Code For India’ Developers Launch ’60 Seconds: A Micro-Video App to Capitalize on the Current Demand of Content Creators

* 60 Seconds?’ is an infotainment, micro-video platform that lets talented creators to turn their passion into profit

* 60 Seconds? is AI-integrated and ensures data privacy to its users

* It envisages to emerge as a creator-centric app 

* It plans to provide a line of interesting features such as in-app editing, music soundtrack, filters and special effects

With a mission to provide an opportunity for talented creators to turn their passion into profit, ‘60 Seconds? App’–a micro-video platform has announced its launch in India. 60 Seconds? is an infotainment appthat allows users to record, discover, and share one minute, short-format videos that are binge-worthy.

The app has been developed in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Atmanirbhar focus by a team of talented developers from Code For India. It is an India-US tech organization with the mission to “Think Local, Hack Global” for building tech platforms on a large scale. Code For India is one of the fastest-growing tech communities in the World

Speaking about the launch, Kiruba Shankar, Co-founder and President of ‘60 Seconds? App’ said, “Video-based content is becoming the most preferred viewing format in India, and with the imminent arrival of 5G and massive bandwidth, 60Seconds App is well-placed to cater to this boom. We see an increasing trend among people who prefer recommended content over searching for content on their own. So, we have come up with an artificial intelligence-powered personalization mechanism that shows high-interest videos that are engaging for the viewers.”

He further iterated that “Our prime focus would be to have strict content moderation rules in place that ensure that the quality of the content is always high, and any inappropriate and unpleasant videos are quickly weeded out.”

As part of the launch, the team has launched a talent hunt that seeks to identify India’s most talented short video creators. A series of talent hunts in five categories has been launched: Dance, Singing, Comedy, Fashion and Business. Creators who garner the maximum points get to win Rs.1 lakh every month. More info at http://www.Got60Seconds.com/talenthunt

For the developers of 60Secs? ensuring data privacy has been the priority with all the data stored on servers in India and the US with the highest security standards. The app also allows creators to enjoy full ownership and control of their videos, which they can download, anytime they want. The AI-powered app is integrated with technology that is built and tested by various partners for enterprise-grade security.

60 Seconds? is a brand for social-benefit and not just a for-profit company. The co-founders’ vision is to create an impact on the environment, and they have pledged to plant one tree for every video that receives 100 likes. 

Going forward, 60 Seconds? envisages to emerge as a creator-centric app, and has plans to provide a line of interesting features such as in-app editing, music soundtrack, filters, and special effects, in addition to the implementation of monetization tools that offer in-app currency for creators to earn. 

IOS Link- : https://apps.apple.com/in/app/60-seconds/id1492268521

Android Link -  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sixtysecond

About 60 Secs 

60 Seconds is a one-stop destination to watch and create fun bite-sized videos. Established in June 2020, the company started its journey a few months ago in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for Atma Nirbhar Bharat. In no time, the power packed team which has built world-class apps via CODE FOR INDIA, developed 60 Seconds.

Located in Mumbai and Chennai, 60 Seconds is a brand for social-benefit and not just a for-profit company. The co-founders have pledged to plant one tree for every video that receives 100 likes, with a vision to create an impact on the environment. The company has laid a strong emphasis on user security and privacy, and the technology used is built and tested by various partners for enterprise-grade security. The startup is a team of over 100 people affiliated with the company, with virtual and remote work and a “network” model. 

Federal Bank & Innoviti Tie-Up to Extend Affordability in Times of COVID Crisis Through Debit Card EMI on POS Terminals

 

* Federal Bank and Innoviti Payment Solutions announced today their partnership to provide convenient and affordable options of Federal Bank Debit Cards through Innoviti POS terminals. This partnership will offer convenient EMI options to over 7.5+ million Federal Bank Debit Card holders at over 70,000+ Innoviti POS terminals across 1000+ cities.

