Category Archives: Business

The Baker’s Dozen Launches The Truth We Knead Campaign: Empowering Customers Through Education

24th April 2024 – India’s leading artisan bakery brand, The Baker’s Dozen (TBD), known for creating authentic and quality baked goods, has announced the launch of its groundbreaking educational campaign – “The Truth We Knead”. This industry-first initiative prioritizes consumer education by providing comprehensive insights into bakery products and practices. The campaign will utilize a multi-faceted approach, including informative videos, social media content, digital ads, on-pack communication and interactive sessions along with an informative YouTube series hosted by Co-founder & Head Chef, Aditi Handa. This ensures inclusivity and accessibility for a diverse audience, allowing them to delve deeper into the world of baking from the comfort of their homes.

TBD prioritizes using wholesome ingredients for a healthier and more sustainable baking experience. It also drives the idea that customers must know more about products, especially the ones that they eat. TBD’s latest campaign aims to bridge the existing knowledge gap regarding bakery goods, reflecting TBD’s longstanding commitment to transparency and innovation.

The “The Truth We Knead” campaign aims to empower consumers to make informed choices about their daily bread and other bakery consumption. Additionally, TBD’s initiative will entail an enriching experience that will offer exclusive glimpses into the behind-the-scenes of the bakery industry along with other interesting baking facts, allowing customers to gain insight into the intricacies of the baking process. The YouTube series by Aditi Handa will cover informative topics in the bakery industry.

Another cornerstone of the campaign is the appointment of a Chief Customer Officer (CCO) board for a duration of three months. This unique panel, comprising three diverse personalities from different walks of life who add their own distinct flavor to the campaign by serving as a bridge between TBD and its consumers. This will make the campaign a two-way street with direct engagement, where TBD’s consumers can give their valuable insights and feedback through virtual sessions and meet-and-greets with the CCOs, which will enhance the reach of the brand.

This strategic focus on consumer education comes after TBD recently secured INR 33 Crore in a pre-series A funding round. It is also in alignment with the projected growth of the Indian bakery market, which is expected to reach a CAGR of approximately 11% from 2023 to 2028. By empowering consumers with knowledge, TBD intends to further strengthen its foothold in the dynamic industry.

Aditi Handa, Co-founder & Head Chef at The Baker’s Dozen, said, “The bakery industry has undergone a remarkable revolution. Consumers are ditching traditional options for goodness, quality and healthier alternatives, driving a massive demand for high-quality baked goods. But surprisingly, a majority still lack the knowledge to choose wisely. That’s precisely why we’re on a mission to bridge the information gap. By educating consumers on key selection criteria, we aim to empower them to make informed choices, fostering a mindful approach to daily nutrition. Transparency is paramount for us – customers deserve to know exactly what’s in their food. According to a study, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed Indians’ outlook on health as 70 percent of Indians say they will prioritize dietary and lifestyle changes. We’re even exploring the innovative concept of Chief Customer Officers to become industry leaders in understanding customer needs. Imagine a future where informed bakery choices are a collaborative journey – that’s what excites us!”

TBD goes beyond consumer satisfaction, prioritizing both human health and environmental well-being through business sustainability initiatives like Plastic-Neutral and Carbon-Neutral practices. Weaving sustainability into the fabric of their business has been a conscious evolution for the brand.

Tropical Agro Fortifies Farmer Solutions Portfolio for Comprehensive Support

Chennai, April24, 2024:Tropical Agrosystem (India) Pvt. Ltd., a leader in the Indian agricultural sector, is proud to unveil its latest suite of farming solutions meticulously tailored for the upcoming 2024 Kharif cropping season.With a resolute dedication to tackling the dynamic challenges of agriculture, the company has fortified its product portfolio with 16 new offerings, covering the gamut of farming practices from seed treatment to post-harvest care.

Commenting on this milestone, Mr. V. K. Jhaver, Founder of Tropical Agrosystem (India) Pvt. Ltd., expressed the company’s commitment to empowering farmers, stating, ” We are steadfast in our mission to equip farmers with advanced technological formulations to effectively manage crop-related issues such as pests, diseases, and soil deficiencies.Indian farmers deserve access to top-tier farming solutions, which is why, through our innovation labs and dedicated product teams, we continuously strive to develop new solutions to enhance outcomes for major crops and fortify the future of farming.”

Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Mohan Kumar, President of Tropical Agrosystem (India) Pvt. Ltd., emphasized the profound impact of these initiatives on modern farming practices. “Aligned with our purpose statement, these efforts are poised to safeguard and nurture crops thereby enhancing productivity and profitability for farmers. Our products are engineered to cover challenges across diverse crop ranges from Black gram, Chillies, Cumin, Potato, Paddy, Tomato, Wheat, Maize, Cotton,Bengal gram, Cabbage, Groundnut, Pigeon Pea, Soyabean, Sugarcane, to Tea and more. Furthermore, our enhanced collaborations with esteemed Indian and global entities will usher in cutting-edge agri-tech solutions crucial for the agriculture of tomorrow,” he added.

The newly unveiled range comprises a diverse array of insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and biological products, catering to the evolving needs of the Indian farming community. This strategic expansion mirrors Tropical Agrosystem’s unwavering dedication to driving innovation and fostering sustainable agricultural practices, ultimately contributing to the prosperity of farmers and the resilience of India’s agricultural landscape.

Tropical Agroupholds an unwavering commitment to excellence, ensuring all products adhere to international standards and are safe for end-users when used as recommended. Developed following rigorous assessments by agronomic experts, these products are engineered to enhance efficiency and deliver superior performance when applied to crops. They are designed to be user-friendly, economically viable, and resource-efficient.

Moreover, the company has ingrained a culture of product stewardship into its operations to minimize environmental impact. This commitment spans the entire product lifecycle, from research and development through production, marketing, customer usage, and disposal, ensuring responsible practices at every stage.

Togopool Launches 7 Days, 7 Rides Campaign Across Seven States to Promote Eco-friendly commute

New Delhi, [April] – Togopool, a premium app for ride-sharing services, has announced a new initiative called “7 Days, 7 Rides”, aimed at encouraging ride-givers to engage more frequently with their platform while benefiting from substantial rewards. Designed to boost ride availability and reward consistency, this promotional offer is set to enhance the commuting experience across several Indian states.

Under the “7 Days, 7 Rides’ campaign, ride-givers who complete a minimum of seven rides, each covering at least 5 kilometers with no cancellation are entitled to a guaranteed bonus of ₹300, credited to their Togopool wallets. Additionally, for every ride completed with a ride-taker, the ride-giver will earn an extra top up of 20% or more from the ride-taker’s payment. It’s important to note that the promotion is valid for Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand, offering flexibility as rides can start in these states but end anywhere in India.

Moreover, Togopool emphasizes that rides with multiple passengers will count as one ride, and rides canceled by the ride-giver will not qualify for promotional benefits. This campaign does not extend to Maharashtra due to legal restrictions on carpooling services in the state.

“At Togopool, we are dedicated to enhancing our users’ experience and providing substantial rewards to our ride-givers,” says Mr Saurabh C, Founder of Togopool. “This campaign is not only about rewarding our loyal users but also about fostering a more connected and efficient transportation network across key regions. With ‘7 Days, 7 Rides’, we aim to encourage more consistent engagement on our platform, while offering greater earning potential and flexibility to our ride-givers.”

This strategic campaign underscores Togopool’s commitment to its community of users by rewarding them for their loyalty and encouraging the adoption of ride-sharing as a sustainable commuting option. Togopool invites ride-givers across the eligible states to participate in this exciting promotion, promising enhanced benefits and a superior commuting experience.

Zomato felicitates winners of the Plastic-Free Orders Packathon

New Delhi, 24th April 2024: Zomato, India’s food ordering and delivery platform, today announced the winners of its ‘Plastic-Free Orders Packathon’, at an event held in New Delhi. Launched in partnership with Startup India, the ‘Plastic-Free Orders Packathon’ was aimed at encouraging innovation in sustainable packaging for food delivery orders. At the event, the 10 shortlisted startups pitched their pioneering solutions to the jury and an audience of over 100 people, including Zomato’s restaurant partners, 14+ startups, technical experts and sustainability students and enthusiasts. Bambrew, Go Do Good Studio and Frenvi were selected as the top 3 winners for their solutions and have been awarded prizes worth INR 10 lakhs, 5 lakhs, and 3 lakhs, respectively.

