In the digital age, where attention spans are shorter than ever, brands are turning to popular internet phenomena to create immediate connections with audiences. Cats, with their enigmatic expressions and playful demeanour, have become unlikely marketing icons, playing a significant role in moment marketing campaigns across platforms. This phenomenon leverages the instant recognisability and appeal of cat memes to inject humour, relatability, and personality into brand messaging. The Rise of the

Nutrela announced Bollywood actor and wellness advocate Shilpa Shetty as its new brand ambassador. The brand with nearly four decades in the Indian market, offers a range of Soya Nuggets. Shetty, an actor, entrepreneur, fitness icon and an advocate for balanced living embodies the brands' values of health and nutrition. Speaking about the association, Sanjeev Asthana , CEO of Patanjali Foods Ltd., said , Shilpa Shetty is a leading figure in health and wellness in India. Our brand ethos are perfe

Bluesky reported Thursday evening that over 1 million users signed up to its platform in the past 24 hours, marking one of the platforms busiest days and pushing its total user base past 16 million. The announcement followed a separate update from Instagram head Adam Mosseri, who said Metas Threads platform recorded over 15 million new sign-ups in November, averaging 1 million sign-ups daily for the past three months. The decentralised social network has seen consistent growth in recent months,

This Diwali, Faasos aimed to tap into a universally shared festive experience, the tradition of regifting Soan Papdi . Recognising that Soan Papdi has become a humorous cultural icon during Diwali, the brand launched the Soan Papdi Exchange Program, offering customers the chance to exchange their unwanted Soan Papdi for a Faasos meal. The campaign was designed to foster relatability, humour, and fun, all while subtly positioning Faasos as a go-to meal option during the festive season. Summary Th

Childrens Day, celebrated on November 14th in India, holds deep cultural significance as a day to honour the legacy of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of Independent India and one who was known for his love for children. It serves as an opportunity for marketers to tap into the emotional resonance of the day, crafting campaigns that connect with parents, families, and communities. The celebration of childhood, innocence, and joy provides a platform for brands to deliver messages of ca

WPP announced further simplification of its structure with the acquisition of the minority shareholdings in T&P m , bringing the agency fully into the WPP network. T&P m will continue to operate as a standalone multi-disciplinary agency while collaborating closely with other WPP agencies. T&P m is an integrated agency with approximately 1,800 people in 42 locations around the world. Its roster of global and local clients includes Amazon, Argos, British Gas, EA, Mars, NatWest, News UK and Toyo

Idli vada bonda upma appam sevai pongal boori dosa masala dosa No, I am not craving a South Indian feast but every time I recite this, I am transported back to my childhood. It reminds me of the Center Fruit advertisement that became a playful part of my life over a decade ago. The ad featured a recitation of a South Indian menu, and I, just a kid then, would perform it in front of my family as if auditioning for the role myself. The tagline kaisi jeebh laplapayee still echoes in my mind, a test

In the midst of the ongoing JioHotstar domain name situation, a new website called Jiostar (jiostar.com) has appeared online, though it currently only displays a coming soon message with no further details. This has sparked speculation that Jiostar could be the name of a new OTT platform emerging from the merger between Reliance and Hotstar, though theres no official confirmation yet. This development follows an offer by siblings Jainam and Jivika Jain, the current owners of the JioHotstar domai

Havas CX, continues its growth with an expansion into Singapore, strengthening its presence across Southeast Asia. With a network of 18 Havas Villages worldwide, including hubs in London, Paris, New York, and Mumbai, this expansion will bring together the UI/UX and experience of Think Design along with the capabilities of Ekino. Expanding our CX capabilities in Southeast Asia, with Singapore serving as the strategic hub, is a key part of our broader Converged growth strategy in the region, share

Meta has announced further adjustments to its ad-free subscription offering in Europe, reducing the price by 40% in response to evolving EU data regulations and consumer protection requirements. The social media platform stated that the new price adjustment is intended to enhance the appeal of its ad-free option amid continued scrutiny from EU regulatory bodies. Going forward, people based in the EU will still have the option to choose between subscribing for an ad-free experience or continuing

