5th September 2023: Plum, India’s first 100% vegan D2C beauty brand, well known and much loved for their lineup of pioneering skincare and body care products, has further cemented their place in the haircare domain with the launch of Coconut Milk & Peptides based haircare for weak & dull hair. The brand has unveiled its inaugural ad campaign for the range that features the Plum Coconut Milk & Peptides Strength & Shine Shampoo. The harmonious combination of coconut milk and peptides restores moisture and strengthens hair strands to make them 22 times shinier in just 1 wash*. The range includes shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, and serum.

Devised by the creative minds of Famous Innovations, the campaign film appeals to its target audience with a message that’s delivered in a raw, and humorous way. The film follows an interesting storyline where the protagonist Shruti uses the Plum Coconut Milk & Peptides shampoo that gives her 22x shinier hair in 1 wash* while forcing people around her to wear sunglasses to shield them from the blinding shine!

Shankar Prasad, Founder and CEO at Plum, expressed “ We have been loved and accepted by our consumers for our skincare and bodycare products. We wanted to extend our clean & 100% vegan offerings to haircare as well so that we become part of the monthly purchase basket for the entire family. Consumers today are facing modern day problems like stress, pollution & other environmental factors that take a toll on their hair making them weak & dull. This film lands the message of getting strong and extremely shiny hair with our Coconut Milk & Peptides shampoo in just 1 application in a manner that’s fun and quirky, to drive a high recall amongst the target audience.

Commenting on the film, Anvesha Sinha, Account Director at Famous Innovation says, “It is safe to say that the protagonist of this ad film was always meant to be the product, however, the storytelling has been skillfully executed by a team of passionate experts, infusing an underlying layer of humor. After all, who doesn’t appreciate a touch of fun at the end of the day?”

As the integrated marketing campaign takes off, the ad film will be amplified through multiple media channels like Facebook, Instagram and OTT platforms. The brand has planned an extensive influencer outreach with well-known names like Trinetra (“Meher” of Made in Heaven fame), Viraj Ghelani (comedy content creator), actors & beauty content creators like Shivangi Singh, Ahaana Krishna and Sarah Sarosh amongst others. The brand has also rolled out an extensive sampling activation for its consumers. Finally, to bring alive and extend the underlying humour in the ad film, the brand is also building viral content in the form of memes and filters.

India, 5th September 2023: Lexar, a leading global brand in memory and storage solutions, has announced the appointment of Redington India Ltd (RIL), a leading distribution and supply chain solutions provider, as its distribution partner in India. The strategic collaboration aims to expand the reach of Lexar’s award-winning memory and storage solutions across India by leveraging Redington’s extensive channel network.

Under this partnership, Redington will support the distribution of Lexar memory products such as DRAM, internal SSDs, portable gaming SSDs, in addition to microSD™ cards, catering to the growing demand among India’s photographers, videographers, gamers and content creators. Through this strategic partnership, Lexar expects to achieve 25 percent market share in 3 years, by capitalizing and building on Redington’s commitment to make Lexar products available through its 60 branches channel network, to multiple partner outlets across the country.

Commenting on the partnership, Fissal Ouibida, General Manager – Middle East, Africa, India and CIS, said, “India is the future of Asia. Redington is an industry leader with an impeccable track record of delivering exceptional value to their customers. We are thrilled to announce our distribution partnership with Redington India Ltd. Through this strategic alliance, we have achieved a major milestone as we expand the reach of Lexar’s award-winning memory and storage solutions to meet the growing demand of consumers and digital content creators in photography, videography, gaming in the dynamic Indian market.”

“We are excited to join hands with Lexar, to enhance the availability of their product portfolio in India. The booming creator economy in the country has fuelled an ever-increasing demand and multiple use cases for advanced memory and storage solutions in India. We, at Redington, will work closely with Lexar to ensure that their products are accessible and available to everyone who needs it,” said Raghu Ram, Senior Vice President, of Endpoint Solutions Group, Redington Limited.

“Redington’s expertise and reputation align perfectly with our commitment to delivering high-quality products and services to our customers. This strategic collaboration underscores our commitment to forging strong partnerships and creating win-win opportunities,” said Shabu Sultan, Country General Manager – India, Lexar. “Through this partnership, we aim to leverage Redington’s extensive network, market knowledge, and strong distribution capabilities to accelerate our market penetration and enhance our brand presence in India. We are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship.”