Over 85 startups from 18 states across the country shared their sustainable packaging solutions that ranged from innovative plastic-free barrier coatings made of materials like seaweed and plant-based gums, compostable carry bags to edible cutlery. 34 of these startups were partially or fully led by women entrepreneurs. The pitches made by the 10 shortlisted startups were judged on the innovative nature of the materials used, their functionality, cost efficiency, design and aesthetics, among others. These startups also got an opportunity to display their sustainable packaging solutions to the audience at a simultaneous exhibition at the event.

Speaking on the initiative, Anjalli Ravi Kumar, Chief Sustainability Officer, Zomato said, “We are overwhelmed with the response received on the ‘Plastic-Free Orders Packathon’, an initiative that stemmed as a response to the growing concern over environmental sustainability in the food ordering and delivery industry. Acknowledging start-ups’ pivotal role in catalyzing innovation, we partnered with the Government of India’s flagship initiative Startup India to address this critical requirement. It is inspiring to see startups across the country stepping up with groundbreaking solutions for eco-friendly packaging solutions in the food ordering and delivery industry. The enthusiastic participation of women entrepreneurs underscores the inclusive nature of this initiative, highlighting their pivotal role in shaping a sustainable tomorrow. The ideas showcased by all the startups participating in the event have the power to revolutionise the overall packaging practices, thereby setting a new standard for the industry. We look forward to witnessing the impact of their initiatives in driving a positive change towards a greener future.”

The jury for the event was composed of Rakesh Ranjan, CEO, Food Delivery, Zomato; Shekar Prabhakar, Co-founder & CEO, Hasirudala Innovations; Raghav Verma, Co-founder, Chaayos; Vishal Jindal, Founder and CEO, Biryani By Kilo and Dr. Tanweer Alam, Director, Indian Institute of Packaging.

In line with its objective to reduce the carbon footprint of food deliveries, Zomato has implemented multiple initiatives by employing its ‘reduce, recycle, and reward’ approach. The company recently announced its 2030 sustainability goals, committing to 100% plastic-neutral food deliveries every year and 100 million plastic-free orders by 2025. Through initiatives such as defaulting to ‘Do not send cutlery’ on its app, which was introduced in 2021, the company reduced cutlery waste by 1,000 MT within two years of its inception.

Since FY 23, Zomato has recycled 30,000 MT of plastic waste, 1.5X of the weight used by restaurant partners for Zomato food order deliveries. Zomato has also launched a program to recognize restaurants shifting to plastic-free alternatives, further reinforcing their commitment to sustainability.

Pepperfry Unveils ‘Fashion for Home’ Campaign, Making Homes as Fashionable as You

Mumbai, April 24th, 2024: Pepperfry, India’s leading e-commerce furniture and home decor company, is set to revolutionise the way we perceive interior styling with its newly launched campaign, ‘Fashion for Home’. This innovative campaign aims to intertwine personal fashion with home décor by drawing meaningful parallels between the two. Catering to a youthful demographic, while simultaneously captivating a broader mass audience, ‘Fashion for Home’ takes inspiration from the world of fashion to elevate home decor to a new level of sophistication and style. At its core, the campaign emphasises the notion that just as individuals meticulously curate and style their wardrobes, the same level of attention and creativity can be applied to furnishing and decorating their living spaces. In essence, accessories are to a person’s wardrobe what decor is to a home.

To appeal to a fashion-forward audience, Pepperfry has teamed up with the renowned fashion brand ‘StyleMati’ as their apparel partner. The campaign visuals showcase models wearing beautifully crafted StyleMati clothing, set against the backdrop of stylishly decorated Pepperfry homes. This collaboration is a testament to ‘Making homes as fashionable as you’.

Speaking about the new campaign, Archana K., Lead, Brand Marketing at Pepperfry, said, “We are thrilled to introduce our new campaign, ‘Fashion for Home,’ which calls on all fashionistas to style their homes as meticulously as they style themselves. At Pepperfry, we strongly believe that one’s home should mirror their personal style as much as their wardrobe does. With ‘Fashion for Home,’ we aim to inspire individuals to do just that and view their living spaces as an extension of their identity.”

This campaign highlights Pepperfry as a one-stop destination for all your home styling needs, with over 60,000 options in Home Decor, Lamps & Lighting, Kitchen & Dining and Furnishings, allowing you to create homes as fashionable as you.

