Titan Eye+ Accelerates Premiumisation Journey With New Flagship Store Format

Titan Eye+, India's leading eyewear retail brand from Titan Company Limited, announced the launch of its new premium store format with the opening of its first flagship store in Bengaluru. The 1800-square-foot store marks a significant milestone in Titan Eye+'s premiumisation journey, offering an elevated eyewear shopping experience that combines international luxury brands with state-of-the-art eye care technology.

Conceptualised by renowned designer Michel Foley, the new format store presents a sophisticated retail environment with four distinct lifestyle sections catering to kids, young adults, men and women, and international brands. The store showcases an extensive collection of over 20 international luxury brands including Cartier, Gucci, and Tom Ford, alongside Titan's own premium offerings from Titan, Fastrack, and Dash. Distinguishing itself from traditional Titan Eye+ stores, the new format introduces innovative elements including coffee shop-themed transaction areas that create a relaxed consulting environment for shoppers. The store layout is thoughtfully designed to enhance the customer journey, with specialized zones that cater to different consumer segments. A team of 11 specialized staff members, including three expert optometrists, ensures personalized attention and professional service for every customer.

Mr. N.S. Raghavan, CEO, Eyecare Division at Titan Company Ltd., stated, "India is witnessing a remarkable shift towards premiumisation across categories, with consumers increasingly seeking products and experiences that reflect their global exposure and refined tastes. Our new flagship store format is strategically aligned with this trend, offering discerning customers access to premium international brands and exemplary service under one roof. This launch represents a significant step in our premiumisation journey, as we continue to evolve our retail approach to meet the sophisticated needs of today's Indian consumer."

The store also features a unique cutting-edge eye care clinic equipped with ZEISS VISUCORE 500 technology, representing the latest advancements in diagnostic capabilities. This advanced high precision automated unit combines objective & subjective refraction in one cycle, completing comprehensive eye examinations in less than 5 minutes while maintaining exceptional accuracy. This gives our clinic staffed by experienced optometrists who have collectively conducted over 1.1 lakh eye examinations, more time to consult your eyecare needs better.

"As Indian consumers continue to embrace premium lifestyle choices, we're seeing a growing appreciation for quality eyewear that combines fashion with functionality," added Mr. Raghavan. "Our new store format creates an environment where customers can explore the finest international brands while receiving world-class eye care services, truly elevating the eyewear shopping experience."

The launch in Bengaluru is part of Titan Eye+'s broader premium retail strategy, with the next flagship store scheduled to open at South City, Kolkata in November 2024. The company currently operates 108 premium stores across India and plans to expand this premium format to other major metropolitan cities.

“Britannia Pure Magic” And “The Womb Launch Choco Stars” With 12 Different Ads On A Single Day. Quite A Feat

~Introduces a fun, star-sign-inspired campaign that brings each zodiac’s unique snacking style to life~

TVCs - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWhGuuKHedutBSW7vxBkitqzdihDZH70k

When one thinks of a cream biscuit, they usually think of a sandwich biscuit, but today is different. Introducing “Britannia Pure Magic Choco Stars”, a groundbreaking new chocolate cream cookie that will redefine the way we enjoy cream-filled treats.

Unlike traditional sandwich biscuits, Britannia Pure Magic Choco Stars features an innovative open-cream format, where the rich, velvety chocolate cream is embedded in a star-shaped cavity on the lower half of the cookie—without a top biscuit layer. This one-of-a-kind design allows for a more indulgent, flavorful and chocolatey experience with every bite.

To announce the launch, Britannia Pure Magic Choco Stars is unveiling an advertising campaign centered around the 12 star signs. The heart of the campaign revolves around a series of 12 imaginative and engaging ads, each inspired by one of the star signs. This makes each star sign’s Choco Star moment both relatable, memorable and share worthy. The campaign, which will run across multiple platforms, portrays how each zodiac personality enjoys their Choco Stars in a unique and playful way, reflecting their individual traits and preferences.

From an over-sensitive Piscean, generous Cancerian to a Royal Leo or Magnetic Scorpio, each ad will depict how individuals of each sign approach the act of eating a chocolate filled Britannia Pure Magic Choco Star—whether it’s savoring the moment, devouring it in one bite, or making it a ritual.

Amit Doshi, Chief Marketing Officer of Britannia said, “We wanted to create a product that would break the mold of traditional cream biscuits, and Pure Magic Choco Stars is an exciting new format that brings an extra level of fun and enjoyment to every bite. As the newest addition to our Pure Magic brand, which continues to push the envelope with its innovative chocolate offerings, Choco Stars brings a fresh twist to the choco-bakery experience. Paired with our star sign-themed campaign, we hope to connect with consumers on a deeper level by tapping into the unique personalities and behaviors that make each of us who we are”.

