Coldplays rise to popularity in India was gradual but undeniable. Their music, once a niche interest, began to resonate with a growing audience as the countrys music scene evolved. With their emotionally charged lyrics and globally appealing sound, the band became a symbol of artistic expression, often featured in playlists and gatherings. The bands 2016 concert in Mumbai marked a significant milestone in their relationship with Indian fans, and since then, their popularity has skyrocketed. Rece

The New York Festivals Advertising Awards is officially open for 2025 entries, and this year, it's taking no prisoners. With a fresh, fearless campaign titled No BS Allowed, the festivalteaming up with Grey New Yorkis throwing down the gauntlet against advertising's worst enemy: meaningless metrics and hollow hype. Advertising is an industry built on persuasion, but sometimes, the biggest victim of its charm offensive is the industry itself. Too often, campaigns rely on exaggerated impressions,

X, previously known as Twitter, has elevated Rishabh Sharma to the head of marketing solutions for the Asia-Pacific region. Sharma, who joined the company in 2017 as a brand strategist, has previously held the role of senior manager for brand strategy in the Asia-Pacific region, working with global customers since 2022. Sharma took to his LinkedIn and announced the same. In his new position, Sharma will lead the Next team, which oversees the advertising business in South-East Asia, Korea, Greate

In 2019, a short clip of a teenager sipping cranberry juice while skateboarding to Fleetwood Macs Dreams took the internet by storm. Within days, brands jumped inOcean Spray gifted the creator a brand-new truck, social media accounts rushed to recreate the trend, and even Mick Fleetwood himself joined in on the fun. It was a textbook example of how brands can embrace virality with tact, credit, and goodwill. Contrast this with another viral phenomenon: the Disaster Girl meme. Originally a candid

OMD India has won the integrated media mandate for HDFC Life, one of Indias', listed, long-term life insurance solutions providers. HDFC Life, with nearly 25 years of experience, provides a range of products and services to Indian consumers. Its offerings include solutions in Protection, Pension, Savings, Investment, Annuity, and Health, with a portfolio of 80 products designed to address diverse customer needs. The partnership with the agency aims to build on HDFC Lifes focus on customer-centri

Instagram has announced a significant update to its Reels feature, allowing users to create and upload videos up to three minutes long. This update, confirmed by the platforms' head Adam Mosseri, marks a departure from the platform's earlier focus on shorter video formats. Starting today, you can upload Reels to Instagram up to three minutes long, Mosseri said in a video statement. Historically, the limit was 90 seconds because we wanted to focus Instagram on short-form video, not long-form cont

Instagram has introduced a new vertical thumbnail format for profile grids, replacing the traditional square image display. The update aligns with the growing trend of vertical content, such as Reels, and mirrors TikToks design. Instagram head Adam Mosseri explained the change, stating, We started with the tall grid because most photos and videos that are uploaded to Instagram at this point are vertical and rectangles do a better job showing off those photos and videos. He also acknowledged the

TikTok is once again operational for most American users after being cut off late yesterday following the enactment of the U.S. government sell-off bill . However, the app remains unavailable for new downloads as Apple and Google have not reinstated it in their app stores. Image- Tik Tok Over the weekend, President-elect Donald Trump urged companies supporting TikToks operations in the U.S., including app stores and back-end providers, to keep the app functional despite the restrictions outlined

What happens when two chess legends, one a five-time World Champion and the other the youngest World Champion, share the screen? Comedy and style take centre stage in Myntras latest ad for its Fwd collection. Featuring Viswanathan Anand and Gukesh Dommaraju, this ad playfully explores generational differences and fashion choices. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gukesh (@gukesh.official) The ad film kicks off in a tattoo studio, where Gukesh is getting inked while Anand sits nearby.

