17, Jun 2025
Clarks Exotica Wins National Award for Service Excellence at EEA 2025
Bengaluru, June 17th – Clarks Exotica Convention Resort & Spa has been awarded 1st Runner-Up in the ‘Excellence in Services & Operations’ category at the prestigious Exhibition Excellence Awards (EEA) 2025, held at the CICDO Exhibition Center, Mumbai. The recognition cements Clarks Exotica’s standing as one of India’s foremost hospitality and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destinations—driven by operational precision, personalization, and seamless team synergy.
Clarks Exotica’s service excellence stems from its highly tailored approach to hospitality, designed around four key guest segments: MICE clientele, destination weddings, FITs (Free Independent Travellers), and airline crew.
Each group enjoys a curated and memorable experience:
- MICE guests are welcomed with company-branded amenities, bespoke drinks, themed room décor, and decadent desserts.
- Wedding guests are greeted with in-room surprises like festive sweets, handwritten notes, and thoughtful gestures for family comfort.
- FITs enjoy wellness hampers, dietary-personalized dining, and joyful touches like birthday and anniversary surprises.
- Airline crew benefit from frictionless check-ins, restful accommodations, and efficiency tailored to tight turnaround schedules.
In 2024–25, Clarks Exotica implemented strategic upgrades across its infrastructure and operations. These improvements led to tangible guest satisfaction and industry recognition:
- Booking.com rating increased from 7.4 to 8.4
- Tripadvisor ranking climbed to #22 out of 1,136 hotels in Bengaluru
- Agoda’s 2024 Customer Review Award was secured with a score of 8.1
This milestone is a reflection of the collective drive of a cross-functional team led by Mr. Varun Sharma, General Manager – Operations, whose vision, leadership, and guest-first approach were instrumental in aligning all departments toward consistent service excellence.
- Rakesh Kumar & Team (Director – Rooms Division): Simplified and personalized guest journeys
- Chef Suresh & Team (Executive Chef): Elevated culinary diversity with creativity and care
- Satyabrata Samal & Team (Assoc. Director – Housekeeping): Introduced eco-friendly practices and swift turnaround SOPs
- Senthil Kumar & Team (Assoc. Director – F&B): Enhanced banquet service and guest engagement with training and surprise elements
- Kuldeep Singh & Team (Chief Security Officer): Reinforced guest confidence with seamless safety operations
- Raghavendra Srinivasa & Team (IT Manager): empowered operations with reliable digital infrastructure, event tech support, and secure guest connectivity solutions, ensuring smooth backend systems that amplified the front-end experience.
- Chetan & Team (Chief Engineer): Maintained operational uptime with sustainable engineering excellence
Balaji M, CEO of Clarks Exotica, shared, “This award is a true reflection of what happens when passion meets process. It’s not about doing one thing differently—it’s about doing everything thoughtfully. From room presentation and food production to personalised service, every touchpoint reflects our commitment to care delivered with consistency. We are proud, not just of the recognition, but of the trust our guests place in us every single day. This honour belongs to the incredible team that makes Clarks Exotica what it is—resilient, warm, and guest-obsessed.”
Located just 15 minutes from Kempegowda International Airport and nestled across 70 acres of lush greenery, Clarks Exotica Convention Resort & Spa is a premier destination for exhibitions, conferences, leisure travel, weddings, and airline layovers. With over 15 versatile venues, modern infrastructure, and thoughtfully curated experiences, Clarks Exotica is redefining luxury hospitality with warmth, scale, and precision.
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- By Neel Achary
17, Jun 2025
BENZ Packaging Opens Manesar Facility to Boost Heavy-Duty Portfolio
Gurgaon, June 17, 2025 : BENZ Packaging, a leader in industrial and sustainable packaging solutions, has announced the launch of its third manufacturing facility in Manesar, Haryana, further scaling its production capabilities to serve the growing demand in heavy machinery packaging and long-term preservation solutions.
Spread across 11,000 square feet (2,200 square yards), the state-of-the-art unit is equipped to manufacture a wide range of heavy-duty packaging products including nail-less boxes, pinewood boxes, industrial skids, and wooden pallets. The facility complements BENZ’s existing infrastructure, enhancing its ability to deliver fully integrated, durable, and export-compliant packaging systems.