Lexar’s award-winning product portfolio has a proven track record of allowing content creators to capture for longer while offering blazing transfer speeds to accelerate workflows. The products are designed to enable photography and videography professionals and enthusiasts to get their best shot, while allowing gamers to play at their peak without worrying about load times, stuttering graphics, or game lag. Lexar product designs are rigorously tested with over 1,100 digital devices at the Lexar Quality Labs to assure performance, quality, compatibility, and dependability, making it one of the most uniquely designed and trusted brands in-memory solutions.

Hyderabad, Telangana, 05 September 2023: Gati Limited, an Allcargo Group company and one of India’s premier express logistics and supply chain solutions providers, has partnered with Tech Mahindra, a leading provider of digital transformation, consulting, and business re-engineering services and solutions to develop Gati Enterprise Management System (GEMS) 2.0. Gati’s core operational software system, GEMS 2.0, aims to offer an enhanced customer experience and a modern tech-driven interface while increasing efficiency and lowering costs.

The future-ready software application leverages Tech Mahindra’s expertise and focuses on cloud-native applications, reiterating the organisation’s commitment and investment towards next-generation digital transformation and Cloud initiatives. The partnership is focused on replacing Gati’s legacy application with a digital, scalable, and more agile cloud-based application for operational excellence and the highest level of customer experience.

Vivek Agarwal, President – APJI (Enterprise), Corporate Development, Tech Mahindra, said, “The strategic deployment of new-age, data-driven technologies is at the core of revolutionising operational efficiency and customer engagement in the logistics and supply chain industry. Our partnership with Gati in designing and developing GEMS 2.0 will help the organisation boost productivity, unlock new business opportunities, scale performance and lead the tech-led transformation narrative in the express logistics segment.”

Tech Mahindra will enable Gati, over the next 18-24 months, to custom develop GEMS 2.0 from scratch, covering the entire first-mile, mid-mile, and last-mile operations. The software will be developed in modules like Pickup, Delivery, En-route, Customer Contracts, Invoicing, etc.

Commenting on the collaboration Mr. Pirojshaw (Phil) Sarkari, MD and CEO, Gati Express and Supply Chain Pvt. Ltd. (GESCPL) said, “GEMS which was rolled out 20 years back is a pioneering initiative in the logistics industry. We are delighted to partner with Tech Mahindra to create a transformed GEMS on a micro services platform to provide customers ease of doing business. This partnership is a major step forward in delivering operational excellence and a superior customer experience and a part of Allcargo Group’s continued focus on empowering Gati reach greater heights.”

The architecture of GEMS 2.0 will be micro-services-based and event-driven through rule engines, with an infrastructure designed and developed on cloud, with a mobile and security-first architecture approach aimed at delivering consistent performance across the company’s geography of operations. GEMS 2.0 will deploy automation at various levels and extensively leverage data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). In addition, drawing strength from the intuitive and consistent UI/UX design, GEMS 2.0 will offer on-demand customisation and a multi-browser friendly user experience.

G S Ravi, EVP & Group CIO, Gati Limited. said, “The core vision of developing GEMS, an advanced real-time Enterprise Resource Planning platform, was to put customer first, optimize processes and to achieve better workflow management. Developing GEMS was a part of Gati’s evolution from a prominent express distribution player to an end-to-end logistics company. With its innovative digital solutions and proven competencies, Tech Mahindra will help us build the required tech-backbone to achieve the speed and agility necessary for Gati’s business.”

5th September 2023 | Pune, India: Naiknavare Developers, a distinguished name renowned for its community-centric residential and commercial projects across Pune, Mumbai, and Goa, is thrilled to announce the launch of “Avasa Grassland,” an exquisite fully serviced premium plotted development located in the Chakan MIDC area. This milestone comes on the heels of the successful sale of our inaugural project in this vertical, “Avasa Meadows,” situated in Vadgaon Maval, Talegaon.

Avasa Grassland constitutes a section of the larger Dwarka Township, which spans over a vast expanse of more than 65 acres. “Avasa Grassland” offers Plot areas starting at 1836 sq ft to 3298 sq ft. respectively. Anchored on the pillars of space, privacy, personalization, gated community living, and core values, this plotted development project is nestled amidst a vibrant community of over 2500 families and 7500+ residents, all enjoying state-of-the-art amenities and an array of social infrastructure, including the Dwarka School, PMPML Bus Stop, Petrol Pump, and Hospitals, etc.

Strategically positioned in close proximity to major industrial zones and business centers, home to global giants such as Mercedes Benz, Mahindra, Bajaj, Hyundai, Bridgestone, Forbes Marshall, and Phillips, “Avasa Grassland” is the ideal choice for both working professionals and businesses alike. As the demand for residential and commercial developments in the area surges, this project locale is set to welcome D-Mart, Retail and Commercial Complex, Ring Road, and Junior College.

