Author: Akanksha Nagar

Festive season ad spends shift: TV ad spends down 10%; digital up 20%

The study also reveals that overall attrition rates declined to 17.7 percent in 2024 from a high of 18.7 percent in 2023 and 21.4 percent in 2022, indicating the availability of a larger talent pool post the Great Resignation.

In the Navratri period alone, television ad volumes saw an 8% decline, on the back of fewer marquee events— which can significantly impact the overall adex growth this year.

Need to grow with sustainability for nation to become self-reliant: Union Minister Chirag Paswan

As a Food Processing Minister, Chirag Paswan shared that his dream is to have more and more Indian homegrown brands in global supermarkets, at Storyboard18 and Network18’s Power of Purpose: Sustainability Edition.

Speaking at Storyboard18’s Power of Purpose: Sustainability Edition on October 18 in New Delhi, Chirag Paswan, Minister of Food Processing Industries, shed light on the importance of minimising wastage and use of technology to work towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Next-gen more conscious of being sustainable than previous: Sanjeev Bikhchandani of InfoEdge

“AI will eventually end up replacing human beings in many areas—there will be a process of transition. But in the long run, AI should create more jobs than the job losses that are caused,” says Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Co-founder & Executive Vice Chairman, InfoEdge (in right) at the Storyboard18 and Network18 Group's Power of Purpose: Sustainability Edition.

Speaking at Storyboard18’s Power of Purpose: Sustainability Edition, Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Co-founder & Executive Vice Chairman, InfoEdge talks about how company’s growing investment in the sustainable businesses. He further highlights the need for young business leaders to be in touch with the frontline employees.

Policymakers, industry leaders map path to a sustainable future at Storyboard18’s Power of Purpose: Sustainability Edition

A gathering of purpose-driven minds at Storyboard18 and Network18 Group's Power of Purpose: Sustainability Edition, impactful stories, and pivotal conversations set the agenda for a sustainable future. The evening was graced by prominent industry leaders and key policymakers. (Clockwise: Rohit Kapoor, Alok Lall, Sanjeev Bikhchandani and Chirag Paswan)

Held on October 18 in New Delhi, the event saw discussions on purpose and sustainability from the likes of Union Minister Chirag Paswan, Rohit Kapoor of Swiggy, Sanjeev Bikhchandani of InfoEdge, and Alok Lall, COO, Microsoft India and South Asia.

India among Landor’s top three markets by size, opportunities but lags in revenue: Christian Schroeder of Landor

"Within the broader world of WPP, Landor has a very specific role to play at a global level and equally within India," Landor's Global President, Christian Schroeder tells Storyboard18.

The Global President for Landor, Christian Schroeder discusses how Landor will focus on seamlessly integrating all of its recently acquired capabilities, in 2025. He further delves into the growing focus on the Indian market and how WPP Open is helping the agency cultivate a better understanding of AI.

TRAI urges for structured regulatory regime for OTTs

Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), currently is the Vice Chairman of South Asian Telecommunication Regulators' Council (SATRC).

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti says OTTs should be subject to structured regulations as regulatory issues have been raised by law enforcement agencies and traditional communications providers.

Smytten to turn profitable by FY25-end; seeks fresh funds for offline expansion

Smytten raised around $12.9M in a Series A round in 2022 led by Fireside Ventures and Roots Ventures, and is staring at a Series B round to expand its offline presence, its co-founder Swagat Sarangi (ex-head of business marketing at Google) tells Storyboard18.

The try-and-sample e-commerce start-up Smytten is expecting Series B funding soon to expand its offline presence and technology infrastructure. Having crossed the Rs 100 crore revenue milestone recently, Swagat Sarangi, Co-founder, Smytten and Smytten Pulse, shares the plan to grow at 40% year-on-year for the next three years.

Return to Retro: Brands are singing same old song to inject nostalgia

Nostalgia is a powerful route because it relies on sensory stimuli like taste and touch to trigger emotional associations with a past— which is often idealised by consumers, say experts. (Stills from the ads)

From reviving old logos and jingles to repurposing old insights, nostalgia is becoming an important peg for brands in storytelling these days— but is GenZ impressed? Experts doubt.