Ajmal Perfumes Ropes in Saif Ali Khan to Lead 360° Campaign; Brand Eyes Bigger Slice of Global Luxury Market

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June 13, 2025

Image-of-ajmal — Ajmal Perfumes Ropes in Saif Ali Khan to Lead 360° Campaign; Brand Eyes Bigger Slice of Global Luxury Market

Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan is now lending his charm to the world of fine fragrances. He’s been signed on as the brand ambassador for Ajmal Perfumes, a homegrown name with deep roots in Indian perfumery.

Khan will front a nationwide campaign that spans across everything from billboards and magazine ads to digital platforms and in-store displays. The move marks Ajmal’s latest push to position Indian-crafted scents on par with global luxury brands, while also making them more widely available.

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Abdulla Ajmal, the CEO of Ajmal Perfumes, shared why Khan made sense for the brand. “There’s something timeless about Saif—he carries himself with quiet elegance, and that fits perfectly with what Ajmal stands for. We’re not just selling perfume; we’re offering stories, memories, and a legacy. Saif understands that.”

Saif, for his part, isn’t just doing this for the cameras. “I’ve actually used Ajmal perfumes for years,” he said. “They make fragrances that don’t scream for attention but still leave an impression. That kind of subtlety is rare.”

With over 74 years in the business, Ajmal Perfumes is far from a niche player. The brand is present in more than 60 countries, operates 350+ retail stores, and is a familiar name in duty-free zones across international airports. It’s now ramping up efforts in e-commerce and forging partnerships beyond Indian borders.

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By bringing Saif Ali Khan into the fold, Ajmal isn’t just signing a celebrity—it’s making a statement: Indian luxury, especially in perfumery, is ready to compete with the best in the world.

Bengaluru Techie with 19 Years’ Experience Delivers Food to Fund His Comeback — Padmanaban’s Story Goes Viral

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June 13, 2025

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Image-of-delivery-partner. — Bengaluru Techie with 19 Years’ Experience Delivers Food to Fund His Comeback — Padmanaban’s Story Goes Viral

One evening in Bengaluru, Nithin Kumar opened his door to receive a Swiggy order—nothing unusual. But what came with the food was a handwritten note and a story that caught him off guard.

The delivery partner, Padmanaban Ebbas, wasn’t just another face navigating traffic to drop off dinner. He was a veteran techie with nearly two decades of experience in full-stack development. Once the head of a flourishing software firm, Padmanaban had now taken to food delivery—not for lack of skill, but as a way to stay afloat while rebuilding his business from the ground up.

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Tucked with the order was a note:

“Delivered with care. Built with code.”

It was more than just clever phrasing. It was a quiet declaration of resilience. Padmanaban had led teams, written code for clients across the globe, and even founded a company—Curicent Technologies LLP—in Tamil Nadu around 2018. But somewhere along the way, things unraveled. Rather than wait around, he got on the road and into Swiggy’s red shirt.

“I asked him if he was looking for a job,” Kumar later posted on X (formerly Twitter). “He said, ‘No, just trying to get my business back on track.’”

The post sparked an outpouring of support. Some offered advice, suggesting he explore AI tools or upskill for the current tech landscape. Others simply admired his grit.

One comment read, “Skills evolve. With his background, catching up won’t take long.”

Another said, “He’s doing what it takes. Respect.”

On LinkedIn, Padmanaban describes himself as a builder—of apps, teams, and now, of his own second act. With a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering and a passion for Robotics and IoT, he’s spent years mentoring young talent through talks and workshops.

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Today, he’s delivering meals. Tomorrow, who knows? Maybe software, maybe inspiration. Probably both.

Starbucks Bets Big on $6 Billion Protein Craze with Banana Cold Foam, AI Baristas, and In-Store Baking Trials

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June 13, 2025

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Image-of-starbucks — Starbucks Bets Big on $6 Billion Protein Craze with Banana Cold Foam, AI Baristas, and In-Store Baking Trials

Starbucks is shaking things up—literally and figuratively—as it looks to appeal to customers who are leaning into health trends and faster service. The coffee giant is now experimenting with a banana-flavored protein cold foam at five stores in the U.S., a move aimed at tapping into the booming demand for functional drinks. Each serving delivers 15 grams of protein and is being paired with a sugar-free vanilla latte as part of the test.

The trial was unveiled during a company event in Las Vegas and is part of a larger strategy led by CEO Laxman Narasimhan (Note: Brian Niccol is CEO of Chipotle, not Starbucks). He’s overseeing a menu overhaul that involves trimming some long-standing offerings while introducing more items geared toward today’s wellness-focused consumers. Expect more nutritious options, more customization, and a bit of flair.

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Beyond the protein boost, Starbucks is also testing in-store baking to upgrade its pastry game. A buttery croissant and a double chocolate cookie are the first items being freshly baked on-site instead of reheated from frozen, a change designed to elevate both quality and experience.