In a bid to offer the presence of natural landscapes within the project vicinity, occupants of “Avasa Grassland” will also get to witness a Forest Park within the township, spanning over 4 acres of land, amidst 134 majestic native trees and 800 flowering shrubs. As part of this unique offering, dwellers will get a range of amenities like Gazebo seating, adventure-filled play area, and a multi-purpose court. The Forest Garden will serve as a manmade water body equipped to store up to 41 litres of water.

This exceptional development also grants residents access to a range of world-class amenities, including a Senior Citizen Sitting Area, Vegetable Garden, Outdoor Gymnasium, Car Parking, Kids Play Area, Society Office, Multipurpose Hall, Lawn, and Service Counter. Buyers of these plots have the flexibility to construct independent houses in accordance with approved designs.

Anand Naiknavare, Head of Business Processes at Naiknavare Developers, shared his excitement about the launch, stating, “We are thrilled to expand our portfolio of plotted development projects. ‘Avasa Grassland’ offers the perfect blend of independent living within a gated community. Its strategic location and comprehensive amenities make it a prime choice for large joint families and professionals alike. Building upon the overwhelming success of ‘Avasa Meadows,’ we are confident that ‘Avasa Grassland’ will be well-received by homebuyers and investors.”

In addition to “Avasa Grassland,” Naiknavare Developers is gearing up to introduce a range of residential and commercial projects across the city.

Michael Thornton was appointed as Book Management Coach for growing alliance.

(St. Louis, Mo., Sept. 5, 2023) Valley Insurance Agency Alliance (VIAA), a cohesive family of more than 160 independent insurance agencies in Missouri and Illinois, recently named Michael Thornton as Book Management Coach. In this newly created role, he will focus on the profitability of personal lines production with both strategic and regional partner carriers. This includes working with member agencies and using data-driven information to assist in their continuous growth.

This is a new role for Thornton, who has worked at VIAA for six years as a Foundation Specialist. Prior to joining the company, Thornton ran an $11.2 million dollar book of business at three separate offices for more than 15 years. He brings an extensive sales, development, and management background to his new position.

“This brand-new position recognizes the increased need our alliance members have based upon the ever-changing insurance marketplace,” said VIAA’s President JD Powers. “We created this role with Michael in mind. He thoroughly understands how to utilize the proper technology, loss reports, and procedures to guide loss-sensitive members to successful outcomes. He is the perfect advocate for our members and carrier partners, and we look forward to all he will accomplish for our alliance.”

Founded in 2006, Valley Insurance Agency Alliance generates more than $600 million in written premium and is the regional founding member SIAA – The Agent Alliance, a $12.5 billion national insurance network. Founded in 1991, sister company Powers Insurance & Risk Management provides personal and business insurance, surety, risk management, and employee benefits. The companies are headquartered at 6825 Clayton Ave. For more information, call (314) 725-1414 or visit www.viaa4u.com.

5th September 2023, New Delhi – Leading the way in luxury beauty, Looks Salon proudly presents the grand opening of its much-anticipated salon located at the prestigious PVR Priya Market, Basant Lok. A beacon of opulence, innovation, and sustainability, the salon marks a new era in the realm of eco-conscious beauty experiences.

Looks Prive’s new salon is more than a mere space for beauty treatments – it’s a testament to the art of preserving nature’s splendour while embracing luxury. From its inception, every detail has been meticulously crafted to reflect the commitment to sustainability. With an unwavering focus on environmental responsibility, the salon employs sustainably sourced and biodegradable materials in its architecture, design, and furnishings.

With the grand opening of PVR Priya Market, Basant Lok salon, Looks Prive is pioneering a movement that fuses opulence and eco-consciousness. The salon stands as an embodiment of the brand’s mission to redefine beauty while championing sustainability within the industry. By seamlessly blending nature-inspired elements with state-of-the-art technology, Looks Prive offers a glimpse into a world where elegance and eco-friendliness go hand in hand.

Talking about the launch Samay Dutta, Managing Director of Looks Salon said, “At Looks Prive, we believe luxury should be kind to the earth. Our flagship salon at PVR Priya Market, Basant Lok, embodies this philosophy, showcasing a harmonious blend of elegance and sustainability.”

Looks Prive salon launch is an invitation to experience beauty in its most refined and sustainable form. Looks welcome you to witness the fusion of luxury, innovation, and environmental consciousness at PVR Priya Market, Basant Lok. Here, the journey towards a greener, more beautiful world unfolds.

Digital marketing and PR agency, Team Pumpkin, has won the social media, website maintenance and performance marketing mandate for Shalimar Paints. The announcement comes after a multi-agency pitch to the 120+ year old legacy company based in Howrah, West Bengal.

