Author: Rabindra

Radio City to Redefine Entertainment with their launch on JioTV

Bengaluru, 26th April 2024: Radio City, a trailblazer in vibrant music and engaging content, is thrilled to announce its debut on JioTV. This pioneering fusion marks a significant milestone as Radio City becomes the first-ever radio station in the country to introduce a 24×7 video channel under the banner of RC Studio.

This launch on JioTV not only extends the reach of Radio City but also provides advertisers with limitless opportunities to engage with a nationwide audience. Through this association, Radio City will be able to reach out to JioTV’s massive audience base across the country. The JioTV mobile app – which has over 1,000 channels in more than 16 languages and 12 genres from over 200 broadcasters is available to all Jio subscribers across the country.

Through this launch, Radio City will touch the nerves of the younger, digitally savvy generation, leveraging their attraction to screens to reignite their interest in radio. By embracing the new digital platform, Radio City will deliver phenomenal content that echoes with the Gen Z. RC Studio will also be available on connected TVs through JioTV+ which comes as a part of JioFiber and AirFiber.

This initiative will be pivotal in bridging the gap between different audience segments and expanding Radio City’s reach to a larger demographic, creating a more inclusive and vibrant entertainment approach. The launch of RC Studio propels Radio City into the digital era by enriching the entertainment experience for its audience with the JioTV app which is now also available on MyJio app and JioBharat phones.

Ashit Kukian, CEO of Radio City, expressed his excitement: “In this exciting juncture of innovation and expansion, I am thrilled to announce the launch of our pioneering channel, RC Studio, on JioTV and JioTV+. The launch marks a historic point in our journey, reflecting our brand’s evolution and commitment to ‘Radigitalization’. Our RC Studio’s tagline, ‘Mast Raho’, encapsulates our dedication to crafting a comprehensive digital experience that caters to our existing and new audiences. Radio City has always been a frontrunner when it comes to innovative concepts, and with this launch on JioTV, we are forging the future of entertainment by providing a platform that ignites excitement and engages viewers and brands alike in ways like never before!”

The amalgamation of Radio City’s timeless audio content with dynamic visuals on JioTV and JioTV+ signifies a paradigm shift in broadcasting, breaking new ground and redefining the essence of entertainment. Combining the power of video and audio in perfect harmony will allow them to engage audiences like never before.

Radio City’s RC Studio offers an all-encompassing entertainment experience. From refreshing music to exciting content, audio narratives, and exclusive interviews with film industry luminaries, the studio promises a diverse array of elaborate content.

Manish Anandani, Kenvue speaks at the IAA & ISA Retrospect and Prospects

The India Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) together with The Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA) hosted the IAA & ISA Retrospect and Prospects with Manish Anandani, Managing Director – India, Kenvue (erstwhile Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health) on 24th April in Mumbai. Kenvue was the presenting partner while ABP News & Fortune Edible Oils and Foods were the supporting partners for the event.

Manish Anandani, Managing Director – India, Kenvue (erstwhile Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health) the keynote speaker emphasized “The Indian FMCG industry has been a key driver contributing to India’s buoyant economy. There have been many factors like a young dynamic India, increasing urbanization, and a rising middle class which are presenting tremendous opportunities for the industry to pivot and scale. Today, we are seeing ‘Many India’ with many consumer cohorts, making it imperative for brands to design personalized, customized, and immersive campaigns to better engage with these audiences. We are also seeing big shifts in consumer behavior, with sustainability, purpose, and transparency being prioritized by the conscious consumer. These aspects will continue to shape the marketing agenda. We are excited about these opportunities and what they present for our iconic brands such as Johnson’s Baby, Stayfree, and Neutrogena.”

Avinash Pandey, President of, the IAA India Chapter and CEO, of ABP Network said “IAA has always been at the forefront of activities that benefit the Marcom Industry. Whether it be the Leadership Awards which are for the marketers, to having an all-advertising jury for our successful creative awards called IndIAA to having an annual program named the Retrospect & Prospects where a leading marketer gives a perspective of the highs and lows of the last year and some crystal ball gazing about the year ahead, we have always done path-breaking initiatives. And so, in that spirit, we have also saluted collaborations and cooperation and had the first IAA and ISA programs. I am sure this model will be appreciated and emulated in other programs as well”.

Sunil Kataria, Chairman of the India Society of Advertisers & CEO of Raymond’s Lifestyle Business said “An insightful presentation by Manish Anandani in retrospect and prospect session, dwelling into macro and micro opportunities of the India growth story driven by GDP, demographics, customer sentiments, rapid digitalization, evolving shopping & consumption behaviors has thrown interesting light on the possibilities ahead.