“This expansion marks a strategic step in our growth journey,” said Manan Chopra, Director at BENZ Packaging. “Manesar’s proximity to key industrial hubs and logistics corridors will allow us to serve our clients with greater speed, flexibility, and technical precision—especially in sectors like engineering, renewable energy, and heavy machinery exports.”
With a focus on long-term preservation and corrosion prevention, the Manesar facility will also support BENZ Packaging’s robust portfolio of moisture-control solutions, including VCI-based packaging, desiccant integration, and export-grade wood treatment. These solutions are critical for clients shipping large equipment across diverse geographies and climate zones.
As the packaging industry evolves, BENZ Packaging continues to invest in innovation, automation, and sustainability across its facilities in Gurgaon, Jhajjar, and now Manesar being among the new ones. The expansion aligns with the company’s long-term vision to offer end-to-end, eco-conscious packaging solutions across industries while building capacity to serve both domestic and international markets.
17, Jun 2025
Operant AI Launches MCP Gateway: enterprise-grade runtime defense for MCP-Connected AI Applications
Bengaluru, June 17 , 2025 : Operant AI, the world’s only Runtime AI Defense Platform, has launched MCP Gateway, an expansion of its flagship product, AI Gatekeeper™ platform that secures AI systems built on the increasingly adopted Model Context Protocol (MCP). As more companies use open-source MCP servers and AI agents, MCP Gateway stands out as the only enterprise-grade solution that protects these critical workflows in real time, with the industry’s first active-blocking capabilities for API security.
With over 1,000 MCP servers deployed globally, MCP has become a key protocol enabling large language models (LLMs) to connect securely with external tools, APIs, and data systems. According to Gartner, by 2026, 75% of API gateway vendors and 50% of Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) vendors will adopt MCP features—highlighting its role in AI-driven workflows. In India, where the AI market is projected to reach $17 billion by 2027 as per NASSCOM, MCP is gaining traction among enterprises in sectors like IT services, fintech, and healthcare.
However, this explosive growth has also introduced critical vulnerabilities. From prompt injection attacks to shadow AI deployments, organizations are grappling with a new wave of threat vectors—compounded by the rise of modular, multi-agent systems. As autonomous agents multiply, so do the risks, with limited visibility or control over how these agents behave, what data they access, and how they interact. This includes emerging attack paths such as inter-agent spoofing, where one compromised agent can manipulate or mislead others in the network.
MCP Gateway addresses these gaps by actively blocking threats and delivering real-time protection across every layer of the MCP stack—from local tools like GitHub Copilot and Claude Desktop to enterprise AI agents running on AWS Bedrock, Azure, and Google Vertex AI.
“While MCP is a powerful AI integration framework, the growing adoption of open-source MCP servers also brings new challenges around security and governance,” said Vrajesh Bhavsar, CEO and co-founder of Operant AI. “Many organizations are deploying these tools without full visibility into their behavior, data access, or usage. MCP Gateway helps close this gap by providing enhanced security, observability, and control across the MCP ecosystem.”
Comprehensive Security for the AI Agent Era
Unlike traditional guardrails and static cyber-security tools, MCP Gateway is purpose-built for the inter-connected AI agent era, empowering organizations to safely and effectively leverage AI agents and MCPs through three core capabilities:
- MCP Discovery: Complete Visibility Into AI Agent Ecosystems
- Automatic real-time MCP tool catalogs and AI agent discovery across all environments
- Live traffic graphs and telemetry showing active access patterns between AI agent clients and MCP servers
- End-to-end visibility from development tools to cloud deployments, eliminating shadow MCP server blind spots
- Comprehensive discovery spanning coding agents to remote AI agents in multi-cloud environments
- MCP Detections: Advanced Threat Detection for AI-Specific Risks
- Real-time detection of sensitive data leakage to and from AI agents and MCP tools
- Identification of emerging agentic AI threat vectors, including tool poisoning, jailbreaks, and unauthorized access
- Supply chain security monitoring for vulnerabilities in local MCP servers and misconfigurations in remote servers
- Trust and risk scoring for all MCP servers in the environment
- MCP Defense: Proactive Protection and Governance
- Enforcement of MCP trust zones with live blocking of untrusted servers and tools
- Prevention of sensitive data and IP leakage through real-time flow blocking and auto-redaction
- Least privilege execution controls and granular access permissions for the MCP tool usage
- Centralized governance framework for enterprise-wide AI agent and tool management
- Rate limiting and encryption standard enforcement for all MCP communications
Ecosystem Partnership Strategy
Operant AI is launching the MCP Gateway with a comprehensive ecosystem partnership program designed to secure the entire MCP vendor landscape. Operant AI is working closely with MCP vendors and AI tool providers to deliver pre-integrated security tooling, helping partners secure their customers by embedding AI Gatekeeper’s runtime defenses directly into their MCP offerings.