According to Suyash Khabya, Chief Creative Officer, The Womb “When thinking of interesting ways to eat Choco Stars, someone in the creative team said we can plan 100 interesting ways to eat it...but actually, on deep creative introspection, we figured there are only 12 ways to eat Choco Stars. Because there are only 12 star signs! Ta-da.

Each star sign eats Choco Stars according to their personality trait. We had great fun figuring the personality traits and matching them to the star signs. On another note,  I am just wondering when was the last time a product was launched with 12 ads on the same day?!? Hats off to the team at Britannia for lapping up the idea on the first hearing itself.

Not just TV, we have a solid digital & social plan for this campaign. We will be targeting people on the basis of their star signs on Meta. And we are very confident that the idea inherently has virality embedded in it, it’s simple yet unignorable. And it will lead to sharing and conversations.”

So, get ready to discover your zodiac-snacking style with Britannia Pure Magic Choco Stars – where every bite is a delightful twist of fun and flavor!

About Britannia Industries 

Britannia is a 100+ year old Company and is a market leader in the Bakery category in India with an annual revenue of over Rs 165 Billion. The company’s two focus categories include - Bakery & Dairy, with trusted & iconic brands such as Good Day, Marie Gold, Milk Bikis & Nutrichoice. Britannia products are available in over 80 countries. The Company manufactures its products in nearly 100 factories, which are made available in over 27 lakh outlets to eventually reach over 180 Million households in the country. The Company's vision is to be a responsible global, total foods company, and delight consumers with delicious, and wholesome snacks and beverages throughout the day. 

KOLAB 2024: Symphony Of Cultures Celebrating The Grand Launch Of Indo-Korean Music

~IPRS and KOMCA bring together emerging talent from India and Korea to produce cross-cultural music and foster lasting connections~

The Indian Performing Right Society Ltd. (IPRS) and the Korean Music Copyright Association (KOMCA) are delighted to celebrate the success of “KOLAB”, the Indo-Korean Music Collaboration Programme, which concluded with an exclusive listening session. In a vibrant gathering of notable industry figures and distinguished guests, the audience came together to celebrate the emerging artists of KOLAB. They were given an exclusive first listen to the incredible songs crafted during the KOLAB songwriting camp, experiencing firsthand the creative magic and unique collaboration that unfolded. The event provided an unparalleled platform for the artists to showcase some of their finest, collaboratively crafted songs, blending Indian and Korean musical elements in ways that captivated the audience. This unique experience fostered exposure and potential career growth for the artists, whose compositions left a lasting impression on the distinguished audience of industry leaders.

From November 6th to 12th, 2024, at the True School of Music, Vijaybhoomi University, Jamrung, 19 music creators from India and South Korea, collaborated to produce cross-cultural compositions. Through immersive sessions on songwriting, composition, and production, they blended Indian and Korean influences to create vibrant, globally appealing music. Guided by leading music creators, Bunty Bains and Mayur Puri, who were the Creative Directors at the song-camp, the participants drew from their diverse cultural backgrounds and distinctive musical styles, creating music that embodies the energy of this groundbreaking cultural exchange.

Reflecting on the initiative, Mr. Mayur Puri, lyricist, screenwriter, film-director and Board Member at IPRS, shared, “KOLAB has brought young creators from India and Korea into a truly collaborative space, allowing them to express themselves freely and create something genuinely original. This initiative breaks away from commercial constraints, enabling artists to blend their unique styles and cultural roots naturally. It’s inspiring to witness how the spirit of collaboration has brought the richness of both Indian and Korean music heritage together, and we’re excited about expanding this platform for more cross-cultural partnerships in the future.”

Kim Kibeom, Board Member KOMCA, added, “This camp has brought about a transformation for the Korean artists. It provided them with an opportunity to break away from their usual creative habits and be inspired by collaboration with Indian artists. By experiencing the diverse music styles and cultures unique to India, their artistic horizons have broadened. Additionally, collaboration with artists and producers from both countries facilitated a cultural exchange that they hadn't had access to before. This experience will undoubtedly help the KOMCA artists grow personally, and will contribute to the creation of fresh and innovative works in the Korean music scene.”

