Author: Aashrey Baliga

Valentine’s Day: Consumers think it is just another commercial ruse. Here’s why

According to reports, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart and Zomato’s Blinkit, saw their highest ever single-day sales, breaking previous records on New Year's Eve. (Representative image by Niranjan Photographs via Unsplash)

Majority of urban settlers around the world believe that Valentine’s day is nothing but a commercial occasion rather than a proper celebration, as per the 2023 YouGov survey

Explained | How removal of the Rs 10,000 TDS threshold will impact online gaming

Previously, if a player won more than Rs 10,000, the operator would withhold 30 percent as TDS (tax deducted at source). This restriction led to the creation of contests with limited winnings to avoid TDS deductions. With the removal of the TDS threshold, players can now participate in contests with higher prize monies without having to worry about breaching TDS thresholds.

Some industry experts feel the move may discourage casual gamers, who comprise the majority of the real money gaming constituency, as they would now have to pay taxes on winnings of less than Rs 10,000.

The Indian beer market is distinctive due to the preference for strong beers: BrewDog

"We’re thrilled about introducing Punk IPA and Hazy Jane, our flagship beers, in India, but with a twist — they will be made locally. During my recent trip to India, I collaborated with the team to perfect the recipe, and now, we’re confident that the team, equipment, and setup in India can produce these two best-selling beers to the same high standards." - James Watt, CEO, BrewDog

BrewDog CEO James Watt talks about craft beer, the company’s India expansion plans, and challenging the commodity beer market.

Aditya Birla Group enters the premium casual dining space through its F&B subsidiary, ABNA

The Group’s hospitality arm housed under Aditya Birla New Age (ABNA) in collaboration with Rahul Akerkar, will build premium casual dining restaurant chains across India. ABNA, promoted by Aryaman Vikram Birla aspires to create the most preferred house of F&B brands in India under its umbrella. (Representative image by Jay Wennington via Unsplash)

Aditya Birla New Age (ABNA) joins hands with well know restaurateur Rahul Akerkar to launch a chain of restaurants across India. The first one is set to open in Mumbai next quarter.

Animesh Agarwal (8bit Thug): Gaming has to be immersive and not interruptive

"When a gamer starts his or her career on YouTube by creating content or by playing games, the only thing they are aware of is tech and gaming. There are very few creators I have come across in my career who get the hang of lifestyle, travel, beauty or fashion. Over the last four years, what I have realized is that, the advantage I had in designing campaigns was that, we try to take into consideration the need and taste of the gamer and gamify the campaign."

Animesh Agarwal better known as 8bit Thug, founder and CEO of 8bit Creatives and S8ul esports talks us through on his journey as an influencer turned entrepreneur, what it takes to run a gaming talent agency and an esports team and organization in today’s times and what his views are on the Indian gaming scene and wheres it is going.

Media Mavens: More accountability is expected from business partners today, Sonali Malaviya, chief strategy and transformation officer, EssenceMediacom

"My style of leadership is extremely adaptive. I believe in situational leadership, adapt to the situation, to people, to teams and to the need of the hour. It could be anywhere from delegation, to being participative and sometimes even telling people what to do. What's key to me is to be flexible, and adjust to the requirements of the team in the moment that we are." - Sonali Malaviya, chief strategy and transformation officer, EssenceMediacom

Sonali Malaviya, chief strategy and transformation officer, EssenceMediacom, talks on gender gap and the changing media agency business.

Pathaan’s marketing strategy decoded: Building on fan curiosity and SRK’s brands value

What Pathaan did for Yash Raj Films (YRF) was that it saved them a huge marketing cost. The four-year wait added to SRK’s overall brand value was a sure shot crowd puller that YRF knew wouldn’t fail. Marketing Pathaan was an experiment that had very little chance of failure. It started subtly, but started a long time back.

Experts say this ‘less is more’ approach is a one film wonder and cannot be replicated in any other upcoming releases.

Tata Motors ‘Desh ke Trucks’ campaign aims to redefine storytelling for commercial vehicles

"With ‘Desh ke Trucks’ campaign, we are confident that our simple messaging and subtle humour will appeal to our customers.” - Shubhranshu Singh, Vice President, Marketing, Commercial Vehicle Business

The campaign was intended to showcase its state-of-the-art trucks, innovations, enhanced facets and features, digitalisation, profitability, fuel efficiency, safety, superior technology, connectivity, driver productivity and cabin comfort via entertaining, slice of life commercials.