferences of online festive shoppers and the strategies adopted by e-commerce sellers to expand their opportunities this festive season. Megha Agarwal , General Manager, Business at Meesho, said, As we approach the festive season, Meeshos E-commerce Festiv

Omnicom Media Group agency PHD announced Eileen Ooi as CEO, Asia Pacific. With over 19 years of industry experience, Ooi was most recently CEO at OMG Malaysia. Prior to that, she spent four years with PHD Malaysia as its Managing Director. Ooi has transformed OMG Malaysia. On the back of new business conversions for clients including CelcomDigi, Tyson Foods, and Vinda, and client retentions for HSBC, Beiersdorf, and Wipro Unza. In her new role, Ooi will lead PHD business operations across APAC a

In 2004, McDonalds India found itself at a crossroads. The global giant, famous for its Big Macs and fries, was navigating one of the most diverse and competitive food markets in the world. In a country where culinary traditions stretch back millennia, could a brand built on Western fast food make a lasting impact? The answer wasnt found in doubling down on global favourites but in adaptationa pivot towards Indias deep-rooted love for local flavours, affordability, and convenience. Fast forward

Ogilvy announced that Fiona Gordon has been promoted to Global CEO of Advertising. In her new role, Gordon will be responsible for ensuring the creative networks advertising, brand, and content capabilities are constantly evolving and adapting to meet the demands clients face in today's dynamic marketing landscape. She will report to Devika Bulchandani , Global CEO of Ogilvy, and join the agencys Global Executive Committee. Gordon has served as CEO of Ogilvy UK since 2021 and has led a resurgenc

YouTube is expanding its 'Add Yours' sticker for Shorts to all users after a successful trial with select participants over the past few months. The sticker encourages viewers to create their own versions of Shorts content, promoting participatory engagement. The feature mirrors Instagrams similar function, which was originally adapted from TikToks Duet option, continuing a common trend in social media where platforms replicate popular tools from competitors to retain users. YouTube Shorts has s

Amid growing debates on age limits for social media, Snapchat is testing a feature allowing teens aged 16 and 17 to share content with a broader audience. However, it will not be fully public posting. Snapchat has already implemented safeguards to limit exposure for young users, including restrictions on public posting. This new process aims to offer older teens broader sharing options with enhanced privacy protections. According to the platform , Informed by feedback from our community, older t

In India, if you pick any letter from A to Z, theres a festival waiting to be celebrated. Akshaya Tritiya, Baisakhi, Christmas, Diwali etc the list goes on! We dont just celebrate festivals; we live them. These are more than dates on a calendar, theyre woven into the rhythm of our lives, filling the air with anticipation, excitement, and a sense of togetherness. As soon as the festive season begins, the streets light up with colours, families reunite, and communities come alive with shared joy a

August 10th marks World Suicide Prevention Day, a critical moment for raising awareness about suicide prevention. In todays fast-paced world, where the weight of responsibilities often isolates people, asking a simple question, Are you okay?, can make all the difference. This gesture, like a warm embrace, can brighten someones darkest moments. Brands frequently use this time to address the lingering stigma around mental health through creative campaigns. One standout is Norwich City Football Clu

The 2024-25 edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) kicks off on September 13, 2024, with a much-anticipated clash between last season's finalists, Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Mumbai City FC. To amplify the excitement ahead of this marquee event, ISL has launched a campaign titled ' Indian Football ka #AglaHeroKaun.' The ad film ropes in some of Indias most celebrated sports personalities to debate the million-dollar question --- Who will be the next big star of Indian football? The film opens

Pulse Candy launched its campaign Pulse Ganesh Mahotsav, a celebration that combines the essence of Ganesh Chaturthi with emerging AI technologies. In order to enhance brand awareness during this Ganesh Chaturthi, the brand has collaborated with Ganpati pandals such as 'Lalbaugcha Raja' in Mumbai and others like 'Tulsi Bagh Mandal, Nashikcha Raja, Yaadgar Ganesh Pandal (Sambhaji Cha Raja) and Mecosabagh Servajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandal' in Pune, Nasik, Aurangabad, and Nagpur respectively. To captu

