Month: July 2024

Indian gaming consortium writes to PMO, I&B Ministry seeking tax relief and clear classification

The representation letter to the Prime Minister’s Office and to the office of the Minister of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) was signed by 70 companies from the Indian video games and esports industry.

The consortium has made 10 suggestions to the newly formed government which includes reducing the GST on video games to a 12% bracket to promote sustainability and better cash flow for game companies, exempt import/customs duties, IGST, and any cess for proprietary hardware development kits used for testing and developing video games.

Havas Media Network India bags the integrated media mandate of Muthoot FinCorp

Leveraging Havas Media Network India's strategic insights and creative prowess, Muthoot FinCorp aspires to strengthen its brand presence while amplifying their promise of transforming the lives of the common man through tailored campaigns, stated the company.

Havas Media’s Bengaluru operations will drive the media duties of the brand across OOH, digital platforms, television, print, and on-ground activations.

Micro vs Macro influencers – what works best for your brand

Studies suggest that micro influencers maintain higher engagement rates compared to their macro counterparts. This is largely due to their perceived authenticity and closer relationships with their audience. In the context of the Indian market, where diverse languages and cultures coexist, micro influencers can engage deeply with specific communities or interest groups, making them invaluable for brands that aim for a focused impact. (Representative image via Unsplash)

As stated by Rubeena Singh, country manager India & MENA, AnyMind Group, choosing between micro and macro influencers should not be an either/or proposition but a strategic decision based on the specific goals, budget, and target audience of a campaign.

Mastering AI tools, and machine learning key to retaining sales and marketing roles

CEOs in the technology sector expect significantly more disruption compared to their counterparts in the telecom and media sectors. (Photo: Unsplash)

The fear that Gen AI will do away with jobs is unfounded, experts say. It is, however, very likely that job roles will change and call for greater skill in AI and machine learning.

Mercedes-Benz India recorded best-ever H1 sales

Santosh Iyer, MD and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India and the company's VP of sales and marketing, Lance Bennett.

Santosh Iyer, MD and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, said, “Our focus on building a diverse talent pool across all levels highlights our commitment to growth and innovation.”

PVR INOX partners with Amazon Pay to offer secure UPI, Wallet, and BNPL options

The roll-out of this partnership commenced in March 2024, and PVR INOX is now 100 percent Amazon Pay-enabled as of March 31, 2024. Amazon Pay transactions are executed through PVR INOX's retail POS via Pine Labs EDC machines, similar to other credit and debit card transactions.

While all UPI transactions will be accepted, customers can also choose Amazon Pay UPI as the mode of payment across PVR INOX’s retail points of sale (POS) at Box Office & F&B and digital platforms, including mobile apps and websites.

Look beyond vanity metric to make most of print ads: Rajiv Gopinath of Publicis Media Services

While disruptive print innovations could serve as a means to stand out amidst the clutter, innovation alone may not suffice. The innovation needs to be actionable, says Rajiv Gopinath, Chief Solutions Officer, Publicis Media Services.

While much of the conversation on attention has been centred on digital advertising, Rajiv Gopinath, Chief Solutions Officer, Publicis Media Services, talks about how the concept of attention in print media has received less attention. He sheds light on the effectiveness of various ad placements in print, based on his analysis.