I am confident that our audience from IAA and ISA would have immensely benefited from the session today towards gearing up for the future”

HDFC Life & Peerless Financial Products Distribution Ltd. Forge Corporate Agency Tie-Up

Mumbai, April 25, 2024: HDFC Life, one of India’s leading insurers, and Peerless Financial Products Distribution Ltd. (PFPDL) have entered into a corporate agency tie-up. This partnership would enable PFPDL to distribute the life insurance products of HDFC Life to its customers.

PFPDL is a subsidiary of the Peerless General Finance & Investment Co. Ltd (PGFI), one of India’s oldest and biggest NBFCs in East India. PFPDL has 40 branches with a broad customer base across 42 locations.

Through this tie-up, PFPDL would offer financial protection to its customers. The Company provides both digital and physical platforms to customers thereby enabling them to choose their preferred mode of service.

Life insurance penetration in India is extremely low in comparison to the global markets. There is a strong need for the working population to secure the future for themselves and their families. HDFC Life offers a wide range of products that meet the life-stage needs of individuals, providing a financial safety net while enabling them to fulfill their long–term financial goals. The Company constantly endeavors to enhance the reach of life insurance through strategic partnerships. This tie-up with Peerless is a step towards further strengthening HDFC Life’s presence in the eastern part of the country.

In FY 2024, HDFC Life has secured more than 66 million lives with an overall claim settlement ratio of 99.7%.

Speaking about the new association, Satyaki Bhattacharya- Managing Director & CEO, of Peerless Financial Products Distribution Ltd, said, “We are delighted to collaborate with HDFC Life in our endeavor to secure families financially. Peerless group’s customer-centric approach for the last 92 years synergized with the reputed brand of HDFC life will help in creating a strong distribution network in Tier 2 and beyond cities providing innovative need-based life insurance solutions and technology-backed simplified user experience to customers.”

Speaking on the launch, Suresh Badami – Deputy Managing Director, HDFC Life said, “We are happy to announce our partnership with Peerless Financial Products Distribution Ltd. This is another step towards achieving India’s vision of ‘Insurance for All’ by 2047. We hope to leverage our distribution strength and take our insurance solutions to their entire customer base and add value to the partnership.”

Bayer Partners Government’s CSC, Gram Unnati for last-mile agri inputs delivery

New Delhi, April 25, 2024: Bayer, a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of healthcare and agriculture, today announced its partnership with Gram Unnati and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)’s Common Service Center (CSC-SPV), a strategic cornerstone of the National e-governance plan which aims to usher rural India into a digitally empowered era and foster a knowledge-based economy. The strategic collaboration aims to provide Indian farmers with access to quality agri-inputs through digital capability building and strengthen rural livelihoods and farm incomes. The partnership will support farmers in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and a few other states in the first phase of execution. Besides access to the entire range of Bayer’s agri-solutions from seed to harvest, farmers can also avail of crop-specific agronomic advisory through CSC’s online platform and market access through Gram Unnati.

As part of the MoU, Smallholder farmers will be able to access timely crop advisory, transfer of good agricultural practices, and access to premium Bayer products through CSC’s online portal. Gram Unnati will facilitate farmer mobilization and ensure market linkages. Together, Bayer, CSC-SPV & Gram Unnati aims to empower over 500,000 (0.5 million) smallholder farmers over the next two years. To facilitate easy access to quality inputs, and agronomic support, and encourage agri-technology knowledge transfer based on the latest practices, Bayer will also nurture agri-entrepreneurs by leveraging village-level entrepreneurs of CSCs from within the local communities.

Simon-Thorsten Wiebusch, President, Bayer, South Asia & Country Divisional Head, Crop Science Division of Bayer for India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka. said, “Smallholder farmers are vital in ensuring food and nutritional security in the country and Bayer is dedicated to empowering them through the expansion of access to essential agricultural inputs and expert agronomic guidance, driven by digital innovation and collectivization. Our association with the Government of India’s Common Service Center and Gram Unnati will help bring us closer to our shared goal of empowering farmers as we bridge the gap to remote farming communities, promote financial literacy, and foster an entrepreneurial spirit leading to optimized resource utilization, and maximizing farm potential to enhance their livelihoods sustainably.”

Sanjay Rakesh, MD & CEO, CSC-SPV said, “We are excited to collaborate with Bayer and strengthen our e-commerce platform to scale support to smallholder farmers through our technology-powered ecosystem. By leveraging our synergies with Bayer Crop Science Limited, we envision sustained enhancements in rural agriculture within the identified centers. This partnership will enable last-mile access to tailored solutions, to better support the rural community and agri-entrepreneurs.”

