Author: Sai Krishna

Frost & Sullivan Launches New Industry-Tuned AI Brand Equity and Market Presence Advisory Service Powered by Optivara

New service helps companies assess and strengthen their brand presence across AI assistants and search platforms

LONDON, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Frost & Sullivan today announced the launch of its AI Brand Equity and Market Presence service, powered by Optivara. This service enables companies to understand how they appear across AI answer engines, how they compare to competitors, their competitive placement by funnel stage, and whether AI-generated market narratives reflect the position they have worked to build.

Designed for marketing, brand, communications and strategy leaders seeking to understand how AI systems represent their organisations throughout the buyer journey, the service identifies visibility gaps, competitive advantages, narrative inconsistencies and the external sources influencing AI-generated answers. These findings are translated into prioritised actions spanning content, messaging, digital authority, third-party validation and market positioning.

For two decades, digital discovery was shaped largely by search engines. Today, buyers are increasingly asking AI systems which suppliers to consider, how companies compare, what risks to evaluate, and which providers are best positioned for their needs. These AI systems are effectively becoming top-of-funnel sales reps.

The service combines Optivara’s AI industry-tuned market presence platform with Frost & Sullivan’s industry expertise, analyst insights, and subject-matter expert validation. Clients receive a market presence benchmark, a competitive peer map, an AI-answer narrative review, a source diagnosis, and a detailed SWOT analysis. From that, an actionable roadmap to better control AI brand dynamics and drive demand is developed and implemented.

“AI is quickly becoming part of how buyers form a first impression of a market, a category, and a supplier,” said Brian Cotton, Senior Vice President of Growth Advisory at Frost & Sullivan. “What makes this service so valuable is not just the technology. It is Frost & Sullivan’s ability to help tune the Optivara platform and interpret the findings through an industry lens. Our analysts and subject matter experts understand the market context, the competitors, the buying criteria, and the strategic shifts our clients are trying to make. That is the difference between getting data and getting results.”

“Optivara was built to reverse-engineer how AI thinks about companies, why they are being represented that way, and what can be done to improve it,” said George Schoenstein, Co-Founder at Optivara. “Partnering with Frost & Sullivan brings an important layer of market expertise and industry-tuning to the process. Together, we can help leadership teams understand whether AI is reinforcing their strategy, missing their story, or allowing competitors and third-party sources to define the narrative. Together, this enables companies to optimise the impact of their marketing dollars.”

To learn more about Frost & Sullivan’s AI Brand Equity and Market Presence advisory services, or request an introductory consultation and demonstration, contact Brian Cotton at brian.cotton@frost.com.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Pipeline Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation, and leadership. The company’s Growth Pipeline as a Service provides the CEO’s Growth Team with transformational strategies and best-practice models to drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth opportunities. For over 60 years, Frost & Sullivan has partnered with investors, corporate leaders, and governments to identify, prioritise, and execute transformational growth strategies.

Your Transformational Growth Journey Starts Here: Schedule Your Growth Pipeline Dialog™ with the Frost & Sullivan team.

Contact:

Kristina Menzefricke

Marketing & Communications

Global Customer Experience, Frost & Sullivan

kristina.menzefricke@frost.com

About Optivara

Optivara is the industry-tuned Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) platform built for agencies. We help agency teams measure and improve client AI answer engine performance by reverse-engineering competitors and top performers in a segment and translating those insights into a roadmap and SWOT analysis to win across the entire customer journey. Our human-in-the-loop, industry-tuned expert models show exactly what to do to improve visibility, reputation, and geographic answer engine performance, while our Generative Positioning Score™ (GPS) provides a consistent way to measure progress over time. To learn more, visit www.optivara.ai or contact pr@optivara.ai

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CARD91 Launches SpendFlow, a Commercial Card Platform Built for Enterprise Requirements

SpendFlow brings purpose-built infrastructure to commercial card programs, replacing the compromises of adapting retail credit card systems to the distinct operating, credit and servicing needs of businesses and enterprises.

BENGALURU, India, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CARD91, a payments infrastructure company, today announced the launch of SpendFlow, a commercial card and enterprise spend management platform designed for issuer banks serving businesses, SMEs, large corporates and institutional clients.

Issuer banks have traditionally adapted card management systems designed primarily for retail or consumer credit cards to support commercial card programs. As banks serve more complex business customers, this approach can create functional gaps because commercial programs need to accommodate organisational hierarchies, differentiated credit arrangements, approval structures, spend policies, supplier payments, consolidated billing and enterprise financial workflows.

SpendFlow is purpose-built around these commercial card requirements. It brings program configuration, credit management, virtual cards, spend controls, approvals, supplier payments, billing and accounting together within one architecture, enabling banks to configure programs for different business customers while maintaining central governance.

Ajay Pandey, CEO of CARD91, commented:

“Commercial card programs have fundamentally different requirements from retail credit cards. Banks need to support how businesses are structured, how credit and spending authority are distributed, and how payments move through enterprise workflows. SpendFlow has been built around these requirements from the outset, helping issuers operate sophisticated commercial card programs without relying on extensive customisation of retail-oriented systems.”

Core Capabilities

Seven-Layer Program Configuration

Configure fees, credit behaviour, interest, limits, controls and product parameters across multiple levels. SpendFlow’s most-specific-wins model allows banks to maintain centrally governed program rules while supporting permitted variations for individual corporate requirements without maintaining separate client-specific codebases.

