Tata Play Launches ‘Sirf Lage Mehenga’ Campaign, Introduces Super Value TV Packs For The Viewers

*        Tata Play Super Value Packs are specially curated keeping every family member in mind

*        Packs starts at INR255 for Tata Play Kannada Super Value Pack  

Tata Play, India’s leading Direct to Home (DTH) provider, has unveiled its latest campaign, ‘Sirf Lage Mehenga,’ celebrating new year and the harvest season. Catering to the choices of every family member, Tata Play’s Kannada Super Value Pack offers an extensive, budget-friendly, high quality entertainment experience including genres like general entertainment, news, sports, music, movies, devotional, Kids and more.

Conceptualized by Ogilvy, ‘Sirf Lage Mehenga’ campaign showcases a series of overstatement parody films that humorously dispels the myth of DTH services being expensive. The films highlight how Tata Play delivers world class entertainment at an affordable price, ensuring an uncompromised viewing experience. By weaving humor into crucial nail-biting situations, the films emphasize the joy of discovering original and premium entertainment that is available on television. The campaign has been customized in different languages to appeal to viewers across the country. 

Tata Play continues to set the benchmark in delivering value-driven entertainment for audiences across geographies, tiers, hierarchies and echelons.

With packs starting at INR 255 per month, viewers can change or choose their packs by visiting the Tata Play website at https://www.tataplay.com/ or by visiting the Manage Section in the Tata Play Mobile App. They can also visit their nearest dealers in the region to avail the offer.

Workplace Wellbeing Redefined: 1to1help’s 2024 Insights Into Counselling, Trends, And Resilience

1to1help, India’s leading Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) service provider, has published its yearly report titled "State of Emotional Wellbeing Report 2024", focused on key trends and challenges around workplace mental health. Based on a substantial dataset of over 83,000 counselling sessions, 12,000 elective screenings, and 42,000 assessments from January to November 2024. The report reveals an increase in the uptake of counselling services among corporate employees. More interestingly, mental health concerns have risen to 15% and is one of the top 2 concerns for which employees reach out for counselling, as compared to previous years.

This also suggests that people are becoming more aware of the importance of mental health and no longer view it as taboo, which has led them to seek counselling for mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, or stress.

Ms. Mahua Bisht, CEO of 1to1help, stated, “Last year, we embarked on the journey of providing industry leaders with authentic, reliable data and actionable insights based on our counselling sessions. Each year, we seek to improve the data we share as well as the impact we deliver, and you will see more granularity in the findings of this year’s report. What really stood out to me this year was that we were able to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, significantly and demonstrably for individuals struggling with these issues in as few as three sessions.

In addition, we found that managers can play a life-changing role, as over half of the manager referrals we received involved a presence of suicidal risk.

This shows the importance of organizations and crucially, of managers in helping employees reach the right support at the right time.”

Major Highlights from 2024:

1. Mental Health and Workplace Relationship-Related Concerns on the Rise

The support sought through counselling for mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and stress increased to 15%. While counselling related to workplace concerns constituted 11% of the total counselling sessions, workplace relationship-related discussions claimed the top spot, comprising 23% of all such discussions.

2. Gender-Specific Insights

Counseling uptake by men rose by 7%, with 70% of financial consultations being undertaken by men, reflecting their worries about financial anxiety and societal pressure surrounding their role as the ‘breadwinner’ of the family. Notably, there was a disproportionately larger representation of women in counseling with 52% of all counseling sessions being taken by women despite their lower representation in the workplace. Interestingly, 60% of relationship counseling was sought by women, affirming the emotional burden they often bear, in nurturing relationships.

3. Generational Differences in Mental Health

The findings reveal that signs of depression and anxiety were more pronounced among individuals under 30 than those over 45 years. This is likely attributed to stressors like relocation, career changes, and relationship difficulties in their early and mid-twenties. Organizations can support their young employees by facilitating open communication, demonstrating flexibility in work arrangements, and providing opportunities for growth within their organizations.

4. Distress and Suicide Risk Cases Surge

The data reveals a 22% increase in suicide risk and a 17% increase in distress cases compared to 2023. Alarmingly, 59% of employees referred by their managers showed signs of self-harm, reaffirming the need for manager training to help and support distressed employees. The report also reveals that the dependents of employees are at higher risk of suicide, stressing the need to extend emotional well-being assistance to employees’ family members as well.

5. Digital-Life Balance: A Growing Concern

According to the data, only 3% of individuals maintained a healthy digital balance, with most finding it challenging to disconnect from devices. This highlights the need to prioritize non-digital engagement and provide strategies to help employees manage technology use effectively.

6. Effectiveness of Counseling

98% of individuals achieved their goals or made significant progress within just three counseling sessions, underscoring the tangible impact of timely mental health support. Among those who initially screened positive for depression, 53% reported a significant decrease in depression symptoms, and 48% reported decreased anxiety. These results show that structured counseling can effectively address emotional challenges and promote well-being in a short period of time.

