Archives February 2024

Mumbai, 15th Feb, 24: Amazon miniTV, Amazon’s free video streaming service, recently released the final season of its fan-favorite teen romance series, Crushed. With the commencement of the new academic year, Crushed Season 4 depicts the friendship of Todu Teen- — Aadhya, Jaz, and Zoya, getting dented. This season, Prateek finds himself in a fix with his future at stake, which brings distance between Zoya and him. Created by Dice Media and directed by Mandar Kurundkar, this series is a delightful mix of emotions. It features Aadhya Anand, Arjun Deswal, Rudhraksh Jaiswal, Urvi Singh, and Naman Jain in pivotal roles.

Talking about his character, Prateek, from the series, Naman Jain said, “When we embarked on this adventure, I had no idea that this character would have such a long and transformative path. However, as soon as I became acquainted with Prateek, I realized that he was essentially a reflection of myself. There is no significant difference between us.”

He further added, “Prateek has not changed much throughout the series. But there have been some instances or some scenes where he’s acted differently. I also believe that Prateek’s decision-making skills, rapping abilities, and overall growth were greatly influenced by his girlfriend. It was through her introduction to the rap scene in Lucknow that he was able to flourish. This, in my opinion, is what shaped his character.”

Get ready to dive into the lives of the audience’s most loved teens and embark on a journey of nostalgia, love, and friendship with the final season of Crushed. All 4 seasons of Crushed are now streaming exclusively on Amazon miniTV, available on the Amazon shopping app, FireTV, and Play Store.

Bengaluru, 15th February 2024: Leading French apparel brand, Kiabi has forayed into Asia, through its association with Myntra in India, offering high-quality, globally-loved apparel to fashion-forward Indian shoppers. Present in 25+ countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, and now Asia, this association will bolster the brand’s international expansion plans, strengthening Kiabi’s position as one of the most sought-after global brands in the burgeoning Indian fashion market.

A legacy French fashion giant that prides itself in being a ‘family-fashion’ brand, Kiabi, under the ownership of the Mulliez Family Association, an economic interest group that includes the likes of Decathlon, Auchan, and Leroy Merlin, strives to do “Always more for families”. The brand’s vision for the Indian market includes offering families high-quality global fashion that effortlessly combines style, sustainability and accessible prices. Kiabi relies on the expertise of 58 in-house stylists to create collections of responsible and budget-friendly fashion for the entire family globally. The association with Myntra is poised to enable Kiabi to tap into the premium fashion audiences across the country while offering seamless access to its diverse range of 500+ products across categories, including co-ord-sets, dresses, T-shirts and comfortable sets for kids.

Additionally, Myntra’s balanced base of men-women audiences will enable Kiabi to offer collections tailored to each family member, from women and men to children and even infants. Kiabi will have a dedicated Online Brand Store on the Myntra app, coupled with extensive visibility via the platform’s snackable video content offering, Myntra Minis, which gets 1 Mn visits a day.

Speaking on the brand’s India foray, François Haimez, International Leader, KIABI, said, “True to our international development strategy, which aims to provide all families with a reimagined fashion that combines quality, price, style, and sustainability, we are proud to connect with Indian families in this symbolic country as a longstanding partner in the production of our collections. Thanks to the strength and prowess of a key player like Myntra, we simplify the access to fashion for everyone, accessible to all.”

Myntra currently hosts over 400 international brands, with around 50+ being added in 2023, firmly establishing itself as a platform of choice for global brands to foray into India. Additionally, ~45% of demand for international fashion brands and labels is driven by shoppers in non-metro cities and beyond.

Touching upon the launch of Kiabi on the platform, Jayanti Ganguly, VP – Business, Myntra, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Kiabi to India and be their platform of choice for their much-awaited Asia foray. Their diverse range of high-quality, affordable and sustainable fashion has enabled Kiabi to become a wardrobe staple for families across the globe. Kiabi is poised to have a successful run in India on the back of our shared values of a customer-first mindset and being the go-to fashion destination for the entire family. We are confident about building Kiabi into a household name with our huge base of premium shoppers, robust delivery network and keen understanding of India’s fashion needs.”

For over 20 years, Kiabi has regarded India as a significant player in the brand’s performance, serving as a producer and exporter of products across the globe. Kiabi’s expertise, particularly in sourcing, has enhanced the efficiency of its supply chain. Currently, it boasts numerous partners, including 34 factories, 16 suppliers, 41 Kiabers, and represents the creation of over 37 million pieces in 2022.

