Category Archives: Business

Milan Calling – Ankush Bahuguna Adds ‘Milano Fashion Week Men’s Spring Summer’ To His List Of International Fashion Sojourns

India-wide Release, 18Th June 2024: Ankush Bahuguna is on a mission to make his mark with every fashionable stride on international soil, making Indian hearts swell with pride. After becoming the talk of the tinsel town for his debut at the recently concluded Cannes Film Festival, Ankush Bahuguna’s next stop for the stylish sojourn was Milano Fashion Week Men’s Spring Summer. Ankush was seen dressed head-to-toe in luxury brands attending the fashion presentations that were carefully curated by Canali and Tod’s on the 16th of June.

On the 17th of June, Bahuguna dressed in Dhruv Kapoor joined the patrons in the audience to support Indian designers’ new collection.

Speaking excitedly about his debut at ‘Milano Fashion Week Men’s Spring Summer’ Ankush said, “Fashion has always been one of the best mediums of expression, and I always dreamt of witnessing the magic that the genius minds create through fabric. Milan Fashion Week provided me with an opportunity to widen my horizons and meet some extraordinary individuals from the design space. To be alongside patrons of luxury brands like Canali, Tod’s, and our very own Indian designer Dhruv Kapoor and to witness how they infuse mythical energy into contemporary fashion was cathartic. What I experienced earlier at Cannes and now in Milan has been nothing but surreal!”

The effervescent debut marks the third fashion milestone for the beauty content creator after the 77th Cannes Festival, where he created history with his unconventional fashion looks, making it into the pages of prestigious fashion magazines as the best dressed during the festival. He also made an ethereal/stunning runway debut at the Lakmé Fashion Week for Esha Amin in 2023.

Ankush Bahuguna has seamlessly made his foray into high-end fashion after making his mark in the beauty industry. He is the first content creator to have his make-up series on YouTube titled ‘Wing It With Ankush’, in association with Lakmé.

He has been conferred with several accolades for extending efforts to break the glass ceilings, including the Cosmopolitan Indian Blogger Awards for ‘Beauty Influencer of the Year Male (Popular Choice)’ for two consecutive years. Ankush also won the ‘Outstanding Beauty Creator of the Year Award at the Myntra x Grazia Glammy Awards 2023. Ankush Bahu guna’s fashion and style epitomize the changing landscape of male beauty and fashion in India, oozing the transformation through fashion and make-up at every grand stage, both domestic and global

NXP Advances AI Audio Processing with SAF9xxx Audio DSPs

New Delhi, 18th June 2024: NXP® Semiconductors today announced the SAF9xxx family, bringing AI audio capabilities to automotive infotainment and marking a significant improvement in automotive audio processing technology. The new audio digital signal processing (DSP) solution is designed to support the ever-increasing demand for AI-based audio in software-defined vehicles (SDVs). Utilizing Cadence’s latest generation high-performance Tensilica HiFi 5 DSPs, combined with dedicated neural-network engines, the SAF9xxx enables efficient implementation of next-generation, high-quality, self-learning audio and speech applications.

Additionally, the SAF9xxx family comes with a software-defined radio option with up to 5 integrated tuners, covering all major global broadcast radio use cases, including DAB, HD-Radio, DRM, CDR, and AM/FM—making this a truly one-chip device supporting audio and radio applications with easy scalability in mind.

Audio performance is a major differentiator for automotive infotainment, providing OEMs with new ways to make mid-range and high-end vehicles stand out. The SAF9xxx’s machine learning capabilities with neural network integration opens up a new world of functionalities. For example, this can be used to recognize and distinguish the driver from passengers by identifying their voice pitches and accents. Emergency vehicle sirens can be detected with machine learning algorithms and used to provide drivers with audiovisual information about the location and movement of an emergency vehicle.

John van den Braak, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Audio Systems at NXP, explains: “The NXP SAF9xxx DSP is a ready-made infotainment solution. Designed

with AI/ML processing capability in mind, it provides more functionality, better performance, and more features to support the demanding audio and radio requirements of both current and future software-defined vehicles. And its scalable architecture makes it simpler and more affordable for OEMs to deploy in their vehicle design.”

The SAF9xxx family is optimized for low-latency audio applications, enabling real-time active cancellations of engine, road, wind, and tire noise.

Gigahertz-DSP performance is complemented by a large, fast-access onboard memory and a comprehensive set of analogue and digital I/Os that support demanding audio features.