Adding his enthusiasm, Bunty Bains, Lyricist, Composer, Producer & CEO of Bunty Bains Productions, shared, “Being part of KOLAB as Creative Director and curator of the song camp has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The artists have not only demonstrated remarkable talent but have also embraced each other’s cultural influences, crafting music that beautifully blends Indian and Korean legacies. The freedom to create without boundaries has led to exceptional compositions, merging tradition with fresh, contemporary sounds. The songs produced truly reflect the diversity of talent and unique synergy that defines KOLAB, surpassing all expectations in quality and creativity.”

Sharing his views, Rakesh Nigam, CEO of IPRS said, “I believe that genuine, impactful music is born from an environment where artists feel free to experiment without the pressure of producing hits. Through this relaxed, collaborative spirit, the artists have produced songs that are truly inspiring and full of promise.

Reflecting on this initiative, I am filled with optimism and gratitude. The experience has exceeded my expectations, and I look forward to continuing this journey, providing more opportunities for emerging artists, and fostering connections that contribute to the global music landscape.”

KOLAB’s listening session in Mumbai marked not only the culmination of this remarkable collaboration but also the beginning of new artistic partnerships between the India and South Korea. As IPRS and KOMCA continues to foster meaningful cultural exchange through such initiatives, KOLAB paved the way for emerging artists to gain recognition and build connections that elevate their music on a global stage.

Inauguration Of The Golden Jubilee Academic Block At The Department Of Psychiatry, KMC, Manipal

The Department of Psychiatry at Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal, celebrates a significant milestone today with the inauguration of its Golden Jubilee Academic Block. The inauguration will be led by Dr. H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor  Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), with the distinguished presence of Lt Gen (Dr) M.D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd), Vice Chancellor of MAHE; Dr. Sharath Kumar Rao K, Pro Vice Chancellor (Health Sciences); Dr. P Giridhar Kini, Registrar MAHE; Dr. Avinash Shetty, Medical Superintendent Kasturba Hospital; and other senior officials, department heads from KMC, and eminent guests.

The event will also be attended by faculty, trainees, and staff from the Department of Psychiatry, KMC, Manipal, along with several distinguished alumni who have contributed extensively to the field of psychiatry both nationally and internationally. Their presence is a testament to the department's rich legacy and commitment to advancing mental health care.

The Golden Jubilee Academic Block, a landmark achievement for the Department of Psychiatry, was made possible through generous contributions from the department’s alumni, supported by a matching grant, land allocation, and extensive organizational support from Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). This collaborative effort underscores the power of alumni "giving back" to their alma mater and reflects their ongoing dedication to the growth of the institution.

This new academic block is set to significantly enhance the academic and research capabilities of the Department of Psychiatry, aligning with its mission to raise standards of care for individuals with psychiatric conditions. Designed to create an advanced educational environment, the facility will support students, researchers, and clinicians, fostering innovative research and a holistic approach to mental health.

Since its inception, the Department of Psychiatry at KMC, Manipal, has been a leader in psychiatric education and research, producing an accomplished network of alumni who have made a global impact in mental health services. The Golden Jubilee Academic Block embodies the department’s dedication to expanding knowledge, addressing pressing mental health issues, and securing a brighter future for the field of psychiatry.

Reflecting on this development, Dr. H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor of MAHE, stated, “The Golden Jubilee Academic Block exemplifies our commitment to fostering academic and research excellence in mental health. I commend the Department of Psychiatry for its vision and dedication to improving care standards, and I deeply appreciate the alumni who have generously supported this endeavor.”

Lt Gen (Dr) M.D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd), Vice Chancellor of MAHE, emphasized the importance of the facility, noting, “This academic block symbolizes a pivotal step forward for the Department of Psychiatry. With enhanced infrastructure and resources, our students and researchers will be able to achieve new milestones in mental health care and treatment.”

Adding to this, Dr. Sharath Kumar Rao K, Pro Vice Chancellor (Health Sciences), remarked, “The establishment of this academic block is a testament to our commitment to advancing mental health education and research. We look forward to witnessing the transformative impact this facility will have on training, research, and the overall quality of psychiatric care provided by our institution.”

The Golden Jubilee Academic Block at the Department of Psychiatry, KMC, Manipal, represents a unified vision of advancing mental health care through education and research. This development opens a new chapter in the history of KMC and MAHE, empowering future generations of psychiatrists, researchers, and healthcare professionals to make meaningful contributions to mental health.