Gurgaon, Wednesday, 15th Feb 2024: Le Cordon Bleu, the century-old renowned culinary arts and hospitality management institution from France, is proud to announce the strengthening and enhancement of its brand presence in India, through the LCB Campus at GD Goenka University. This announcement marks one decade of the existing relationship between GD Goenka and LCB and also serves as testimony of LCB’s commitment to India being a market of global significance. The comprehensive plan for India includes tripling student capacity in order to meet the growing demand for quality hospitality and culinary arts education. This underscores recognition of Indian talent being recruited by global brands across markets in Europe, South East Asia, the Middle East, Australia and other regions.

 In line with high demand for professional undergraduate and diploma programmes in hospitality management and culinary arts, the campus will now feature 50,000 sq. ft of technical training areas, housed within GD Goenka Education City, which is spread over 60-acres in Gurugram.

 Facility expansion will aid teaching and training for 500 additional learners, through introduction of a Culinary Theatre, 3 new Training Kitchens, 2 New Pastry Kitchens, 1 New Bakery, 1 Additional Chocolate Artistry Room, and Multiple Student Experience Areas. Operating as a Centre of Excellence and featuring a global curriculum mapped with Le Cordon Bleu; the LCB India campus will provide immense benefit for students and industry alike, including student and faculty exchange programmes, global pathway opportunities, internships and placements.

 LCB India students will have access to defined LCB articulation pathways, enabling them to transfer to Paris or other LCB campuses, offering global exposure and opportunities for career advancement.

 Moreover, the partnership will facilitate opportunities for faculty exchange and Management Development Programs (MDPs), fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development. India students will also benefit from international faculty from Paris visiting the campus and enriching their learning experience with insights from international experts.

 Furthermore, LCB India students will have the opportunity to intern with LCB’s partners in Europe and in other areas, gaining invaluable hands-on experience and exposure to international culinary practices. Mr. Andre J Cointreau, President & CEO, Le Cordon Bleu remarked, “We’re moving from a partnership of programmes to a full campus. And I say that everything is accelerating to our systems and processes, our education, which are on one global learning platform, shared by 35-plus LCB institutes around the world, in 28 countries. We’ve partnered with GD Goenka University for a decade, and I can say that we really feel proud of what has been our past, and how things are developing. So we’re going to move ahead at full speed.”

 Mr. Nipun Goenka, Managing Director, GD Goenka Group quoted, “We value our decade-long partnership with Le Cordon Bleu and we have always been very appreciative. Seeing a high demand for our programmes, we are strengthening our partnership so we can deliver an unparalleled campus experience right here in India. We’re excited about joining global LCB learning systems. The sky is the limit.”

Mumbai, 15th February 2024: Amazon miniTV, Amazon’s free video streaming service, recently released the romantic comedy series ‘Dillogical’. It follows the journey of childhood sweethearts Saransh and Jinal, whose relationship takes an unexpected turn when Jinal proposes an open relationship with Saransh. Set against the backdrop of a Gujarati wedding, the series explores the dynamics of love, friendship, and self-discovery, as the couple navigates through their feelings and relationships. Along with being a delightful blend of romance, humor, and emotions, here are five reasons why Dillogical must be on your Valentine’s Day binge-watch list:

• Relatable Storyline:With a captivating storyline, Dillogical perfectly balances emotional depth with humor. From the highs of love and friendship to the lows of misunderstandings and conflicts, the narrative adds a layer of relatability along with drama, romance, and light-hearted moments. With relatable characters and circumstances, the series will not only resonate with viewers but also have them completely invested in Saransh and Jinal’s journey.

• ModernTake on Relationships: The series offers a fresh and modern perspective on love and relationships, shown through the lens of Saransh and Jinal. By exploring the dynamics between the characters, the show delves deeper into the intricacies of being in an open relationship. It also explores the complexities of human emotions with heartfelt moments, which will surely strike a chord with the viewers, touching them on a profound level.

