Author: Indrani Bose

Fevicol-maker Pidilite Industries’ Sudhanshu Vats on marketers underutilizing first-party data

Sudhanshu Vats believes marketers must learn to mine and analyze this data to build meaningful and targeted campaigns. This also requires a strong focus on responsible data usage, as consumers are becoming more aware of how their data is being used.

As marketing evolves, there are five additional Cs that are shaping the present and future, according to Sudhanshu Vats, Managing Director Designate of Pidilite Industries.

India CEOs cite tech disruption, inflation, and talent crunch as key challenges to growth: PwC

The most common reinvention actions taken by four in ten India CEOs over the last five years are developing innovative products and services and targeting new routes to markets – for example, selling directly to consumers rather than through intermediaries. Further, 38% of India's CEOs, as against 32% globally, have aimed at acquiring a new customer base. (Image Source: Unsplash)

In India, the percentage of CEOs who said that a certain proportion of their personal incentive was determined by sustainability metrics was slightly higher at 58%. The higher the percentage of CEO compensation at stake, the higher is the revenue likely to be generated from climate-friendly investments.

Union Budget 2025: FMCG industry calls for tax reforms, rural growth incentives, and quick commerce support

By prioritizing inclusive development—supporting disadvantaged groups, youth, farmers, and women—the budget strengthens purchasing power, further stimulating market demand. Additionally, initiatives aimed at boosting farm productivity, manufacturing, and exports—such as a national mission for high-yield crops and subsidized credit for farmers—will fortify supply chains and optimize input costs, ensuring long-term sectoral growth.

The FMCG industry is emphasizing reforms that could help tackle urban consumption slowdown, strengthen rural markets, streamline taxation, and enhance manufacturing capabilities.

Maruti Suzuki ropes in Kartik Aaryan as the brand ambassador for Brezza

Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL), announced Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan as the brand ambassador for the Brezza and launched a new campaign, "More Power to Your Play."

This integrated campaign will be amplified across television, digital, outdoor, and social media platforms, bringing Brezza’s powerful persona to life through diverse storytelling formats.

Quick commerce remained a hot sector of investment during Q4 of 2024: KPMG

AI will likely remain the biggest ticket for VC investors, although defensetech, healthcare and biotech, and cybersecurity will likely also continue to attract attention.(Representative Image: Marten Newhall via Unsplash)

VC investment in the Asia-Pacific region dropped to $12.8 billion across 1,977 deals in Q4’24—the lowest across both total investment and deal value that the region has seen in over ten years.

InMobi’s Vasuta Agarwal on data privacy, omnichannel marketing and quick commerce

Data privacy will continue to be a focal point as stricter regulations unfold. As cookies and traditional identifiers fade into obsolescence, brands will be forced to adopt privacy-first advertising strategies, adjusting to a rapidly changing ecosystem, says Vasuta Agarwal.

Verticals such as quick commerce have experienced significant growth, which has translated into increased advertising and marketing spends on our platform, says Vasuta Agarwal, Chief Business Officer, Consumer and Performance Advertising, InMobi.

Nazara raises Rs 495 crores from existing investor Axana Estates LLP

ReelSaga targets India's mobile-first youth with short, serialized video series. The app will offer bite-sized entertainment, with episodes lasting one to two minutes, and monetize through per-episode microtransactions and subscription options for high-spending users.

The Nazara board today approved the acquisition of the intellectual property rights of two popular mobile gaming titles, ‘CATS: Crash Arena’ and ‘King of Thieves’ from Barcelona-based game developer and publisher ZeptoLab for a total consideration of USD 7.7 million (~INR 67 cr).

The shrinking middle: What a spate of agency consolidations means for the ad industry

The mergers of today may be a prelude to even larger changes in the years to come, as agencies are forced to navigate a rapidly evolving and increasingly competitive landscape.

The mergers of today may be a prelude to even larger changes in the years to come, as agencies are forced to navigate a rapidly evolving and increasingly competitive landscape.

WAVES CEO: M&E compelling businesses to think differently about creativity and data

The creator’s economy is being recognized as the new oil, and it must remain connected seamlessly across the globe. If our economy is to grow and support this sector, there needs to be a collective movement built on a synergistic model. This cannot just be an India-only story; it must be global, Malhotra says. (Representative Image: Desi Mendozavia via Unsplash)

“Our global equity in the media and entertainment space is about 2%, which means we are only in the know in bits and pieces. However, when we aggregate everything together, it creates the momentum needed for a global summit,” says NFDC’s Achal Malhotra, who is CEO of WAVES.