PROFICORN 2024: The Ultimate MSME Mega Event, Bringing Together 1600+ Business Owners

Proficorn, a two-day, high-energy event designed to recognize and celebrate the powerhouse of MSMEs in India. Imagine a room filled with over 1600 business owners, all coming together to share stories, swap insights, and get inspired. This event is where India’s economic heroes are celebrated for their contribution to the country and the job market.

At Proficorn, MSMEs are recognized for their growth and impact through the prestigious Business Success Awards. And then there’s the Business Success Magazine, which captures these incredible stories and business insights, putting MSMEs in the limelight they truly deserve. Mr. Mithun Sacheti Founder of Caratlane,Turning a Traditional Business into a Technology Business, Mr.Kishore Biyani, Founder, Future Group,The Rise, The Fall, and The Bounce Back of the Father of Modern Retail in India,Mr. Karan HasijaCo- Founder, Quantum Leap,Mr.Rajiv Talreja,Co- Founder, Quantum Leap, Mr. Ashlesh Rao, Master Coach, Neoway Academy, Mr. Suhel Seth, Managing Partner, Counselage India A Tribute to the Life, Legacy, and Impact of Mr. Ratan Tata, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti Founder, Drishti IAS | Passion, Purpose, Pro?tability, and Progress Passion, Purpose, Pro?tability, and Progress  have graced the stage, sharing insights on emerging markets, breakthrough ideas, and strategies that helped them build iconic brands. For every entrepreneur in the audience, it’s a rare chance to learn directly from those who’ve made it to the top.

And here’s where it gets even better.

Quantum Leap ensures that everyone in the Proficorn community gets continuous support. With regular resources, updates, and an active online community, MSMEs get ongoing value long after the event ends. And thanks to its massive social media reach, Proficorn’s impact is felt beyond India, inspiring entrepreneurs across the globe.

Today, Proficorn stands alone as India’s top platform to honour MSMEs and celebrate the people behind them. It’s a place where business owners feel seen, valued, and motivated to keep going strong.

Speaking on the occasion Rajiv Talreja Co- Founder, Quantum Leap Said “ India’s MSMEs… the quiet powerhouse behind 30% of our GDP, the livelihood of 111 million people, and the heart that keeps our economy beating. These are the true unsung heroes of India” .

He further added “  Proficorn is a movement to recognise and celebrate MSMEs of the country. Every business owner deserves to be acknowledged for their contribution to the economy. They are the Silent Heroes who are building the economy brick by brick.

Johnson Controls Expands AI Features In OpenBlue Digital Ecosystem

* Smarter Solutions: New AI capabilities offer smarter, more insightful solutions.

* Autonomous Controls: Enhanced autonomous building controls allow customers to run buildings with less manual intervention than ever before.

* Improved User Interface: Updated design and workflows simplify building management.

Johnson Controls, (NYSE:JCI) the global leader in smart, healthy, and sustainable building solutions, today announced significantly expanded AI capabilities in its OpenBlue Enterprise Manager suite of digital solutions, part of the OpenBlue digital ecosystem. The updates, available today, include the first customer-facing generative AI applications, more autonomous building controls, and a significantly improved user experience. These updates pave the way for additional AI enhancements in 2025, focused on globally accepted performance standards, optimized equipment performance for cost savings and enhanced regulatory compliance.

The expanded AI features take data insights to the next level and build on the measurable impact customers are already seeing when utilizing OpenBlue. With OpenBlue Enterprise Manager guiding facility improvements, coupled with equipment upgrades and proactive services, customers are benefitting from up to 30% reduction in energy spend, up to 20% reduction in maintenance spend, and 10% more optimized space utilization - a win for the environment and the bottom line.

"The expansion of customer-facing AI features into Johnson Controls OpenBlue marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of building management technology," said Johnson Controls Chief Technology Officer Vijay Sankaran. "These new AI-driven features not only enhance operational efficiency and sustainability, but also empower building owners and operators with unprecedented levels of insight and control. We are committed to pioneering innovations that drive automation and create smarter, more responsive environments for our customers."

A recently commissioned Forrester Consulting study found that 90% of respondents say their building systems are not fully integrated, costing time, people and money. The expanded features in OpenBlue provide clearer insights and better performance, including: 

Integrated generative AI tools that proactively recommend impactful energy savings projects.

Major upgrades to the user experience with a focus on personalization, improved design, and compliance with a higher level of accessibility standards.

Expanded data insights that allow users to see details on building visitors throughout the entire portfolio of buildings, improving the understanding and management of occupants.

Enhanced indoor air quality monitoring and sensor analytics to support smarter and healthier buildings.