• Breaking social norms:The series dives head-first into the life choices of Jinal, a talented and independent woman seeking to break through her planned life, tapping into the themes of identity and independence. As she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, focusing on her desires, aspirations, and boundaries, Saransh too deals with his complexities and preconceived notions about love and commitment, finding himself along the way.
• Stellar ensemble cast:Dillogical boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Anshuman Malhotra, Nupur Nagpal, Priyank Sharma, Chetan Dhawan, and Prasanna Bisht, who bring their characters to life with sheer authenticity. Capturing the complexities of each character perfectly, their on-screen presence promises to add depth to the compelling storyline.
• Streaming for Free onAmazon miniTV: Tune in to the heartwarming story of Saransh and Jinal, as they navigate modern love and relationship, for free on Amazon miniTV. There is no need to pay to watch this series on a subscription basis. It is available to stream for free on Amazon miniTV and Fire TV in the Amazon Shopping App and Play Store.

Get ready to indulge in romance, comedy, and drama, along with a dose of entertainment, with Dillogical for free only on Amazon miniTV, available on Amazon’s shopping app, on Fire TV, and on Play Store.

Watcho Exclusives, the leading OTT platform from Dish TV India Limited, recently launched the gripping thriller web series ‘State v/s Ahuja,’ marking the return of Actor Ashmit Patel after a brief hiatus. Directed by Tarun Chopra, ‘State v/s Ahuja’ narrates the captivating tale of Bollywood superstar ‘Ansh Ahuja’ facing rape accusations from his maid.

The series is streaming on the Watcho App and is receiving immense adulation from viewers. If you haven’t yet tuned into Watcho Exclusives to watch the series, here are 5 reasons that will compel you to watch it right away!

1. Ashmit Patel Returns: After a self-imposed brief hiatus, Ashmit Patel is back on screen, and he’s bringing his A-game. Known for his captivating performances, Patel’s return promises to add depth and intensity to the series. His portrayal of Ansh Ahuja will certainly keep viewers hooked from the first episode.

2. An insight into an Actor’s Life: The series gives an insight into the world of actors. It delves into their personal and professional struggles, the relentless rumours that surround them, the controversies they navigate, and the intricacies of balancing the perks and pitfalls of public life. With State v/s Ahuja, viewers will get a deeper understanding of the sacrifices, triumphs, and complexities that shape an actor’s journey in the spotlight.

3. Intriguing Plot Twists: State v/s Ahuja isn’t your typical courtroom drama. With unexpected twists and turns at every corner, the series keeps viewers guessing until the very end. From shocking revelations to complex character dynamics, there’s never a dull moment.

4. Powerhouse Cast: With a talented ensemble cast, including Ashmit Patel, Jaswinder Gardner, Anurekha Bhagat, Sarika Singh, Swapnnil Ralkar, Apeksha Verma, Dristi Patil, Manish Jaitley, Arjun Krishna, Vicky Baidyanath and Harsh Gautam, the performances in State v/s Ahuja are top-notch. Each actor brings their character to life with authenticity and depth, making the story even more gripping.

5. Thought-Provoking Themes: Beyond its thrilling plot, State v/s Ahuja explores thought-provoking themes of justice, power, betrayal and humanity. Through its compelling storytelling, the series prompts viewers to reflect on important issues while keeping them entertained.

Chennai, February 15, 2024: Edelweiss Asset Management Limited (EAMC/EMF), one of India’s fastest-growing AMCs, announced the launch of Edelweiss Technology Fund, an open-ended equity scheme investing in technology and technology – related companies. The new fund offer (NFO) are open for subscription from 14^th February 2024 to 28^th February 2024.

The Edelweiss Technology Fund aims to offer investors with exposure to both Indian as well as global technology and tech-enabled companies. Investors can RIDE the technology wave across traditional as well as new-age technology companies in India, specifically in Renewables, IT services, Digital, and Electronics manufacturing services (RIDE). The exposure to India technology companies will be approximately 70-80%. The allocation to global technology companies is expected to be in the range of 20-30%, achieved through an internal rule based methodology in key US technology companies, encompassing AI, internet companies, semiconductors, etc. The fund‘s performance will be assessed against the S&P BSE TECk TRI benchmark.

Commenting on the launch, Ms. Radhika Gupta, MD & CEO, Edelweiss Mutual Fund, stated, “In an era where technology is integral to our lives, we’re thrilled to unveil our latest fund in the technology space. This offering provides investors an opportunity to tap into dynamic Indian and US-based tech stocks in a unique and tax efficient manner. Our proven success in running a US Technology Fund of Fund in collaboration with JP Morgan underscores our commitment to providing diverse investment avenues and navigating the ever-evolving tech landscape”.

