Nestle Munch Launches New Campaign ‘Thaalam’ Featuring Samantha Ruth Prabhu Showing How To Crunch Your Doubts With Confidence

* A campaign capturing local essence and encouraging young consumers to ‘Crunch with Confidence’

* Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu stars in the new Munch campaign bringing to life the beautiful sport of boat racing

Munch recently rolled out its latest advertisement campaign encouraging their young consumers to overcome self-doubt and lead the way to victory. The new campaign featuring actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu, is shot in the beautiful backwaters of Kerala, the TVC opens with traditional boat race announcement with the commentator announcing the captains’ names of each boat who each sing their ‘thaalam’. As Samantha’s team is announced, being a first-time captain, she becomes a little hesitant and doubts herself. But, as soon as she bites into MUNCH, she drops all her doubts and decides to crunch it with confidence. What follows is a beautiful visual spectacle of the boat race combined with amazing music. The TVC is being launched across all Southern markets as well as select digital platforms in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.

Talking about this campaign and her association with the brand, actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu said, “I am delighted to be a part of this campaign with Munch and resonate very well with the core idea of the campaign. I truly believe it’s our confidence that helps us get through the many hurdles we face every day. I hope through this campaign we are able to inspire the youngsters to overcome any self-doubt with confidence and self-belief.”

Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Rupali Rattan, Head - Confectionery Business, Nestlé India said, “Munch has always encouraged our consumers to overcome any doubts and inspired them to put forth their best self. This film uses the setting of the beautiful local boat races to bring this truth to life in a grand yet enjoyable, relatable way”

The youngsters of today have so many aspirations, talent and ambition. But many a times when faced with a high-pressure situation self-doubt can creep in. Munch encourages one to overcome these self-doubts and perform to their potential. The new film showcases this in the context of a celebrated sport of boat racing. It highlights that once you overcome self-doubt and perform to your true talent, victory awaits you on the other side.

Creative Agency: Wunderman Thompson

VAHDAM India Becomes The First Indian Wellness Brand To Be A Part Of The Oscars Goodie Bag

Global wellness brand, VAHDAM® India has become the first Indian Teas & Superfoods brand to be a part of the highly coveted 2022 Oscars goodie bag!

As they are known, the legendary “Everyone Wins” Nominee Gift Bags, have become the most buzzed-about swag in history and celebrate Hollywood’s biggest night. They have been independently produced by Distinctive Assets for twenty years.

The Oscar goodie bag will feature VAHDAM® India’s stylish and sustainable drinkware, Rover Bottle, an everyday on-the-go functional drinkware that keeps your beverage hot & cold for hours.

They will be delivered exclusively to the A-listers who are nominated in the Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Director categories.

This year’s top acting and directing nominees include Will Smith, Andrew Garfield, Denzel Washington, Jessica Chastain, Olivia Colman, Kristen Stewart, J.K. Simmons, Jesse, Plemons, Ariana DeBose, Kirsten Dunst, Jane Campion and Steven Spielberg.

“We are humbled to be commemorating two decades of curating a specialty gift bag that has become a global pop culture phenomenon. The companies we feature have amazing products and services while also embracing diversity, inclusion, health, and philanthropy. This year's nominee package is particularly meaningful as we pay tribute to a milestone anniversary and also celebrate the resilience of all involved after the challenges of the past two years.” ?  Lash Fary, Founder, Distinctive Assets.

“We’re thrilled and humbled to have VAHDAM® India as a part of the prestigious 2022 Oscar goodie bag.We have always strived to take the best of India to the world under a home-grown brand. It is a matter of honor to have gotten this spot in the bag with a host of exclusive brands from around the world.” says Bala Sarda, Founder & CEO, VAHDAM® India

While these goodie bags are not directly associated with the Oscars, they have been part of the tradition for more than 2 decades. In the era of being Vocal for Local, having an Indian product find a global platform is a big achievement in itself.

This Year’s Luxe Oscars Gift Bag includes treats worth more than $100,000 - from a plot of land in Scotland with a title, to gold-infused olive oil, crystal-topped bath bombs, Art Lipo body enhancements and Celebrity Arms Sculpting, and a stay at Turin Castle.

Hollywood’s biggest weekend, the Academy Awards 2022 will take place on March 28th, Sunday.

