CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2023 to recognise industry titans who are shaping India’s economic progress

New Delhi | December 8, 2023: In its 13th edition, ‘CNN-News18 Indian of the Year’ (IOTY) awards will recognize exceptional contributions of remarkable individuals across seven categories – Business, Entertainment, Sports, Youth Icon, Rising Sports Star, Social Change, and Climate Warriors.

 The nominees in the Business category are personalities who are playing a pivotal role in propelling India’s economic growth. The nominees include N Chandrasekaran (Chairperson, Tata Sons), Sanjiv Puri (Managing Director, ITC), Dinesh Khara (Chairperson, State Bank of India), Sunil Vachani (Founder & Chairman, Dixon Technologies) and Sandeep Bakhshi (CEO, ICICI Bank).

 Under the leadership of N Chandrasekaran, Tata Sons has witnessed a recovery and comeback in key businesses such as Steel and Auto. He consolidated the leadership in the aviation sector through Air India acquisition, and the company is now investing in semi-conductors, is a manufacturer for Apple, and has entered into a tie-up with Nvidia for AI. N Chandrasekaran today oversees 30 companies across ten verticals, operating in 100+ countries with a collective revenue of $150 billion (INR 12 trillion), in 2022-23, employing over 1 million people.

 Leading one of India’s diversified conglomerates, Sanjiv Puri has been at the forefront of steering ITC towards sustainable growth and innovation. The demerger of ITC hotels and acquisitions in the D2C and digital space have paid off for the company. ITC expanded with 18 new hotels in the last 16 months, focusing on tier 2 cities. It also consolidated agro, foods, and hospitality for a significant push in millets.

 Recognized for his astute leadership at the helm of India’s largest bank, Dinesh Khara has played a crucial role in steering State Bank of India through dynamic economic arena. In the first quarter (Q1) of the ongoing financial year (FY) 2023-24, SBI’s net profit stood at Rs. 18,736 cr. Recently, Centre extended his tenure till August 2024. SBI’s asset quality has improved, its costs are under control and the share of safe and secure retail assets have also increased.

 Sunil Vachani is a trailblazer in the electronics manufacturing sector and a torchbearer of the Make in India initiative. He has transformed Dixon into a powerhouse in electronics manufacturing, earning it the moniker of India’s Foxconn. This success story is poised to unfold for years to come. In just six years, the company’s workforce has surged from 1,500 to 25,000 employees, with projections reaching around 35,000 within a year.

 Sandeep Bakhshi led a remarkable turnaround for ICICI Bank after Chanda Kochhar’s arrest and indictment. He cleaned up the loan book and ramped up the digital game for the bank. When he took over ICICI Bank in 2018, the share price of the bank on BSE was Rs. 313.35 per piece, which has reached over Rs. 900 and growing, an indication that the investors have reposed faith in the management of the bank. ICICI Bank on October 21 registered 35.7% year-on-year growth in standalone profit and a 24% rise in net interest income in the July- September quarter of the fiscal year 2023-24 (Q2), with a significant fall in bad loan provisions.

 ‘CNN-News18 Indian of the Year’ has a rich legacy of honouring exceptional individuals across various fields. The 2023 winners will be revealed at the star-studded grand awards ceremony in January 2024.

 Past winners in the Business category include names like Ratan Tata, Aditya Puri, Rajiv Bajaj, Kumar Mangalam Birla and Uday Kotak, to name a few.

 This year, the winner selection process will combine expert judgment and public voting, with 50% of the decision-making power given to the audience and the remaining 50% entrusted to the jury. To cast your vote for your favourite Indian and for more details regarding the awards, visit www.indianoftheyear.com.

Godrej aer O redefines consumer experiences with affordable yet exceptional car fragrance solution in Bangalore

Bangalore, December 08, 2023: Godrej aer, India’s pioneering brand in and home and car fragrances, announced the launch of its latest breakthrough innovation, Godrej aer O – gel-based hanging car freshener. Aer O comes with a unique product design, this car fragrance range is poised to revolutionize the way car owners indulge in freshness on the go. It brings an invigorating and sophisticated aroma to cars, making your car smell as good as new. This is the first-ever branded hanging car fragrance in India at a disruptive price point of INR 99.

 As the car ownership trend in India continues to rise at approx. 9% CAGR, the affordable car segment (hatchback, mini-SUV, sedans) commands a staggering 55-60% share of the market. Godrej aer, India’s top-ranking air freshener brand, has identified the immense potential within the car fragrance category. With approximately 30% market penetration, this category presents significant room for growth as 70% still don’t use any car fresheners.

 People don’t use branded car fresheners largely due to the high cost associated with them. Because of this affinity, some end up using unbranded car fresheners which hardly meet the desired standards of quality and experience and while some misuse hanging bathroom fresheners in the car.

 Godrej Aer recognized the need for an affordable yet superior-quality car fragrance option. Godrej aer O, a pioneer in the car fragrance category for 10 years, boasts an innovative gel membrane technology that ensures a linear and continuous diffusion of fragrance. This cutting-edge technology, coupled with the hanging format, provides a consistent and pleasant aroma that lasts for up to 30 days. The built-in end-of-life indicator lets you know when it’s time for a fragrant farewell. Godrej aer O comes in three variants – Musk After Smoke, Rose Blossom, and Cool Aqua – each catering to distinct preferences and moods, thereby enhancing the driving experience and transforming the car interior into a personal sanctuary of freshness.

 Speaking about the launch of this product, Shivam Singal, Category Lead – Aircare & Hygiene, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), said, “Godrej aer O marks a significant milestone in our journey of redefining consumer experiences. As the car ownership landscape evolves, we recognize the need for an affordable yet exceptional car fragrance solution. With Godrej aer O, we are not only elevating the commute experience but also setting a new standard of affordability in the car fragrance segment. Godrej aer O is one such innovation that will improve consumers car riding experience as well as boost category adoption.”

