Former Google exec Arun Rajappa joins Riot Games as country manager – India, SA

Arun has been a passionate champion of India and Emerging Markets at Google and Microsoft. He continues to be inspired by the energy and youthfulness of the region, and the opportunity for technology to serve people in the region and help them unlock their potential. Arun has been playing video games since the inception of Gaming Era – from Donkey Kong Jr and Prince of Persia, Doom and Duke Nukem 3d, FIFA and Forza, Indie games like Stray and Descenders, to his current favorite – VALORANT!

Arun Rajappa, in his new role will look after business development, lead hyper local activities and develop immersive player experiences for Riots vast pool of players.

OTT content, retail media and localisation of sports to dominate ad, marketing industry in 2023: Report

Retail media in India is expected to double by 2027. In India, the rise of ad spends on digital retail media will depend on how the retail media networks are able to demonstrate the value by complementing search efforts and not competing with them. (Representative Image: Artem Beliaikin via Unsplash)

As per GroupM, India ranked eighth globally on ad spends and continues to be the fastest-growing market in 2023. Here are the trends that will push the growth.

BMW Motorrad India picks up Sociowash for its creative and digital duties

Sociowash will offer 360-degree digital and creative solutions in an effort to maximize the luxury motorcycle brand's visibility, outreach and interaction with its expanding consumer base. (Representative Image: chill_ink studio via Unsplash)

The mandate for Sociowash includes creating and implementing brand campaigns, influencer marketing strategies, designing collaterals for dealership showrooms, and overseeing online reputation management, among other things.

Influencer marketing spends by brands expected to cross Rs 1,500 Cr in 2023

By harnessing the power of virtual influencers, Reach Vista brings a new dimension to influencer marketing, enabling brands to establish deeper and more resonant connections with their consumer base. These virtual influencers cater to diverse niches, beginning with the entertainment sector, where Reach Vista has already successfully launched an array of captivating virtual personalities. (Representative Image: Ryan 'O' Niel via Unsplash)

GroupM India’s latest report highlights that influencer marketing will move from a test-and-learn model to becoming an integral part of the marketing mix of large consumer brands.

When founders become popular, they can serve as role models for aspiring entrepreneurs: Shark Tank judge Amit Jain

Amit Jain, chief executive officer and co-founder, CarDekho, says, "But I must add that most entrepreneurs also fail, but the reality is that what they learn in pursuing entrepreneurship, they can never learn it on the job. You're making so many decisions on an everyday basis and multitasking, and this is a life experience. You're practically the master of your own destiny."

Amit Jain, chief executive officer and co-founder, CarDekho, talks about his debut at Shark Tank Season 2, the importance of women and small-town entrepreneurs, and why businesses need to stay lean to succeed.

Meta to integrate generative AI features on Instagram and Facebook

This feature empowers creators to attract brands and unlock newer avenues for monetization. (Representative image by Hitesh Choudhary via Unsplash)

By Vikas SN Facebook parent Meta plans to integrate “generative artificial intelligence (AI)” technologies across all its products, a top executive said, joining the latest AI frenzy that has gripped technology giants and upstarts like never before. Generative AI refers to technology that can generate text, images, sounds and other media formats in response to… Continue reading Meta to integrate generative AI features on Instagram and Facebook

Super Bowl 2023 ads: Indian adlanders pick hits and misses

From an advertising point of view, Indian adlanders think most brands during Super Bowl LVII kept their scripts formulaic with a combination of A-list celebrities, light humour, nostalgia, and music. (Stills from ads)

Ads from Doritos, Bud Light, Tubi, Uber Eats, among others make the cut.

An honest review of Super Bowl 2023 ads

Jigar Fernandes, founder and creative head, tiqui-taka, a Mumbai-based ad agency feels that most ads turned out to be manufacture-speak messages. Find out why. (Representative image by Markus Winkler via Unsplash)

During Super Bowl 2023 viewers saw several star-studded commercials and spots with humour in different volumes. However, our reviewer thinks, most ads during the big game turned out to be manufacture-speak messages. Here’s why.

Ad spends to grow at 15.5 percent: GroupM India

The launch and expansion of 5G services beyond top metros, combined with affordable smartphones, is also expected to drive ad spend growth. (Representational Image: Anthony Rosset via Unsplash)

India ranked eighth globally on ad spends and continues to be the fastest-growing market in 2023, as per GroupM.