About VAHDAM® India

VAHDAM® India is a digitally native, global wellness brand taking India’s finest teas and superfoods to consumers across 130 countries, under a home-grown label. It has raised over 290 crores in Venture Funding from India's Top Consumer Investors. Founded in 2015 by the then 23-year old Bala Sarda, VAHDAM® has been endorsed by global icons like Oprah Winfrey,

Ellen DeGeneres, Mariah Carey, and Martha Stewart amongst others. It is also a certified Climate Neutral & Plastic Neutral Brand and directs 1% of their revenue towards the education of the tea growers’ children under their social initiative,‘TEAch Me

www.vahdamteas.in

Happiest Minds Is Among India’s Top 15 Best Workplaces In Health And Wellness For 2021

Happiest Minds Technologies Limited (NSE: HAPPSTMNDS), a ‘Born Digital . Born Agile’ digital transformation and IT solutions company, today announced being recognized among the Top 15 of India’s Best Workplaces in Health and Wellness for 2021 by Great Place to Work® Institute (GPTW), the global authority on high-trust workplace culture.

Following a rigorous and comprehensive assessment, Happiest Minds has emerged as one of the most desirable workplaces which takes extensive efforts to percolate and imbibe its core values and philosophy. The GPTW surveyed the organizations about its well-designed practices for holistic wellbeing and the team shares feedback of their experiencing a workplace culture that provides both physical and psychological safety. This recognition is based on data collected from a confidential survey, assessing people experiences of trust, innovation, company values and leadership. 

Happiest Minds has also received a special recognition for COVID Care, of being one of India’s Top 10 companies that supported their teams and their families during the pandemic. Addressing some of the best people practices and initiatives at Happiest Minds, GPTW applauded the open and transparent communication within the Company, the efforts in fostering Diversity, Equality & Inclusion and its Wellness and Wellbeing framework.

Joseph Anantharaju, Executive Vice Chairman, Happiest Minds Technologies said, “We are honored to be recognized as one of the Top 15 best workplaces in India for Health and Wellness. This is a testament to our philosophy of creating a workplace culture that prioritizes and nurtures wellbeing as part of our ethos and is consistent with our belief that a healthy body leads to a happy mind. Happiest Minds has also received special recognition for COVID Care – this is a tribute to our philosophies of Happiness Evangelism and Mindfulness. I am grateful to the Internal First Responder Team, the Mithra and HappiZest teams that continue to inspire and support our teams and their families.”

The GPTW research is based on a comprehensive and unique framework that provides a benchmark for both the organisation and the individual employee. Workplace Wellness IndexTM studies and understands experience of employees on six key levers that impact physical and psychological safety at the workplace. Wellbeing IndicatorTM is a short self-assessment that provides an understanding of the fitness, resilience and social indices of the employees and nudges them to take ownership of their own wellbeing.

About Happiest Minds Technologies:

Happiest Minds’ Technologies Limited (NSE: HAPPSTMNDS), a Mindful IT Company, enables digital transformation for enterprises and technology providers by delivering seamless customer experiences, business efficiency and actionable insights. We do this by leveraging a spectrum of disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud, digital process automation, internet of things, robotics/drones, security, virtual/augmented reality, and more. Positioned as ‘Born Digital. Born Agile’, our capabilities span digital solutions, infrastructure, product engineering and security. We deliver these services across industry sectors such as automotive, BFSI, consumer packaged goods, e-commerce, edutech, engineering R&D, hi-tech, manufacturing, retail, and travel/transportation/hospitality.

A Great Place to Work-Certified™ company, Happiest Minds is headquartered in Bangalore, India, with operations in the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, and the Middle East.

Godrej Appliances Onboards Bollywood Star Ayushmann Khurrana As Brand Ambassador

Godrej & Boyce, the flagship company of the Godrej Group, announced that its business Godrej Appliances has onboarded the popular and versatile actor Ayushmann Khurrana as brand ambassador, across its range including Air Conditioners, Refrigerators, Washing Machines, Dishwashers, Microwave Ovens, and Air Coolers amongst others.

The appliances sector is foreseeing a surge in demand in coming months. After two consecutive summers being affected by the pandemic, this is the first summer that is expected to mark a full return to pre-pandemic state. The actor, known for his diverse portrayals and recipient of several awards, including a National Film Award, will feature in a series of campaigns for the brand, starting this April.

Commenting on the decision to rope in a brand ambassador, Kamal Nandi, Business Head and Executive Vice President – Godrej Appliances, part of Godrej & Boyce, said, “With rising demand, we wanted to ensure that we also strengthen our brand recall. A careful evaluation led us to Ayushmann Khurrana who shares a lot of synergy in values with the brand. Like Godrej, Ayushman enjoys a high level of credibility. He is also known for associating with progressive content. We believe this partnership will help us connect to consumers across the spectrum and reinforce our brand philosophy of Soch Ke Banaya Hai. This is also in alignment with the brands vision to become the most preferred Appliances brand in India by 2030 and delivering 100% growth over the next 3 years and 40%+ in FY 23.”