This shift toward high-protein drinks isn’t random—there’s real money in it. The U.S. protein beverage market is now worth an estimated $6 billion, with heavyweights like Coca-Cola’s Core Power, PepsiCo’s Muscle Milk, and Dutch Bros. already fighting for market share. Dutch Bros., in particular, has been ahead of the curve with a wide range of protein-infused coffee drinks.

To speed things up behind the counter, Starbucks is also rolling out an AI-powered assistant called Green Dot Assist at 35 stores. It’s designed to help baristas with drink-making instructions and equipment troubleshooting—saving time and potentially cutting training costs.

In other developments, the company is reportedly considering selling a stake in its underperforming China business. With homegrown rival Luckin Coffee eating into its market share, Starbucks recently slashed prices in the region to stay competitive.

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Whether it’s banana foam, smarter workflows, or baking cookies from scratch, Starbucks is clearly trying to recapture its edge—and its customers.

Rapido Enters ₹75,000 Crore Food Delivery War with ‘Ownly’, Challenges Swiggy-Zomato with Zero-Commission Model

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June 12, 2025

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Image of rapido — Rapido Enters ₹75,000 Crore Food Delivery War with ‘Ownly’, Challenges Swiggy-Zomato with Zero-Commission Model

After challenging Ola and Uber in the mobility space, Rapido is now revving up to disrupt another high-stakes battleground: food delivery. The company is set to launch its new service, reportedly named Ownly, taking direct aim at the Swiggy-Zomato stronghold. News of the launch has already rattled markets, causing a noticeable dip in the stock price of Eternal, the parent company of both Swiggy and Zomato.

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Unlike its rivals, Rapido is betting on a zero-commission subscription model that could radically reshape how restaurants engage with delivery platforms. Partner restaurants will pay a flat monthly fee of ₹25 for orders under ₹400 and ₹50 for larger ones. Delivery charges are also being heavily subsidized, with restaurants paying ₹25 + GST and customers ₹20 for orders above ₹100. A nominal ₹10 fee will be applied for smaller orders. Restaurants can opt to use Rapido’s rider network or their own delivery personnel at no extra cost.

Key to Rapido’s strategy is fairness and affordability. The platform mandates price parity between dine-in and delivery (offline price = online price) and prohibits extra packaging fees — a long-standing customer grievance.

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To encourage discovery, visibility on Ownly will depend on customer ratings, not paid listings. Every restaurant must also offer at least four dishes under ₹150, which will be prominently highlighted.

The pilot for Ownly is slated to launch in Bengaluru this July, potentially reshaping the ₹75,000 crore Indian food delivery industry.

Sauz Raises $12M to Shake Up the Pasta Sauce Game With Bold Flavors and Big Plans

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Shweta

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June 12, 2025

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Tomato sauce just got a serious upgrade.

Sauz, the fast-rising food startup reinventing the humble pasta sauce, has just locked in $12 million in fresh funding — with CAVU Consumer Partners leading the round. Known for betting on breakout consumer brands, CAVU joins existing backers Coefficient Capital, Palm Tree Crew, and Strand Equity in backing Sauz’s next chapter.

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The money won’t sit idle. Sauz plans to pour this capital into aggressive growth — think louder marketing, more shelf space, and a punchier online presence. New flavors are in the works, more stores are coming, and the brand wants to be a staple in more kitchens by the end of 2025.

“People want more than just tomatoes and garlic in a jar,” said Sauz CEO and co-founder Troy Bonde. “They’re craving flavor, personality, and something fun. That’s exactly what we’re building — and with CAVU behind us, we’re ready to move faster than ever.”

Sauz isn’t just making noise; it’s moving numbers. The brand saw a 148% spike in revenue and a whopping 250% jump in online sales. Now stocked in nearly 7,000 stores across the U.S. and boasting seven unique SKUs, it’s not slowing down.

For CAVU, this partnership is about shaking up a stale category. “The sauce aisle feels like it hasn’t changed in decades,” said CAVU’s Jared Jacobs, who now joins Sauz’s board. “Sauz brings bold flavors, modern branding, and a sense of surprise that’s been missing. It’s not just another tomato sauce — it’s an experience.”

Sauz’s secret weapon? Ingredients you don’t see coming — like brown butter, miso, lemon, and even hot honey. “We started Sauz because we were bored of what was out there,” added Winston Alfieri, CMO and co-founder. “We’re not just selling sauce — we’re helping people rediscover their love of cooking.”

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With momentum building and fresh funding in hand, Sauz looks ready to turn the heat up in your pantry.