Automatically adjusting setpoints based on fault diagnostics, saving energy, and accelerate capture of potential savings

Turning Insights Into Energy Savings Using Generative AI

OpenBlue now has integrated generative AI tools that proactively recommend the most impactful energy savings projects, reducing the need to analyze large amounts of building data. The system anticipates needs, like analyzing energy usage based on live weather data, to create actionable insights, helping customers achieve energy savings and reduction in carbon emissions.

"Our customers have consistently told us that one of the challenges with AI is they are unsure of what questions to ask a Generative AI chatbot about their building," said Julius Marchwicki, vice president, digital product management, Johnson Controls. "Our generative AI feature automatically constructs the right prompts that are built from our decades of experience in the commercial buildings space."

The platform also tracks energy conservation projects across over 130 categories, improving data management and managing decarbonization strategies. It supports utility bills management with automatic error correction, reducing billing gaps.

Driving Toward Autonomous Buildings

New features in OpenBlue are driving forward the future of autonomous buildings and allow customers to run their buildings with less manual intervention than ever before. The system can improve productivity through automating processes that traditionally have been manual. It can adjust setpoints based on fault diagnostics, saving energy, carbon, and accelerating potential cost savings. Users can enable autonomous actions or use the system to get advice, while setting their own operational constraints. It also provides detailed information about equipment performance and trends, from a broad view down to individual pieces of equipment. In this release, OpenBlue autonomous control can now be applied to a broader range of central utility plant designs.

OpenBlue now supports digitalization of Standard Operating Procedures, speeding up workflows triggered by various events. New workflows can be quickly published to support security and service needs, supporting both manual and autonomous tasks.

Refreshed User Experience

This release includes major upgrades to the user experience, focused on design, navigation and accessibility. With increased focus on space utilization, the system provides an even clearer picture of how spaces are actually used by building occupants. Detailed visitor analytics are available throughout a portfolio of buildings, improving the understanding of visitor activities, along with intelligent planning when anomalies occur. Operators can schedule services, like cleaning, based on occupancy insights, saving resources and money. Updates also include improved indoor air quality monitoring with a broad ecosystem of sensor partners.

Unlocking Building Performance

OpenBlue Enterprise Manager allows customers to unlock the performance of their building with real-time data visibility. A single pane of glass with advanced analytics, visualization and controls, accelerates operational outcomes, meets certification and regulatory compliance needs while ensuring data security and privacy.

Enhancements to OpenBlue advance the ongoing Johnson Controls transformation as a pure-play provider of comprehensive solutions for commercial buildings. To learn more about how Johnson Controls OpenBlue is transforming buildings from static entities into smart assets visit: https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/openblue

About Johnson Controls:

At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.

Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering.

Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world`s largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry.

Kovai.co Announces strategic Acquisition Of Floik To Enhance Its Document360 Knowledge Management Platform

Coimbatore-based, Kovai.co - a premier enterprise software and B2B SaaS company providing revenue growth solution, announced today the acquisition of Floik, a Bengaluru-based B2C SaaS company. This move aims to strengthen the capabilities of Kovai.co's AI-powered knowledge management software, Document360. Floik's interactive demos, videos, and guides will be integrated to expand Document360's industry-leading knowledge base features, ultimately benefiting its 2,500+ global customers.

Floik, an Elevation Capital-backed platform developed over two years, enables companies to create interactive product demos and guides. These tools guide users seamlessly through software features, enhancing user adoption and experience. Floik has gained significant traction in the SaaS industry, serving over 8,000 users globally.

With this acquisition, Kovai.co aims to further elevate its knowledge management offerings by integrating Floik’s interactive demo and guide capabilities directly into its Document360 platform, underscoring its commitment to innovation and customer success.

"Integrating Floik’s capabilities into Document360 aligns perfectly with our vision of creating a robust knowledge management solution that goes beyond traditional documentation," said Saravana Kumar, CEO of Kovai.co. "Floik’s interactive tools will allow our users to deliver a more engaging and impactful experience, empowering end-users to truly understand and leverage our software’s capabilities. We also anticipate a 35% year-over-year revenue increase in our knowledge management category."

“We are excited to accelerate Floik’s mission to democratise knowledge management and software adoption by joining hands with Kovai.co”, said Vartika Bansal, Founder and CEO of Floik.

To ensure continuity in product development and customer support, six dedicated Floik staff, who were instrumental in its development, have joined Kovai.co. The team will be led by Vidyasankar Krishnamurthy, Floik’s CTO, and they will continue to enhance the product’s functionality and support its deployment across Document360’s extensive global customer base.