The data released in this year's 1to1help report highlights the urgent need for organizations to prioritize mental health by fostering psychologically safe workplaces, training managers to identify distress, and extending EAP services to employees’ dependents. It also suggests that by encouraging digital detox initiatives organizations can further promote healthier work-life integration.

Zuno General Insurance Brings Road Safety To Life With Its “Talking Zebra” Campaign

Zuno General Insurance, formerly known as Edelweiss General Insurance, a new-age digital insurer, has launched a unique road safety awareness initiative, “The Talking Zebra” to educate motorists and pedestrians about the importance of following traffic rules in an engaging and memorable way.  

This initiative, spanning from 16th Jan to 25th Jan is part of Zuno General Insurance's commitment to promote responsible driving habits for safer roads and aligns with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ (MoRTH) declaration of January as Road Safety Month.  Through the Talking Zebra Campaign, Zuno aims to amplify the national focus on reducing road accidents and fostering a culture of responsible road usage.

The Talking Zebra campaign is an innovative one-of-a-kind initiative that features a witty and interactive Zebra that is brought to life at traffic signals. As part of the campaign, a promoter dressed as a zebra—the very embodiment of zebra crossings—will interact with people at busy traffic signals.  in six major cities - Mumbai, Goa, Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. The mascot will interact with drivers and pedestrians, using wit, and humor to make road safety a topic everyone wants to talk about and a real concern. The Talking Zebra will remind everyone to "Keep your cool, follow traffic rules" while promoting essential practices like respecting zebra crossings, stopping at red lights, and avoiding jaywalking.

Shanai Ghosh, MD & CEO, Zuno General Insurance said, “Road safety is a critical and shared responsibility, and at Zuno we are committed to launching initiatives that create lasting, positive change. The Talking Zebra campaign is our unique way of blending education with entertainment to encourage positive behavior on the streets, both for the driving community and pedestrians. We have also gone a step beyond awareness by using rewards to influence behavioural change with our telematics-based Pay-How-You-Drive (PHYD), that incentivises good driving behaviour with discounts on the car insurance premium. By participating in PHYD, drivers will be encouraged to adopt safer practices, ultimately contributing to safer roads, fewer accidents, and reduced fatalities across India.”

Every year, India sees a high number of pedestrian accidents, often caused by reckless drivers who ignore traffic rules and zebra crossings. Kolkata too witnessed around 15% increase in accidents in the last five years, pedestrian safety remains a major concern due to factors such as heavy traffic, non-compliance with traffic regulations, and inadequate enforcement of safety measures like zebra crossings. The "India Status Report on Road Safety 2024," by the TRIP Centre at IIT Delhi, highlights India's slow progress in reducing road accident fatalities. Despite advances in other sectors, road traffic injuries remain a major public health issue, and most states are unlikely to meet the UN’s goal of halving traffic deaths by 2030. Comparing India to road safety leaders like Sweden, the report shows that while in 1990, an Indian was 40% more likely to die in a road accident, by 2021 this figure had risen to 600%.

The Annual Report on Road Accidents in India available till (2022) recorded 4,61,312 crashes marginally low by 1% in the last five years, leading to 1,68,491 fatalities and 4,43,366 injuries. On an average, India experiences 53 crashes and 92 deaths per hour. According to global data, India witnesses the highest number of road accidents in the world.

Ketan Mankikar, Head & VP Marketing & Communications, Zuno General Insurance said, “The Talking Zebra is more than just a campaign; it’s a conversation starter, it’s a movement to inspire everyone to follow traffic rules and make roads safer. By using wit and humor, we aim to make safety more relatable, memorable, and ultimately, impactful. With a sense of humour and originality, "The Talking Zebra" hopes to leave an impression on drivers that will lead to behavioural change. As a brand that stands for being easy, breezy, and surely, we are excited to bring this concept to life and see how it sparks a positive change on the roads.”

The campaign addresses pedestrian safety issues by introducing innovative and creative concepts that apply to both drivers and walkers.

To maximise the campaign’s reach and impact, Zuno General Insurance has partnered with popular radio channel Red FM, allowing ‘The Talking Zebra’s’ voice to amplify the message across airwaves. Zuno General Insurance has also taken the campaign to the public encouraging them to join the movement on social media with hashtags #TalkingZebra, #RespectTheStripes, and #StayCoolFollowRules.

Zuno General Insurance invites everyone to join The Talking Zebra movement and take a pledge to follow traffic rules. Together, let’s respect the stripes, stay safe, and make our roads a better place for all.