Pepperfry stands as India’s premier marketplace for furniture and home products, presenting customers with an extensive array of furniture and home products. Renowned for its steadfast commitment to quality, convenience, and innovative solutions in home furnishing, Pepperfry continually sets the industry standard.

Fintech Startup Payinstacard Secures Seed Funding from Angel Investors

New Delhi, 24th April 2024 – Payinstacard, an app that makes bill payments easy and rewarding has successfully raised an undisclosed and major investment. The funding round saw participation from notable business personalities, Mr. PC Doraswamy and Mrs. Sandhya Rani Maddipati, marking a key milestone in the company’s growth trajectory.

Mr. PC Doraswamy, a veteran business leader and Partner at Brandix India, brings a wealth of experience and strategic insight, which will be invaluable in steering Payinstacard’s future initiatives. Joining him is Mrs. Sandhya Rani Maddipati, a former banker turned successful industrialist, whose expertise in the financial sector is expected to further enhance Payinstacard’s innovative solutions.

Commenting on the investment, Payinstacard’s Founders, Mr. Sai Krishna Musunuru and Mr. Sri Nagesh Kotipalli, expressed optimism about the future of fintech in India. They highlighted the vast potential in the Indian market, with over 350 million active payment users expected to grow to 700 million by 2030. Payinstacard aims to capitalize on this expansion by introducing more user-friendly and innovative payment solutions tailored to the Indian populace.

Mr. Doraswamy shared his enthusiasm about the investment, stating, “Investing in Payinstacard was a strategic decision driven by my belief in their vision and their technological approach to revolutionizing bill payments. I see immense potential for growth and innovation in the Indian fintech landscape through Payinstacard.

“This investment is not just about financial input but is also a strong vote of confidence in our vision to revolutionize the way bills are paid in India,” stated Mr. Sai Krishna Musunuru. Mr. Sri Nagesh Kotipalli emphasized the importance of the strategic insight and experience that the new board members bring to the table. He remarked, “Having industry stalwarts like Mr. Doraswamy and Mrs. Sandhya on our board will greatly enhance our capability to innovate and extend our market reach.”

Incepted in 2022, Payinstacard Pvt Ltd is at the forefront of redefining the bill payments process in India, focusing on creating a seamless, secure, and user-friendly platform that caters to the needs of millions of Indians. The company’s mission is to leverage technology to simplify financial transactions and make Digital Payments Rewarding and Accessible to all segments of society.

White partners with Rohit Tugnait to Launch White Label; expanding its Integrated Marketing domain

24 April 2024, National: White, the brand experiences company, is proud to announce a significant advancement in its business expansion efforts within the realm of integrated marketing. Partnering with Rohit Tugnait, former Commercial Director of Vice Media Group, White unveils its latest venture, the “White Label” division to start a new content solution division with the company.

White Label is poised to cater to the diverse creative, strategic, and production requirements of clients operating in the dynamic video space. The arm will serve clientele with operations spanning across Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, which is where White is operational currently.

Drawing from Tugnait’s experience of over 22 years across culturally impactful media platforms such as MTV, 101 India, and Vice Media, Rohit Tugnait brings invaluable expertise to White Label. His track record of spearheading some of the biggest IP’s for the media houses such as Coke Studio@MTV, MTV Unplugged, setting up Virtue (creative agency borne of Vice), positions him as a visionary leader in content solutions.

Expressing his enthusiasm about the partnership Rohit Tugnait, Chief Executive Officer, White Label said “Vishesh Sahni (Founder – White) has a clear vision of where he wants to take White as an organisation and what it needs to stand for; which resonates perfectly with what I envision for White Label, so it is a great collaboration together for us. We have got most of the Vice team aboard and are ready to create magic for clients.”

Speaking on the strategic partnership, Vishesh Sahni, Founder & CEO, White said “We have grown rapidly as an organisation, by creating some of the industry’s most talked-about experiences. Our profound understanding of culture equips us to offer meaningful, new-to-the-world thinking for our partner brands. Amidst some conscious, strategic moves as an organisation; the next organic step was to round out the integrated marketing approach by bringing Rohit and the team on to start White Label.”

The division White Label starts operations with immediate effect, and is in addition to senior hiring that White has done in the last few months. White brought on industry veteran Ashwini Gadgil as Chief People Officer for the company; and Liya Belliappa as General Manager; to spearhead their Bangalore wing recently.