With the help of Team Pumpkin, Shalimar Paints aims to scale their brand visibility across its consumers and influencers, harnessing the power, scope, and reach of digital tools. The mandate has been entrusted to the agency’s branch in Gurgaon.

Reflecting on the mandate, Varun Malik, Head of Marketing at Shalimar Paints Ltd. said, “Team Pumpkin’s industry insights expertise and strategic thinking stood out for us, andtheir vision and communication ideas are a perfect fit for us as a partner. The team camewith a host of dynamic creative ideas that will help us strengthen relationships with ourtarget audiences on social media. We are partnering at just the right moment when the brand is looking forward to build Shalimar 2.0 and this relationship will be pivotal to achieve the brand ambitions. We will also engage Team pumpkin for Phy-gital activations to engage our consumers on ground and connect them back with the digital side.”

Expressing her excitement, Swati Nathani (CBO & Co-Founder) commented, “Shalimar Paints’ legacy is one that invokes in us a great sense of admiration for what the company has done since its inception. We are truly honored to have them on board with us. This collaboration comes at an exciting time, precisely when the paints industry is going through massive disruptions. Our approach for Shalimar Paints will involve long-term result driven strategic approaches to ensure longevity and sustenance in our advertising approach.”

Bengaluru, 5th September 2023 Cashfree Payments, a leading payments and API banking solutions company, has partnered with Jamboree, a leading educational consultancy, to simplify fee payments for Indian students studying overseas. The partnership leverages Cashfree Payments’ cross-border payment solution, which streamlines and digitises the entire payment process from KYC verification, payment collection, to outward remittance. It eliminates the need for physical bank visits, offline KYC submission and verification, providing students with a convenient, fast, cost-effective, and transparent payment experience.

With this partnership, students can initiate transactions 24/7, even on weekends and holidays, providing them with flexibility. It enables students to make remittances under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) established by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), catering to a wide range of payment needs permitted by regulations, including admission fees, education rental payments, student maintenance expenses, Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) payments for students heading to Canada, as well as blocked account payments for students bound for Germany. Further, it also substantially reduces the forex markup, rendering the transactions cheaper for Indian students. Students can also track the status of the remittance, from KYC verification status, payment confirmation, remittance initiation to the stage of downloading a SWIFT copy.

With the Cashfree Payments solution, Jamboree can start to extend the remittance service to students without any integration, and Jamboree can also cater to students who are not able to visit offline branches of Jamboree. The partnership has empowered Jamboree by making the entire payment process simpler, faster and cheaper. With Cashfree Payments’ cross-border solution, Jamboree can offer education consultation and can facilitate international fee payment under one roof without having to invest separately in building a tech stack. Cashfree Payment’s cross-border solution empowers Jamboree to monitor its transactions through a transaction tracking dashboard.

With Cashfree Payments’ cross-border payments solution, Jamboree can seamlessly extend the remittance service to students without the need for integration, including those who are unable to visit offline branches. This partnership has empowered Jamboree by simplifying, accelerating, and reducing the cost of the entire payment process. By leveraging Cashfree Payments’ cross-border payment solution, Jamboree can provide education consultation and facilitate international fee payments under one roof, without the need for separate investments in building a tech stack. Additionally, it also enables Jamboree to monitor its transactions through a convenient transaction tracking dashboard.

Reeju Datta, Co-Founder, Cashfree Payments said, “We are excited to partner with Jamboree to simplify international fee payments for Indian students. Our cross-border payments solution aims to provide students with a seamless and convenient payment experience, eliminating the need for physical bank visits. By removing unnecessary hurdles and saving valuable time, this collaboration allows students to focus on their educational goals. This partnership represents a significant milestone in simplifying the payment process for international students and highlights our commitment to delivering convenience, security, and flexibility.”

Vineet Gupta, Managing Director, Jamboree said, “We are excited to join hands with Cashfree Payments to redefine how students pay their tuition fees to colleges abroad. This collaboration signifies a significant stride in our journey towards providing unparalleled services that cater to the evolving needs of our students who embark on international educational pursuits.”

With over 50% market share among payment processors, Cashfree Payments today leads the way in bulk disbursals in India with its Payouts and is also among the leading online payment aggregators. India’s largest lender, SBI invested in Cashfree Payments underscoring the company’s role in building a robust payments ecosystem. Cashfree Payments works closely with all leading banks to build the core payments and banking infrastructure that powers the company’s products. Cashfree Payments is also integrated with major platforms such as Shopify, Wix, Paypal, Amazon Pay, Paytm, and Google Pay. Apart from India, Cashfree Payments products are used in eight other countries including the USA, Canada, and UAE.

