Author: Indrani Bose

IT’s mixed bag: More women hired, fewer promoted, says report

Among all sectors, Global Capability Centers (GCCs) have made the most progress in improving gender diversity, with female workforce representation rising from 31.4% in 2020 to 38.3% in 2024.

In the IT Services sector, female workforce participation increased from 7.8% in 2020 to 21.2% in 2024, reflecting efforts to create more inclusive hiring practices. However, this increase has not translated into significant career progression, as women’s representation in mid-level roles grew from just 4.13% in 2020 to 8.93% in 2024.

Digital ad spend surges 17% to Rs 700 bn, e-commerce leads growth: FICCI-EY Report

As per the FICCI – EY report, digital media in India has overtaken television to become the largest segment within the M&E sector, contributing an unprecedented 32% to the overall revenues.(Representative Image: Alexander Shatov via Unsplash)

The online gaming segment could struggle unless illegal offshore platforms are not curbed, and Indian companies could look to build out business in foreign countries with a more conducive regulatory environment

Reddit’s urban surge: 37% visitor growth fuels political, news hub status

With its anonymity, community-driven ethos, and tolerance for nuanced conversations, Reddit is fast becoming a go-to destination for other D2C sexual wellness brands like Sangya Project, Manzuri, and MyMuse, each of which is trying to build authenticity and trust in a culturally complex market.(Representative image by Brett Jordan via Unsplash)With its anonymity, community-driven ethos, and tolerance for nuanced conversations, Reddit is fast becoming a go-to destination for other D2C sexual wellness brands like Sangya Project, Manzuri, and Mymuse, each of which is trying to build authenticity and trust in a culturally complex market.(Representative image by Brett Jordan via Unsplash)

Interestingly, Tumblr experienced a staggering resurgence, jumping from just 1.2 million to 15.7 million users, representing a massive 1161% year-on-year growth, according to a report by Comscore.

Delhi High Court addresses Dabur’s challenge to FSSAI’s juice label ban

Dabur noted it had begun label modifications under protest, citing significant market disruption from FSSAI’s notification, with trade partners temporarily halting procurement.

Dabur disputed FSSAI’s assertion that added water makes the claim misleading, arguing the water reconstitutes the juice to its natural state, not an added ingredient diluting quality. They draw parallels to reconstituted milk, where water is inherent but doesn’t alter its classification.

From popcorn to petitions: Are pre-movie ads turning viewers into involuntary revenue streams?

As per MIB Guidelines, exceeding 10 minutes of advertisements breaches the Ministry’s stipulated norms. (Image source: Moneycontrol)

If a consumer is not given clear information about how long ads will last, or if the delay significantly affects their experience, it can be argued that the multiplex has engaged in misleading conduct, which is actionable under consumer forums.

Over 55% of retailers report an ROI of over 10% from their AI investment: KPMG

AI-powered applications like fashion avatars, smart shopping carts, and virtual influencers are enhancing customer engagement. 47% of retailers state that AI has led to new product and service developments

56% of retailers have been using AI for over 3 years. With 67% believing that AI spending in the next year will significantly increase the global budget spent on AI

Women’s contractual pay sees 3.71% CAGR growth: Rs 17,433 to Rs 20,164, says report

The regional distribution of women in the contractual workforce shows that Maharashtra (28.7%) leads significantly, followed by Tamil Nadu (14.2%) and Karnataka (14.1%). Other key states include Telangana (7.8%), Gujarat (7.2%), and Uttar Pradesh (6.6%). This suggests that metropolitan and industrial hubs remain dominant in providing contractual employment for women, pointing to the need for expanding opportunities in tier-2 and tier-3 cities to encourage broader workforce participation. (Image source: Moneycontrol)

The majority of women in the contractual workforce (62.2%) fall within the 18-27 age group, indicating that younger professionals dominate this segment

EXPLAINED: What scrapping the 6% Equalisation Levy could mean for Big Tech, India, and Domestic Media

The EU aims to strike a fully balanced agreement with Washington during Trump’s 90-day pause on further tariff hikes.(Image sourced from Moneycontrol)

If the proposal is approved, foreign digital giants like Google and Meta who together account for nearly 65% of India’s Rs 50,000 crore digital advertising market stand to benefit indirectly, as advertisers would face lower overall costs when placing ads on their platforms.