Author: Kashmeera Sambamurthy

RBI provides update on Paytm payments bank: Deadline extended, merchant options clarified

It has been stated that several players such as PhonePe, Google Pay, and banks such as HDFC Bank and State Bank of India (SBI) are deploying several thousand salesforce to attract merchants which include kirana stores and retailers. (Image source: Moneycontrol Hindi)

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has provided some clarity regarding the future of Paytm Payments Bank through a recent FAQ release. While restrictions on deposits and credit transactions are now extended to March 15th, even after this deadline, merchants can continue accepting payments via Paytm QR codes, soundboxes, or PoS terminals.

28 organisations write to the European Data Protection Board to oppose Meta’s subscription services

Meta also rolled out reels on Facebook in 2022, allowing users to create and watch videos clips from creators. One could also view public reels from Instagram, if the creator chooses to recommend it on Facebook. (Image source: Unsplash)

Meta’s subscription privacy model worries organizations as it sets a pay-to-protect precedent.

Blinkit to compete with Amazon and Flipkart? Zomato plans platform expansion

On February 11, it was reported that in Q3 FY24, Blinkit clocked in a revenue of Rs 644 crore as opposed to Rs 505 crore in Q2 FY24.In FY22, Blinkit registered an operating revenue of Rs 236 crore and its net loss was Rs 1,021 crore, as highlighted by PrivateCircle Research, cited in a Moneycontrol report. (Image source: CNBCTV18)

As reports suggest, Zomato has been in talks with individual brand owners across varied categories to stock up inventory. This move by Zomato could see the platform competing with e-commerce giants such as Amazon and Flipkart.

Flame of Innovation: The matchbox campaign that lit up Indian advertising

Fifty words comprised the headline for the half page ads that ran for nine consecutive days to maximise the campaign’s impact. In each advertisement, the headlines were long and different. The campaign spoke of the advantages of an ad at the back of a matchbox. And, each ad touched upon different selling target groups, highlights Panna Jain, who conceptualised the WIMCO campaign. (Image source: Panna Jain)

WIMCO Matchbox campaign was the creation of erstwhile agency MCM (Mass Communication and Marketing) that was released in the 1960s. Credited as an unconventional campaign, the pathbreaking half page ads featured two hands engaged in doing different things.

Beyond politics: Rajeev Chandrasekhar’s fashion style, unlocking the power of swag

We wouldn't say Chandrasekhar takes special care to look his part, but sometimes being effortless does the trick. For instance, we couldn't help but notice Chandrasekhar's glasses. They are a combination of simple yet elegant, sometimes a classic rimless and sometimes a subtle animal-printed frame. (Image source: Instagram)

MoS Rajeev Chandrasekhar perfects his gym selfies as much as his regulatory framework ideas on deepfakes and Generative AI.

Bookstrapping: Never Not Working by Malissa Clark

As per the Bookstrapping insights put down by Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta, she highlights, "The funny part is that even though workaholism leads to serious, negative physical and mental effects, the workaholics believe themselves to be immune from it; just like other patterns of addiction. But the science doesn’t lie." (Image source: Amazon)

The author Malissa Clark, an associate professor of industrial and organisational psychology at the University of Georgia, says in the book, that “workaholism, is the only socially acceptable-dare I say, respected-addiction.”

Don’t take your designation too seriously, says Mayur Hola of Culinary Brands

Mayur Hola, chief marketing officer, Culinary Brands stated, "Be interested in as many things as you possibly can, not because people say so or because it's the right thing to do. If you have enough things that interest you, it will reflect in every part of your life, be it personal or professional, and just make you that much more interesting."

“If you have enough things that interest you, it will reflect in every part of your life, be it personal or professional, and just make you that much more interesting,” said the chief marketing officer (CMO) of the food and beverage brand.