Month: September 2023

Coca-Cola adds AI flavour to its marketing and new products

According to a CNBC report, researchers at Coca-Cola collected key flavor preferences and trends to understand what consumers imagine and think the future tastes like. Then, that information was crunched by Coke’s artificial intelligence system to help develop flavor profiles and pairings. (Image source: Coca-Cola)

The beverage giant, recently, introduced a limited edition Coca-Cola Y3000 using artificial intelligence (AI) to determine the flavour and packaging.

IKEA ropes in McCann for handling its global branding

In February 2023, IKEA, has called for a creative pitch India. Storyboard18 was first to report about it. In April, the company hired Leo Burnett India as its creative partner for Indian market. (Representative Image: Jueun Song via Unsplash)

As per the new mandate, McCann is assigned to work on campaigns that focus on reinforcing IKEA’s mission of “creating a better everyday life” for all consumers.

All smartphones will have to support for NavIC by the end of 2025: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

“Net Neutrality in India was a hard fought battle for those who remember - which started during UPA government and peaked in 2015/2016. I led an effort where over 5 lac Indians wrote to TRAI opposing efforts of some telcos to cabelize the internet and double dip/charge,” the minister said in a social media post. (Image sourced from Moneycontrol)

5G smartphones would have to support NavIC by 1 January 2025, and other phones by December 2025, the minister said.

MIB to introduce new bill to regulate OTT platforms and DTH services

OTT is tuned into for specific programming, so ads are more likely to be consumed because they are fewer and unskippable at the start and middle of programming.(Representative Image: Bastian Riccardi via Unsplash)

The bill is currently in its initial stages and is most likely to be introduced only after the general elections next year.

Online e-tailing festive month sales to be around Rs 90,000 crores: Study

Spends on essentials like personal care & household items have increased for 48 percent of families. Consumption remains the same for 39 percent of families. The net score is at +34 this month. (Representative image by Brooke Lark via Unsplash)

The e-tailing industry recorded approx. 10 percent YOY GMV growth (Jan – Jul 2023 vs Jan-Jul 2022). However, with the broader economy coming back to business-as-usual levels, this festive season is likely to catalyze online consumption demand, expects Redseer.

TRAI releases Draft Registration of Consumer Organisations (Amendment) Regulations, 2023 for comments

The framework provides for using cross-sector cooperation in carrying out RS testing with the help of other ministries and agencies.(Image source: News18)

The proposed amendment would enable Authority to register capable consumer organisations having wider reach to work in more than five states! UTs under national level registration. It simplifies the registration process for such consumer organisations.

NBDA and NBF hit out at I.N.D.I.A bloc’s boycott of news anchors, saying it ‘imperils press freedom’

NBDA said that the decision "imperils press freedom" and "goes against the ethos of democracy," adding that it sets a dangerous precedent. (Representative image via Unsplash)

Broadcasters groups NBDA and NBF said that the opposition bloc’s decision is “draconian”, “goes against the ethos of democracy” and sets a dangerous precedent.

ZEE, Punit Goenka Case: SAT doubts SEBI will conclude ZEE investigation within stipulated time

The bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanahan has informed the Ajit Pawar Group that serious action will be taken if the order wasn’t obeyed.

The Securities Appellate Tribunal’s (SAT) observation follows SEBI’s order barring Punit Goenka from holding key managerial positions in ZEE group companies over alleged fund misappropriation.

TRAI releases consultation paper on ‘Digital Inclusion in the Era of Emerging Technologies’

The consultation paper on the new broadcast policy will be released within the next few days, said the TRAI chairman. He added that Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has completed the process of pre-conversation for a broadcast policy. (Image sourced from Moneycontrol)

In the consultation paper, TRAI has analysed various gaps in digital inclusion present in the country such as the mobile internet usage gap, rural urban internet penetration disparities, gender gaps in internet access, etc. as well as gaps identified from some global indices.

Sara Ali Khan brings a quirky Indianness which is so Kurkure: PepsiCo’s Aastha Bhasin

"With Kurkure, we keep the consumer at the centre of everything we do. We continuously engage. It’s an overall journey, where we understand the larger micro trends in consumer behaviour that will ultimately shape demand for the category," says Aastha Bhasin, category lead - Kurkure, PepsiCo India. (Stills from the ad)

Recently, PepsiCo launched Kurkure Chaat Fills and a campaign surrounding it starring Bollywood actor Sara Ali Khan. Storyboard18 connected with Aastha Bhasin, category lead, Kurkure, PepsiCo India, where she touched upon Kurkure Chaat Fills, the evolution of snacking trends and the target audience, and much more.