ace turtle Launches First Toys“R”Us Store At Bhartiya Mall, Bengaluru

- Opens Third Toys“R”Us® store in India at Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru 

- Plans to launch 12 stores this year across India

ace turtle, India's leading technology-native retail company today launched Bengaluru’s first Toys“R”Us® store at Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru. This marks a significant step in ace turtle's strategic plan to expand Toys"R"Us presence in India, with a commitment to launching 12 stores in 2024. Toys“R”Us® currently has two operational stores in the country, which includes the retail store in Hyderabad, that marked the return of the brand to India, and the recently launched flagship store in Mumbai.

Located in the integrated township of Bhartiya City near Hebbal in Bengaluru, the new store, sprawling across 6,200 sq. ft, offers unmatched toy shopping experience by offering convenience and accessibility to children and families. The store offers an extensive collection of top international brands such as LEGO, Hasbro, Mattel, alongside beloved Indian brands like Playshifu, Funskool and Winmagic. Kids of all ages can experience the magic of playing with interactive elements throughout the flagship, photo-op with Geoffrey the Giraffe, and branded experiences from top toy brands.

Commenting on the launch, Nitin Chhabra, CEO, ace turtle, said, "We are thrilled to bring Toys"R"Us® to Bengaluru with the opening of our new store at Bhartiya Mall. The expansive store extends beyond a simple shopping destination; it will serve as a comprehensive recreational space for children and families, offering a wide array of toys that cater to various interests and age groups. We offer the signature Toys“R”Us® shopping experience that is a benchmark globally for over 70 years. We believe there is tremendous potential for organized toy retailing in India given the fast-growing customer base. The expansion of Toys“R”Us® will contribute to the Government of India’s “Make in India” initiative by accelerating toy manufacturing in the country.”

"Bhartiya Mall Of Bengaluru is delighted to welcome the first store of Toys"R"Us® in Bengaluru" said Arjun Aggarwal, Vice Chairman & MD, Bhartiya Urban. "This iconic brand brings a world-class shopping experience for children and families. We are confident that it will be a favorite destination for children and parents alike. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing diverse and exciting options for our patrons, further enhancing the vibrancy and appeal of the mall," added Aggarwal.

In June 2021, ace turtle entered a joint venture with the Flipkart Group’s Wholesale Entity in India to acquire the license of Toys“R”Us® in India. In March 2023, ace turtle unveiled India’s first Toys“R”Us® retail store in Hyderabad which has received phenomenal response from customers. In December 2023, ace turtle launched the flagship store of Toys“R”Us® at Linking Road in Mumbai which is India’s largest high-street toy store. Additionally, customers across India have been shopping for their favourite toys from the online store www.toysrus.in.

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility And Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd Partner To Optimize EV Charger infrastructure

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. (TPEM), known for pioneering India's electric vehicle revolution, has signed an MOU with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL) to collaborate in establishing public charging stations across India. The collaboration will leverage HPCL's widespread fuel station network and TPEM's insights from over 1.2 lakh Tata EVs on Indian roads, to set up chargers at locations frequently visited by Tata EV owners. Additionally, HPCL will gather insights on charger usage to improve the customer experience.

In an effort to improve the experience of EV owners across India, this agreement between TPEM and HPCL aims to explore synergies between the two companies to encourage more people to adopt electric vehicles in the country. The two companies are also exploring the introduction of a convenient payment system through a co-branded RFID card, which will make the charging experience hassle-free.

While TPEM is the market leader of EVs in India, commanding a market share of over 68% in electric passenger vehicles, HPCL boasts a nationwide network of over 21,500 fuel stations and is committed to a sustainable future. Furthermore, HPCL aims to install 5,000 electric vehicle charging stations by December 2024. With four products in its portfolio, TPEM has led the rise of the EV ecosystem in the country, right from introducing its first EV exclusive store in Gurugram to working with various charge point operators to grow India’s charging infrastructure. On the other side, HPCL has installed a total of 3,050 EV charging stations, including battery swapping stations, across the country.

Commenting on this partnership, Balaje Rajan, Chief Strategy Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. said, “As the adoption of EVs increases, the availability of widespread and dependable charging infrastructure will play a crucial role in making EVs mainstream in India. This strategic partnership with HPCL emphasizes our dedication to advancing India's EV ecosystem in which the growth of charging infrastructure plays a pivotal role. This collaboration is essential for facilitating infrastructure development to support the expanding EV customer base. Leveraging TPEM's extensive insights into EV usage and HPCL's extensive nationwide network, this partnership has the potential to transform the charging infrastructure landscape in the country.”