Aneesh Jain, Founder & CEO, of Gram Unnati, said: “We are extremely delighted to work with Bayer CropScience and CSC e-Governance to play the role of a key facilitator in this ground-breaking association. We are already developing a system with CSC e-Governance to enable farmers to sell their end produce through the VLE network. This collaboration will enable farmers to get timely access to high-quality agri inputs, thus further improving their crop quality and yields too.”

The CSC scheme, a collaborative e-governance platform, is part of the Digital India program. The Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) aims to facilitate the delivery of government, private, and social sector services to Indian citizens through the CSC network. It supports linkages, connecting villages in India through high-speed internet and scaling the delivery of products & services to reach the last mile.

It also offers a robust project platform for the ‘Better Life Farming Alliance’ led by Bayer CropScience Limited, through which the company can further contribute to sustainable income enhancement while promoting market-oriented agriculture practices and services amongst smallholder farmers. Under the partnership, Bayer will also facilitate women-focused training on financial literacy, management, and agri-business practices. Furthermore, the company aims to strengthen the capacities of Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) in alignment with their needs to enhance business and financial management. The collaboration will also support the scaling up and increased adoption of Bayer’s digital interventions amongst smallholder farmers, across the country.

The newly announced partnership follows an ongoing pilot engagement project running between Better Life Farming centers and CSC in Jharkhand’s Lohardega district since late 2020.

Airtel delivers best video experience in Mumbai: Open Signal

Mumbai, April 25, 2024: Open Signal, the independent global standards for network and subscriber insights has awarded Bharti Airtel, the best video experience on a 5G network in the Mumbai telecom circle.

OpenSignal is the global standard for analyzing mobile experience and is a definitive guide to understanding true customer experience. Airtel has topped the chart for overall 5G video streaming experience both in live and on-demand video streaming offering customers an uninterrupted experience. The company also leads the game in voice app experience, providing seamless connectivity to its users while playing multiplayer mobile games and using over-the-top (OTT) voice services on mobile voice apps. Overall, Airtel remains the outright winner of the best 5G upload speed award across the country, with a winning score of 25.1Mbps

Asia Pacific Gen-Zs & Millennials Optimize Travel Experience with Unified Loyalty Program

INDIA, 25th April 2024 – A survey by Marriott Bonvoy, the award-winning travel program of Marriott International, has found that a majority of Gen Zs and Millennials in Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC) prefer the simplicity of belonging to one comprehensive loyalty travel program.

While 60% of APEC Gen Zs and Millennials are actively subscribed to loyalty programs, the challenge of juggling several loyalty programs has led most (57%) to seek out one program that meets all their travel needs. Marriott Bonvoy carried out a survey of 1,000 respondents across ten markets in APEC to better understand the shifting attitudes of Millennials and Gen Zs and their travel behaviors. The survey identified an emerging generation of travel-focused, value-driven “Savvy Explorers” in APEC who seek to maximize their travel dollars and unique travel experiences.

Travel in 2024 is a priority for Gen Zs and Millennials: 73% report their intentions to take at least two trips in the next 12 months and 91% plan to spend the same, if not more, on their trips compared to the year before. Travel is viewed as an essential lifestyle component, and most are willing to reduce everyday spending on dining out (60%), shopping sprees (57%), and their daily coffee (54%) to spend more on a holiday.

“Survey results suggest that Gen Zs and Millennials in APEC are purposefully strategizing how they can channel value from their everyday spending toward rewarding travel experiences. They also prefer to be part of only one all-encompassing loyalty travel program that fulfills their needs. To this end, Marriott Bonvoy – which gives members access to over 30 brands in 10,000 destinations — is well positioned to deliver greater value and unlock more experiences for Gen Zs and Millennials,” says John Toomey, Marriott International’s Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Asia Pacific excluding China.

“As a testament to the program’s appeal, we have seen Marriott Bonvoy’s membership base in APEC grow by more than 50% since 2019. What’s more encouraging is that our members are highly active. They earned 40% more points in 2023 compared to 2022, and are putting their points to good use, with points redemptions increasing by more than 55% in the same period,” he reveals.

The trend of greater member growth and activity extends to the Marriott Bonvoy app. APEC member enrolment via digital channels grew by more than 25%, with mobile app downloads and active users more than doubling in 2023 compared to pre-pandemic levels.

The regional survey also uncovered notable trends amongst Gen Zs and Millennials across the 10 APEC countries. Market-specific trends can be found in Annex A.