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has opened submissions for its 72nd edition, revealing its 2025 Jury Presidents. Josy Paul , Chairperson and Chief Creative Officer at BBDO India, will lead the jury for the Sustainable Development Goals category. Other appointments include Ali Ali, Co-Founder and Film Director at Good People Films, as Jury President for Film Craft Lions, and Beth Keamy, Chief Digital Officer at TBWAMedia Arts Lab, Global, for the newly renamed Social & Creat

A lot happens in Advertising & Marketing every day, every week, every month; campaigns which move hearts and metrics, news and trends which set the mood of the nation, platform updates which change the course of Advertising now and then. In an industry where change is the only constant, keeping pace can be overwhelming. Social Samosas podcast The Quick Call features Hitesh Rajwani , CEO of Social Samosa Network, in conversation with industry leaders and practitioners who help break down the late

SastaSundar, the healthtech entity in India, owned by SastaSundar HealthBuddy Limited acts as a bridge between users and independent Licensed Chemists to enable users to place their enquiry/indent. The company has onboarded Kapture CX to adopt a more integrated and unied approach to augment its customer experience further. As part of the partnership, the platform will power the company's contact centre with its omnichannel ticketing dashboard that will streamline all incoming inquiries via Email

Tonic Worldwide has appointed Nishant Gopalia, a seasoned digital marketing professional as Senior VP-Media & MarTech, based out of its Mumbai office. With over 18 years of experience in the digital media landscape, Gopalia has worked with both agencies and brands. In his most recent role with Viacom18, he led the digital media unit for their sports vertical - managing media campaigns for some of their sports events like FIFA World Cup, IPL, BCCI Cricket tournaments. Gopalia's agency experience

The Maha Kumbh Mela , held every 12 years in Prayagraj, India, is set to attract over 400 million pilgrims this year, making it the world's largest religious gathering. This influx is expected to generate substantial revenue, with estimates ranging from 1.5 lakh crore to 2 lakh crore, driven by tourism, infrastructure development, and various services. For advertisers, the event offers unparalleled exposure, with brands investing heavily in marketing campaigns to engage the massive audience. The

Parle-Gs 10 packets may soon vanish from quick commerce platforms as consumer goods firms adjust their strategies to balance neighbourhood store sales with evolving consumer habits. According to reports , Companies like Hindustan Unilever, ITC, Parle Products, and Adani Wilmar are introducing packs tailored to quick commerce platforms, a move executives think will gain traction as the segment grows. Quick commerce has faced criticism from general trade, which accuses these platforms of employing

Apple has paused AI-generated notification summaries for news and entertainment apps following backlash over inaccurate news alerts. The company plans to re-enable the feature after refining it in future updates. Previously in December, journalism organisation RSF had urged Apple to remove its new generative AI feature following a misleading headline about the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York. The BBC had also lodged a complaint with the tech giant after its AI-powered

Meta has been accused of downloading materials from an online platform, Library Genesis (LibGen), which is the subject of a copyright infringement lawsuit, to train its artificial intelligence models. The accusation comes as part of a court filing in the ongoing case ' Richard Kadrey et al vs Meta Platforms ,' in which authors, including novelist Richard Kadrey and comedian Sarah Silverman, claim that their copyrighted works were illegally used to train AI models. The filing alleges that Meta do

LinkedIn has unveiled its latest campaign, placing the spotlight on its sophisticated audience-targeting features designed to enhance precision in digital advertising. The campaign underscores LinkedIn Ads' ability to connect advertisers with relevant audiences using advanced AI-powered tools and extensive demographic filters. The platform claims to provide access to over one billion users, enabling advertisers to target audiences based on industry, company, role, and other professional attribut

Wondrlab, Indias platform-first martech network, has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in BigStep Technologies, the Generative AI and Cloud-Native Custom Software Solutions. This is Wondrlabs seventh acquisition to date and its second in the technology domain. Founded in 2008 by Vidit Paliwal and Niranjan Mangal, BigStep Technologies has developed over 700 applications and solutions for more than 500 clients globally. The company focuses on enterprise solutions, with expertise in pro

A lot happens in Advertising & Marketing every day, every week, every month; campaigns which move hearts and metrics, news and trends which set the mood of the nation, platform updates which change the course of Advertising now and then. In an industry where change is the only constant, it can be overwhelming to keep pace. Social Samosas podcast 'The Quick Call' features Hitesh Rajwani, CEO of Social Samosa Network, in conversation with industry leaders and practitioners who help break down the

Generative AI (GenAI) is enabling bad actors to become increasingly sophisticated in digital advertising. A new analysis by the DV Fraud Lab has uncovered a network of over 200 properties that include mostly AI-generated, ad-supported 'AI slop' sites. These sites often mimic legitimate publishers, posing threats to ad spend and campaign performance. Dubbed Synthetic Echo in the report, the network highlights the growing challenges of the GenAI era and the urgent need for advanced tools to combat

LinkedIn is rolling out new AI-powered tools aimed at helping job seekers and smaller businesses streamline the recruitment process. The first feature, Job Match , enhances job listings by offering personalised insights on how well a users skills align with the requirements of a job. It provides tailored suggestions for improving your chances, including resume tips, relevant courses, and even cover letter guidance. Premium users will gain access to additional insights, such as a categorical matc

The US Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear Meta Platforms' appeal to avoid a multi-billion-dollar class action lawsuit brought by advertisers accusing the company of inflating the potential reach of its ads on Facebook and Instagram. The justices rejected Metas appeal of a decision by the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, which allowed advertisers to seek damages as a group. In March 2024, a three-judge panel of the San Francisco-based court ruled 2-1 against Meta, stating that the advertise

Social Samosa is proud to present the 40 Under 40 Class of 2024-2025, the visionaries shaping todays ideas and building tomorrows future in the Indian advertising and marketing ecosystem. These individuals have broken barriers, challenged norms, and established benchmarks that will inspire generations to come. After a rigorous selection process, our jury panel identified these exceptional professionals from a diverse pool of talent, each contributing a unique perspective to the industry. The 40

hBits , the investment platform for commercial real estate, has appointed Zahid Gawandi as its Director Brand & Marketing. With over two decades of experience in crafting and executing marketing strategies, Gawandiis set to lead hBits brand transformation and market expansion, bolstered by the companys recent 40 crore fundraise. Gawandi brings experience across sectors including fintech, BFSI, FMCG, consumer durables, and automobiles. His career includes roles at advertising agencies such as D

Shriram Housing Finance, a player in India's housing finance sector, has announced the launch of its new brand identity, Truhome Finance. The rebranding follows its acquisition by Warburg Pincus and its co-investors, including QIA, Qatars sovereign wealth fund. As part of the agreement, Shriram Finance Group received an investment of 1,225 crore, helping the Company augment its net worth to over 3,300 crore. Truhome Finance, the new brand identity, reflects the companys commitment to delivering

In the corridors of the advertising world, the latest buzzword isn't about a breakthrough campaign or a revolutionary AI tool. It's Leo. This newly formed entityborn from the merger of Publicis Groupes iconic Leo Burnett and Publicis Worldwideis making waves as much for its formation as for what it symbolises: a shift in the advertising landscape. Arthur Sadoun, Publicis Groupe's CEO, heralded Leo as HI meets AIa poetic alignment of human insight and artificial intelligence. The industry is watc

The Supreme Court on Wednesday cautioned states about initiating contempt proceedings for failing to act against misleading advertisements. A bench led by Justice Abhay S Oka criticised the Delhi governments explanation, citing challenges in identifying offenders, as peculiar and requested status reports from other states on actions taken in response to complaints. Compliance reviews for Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, and Jammu & Kashmir have been scheduled for 10 February. The bench state

Madison Turnt , an experiential marketing unit of Madison World, announced the appointment of Rishabh Ratnu as Vice-President, heading Madison Turnts Delhi Branch. He will be reporting to Sunny Vohra, CEO, Madison Turnt & Anugrah Madison. Ratnu brings over 20 years of experience in advertising and experiential marketing, focusing on revenue growth and client relationship management. He has worked across creative and strategic roles throughout his career. Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor activi

Enormous Brands has announced the appointment of Akshat Trivedi as National Creative Director - West. Trivedi joins the agency from The Womb where he was Creative Partner and among the ones behind the Fogg and Saregama Carvaan ad campaigns. In his new role, Trivedi will lead the creative vision for the company in the region by driving campaigns and fostering a culture of creativity across client portfolios. His responsibilities include mentoring creative talent, and ensuring the agencys work exc

OpenAI announced on Tuesday that it has introduced a beta feature called 'Tasks' to its ChatGPT platform. This marks the company's entry into the competitive virtual assistant market alongside Apples Siri and Amazons Alexa. Today were rolling out a beta version of tasksa new way to ask ChatGPT to do things for you at a future time. Whether it's one-time reminders or recurring actions, tell ChatGPT what you need and when, and it will automatically take care of it. pic.twitter.com/7lgvsPehHv Open

Vikram Sakhuja, Group CEO of Madison Media & OOH, was honored with the AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award on January 10, 2025, in Mumbai. In his heart-felt acceptance speech that was truly a treasure trove of wisdom, Sakhuja candidly reflected on the moment he was informed about receiving the award. His initial reaction was one of disbelief as he thought, Wow, but why? Seeking an answer to this question, he turned to Ralph Waldo Emersons wisdom: It is not the destination, it is always the journey.

Dr. Bhaskar Das, a distinguished figure in Indias media and advertising industry, passed away on January 15 after a prolonged battle with cancer. Known for his visionary leadership, Dr. Das was instrumental in shaping the growth and direction of several media organisations, leaving behind an enduring legacy. Dr. Das began his career in 1980 as a management trainee at Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (BCCL). Over the years, he rose through the ranks, ultimately becoming the President of BCCL, where he

Meta Platforms Inc. reportedly plans to reduce approximately 5% of its workforce, targeting its lowest performers, while intending to recruit for the affected positions later this year, a company spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has also cautioned employees about further layoffs in 2024, emphasising the need to aise the bar on performance management. In an internal memo shared on the companys Workplace forum, Zuckerberg stated that Meta has made the decision to move out l

If you are a brand manager or brand owner, you must already be sick and tired of hearing this line: Create & share engaging content consistently to capture and retain consumer attention. Every other person is now a brand guru or a content marketing expert, and they are all telling you about visual hooks, slick production hacks, and the best times to post. But you have a finite budget. And when it comes to content production, your budgets are shrinking each year, with the lions share getting allo

Publicis Groupe has announced the merger of its creative networks, Leo Burnett and Publicis Worldwide, into a new entity called 'Leo.' The development is part of the companys strategy to strengthen its position in a rapidly evolving advertising landscape dominated by technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Arthur Sadoun, chairperson and CEO of Publicis Groupe, introduced Leo in a video announcement, describing it as a union of human insights and ideas amplified by data and technology to do

Experience Commerce, the digital agency within the Cheil Network, has secured the annual social media mandate for Tata MenCan, a non-profit initiative by the Urology Disease Management Group of Tata Memorial Centre. This mandate is part of a CSR initiative by Western Refrigeration. Tata MenCan focuses on raising awareness about prostate, testicular, and penile cancers while addressing stigma and gaps in healthcare infrastructure. The initiative provides comprehensive support, including financial

OpenAI has released a new 'economic blueprint' outlining its vision for AI policy, aiming to guide future collaboration between the U.S. government and its allies. The blueprint, which includes input from Chris Lehane , OpenAIs VP of global affairs, stresses the need for the U.S. to secure significant investments in chips, data, energy, and talent to maintain its global leadership in AI. The U.S. government can pave the road for its AI industry to continue the countrys global leadership in innov

The streets of Prayagraj come alive during the Maha Kumbh Mela, where every corner brims with the hum of devotion and the vibrant energy of millions of attendees. Banners and billboards line the pathways, each vying for attention, showcasing products and services to a sea of pilgrims. The air is filled with chants and the aroma of food. Amid this overwhelming spectacle, only a handful of brands manage to rise above the clutter, crafting experiences that become etched in the hearts of visitors. T

Meta is preparing to launch Community Notes on Facebook and Instagram, replacing third-party fact-checking with crowd-sourced insights on potentially misleading or false content. While the official roll-out of this feature is still months away, Meta has shared initial details of its functionality. Instagram's version of Community Notes, as revealed by app researcher Alessandro Paluzzi, will allow users to add notes to posts deemed inaccurate or confusing. The feature will enable contributors to

Chinese government officials have reportedly discussed the possibility of ByteDance selling TikToks US operations to Elon Musk, should the US Supreme Court uphold the law banning the app on January 19. While Chinese authorities have expressed a strong preference for TikTok to remain under ByteDances ownership, they are said to have considered a sale to Musk as part of a broader strategy to engage with the incoming Donald Trump administration. If this plan were to proceed, Musk's X would acquire

Google is rolling out new tools to help retailers integrate its generative AI technology at the 2025 National Retailers Federation (NRF) Big Show in New York. A key highlight is the introduction of AI agents , which can assist brands in boosting sales through personalised customer interactions, real-time product recommendations, and seamless shopping experiences. Retailers can now create custom AI agents using Googles Agentspace platform, designed to enhance customer service, inventory managemen

Ever wonder how the future of marketing is evolving from a brand-centric approach to a consumer-first mindset? Today customers demand more than generic solutions, they seek experiences that are tailored to their unique needs and cultural backgrounds. Decades ago, brands often decided what consumers needed with a 'we know best' mentality. Back then, customers lacked access to information and relied on brands to guide their decisions. Today, this dynamic has shifted fundamentally. With consumers h

Following a week of policy controversies for Meta regarding speech regulations and fact-checking protocols, Instagram Chief Adam Mosseri has outlined the platforms top priorities for 2025, focusing on creativity and connection. Mosseri highlighted Instagram's commitment to empowering creators through advanced tools, including AI, to elevate originality and maximise opportunities for emerging talent. Instagram was really founded on the idea of allowing anybody to share something creative that the

Swiggy, the on-demand convenience platform, has expanded Swiggy Instamart to 76 cities across the nation and will soon make it available as a standalone app. As one of Swiggy's flagship services, Instamart will continue to be accessible via the company's unified platform. Sriharsha Majety , MD & Group CEO, Swiggy, said While its been clear for a while now that Swiggy Instamart is set to match Food delivery in size, recent developments show its on track to surpass Food delivery in both penetratio

Indias box office in 2024 showcased contrasting trends, with regional cinema gaining prominence as Hindi cinemas share dropped to 40%. Regional films collectively accounted for 60% of the market, led by Malayalam cinemas unprecedented growth to a 10% share and Telugu cinema achieving its best-ever domestic collections at 2,348 crore. Despite grossing 11,833 crore, the second-highest ever, the year saw a 6% decline in footfalls and continued reliance on blockbuster films to drive collections, und

Sports brand PUMA India has expanded its sporting portfolio by partnering with Indian badminton player and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu in a multi-year collaboration. This marks the brands' official foray into badminton. As the first Indian to win five badminton world championship medals, she has also triumphed across the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and beyond. Honoured with prestigious accolades including the Khel Ratna, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Arjuna Award, Sindhu

In a bustling caf in Mumbai, a marketing executive scrolls through her phone, analysing the metrics of a recent campaign. The numbers look goodimpressions in millions, clicks aplenty, and conversions climbing steadily. Yet, something tugs at her thoughts: are these metrics truly capturing the campaign's impact? In the age of digital dominance, where algorithms meet artistry, the question looms larger than ever: is our understanding of ROI in advertising outdated? On the surface, the concept of R

Metas recent decision to scale back fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram has drawn sharp criticism globally, with warnings of 'real-world harm' if the policy is extended beyond the United States. The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), which includes organisations like AFP, contested Meta CEO Mark Zuckerbergs claim that the program promotes censorship. Zuckerberg argued this week that fact-checking was too politically biased and led to too much censorship, prompting the platorm to ove

Microsoft has filed a lawsuit against a group of 10 unnamed defendants, accusing them of developing tools to bypass safety measures in its Azure OpenAI Service. The complaint, lodged in December in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, alleges that the defendants, referred to as 'Does,' used stolen customer credentials and custom software to access Microsofts systems. Microsoft claims the group violated the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act , the Digital Millennium Copyright A