Enormous Brands has announced the appointment of Joy Chauhan as Fractional Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Chauhan joins Enormous from erstwhile JWT/Wunderman Thompson (WT) (now VML) where in his last role, he served as Managing Partner (North) & Chief Client Officer (WT India). Under his leadership, the North office was responsible for brands like PepsiCo, Nestle, GSK, Hero MotoCorp, Honda Motors, Apollo Tyres, Indigo Airlines, Vivo phones, and The Times of India to name a few. Prior to JWT/WT,

In a move to grow its global presence, Indian digital marketing agency ThinkROI has announced the opening of its new office in Los Angeles, California and has appointed Cameron Clunies-Ross as Co-founder, to lead the agencys expansion efforts in North America. He brings experience from his nine years at M&C Saatchi Performance, where he has worked across the EMEA, APAC, and NAM regions, with a focus on opening and growing the agencys Indonesia office. Ross' experience spans technical areas such

Post-pandemic trends indicate that Gen Alphachildren born roughly between 2010 and 2025are engaging with digital media at unprecedented levels. With greater access to online platforms, this generation is shaping family decisions around food, entertainment, and household purchases, particularly in areas such as IT products, durable goods, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). In response to this shift, Kantar has released its 2024 Kidscan India Report, offering insights into the lifestyles and i

Deepinder Goyal's journey from a small-town boy in Punjab to the CEO of Zomato is a story of vision, resilience, and effective communication. Born to a middle-class family and educated at IIT Delhi, Goyal initially worked at Bain & Company, where he developed a keen understanding of corporate strategy. The idea for Zomato emerged from his experience of witnessing long queues in his office cafeteria. In 2008, he launched the platform (originally called Foodiebay) alongside co-founder Pankaj Chadd

YouTube has announced a series of new generative AI and live-stream notification features as part of its latest weekly update to improve creator tools and engagement across the platform. One highlight is the expansion of YouTubes generative AI music project, 'Dream Track,' which now includes an AI remix feature allowing selected creators to customise music for their Shorts. This feature lets creators choose eligible songs and restyle them by specifying a particular genre or mood. The AI remix op

Swiggy made its stock market debut with shares priced between Rs 327 and Rs 390. The companys Rs 11,327 crore IPO was fully subscribed by the final day, receiving 3.59 times the expected demand thanks to interest from Qualified Institutional Buyers and non-institutional investors. Swiggy publicly announced the IPO in a print edition of The Economic Times, on the 8th of November 2024. Swiggy marked its IPO launch with a playful video titled Ghanti bajate bajate, kahan tak pahunch gae! Swiggy IPO

Take a closer look at the movie songs being produced in the last few years and you will notice a pattern. The visual rules of the game have changed. The centre of the frame is where the money lies. Compositional nuances and peripheral set pieces have been discarded to the periphery. This dramatic shift is being influenced largely by the ubiquity of mobile devices. Notably, even in traditionally horizontal forms like movies, visual compositions are adjusted to fit the mobile experience. The chore

In a world where consumers are constantly seeking something extraordinary, something that stands out and sparks conversation. KFC has tapped into that desire. The brand's latest campaign, 'Taste the Epic,' takes a fresh approach to showcasing its signature offerings. Unveiled today, the campaign celebrates the distinctive flavors of KFC's popular menu items, from the classic Hot & Crispy Chicken and Hot Wings to the boneless Chicken Popcorn, Peri-Peri Boneless Chicken Strips, and a range of Zing

GOZOOP Group, has hired Vipul Arora as Director - Brand Solutions . This move will further strengthen the agency's leadership towards its vision of building Indias self-grown independent network. In his new role, Arora will drive growth at the agency by building strategic client relationships and securing integrated mandates aligned with the organisations long-term vision. Prior to joining the agency, Arora served as Senior VP, Business and Growth at Tonic Worldwide, where he helped in scaling t

Brands have embraced the power of moment marketing, especially on dates like 11/11, known as Singles Day. Originally popularised in China as a day for self-love and shopping indulgences, Singles Day has now become an opportunity for brands to engage with their audiences through clever, relatable social media content. Companies like Flipkart and Swiggy are using lighthearted, engaging posts to tap into the Singles Day spirit, connecting with consumers who might be spending the day focusing on the

