Edtech ads: ASCI flags off edtech brands’ advertising for tall claims, stereotypes, focus on marks and ranks

ASCI's report states that while the marks-linked narrative is not unique to EdTech, spending crores of rupees in perpetuating this narrative can be considered undesirable for society at large. This pattern is seen as problematic by several experts and parent groups that are able to look beyond the immediate impact of advertising promises. (Representative image: Compare Fibre via Unsplash)

ASCI released EdNext a study to spotlight edtech brands’ bad practices and attempts to lay down a responsible approach to edtech advertising.

Punt Partners’ Sidharth Rao: I’d like to believe that I donned the hat of Webchutney’s CHRO

Sidharth Rao said,"Madhu, my co-founder, and I believe given how nascent the martech landscape is, marketers will need time to build inhouse skills to leverage these products to their fullest extent and ensure they work well with all the other products they are using. This will lead to a dual problem - poor outcomes for the marketer and churn for the product provider."

Sidharth Rao, co-founder of Punt Partners, who also founded celebrated ad agency Webchutney, talks about untapped potential in martech, hiring the right talent and his legacy.

S4 Capital’s Sir Martin Sorrell: India is increasingly seen as an alternative to investment in China

Sorrell’s message is clear: trade wars don’t happen in isolation. They infiltrate the economic bloodstream and affect every organ of the global body—including advertising.

Martin Sorrell, currently Executive Chairman of S4 Capital and former CEO of WPP shares his views on how the past year’s woes and opportunities shaped the advertising and media landscape.

Gozoop, Mullen Lintas, Verve Media, ET Medialabs, The Rethink Company: Biz Moves

Independent marketing group Gozoop Group has bagged the digital mandate of Tim Hortons, a Canadian multinational coffeehouse and restaurant chain. Here, the agency will build the brand’s presence in India by leveraging the international stature of the brand. (Representative Image: Jon Del Rivero via Unsplash)

Keep up with all the key business wins and the account movements.

Five ad jingles by the exemplary musician AR Rahman

AR Rahman – the recipient of the esteemed Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, is perhaps one of the very few Indian music directors who with his Carnatic, Hindustani classical and Western influence has garnered admiration, love and support all over the world. (Image source: Stills from the ads)

These nostalgic ad jingles reflect the musician’s signature style and remind us once again that ARR is indeed a champion when it comes to music.

Media Mavens: The industry needs to start addressing the pay gap, says Monaz Todywalla of PHD India

"Media agencies have been adept at offering women opportunities based on their meritocracy and intelligence. As an ecosystem, it levels the playing field for individuals regardless of their gender," says Monaz Todywalla

Todywalla talks about the changing role of leadership, the millennial workforce, the gender pay gap, and the trends to look out for.