* Historically EMI options have been limited to credit cards and primarily used for purchases in durables and mobiles. In today’s environment consumers will be cautious about their spends and yet would need affordable options in essential categories such as healthcare, education and IT (computers and laptops). This new partnership will help consumers access credit which can be repaid in convenient EMIs through their Federal Bank Debit Card, especially in smaller Tier 2/Tier 3 towns

* The proposed solution design has been kept simple to enable rapid take off. A dip of a Federal Bank Debit Card in Innoviti’s POS will instantly trigger a credit eligibility check. If eligible, the customer just needs to enter their PIN and access the credit in a seamless manner. The merchant and brands have options to enable product specific EMI schemes also, through a deep integration of merchant billing systems with Innoviti’s payment system. Innoviti has been focusing on vertical specific payments solutions in the healthcare segment and this solution will help consumers access flexible credit options easily.

* Processing over 6.5B$ of annualized offline merchant payment volume (~5% of India’s offline merchant volume, based on RBI data), Innoviti is transforming digital payments at scale. The company leads monthly terminal throughput at 7000$ per terminal, 2X of India’s average of all other payment providers (RBI data). The use of technology to relentlessly drive reliability and automate processes has further fueled gross margins, making Innoviti the most capital-efficient company in this space (based on publicly available data).

* Innoviti is backed by marquee investors including Bessemer Venture Partners, USA, SBI Venture Capital, Singapore, FMO, Netherlands, and Catamaran, India. Series C funding was led by FMO and Bessemer.

Quotes:

Ms. Nilufer Mullanfiroze, Senior Vice President and Head- Retail Assets and Card, Federal Bank:

“Customer centric solutions like Debit Card EMI backed by analytics and technology are enablers for affordability solutions in the current crisis. In line with our guiding principle of being ‘Digital at the fore, human at the core’, we are happy to partner with Innoviti to offer instant EMI on debit cards to our customers. This initiative will provide the convenience of credit to debit card users, in the most convenient manner.”

Ms. Amrita Malik, Chief Business Officer, Innoviti:

“Consumers today will need access to affordable credit to pay for high value services and goods that are a necessity – such as in healthcare, education and IT products for working from home. We are excited about partnering with Federal Bank, to launch the new Debit Card EMI offering which will help consumers in this time of need, while helping merchants grow faster with lesser efforts.”

About Federal Bank

Federal Bank (NSE: FEDERALBNK) is a leading Indian private sector bank with a network of 1,263 branches and 1,937 ATMs/Recyclers spread across the country. The Bank’s total business mix (deposits + advances) stood at ₹ 2.76 Lakh Crore as at March 31, 2020 and it has earned a net profit of ₹ 1,543 Crore for FY20. Capital Adequacy Ratio (CRAR) of the Bank, computed as per Basel III guidelines, stood at 14.35%. Federal Bank has its Representative Offices at Dubai and Abu Dhabi that serve as a nerve centre for Non Resident Indian customers in the UAE. The Bank also has an IFSC Banking Unit (IBU) in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). Federal Bank is transforming itself, keeping its principles intact, into an organization that offers services beyond par. It has a well-defined vision for the future as a guidepost to its progress.

Jaypore Partners with Creative Dignity to Help Artisans Sell Online

 * Will develop and support artisans across the country by providing its wide-reach platform 

Jaypore, from the house of Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited, has collaborated with Creative Dignity to ensure the artisan community reaches customers digitally. The brand will offer its wide-reach and a pan-India customer base through its ecommerce platform to the artisans giving them access to new markets and sustained livelihood opportunities. 

Jaypore has partnered with Creative Dignity, a zero-margin voluntary platform, to provide relief to artisan’s community severely hit due to COVID-19 pandemic. Under the 'Artisan Direct' campaign of Creative Dignity, the collaboration will feature work of over 250 artisans on their website over a period of time giving these artisans a platform to sell their products to customers from across the country.  