Quora, in collaboration with Social Samosa, is bringing Quoraverse to Bengaluru, a pivotal conference designed to provide marketers, advertisers, and agency leaders with valuable tools and strategies for impactful campaigns. Following the success of the Gurugram and the Mumbai editions, Quoraverse Bengaluru promises a unique learning experience for attendees looking to elevate their understanding of digital engagement and contextual advertising. Scheduled for November 28th, the event is set to g

The 2024 U.S. presidential election took an unexpected turn when tech billionaire Elon Musk, known for his often controversial stances, publicly endorsed and campaigned for Donald Trump. It was an eyebrow-raising moment: a tech magnate embroiled in consistent battles in matters related to technology and AI development, throwing his weight behind a businessman known for his unpredictable relationship with Silicon Valley. However, as the votes came in and Trump secured a win, the tech industry is

The Madras High Court has ruled that there is no ban on doctors and hospitals advertising in the media, dismissing a petition that sought restrictions on such advertisements. The court's observation came during a hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Mangaiyarkarasi, who sought the regularisation of medical advertisements in newspapers, television, and other media platforms. The petitioner argued that advertisements by doctors and hospitals often mislead the public with exaggera

VUI Live , a full-service Digital Marketing and Consulting Company , has secured the digital marketing mandate for Laiqa Wellness Pvt. Ltd. , a Gurgaon-based Femtech startup . This partnership aims to amplify Laiqas digital footprint and elevate its brand awareness in the Indian market. The company will help in strengthening the brands digital presence in the premium feminine hygiene and menstrual care market in India. As part of the mandate, the agency will devise and execute digital marketing

Dot Media, has appointed Danny Advani as Head of Business Strategy and Planning to spearhead its strategic expansion to establish a comprehensive content division. Apart from creating this new division at Dot, his role will also incorporate overseeing the verticals of talent management, IP development, channel monetisation and broadening the agencys overall digital influence in local and international geographies. With a background of over 12 years in the digital ecosystem, Advani has previously

Instagrams head, Adam Mosseri, has debunked the common myth that the platform deliberately downranks posts tagged as sponsored content to force brands to pay for reach. In a recent post, Mosseri addressed the rumour as part of a series of informational updates aimed at clarifying widespread misconceptions about the app. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Adam Mosseri (@mosseri) We dont downrank posts that you mark as sponsored, Mosseri stated. It helps us understand Instagram to know w

As a kid, I had simple dreams: unlimited snacks and a TV remote all to myself to watch cartoons all day. And do you know which part I didnt like at all? TV ads. I know no one likes watching TV ads, and thats why making great and fun ads that people actually want to watch is a tough job. But my dislike for TV ads went a bit deeper. Every time I looked, there was no one in my shape in any of the fun, cool commercials. The few times I did see a fat person, they were always in weight-loss ads. Every

As an experiential events agency, we've had a front-row seat to how consumer loyalty has transformed over the years. What was once a reliable, long-term bond between brands and their customers has become a more fluid and fickle connection. The era of unwavering loyalty is fading, replaced by consumers who are constantly seeking new experiences, emotional resonance, and a sense of belonging. Today, loyalty is no longer guaranteed, its something brands must continually earn. Consumers today are co

Lifebuoy, Unilevers largest hygiene soap power brand, has teamed up with an unexpected yet undeniably adorable partner: Moo Deng, a pint-sized pygmy hippopotamus who recently took the internet by storm. Together, they're spearheading the 'H for Handwashing' movement, redefining the letter H as a global symbol for handwashing, not hippos, horses, or houses! The brainpower of creative agencies MullenLowe Singapore and MullenLowe Lintas Group helped bring this splashy campaign to life. Moo Deng is

WPP announced a further investment in India, its fifth largest market, as it opened a new campus in Chennai. With over 11,000 people, India is a twin growth engine for WPP. Its Enterprise Technology team in India are the first to move into the new Chennai campus, with further teams joining at a later date. The new campus is its third in India after Mumbai and Gurgaon and forms part of the companys global strategy to provide inspiring, collaborative and flexible spaces for its people. The company