Tata AIA Life Insurance crosses Rs. 1 Lakh Crore in Assets Under Management (AUM)

Mumbai, 24th April 2024: Tata AIA Life Insurance Co. Ltd. (Tata AIA), one of India’s leading life insurers has crossed Rs. 1 Lakh Cr in Assets under Management (AUM). In less than three years, the Company has doubled its AUM from Rs. 50,000 Crore (Aug’21) to Rs. 1,00,000 Cr. This increase has been fuelled by strong growth in Individual New Business premium (IWNBP) income and superior investment performance.

Commenting on this occasion, Venky Iyer, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Tata AIA, said, “The doubling of our AUM in less than 3 years, is a testimony to the trust reposed by our consumers in our innovative solutions and service experience, the support of our agents & partners and the benchmark beating performance of our investment team. We will continue to work towards financially securing our consumers and fulfilling their aspirations, enabling them to be Har Waqt Ke Liye Taiyaar”.

Tata AIA achieved an industry-leading Performance in Persistency (based on premium) by ranking #1 in 4 cohorts (13th, 25th, 37th, 61st month) in Q3, FY24. The company’s leadership in persistence validates the continued trust that Tata AIA consumers repose in the brand, having chosen to renew their policy year after year. Regular payment of premiums is very important as it ensures that consumers stay covered and enjoy benefits over the policy term.

The Claims Settlement ratio also improved to 99.19% as of Dec-23 on a trailing 12-month basis growing by 0.71%.

Tata AIA’s investment philosophy reflects an unwavering commitment to policyholders, focusing on delivering superior, consistent, and risk-adjusted long-term returns, driven by a bottom-up stock-picking strategy. Notably, 91% of the rated Asset Under Management (AUM) of Tata AIA is rated 4 star or 5 stars on a 5-year basis as of March 31, 2024, by Morningstar Ratings*. Notably, the funds have outperformed their benchmark over different periods, as is evident from the table below:

Repsol Honda Team look for progress in Jerez

Spain, 24th April 2024: With the complications of the Americas GP behind them, the Repsol Honda Team is aiming to reset and return to making forward progress at the familiar Gran Premio Estrella Galicia 0,0 de España

The Circuit de Jerez – Angel Nieto first hosted a Grand Prix in 1987 and has become one of the most well-attended and iconic races on the calendar with fans flocking to the grandstand and hills around the track. At 4.42 kilometers long, the track has created legendary moments such as Doohan vs Criville, Rossi vs Gibernau, Marquez vs Lorenzo, and many more. Honda has won the Spanish Grand Prix in the premier class on 25 occasions, first in 1983 and most recently in 2019.

Leaving Austin with a double DNF, Joan Mir is eager to get back to the form he showed in the opening two races of the year and continue maximizing his performance throughout the weekend. The Jerez circuit offers another contrasting track in the opening gambit of the MotoGP season for Mir and the Repsol Honda Team to test the RC213V machine in the hunt for improvements.

Like his teammate, Luca Marini arrives in Spain looking for more. The Italian was able to complete both races in America but remains focused on making progress forward and joining the fight for top Honda honors consistently. At this stage, more bike time and more information to work with are what is needed. Marini’s best finish at the Spanish Grand Prix is sixth in the premier class, achieved in 2023.

Stefan Bradl and the HRC Test Team will join as a fifth Honda RC213V this weekend, the team regularly testing at Jerez throughout the year.

A one-day post-race Test will follow the Grand Prix on Monday.

Joan Mir

“I think coming to a race like Jerez where you have all the home fans to support you will be a help after the tough weekend we had in Austin. It’s important to put that behind us and keep working like we did at the start of the year to understand the capability of the bike this weekend. We are realistic about what is possible, and we need to focus on making improvements and aiming for more in the future. It’s about step by step, making steady progress and we can’t expect a big leap at this stage.”

Luca Marini

“It’s another weekend to keep working with the team and aim for more improvements. Now is not the time to stop working, we have to keep on gathering information and not only trying to improve our current package but also working on developments for the future. Jerez is a good track for this kind of job, the Test Team has done a lot of testing here and will be with us this weekend so it will be interesting to see what we can learn from this.”