Gigabit-Ethernet supports fast and direct connection to the vehicle network.

A large audio IP partner ecosystem is ready to kickstart new audio developments on SAF9xxx with an extensive range of audio software and algorithms.

SAF9xxx availability and enablement The SAF9xxx family is set to debut at the Audio Engineering Society 5th International Conference on Automotive Audio on June 26-28, 2024.

More details on the SAF9xxx family can be found on NXP’s website, including the software-defined radio option at nxp.com/saf9000 and the audio DSP solution at nxp.com/saf9100.

Yoga Amidst Coffee Scented-Breezes: Find Harmony and Balance in Nature

 India –18th June 2024– Aurika, Coorg, nestled in the lush greenery of Coorg, India, invites guests seeking a holistic and mindful summer escape. Surrounded by the Western Ghats and sprawling coffee plantations, Aurika, Coorg offers a tranquil environment for relaxation and rejuvenation. Guests can participate in bespoke yoga sessions led by experienced instructors, suitable for all skill levels.

The resort extends its focus on mindfulness beyond yoga. Guests can enjoy a “Deep Sleep” menu designed to promote restful sleep and a wellness menu featuring nutritious and delicious cuisine. Recognizing pets as family, Aurika, Coorg welcomes furry companions with designated pet-friendly accommodations and amenities. Pets can roam freely on the resort’s estate and enjoy the natural surroundings.

“At Aurika, Coorg, we believe true wellness comes from connecting with nature and fostering meaningful connections,” says Harleen Mehta, Senior Vice President – Sales at Lemon Tree Hotels . “We’re thrilled to offer guests a unique opportunity to experience yoga, mindfulness practices, and unforgettable moments with their pets, all amidst the breathtaking beauty of Coorg.”

Aurika, Coorg offers a unique opportunity to escape the city and reconnect with nature. Whether seeking serenity, holistic wellness experiences, or quality time with pets, Aurika, Coorg promises an unforgettable escape, a truly ‘beyond the unusual’’ destination.

Discover North West Frontier Flavors at Gharana-e-Pashtoon Culinary Popup at Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel

Step into a world of rich culinary heritage at the ‘Gharana-E-Pashtoon’ food festival, an exquisite celebration of North West Frontier cuisine at the Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel. Curated by the renowned Chef, food critic, and culinary historian Osama Jalali, this festival will run from 17th June to 23rd June 2024 at the hotel’s all-day dining – Feast. Chef Osama Jalali will be accompanied by his wife, Chef Nazia Khan, and together they are acclaimed for their expertise in authentic and traditional cuisines, bringing to life the forgotten aromas and flavors of the North West Frontier Province. This region is celebrated for its robust culinary traditions, characterized by aromatic spices and intricate cooking techniques. Guests will be treated to an array of authentic dishes such as Chapli Kebab, Memoni Biryani, Kunna Gosht, Namak Boti, and Koyla Kadhai.

This exclusive 7-day event held at the Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel is a tribute to the rich cultural legacy of the North West Frontier region and its storied culinary history. Join us at the ‘Gharana-E-Pashtoon’ to experience the extraordinary dining artistry of the couple and explore the vibrant tastes of Northwest Frontier cuisine.

Location: Feast, Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel
Dates: 17th June to 23rd June 2024
Timings: Lunch from 12:30 PM to 03:00 PM and Dinner from 07:00 PM to 11:00 PM

SHRM Announces 13th Edition of HR Excellence Awards with Significant Developments

New Delhi, India | 18th June 2024: The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is proud to announce the 13th edition of the SHRM HR Excellence Awards, an exemplary platform dedicated to recognizing organizations that put people first, deliver future-focused excellence in people management, and understand the importance of human capital as a key contributor to business outcomes. These prestigious awards honor pioneering and innovative people management practices that impact not just organizations, but also businesses, society, and the profession as a whole.

In this landmark year, SHRM HR Excellence Awards program has undergone significant changes to better reflect the commitment to recognizing and celebrating excellence in HR practices. One of the key updates is the introduction of three separate tracks: Enterprises, Startups/MSMEs, and PSEs (Public Sector Enterprises). This restructuring ensures that organizations of all sizes and sectors have a fair and equitable opportunity to showcase their HR excellence.

Furthermore, in tandem with the introduction of separate tracks, the awards process has been revamped with new award categories and evaluation parameters. These updates are designed to better align with the evolving landscape of the HR community and workspace practices. The new categories have been carefully curated to encompass a wide range of initiatives and achievements within the HR domain, providing organizations with more opportunities to showcase their outstanding contributions.