 Commenting on the innovation and category, Karn Bawari, Global Head for Category Direction and Development – Air Care, Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL), said, “Globally, the highest volume driver for car air fresheners is the hanging format – a trend which seems to have caught on in India as well. However, it is noteworthy that this space is largely dominated by unbranded options that either don’t give the right level of fragrance or last as long as advertised. With Godrej aer O, we bridge product delivery and affordability, providing consumers with a value-driven solution that is also aesthetically appealing.”

With Godrej aer O’s disruptive entry into the market, Godrej aer redefines the dynamics of car fragrances in India. The brand’s unwavering dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction is evident in this groundbreaking product. Godrej aer O is not merely a car fragrance but a gateway to a world of superior car fragrance, where daily commutes become a sensorial delight.

D2C companies move over e-commerce marketplaces, ride on “Unbundling of E-commerce”

Chennai, 08 December, 2023: India is witnessing a shift of Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) companies from large eCommerce marketplaces to individual service providers across the value chain. From developing the platform (website and apps) to driving discovery through social media and partnering with Checkout network providers to provide a seamless payment experience, D2C companies are looking beyond large e-commerce marketplaces to establish their brands. This is a part of the larger “Unbundling of E-commerce” trend unfolding in India.

 While D2C companies were able to get pan-India market access and become profitable courtesy the e-commerce marketplaces, they were unable to build a direct relationship with the consumers and also had to face high commissions. This is being addressed by the ‘Unbundling of E-commerce’ where D2C brands can choose the platform, logistics, and checkout network provider of their choice at significantly lower costs than marketplaces.

 Brands such as Boult Audio, Hammer, Gizmore, Corseca and Organic India, who began by selling their products through e-commerce marketplaces, have started serving customers through their own platforms as well. According to consulting firm KPMG, the Indian D2C market currently stands at approximately $12 billion in 2022 and is projected to cross $60 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 40 percent.

 “As D2C brands come out of the shadows of the large e-commerce marketplaces, offering a checkout experience similar to these marketplaces becomes important to reduce friction in customer journey. At Simpl, we have built a Merchant First Checkout Network integrated with our revolutionary 1-tap pay which enables a seamless payment experience and customers can also view the status of their shipment like they experience on large marketplaces. This becomes important to ensure the brand constantly receives repeat customers which is essential for its success,” said Nitya Sharma, Founder and CEO of Simpl.

 Currently, over 26,000 small and large merchants including D2C brands and over 50 lakh active customers use Simpl’s 1-tap pay and Checkout Network across the country.

 “At the Bear House, we continuously seek exceptional partners to foster long-term business associations. Simpl was one such fortunate addition we made at an early stage, and our journey with them has been nothing short of phenomenal.The results we achieved through our partnership with Simpl surpassed all expectations. With their support and expertise, we experienced an outstanding 12.7X Return on Investment (ROI) and our website Conversion increased by 30% , reflecting the impact of our collaborative efforts on customer behavior. A pivotal aspect of our success story with Simpl was the remarkable increase in prepaid orders by 22% and a 6% reduction of RTO orders (Return to origin).One of the key pillars that set Simpl apart was their exceptional customer support. Their dedicated team was always responsive, proactive, and solution-oriented, making them an ideal partner for Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) companies like ours. With utmost confidence, I recommend Simpl to all of you who aspire to accelerate the growth of your brand and enhance the seamless customer journey” said Harsh Somaiya, The Bear House.

 Apart from offering a seamless checkout experience, there are multiple other pain points of emerging D2C brands that need to be solved such as easy access to credit, lack of marketing, and legal support among others. Simpl through its D2C Simplified initiative is driving several community efforts to empower the D2C ecosystem and has partnered with nearly a dozen companies over the last 1 year such as Klub, Adyogi, and Zolvit to provide support to the ecosystem.

Phoenix Marketcity Pune to host Spectacular Supercars Festival on 9th &10th December 2023

Pune, 08th December – Phoenix Marketcity Pune in collaboration with TURBOCHARGED, India’s youngest automotive publication, is set to ignite Pune with a thrilling automotive spectacle on December 9th and 10th. On these days, attendees can expect a fusion of style and speed, with a dazzling display of 12+ supercars at Phoenix Marketcity, Pune. This collaboration promises a captivating celebration of speed, style, and immersive storytelling, bringing together the dynamic world of high-performance vehicles with the vibrant ambiance of Phoenix Marketcity.

 TURBOCHARGED, renowned for its immersive storytelling and visual prowess, is set to elevate the excitement of high-performance vehicles to new heights in partnership with Phoenix Marketcity. As the premier automotive publication in India, TURBOCHARGED is dedicated to injecting passion into every automotive narrative, redefining the way automobiles are perceived, and is committed to providing a fresh perspective on the high-octane world of supercars. Their partnership with Phoenix Marketcity signifies a merging of creative forces, aiming to offer attendees more than just a visual spectacle of impressive vehicles.

 The spectacular Supercars Festival, boasting a dazzling display of over 12 supercars, will be a testament to cutting-edge design and engineering excellence. The festival promises an unforgettable experience, seamlessly blending the glamour of supercars with the vibrant atmosphere of Phoenix Marketcity. Enthusiasts and casual admirers alike will revel in the spectacle, from the thunderous roars of engines to the awe-inspiring design on display.

 This unique event offers an opportunity for attendees to witness the convergence of style, speed, and storytelling at Phoenix Marketcity Pune. Join us for a weekend of automotive excellence and embrace the thrill of the Super Cars Festival on 9th & 10th Dec.