According to Debashis Chakraverty, Chief General Manager, Retail Strategy & BD, HPCL, “HPCL with its 21000+ fuel stations has entered into an alliance with Tata Motors that commands 68% market share in Indian EV market. Through this alliance, HPCL shall leverage Tata Motors’ vehicle base to enable our strategic expansion in EV Charging infrastructure at places with higher charging demand and will help in reducing range anxiety of EV customers”

Case studies from across the world show that ubiquitous and convenient charging infrastructure is a prerequisite for driving EV adoption, and that growth in charging infrastructure results in exponential growth in EV adoption as well. To that effect, the collaboration between two leading companies in this space is sure to help catapult India’s EV growth to its next phase.

Thums Up Launches TOOFAN: Flies Cricket Fans On An Exclusive Chartered Plane & Toofani Tour Of The ICC T20 Men’s World Cup

* Thums Up’s exclusive plane will take lucky winners to West Indies for ICC T20 Men’s Cricket World Cup

* Thums Up continues its commitment of offering the most thrilling Cricket experiences to its consumers with its new ‘Toofani’ campaign

* Link to the TVC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEp9WFoUaig

Thums Up, India's homegrown beverage brand from The Coca-Cola Company, is thrilled to launch Toofan: the Thums up branded exclusive chartered plane as part of its latest campaign, ’World Cup ka Toofani Tour’ to the ICC T20 World Cup. As the official beverage partner of ICC T20 World Cup, Thums Up continues to redefine fan engagement, setting new benchmarks for fan experiences in the realm of sports.

This year, Thums Up is taking cricket enthusiasts on a once in a lifetime adventure to West Indies on an exclusive Thums Up plane, promising an electrifying experience like never before. The campaign features India’s loved Cricket-duo: Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag, encouraging consumers to scan a Thums up pack and get a chance to win a seat on Toofan. From 01st March to 30th April, consumers can stand a chance to win a trip to the ICC T20 World Cup in the West Indies by registering at https://tu-icc24.coke2home.com/. Available behind select Thums Up packs that earn miles, consumers can win a chance to enter a 2 month long daily lucky draw, with one seat being given away every day.

In pursuit to further build on its long-standing association with sporting events like Olympics, Paralympics, ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, the tour represents the brand's dedication to championing the spirit of cricket.

Alongside the Toofani tour, Thums Up will engage fans cheering for Team India at home by giving away Indian jerseys every hour, plus other exciting prizes. The campaign will be featured prominently on all packs sized 500 ml and above, offering meticulously curated experiences beyond live cricket action.

Talking about the campaign, Tish Condeno, Senior Category Director, Sparkling Flavors, Coca-Cola India and South-West Asia said, “We are thrilled to unveil the 'World Cup ka Toofani Tour' campaign, to elevate fan experiences at the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in West Indies. With the launch of the exclusive Thums Up branded plane, we're furthering our endeavour to redefine sports excitement and engagement, crafting unparalleled memories for cricket lovers."

Commenting on the campaign Virender Sehwag said, “I am delighted to extend my partnership with Thums Up. With each passing year, Thums Up is setting a new benchmark in fan engagement, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to fueling the fervor of cricket enthusiasts. The 'World Cup ka Toofani Tour' offers fans an unparalleled experience to the West Indies, in a Thums Up Chartered plane, to immerse themselves in the excitement of the ICC T20 World Cup all the way to West Indies."

Commenting the campaign, Yuvraj Singh said, “I am thrilled to continue my association with Thums Up, the brand which has a longstanding commitment to sports. This year, the 'World Cup ka Toofani Tour’, offers an electrifying experience for fans, with a chance to fly to the West Indies on an exclusive Thums Up Chartered plane. I'm excited to witness the excitement and energy, this journey will bring to cricket fans around the world, for the ICC T20 World Cup.”