Ms Achal Khanna, CEO of SHRM India, APAC and MENA, says, “The SHRM HR Excellence Awards have always been about celebrating the best in people management. With these new enhancements, we are not only broadening the scope but also deepening our commitment to recognizing the innovative and impactful policies that are shaping the future of work. With the 13th edition of the SHRM HR Excellence Awards, we are thrilled to celebrate the trailblazers in HR who are setting new standards and making a lasting impact on their organizations and beyond.”

The SHRM HR Excellence Awards 2024 promises to be a milestone event, with 22 award categories in 3 tracks shedding light on HR’s finesse and showcasing the transformative power of exceptional people management. There are 11 awards under Enterprise, 6 awards under PSEs and 5 awards under Start-Ups/MSMEs respectively, and the last date for entries is 5th August 2024.

Stratefix Consulting Partners with Stone Sapphire India Pvt. Ltd. (SSIPL) to strengthen the HR

Ahmedabad, 18th June 2024 – Stratefix Consulting, an Execution-Driven Business Consultancy for SMEs is thrilled to announce the partnership with SSIPL. This partnership aims to strengthen SSIPL’s position in the Indian toy industry while building a highly skilled and motivated workforce, essential for driving long-term business success. The primary motive behind acquiring the project is to provide Strategic Consulting’s expertise in strategic HR Transformation and implementation to help SSIPL achieve market leadership.

Since 2017, Stratefix has a proven track record of helping companies increase sales, enhance brand reputation, and optimize cost structures, ensuring tangible business growth and operational efficiency. With over 85 seasoned consultants and 400 clients across 60 industries, they stand as a dynamic force committed to delivering tangible results beyond conventional consulting services.

Mukul Goyal, Co-Founder of Stratefix Consulting commenting on this new onboarding, said “Our engagement with SSIPL is a significant step towards creating a powerhouse in the Indian toy industry. By building a high-performing workforce and optimizing their business strategies, we are confident that SSIPL will achieve remarkable growth and industry leadership. Our goal is to create an atmosphere where creativity develops and staff members are inspired to give their all.”

Shobhit Singh, Director, Stone Sapphire India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Partnering with Stratefix Consulting marks a significant milestone for SSIPL. We are excited about the opportunities this collaboration brings to enhance our HR practices and build a high-performing team. Stratefix’s expertise in business strategy and workforce development will help in our growth and establishing SSIPL as a leader in the industry.”

Strategic Consulting brings a wealth of experience in business strategy and handholding, having successfully partnered with numerous companies in the consumer products sector. Their expertise includes developing competency frameworks, implementing performance management systems, and creating reward and recognition programs, all of which will be integral to SSIPL’s success. By tapping into Strategic Consulting’s expertise, SSIPL aims to implement strategic HR practices that promote employee engagement, professional development, and the overall well-being of SSIPL’s most crucial asset – its human resources.

Tierra Negra Premium Mexican Dark Salsa premiers at the Fancy Food Show in New York City,

Chicago, IL, June 18, 2024 — Successful third-generation Chicago Mexican restauranteur Ivan Gutierrez premiers a unique, authentic dark salsa. The Tierra Negra® Premium Mexican Dark Salsa is spicy and delicious. Tierra Negra’s mission is to create unexpected Mexican flavors using modern twists with century-old ingredients.

This one-of-a-kind salsa will be presented via The Hatchery in New York on June 23-25, 2024, at the trade-only Summer Fancy Food Show by the Specialty Food Association. Thousands of diverse makers, buyers, brokers, distributors, and industry professionals from across the U.S. and the globe will gather for delicious product discovery. The Fancy Food Show is not open to the general public.

The Hatchery in Chicago is a food and beverage incubator and production facility dedicated to supporting Chicago entrepreneurs. “We are so proud of what Ivan has accomplished within The Hatchery’s Incubation Program,” said Natalie Shmulik, Chief Strategy & Incubation Officer, ICNC/The Hatchery. “Our team has been adding Tierra Negra salsa to everything, and we cannot wait to see the product take off on store shelves.”

Ivan Gutierrez, Founder & CEO of Tierra Negra® Salsa, says, “Tierra Negra is inspired by the cultural richness of my ancestry and the example of hard work that was taught to me since childhood. My wish is for Tierra Negra to be savored and enjoyed by all.”