Didnt we all, as children, dream of having a bedroom that was nothing short of magicalspacious, stunning, and the perfect getaway from the chaos of school and playground squabbles? Now that were adults, dont we still hold on to that dream? Dont we still long for a home thats not just inviting but also calming, a space where we can escape and relax after the busyness of daily life. To bring this to life, Hettich India has launched its latest brand campaign, The Youngest Magician , driving its ne

Shriram Finance announced the onboarding of former Captain and Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team, Rahul Dravid, as its brand ambassador. Umesh Revankar, Executive Vice Chairman, of Shriram Finance said, At Shriram Finance, our mission has always been to empower our customers by providing them with the financial tools and support they need to succeed. Rahul Dravid, with his commitment and impeccable record in nurturing young talent, aligns perfectly with our goal of enabling growth and succes

Asymmetrique has been awarded the full-funnel, omnichannel marketing mandate for Kirtilals. This partnership aims to bolster Kirtilals' growth across channels in the Indian market. Asymmetrique secured the mandate following a pitch against traditional digital agencies. The account will be managed from Asymmetrique's Mumbai office. Asymmetrique will employ a full-funnel approach, integrating innovative channels such as programmatic advertising and Online-to-Offline (O2O) marketing to capture and

If you've stumbled upon a reel, while scrolling through your Instagram feed, featuring the song Tauba Tauba before knowing which film it belonged to, youre one of many. Even if your algorithm does not usually feature Bollywood-related content, you would have encountered the song one way or anothermost likely via a creator trying to emulate Vicky Kaushals hook step in the song. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vicky Kaushal (@vickykaushal09) The said occurrence is not new, neither is

Havas Worldwide India, the creative arm of Havas India, has further strengthened its strategy team with three key appointments. Dhananjoy Ray, Aniruddh Subramanian and Jahan Nargolwala have joined the agency as Associate Vice President - Planning & Strategy. All three will report to John Thangaraj, Chief Strategy Officer, Havas Creative Network India, and will be based out of Gurgaon. Commenting on the appointments, John Thangaraj said, I am thrilled to welcome Dhananjoy, Aniruddh and Jahan to t

Launched earlier this year, Voods Lifestyle has roped in Shivam Dube as its brand ambassador. The brand aims to scale new heights in the wearable electronic gadgetelectronic gadget market. Delighted with the collaboration, Voods spokesperson Kshitiz Singhal said , We are thrilled to partner with the rising star of Indian cricket, Shivam Dube. His inspiring performance in the recent T-20 World Cup has captivated a new generation of cricket fans. His strong persona and commitment to excellence ali

Tata Motors is a significant player in Indias commercial vehicle sector, offering a diverse portfolio that ranges from heavy-duty trucks used in the mining industry to last-mile delivery vehicles and e-buses supporting sustainable transport. At the helm of this segment is Shubhranshu Singh , Chief Marketing Officer for Tata Motors Commercial Vehicle Business Unit (CVBU). Singhs approach to marketing goes beyond just facilitating vehicle sales; it's focused on building relationships, supporting e

Suchismita Ganguli has rejoined McCann Mumbai as Executive Vice President Account Management. Ganguli brings over 20 years of experience in advertising, client-side marketing, and communications. She posted about the appointment on her Linkedin. During her previous stint at McCann Worldgroup, Ganguli led the beauty team, global unit and big business relationship for McCann Mumbai as Vice President. Her career includes roles at agencies such as Publicis India. Most recently, she served as Direct

Angela Zepeda has joined X (formerly Twitter) as the platform's new Global Head of Marketing. The appointment, announced by CEO Linda Yaccarino, marks a strategic move for the microblogging platform as it aims to accelerate its innovation and magnify its brand presence globally. Today, I am delighted to welcome Angela Zepeda to X as our new Global Head of Marketing. X is the worlds most meaningful platform so it was essential to hire an exceptional leader like Angela to further shape our transfo

The UKs Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally concluded that Google is engaging in anti-competitive practices in the open-display advertising technology market. According to the CMA, these practices are likely harming thousands of UK publishers and advertisers, potentially disrupting the broader digital ad ecosystem. The findings, presented in a statement of objections issued to Google on Friday, 6 September, indicate the company's growing dominance in digital advertising, pa