PNB, Sony Entertainment Television Partner As The ‘Official Banking Partner’ For Kaun Banega Crorepati - Gyan Ka Rajat Mahotsav

Punjab National Bank (PNB), nation’s leading public sector bank, has announced its collaboration with Sony Entertainment Television for its iconic quiz show, Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), as the ‘Official Banking Partner’ for its Gyan Ka Rajat Mahotsav.

This strategic partnership reflects PNB’s efforts to advancing financial inclusion by empowering citizens with secure, convenient, and transparent banking solutions. As the ‘Official Banking Partner’, PNB also aims to leverage the widespread reach, immense popularity, and emotional connection of Kaun Banega Crorepati to engage with millions of Indians and showcase their comprehensive range of banking products and services and digital solutions like the PNB ONE App.

Speaking about the partnership, Shri Sanjay Varshneya, CGM – Corporate Communications at PNB, said, “We are delighted to be the official banking partner of Kaun Banega Crorepati - Gyan Ka Rajat Mahotsav, a show that inspires and resonates with millions of Indians and celebrates the power of knowledge. This collaboration aligns perfectly with PNB’s mission to empower individuals and communities through innovative and accessible banking solutions. It also reinforces the Bank’s vision of becoming the preferred banking partner by building strong emotional connections with viewers. We look forward to this exciting journey with KBC as we continue to drive financial awareness and inclusion across the nation.”

PNB remains steadfast in its efforts to enhance customer experiences and contribute significantly to India’s financial ecosystem. As part of the collaboration, PNB will feature prominently during the show, including exclusive on-air branding, special segments, and customer-focused initiatives. The Bank has also got comprehensive branding rights, including the presentation of branded cheques to winners and interactive assets on KBC Play Along. Digital money transfers through PNB One App along with brand mention will also be narrated by Shri Amitabh Bachchan towards the end of game play, wherein the contestant wins the final amount. The Bank will also launch a series of digital campaigns and on-ground activations to amplify its messaging on financial literacy and inclusion.

Kaun Banega Crorepati, hosted by legendary Shri Amitabh Bachchan, has been a household name for years, inspiring millions of viewers with its engaging format and life-changing stories. Watch the show on Sony Entertainment Television, airing every Monday to Friday at 9 PM.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Announces India “Tour of CRF450 Rally To Showcase Excellence” In Motorsports

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) is thrilled to announce the India tour of the CRF450 Rally, the ultimate off-road machine & Team Honda Racing Corporation’s weapon of choice for the legendary Dakar Rally. The CRF450 Rally will be on display at Honda BigWing Topline dealerships and Adventure Camps across India, giving enthusiasts and motorsports fans a unique opportunity to experience Honda's championship-winning spirit up close.

As Honda embarks on this India tour, the company reaffirms its commitment to motorsports and its pursuit of excellence. The Honda CRF450 Rally, a champion born for the toughest terrains, will traverse key cities in India, including Kolkata, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Indore, and Gurugram. The tour will take place from January 2025 to March 2025, and it is aimed at igniting the spirit of adventure and performance that defines Honda’s DNA.

Speaking about the announcement, Mr. Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “We are delighted to bring the CRF450 Rally to India, a country with a growing passion for motorsports and adventure biking. With this tour, we aim to bring the essence of world-class rally racing closer to our customers, inspiring the next generation of motorsports enthusiasts. The CRF450 Rally is not just a motorcycle - it is a symbol of Honda’s relentless pursuit of excellence and dominance in motorsports. We recently completed showcase in the city of joy, Kolkata, and received an overwhelming response from enthusiasts. This tour is our way of sharing Honda’s Dakar-winning legacy with Indian enthusiasts and inspiring everyone to push boundaries and realize the power of dreams.”

The CRF450 Rally has been a symbol of Honda's engineering excellence, with a remarkable record of success in some of the world's most grueling rally events. Since its debut in 2013, the motorcycle has undergone continuous improvements based on valuable insights gained from rigorous competition. Most recently, Honda achieved a runner-up position at the prestigious 2025 Dakar Rally, reaffirming its leadership in global motorsports. There was a double celebration in Saudi Arabia with a second consecutive Dakar Rally double podium for Monster Energy Honda HRC as Tosha Schareina & Adrien Van Beveren took second and third place at the 47th edition of the world-famous motorsport event.

‘The Dakar’ has tested man and machine to the extreme since its inception in 1978. Honda’s first victory came in 1986 on an NXR750, which was followed by three consecutive wins up to 1989. The Dakar has been won three times by Honda in Saudi Arabia. Ricky Brabec was victorious in 2020, giving Honda its first victory in 31 years. Kevin Benavides claimed top honours in 2021 and Brabec scooped his second victory at the Dakar in 2024 - where Monster Energy Honda Team’s riders won eight out of the 13 stages. The World Rally Raid Championship sees competitors battle dunes, riverbeds, and navigational tests in a variety of countries including Abu Dhabi, Mexico, Argentina, and Morocco.