Mansi Khanna , formerly Google Indias Head of Ads Marketing for Large Customers and SMBs, has been promoted to Director of Ads, Brand, and Reputation Marketing, as announced in a LinkedIn post. In her new position, Khanna will oversee ads marketing for large businesses and small-to-medium-sized enterprises, supporting Indian businesses in utilising Googles platform. She will also lead brand and reputation marketing efforts to enhance the company's role in fostering an informed and engaged societ

greytHR, the HRMS provider for hire-to-retire people and payroll solutions, announced the appointment of Archana Chopda as its Marketing Head. In her new role as Vice President, Marketing, she will lead the companys global growth marketing operations. Chopda is a strategic revenue marketer with two decades of experience across multiple industries and B2B/B2C product categories. She has launched products, developed new markets, and positioned brands at HP Americas, GE (Industrial and Healthcare),

Ayesha Huda has joined Mars Pet Nutrition India as Chief Marketing Officer, marking her return to FMCG after four years in consumer tech. She announced her new role in a LinkedIn post, expressing enthusiasm for the company. She said in the post, I'm excited to announce that early August I started a new stint as CMO at Mars Pet Nutrition India. I am thrilled to return to FCMG after 4 years in Consumer Tech and an especially rewarding stint at Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios India, heading conte

Vipin Unni has joined OTT platform aha as Chief Marketing Officer, following his role as Head of Strategy for the Malayalam and Telugu cluster at Sun TV Network. Unni announced his new position in a LinkedIn post. In his role at aha, Unni will focus on driving subscriptions, expanding brand presence, and building brand loyalty through the use of audience insights and trends. He aims to design impactful content campaigns that engage viewers and reinforce aha as a relatable and trusted brand, boos

Gaurav Mehta , former Chief Marketing Officer at Noise and recently Operating Director at Rukam Capital, has been appointed Senior Director of Marketing and Strategic Capabilities at Lilly India, as announced in his LinkedIn post. In his new role, Mehta will focus on enhancing Lilly Indias marketing strategies and building strategic capabilities to drive growth in the Indian market. His leadership background includes senior roles at OLX South Asia, GirnarSoft, Zupee, and Yahoo, where he led cons

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) is drafting new regulations aimed at prohibiting celebrities and influencers from promoting alcohol and tobacco products through surrogate advertising. According to reports , the guidelines could impose fines of up to Rs 50 lakh for violations linked to surrogate advertisements. Under the proposed rules, celebrities and influencers involved in surrogate advertising may face a penalty of Rs 10 lakh for a first offense, with the fine increasing to R

Another prominent researcher is departing OpenAI, as Lilian Weng, the startups vice president of research and safety, announced her resignation on Friday after seven years with the company. Weng has served as VP since August and previously led the companys safety systems team. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Weng reflected on her tenure, writing, After 7 years at OpenAI, I feel ready to reset and explore something new. Her last day with the company will be 15 November, though she has not discl

The consumer landscape has undergone dramatic shifts over the past few years, largely driven by the rise of online-first companies. These startups, particularly those in the direct-to-consumer (D2C) space, are rewriting the rules of consumer marketing and distribution, leaving traditional consumer brands scrambling to keep pace. With bold innovations in influencer marketing, social commerce, and content-driven campaigns, D2C startups are setting the pace for what modern advertising looks like. T

The anticipation surrounding the box office clash between Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again this Diwali has evoked memories of the viral #Barbenheimer phenomenon, where audiences were encouraged to embrace both competing films for a dual cinematic experience. Released on November 1, this head-to-head competition was part of Bollywoods tradition of major Diwali releases going toe-to-toe in a spectacle of star power and fan devotion. Both films have distinct legacies and dedicated audiences, yet

When you think of iconic Diwali ads, you can't help but think of ads like Cadbury Khadoos Chacha , or HP Indias #ThodiSiJagahBanaLo ad that showed emotions like home-coming, gift giving and a strong community. Khadoos Chacha was made more than a decade ago, and the HP one was made two years ago. But while these nostalgic themes might have once stirred emotions, many industry insiders hoped this Diwali would be different but were left disappointed. There wasn't any [Diwali] ad that stood out for