Creative Dignity and Jaypore will help the artisans boost their business by also providing them with training in the field of ecommerce including templates for catalogue making, photography, pricing, and logistics management. The sales campaigns are being promoted by FICCI FLO at the national level. The brand will not only provide an online marketplace to these artisans for marketing their products but will also engage with them to train on making the products more attractive, appealing, and sellable across the ecommerce platforms. These training programs are backed by the volunteers from premier Design Institutes in India as well as designers and NGOs. Continuous training is being given to the artisans by expert volunteers in their villages that usually has limited facilities. 

Rashmi Shukla, Brand Head, Jaypore says, “Jaypore as a brand has always been vocal about local since inception. India’s rich Craft and Craftsmen are at the heart and soul of the brand. We have always taken pride in providing a platform to the Craft and Artisan community to showcase India’s exquisite craft heritage. The ongoing pandemic has posed a severe challenge of sustenance to craftsmen across nation, endangering our craft and talent. We have partnered with Creative Dignity to support the craft community, by doing a non-profit engagement so that these artisans get the maximum benefits. This collaboration will help us stimulate the handicraft environment in the country and ultimately strengthen our collective national motto of 'Make in India'." 

“The first edition which was recently concluded was of immense interest to Jaypore’s audience, the product being artisanal and completely in line with what our customers look for. We showcased products like sarees in ajrakh block prints, bandhani sarees, mud mirror work accessories, leather bags and more”, added Rashmi Shukla. 

The Artisan Direct Campaign is being undertaken across India in collaboration with multiple online platforms, of which Jaypore is an important partner. This crisis is also a time for collaboration for survival of the most vulnerable. The campaign enables artisans to become digitally aligned while online partners voluntarily reduce margins to create attractive offers to consumers during the campaign periods. It becomes a win-win for all, as consumers shop feeling good about helping artisans and still getting good prices on the products.  

“The first batch of artisans on boarded on the Artisan Direct Campaign – Gujarat Edition, are already seeing results. They have been able to move stocks quickly and we are feeling so overwhelmed with everyone’s support in putting this together. Times of crisis help to bring out the best in us – we touch our humanity once more,” said Meera Goradia from Creative Dignity. 

Jaypore will be bringing a positive impact on about 250 artisans with this initiative over a period of time. The brand has tried to reach out to smaller enterprises who lack their own supply chain backend, women led enterprises and artisans which had built-up inventory and those who were most vulnerable owing to their financial need. Jaypore is planning to engage with these artisans on continuing basis even post the campaign and also plans to extend support to the artisans across the country in the near future.  

All products of the artisans are available for purchase through the ‘Direct to Artisan’ page on Jaypore.com  

About Jaypore: 

Jaypore is one of India’s leading destination brand for all things Craft and Artisanal across Apparel, Exquisite Jewellery and beautiful Home products. India has a rich heritage of handmade crafts and traditional products. Jaypore as a brand is committed to design, source and retail authentic Indian products suited for a modern lifestyle. The brand sources from more than 70 craft clusters and curates it on its beautiful website Jaypore.com and two stores one each in Delhi and Bangalore. In a very short time, the business has earned high respect amongst the craft vendor community for showcasing products in all its glory and amongst connoisseur customers for making craft accessible. The brand runs an eponymous label called Jaypore and also aggregates other artisanal based brands on its portal. Jaypore ships worldwide and has a global audience. At the heart of everything we do is the commitment to offering sustainable products that elevates your everyday life.  

About ABFRL: 

ABFRL is a part of USD 48.3 billion Aditya Birla Group. With revenue of Rs. 8,788 cr. spanning retail space of 8.1 million sq. ft. (as on March 31, 2020), it is India’s first billion-dollar pure-play fashion powerhouse with an elegant bouquet of leading fashion brands and retail formats. 

The Company has a network of 3,031 stores, presence across approximately 25,000 multi-brand outlets with 6,500+ point of sales in department stores across India.  