The campaign celebrates India's passion for cricket, fostering connection, empowerment, and collective joy throughout the tournament. With a legacy of memorable, innovative campaigns like Thums Fan Pusle and Stump Cam, Thums Up is poised to elevate the ICC experience to new heights, ensuring an enduring impact on cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

About The Coca-Cola Company

Coca-Cola in India is one of the country’s leading beverage companies, offering a range of high-quality and refreshing beverage options to consumers. The company, in line with its vision of ‘Beverages For Life’, offers a wide portfolio of products which includes hydration, sports, sparkling, coffee, tea, nutrition, juice and dairy based products. In India its beverage range includes Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Thums Up, Charged by Thums Up, Fanta, Limca, Sprite, Maaza, Minute Maid range of juices and juice beverages. The Company also offers hydration beverages including Limca Sportz, Smartwater, Kinley, Dasani and Bonaqua packaged drinking water and Kinley Club Soda. Premium products constitute Schweppes range and Smartwater. In addition, it offers Costa Coffee and organic green tea based beverage- Honest Tea amongst its range of coffee and Tea. The Company is constantly transforming its portfolio, from reducing sugar in its drinks to bringing innovative new products to market.

The Company along with its owned bottling operations and franchise bottling partners has a strong network of close to 4 million retail outlets through which it refreshes millions of consumers across the country. It seeks to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable agriculture initiatives and carbon emission reductions across its value chain.

Globally together with its bottling partners, The Coca-Cola Company employs more than 700,000 people, helping to bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.cocacolacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Eurogrip Tyres Uses Clever Word Play And MS Dhoni’s Charm In IPL 2024 Brand Campaign

* Campaign focusses on tyre’s superior grip to enhance rider confidence

Eurogrip Tyres, India’s leading 2 & 3-wheeler tyre brand, has launched a comprehensive brand campaign focussing on the superior grip of Eurogrip tyres.

The campaign highlights are ad films where M S Dhoni and his CSK team members, Deepak Chahar and Ruturaj Gaikwad are seen in light-hearted banter drawing parallels between grip while playing cricket, and grip of tyres on the road. The film talks about Eurogrip’s stronger grip as compared to other tyres and M S Dhoni emphasizes its superior grip for solid turns.  He and other CSK stars give road safety tips for viewers that include following traffic rules, wearing a helmet, ensuring tyres are in good condition and having the bike serviced regularly.  M S Dhoni urges viewers to get Eurogrip tyres for superior grip. 

Sharing details about the campaign, P Madhavan, EVP, Marketing and Sales, TVS Srichakra Ltd said, “It is the third year of our association with Chennai Super Kings as principal sponsor and we are just as excited as the fans to be a part of the 2024 IPL extravaganza. This year, we have focused on building EUROGRIP as a strong global consumer brand and our campaign is in line with the same. Our ad films highlight the superior grip of our tyres, an extremely important attribute for safety on road. Eurogrip, just like CSK, is synonymous with high performance. Our continued association has been benefitting both partners.”

The new campaign positions Eurogrip as a youthful, vibrant and dependable brand that resonates with the millennial and Gen Z Indian riders.  The ads with focus on the tyres’ superior grip have gone live from 22nd March, 2024 in television and digital media. A series of on-air and on-ground activations have been planned across social media, traditional media, outdoor and point of sale.

Creative Agency: Tilt Brand Solutions

YouTube Link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz4YwDXOCAQ60KUp7gOlTVamSEcvk37_l&si=MJcFi5Kr_CgfeF19

Instagram: Eurogrip (https://instagram.com/tvseurogrip)

Facebook: Eurogrip (https://facebook.com/tvseurogrip)

Twitter: TVSEurogrip

Linkedin: Eurogriptyres

Wipro GE Healthcare Announces Investment Of Over INR8000 Crores In Manufacturing Output & Local R&D Over Next 5 Years

·         Announces manufacturing of PET CT, CT & MR Coils ‘In India, for the World'

·         Aimed at building India’s position as the ‘Key innovation and manufacturing hub for MedTech’

Wipro GE Healthcare, a leading global medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and digital solutions innovator, today announced an investment of over INR8000 Crores in manufacturing output & local R&D over next 5 years. Poised for exponential growth, MedTech, the Sunrise Sector is thriving with the hospital industry in India, accounting for 80% of the total healthcare market and witnessing strong investor demand locally and globally.[1] This strategic investment bolsters Wipro GE Healthcare’s local manufacturing footprint to address the growing domestic and international market and will build supply chain resiliency for the organization.  As a part of this investment, the Wipro GE Healthcare ‘Made in India’ PET CT Discovery IQ will be exported to 15 countries. Additionally, the ‘Made in India’ Revolution Aspire CT, Revolution ACT and MR breast coils will be manufactured ‘In India for the World’. 