Enterprise Hierarchy Management

Support parent companies, subsidiaries, cost centres and master-child account structures, with consolidated or entity-level visibility across complex corporate relationships.

Virtual Cards & Spend Controls

Issue virtual cards linked to corporate entities, employees, accounts or credit facilities, with controls applied across corporate, employee and card-account levels.

Approval & Supplier Payment Workflows

Support multi-tier approval workflows and virtual-card-enabled supplier payments, extending commercial cards beyond employee expenditure into controlled business payment use cases.

Connected Credit, Billing & Accounting

Manage credit facilities, statements, interest, payment allocation and accounting activity across the commercial card lifecycle.

Banking & ERP Connectivity

Integrate with issuer Core Banking Systems and corporate ERP environments to connect commercial card activity with existing banking and enterprise financial workflows.

Agentic Payments

CARD91 is also working on enabling Agentic Payments on SpendFlow, where AI agents can autonomously initiate and manage supplier and invoice payments within predefined controls. The capability is being designed to combine automation with control, transparency and trust, allowing businesses to adopt AI-led payment workflows while maintaining oversight over how and when payments are executed.

The launch expands CARD91’s payments infrastructure capabilities into commercial cards and corporate spend, complementing its technology across card programs, Credit Line on UPI, UPI infrastructure, prepaid, forex, onboarding and risk-led decisioning.

About CARD91

CARD91 is a payments and onboarding risk infrastructure provider enabling regulated entities to launch and scale customer programs. Its technology supports digital onboarding, fraud and risk decisioning, card issuance across credit, prepaid and forex programs, and UPI infrastructure across issuance and acquiring.

Built by a team of bankers and technologists and proudly made in India, CARD91 helps financial institutions design and operate configurable payment programs across multiple use cases. CARD91 operates across key financial hubs, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi and Chennai.

For more information, visit www.card91.io or contact sales@card91.io.

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Binance Introduces Agent OS to Connect AI Applications to Financial Infrastructure

New developer platform connects AI applications to Binance trading, market data, wallets, payments and on-chain tools across crypto and traditional markets

MUMBAI, India, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Binance today introduced Agent OS, a developer platform and standardized access layer connecting AI applications to Binance’s trading, market data, wallet, payment and on-chain capabilities across crypto and traditional markets.

Built as part of Binance Intelligence, the largest cryptocurrency exchange’s strategic initiative for AI-powered products and experiences, Agent OS gives AI builders, fintech developers and quantitative trading teams a controlled foundation for creating applications and agents that interact with Binance’s financial infrastructure. The platform supports both ready-made integrations and users’ own AI agents.

Through supported AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Claude Code, Codex and Cursor, users can authorize agents to access market data, view account information and perform supported trading activities, subject to the permissions and limits they configure. Users can also assign each agent to a dedicated subaccount to segregate funds and trading activity. 

“Binance Agent OS addresses the fragmentation developers face when building agentic finance applications across crypto and traditional markets,” said Jeff Li, VP of Product at Binance. “It gives everyone from developers to quantitative traders the reliable data, low–latency infrastructure, and standardized interfaces they need to deploy AI–driven strategies.“

A standardized developer layer

Agent OS brings together Binance APIs, Binance Wallet Agentic Hub, Binance x402 (programmable payments), Binance Skill Hub and newly introduced support for the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Together, these capabilities give developers the components they need to build connected financial applications and AI agents.

MCP is an open standard that enables compatible AI applications to connect to and use external tools. Its integration into Agent OS gives developers and partners a standardized way to connect their applications and agents to Binance, reducing the need to create separate integrations for each product or use case.

User-controlled access

Binance’s initial MCP implementation lets compatible AI applications access market data, view read-only account information and place trades. Through the MCP server, users can assign an agent to a dedicated subaccount, configure its permissions, and revoke access at any time.

Agents can view balances, portfolio information and transaction history of a designated subaccount, as well as balance and portfolio information for the user’s main account. They cannot access non-trading personal account information, including email address or KYC data.

Binance monitors and applies applicable controls to trading activity initiated through the platform, including the resulting orders. The agent’s external information sources, interpretation and decision-making are managed within the user’s selected AI application and are not visible to Binance.

Find out more about Agent OS here: https://binance.com/agent-os

Compatible clients that support MCP over Streamable HTTP can connect using:

https://agent.binance.com/mcp/agentic

Detailed setup instructions are available in the Binance MCP Server documentation:

https://developers.binance.com/en/docs/agent-native/mcp-server

Disclaimer: Your use of Binance AI, including any Binance AI Service, is at your own risk. It is provided to you on an “as is” and “as available” basis, without representation or warranty of any kind. You are solely responsible for all of your Prompts. Prompts may be used for training purposes. AI Inputs may include various unvetted third party sourced content. Any sourced content is provided “as is” without any guarantee. Binance may restrict or alter sourced content based on various compliance safety filters, however this is not absolute. Binance does not endorse or guarantee any AI Outputs. AI Outputs may include or reflect content, positions, views and opinions of third parties unknown to Binance, which may also include errors, biases, synthetic data and or outdated information. Any AI Output should not be solely relied on for decision making. AI Outputs do not constitute any kind of advice by Binance nor any other intermediary services. Binance AI may use or make available third party AI Tools without any guarantee and subject to third party terms. Where AI Tools are configured by yourself or a third-party, you indemnify Binance against all liability. Binance does not guarantee any AI Tools. Binance AI may respond to your requests, but without any guarantee that your request will be fulfilled satisfactorily or at all. Digital asset prices can be volatile. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance is not liable for any losses. Digital asset prices can be volatile. DYOR. Use of Binance AI may be subject to additional Binance Product Terms, where applicable. For more information, see our Terms of Use, Risk Warning and AI Policy and Terms.