It has a repertoire of leading brands such as Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly and Peter England established for over 25 years. Pantaloons is one of India’s largest fast fashion store brand. The Company also holds exclusive online and offline rights to the India network of California-based fast fashion brand Forever 21. The International Brands portfolio boasts of - The Collective, India's largest multi-brand retailer of international brands and select mono-brands such as Simon Carter, Hackett London, Ted Baker, Ralph Lauren, American Eagle and Fred Perry. 

ABFRL’s portfolio of regional brands includes ‘Van Heusen Innerwear’. Additionally, the company closed two strategic investments in branded ethnic wear business with Jaypore and Shantanu & Nikhil. 

About Creative Dignity: 

Creative Dignity is a movement that has brought together diverse creative producers, practitioners and professionals to energise the ecosystem that Indian artisans need in this time of COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 impact. Our focus is to provide relief, rehabilitation and rejuvenation of the artisans in a bid to ensure their sustained prosperity. It is a zero margin voluntary platform. In three months, it has collected around Rs. 50 lakhs in aid through Ketto and with support from Norwest Venture Partners, which is being distributed directly to artisans in distress. The second stage of rehabilitation has begun with digital literacy and on-boarding artisans onto digital platforms for sales. A number of Design Institutes like IICD, Srishti and NIFT have come forward to support artisans through training and handholding for making catalogs and digital alignment.   

ICICI Prudential Life Launches AI-Powered Voice Chatbot on Google Assistant in Indian Market

 * Simple voice commands for conducting self-service transactions – 'OK Google, I want to speak to ICICI Prudential Life LiGo' or 'May I talk to ICICI Prudential Life LiGo'

* Provides an easy to use and convenient service touch-point for customers

* Further strengthens digital platform – additional layer of convenience for customers

* About 3.5 lakh voice chats per month conducted on Chatbot LiGo

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has introduced its customer service chatbot 'LiGo' on 'Google Assistant'. This would enable the Company's policyholders to have their queries addressed by simple voice commands such as "Ok Google, I want to speak to ICICI Prudential Life LiGo" or "May I talk to ICICI Prudential Life LiGo".

Expanding its innovation quotient by leveraging digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) the Company has added another layer of convenience for its customers. Extending LiGo functionalities to Google Assistant is part of the Company's strategy to be present on platforms preferred by customers and to offer them an immersive experience.

Customers can instantly access information on their policies by activating 'Google Assistant' on their Android smartphones and speaking out their policy number or registered phone number. It is as simple as asking Google for directions or traffic.

In this ever-evolving digital world where speed, efficiency and convenience are continually being enhanced, there has been rapid adoption of AI-powered voice assistants by individuals owing to personalized, and immediate experiences being provided. Available in ‘Indian English’ and with support for nine Indian languages, Google Assistant enables people to have a conversation with Google, and get things done in their world in a natural and personalized way.

Mr. N S Kannan, Managing Director & CEO, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance said, "At ICICI Prudential Life, all our innovations hinge around customer-centricity. Sometime back we embarked on our hyper-personalization journey built on the pillars of 3 Vs – Video, Voice and Vernacular. Catering to the evolving needs of our customers, we have enabled our customer service voice bot LiGo on 'Google Assistant', making it accessible on all platforms and devices it is available on. Accessing policy information based on voice commands provides unmatched convenience and instant gratification. With the addition of this digital enabler, there will be a transformation in the way customers interact with the Company. We will continue to innovate to further empower our customers”

By leveraging new-age technologies the Company has introduced a bouquet of digital enablers to address every requirement of a customer during the policy lifecycle – from on-boarding to servicing the needs of the customers. For instance, customers can use the Company’s digital enablers to transact online and each of the digital enablers, i.e. WhatsApp, the Company website, mobile app and Chatbot LiGo are almost equivalent to a virtual branch. On Chatbot LiGo about 3.5 lakh voice chats per month are conducted. Customers can leverage any of these digital enablers to perform an assortment of transactions.