Swati Rathi, Marketing Head – Godrej Appliances, added, “Ayushmann has the unique ability to connect with both younger and older generations. He epitomizes versatility with the multiple hats he dons – singer, actor, poet and with his content, he projects a progressive and innovative spirit which resonates well with Godrej Appliances. Our first campaign featuring Ayushmann will be released shortly and has been crafted keeping in mind his fun personality. Together, we look forward to co – creating communication that will help the brand get even closer to its consumers.”

Speaking on the association, Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana shared, “I am delighted to partner with Godrej Appliances, an iconic Indian brand which has stood out for its product quality and customer service garnering love and respect from Indian consumers over the years. It’s a progressive brand, truly committed to the environment – a value I resonate with as well.”

Malaysia Airlines’ Travel Fair Is Here With Upto 25% Off On Airfares To Select Destinations

The Malaysia Airlines Travel Fair (MATF) has kicked off from 25 March - 10 April 2022 for travel up to 30 November 2022, offering Indian holiday goers exciting deals on airfares to dream destinations in Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand to name a few. With safety and flexibility at the heart of the Malaysia Airlines experience, MATF promises unique flying possibilities for the Indian customers. 

Malaysia’s borders are reopening on April 1, 2022 and many countries on Malaysia Airlines’ network are easing entry restrictions for fully vaccinated international travellers. These airfares with up to 25% discount come at a perfect time for customers to plan their well-deserved vacations ahead of school summer break. The airline’s Economy Class offers cabin baggage allowance of 7kg, complimentary snacks or meals and beverages, and inflight entertainment in addition to fully flexible fares and baggage of 35kgs under its FLEX fare family.

Speaking on MATF kick off, Amit Mehta, Country Manager - South Asia, Malaysia Airlines said, “With the international scheduled commercial flights resuming from 27 Malaysia Airlines will be reinstating 25 weekly connectivity to key Indian cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad. We look forward to welcoming passengers travelling to Malaysia, Australia, Singapore and Indonesia, among other destinations on our network. We will steadily increase capacities to these cities based on demand. Malaysia Airlines is committed to facilitating safe and seamless travels for passengers to #FlyConfidently and experience a smooth journey underpinned by inimitable Malaysian Hospitality. Malaysia Airlines received a 7-star rating for its extensive COVID-19 health and safety measures from Airline Ratings and is a Travel Safe Alliance Malaysia (TSAM) member.”

In addition to promotional airfares, customers will also be able to enjoy discounted travel benefits with 25% off on various add-ons including seat selection, extra baggage, and value bundles (standard seat and 10kg extra baggage), allowing for greater flexibility to meet all their travel needs. Enrich members can also earn 10% Bonus Enrich Points when they book during this promotion period. 

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has been offering seamless and conformable transit to countries beyond Malaysia. VISA holders to Australia and New Zealand can avail free transit VISAs and explore Malaysia with a stopover. After a two-year hiatus, these deals are perfect for those looking to take a well-deserved vacation, make memories during school summer break, reunion with a loved one or those looking to embrace new experiences.

HDFC ERGO Launches VAULT, An Industry-First Digitally-Enabled Rewards Program

HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company, a leading private general insurer and a digital-first company leads the way in customer loyalty with the launch of the VAULT program, an industry-first digital customer engagement and rewards program.

HDFC ERGO is committed towards enhancing customer experience and making them feel valued. Staying true to this commitment, the Company has taken advantage of the Regulatory Sandbox by IRDAI, in the form of VAULT, an experiment to test a new idea. Under this program, the insurer will incentivize its Optima Restore health insurance customers by way of reward points for performing certain activities like staying insured under the policy for more than two years, holding two active HDFC ERGO retail policies, interacting digitally, using the cashless network of healthcare providers, etc. These reward points, equivalent to cash, can be redeemed against a wide range of wellness offers like pharmacy vouchers, doctor consultations, etc; or can be used for social causes or buying insurance products.

Speaking about the launch of VAULT, Mr Ravi Vishwanath, President – Accident & Health Business, HDFC ERGO General Insurance said, “Innovation is the key to all that we do at HDFC ERGO. The Regulatory Sandbox gives us the impetus we need to innovate and introduce new and unique offerings for our customers. We believe that with VAULT, the relationship with our policyholders will go beyond the traditional transactional mode and help us provide more value to them. While it will pave the way to deeper engagement, it will facilitate reaching out to many new such customers who are keen to associate with an insurer who nurtures and values its customers’ loyalty”.