About Binance

Binance is a leading global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users. Binance is trusted by more than 300 million people in 100+ countries for its industry-leading security, transparency, trading engine speed, protections for investors, and unmatched portfolio of digital asset products and offerings from trading and finance to education, research, social good, payments, institutional services, and Web3 features. Binance is devoted to building an inclusive crypto ecosystem to increase the freedom of money and financial access for people around the world with crypto as the fundamental means.

For more information, visit: https://www.binance.com 

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ECOVACS Launches Next-Generation DEEBOT T-Series Robotic Vacuum Cleaners to Revolutionize Smart Home Cleaning in India

MUMBAI, India, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ECOVACS, a global leader in home service robotics, today launched its new DEEBOT T-Series robotic vacuum cleaners to make smart, automated home cleaning accessible to Indian households. The lineup — DEEBOT T90 PRO OMNI, DEEBOT T50S PRO OMNI and DEEBOT T30e OMNI — combines powerful suction, AI-powered navigation, anti-tangle technology, and self-cleaning hygienic roller mopping systems, offering Indian consumers an easy entry point into smart home cleaning.

Why Robotic Vacuums Matter for Indian Homes

With rising urbanization, dual-income households, and growing awareness of smart home devices, robotic vacuum cleaners are fast becoming the new trend in home automation across India. As more households embrace hands-free, technology-driven solutions for everyday chores, robotic cleaning is emerging as the natural next step for Indian homes—offering intelligent, adaptable solutions suited to diverse home sizes, floor types, and pet-friendly environments.

This shift reflects a broader move from manual effort to smarter, more hygienic automation. ECOVACS’s OZMO roller mopping represents the next step in this progression, combining automation with fresh-water cleaning and self-maintenance to keep floors consistently clean without spreading dirt. For working professionals, this means coming home to a space that already feels cleaner and more comfortable.

A DEEBOT for Every Type of Indian Home

DEEBOT T90 PRO OMNI — Best for Large Homes and Households with Kids

Built for bigger homes, families with kids, and kitchens prone to spills, the T90 PRO OMNI features OZMO ROLLER 3.0 Instant Self-Washing Mopping Technology, continuously washing its roller mop with fresh water to prevent secondary contamination and ensure better hygiene. BLAST technology powers 30,000 Pa suction with high air volume, while PowerBoost Technology recharges 10% battery in three minutes, enabling coverage of up to 500m² per session. Paired with ZeroTangle 4.0 technology, it’s ideal for homes with pets, kids, or complex layouts.

DEEBOT T50S PRO OMNI — Best for Homes with Hard-to-Reach Spaces

At just 81mm thin, the T50S PRO OMNI is the industry’s thinnest robot vacuum, built to clean under low-profile furniture common in Indian homes. It delivers 25,000 Pa suction alongside TrueEdge 2.0 technology for precise edge and corner cleaning, complemented by a triple V-shaped roller brush for tangle-free, complete floor coverage. Its all-in-one OMNI Station enables up to 120 days of hands-free cleaning with auto dust emptying, hot water mop washing, hot air drying, and base cleaning.

DEEBOT T30e OMNI — Best for First-Time Users

Designed for households new to robotic cleaning, the T30e OMNI offers 25,000 Pa suction to tackle dust, hair, and crumbs across all floor types. Its OMNI Station automates dust emptying, mop pad washing, and hot-air drying for hands-free maintenance, while ZeroTangle 3.0 technology prevents hair tangling. TrueDetect 3D AI Navigation ensures smooth obstacle avoidance for uninterrupted cleaning.

The DEEBOT T-Series is now available in India. Visit https://ecovacsindia.in/

About ECOVACS ROBOTICS:

Founded in 2006, ECOVACS ROBOTICS is a global leader in home service robotics with a diverse portfolio of products encompassing robotic vacuum cleaners and robotic window cleaners. With its expansion into robotic lawn mowers, commercial cleaning robots, robotic pool cleaners and robotic pet companion, ECOVACS solidified its position as a multi-category leader in home service robotics.

Guided by the mission “Robotics for All,” ECOVACS continues to advance technology and enhance the user experience to make life smarter and more stylish for consumers worldwide. With sales subsidiaries in Germany, the United States, Japan, and Singapore, ECOVACS products reach nearly 180 major markets and serve over 38 million households globally.

A testament to this market leadership, ECOVACS ROBOTICS has ranked first in China’s robotic vacuum cleaner market by share for ten consecutive years (2015-2024).

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Mohali’s GCC Opportunity Gains Momentum as Government of Punjab Partners with Zinnov at Confluence 2026

Government of Punjab’s Partnership brought Mohali’s emerging GCC proposition before global enterprise and technology leaders

BENGALURU, India, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Nearly a quarter of India’s new GCC units set up in the past year landed in emerging cities beyond the traditional metro hubs, according to the NASSCOM-Zinnov GCC Landscape Report 2026. That shift is structural, not cyclical, driven by GCCs increasingly running multi-city portfolios rather than single-headquarters bets. Against this backdrop, Mohali is emerging as a promising destination for the next wave of GCC growth, offering a compelling combination of talent, infrastructure, connectivity, competitive operating costs and quality of life. The Government of Punjab brought Mohali’s case into that conversation as State Partner at Zinnov Confluence 2026, the 19th edition of Zinnov’s global technology and leadership summit, engaging directly with global enterprise executives, GCC decision-makers and investors on Mohali’s potential as an emerging GCC hub in North India.