YouTube has rolled out a new feature designed to help content creators and brands drive traffic directly to their websites via paid promotions. The new 'Website Visits' goal, integrated within YouTube Studios campaign options, provides a simpler way for channel managers to increase website traffic through video promotions. This addition is aimed at streamlining the process for smaller-scale campaigns, offering a more direct route to boost engagement on external platforms. Unlike the more advance

As we approach the festive season, brands everywhere are gearing up to capture the attention of consumers who are ready to indulge, spend, and celebrate. In an era where consumers are bombarded with advertisements and promotional messages from all directions, how can brands stand out? The answer lies not in big-budget celebrity endorsements but in a more intimate, authentic connection one that can be achieved through micro-influencers. Lets take a closer look at why micro-influencers have becom

Botco.ai has released its annual report on the State of GenAI in Enterprise Marketing detailing how generative AI (GenAI) is reshaping marketing strategies across industries, findings point to a significant return on investment for enterprises leveraging GenAI in their marketing. The report reveals that 52.4% of enterprises are now leveraging GenAI tools, resulting in improved efficiency, engagement, and innovation. With over 1,000 professionals from marketing, sales, and customer service survey

Tata Tea Golds latest campaign, ' Khutkhutey Bengalis' glorifies the rich nuances of Bengali culture. The campaign highlights the Bengali way of living, rooted in their no-compromise attitude, especially when it comes to food and tea. The TVC is conceptualised by Mullen Lintas and created by filmmaker Shoojit Sircar. The film opens in a train compartment, where a young man offers traditional Bengali kachoris with cholar dal to a fellow passenger. The offer is declined due to the absence of shred

Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival that brings with it vibrant celebrations, cultural significance, and a wave of innovative ad campaigns. One standout campaign this year comes from Parle G. In their latest ad, Ganpati is welcomed into the home not by men, as tradition often dictates, but by the women of the family. Though not a practice set in stone, it's generally men who carry Bappa home and later immerse the idol in the sea. Parle Gs ad challenges this norm, shining a spotlight on the vital role

MiQ announced the appointment of Ribhu Mishra , as Associate Vice President, Revenue & Agency Partnerships, with additional focus on driving business operations for the West region. Mishra brings over a decade of expertise in media and digital advertising, having previously led partnerships and agency development at Amazon for major media agencies across India. His experience at companies like Amazon and Appier will be pivotal in enhancing MiQs client relationships and accelerating growth in pro

Acer announced Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor as the new brand ambassador for Acer India. Janhvi Kapoor will spearhead the brands campaign across multiple channels. As the face of Acer India, Kapoor will endorse a range of Acer laptops, Acerpure TVs, and home appliances, including water purifiers and vacuum cleaners. Harish Kohli , President and Managing Director, Acer India, expressed , We are delighted to welcome Janhvi Kapoor to the Acer family. Her vibrant personality and strong connection

As the festive season sweeps across India, cities come alive with celebrations. Streets are filled with people visiting pandals , shopping for gifts, and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. For brands, this period is a prime opportunity to connect with audiences through Out-of-home (OOH) advertising. This year, however, the OOH industry is facing new challenges. Recent incidents in Mumbai and Thane have raised serious safety concerns. In Ghatkopar, a collapsed illegal hoarding tragically led to 17

LeadSquared, a CRM and marketing automation platform, has partnered with Admitad, a global performance marketing provider, to expand its international presence and strengthen its partner network. This partnership will help both companies grow. Admitad will list LeadSquared on its platform, boosting its visibility and assisting with brand collaborations, while LeadSquared will promote Admitad in the Indian market through referrals and increased exposure. The partnership will allow theplatforms cl

Logicloop has won the mandate for 'The Party Cafe(TPC), a brand division of Leo Ace Events Pvt. Ltd.' Securing the position as the brands digital arm, further to a multi-agency pitch, the brand has onboarded the agency to contribute and lead in its various marketing activities including performance marketing, social media management and SEO efforts. Commenting on the partnership, Mayank Vora , Co-Founder, Logicloop, shared, As we commence to work together with The Party Cafe team, we reflect on