About HDFC ERGO:

HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company is a joint venture between HDFC Ltd. and ERGO International AG; the primary insurance entity of the Munich RE Group of Germany. HDFC ERGO is one of India’s largest non-life insurance company in the private sector. A digital-first company, transforming into an AI-first company, HDFC ERGO is a leader in implementing technology to offer consumers the best-in-class service experience. The company has created a stream of innovative & new products as well as services using technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Natural Processing Language (NLP), Robotics and IBM Watson. HDFC ERGO offers a range of general insurance products and has a completely digital sales process with ~93% of retail policies issued digitally. The self-help tech platform developed by HDFC ERGO has empowered the customers to avail 58% of the services virtually in a self-help mode on a 24x7 basis with ~40% of the customer requested services digitally.

The Company offers a complete range of General Insurance products including Health, Motor, Home, Agriculture, Travel, Credit, Cyber and Personal Accident in the retail space along with Property, Marine, Engineering, Marine Cargo, Group Health and Liability Insurance in the corporate space. Be it unique insurance products, integrated customer service models, top-in-class claim processes or a host of technologically innovative solutions, HDFC ERGO has been able to delight its customers at every touch-point and milestone to ensure consumers are serviced in real-time.

Please log on to www.hdfcergo.com for more information on HDFC ERGO and the products and services offered by the Company.

Learning Links Foundation Announces Skills Program For Telangana Aerospace Industry Along With Boeing, And Tata Boeing Aerospace

•        First skilling program in Telangana for the aerospace manufacturing sector exclusively for People with Disabilities (PWDs)

•        Promotes Skill India initiative and gives wings to aspirations of youth

Learning Links Foundation (LLF) today announced the launch of a new chapter of Learn and Earn, its unique youth skilling program supported by Boeing and Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL). This is the first such program to be conducted exclusively for People with Disabilities (PWDs) in Telangana state for the aerospace manufacturing sector.

A first batch of 18 trainees, with speech and hearing impairment and locomotive disabilities, will undergo classroom training, followed by on-the-job training at TBAL. The curriculum will focus on developing skills in archiving, maintenance, inspection, stores, and safety audit domains in the aerospace manufacturing sector. The program will aim to provide technical and soft skills, which the trainees can leverage to secure employment opportunities with various aerospace manufacturing Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating in Telangana.

The launch ceremony was held in the presence of Mr.SalilGupte, President, Boeing India, Mr.AshwaniBhargava, Director - Supply Chain, Boeing India, Ms.PraveenaYagnambhat, Chief of Staff, Boeing India, Ms. Maria Laine, Vice President, International Sales & Strategic Partnerships, Boeing, Mr.MasoodHussainy, Head Aerostructures and Aero-Engines, TBAL, Mr. Vishal Sanghvi, COO, TBAL and other dignitaries from the two companies.

"Boeing is working closely with LLF and our Indian partners to help skill and develop the local aerospace and defence ecosystem, as ultimately this will contribute to the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat," said SalilGupte, President, Boeing India. “Furthermore, equity, diversity and inclusion are critical drivers of innovation and fundamental to our business success and our sustainability goals. We want to advance this equity, diversity and inclusion vision within Boeing and beyond,” added Salil.

The Learn and Earn program has already benefitted close to 400 students, of which 40% are girls and 15% PWD, and helped them attain jobs in various industries. It is a unique program that aims to bridge the skill gap in youth by curating an industry-need-aligned training curriculum that can help them readily obtain employment as a productive workforce. The program aims to further strengthen the aerospace ecosystem in the country and is in line with the Government of India’s “Skill India” initiatives. 

Boeing has been supporting the growth of the Indian aerospace sector over the years by addressing the critical and growing need to skill frontline workers for the aerospace manufacturing sector. Learn and Earn, a collaboration between LLF and Boeing, is a unique skill-building program to help create a skilled and employable workforce for the aerospace manufacturing sector. Boeing-funded Learn and Earn curriculum and initiatives have been launched along with several other partners in India as well. 

About Learning Links Foundation (LLF)

LLF is a not-for-profit organization that is operating with a vision to foster purpose and progress by unlocking lifelong learning. The Foundation was established in 2002 and has worked extensively in the education and skill development sectors across India. To know more, visit www.learninglinksindia.org