About ICICI Prudential Life Insurance

ICICI Prudential Life is promoted by ICICI Bank Ltd. and Prudential Corporation Holdings Ltd., headquartered in the United Kingdom. The Company began operations in fiscal 2001 and has consistently been amongst the top private sector life insurance companies in India on a Retail

Weighted Received Premium (RWRP) basis. The Company offers an array of products in the Protection and Savings category which match the different life stage requirements of customers, enabling them to provide a financial safety net to their families as well as achieve their long-term financial goals. The digital platform of the Company provides a paperless onboarding experience to customers, empowers them to conduct an assortment of self-service transactions, provides a convenient route to make digital payments for purchasing and making renewal premium payments, and facilitates a hassle-free claims settlement process.

ICICI Prudential Life is the first private life insurance company to cross the ₹ 1 trillion mark for Assets under Management (AUM). On June 30, 2020, the Company had an AUM of ₹ 1,700.06 billion and a Total Sum Assured of approx. ₹ 15.49 trillion. ICICI Prudential Life is listed on both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Launches First of its Kind Conversational Renewal BOT for Policy Renewals

* First of its kind customer-centric digital initiative in the Indian life insurance industry

* ABSLI’s AI-enabled Renewal Bot offers virtual assistance to customers, offering a seamless digital payment experience

Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance (ABSLI), the life insurance arm of the Aditya Birla Capital Limited (ABCL), has launched an AI driven Conversational Renewal Bot to enhance the digital payment experience of its policyholders. It’s first of its kind and ABSLI is amongst the pioneer to launch this in the life insurance industry.

With this pathbreaking initiative, ABSLI aims to enhance the renewal payment experience of its policyholders. The Bot will provide a seamless digital renewal engagement journey and help policyholders renew their policies from the comfort of their homes.

Promoting self-service, the Renewal Bot is unique in many ways. The Bot will initiate renewal payment reminder call and will handhold customers via virtual assistance, to complete the transaction process. Customers will be notified on successful payment and will be able to download the digital copy of acknowledgement real-time. The visual IVR will provide an end to end automated digital journey without any human intervention. The Bot is currently available in English and Hindi, and will soon offer assistance in other Indian languages.

Speaking about Conversational Renewal Bot, Mr. Kamlesh Rao, MD & CEO, Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance, said, “Customer convenience is a key pivot of our strategy and we understand the protection needs of our policyholders, especially during the times of a pandemic. Digitalization has emerged a key driver in improving how customers interact and ABSLI is constantly evaluating multiple digital avenues to offer a hassle-free and real-time experience. It is important that customers always stay protected and this Conversational Renewal Bot is yet another innovative step to ensure the same. Catering to our customer’s needs in a single integrated journey, our Conversational Bot is another milestone towards unmatched service experience.”

The Conversational Renewal Bot provides due/overdue/lapse intimation, virtual assistance and premium acknowledgment within a single transaction. 

ABSLI continues to service its customers using multiple digital channels, customer-friendly portals, its WhatsApp based service platform, contact center and the Chabot. ABSLI has been creating seamless digital experiences for its customers while offering them best-in-class products and services.

Yes Bank Launches #ZimmedariSeTayyari Campaign in Indian Market

As India gradually adapts to a ‘new normal’, YES BANK has launched a new campaign, ‘#ZimmedariSeTayyari.’ Through this campaign, the Bank hopes to inspire and encourage communities to prepare for the new normal in a responsible manner, emphasizing the need for individual and collective responsibility.

Having embarked on an inspiring new journey, the Bank is committed to its responsibility towards all stakeholders, in the spirit of #ZimmedariSeTayyari – reflected in the way the Bank has been transforming, having achieved significant milestones as it continues its journey of transformation into a stronger institution.