Tierra Negra pre-launched at the One of a Kind Spring Show at The Mart in downtown Chicago in late April. Tierra Negra gave out over 1000 samples of their new premium dark Mexican salsa product. Recent customers commented, “Wow! The flavor continues in your mouth.” And, “This is a delicacy for your palate. You savor Mexico one spoon of Tierra Negra at a time!”

Tierra Negra is available in Chicago at La Casa del Pueblo and Carniceria Maribel in Pilsen, Totto’s Market in Printers Row, Olivia’s Market in Bucktown, and Cermak Produce in Humboldt Park.

Tierra Negra Salsa is a unique blend of olive oil, pasilla chili pepper, garlic, guajillo pepper, cane sugar, granulated onions, annatto, cumin, ground cloves, and coriander.!This authentic Mexican dark salsa will transform your tacos, omelets, steaks, seafood, quesadillas, sauces, bruschetta, and more. A little bit goes a long way by adding extra taste to expand your recipes.

Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between 3:13 Sales Group, LLC and Gladhaven Capital

Appleton, WI, June 18, 2024 — The seller, 3:13 Sales Group, LLC, specializes in providing outsourced business-to-business sales and account management solutions to companies in the Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) industry. With over 20 years of experience, they know what it takes to be a strategic, transparent partner – doing what’s right for you and your customers.

“I wanted to personally thank you (Matthew Kekelis) and the entire Benchmark team for all of your assistance in brokering the sale of 3:13 Sales Group to Gladhaven Capital. I couldn’t have been more impressed with the professionalism, follow-through, and patience you and your staff showed me throughout the entire process. In particular, I’d like to commend Morgan Patterson for the countless emails, calls, and meetings it took to get this across the goal line.

As you know, this was not an easy decision for me. We started this business 12 years ago, and I am proud of what has been built. I also wanted to find a buyer that would be the perfect fit to take this company to the next level and treat the associates, clients, and vendors with the same care and attention they’ve received for so many years. I believe Gladhaven Capital will do just that.

I highly recommend Benchmark International to anyone looking to sell their business. You will not be disappointed. Thank you again for everything!” – Steve Fidlin, Owner, 3:13 Sales Group

The Buyer, Gladhaven Capital, was founded by Jamie Gallagher with the mission to acquire and operate one business for the long term. Jamie has a broad professional background with 20+ years of experience across general management, B2C (CPG) and B2B marketing, corporate strategy, sales, and management consulting.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have found the perfect match for our client, 3:13 Sales Group. There is no doubt that Jamie with Gladhaven Capital will build upon the success that Steve and his team have accomplished throughout the years. Best of luck to all.” – Matthew Kekelis, Senior Director, Benchmark International

Ketto Brings Father’s Day Cheer In Advance to Mumbai with Heartfelt Interactions at Marine Drive

18th June 2024, Mumbai – This Father’s Day, Ketto, A crowdfunding platform based in India, brought early Father’s Day cheer to Mumbai’s Marine Drive, celebrating dads and sparking conversations about their unseen strength.

The campaign celebrated dads as everyday heroes. It reminded people to thank the dads who might smile and hide their worries, all while working hard to make their kids feel strong and loved. Ketto asked Mumbaikars a few heart-touching questions – how their fathers have been their rock, and ‘what message they have for them. People shared touching stories about the sacrifices dads make for their kids, things dads might not even talk about. These stories, from working hard to support the family to giving encouraging words, captured the true meaning of Father’s Day.

Varun Sheth, Founder & CEO, of Ketto, shared, “Dads are the silent anchors in our lives. They fight battles we never see, and their sacrifices pave the way for our success. This Father’s Day, Ketto wanted to honour all the amazing Dads by giving Mumbaikars to show their love and appreciation for their fathers.”

Ketto goes beyond crowdfunding. Yes, we’ve helped countless children raise funds for their dads’ medical care, thanks to our amazing community. But this Father’s Day, we want to celebrate dads themselves! Our video is a heartwarming tribute to their strength, reminding everyone that love and appreciation, even in simple ways, can make a huge difference.

The love at Mumbai’s Marine Drive showed us one thing loud and clear: dads are amazing! Ketto’s Father’s Day campaign went beyond just a celebration. It sparked heartfelt conversations between dads and kids, a wave of appreciation that will keep going long after the event.

By encouraging open talks and “thank yous,” Ketto hopes to strengthen the bond between fathers and their children.