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.

The Content Lab announces strategic restructuring to enhance integrated Creative

Mumbai, 25th April 2024 – In response to the evolving needs of the digital landscape and to better serve our clients’ diverse requirements, The Content Lab announced a strategic restructuring initiative that brings different solutions under focussed silos; Stir (Digital & Creative Agency), Carbon (Production backbone for TVCs/DVCs) and H2O (essential, scalable and snackable content creation – think Reels, Shorts & YouTube always on). This transformation underscores our commitment to delivering creative content solutions.

As part of this restructuring, the three verticals, Stir, Carbon, and H2O will operate under a unified umbrella, The Content Lab, enabling seamless integration of services and enhanced efficiency. By leveraging the collective expertise of our multidisciplinary teams, we are poised to offer a comprehensive suite of solutions that spans from concept development to execution across various digital platforms.

“At The Content Lab, we recognize the evolving nature of the digital landscape and this restructuring will allow for a more efficient content-first approach for brands,” said Vaibhav Mehta, Founder and CEO. “This restructuring initiative will create a greater focus for each vertical, stronger collaboration between teams, and sharper results for brands”.

The newly restructured entity will enable clients to access a wide array of services seamlessly, including creative strategy, scalable content creation, digital marketing, campaign conceptualization, branding, ad-film production, and more.

“With our integrated approach, clients can expect a seamless experience from concept to execution, enabling them to achieve their marketing objectives with maximum impact,” added Supriya Sehgal, Co-founder and COO.

The restructuring also reflects our commitment to fostering a culture of creativity by encouraging greater cross-functional collaboration.

TresVista hosts the Catalyst Impact Summit 2024

Mumbai, 25th April 2024: TresVista, a global high-end outsourcing firm, has always believed in enhancing its stakeholders’ impact, whether it’s the clients, employees, or the community. The company has partnered with over 20 non-profit organizations to help continue its 17-year-old legacy of driving positive change in the wider community. TresVista, in its commitment to social responsibility and sustainable development, recently organized the Catalyst Impact Summit 2024, aimed to foster impactful discussions on the future of corporate social responsibility.

The event’s theme was “Tech for Good,” centered around the potential of technology to drive positive social impact. The event focused on using digital innovations to address pressing global challenges, promote sustainability, and enhance the well-being of individuals and communities.

The interactive event reinforced the company’s efforts toward what CSR stands for within the firm – Contribute, Serve, Reform. TresVista’s CSR initiatives are deeply aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As part of its CSR efforts, the company focuses on partnering with social leaders and creating a sustainable impact through various initiatives ranging from Advisory and Consulting, Volunteering, Events, and Donations. Employees are encouraged to participate in CSR activities and events to develop them into socially responsible leaders. Through these efforts, and with the support of their partners, TresVista has significantly contributed to promoting sustainability and empowering marginalized communities.

Vishal Shah, Executive Director of TresVista said “The objective of Catalyst Impact Summit is greater than TresVista and our operations. It is a platform for likeminded organizations and individuals to cement collaborations for the future of social impact. This year, with the help of our employees and partners, we were able to inspire such collaboration, spark innovation, and drive tangible impact across communities. Our aim now is to magnify this impact next year.”

In the year 2024, TresVista’s employees dedicated over 19,000 hours of volunteer and advisory work across their office locations in Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru. These efforts extend beyond immediate assistance, focusing on long-term impact and fostering a culture of responsibility and effective action. By strategically aligning with the SDGs, TresVista aims to create positive change and contribute to a more sustainable and empowered future for all stakeholders.

TresVista’s commitment to social responsibility is not just about celebration; it’s a call to action, inspiring everyone to continue making a difference. The event, appropriately named Catalyst Impact Summit, brought together employees, CSR partners, clients, alumni, and social impact leaders to reflect on collective achievements and explore innovative ways to drive positive change. Through their CSR endeavors, TresVista exemplifies how businesses can integrate economic, social, and environmental responsibilities to build a better world for everyone.