Travel value unlocked through everyday spend

Savvy Explorers take considered steps to unlock travel value through everyday spending. Leveraging on their familiarity with loyalty programs, APEC’s Gen Z and Millennials employ varied tactics to maximize their travel rewards: four in five say they have gone out of their way to use a travel-linked credit card for everyday purchases, and 67% actively use a travel loyalty program to book and redeem local experiences and staycations.

This trend is supported by the usage behaviors of Marriott Bonvoy members in APEC. They accumulated points from stays across more than 8,800 Marriott International properties globally and through everyday spending. Redemption for hotel stays in 2023 registered a 130% increase compared to pre-pandemic times, accounting for the majority of redemptions, followed by points-to-miles conversions on partner airlines.

Hotels become a key destination to explore

Hotel experience is key to winning the hearts and dollars of the Gen Z and Millennial segment, with 99% of respondents believing their hotel choice can make or break their holiday. Hotels are also increasingly viewed as a key destination for exploration, going beyond the role of ‘accommodation’. Nearly four in five respondents expect their hotel to provide curated local programming and experiences, whilst 84% prefer to stay at a hotel with designs and activities reflective of its destination.

The recent debut of Moxy Hotels – noted for its hallmark playful nature, innovative design, and contemporary amenities – in key APEC markets exemplifies Marriott International’s commitment to continuously bring new hospitality experiences to the region.

Despite a desire to maximize their travel budgets where they can, their hotel is one area that APEC’s Gen Z and Millennials are willing to invest extra travel dollars towards. Top motivations for new-generation travelers to splurge include the hotel’s room offerings (48%) and location (42%). Whilst amenities remain key considerations, these guests value a seamless travel experience, with mobile-first customer service (61%), reliable WiFi (68%), and flexible check-out (64%) outpacing traditional benefits like lounge access (42%).

Destination ‘dupes’ fuel intra-regional travel demand

International travel has returned but APEC’s Gen Z and Millennials remain committed to destinations closer to home. While iconic holiday locations like the Swiss Alps and Bora Bora maintain their appeal, 55% are opting for destinations within the region that provide a similar experience. These so-called “destination dupes” are fast gaining traction amongst this segment because they allow Gen Zs and Millennials to stretch their travel expenses (69%), discover something new (63%), and are easily accessible (62%).

As a reflection of robust intra-regional travel demand in 2023, Marriott International saw over 60% of bookings in APEC coming from within the region.

Corporate backpackers on the rise

Gen Zs and Millennials are also taking leisure travel up a notch by capitalizing on the opportunity of a business trip to embark on multi-destination tours. In addition to extending their travel plans (68%), 84% plan to explore nearby cities and countries as part of their post-work itinerary.

With more than 560 properties across 24 brands in 22 countries and territories in APEC to choose from, Marriott International offers customers a myriad of options to mix work with pleasure.

Off-peak travel maximizes destination experience

Gen Zs and Millennials are also carefully planning when to travel to maximize their trip experience. The majority (71%) of Gen Z and Millennials say they would opt to travel during off-peak seasons to beat the crowds and get more out of their trip. 67% feel they can do more during low-peak seasons, and 77% leave their holidays feeling more relaxed and rejuvenated.

Where Marriott Bonvoy Can Take You

Marriott Bonvoy allows members to earn when they stay or spend at Marriott International’s growing portfolio of over 30 extraordinary brands across 139 countries and territories, and in over 8,800 properties. In APEC, members can benefit from the program’s key strategic partnerships with Singapore Airlines and co-branded credit cards in Japan, Korea, and India. With Marriott Bonvoy Moments, members can get access to once-in-lifetime experiences such as the opportunity to get closer to the action with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team at the Singapore Grand Prix

DashLoc and Godrej Partner to Empower Local Communities with Appliance-Related Products Access

New Delhi, 25th April 2024: DashLoc, a trailblazing company in India specializing in hyperlocal discovery and growth, has announced a strategic partnership with Godrej, a renowned name in the appliance industry. This collaboration aims to redefine the retail domain by creating an ecosystem that seamlessly connects Godrej Appliance Stores with local communities, enhancing discovery, engagement, and revenue growth.

Through this B2B partnership, DashLoc and Godrej are dedicated to empowering local communities with convenient access to appliance-related products. Over the upcoming six months, both entities will work together to leverage digital solutions, enhancing customer engagement and extending the reach of Godrej’s retail outlets. Notably, this strategic endeavor intends to generate organic leads for Godrej and increase their conversion rates effectively.

Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Sumit Singh, CEO and Co-founder at DashLoc, commented, “We are excited to join forces with Godrej to revolutionize the retail experience for both customers and retailers. By leveraging our hyperlocal discovery platform, we aim not only to drive foot traffic to Godrej Appliance stores but also to enhance their online presence.”

He added, “In today’s digital age, where consumers rely heavily on online platforms for product discovery and purchasing decisions, leveraging hyperlocal discovery platforms like ours has become imperative for businesses. By availing such services, companies can not only increase their visibility and reach but also stay ahead of the competition by offering personalized and convenient experiences to their customers.

Swati Rathi, Head of Marketing at Godrej expressed enthusiasm, stating, “This partnership with DashLoc aligns with our commitment to innovation and customer-centricity. We are confident that by leveraging DashLoc’s expertise, we will enhance the accessibility of our products to local communities and drive growth for our retail outlets. We look forward to working closely with DashLoc to maximize the benefits of this collaboration and deliver exceptional value to our customers.”

Through this partnership, DashLoc and Godrej are spearheading a range of collaborative digital initiatives aimed at ensuring the omnipresence of retail outlets. DashLoc will provide services such as listing management, microsites for retail outlets, review management, organic lead generation, call tracking, and lead management, among others. The key benefits of these services include easy connectivity for local communities, dynamic microsites for dealers, and organic lead generation, leading to higher conversions.

What sets this partnership apart is its focus on creating a sustainable organic digital ecosystem for retail businesses, with a strong emphasis on achieving a high return on investment. DashLoc will play a crucial role in providing ongoing support by supplying relevant local content to engage the community through partnership with Godrej Inspire Hub shops.

GIGABYTE Launches its AI-Enabled Ultrawide QD-OLED Gaming Monitor in India

India, 25th April 2024: Global leaders in the PC components and laptop market, GIGABYTE announces the launch of the new QD-OLED gaming monitor, the AORUS CO49DQ in India. Designed to meet the demands of modern gamers, the AORUS CO49DQ offers unparalleled immersion and performance that promises an exceptional gaming and multitasking experience. The AORUS CO49DQ features a 49-inch extra-wide curved QD-OLED display to provide gamers with an immersive viewing experience like never before. Starting at INR 129,000, the monitor will be available online and at authorized GIGABYTE dealerships across the country starting 31st April 2024.

The AORUS CO49DQ gaming monitor offers a 5120 x 1440p Dual Quad High Definition (DQHD) display at a 32:9 aspect ratio. AORUS CO49DQ Gaming monitor is a 10-bit display with 99% DCI-P3 color space, offering a richer variety of color graduations and greater accuracy. The ultrawide screen is not only designed for gaming but also for productivity tasks like video editing, content creation, or multi-tasking, offering the equivalent screen space of two screens in 16:9 format and a screen size of 27 inches. The ultra-wide 1800R radius curved screen eliminates distracting screen edges and enhances immersion, while also providing better ergonomics for extended gaming sessions.

“India has always been an extremely important market for us. We are excited to introduce the AORUS CO49DQ QD-OLED monitor in India. We designed this monitor keeping in mind the needs of gamers, creators, and professionals who need large-screen real estate to work. With the increasing demand for AI and OLED technology, GIGABYTE is committed to meeting customers’ requirements by not only offering state-of-the-art technology but also with its robust support and service to enhance the customer experience with a 5120×1440 curved OLED monitor. This monitor offers expansive screen space, eliminating the need for multiple monitors, and provides an immersive gaming experience like never before. Gamers and editors alike will benefit from rich colors, high contrast, deep blacks, a wide viewing angle, low power consumption, and fast response times for action-packed scenes. Additionally, the OLED Care feature runs AI-based presets seamlessly in the background with minimal interference.” said Supriya Gawde Mankame, the Assistant General Manager at GIGABYTE India.

The AORUS CO49DQ 49-inch display supports a high 144Hz refresh rate, ultra-fast 0.03ms response time (GtG), and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro making it ideal for fast-paced games. In terms of color accuracy and quality, the monitor also shines with a 10-bit color depth, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and fulfills the requirements of the VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 standard making it suitable not only for gaming but also for professional tasks like video and music editing, where color precision is critical.

Other features include the exclusive KVM switch for those who like to quickly switch between multiple devices while using the same keyboard and mouse. The feature works alongside the Picture-in-Picture (PiP) and Picture-By-Picture (PbP) modes. The monitor also features two HDMI 2.1 and a DisplayPort 1.4 port. The monitor is also equipped with two five-watt speakers each and a built-in power supply (72W AC power input) instead of an external brick to reduce excessive cable clutter. GIGABYTE also offers a 3-year warranty which covers potential panel burn-in for its entire lineup of QD-OLED gaming monitors which includes the AORUS CO49DQ model.