Honda has established itself as a powerhouse in motorsports since its debut at the Isle of Man TT races in 1959, driven by founder Soichiro Honda's vision to lead in technology. Over the decades, Honda has consistently participated in and triumphed across various motorcycle and automobile races globally. In 2024, Honda achieved significant victories, including winning the Dakar Rally and the Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race. Despite challenges in MotoGP, Honda remains committed to enhancing its performance and competitiveness. In 2025, Honda will continue its legacy of excellence, with a focus on innovation and sustainability, striving for victories in major championships and supporting its riders and drivers in their pursuit of success.

NUVOCO Vistas Announces Its Financial Results For Q3 FY25

Volume grew by 16% YoY to 4.7 MMT

Consolidated revenue from operation stood at Rs. 2,409 crores

Consolidated EBITDA stood at Rs. 258 crores

Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd., a leading building materials Company in India, announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. With 25 MMTPA of combined installed capacity, Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd. is the 5th largest cement group in India and amongst the leading cement players in East India. The Company is on track to achieve 31 MMTPA cement capacity1 by Q3 FY27 after emerging as the Successful Resolution Applicant for Vadraj Cement Limited (VCL). A Letter of Intent has already been issued. The VCL facility comprises of 3.5 MMTPA clinker unit in Kutch and a 6 MMTPA grinding unit in Surat and reflects the Company’s drive for growth and diversification.

The Company's consolidated cement sales volume registered a strong growth of 16% YoY to 4.7 MMT in Q3 FY25. Consolidated revenue from operations stood at Rs. 2,409 crores during the same period. Consolidated EBITDA for the quarter stood at Rs. 258 crores.

The cement industry has witnessed a recovery following a challenging first half of FY25. After facing subdued demand, the industry is showing signs of improvement, supported by favourable market dynamics. In response, the Company undertook several initiatives to drive strong volume growth during the quarter. While cement prices remained muted for majority part of the quarter, they recovered toward the end. Meanwhile, the Company has continued to focus on operational excellence. The Company has achieved the lowest blended fuel cost in the last 13 quarters, at Rs. 1.45 per Mcal. Nuvoco's power & fuel cost continues to be amongst the lowest in the industry.

In the RMX business, “Concreto Uno Concrete”, launched during the year, is seeing volume traction across regions. The MBM business introduced “Tile Adhesive T5”, “Tile Glitter” and “Tile Bonder” under the brand ZERO M to strengthen the product portfolio.

The Company continues to strengthen its commitment to sustainability with lowest carbon emissions in the industry, with 457 kg CO2 per ton2 of cementitious materials.

Commenting on the company’s performance, Mr. Jayakumar Krishnaswamy, Managing Director, Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd., stated, “The Company proactively seized demand opportunities to bolster its position in the market and delivered strong volume growth during the quarter. Price increases in the recent period continue to reflect a positive trend, while sustained improvements in demand should support prices as well. Strategic priorities for the company remain centered on driving premiumization, optimizing geo- mix, enhancing fuel mix efficiency, strengthening brand presence, and maintaining cost excellence. The Company is confident in its expansion strategy and ability to execute on growth plans pertaining to Vadraj Cement, which will diversify its market footprints in the Western India, thereby supporting long-term growth ambitions and further consolidating its position as the 5th largest player in India.”

Coca-Cola India Southwest Asia Announces New Vice-President Of Customer & Commercial Leadership

* India, 22nd January 2025: A person smiling at the camera

Description automatically generated– Coca-Cola India Southwest Asia (INSWA) Operating Unit today announced Desmond Nikhil D’Souza as Customer & Commercial Leadership (C&CL), effective February 1, 2025. He succeeds Greishma Singh, who recently transitioned to the role of Vice President, Marketing.

“With a distinguished track record of strategic vision and exemplary leadership in the FMCG industry, Desmond brings a wealth of experience and innovative ideas that align perfectly with our mission to drive customer satisfaction and commercial excellence,” said Sanket Ray, President, Coca-Cola India Southwest Asia. “His understanding of market dynamics and customer engagement, will be a cornerstone in achieving our growth objectives.”

In his new role, Desmond will be responsible for leading the C&CL function across INSWA, focusing on driving value growth, strengthening our customer partnerships, and aligning strategies to deliver long-term commercial transformation.

Desmond joins Coca-Cola from Mondelez, where he served as Vice President, Sales. Under his leadership Mondelez India grew significantly through footprint expansion, driving digital innovation in sales, and incubating and building new commercial capabilities to drive growth. Before his tenure at Mondelez, Desmond held key roles at PepsiCo, both in transformation initiatives and sales leadership. At Zomato, he contributed to customer subscription strategy, showcasing his ability to operate across diverse sectors and functions. 

Desmond holds a postgraduate management degree from XLRI Jamshedpur and a bachelor’s degree in engineering (BE) from Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU).