Brand Marketing – Page 17

Starbucks lays off 1,100 corporate employees amid restructuring

The restructuring affects Starbucks' global corporate support staff, which totals approximately 16,000 employees. However, the layoffs will not impact all positions; roles such as roasting, warehouse operations, and in-store baristas remain unaffected.

Under new CEO Brian Niccol, the Seattle-based coffee giant targets streamlining operations as sluggish sales spur decisive action.

Zara shuts iconic 5-storey South Bombay flagship in Mumbai

Owned by Inditex SA—the world's largest fashion retailer—Zara has been active in India since 2010. (Image: LBB)

The fashion giant shuts its 51,300-square-foot heritage-listed store in Fort after an eight-year run.

Celebrities In Action: The rise of celeb investors in sports leagues

For leagues, celebrity association provides instant credibility, media traction, and fan engagement. For celebrities, it’s a way to diversify their investments beyond entertainment and into a space with long-term growth potential.

Celebrity investors are moving beyond endorsements and actively seeking opportunities that offer sustained fan engagement, strong business potential, and long-term value. Investing in sports leagues also position them as visionary leaders.

Australia slams Telegram with $1 million fine over delay in answering child abuse questions

Telegram maintains that it answered all of eSafety's queries last year and insists that the penalty, based solely on response timing, is both unfair and disproportionate.

Australia’s eSafety Commission penalizes messaging app over months-long delay in responding to inquiries on child abuse and extremist content controls.

Delhi HC quashes Rs 2,000 crore tax reassessment notice against Maruti Suzuki

MSIL maintained that all pertinent facts had already been disclosed during the original assessment, and the court found no merit in reopening the case. (Image: StartupTalky)

The court ruled that the reassessment notice for AY 2009-10 was time-barred and based solely on a change of opinion, not fresh evidence.

Ind vs. Pak: Former’s victory turns Internet into a meme fest by brands, social accounts

Virat Kohli's century played a pivotal role in chasing down a challenging target, energizing fans and critics alike. (Image: Moneycontrol)

Virat Kohli’s masterful century and a spirited chase power India to win, sparking a flood of humorous reactions on social media.

Simply Speaking Shorts #6: The “—er positioning” – Logic loses to Magic

Your brand possesses only comparative value, rather than having its own inherent value, writes Shubhranshu Singh. (Image Source: Unsplash)

In this week’s Simply Speaking column, Shubhranshu Singh highlights that successful marketing isn’t about optimizing efficiency but about understanding human perception, emotion, and irrationality.

App stores, brands, influencers and fake reviews: AI-generated ratings and fake reviews on app stores are cause for concern

Prashant Puri, CEO & co-founder of AdLift, acknowledges the issue, stating, "Fake reviews are a disaster waiting to happen. Both Google Play and the App Store rely on user engagement signals like ratings, reviews, downloads, and retention to rank apps. A sudden surge of five-star reviews can push an app higher, but if not backed by real engagement, the boost is temporary. Google and Apple’s detection systems aren’t perfect, but they are improving, and manipulated reviews eventually get flagged." (Representative Image: Bernard Hermant via Unsplash)

Calling out the fake reviews, Zerodha’s Nithin Kamath said, “I wonder how many Google India Play Store and Apple App Store reviews are genuine. I was going through Zerodha’s reviews and compared them with those of other financial services apps in India. Most of the 5-star reviews seem fake — many even read like AI-generated content.”

Ranveer Allahbadia row: Are AI or virtual influencers the answer to avoiding scandals and controversies?

Amid Ranveer Allahbadia's controversy, can virtual influencers become the new face of marketing for brands? (From left to right: Kyla (virtual influencer), Ranveer Allahbadia, Naina Avtr (virtual influencer))

Brands could increasingly swap scandal-prone humans for AI influencers who never mess up, demand pay raises, or tweet something regrettable at 3 a.m.

IOC announces TCL as Worldwide Olympic partner through to 2032

TCL will also support the “Athlete Moments” initiative at the Olympic Games, which allows athletes to connect with loved ones around the world immediately after their competition.

TCL products will drive new experiences for fans and athletes, from digital displays at the Olympic and Paralympic to household appliances in the Olympic Village.