India is among the top 20 global markets for medical devices in the world.[2] Wipro GE Healthcare is among the first MedTech companies to ‘Make in India - for India and the world’ over past three decades, investing upwards of over $4Billion in R&D and manufacturing output in India since inception. Over the decades, the organization has fostered a strong local supplier ecosystem of MedTech component manufacturing – covering capabilities like plastics, EMS, machining, castings, 3D printing - contributing $1M supplier Labor hours. The investment will include creation of additional 400,000 labor hours.

Azim Premji, Chairman, Wipro GE Healthcare, Chairman, Wipro Enterprises and Chairman Azim Premji Foundation, said, “India is riding the resurgent growth in the healthcare industry and rapidly expanding MedTech sector. With ‘Make in India’, we are witnessing an exponential expansion of manufacturing footprint in the country, strengthening  India’s capability as the MedTech hub of the world. Wipro GE Healthcare has been committed to this localization journey for over three decades and this strategic investment is  testament to our vision for this sector.”

Peter J. Arduini, President and CEO, GE HealthCare said, “India is a high potential, high priority market for GE HealthCare globally. In fact, we are among the first MedTech companies to ‘Make in India - for India and the World’. We will continue to invest in expanding India’s domestic capabilities and its global footprint in MedTech manufacturing and R&D. Today’s announcement is aligned with our strategic vision to deliver precision innovation globally and accelerate India’s position as ‘MedTech innovation and manufacturing hub for India and for world markets.”

Chaitanya Sarawate, Managing Director, Wipro GE Healthcare and President & CEO, GE HealthCare South Asia said, “Innovating in India and Making in India - for India and for the World, has always been a priority for us, evident in our trajectory and investments over past three decades. We have fostered a strong innovation track record, a local supplier ecosystem and built a portfolio of world class products in India, for India and the world. As a local partner we are bullish about India’s potential and its journey to be ‘Atmanirbhar’ and a key cog in the resilient global supply chain. As India envisions to be among top five global manufacturing hubs in terms of value and technology for Medical Devices in the coming years, we are committed to the national healthcare agenda.”[3]

Currently, the organization has four manufacturing plants in Bengaluru. All four manufacturing plants are export plants – the latest one established in March 2022 with an investment of a little over INR100 crore under the Indian government’s PLI Scheme.

GE HealthCare is among the first healthcare companies to start an R&D center in India over three decades back. The Healthcare Technology Center India (HTCI) is GE HealthCare’s largest R&D center outside of the USA, situated in John F. Welch Technology Centre (JFWTC), Bengaluru. The organization also has collaborations with leading academic institutions in the country to further research. In January 2024, GE HealthCare signed an MoU with Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to advance MedTech innovation from India – for India and the world.  

About GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.

GE HealthCare is a leading global medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and digital solutions innovator, dedicated to providing integrated solutions, services, and data analytics to make hospitals more efficient, clinicians more effective, therapies more precise, and patients healthier and happier. Serving patients and providers for more than 100 years, GE HealthCare is advancing personalized, connected, and compassionate care, while simplifying the patient’s journey across the care pathway. Together our Imaging, Ultrasound, Patient Care Solutions, and Pharmaceutical Diagnostics businesses help improve patient care from diagnosis, to therapy, to monitoring. We are a $19.6 billion business with 51,000 colleagues working to create a world where healthcare has no limits.

Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, X and Insights for the latest news, or visit our website https://www.gehealthcare.in for more information.

About Wipro GE Healthcare Pvt. Ltd.

Wipro GE Healthcare Private Limited is a Joint Venture (JV) between GE Precision Healthcare LLC, USA, and Wipro Enterprises Limited, India. Established in 1990, it is one of the most successful and longest-running JVs in the region with operations spread across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, and Bhutan. The company is one of the most premium Medical Technology players in the South Asia region. Wipro GE Healthcare is focused on addressing some of the toughest healthcare challenges - helping lower maternal and infant deaths, enabling early detection of cancer, providing precision-care pathways for heart diseases, and driving better outcomes for trauma patients, among others.

MIT, MAHE, India Collaborates With Deakin University, Australia To Launch A Dual Degree Program

Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), a constituent institute of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, has recently launched a dual-degree program in collaboration with Deakin University, Australia. With this partnership, MIT intends to continue its legacy of excellence in education, training, and research. The program is meticulously designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of their chosen field, while enhancing their career opportunities in the engineering and technology sector.