Commenting on the launch, Jasneet Bachal, Chief Marketing Officer, YES BANK said, “As the unlocking continues in phases and economy picks up pace, it is imperative that we collectively prepare for the new normal in a responsible manner. The #ZimmedariSeTayyari campaign is centered on partnering the Bank’s customers and stakeholders to be ready for tomorrow, responsibly by exploring new possibilities – to do good, to care, to inspire and remind each other that we’re in this together. The Bank has showcased innovative solutions and products to enable communities, individuals and businesses to adapt to the evolving changes and embrace tomorrow.”

Under the #ZimmedariSeTayyari campaign, the Bank has introduced #YESforLocal, #YESBizConnect and other relevant products and solutions to support customers and communities.

#YESforLocal: Through this initiative, the Bank is supporting homegrown businesses, gradually getting back on their feet in the ‘unlock phase’, thereby helping them in ensuring #ZimmedariSeTayyari. YES BANK has partnering over 100 domestic brands across the country, enabling customers to access exciting offers on credit and debit cards for these domestic brands across categories including Wellness, Groceries, Electronics, Apparels and more in various cities.

#YESBizConnect, an online Marketplace for MSMEs: The Bank intends to support MSME trade bodies and associations through #YESBizConnect in digitally engaging their members, sharing relevant content, hosting digital events through webinars as well as enabling their members to trade amongst themselves through e-marketplace, built into the solution. Championing the #ZimmedariSeTayyari initiative, the e-marketplace will act as an enabler for MSMEs, helping them digitize their business by creating a ‘digital shop’, listing their products and trading digitally on the platform itself.

The campaign is being amplified across platforms.

Signify Innovations India Launches Philips TwinGlow LED Tube- Light- Breakthrough Innovation in Lighting for Work from Home

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, announced the new up-down ‘Philips TwinGlow’ LED tube-light for homes. The path breaking LED batten provides both a bright white Work Mode down-light and a soothing ambient Relax Mode up-light in a single LED Batten. The batten conforms to Signify’s EyeComfort standard, which measures products against a set of key comfort criteria: flicker, glare, stroboscopic effect, photo-biological safety, dimmable, tuning and color rendering – factors that can impact the comfort of users’ eyes. As most consumers are currently working from home due to the pandemic, this first of its kind tube-light, is a perfect fit for homes without false ceiling where white light becomes the default choice.

“Signify prides itself for always prioritizing the needs and the requirements of the customers and providing innovative and unique solutions for home lighting. While the LED Battens have already been a hit in the market, the launch of Philips TwinGlow is a step further in this endeavor, specifically for modern day consumers looking for cost effective lighting solutions,” said Sumit Joshi, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Signify Innovations India. “We are hopeful that consumers will like the product that helps them switch modes suited to their requirements especially in the current scenario of Work from home, prevalent throughout the country.”

With Philips TwinGlow, consumers can toggle between two modes by just one flick of the switch:

* Work Mode (Downlight) – The default super bright mode spreads white light downwards across the entire room so that customers get maximum light where they need it without straining their eyes. Available in 20 Watt (6500K), this mode is best suited for activities like working on laptop, reading or studying.

* Relax Mode (Up-light) – The relax mode reflects warm yellow light upwards, instantly creating a warm and cozy ambience. Directed towards the ceiling, the light bounces off the ceiling to illuminate the whole room thus causing no eye strain.  The mode is best suited for binge- watching a movie or having a casual conversation in the living or bedroom area and is available in 20 Watt (3000K).

The 4 feet (1222 mm) long batten comes with crystal pearl white finish that subtly blends into the wall while its glistening mirror finish renders an elegant look. The automobile inspired Chrome Decal on the front adds a definite style statement that modern consumers will appreciate in their houses. This important innovative product is protected legally by means of patent applications, designs, trademark and a domain name.

Philips TwinGlow is available on leading e-commerce platforms and retail outlets throughout the country, and has two other variants to suit diverse needs of consumers: Aqua Blue up-light with a White (6500k) downlight; and another variant which has Yellow (3000k) colored up-light as well as downlight.