Allied Blenders Buys Global Rights to Mansion House and Savoy Club for ₹11.9 Cr, Eyes Expansion Beyond India

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June 12, 2025

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Image of adb beverage — Allied Blenders Buys Global Rights to Mansion House and Savoy Club for ₹11.9 Cr, Eyes Expansion Beyond India

In a strategic move aimed at sharpening its global footprint, Indian spirits major Allied Blenders and Distillers Ltd (ABD) has taken full ownership of Singapore-based UTO Asia Pte Ltd — the company that holds the international rights to legacy liquor brands Mansion House and Savoy Club.

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The acquisition, approved at ABD’s board meeting on Tuesday, was sealed through a binding agreement and has come into effect immediately. With this deal, UTO Asia officially becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of ABD, bringing the ownership of the two brands under the company’s direct control across global markets.

However, there’s a catch — the deal specifically excludes key Southeast Asian markets, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and a few others. While ABD now controls the brand rights almost everywhere else, these particular regions remain outside the scope of the agreement.

The total deal value stands at €1.225 million — roughly ₹11.92 crore, not including stamp duty or other levies.

ABD, known for brands like Officer’s Choice, Officer’s Choice Blue, and Sterling Reserve, said this acquisition is a key part of its long-term brand consolidation and expansion plan. By acquiring global control (with some geographic carve-outs), the company hopes to boost its presence in newer markets while building on its impressive FY25 consolidated income of ₹8,094 crore.

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This comes less than a year after ABD’s stock market listing, marking yet another milestone in its post-IPO growth trajectory.

Archies Eyes Comeback with Digital Overhaul, Fresh Store Formats, and International Ambitions

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June 12, 2025

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Image-of-archies — Archies Eyes Comeback with Digital Overhaul, Fresh Store Formats, and International Ambitions

There was a time when emotions weren’t typed out or sent with a double-tap. Before WhatsApp stickers and auto-generated birthday wishes took over, people actually went out of their way to pick the perfect greeting card — one that felt just right. Those vibrant, glossy cards with quirky shapes and heartfelt messages weren’t just bits of printed paper; they were small gestures that meant a lot and were often tucked away for years as keepsakes.

Back then, Archies wasn’t just a store — it was the place to be if you wanted to express how you felt without fumbling for the right words. It all started humbly in 1979 when a young Anil Moolchandani took a Rs 12 order from a customer in Lucknow. That one slip of paper marked the beginning of what would soon become a household name.

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By 1984, Archies was already rubbing shoulders with global giants, teaming up with Walt Disney to put Mickey and Donald on Indian shelves. In 1987, the brand introduced the Archies Gallery format in Delhi’s Kamla Nagar, and by the early ’90s, it had hit the 100-store mark.

Today, with over 550 outlets in 66 cities — some owned, others franchised — Archies has evolved beyond cards. The brand now offers everything from mugs and photo frames to perfumes and plush toys, shifting gears as India moved online.

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But Archies isn’t done yet. With a redesigned website, bold international goals, and new-age store formats in the pipeline, the brand is preparing to write its next chapter — one that still puts emotion first, just in newer packaging.

Foodpharmer Breaks Industry Norms with Transparent Factory Tour for ₹100 Crore Clean Protein Launch

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June 12, 2025

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Image of foodpharmer — Foodpharmer Breaks Industry Norms with Transparent Factory Tour for ₹100 Crore Clean Protein Launch

In a bold move toward transparency and consumer trust, content creator and entrepreneur Foodpharmer (known for advocating clean and honest food practices) has unveiled a behind-the-scenes look at the manufacturing facility for his upcoming product — India’s first co-created clean protein.

The initiative, a collaboration between Foodpharmer and the clean-label brand onlywhatsneeded, marks a significant shift in how food brands interact with consumers. While most companies keep their production processes out of public view, Foodpharmer is inviting viewers to see exactly where and how the product is made. “If I’m asking you to trust what you’re putting into your body, the least I can do is show you where it comes from,” he says in the now-viral reel, which has garnered over 44,000 likes and 2,300 shares.

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The full factory tour is available on YouTube, offering insights into the machinery, hygiene protocols, and team behind the clean protein innovation. The video highlights India’s growing demand for clean-label food and signals a broader industry movement toward radical transparency.

After months of meticulous planning and rigorous setup, the manufacturing facility is now operational. This marks a key milestone for the brand, which positions itself at the intersection of science, nutrition, and consumer empowerment.

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With India’s wellness economy booming and skepticism toward processed foods rising, this campaign could set a new benchmark in clean food marketing — one where showing the process becomes as important as the final product.