Brazilian officials banned X earlier this month allegedly due to its failure to address harmful misinformation. The platform was ordered to suppress accounts challenging the legitimacy of the 2022 Brazilian election results. The company's refusal led to the closure of its local office and the subsequent ban. It had around 22 million daily active users in Brazil, representing about 10% of the local population. The Twitter alternative, Bluesky, added 3 million users in the past week, reflecting a

Instagram is adding new drawing tools and stickers specifically for images shared in direct messages (DMs). Previously, these customisation features were only available for Stories and feed posts. This update allows users to personalise their messages further, making the engagement within DMs more creative and interactive. Credits: Social Media Today The platform is expanding its cut-out feature to DMs, which allows users to take specific elements from their photos and turn them into stickers. T

In a recent development, Attorney General Ral Torrez of New Mexico announced a lawsuit against Snap, Inc., accusing the company of endangering children through its platform, Snapchat. The lawsuit alleges that Snapchats design features, policies, and recommendation algorithms contribute to harmful activities involving minors. The lawsuit claims that Snapchat's temporary content gives users a false sense of security, which can be exploited by malicious actors. The platform's recommendation algorit

Trends reflect the human psyche. It is a mirror to cultural influences, technological advances, and personal motivations- all of which together, drive consumer behaviour. Which most people believe that there is no science behind trends- Id beg to differ. Trends dont just happen in the dark of night, in a random fashion. Trends are created with the motive that someone who replicates a particular set of interests will be interested in taking this communication forward and thus bring together a com

This weeks advertising landscape is abuzz with creativity and innovation, showcasing how brands struck a chord. From the Colosseum to the coffee-loving robot. Kith and Giorgio Armani have teamed up for their first-ever collaboration, starring none other than the legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese. The campaign, marking a significant partnership for both brands, features Scorseses documentary on Armanis life. To celebrate, Kith is hosting a special pop-up in New York from September 6-7, with the

Zomato has launched its Onam campaign which captures the essence of family reunions, cultural vibrancy, and the joy of togetherness during one of Kerala's most cherished festivals. The campaign film revolves around a young professional at work. One bite of payasam, a traditional South Indian dessert takes her back to the warmth and festivity of Onam celebrations shes longing for. She sets off on her scooter, navigating the scenic roads of Kerala, savoring the cultural nuances that make Onam so s

Vijays much-awaited time-travel thriller The Greatest of All Time (or GOAT) has made its way to the big screen. Directed by Venkat Prabhu, stars Vijay in dual roles, alongside Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan, Ajmal Ameer, Jayaram, Sneha, Laila, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Vaibhav, Yogi Babu, Premgi Amaren and Yugendran. It follows Gandhi, the former leader of a special anti-terrorist squad, who reconciles with his squad members to address the problems that stemmed from their previous actions. Made on a b

As Onam approaches, brands are rolling out campaigns that aim to capture the festival's essence through storytelling. This year, Zomatos ad stands out by portraying the universal emotion of longing for home during festive times. The ad features a young woman who, upon tasting Payasam, is overwhelmed with memories of Onam. The narrative follows her journey through picturesque Kerala as she rushes to reunite with her mother in time for the celebrations. The ad conveys the warmth of home, even when

In this episode of Insights by Punctuate Inc., Saloni Surti engages in an open conversation with Kanchan Achpal, Chief Marketing Officer, SMOOR Chocolates. Titled Marketing Chocolates: Creating Sensory Appeal Through Communication, the episode explores an in-depth discussion on the evolving food and beverage landscape. Surti kicks off the discussion by asking Achpal to reflect on the evolving landscape of consumer behaviour. While Achpal highlights the significant shifts in customer expectatio

Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival honouring Lord Ganesha, brings families and communities together in devotion and joy. Streets have already come alive with decorated mandaps , towering billboards, and vibrant banners, creating a festive atmosphere that brands are eagerly tapping into. Recognising the festival's wide appeal, brands across various sectors are refining their media strategies to ensure they connect with their audiences amidst the festive fervour. This leads to a jump in AdEx every yea