“We’re not just securing MCP applications – we’re enabling the entire ecosystem,” said Ashley Roof, Co-Founder and CMO at Operant AI. “Our partnership approach mirrors our successful sales enablement programs with model providers, creating a security foundation that allows MCP vendors to serve enterprise customers confidently.”
MCP Gateway is currently available as part of the AI Gatekeeper platform, with comprehensive integration support for existing MCP servers and AI agent deployments. The solution supports all major cloud platforms and development environments where MCP applications are deployed.
17, Jun 2025
New guidelines for monitoring IBD patients to prevent bowel cancer
June 17th, 2025: The new guidelines, developed for the British Society of Gastroenterology by academics at the Universities of Newcastle, Oxford, Central Lancashire and others, have been published in the UK journal Gut. This work was supported by the NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).
Despite improved treatments and regular check-ups, people with IBD – which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis – still have a higher risk of developing and dying from bowel, or colorectal cancer compared to the general population.
A person’s risk of developing bowel cancer may depend on different factors, for example: how long they have had IBD; which part of their bowel is affected; or the severity of inflammation they experience.
India is witnessing a significant rise in the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, particularly in urban areas. This trend is attributed to factors such as urbanisation, dietary changes, and improved hygiene practices. Despite the growing prevalence, India currently lacks formal national guidelines for IBD management. Instead, healthcare providers often rely on international protocols, such as those from the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO), to guide treatment decisions. The recent UK-led initiative to develop global consensus guidelines for IBD management, as reported by Newcastle University, presents an opportunity for India to adapt these recommendations to its unique healthcare context, enhancing patient care and outcomes across the country.
Among the recommendations in the guidelines are that all IBD patients have a colonoscopy around eight years after their symptoms start, and that any patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis – a rare condition that causes inflammation of the bile ducts and sometimes liver damage – should have a colonoscopy at diagnosis.
Among those contributing to the new guidelines were doctors, including endoscopists and surgeons, specialist nurses, and patients. They analysed more than 7,500 publications to arrive at 73 statements that might inform clinical decision-making and deliver IBD colorectal surveillance services.
Chris Lamb, Professor of Gastroenterology at Newcastle University as well as a member of the NIHR Newcastle BRC and a co-author on the paper, added: “Working in partnership with patients and clinicians from across the UK we have an important up-to-date framework for care using the latest evidence, technology, and expert opinion.
“This will help to provide shared decision-making tailored to the individual for personalised risk prediction and treatment. Developing the guidelines allowed us to identify key factors for delivering the highest quality care in the NHS, how best to train the future workforce, plus to identify where more research is needed in 2025 and beyond.”
Accurate, up-to-date advice for clinicians
Professor James East, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Endoscopist at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and first author on the paper said: “These guidelines provide accurate, up-to-date advice for clinicians working with IBD patients, to give them the tools they need to give the best possible care and treatment for their patients.
“That might relate to how to discuss the risk of colorectal cancer with individual IBD patients; when to start and stop surveillance, how often it should happen and who should receive it; how to organise services and support patients; and a wide range of other issues that might arise.”
Professor Morris Gordon, from the University of Central Lancashire, is co-first author of the guidelines. He highlighted: “These guidelines represent a significant shift in approach and employ the best available methods to support the guideline group in identifying, appraising, using and describing evidence that underpin their decision-making. This is presented transparently to the reader so they can always understand how and why decisions were made and supports individual discussions with patients.”
Catherine Winsor, Director of Services and Evidence at Crohn’s & Colitis UK, said: “We know that people living with Crohn’s and Colitis need personalised, joined-up care and some IBD services are stretched. Having this clear set of guidelines to facilitate the early detection of cancer in people with Crohn’s and Colitis is a huge step forward. Whilst we know that most people with IBD will not go on to develop colorectal cancer, the earlier changes are spotted, the more effective treatment will be. Anything that enables early detection and gives patients and clinicians a clear path is vital.”
The British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines on colorectal surveillance in inflammatory bowel disease are published in Gut.
Three papers have already been published as part of the process of producing the guidelines, with two more expected.
Low-coverage whole genome sequencing of low-grade dysplasia strongly predicts advanced neoplasia risk in ulcerative colitis
Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Modalities for Colorectal Cancer Screening in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis
Update from 2010 (standard operating procedure): protocol for the 2024 British Society of Gastroenterology Guidelines on colorectal surveillance in inflammatory bowel disease
17, Jun 2025
Indian intelligent decision-enabling AI tool enamours London Tech Week
DeepSpot, an Indian enterprise AI shows at London why AI need not be restricted by cost or technical capabilities
June 17, 2025: Amid bold ideas, breakthrough technologies, and riveting conversations on AI, the London Tech Week Summit saw DeepSpot, an Indian AI firm take centerstage. DeepSpot’s unique offering of empowering business users with the ability to find truly action-oriented business insights from multiple sources within the organisation resonated well with enterprises at the summit.
While Generative Artificial intelligence as a broader market is a $4.4 trillion potential according to a McKinsey, the global BI and analytics sector is estimated to be a $60 billion market by 2027. At an enterprise level, there have been many analytical tools, but making sound decisions relies on the ability to retrieve data from multiple silos – one that has left organisations scouting for the needle-in-the-hay.
DeepSpot remains unique in its ability to empower businesses with a range of tools and dashboards in their journey towards qualitative decision-making. Its ability to integrate across various internal data-warehouses and fast-implementation schedule of under one day with native predictive AI capabilities makes it a strong contender for organisations desirous of growing in an AI world.
The AI tool converges from multiple enterprise-wide data-warehouses and interfaces to provide a single 100% view of the customer. “Business leaders no longer have the luxury of time when it comes to decision-making. Deepspot not only understands the business needs, but also provides the much-necessary intelligent interface – one that not only reports data but understands it, learns from it, and guides action,” Kannan Rajendran, Founder & CEO at DeepSpot during the launch keynote. “We’re not just building AI for data—we’re building AI for decisions,” he added.
At the heart of Deepspot’s simple solution to the complex Business Intelligence software space is a simple proposition – ask questions in plain simple language, and the AI delivers it at speed. DeepSpot’s features such as real-time insights, faster onboarding, industry specific plug-and-play templates, faster payback, and cloud-native usage-optimized infrastructure offers additional value to clients keen on riding the AI growth-wave.
Elaborating on the ease and features of the DeepSpot AI tool, Anil Nair, Co-founder, Chief Business Officer, and Head of Strategy said, “It is often believed that AI solutions need excessive knowledge or availability of infrastructure. Our deep-tech experiences indicate that AI can do all of that and also be user-friendly, relevant, secure, and an agile journey towards scaling the organisation’s AI models.”
Built on the premise of providing simplicity for enterprises, Deepspot has been built ground-up from India and tailored keeping in mind the needs of a growing enterprise. Designed for agility and scale, Deepspot leverages cutting-edge machine learning and natural language processing to turn complex datasets into clear, actionable insights—instantly.
From real-time market trend analysis to predictive financial modeling, the AI-tool empowers C-suite executives, analysts, and decision-makers to navigate today’s volatile business landscape with unprecedented precision.
17, Jun 2025
Keysight and NTT Set 280 Gbps 6G Data Record with Sub-THz Tech
June 17, 2025: Keysight Technologies, Inc. in collaboration with NTT Corporation (NTT) and NTT Innovative Devices Corporation (NTT Innovative Devices), today announced a groundbreaking world record in data rate achieved using sub-THz frequencies. 1 This milestone was reached with Keysight’s Vector Component Analyzer (VCA) in conjunction with NTT’s and NTT Innovative Devices’ high-output, wide-bandwidth J-band Indium Phosphide (InP)-based power amplifier (PA). In addition, advanced digital predistortion techniques were employed to mitigate amplifier non-linearities, ensuring robust, high-fidelity signal generation.
The rapid advancement of 6G, AI, and autonomous driving technologies is driving a significant demand for wide bandwidth capabilities offered by sub-THz frequencies for high-speed wireless communication and precision radar sensing. Validating these systems with high-quality modulated signals is essential for development and deployment. However, achieving high-quality signals in the sub-THz range has been challenging due to the complexities of amplifying signals and managing distortion at higher power levels.
The collaboration between Keysight, NTT, and NTT Innovative Devices successfully demonstrated the power amplifier’s effectiveness in the 300-GHz frequency band. Testing confirmed its saturated power level at +9.1 dBm and achieved a 280 Gbps data rate (35 GBaud 256QAM) at 0 dBm power output — the highest data rate reported to date in the 300 GHz band. This significant achievement is largely attributed to Keysight’s Vector Component Analyzer, built on the latest N524XB series PNA-X Microwave Network Analyzers equipped with digital predistortion techniques, which optimized signal integrity and minimized distortion to enable this unprecedented data transmission speed.
Hirokazu Takenouchi, Vice President, Head of NTT Device Technology Laboratories, said: “At NTT, we are consistently advancing the limits of carrier frequency and integration within radio systems. These developments are pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved in wireless communication systems. The test and measurement industry is crucial in meeting the complex characterization needs of our devices. We have collaborated closely with Keysight throughout our design and verification stages. Keysight consistently provides innovative solutions in both its software and hardware platforms.”
Akimasa Kaneko, Executive Vice President of NTT Innovative Devices, Photonic Components Business Group, said: “By utilizing our InP technology and collaborating with several partners, we have achieved a remarkable maximum throughput of 280 Gbps. This accomplishment marks a significant milestone in developing the broadest frequency bandwidth amplifier, enhancing energy efficiency and linearity, and addressing industry challenges.”
Joe Rickert, Vice President and Head of Keysight’s High Frequency Center of Excellence, said: “This 280 Gbps world record underscores Keysight’s commitment to providing the advanced test and measurement solutions critical for unlocking the potential of sub-THz frequencies for 6G. Our Vector Component Analyzer, coupled with our expertise in high-fidelity signal generation and distortion mitigation, is empowering industry leaders like NTT and NTT Innovative Devices to push the boundaries of wireless communication and realize the high-speed, high-reliability connectivity that will define the next generation of networks.”
This achievement will be presented at the International Microwave Symposium (IMS) 2025 on June 19th, 2025, at 10:10 am in room 211 in the Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA, USA.
1 Documentation of the record-breaking data rate was published in IEEE Xplore® May 6, 2025.
Resources
Technical Overview: 6G Vector Component Analysis
17, Jun 2025
Backed by Goa, Spintly Receives Certificate of Appreciation under Startup India Mission
17th June 2025: Spintly, a startup based in Goa founded by two engineers focused on simplifying access control, has evolved into a global solution for smart buildings and secure spaces. Its wireless, cloud-based system now positions it as one of India’s fastest-scaling IoT ventures.
Last week, Spintly was recognized at the Sankalp Se Siddhi celebration—marking 11 years of the Modi Government and one year of Modi 3.0—with a Certificate of Appreciation under the Startup India Mission for its contribution to innovation and entrepreneurship. The certificate was awarded by Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, in the presence of Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, whose leadership has strengthened Goa’s vision of becoming an innovation hub. It marks a moment of pride not just for the founders but for the growing startup ecosystem in Goa.
Co-founders Malcolm Dsouza (CTO) and Rohin Parkar (CEO), didn’t just build a product—they built belief. It was one of the first recipients of the Seed Capital Scheme under Startup Policy, a state-backed initiative administered by the Startup and IT Promotion Cell under the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications. That initial investment helped them build, test, and grow, long before venture capital arrived.
“This recognition reflects the passion and perseverance of our team. Building world-class tech from Goa has always been our vision, and the state gave us both the foundation and the launchpad to grow,” said Malcolm Dsouza, Co-founder and CTO of Spintly.
Today, Spintly operates from Goa and the U.S., has raised ₹50 crore from investors across India and abroad, and is valued at ₹300 crore. But the real story is bigger: Goa is becoming more than just a place to unwind, it’s becoming a place to build.
With rising infrastructure, access to funding, and a startup community that’s gaining momentum, Goa is emerging as a preferred startup destination in India. And as Spintly shows, the next big innovation can come from right here.
16, Jun 2025
Sun Neo’s ‘Divya Prem: Pyaar Aur Rahasya Ki Kahani’ Turns Metro Rides into a Magical Journey
In today’s entertainment world, it’s no longer just about what you watch—it’s about where and how you experience it. As storytelling becomes more immersive, finding unique ways to connect with audiences in the real world is important. And when it comes to everyday life in India, few things are as constant as the metro. That’s exactly where Sun Neo is making a mark with its latest campaign for Divya Prem: Pyaar Aur Rahasya Ki Kahani.
Taking this idea to heart, the show made a powerful impression in Delhi by turning metro rides into a world of mystery and emotion. Commuters were greeted by the chilling voice of Karn Mohini (played by Kavita Banerjee) whispering “Sab Maaya Hai…”, and the spiritual strength of Divya (played by Megha Ray) saying, “Mayavan ki Karn Mohini aur uski maaya ki hogi haar, kyunki kan kan mein basa hai Mahakal.” These audio teasers sparked curiosity and gave listeners a taste of the gripping story to come.
Sharing her excitement about this fresh approach, Megha Ray said, “It’s magical to connect with people in such an unexpected way. The metro is where everyday stories unfold—and now, ours joins that space. It’s a beautiful way to build a connection with the audience even before our show Divya Prem: Pyaar Aur Rahasya Ki Kahani airs on Sun Neo.”
Kavita Banerjee, who plays the mysterious Karn Mohini, added, “My character thrives on illusion and mystery, and this campaign brings that alive. The voice, the echo, the surprise element—it draws people in. It’s a creative and bold way to spark interest even before the show launches on Sun Neo.”
The story follows Divya, a young girl from Ujjain, whose life changes magically when destiny brings her face to face with Prem. Set between two realms—one of light and one of darkness—this tale weaves mystery, love, and ancient powers. As their paths intertwine, a forgotten past begins to influence their remarkable journey. Watch Divya Prem: Pyaar aur Rahasya ki Kahani premiering on Sun Neo from 16th June 2025.
16, Jun 2025
Canara HSBC Life Ropes In Jasprit Bumrah and Sanjana Ganesan as Brand Ambassadors
Canara HSBC Life Insurance signs Indian cricket icon Jasprit Bumrah and celebrated sports presenter Sanjana Ganesan as brand ambassadors
Bangalore , India | June 16, 2025 — In a country where music is not just entertainment but a way of life, Mastercard is turning up the volume. As India’s live music and performing arts scene experiences a dynamic resurgence, it is evolving beyond traditional genres to embrace a rich tapestry of artistic expression. The blend of Bollywood ballads, classical ragas, improv comedy, and diverse stage formats reflects a cultural renaissance that unites people across generations, languages, and geographies.
Tapping into that passion to create truly priceless moments and experiences for its millions of cardholders, Mastercard has entered a landmark collaboration with EVA Live, one of India’s premier live entertainment companies, to bring over 20 unforgettable performances to cities across India from October to December 2025.
The excitement kicks off on October 30 in Mumbai with global pop icon Enrique Iglesias, marking his return to India after 13 years. Fans can then enjoy soul-stirring performances from A.R. Rahman and high-energy sets from DJ Tiësto among other global stars. Each performance promises a vibrant celebration of rhythm, culture, and connection. For Mastercard cardholders, these are more than just performances—they are gateways to exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
This marks Mastercard’s first-ever performing arts sponsorship asset in South Asia, and with exclusive rights in the payments category, the collaboration ensures cardholders enjoy unmatched access, visibility, and privileges throughout the series. It is available to Mastercard cardholders from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and those willing to travel from other parts of the world.
Gautam Aggarwal, Division President, South Asia at Mastercard, said: “India’s love for entertainment—especially music—is unparalleled, deeply emotional, spiritual, and cultural. Mastercard’s partnership with EVA Live is designed to create unforgettable moments that connect with people’s hearts and leave lasting memories. At the same time, it strengthens brand engagement and fuels the passion economy.”
A Symphony of Benefits for Mastercard Cardholders:
- Early access to tickets during presale
- A 10% discount post-presale
- Access to Mastercard’s signature Priceless Experiences, including artist meet-and-greets and exclusive Mastercard lounges
- Tickets can be purchased using all Mastercard cards – credit, debit, or pre-paid
Julie Nestor, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Asia Pacific, Mastercard, added, “Mastercard has built a powerful global legacy of connecting people to priceless possibilities—through our long-standing collaboration across a range of passion categories globally, including music and entertainment. This collaboration with EVA Live extends this legacy to India in a way that’s immersive, inclusive, and deeply rewarding for our cardholders.”
Deepak Chaudhary, Founder & Managing Director, EVA Live, said, “This seminal collaboration with Mastercard heralds a transformative era for live music in India. By synergistically combining our proven expertise in executing large-scale, impactful events with Mastercard’s expansive global footprint and unwavering commitment to delivering priceless experiences, we are poised to significantly elevate the national live music scene and cultivate deeper connections between fans and the artists they deeply admire.”
With more legendary artists to be announced, Mastercard is orchestrating a cultural movement—one that brings Indian fans closer to the entertainment they cherish.
Mastercard is a long-time supporter of the music industry. Building on its sponsorships of the GRAMMY Awards®, Latin GRAMMY Awards® and BRIT Awards, Mastercard has created countless innovative, inclusive Priceless Experiences connecting fans and artists. The brand even launched an album titled Priceless® through a collaboration centered on mentoring rising artists.
16, Jun 2025
Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card Unveils Surreal New Ad Film, Narrating the Origin of Extraordinary
New Delhi, 16th June, 2025: Since its grand launch at the historic Gateway of India in December, the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card has made a remarkable impact on the industry. Following its meteoric rise, the brand has now launched a short film that narrates the origin story of the card. Designed to cater to the needs of its discerning members, Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card, powered by Visa, is forged to introduce a ‘new you’.
The visually stunning brand film takes viewers on a surreal journey through dreamlike landscapes and transformative moments, embodying the visionary concept behind the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card. It beautifully narrates the card’s origin story, emphasizing its unique position as a premium offering designed for those who seek the exceptional.
“Born from the powerful convergence of The Times of India Group’s legacy of trust and influence with ICICI Bank’s unwavering banking heritage, the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card is rapidly establishing itself as a legacy of distinction in the world of premium banking. The film subtly highlights this powerful synergy, underscoring the card’s foundation of heritage and innovation.” said Harshita Singh, Business Head – Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card.
This informative film is an elegant, self-explanatory piece designed to articulate the core proposition of Times Black. This multifaceted video clearly defines what the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card is, what it offers, and what it truly means to own one. Beyond enhancing brand perception, the film is intended to serve as a powerful communication tool, helping audiences understand the card’s unique positioning and aspirational value with clarity and conviction.
Ramakrishnan Gopalan, Head – Products & Solutions, India & South Asia, Visa, added, “Today, true luxury is not just in premium materials or exclusive access; it’s about creating meaningful moments that elevate everyday experiences. Visa is proud to be the partner of choice powering the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card with our worldwide reach and superior global standards of security and excellence. This co-created film captures the very essence of what the card stands for – convenience, curated experiences and the consumer at its center.”
This film represents a joint commitment to redefining what premium means in the fintech space: a seamless blend of heritage, innovation, and personalization that anticipates our members’ needs before they even arise. We’re not just launching a credit card; we’re crafting a new standard for how discerning individuals engage with their finances and experience the world.