Hindalco’s Freshwrapp Teams Up with Vikas Khanna to Launch ‘Bacteria ki Entry Ko Rokey’ Campaign; Targets 1.2 Million Homes with New FreshlockShield Foil

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June 11, 2025

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Image of Hindalco’s Freshwrapp — Hindalco’s Freshwrapp Teams Up with Vikas Khanna to Launch ‘Bacteria ki Entry Ko Rokey’ Campaign; Targets 1.2 Million Homes with New FreshlockShield Foil

Mumbai | 10 June 2025 – Hindalco’s well-known kitchen companion, Freshwrapp, is rolling out a bold new initiative that’s as cheeky as it is serious. Teaming up with none other than Michelin-starred chef and bestselling author Vikas Khanna, the brand is leading a charge against bacteria lurking in traditional food storage methods. The campaign, cleverly titled “Bacteria ki Entry Ko Rokey”, introduces the brand’s latest innovation—FreshlockShield—a smart upgrade for Indian kitchens that still rely on age-old fixes like cloth wraps and newspapers.

“I’ve always believed that food reflects the love we put into our homes,” Khanna shared. “But we often neglect how that food is stored. I’ve used foil for years—it’s clean, reliable, and simple. Freshwrapp’s foil stands out. With this campaign, I want to nudge families toward safer kitchen practices.”

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The campaign lands a strong punch with science too. Tests from NABL-accredited labs confirm that Freshwrapp’s aluminium foil (available in 11 and 18-micron variants) can block bacterial infiltration for up to 48 hours. It’s effective even against common troublemakers like E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus. In user trials, once families gave the foil a shot, many were quick to ditch their old wrapping habits.

Speaking about the vision, Nilesh Koul, Senior President & CEO – Downstream Aluminium Business, Hindalco Industries Ltd, remarked: “Freshwrapp is more than just foil—it’s part of our commitment to making everyday life healthier. With this campaign, we’re not just selling hygiene; we’re challenging the old ways of doing things in Indian kitchens.”

The campaign film brings this message to life with sharp humour: a bacteria couple attempts to crash a dinner date but are hilariously stopped at the door—by none other than Freshwrapp. Conceptualized by Network Advertising, the film combines wit with warmth to drive home a serious message in a refreshingly lighthearted manner.

More than just a wrapper, Freshwrapp is now being positioned as a defender of health and nutrition. The foil is ISI-certified, safe for cooking, freezing, storing—and stylish enough to serve with. Users say it keeps food fresher, cleaner, and less soggy than old-school methods. It doesn’t soak oil or hold onto bacteria, and while it’s not reusable, most people in the trials felt the trade-off for safety and freshness was well worth it.

What’s striking is how well mothers—the primary guardians of kitchen hygiene in most Indian homes—responded. “I’m not just wrapping lunch; I’m wrapping care,” said one mom from the study.

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Serving over 1.2 million households a month, Freshwrapp isn’t new to Indian kitchens—but with “Bacteria ki Entry Ko Rokey”, it’s stepping into a new role: not just as a product, but as a kitchen essential for modern, health-conscious homes. The brand has also been named a ‘Superbrand’ for three years running, underlining its place as a market leader.

Katrina Kaif Named Face of Maldives Tourism as Island Nation Launches Aggressive Summer Campaign to Boost International Footfall

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June 11, 2025

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Image-of-maldives — Katrina Kaif Named Face of Maldives Tourism as Island Nation Launches Aggressive Summer Campaign to Boost International Footfall

Male, Maldives — The Maldives has tapped into star power to boost its global tourism profile, bringing on Bollywood A-lister Katrina Kaif as its official global brand ambassador. The announcement was made by the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) just as the island nation rolled out its latest Summer Sale Campaign—a move aimed at luring more international travellers in the months ahead.

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The decision to bring Kaif onboard isn’t just about celebrity appeal; it’s a calculated move to tap into her immense global following. With fans across India, the Middle East, and parts of Europe, Kaif’s presence is expected to amplify the Maldives’ image as a high-end, idyllic travel hotspot.

For years, the Maldives has been a go-to getaway for Indian tourists, and this partnership seems designed to build on that momentum. Katrina Kaif, beyond her fame as an actor, also carries weight as a public personality and entrepreneur—something MMPRC hopes will bring a fresh edge to its international branding efforts.

In a statement, Kaif spoke warmly about the new role. “The Maldives is more than just a beautiful destination—it’s a feeling. There’s peace, elegance, and a kind of natural luxury that’s hard to find elsewhere. I’m truly thrilled to represent a place that I’ve personally come to love.”

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MMPRC’s Managing Director Ibrahim Shiuree echoed the sentiment. “Katrina has that rare ability to connect with people across cultures. Her appointment is more than symbolic—it’s a signal that we’re serious about reaching a broader global audience.”

As part of the campaign, Kaif will appear in digital and print promotions, travel showcases, and a series of curated content designed to showcase the Maldives’ top-tier resorts, experiences, and natural beauty. The Summer Sale campaign will also include exclusive discounts and travel packages aimed at converting this visibility into actual bookings.

With this move, the Maldives is clearly looking beyond postcards and hashtags—and straight into the global spotlight.

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