Mumbai, 5th September 2023: In a move to strengthen its senior leadership and scale business growth, hBits, a fractional ownership platform for commercial real estate that aims to democratize access to real estate for everyday investors, has announced the appointment of Anish Mody as its Chief Product Officer (CPO). The appointment comes at a time when hBits is witnessing a 20 percent year-on-year growth in registered users on its platform and is emphasizing technology and customer-centric offerings.

In his new role Anish will guide the company to further enhance its product offerings to digitally transform investment in real estate, launch innovative offerings, and drive exceptional customer experiences.

An industry veteran, Anish brings more than two decades of experience in project leadership, cross-functional team management, and groundbreaking product launches. His tenure in the industry has been marked by several game-changing initiatives, including the development of a Client On-boarding KYC and Renewals Management Platform, which slashed base costs, manual effort, and turnaround time through the implementation of advanced automation solutions. In the past, Anish has held leadership positions at various leading organizations, such as Coforge, CapGemini, Enel X Services, Northgate Public Services and eClerx, among others.

Shiv Parekh, Founder and CEO of hBits said, “We are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to Anish Mody as a valuable addition to our leadership team. As we propel forward in the rapidly expanding PropTech sector, which is projected to reach a valuation of US $100 billion, his exceptional expertise will undertake a pivotal role in shaping our strategies and propelling our vision to new heights. In his new capacity, Anish will contribute to nurturing a high-performance environment, fostering innovation, and steering the company’s trajectory. With Anish’s adept leadership, we are confident in our capability to attain unmatched growth and persist in delivering remarkable opportunities to our investors.”

Anish Mody, Chief Product Officer, hBits, said “As I embark on the role of Chief Product Officer with a strong sense of enthusiasm, I am deeply motivated. hBits represents a cutting-edge platform, where the values of innovation and advancement are of paramount importance, propelling us to the forefront of shaping the landscape and future of real estate investments. This juncture marks a pivotal moment in my professional growth as well as the trajectory of hBits. I look forward to serving as its advocate for innovation, elevated customer service, and enriched experiences. The significance of this role lies in its commitment to driving innovation and we must continue to be watchful, adaptable, and challengeable.”

5th September 2023, Mumbai: After successfully completing a year of offering the best creamy coffees and tasty confectionaries, Ritual Daily Coffee plans to refuel its menu with some more unique brews. On the occasion of their 1st year anniversary, the coffee house is introducing a new range of creamy lattes and coffee lemonades – with their signature of providing distinct taste with a lasting impression.

Ritual Daily Coffee, a vision of Michelin star and ex-NOMA chef, Rahul Ramnani and partner Meher Kohli, opened its doors in Pali Hill, Bandra in September 2022. Its snug ambience paired with crafted brews served as a great spot to relax in the city’s otherwise chaotic neighbourhood. Their variety of strong coffees and unique coffee mocktails combined with sandwiches, wraps and buttery croissants never goes wrong. With vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free and Jain options they resonated with people who are more conscious about their choices without compromising on the taste.

Talking about the success of the venture partners of Ritual Daily Coffee, Rahul & Meher say, “We started Ritual to create a welcoming space to brighten your morning coffee run, catch up with friends, unwind after a long day & serve nostalgic ‘feel good’ meals. We’re grateful for the support we’ve received in the past year & are excited to introduce our upcoming projects.”

To celebrate this continued love and support from their patrons, the coffee house is presenting a new menu from their famous creamy lattes to refreshing lemonades. The new menu staples include Banoffee Oat Latte, which brings your classic pie dessert in every sip of coffee, Arabian Date Iced Latte, which combines the vitamin-rich essential in your daily beverage, Peanut Butter Latte, enticing the nutty creamy coffee with the pleasing sweetness of the butter. For those who love infusing caffeine in their mocktails, you should try out the Blueberry Coffee Lemonade, picking fruity notes of fresh blueberries with Ritual’s medium-dark roasted coffee. They unveil another unique method of serving coffee with the Espresso Coco Brew which is a perfect option for those with vegan or lactose-intolerant preferences.

The best part about these beverages is the deliberate choice of mixing healthy ingredients in your everyday beverage. Be it dates or berries, Ritual Daily Coffee promotes unique flavours without spiking blood sugar levels & considering the lifestyle choices people inherit.

The new menu will be available starting 2nd September at the Ritual Daily Coffee outlet in Bandra. So if you are always on the lookout for trying new coffees and love exploring café settings, this quaint spot calls you in for their celebration. With an attractive presentation of their special brews, you won’t help but take out your phone for that aesthetic flatlay of your favourite potion.