Mr. Trideep Bhattacharya, President & CIO-Equities, Edelweiss Mutual Fund, added, “We anticipate a substantial increase in technology penetration across all industries globally over the next decade. Our approach to participate in this trend will be through our Edelweiss Technology Fund, where we aim to take meaningful exposure to global industry leaders spanning various sub-sectors of technology along with Indian IT services and new-age tech companies.”

The scheme would be managed by Mr. Trideep Bhattacharya, Mr. Sahil Shah (Co-Fund Manager), Mr. Amit Vora (Overseas securities).

15th February 2024: Sony BBC Earth is thrilled to announce the resounding success of the second ‘Feel Alive Hours – Quiz contest’. The recent finale round that streamed live on the Sony BBC Earth YouTube channel concluded on 10^th February for the junior and senior categories. Tejas Tushya Singh and Vaibhav Rai, hailing from Jaipur’s prestigious Cambridge Court High School, emerged as proud winners of the contest. 

Sony BBC Earth’s ‘Feel Alive Hours – Quiz contest’ garnered an exceptional response with over 6000+ registrations pouring in from across categories. After multiple rounds of intense competition, top five students were selected in both categories to compete for the coveted championship spot. Tejas Tushya Singh won amongst the juniors, whereas Vaibhav Rai bagged the title for the senior team. The winners will be awarded an iPad, while the runners-up,  Aryan Ranjan and Dhariya will receive a Kindle. 

The details of the quiz contest, scoreboard and winning profiles have been updated on the Sony BBC Earth ‘Feel Alive Hours’ microsite. To know more on it, visit https://www.sonybbcearth.com/feelalivehours/. 

Comments 

Rohan Jain, Business Operations Head – Sony AATH and Head – Marketing & Insights, English Cluster, Sony Pictures Networks India 

“As the curtains fall on the Sony BBC Earth Quiz Contest, heartfelt congratulations to the winners, Tejas and Vaibhav. They have illuminated our shared journey of exploration and knowledge. The response from students has been overwhelming and we will continue to work towards creating this as the most lovable and sought-after quizzing contest for students across the country.” 

Students from Jaipur’s Cambridge Court High School, 

Tejas Tushya Singh winner of the Junior Category 

“Participating in Sony BBC Earth‘s Feel Alive Hours – Quiz contest was a great experience for me. I got a chance to learn so many new things and interact with young quizzers from across the nation. I am eagerly looking forward for more such initiatives.” 

Vaibhav Rai winner of the Senior Category 

“I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of Feel Alive Hours nationwide quiz contest as such activities help us in going beyond our curriculum. It deepens our understanding of the world around us.”

New Delhi, 15th February 2024: Vedanta Sesa Goa reaffirmed its commitment to fostering women achievers and honouring their exceptional contributions to society by launching an inspiring campaign titled #IronLadiesIndia’24. In line with the company’s unwavering dedication to women’s empowerment, this campaign aims to pay tribute to the ‘Iron Will’ of women within the organization & beyond.

Building upon the success of the previous Fulcrum Awards winning #IronLadiesindia campaign, the #IronLadiesIndia24 campaign was unveiled on ‘International Day of Women & Girls in Science’ and will conclude on ‘International Women’s Day’ in March. This initiative seeks to spotlight the monumental impact of women’s contribution in various spheres of life and who have become an inspiration for others by pushing the envelope further, thereby instilling confidence in women everywhere.

Spanning across all Sesa Goa locations in India & overseas, the #IronLadiesIndia’24 campaign will feature a series of digital and on-ground initiatives celebrating women’s unparalleled strength, courage, and achievements. These initiatives include the felicitation of women achievers within the organization and the broader community. Furthermore, to encourage women to take up leadership roles, an introductory #WomenInTheBoardRoom  initiative will also be rolled out through a robust screening process at every respective unit in addition to many other activities across the company and communities, aimed at saluting the ‘Iron Will’ of women & celebrating their outstanding achievements.