“Our engagement at Zinnov Confluence gave Punjab an important platform to engage directly with global GCC and enterprise leaders on the opportunities emerging across the state. For Punjab, the focus is on building an ecosystem that can support the next generation of technology-led investment, strengthen opportunities for our talent, and enable enterprises to establish and expand with greater confidence. Mohali, with its growing technology ecosystem and competitive business environment, is well positioned to be part of this next phase of GCC growth. We value such government-industry engagements as they help us understand the priorities of global businesses and shape our approach accordingly,” said Shri Aman Arora, Cabinet Minister – Investment Promotion, Industries & Commerce, Government of Punjab.

The outreach, undertaken under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, forms part of the State Government’s strategy to proactively create visibility for Punjab in major business and technology hubs and engage directly with corporate decision-makers, GCC leaders, and ecosystem enablers.

Highlighting Punjab’s competitive proposition, Shri Aman Arora said that Mohali combines Tier-1 capability with Tier-2 operating costs. Located in the foothills of the Shivaliks and forming part of the Chandigarh-Mohali, the city offers a strong combination of technology talent, modern infrastructure, connectivity and quality of life. The Chandigarh-Mohali region already has a strong base of working technology professionals and produces over 40,000 fresh graduates annually. Mohali offers an OPEX advantage over Tier-1 locations, ready and upcoming plug-and-play commercial space, proximity to Chandigarh-Mohali International Airport, and a liveable urban environment that supports talent attraction and retention. The State’s new industrial policy further provides dedicated support for GCCs, including ₹7,500 per employee per month employment subsidy, rental subsidy, capital subsidy, and other fiscal incentives.

At a session titled ‘The Location Playbook: Mohali as North India’s Emerging GCC Hub,’ Punjab’s leadership engaged senior GCC and enterprise decision-makers on factors shaping location decisions, including talent, technology, infrastructure, operating environment, innovation, and speed of execution.

“India’s GCC landscape is becoming more distributed, creating opportunities for locations that can offer the right combination of talent, infrastructure, operating economics, and ecosystem support. Mohali is well placed to participate in this shift, with an opportunity to build specialised capabilities and attract mandates that broaden North India’s role in the global technology value chain,” said Nitika Goel, Managing Partner, Zinnov.

Mohali’s proposition rests on cost and increasingly flexible entry. Industry estimates put operating costs in the city at roughly a third lower than Tier-1 hubs like Bengaluru and Chennai, at a moment when GCCs are entering new markets through faster, lower-risk models, from build-operate-transfer to fully managed GCC-as-a-Service, that don’t require full ownership from day one. State-level incentives, from capital subsidies to stamp duty exemptions, have become a recognized lever in this shift nationally, and Punjab’s task now is converting that framework into mandates on the ground. Whether Mohali converts its cost advantage into lasting mandates will depend on building the specialized talent depth that enterprises are prioritizing over pure labor savings. For Mohali, the opportunity is to translate its emerging GCC proposition into specialised technology capabilities, long-term mandates and high-value employment.

About Zinnov  

Zinnov is a global management and strategy consulting firm that helps organizations build, scale, and transform businesses through technology, AI, globalization, and innovation.  

For over two decades, Zinnov has partnered with Fortune 500 enterprises, technology platforms, hyperscalers, Global Capability Centers (GCCs), technology service providers, and Private Equity firms to solve complex growth and transformation challenges. The firm has advised 250+ Fortune 500 companies, helped establish and transform 220+ Global Capability Centers, and supported 100+ Private Equity firms on technology investments, M&A, and value creation.  

Zinnov’s expertise spans four strategic areas:  

• Global Capability Centers (GCCs): End-to-end advisory and implementation across the GCC lifecycle, including strategy, location and workspace selection, setup, scaling, operating model design, AI-led transformation, and global enterprise integration.   
  
  Through its GCC-as- a -Service model, Zinnov combines consulting, execution, and the industry’s largest proprietary GCC intelligence platforms to help enterprises make data-driven decisions across talent, innovation, operating models, and AI while accelerating business outcomes through productivity, cost optimization, and revenue growth  
• Enterprise AI & Technology Transformation: Helping organizations build AI-first operating models, modernize technology organizations, accelerate engineering innovation, and unlock business value through digital transformation.  
• Growth Strategy for Technology Companies: Advising technology service providers, software platforms, and hyperscalers on market expansion, go-to-market strategy, partnership ecosystems, AI-led offerings, and competitive positioning.  
• Private Equity & M&A Advisory: Supporting investors and portfolio companies through technology due diligence, commercial diligence, post-merger integration, operating model transformation, and long-term value creation.  

Combining research-led insights with execution capabilities, Zinnov helps organizations accelerate growth, unlock innovation, optimize technology investments, and build enduring competitive advantage. With a presence across North America, Europe, and Asia, the firm continues to advise many of the world’s leading enterprises on the future of business and technology. For more information, visit http://www.zinnov.com.  

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THG India Marks One Year of Shaping Global Careers for South Asian Talent

The joint venture between The Hello Group and Sony Music Entertainment India celebrates a first year spanning more than 250 live shows, 68 artists serviced, 40 brand deals, major global collaborations and one of India’s largest internationally collaborative songwriting camps.