Under mounting scrutiny from parents and lawmakers over teen mental health concerns, Meta is deploying artificial intelligence to detect underage users lying about their age on Instagram, reportedly planning to automatically place suspected under-18 users into restrictive privacy settings. The system called the adult classifier, will sift through data from users profiles, follower lists, and even happy birthday messages from friends to help predict age. Those found to be under 18 will reportedly

Meta has introduced enhanced policies on Facebook and Instagram to increase transparency and safeguard election integrity, outlining new rules for ads related to social issues, elections, and political content. The measures, announced by Meta, require advertisers to complete a detailed authorisation process to ensure legitimacy and authenticity in political advertising on its platforms. The company categorises ads as political or social issue content if they pertain to candidates, political part

Australia's government will introduce what it describes as world-leading legislation to ban children under 16 from social media, a move aimed at mitigating the online 'harm' facing Australian youth, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The proposed laws, set to be tabled in parliament next week, would place responsibility on social media platforms to enforce age restrictions. This one is for the mums and dads, They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our kids online. I want A

In a recent campaign, Burger King India launched 'Roast the Roast' to spotlight BK Caf's coffee while engaging audiences in a fun, user-driven format. Created by Leo Burnett South Asia, the campaign encouraged users to share their worst coffee moments, with a humorous twist, in exchange for a free cup of coffee from BK Caf. This approach tapped into shared frustrations with bad coffee to generate buzz and drive engagement, linking digital interactions with physical visits to BK Caf outlets. Cate

Meta is rolling out a new ad option named Flexible Media, designed to boost the effectiveness of ad placements by allowing different media elements to be displayed across various user segments based on predicted engagement. The development aligns with the company's broader shift toward automated, AI-driven campaign management, which tailors ad delivery in real-time to maximise reach. Bram Van Der Hallen , a digital advertising expert, highlighted this new feature in a recent LinkedIn post, notin

Snapchat has expanded its partnership with third-party verification provider DoubleVerify, enabling the platform to offer advertisers enhanced brand safety and suitability measurement on ad campaigns. The development aims to bolster brand confidence in ad placements on the platform by ensuring ads are not shown alongside objectionable content, thus helping advertisers align their promotions with suitable material on the user-driven platform. DoubleVerifys brand safety and suitability services wi

As the world grapples with environmental challenges, businesses across industries are rethinking their impact on the planet. Out-of-home (OOH) advertising, once dominated by paper, vinyl, and lights, is now poised to play a crucial role in building a better, greener world. Globally, the industry has started working towards net zero goals with the singular objective of reducing the carbon emissions associated with OOH campaigns. In India, the paradigm shift towards sustainability, especially in t

Today, I decided to have some fun with AI image generators and asked them to show me different emotions on a person's face -- anger, happiness, disgust and so on. As expected, the results displayed typical expressions. Anger was shown with a furrowed brow and gritted teeth, happiness with a wide smile, and disgust with a crinkled nose. But as I looked at these images, something didnt feel right. Are human emotions that predictable? Research suggests otherwise. Emotions are incredibly nuanced, an

Himanshu Saxena , COO & MD, BBH India, with over 30 years of experience in advertising, has seen the industry transform in ways few could have predicted. From navigating the rise of digital marketing to witnessing the shift in client-agency dynamics, he has been at the forefront of these changes. His leadership philosophy, built on staying curious, learning from every generation, and facing rejection head-on, has made him a resilient force in a fast-evolving market. At BBH India, Saxena combines

Who are we? The agency is its clients outsourced/ extended marketing team minus the bank-breaking price tag. Hence it deliver full-stack marketing primarily across 3 areas - Branding Digital Marketing PR In 5 years, it has worked with more than 50 industries and 140 brands. What differentiates us from others? Whether its full-stack marketing, branding, or PR, the agencys approach is always solving real business problems. For the agency, its not about winning awards (though it has got those too)