Expressing his sentiments on the occasion, Navin Jaju, CEO, Sesa Goa stated “At Vedanta Sesa Goa, our dedication to nurturing an environment, conducive to the growth and success of women runs deep. With the launch of our #IronLadiesIndia’24 campaign, we proudly honour the indomitable ‘Iron Will’ of women, both within our organization and beyond. Through a myriad of ongoing initiatives that are exclusively designed for women that have served as a source of livelihood for women & have enhanced literacy levels amongst them, Vedanta Sesa Goa has time & again upheld its commitment towards being the wind beneath their wings.”

Through remarkable initiatives exclusively designed for women such as launch of Project ‘Jivika’ involving establishment of tailoring centres for women, aiding women-run Self-Help Groups to earn their livelihoods, launch of ITI Computer courses to foster digital literacy amongst women, various sports initiatives such as the establishment of the Girls Football Centre in Bicholim & Amona, Vedanta Women’s League, Sesa Football Academy’s (SFA) debut senior Women’s Football Team, SFA Women players in National Games, supporting women farmers and women in mining & security amongst  many other initiatives, Vedanta Sesa Goa has consistently provided a robust platform for women to enhance their skills and empower themselves and contributed to their personal & economic growth and societal advancement at large.

Ms. Sandhya Malik, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Vedanta Sesa Goa, stated, “We are delighted to launch the #IronLadiesIndia’24 campaign which salutes the ‘Iron Will’ of women & is a celebration of their remarkable resilience & strength. It is about recognizing the countless barriers that they have circumvented, the glass ceilings they have shattered, and the invaluable impact they have made in every sphere of life. Through this campaign, we aim to inspire a new generation of women leaders, innovators, and changemakers who are unafraid to challenge the status quo.”

Recently, Vedanta has introduced initiatives focused on enhancing the mental and physical well-being of women employees, including the provision of a 12-month long sabbatical leave for post-birth support while ensuring job security and a ‘No Questions Asked’ Work-From-Home facility for women once a month.

Through #IronLadiesIndia’24, Vedanta Sesa Goa extends an invitation to everyone to join hands in celebrating and saluting the ‘Iron Will of Women’ who continue to inspire and empower countless other women.

Bangalore February 15, 2024: Zendesk today announced it completed its acquisition of Klaus, the industry leading AI-powered quality management platform. The acquisition of Klaus is the latest addition to the company’s existing WEM solutions which includes Tymeshift, a modern workforce management tool built exclusively for Zendesk.

“Workforce engagement management is key to not only meeting, but exceeding customer expectations. A traditional satisfaction score won’t tell you everything you need to know. It won’t tell you where there are gaps in your service, or where there are opportunities for coaching and additional training for your support teams,” said Adrian McDermott, chief technology officer, Zendesk. “With Klaus as part of our WEM portfolio we have new features such as AI-powered AutoQA. We can give businesses everything they need to automatically and accurately assess the performance of their support teams to deliver consistent, high quality service across every channel and through both human and digital agents.”

“As AI drives up the speed and frequency of customer engagement, only AI-powered QA can help companies keep up with rising customer expectations,” said Kair Käsper, co-founder of Klaus. “While most QA software can only score up to 5 percent of CX interactions, Klaus automates QA across 100 percent of customer support interactions. It uses AI to identify patterns, predict issues and suggest solutions making it a vital tool that improves service quality, enriches the customer experience, and ultimately enhances the reputation and success of the organization.”

With digital agents resolving more service inquiries without human interaction, having a QA solution that analyzes both human and digital agent performance is crucial to maintaining quality control and providing best-in-class customer service. Klaus pinpoints conversations with positive or negative sentiment, identifies outliers, churn risk, escalations and follow-ups across all conversations – even those done by outsourced teams. It spots knowledge gaps and coaching opportunities that can be used to improve agent performance and productivity, all of which results in higher customer satisfaction.

“We’ve been working with Zendesk for over eight years and Klaus for almost two years, so this acquisition is an exciting step towards creating an evermore streamlined process for our internal quality assessment,” said Sophie Elgar, training and quality manager, Liberty London. “As a luxury brand, we aim to provide exceptional service and our partnership with Zendesk helps us achieve that.”

“Zendesk with Klaus demonstrates a unique ability to automatically provide quality assurance at all times,” said Daniel Newman, CEO, The Futurum Group. “Used this way, companies can identify not only the areas where CX teams should improve, but also areas where a business is lacking structured processes. This brings huge opportunities to customers of all sizes.”