The dual-degree course allows students to obtain two globally recognized undergraduate qualifications from leading universities in four years. The program offers students the choice of selecting their major from two discipline areas i.e. Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics Engineering.

The dual-degree program is crafted to combine modern theory and standard industry skillset. The 2-year BTech program at MIT and the 2-year Bachelor of Engineering (Honors) at Deakin University equip students with skills that enable them to create innovative solutions to real-world engineering problems.

Speaking on the collaboration, Cdr. (Dr.) Anil Rana, Director, MIT, said, “With this collaborative adventure with prestigious Deakin University, we are spanning continents, cultures, and knowledge fields in addition to strengthening academic ties. This partnership is testament of our dedication to achieving worldwide excellence in education, where learning transcends national boundaries and creativity is unconstrained”.

The university recognizes students’ hard work and potential and so, MIT students who meet the eligibility criteria may be considered for the Deakin International Merit Scholarship (South Asia) that makes room for 20% or 25% tuition fee waiver.

Along with strengthening the student’s employment prospects within a competitive, international job market by providing a relevant curriculum and hands-on learning opportunities over four years, the program also boasts of offering seamless credit transfer between both institutions and a full-time student experience in India and Australia. While this helps save majorly on costs, on completion students will be awarded two degrees, BTech from MAHE Manipal and Bachelor of Engineering (Honors) at Deakin University, Australia.

New Defender OCTA Will Be The Toughest, Most Capable And Luxurious Defender Ever

*  British adventure brand Defender will introduce a new high-performance all-terrain hero in 2024

*  New Defender OCTA will be the most powerful Defender ever, with V8 Twin Turbo power

*  6D Dynamics suspension with pitch and roll control enables outstanding all-terrain performance

*  A new diamond-inspired signature graphic will adorn all future flagship Defender models

*  Defender Elements events series will exclusively preview Defender OCTA for prospective clients

*  Clients interested in the first Defender OCTA release are invited to contact their retailer now,  visit https://www.landrover.in/defender/defender-octa/index.html

Original British adventure brand Defender will introduce a new high-performance, all-terrain hero in 2024: New Defender OCTA. The new flagship Defender will be the toughest, most capable and luxurious model in the line-up, charting new territory for the brand. Mark Cameron, Managing Director, Defender, said: “Defender has been synonymous with all-terrain capability with a bloodline tracing back to the Series 1 in 1948. New Defender OCTA will take this to another level, with a dramatic stance, innovative technology and unparalleled attention to detail. With astounding performance and a bold new attitude, it will enable our clients to master epic adventures in heightened luxury.” Defender OCTA will feature V8 Twin Turbo mild-hybrid petrol power and class-leading 6D Dynamics air suspension, enabling extreme performance across all terrains.  Available for the first time on Defender, 6D Dynamics will give Defender OCTA an unparalleled breadth of capability, comfort and composure, whether on-road or off-road.

The hydraulic interlinked 6D Dynamics technology features an innovative pitch and roll control system that will enable Defender OCTA to maintain a near-level stance during acceleration, braking and cornering on-road, while also maximising independent wheel travel and articulation across the most demanding off-road terrain. Reflecting the vehicle’s luxury credentials, a diamond’s octahedron shape inspires the new OCTA name – diamond being the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth, renowned for its rarity. A new encircled diamond graphic symbolizes the flagship Defender model. It features on a number of interior and exterior components, including as a gloss black diamond within a machined and sandblasted titanium disc on each Signature Graphic panel. Titanium has also been chosen for its robustness and resilience to the elements in its natural state.

Mark Cameron added: “The Defender OCTA name and signature graphic are representative of the vehicle’s strength, resilience and desirability – inspired by the vehicle’s diamond-like tough luxury credentials. The new signature graphic is particularly significant as it will be the first time it is seen on a Defender – and it will identify all flagship Defender models in the future.”

Defender OCTA is undergoing the most exhaustive development regime in Defender history, from the snow and ice of Sweden to Dubai desert, Nürburgring tarmac and Moab rock crawls. Ahead of its full reveal later this year, prospective clients will be invited to attend exclusive previews as part of a new global Defender Elements series. Clients interested in registering for the first release of Defender OCTA are invited to contact their Defender retailer now.

Find your nearest Defender retailer at www.landrover.in/defender.