MUMBAI, India, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — THG India, the talent management, live bookings and music publishing joint venture between The Hello Group and Sony Music Entertainment India, is celebrating the completion of its first year of operations.

Since commencing operations on August 1, 2025, THG India has worked to build a multidimensional ecosystem around South Asian artists and creators—connecting artist management, A&R, recorded music, live entertainment, brand partnerships, publishing and international collaboration.

During its first year, the company locked and serviced more than 250 live shows, serviced 68 artists and delivered 40 brand deals, establishing a growing footprint across India’s music, live entertainment and commercial partnership landscape.

THG India’s talent ecosystem spans established artists, emerging voices, songwriters, producers and premium live acts. Selected names whose work featured prominently during the year include Jonita Gandhi, Nikhita Gandhi, Raja Kumari, W.i.S.H., Arjun Kanungo, SHAI, Manasi Ghosh, Anjana Padmanabhan, Anirudh Suswaram, Mohammad Faiz, producer and artist AAKASH Ravikrishnan, multi-platinum producer duo BANX & RANX, and ONEmpire—alongside a broader roster of emerging talent currently in development.

Indian Talent on Global Records

Artists signed to THG India during its first year contributed to more than 50 distinct releases, spanning international pop collaborations, Hindi and regional film soundtracks, independent music, hip-hop, electronic music and contemporary Indian pop.

Jonita Gandhi strengthened her international crossover presence through three major global releases: ‘Last Night On Earth’ with Cheat Codes; ‘Alibi Pt. 3’ with Sevdaliza and its international collaborators; and ‘Hello’ in collaboration with Sigala and Leigh-Anne. These were complemented by an active slate of independent and multilingual film releases across the Indian music market.

Raja Kumari delivered a wide-ranging body of work across South Indian cinema, Hindi screen music, hip-hop and electronic music. She featured on ‘Firestorm’ from the Telugu film They Call Him OG alongside S.S. Thaman, Silambarasan TR and Deepak Blue, while also contributing to the track as a lyricist. The song was subsequently released in multiple language versions.

Her release slate included ‘Revolver’ and ‘Everybody Knows’ from The Ba***ds of Bollywood; ‘Woh Ikka Hai’ from Ikka; ‘Kismat Ki Chaabi’ from Rahu Ketu; and ‘LA INDIA (KALKI Remix)’.

Producer and artist AAKASH Ravikrishnan secured a significant global credit as a producer on Chris Brown’s ‘Appreciate It’, from BROWN (The Chocolate Edition). He also appeared as one of the primary artists alongside A.R. Rahman and Irfana on ‘Rakkamma (Kuchi Kuchi Rakkamma)’, in addition to releasing collaborative work including ‘yin’ and ‘PRICE2PAY’.

W.i.S.H. continued expanding its contemporary Indian pop catalogue through its debut album, Sweetburn, and releases including ‘Bolo Bolo’, ‘Ishaare’ and ‘Desi Girl’. The group also entered the Hindi film soundtrack space with ‘Jag Se Laaj’.

The wider release slate included new music from across THG India’s talent ecosystem, including Arjun Kanungo’s ‘DOBARA’; ‘Na Marende’, featuring Arjun Kanungo and Anjana Padmanabhan; Manasi Ghosh’s ‘Has Do Zara’; Mohammad Faiz’s ‘Eyes’; and further independent, playback and collaborative releases from Nikhita Gandhi, SHAI, Anirudh Suswaram and other artists represented during the year.

More Than 250 Shows Across a Growing Live Ecosystem

Live entertainment formed a central pillar of THG India’s first year, with the company locking and servicing more than 250 shows across concerts, festivals, sporting events, university stages, corporate engagements, premium private events and weddings.

Among the year’s major live highlights, W.i.S.H. supported global artist Akon during his India tour, alongside performances at Spotify RADAR, CORE and major university festivals.

Nikhita Gandhi performed across prominent sporting, music and cultural platforms, including an IPL fixture, World Music Day programming, Falcon Festival and the Miss Arunachal Silver Jubilee Grand Finale.

Raja Kumari appeared across stages including NMACC, the Women’s Premier League and major festival properties, while Arjun Kanungo performed across sporting, university and festival platforms.

ONEmpire expanded THG India’s presence within premium live entertainment through weddings, corporate engagements and public performances, including the band’s appearance at CORE.

Together, these engagements reflected THG India’s ability to operate across the full spectrum of the live business—from international touring and large-scale public performances to premium private entertainment and brand-led experiences.

Forty Brand Deals Across Music, Fashion and Culture

THG India delivered and serviced 40 brand deals during its first year, connecting artists with companies across fashion, beauty, lifestyle, technology, automobiles and youth culture.

Brands engaged across the company’s commercial ecosystem included H&M, Westside, Crocs, FILA, Maruti Suzuki, Spotify, Redken, Maybelline, Noise, SHEIN, MINI, Budweiser, The League and JBL.

Artist-led partnerships included work involving Nikhita Gandhi with Kohler, Acer India and H&M; W.i.S.H. across Maybelline, Redken, Crocs, Westside, FILA and Shoppers Stop x HYBE India; Raja Kumari with Dove and Ray-Ban Meta; and Arjun Kanungo with Ethnix by Raymond and MINI.

These partnerships were designed not merely as endorsements, but as opportunities to connect each artist’s identity, audience and creative positioning with culturally relevant brands.

Building One of India’s Largest Songwriting Camps

One of THG India’s defining first-year A&R initiatives was the creation of one of India’s largest songwriting camps, built around Indian and international collaboration.

Conducted across 137 days and nine studio environments, the initiative generated 130+ original songs across eight genres, including pop, indie pop, house, dance, electronic music, hip-hop, R&B, Afrobeat and Afro house.

The camp brought together artists from THG India’s ecosystem, including Jonita Gandhi, Nikhita Gandhi, Raja Kumari, Arjun Kanungo, W.i.S.H., SHAI and Mohammad Faiz, alongside Indian and international songwriters and producers.

Its creative network included collaborators such as Alawn, BANX & RANX, AAKASH, Karan Kanchan, SANJOY, Skylar Mones, Oscar Bell, Julia Gartha, Carlos Battey and Kyler Niko, among others, including THG’s CEO, Taylor Jones.

Beyond the number of songs created, the initiative reflected THG India’s larger A&R vision: to build sustained creative infrastructure through which South Asian artists, writers and producers can work with international talent, explore new genres and develop music for both Indian and global audiences.

Building Towards Year Two

“When we launched THG India, our ambition was never simply to build another artist-management company. We wanted to create the complete infrastructure around artists and creators—bringing together A&R, live representation, brands, publishing and genuine access to international opportunities.”

“The first year has demonstrated both the depth of talent in India and the scale of what can be achieved when that talent is supported with long-term strategy and global connectivity. We have built the foundation. Year Two is about going deeper, creating more original music and building sustainable careers from India for the world.”

— Taylor Jones, Founder and CEO, The Hello Group

As THG India enters its second year, the company will continue expanding its focus on original music, domestic and international touring, global songwriting and production collaborations, brand-led opportunities, artist development and premium live entertainment.

Upcoming plans include Anjana Padmanabhan’s forthcoming EP, new singles from Arjun Kanungo, W.i.S.H, Jonita Gandhi, BANX & RANX, Nikhita Gandhi, Sanjoy, further international collaborations, expanded live initiatives and the continued development of emerging artists within THG India’s ecosystem.

With its first year focused on establishing its team, creative infrastructure and commercial capabilities, THG India enters Year Two positioned to scale its work and create further pathways between South Asian talent and the global entertainment industry.

About THG India

THG India is a joint venture between The Hello Group and Sony Music Entertainment India, established to represent, develop and create global opportunities for artists and creators from South Asia.

Operating across talent management, live bookings, music publishing, A&R, artist development, brand partnerships and international collaboration, THG India combines The Hello Group’s global entertainment network with Sony Music India’s knowledge and experience within the South Asian music market.

Based in Mumbai and connected to The Hello Group’s wider international network, THG India is committed to building structured, transparent and globally competitive careers for Indian artists, songwriters and producers.

Visit THG India at www.thehellogroup.in and @THGIndia on Instagram.

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Rassense Becomes First Indian CFS Company to Cross 5,000+ Employees; On Track to Cross INR 600 Crore in Revenue

Milestone comes as Rassense expands its Pan-India footprint with IIM Jammu, IIM Bangalore, and IIT Guwahati

BENGALURU, India, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rassense Pvt Ltd., India’s largest Indian-owned contract food services company, has crossed the 5,000+ employee milestone, becoming the first Indian contract food services (CFS) company to achieve this scale.

The milestone comes alongside the commissioning of operations at three of India’s premier academic institutions: IIM Jammu, IIM Bangalore, and IIT Guwahati, further strengthening Rassense’s Pan-India presence and its growing position in the institutional food services sector.

The three new mandates expand Rassense’s footprint across the North, South and North-East and demonstrate its ability to mobilise and commence large-scale operations across diverse geographies in quick succession.

Today, Rassense serves over 350,000 meals every day across educational institutions, corporate campuses, healthcare facilities, and industrial locations. Its footprint now extends from Jammu & Kashmir to Tamil Nadu and from Maharashtra to Odisha and Assam, reflecting the growing scale of a homegrown Indian food services enterprise with national capabilities.

Commenting on the milestone, Swarna Padmini Rajamani, Executive Board Member & Chief Business Officer, Rassense, said:

“Crossing 5,000 employees is a proud moment for us. Beyond the number are 5,000 people and families who are part of our journey to build an Indian company to serve Indian food to Indians at work and study across India. As India steps into its 80th year of Independence, this milestone has a special significance for us and reinforces our belief in what an Indian enterprise can achieve.

The commissioning of IIM Jammu, IIM Bangalore and IIT Guwahati in quick succession is another important step in this journey. It reflects the trust we have built with our clients, the strength of our people and our ability to execute consistently across diverse geographies. We remain bullish about expanding into newer regions and partnering with leading institutions and organisations as we build Rassense into a stronger Pan-India food services company.”

She added, “For us, growth is not only about scale. It is about creating opportunities for more people, building strong local teams, and demonstrating that an Indian food services company can build best-in-class capabilities and serve communities across the country, from Jammu & Kashmir to Tamil Nadu, and from Maharashtra to the interiors of Odisha and Assam. That is what makes this milestone particularly meaningful to us.”

Rassense continues to lead in its technology-led capabilities across food production, waste reduction, and supply-chain management. The company plans to continue expanding across India through marquee partnerships while retaining its focus on people, operational excellence and delivering high-quality dining experiences at scale.

For more information, please visit https://rassense.com/ 

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Trio World Academy Named ‘Best International School in India’ at the 9th Business World Awards 2026

BENGALURU, India, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Trio World Academy (TWA), Bengaluru, has been awarded the prestigious title of ‘Best International School in India’ in the K-12 School category at the 9th Business World Education Top Education Brands Awards 2026.

The award was formally presented at a ceremony hosted at The Park Hotel, New Delhi, gathering leading educators, policymakers, academic luminaries and institutional heads from across the country. Dr. Brian Irving, Head of School, Trio World Academy, received the honour on behalf of the institution. The award was presented by Samir Kumar Srivastava, Director, Indian Institute of Management, Amritsar and Dr. Annurag Batra, Chairman & Editor-in-Chief, BW Business World and Founder, exchange4media.

Conferred by BW Businessworld and BW Education, this recognition celebrates institutions demonstrating exceptional leadership, educational innovation and measurable impact across the national learning ecosystem. Trio World Academy was selected following a rigorous, independent jury-led evaluation process comprising eminent industry veterans, academicians and educational analysts.

Mr Naveen KM Managing Director, Trio World Academy, said, “At Trio, our foundational goal is to cultivate a learning environment where academic rigour and individual student well-being reinforce one another. This award reflects the sustained effort of our faculty, the intellectual curiosity of our students, and the trust our families place in our international curriculum framework.”

Trio World Academy delivers a comprehensive, inquiry-driven K-12 continuum. Through authorised programs, including the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), Cambridge Lower Secondary, Cambridge IGCSE, and the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP), the school maintains a stellar record of academic success. It boasts of performance consistently above global average for IBDP.

The BW Education award adds to TWA’s growing portfolio of national and international distinctions, including its official designation as an Apple Distinguished School and Best School for Outstanding International Collaboration.

About TRIO World Academy

TRIO World Academy (TWA) is an authorised IB World School in Bengaluru, established in 2009. TRIO serves a vibrant multicultural community of students from 20+ nationalities and offers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), Cambridge Secondary, Cambridge IGCSE and IB Diploma Programme (IBDP).

Guided by its core values of LEADS — Leadership, Empathy, Academic Excellence, Discipline and Service, TWA is committed to academic rigour, student wellbeing, global citizenship and holistic development, preparing learners to thrive in an interconnected world.

The school has earned national and international recognition, including being named an ‘Institution of Happiness’ by QS I-GAUGE, ‘Best School Brand in India’ by The Economic Times, and ‘Best School for outstanding International collaboration’ by ScooNews.

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HSBC Consumption Fund completes three years, delivers 15.13% CAGR since inception

MUMBAI, INDIA, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HSBC Mutual Fund’s HSBC Consumption Fund, an open-ended equity scheme following the consumption theme, completes three years since its inception in August 2023. The HSBC Consumption Fund has delivered a 15.13% return since inception (Regular Growth Option), outperforming its scheme benchmark, Nifty India Consumption TRI, which delivered 14.81% over the same period.

The fund had an ^&AUM of ₹1,761.84 crore as of July 31, 2026. A  lump-sum investment of ₹1 lakh at inception would have grown to ₹1,50,830 as of July 31, 2026, compared with ₹1,49,640 for the benchmark. Similarly, a ₹10,000 monthly SIP since inception would have grown to ₹4,00,607, compared with ₹3,96,495 for the benchmark. Overall, the fund has outperformed its benchmark since inception, across both lump-sum and SIP investments.

The fund’s performance reflects its focused approach towards India’s evolving consumption opportunity. HSBC Consumption Fund seeks to invest a minimum of 80% in companies engaged in or expected to benefit from consumption and consumption-related activities, allowing investors to participate in structural trends across India’s consumption ecosystem.

Venugopal Manghat, CIO – Equities, HSBC Mutual Fund, said, “India’s consumption outlook is progressing beyond the traditional growth narrative, underpinned by rising household incomes, favourable demographics, increasing financialisation, and improved access to products and services. We see these structural shifts creating broad, long-term opportunities across consumption-driven businesses. As India’s consumption market continues to broaden and premiumise, we remain constructive on the long-term potential of this theme.”

The HSBC Consumption Fund portfolio is diversified across several consumption-led segments, with allocations to consumer durables, automobiles, retailing, beverages, telecom services, healthcare services and leisure services as of July 31, 2026. The portfolio also spans large, mid, and small-cap companies, providing exposure to different segments of the consumption opportunity.

Over the past three years, the fund has benefited from its exposure to businesses positioned to participate in India’s changing consumption patterns. The fund’s investment approach remains focused on identifying companies that are expected to benefit from rising consumption, increasing penetration and premiumisation across different categories. 

The HSBC Consumption Fund is managed by Anish Goenka, while Mayank Chaturvedi manages overseas investments.

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HUBLOT UNVEILS THE BIG BANG RELOADED UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TITANIUM CERAMIC: KICKING OFF A NEW LEGENDARY SEASON

NYON, Switzerland, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The league phase draw has outlined the shape of the 2026/27 season. As Official Watch of the UEFA Champions League since 2015, Hublot marks the occasion by unveiling the Big Bang Reloaded UEFA Champions League Titanium Ceramic, the eighth timepiece born from this partnership.

For eleven seasons, Hublot has kept time for the very best of European football, from the qualifying rounds to the lifting of the trophy. Each edition of the Official Watch has embodied the memory of a campaign, a goal, a thrill. And this one is no different: it marks the beginning of a competition where, right down to the final seconds, everything can change.

The Big Bang Reloaded UEFA Champions League Titanium Ceramic features a 44 mm case in satin-finished and polished titanium, complemented by a bezel combining polished titanium and blue ceramic – the competition’s iconic colour. The matte blue skeleton dial reveals the workings of the movement, while the Hublot logo adorns the seconds hand. The satin-finished blue ceramic case back is fitted with a sapphire crystal featuring the competition’s logo. Through it, the HUB1280 Unico Manufacture caliber, an automatic column-wheel chronograph movement composed of 354 components and offering a power reserve of approximately 72 hours, can be admired. The strap combines blue rubber and white calf leather printed with stars, enhanced by blue stitching and secured by a titanium deployant buckle. Water-resistant to 100 meters, the timepiece is presented in a box accompanied by a miniature replica of the trophy awarded to the UEFA Champions League winning club and a hologram. From its titanium construction to its in-house Unico movement, the Big Bang Reloaded UEFA Champions League Titanium Ceramic resolutely embodies the innovation, expertise and boldness that define Hublot. This confidence is reflected in the Manufacture’s “5+5” warranty – one of the most extensive warranties in the industry, offering up to ten years of coverage. It stands as a tangible expression of Hublot’s trust in its products and in the teams who design, develop and assemble them.

“A new UEFA Champions League season begins, bringing with it the enduring desire to tell the story of those nights when anything can change. This Big Bang Reloaded embodies eleven years of partnership with the most-watched competition in European football. The blue of its dial, the star on its strap… every detail is a reminder that, when it comes to football, time is never merely counted – it is lived. Hublot Loves Football!” – Julien Tornare, Hublot CEO

Limited to 100 pieces, the Big Bang Reloaded UEFA Champions League Titanium Ceramic is available today in Hublot boutiques worldwide and at Hublot.com

HUBLOT

In 1980 and for the first time, a watch dared to put a gold case on a rubber strap, turning the luxury watch world upside down in the process. Named for the porthole-shaped bezel with its exposed screws, Hublot was born and with it, the Art of Fusion.

In 2005 the brand took this exercise in creative thinking to a new level with the Big Bang and its iconic design, size and layered construction case. That same year, Hublot received the Best Design award at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. Since then, spurred by this revolutionary mindset, the Big Bang has never stopped reinventing itself. The twenty-first century has its first watch Icon.

The concept of fusion is omnipresent, the guiding principle for every collection. Big Bang timepieces reshape the geometries of time; Classic Fusion balances boldness and restraint, while the Exceptional Timepieces overwrite expectations to create unprecedented horological objects. With its disruptive approach of challenging convention, Hublot’s DNA is transcribed in the Unico, Meca-10 and tourbillon in-house calibers, to add another tier of meaning to the Art of Fusion.

Since 2026, Hublot’s commitment to technical excellence has been backed by an evolved warranty structure for eligible timepieces purchased from January 1, 2026 onwards, featuring a 5-year basic warranty and the possibility of an additional 5-year extension for eligible timepieces through the Hublotista program, provided the basic warranty is still active at the time of registration. This would extend the coverage up to ten years.

Alchemy is ingrained into Hublot and not just at La Manufacture. Magic can take place on a football pitch, producing partnerships with major events (UEFA Champions League and UEFA EURO™). Sometimes it happens at a concert, a basketball match, an artistic performance or at a unique gastronomic experience with Hublot’s family of starred Chefs. And so, the Hublot Vibes come to life, through shared moments of exaltation amongst the Hublotistas, its very own community of proud Hublot owners. The Art of Fusion goes beyond the tangible. It is a way of being, the Hublot way of life.

Hublot Loves Football Timeline

2006 I Sponsor of the Swiss National Football Team, the first time a luxury brand entered into a partnership in football

2008 I Official Watch for UEFA EURO in Austria and Switzerland

2008 I Official Timekeeper for Manchester United FC

2010 | Official Timekeeper for FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa

2011 I Official Timekeeper for AFC Ajax Amsterdam

2011 I Official Timekeeper for FC Bayern Munich

2012 I Official Watch for UEFA EURO in Poland and Ukraine

2012 I Official Timekeeper for Juventus FC

2013 I Official Timekeeper for Paris Saint-Germain FC

2014 I Official Timekeeper for FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil

2015 I Official Timekeeper for FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in Canada

2015 I Official Timekeeper for Chelsea FC

2015 I Official Watch for UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League

2016 I Official Watch for UEFA EURO in France

2018 I Official Timekeeper for FIFA World Cup™ in Russia

2019 I Official Watch for UEFA Women’s Champions League

2019 I Official Watch for UEFA Nations League Finals

2019 I Official Timekeeper for FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in France

2020 I Official Timekeeper for Premier League

2021 I Official Watch for UEFA EURO in Europe

2021 I Official Timekeeper for UEFA Europa Conference League

2022 I Official Watch for UEFA Women’s EURO in England

2022 I Official Timekeeper for FIFA World Cup™ in Qatar

2023 I Official Timekeeper for FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in Australia and New Zealand

2024 I Official Watch for UEFA EURO 2024™ in Germany

2025 I Official Watch for UEFA Women’s EURO in Switzerland

About UC3

UC3 unites European football’s governing body UEFA and European Football Clubs (EFC), representing more than 800 top European clubs, around a new vision for managing commercial rights to UEFA club competitions (the “UCCs”). UC3 is the commercial entity responsible for generating revenues from the UCCs and creating value for our partners. The organisation oversees the management, sales and delivery of all commercial rights (including media, sponsorship and licensing rights) for UEFA’s elite men’s and women’s club competitions.

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