Latest news with #Curd
Otago Daily Times
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Report notes staffing shortage for emergency management
Southland's emergency management service is facing serious staffing issues with just seven staff in place for a population of more than 100,000. Recent reports have highlighted a raft of issues for Civil Defence in the area, including a lack of dedicated roles impacting "already stretched" staff and missed calls following the March earthquake. Staffing levels have not shifted since 2018, even though the population, workload and frequency of responses increased, a report noted. "As expectations grow at the national level and climate and disaster risks intensify, continuing to operate with insufficient, non-specialist staffing is not sustainable," it said. There was an "urgent" need for more resources as the region struggled to meet both local and national expectations. Emergency Management Southland group manager Aly Curd said her staff had now been asked to explore options for addressing resource gaps through the 2026-27 annual plan. She also spoke to issues relating to the March 25 earthquake off the coast of Southland. While there was no significant fallout from that event, a range of challenges came to light in a report including missed calls due to the duty phone not having an overflow function. The phone was the first point of contact during an emergency and would be upgraded next month, Ms Curd told Local Democracy Reporting. There is a 75% probability of an Alpine Fault earthquake in the next 50 years according to a recent study led by Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington. The report also highlighted an issue with the Tsunami Expert Panel requiring 40 minutes to convene — delaying official risk assessment. Ms Curd said the time it took the national advisory group to convene emphasised the importance of self-evacuation. "That is why we focus on the 'long or strong, get gone' message in local risk education." Emergency Management Southland received a tough review earlier in the year on the back of its response to Gore flooding in 2023 and Bluecliffs erosion in 2024. Key issues included staffing levels, communication, and a lack of process for declaring an emergency. It hopes to address its staffing issues through a two-phase process, starting with new training and recovery positions over the next two years. The second phase will look to expand the team to 11 people. • LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
How Godrej Jersey's ‘3×3 Leapfrog Strategy' drove brand growth: Shantanu Raj, head of marketing, Godrej Jersey, explains
A renowned name in the Indian dairy sector, Godrej Jersey, is achieving milestones as a brand. With the recent acquisition of a 100% stake by Godrej Agrovet in Creamline Dairy Products Limited, the brand is implementing strategic initiatives that are driving growth and positioning it as a standout success in the market. In this conversation, Shantanu Raj, Head of Marketing at Godrej Jersey, shares insights into the brand's marketing strategies, core vision, and what makes its hero product, Badam Milk, a consumer favourite. 1. With Godrej Agrovet now increasing its stake to 100% in Creamline Dairy Products Limited, what strategic shifts or new business strategies will the company implement to drive growth? The recent acquisition of a 100% stake by Godrej Agrovet in Creamline Dairy Products Limited marks a transformative milestone in our journey. Aligned with our ambitious 3x3 Leapfrog Strategy for FY26, this move underscores our commitment to redefining market expansion and consumer engagement. The strategy focuses on three flagship products—Badam Milk, Paneer, and Curd—which form the cornerstone of Godrej Jersey's vision to lead the value-added dairy portfolio in South India. Our growth plan is anchored on three key objectives: 1. Increasing household penetration by driving trials for value-added products in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as core geography, strengthening our presence in the markets. 2. Expanding market reach for high-potential products like Badam Milk and Paneer to unlock deeper regional adoption and consumption. 3. Driving continuous product innovation to stay ahead of evolving consumer preferences and deliver superior value-added offerings with distinct benefits. To execute this effectively, we are scaling our distribution network across general trade, modern trade, e-commerce, and quick commerce platforms while increasing the number of distributor points and an improved tech-led route to the market. This comprehensive approach, supported by strategic investments and partnerships, positions us to drive consumer trials, accelerate growth, enhance product offerings, and solidify our leadership in these critical sunrise categories. 2. How does Godrej Jersey plan to use its 3x3 Leapfrog Strategy to expand market penetration and strengthen its product portfolio in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana? Our strategy focuses on expanding the value-added products portfolio by increasing household penetration and market reach. Over the next year, we aim to intensify advertising efforts in Andhra Telangana (APT) while extending our distribution network to 50,000 outlets in Telangana to boost awareness and drive product trials. Badam Milk, where we already hold market leadership in APT, continues to be a key growth driver. We are capitalising on the shift from aerated to milk-based beverages by strengthening our multi-channel presence and amplifying awareness and visibility through an impactful campaign featuring Rana Daggubati. As a prominent figure in Telugu cinema, Rana perfectly embodies the brand's values, helping us connect deeply with consumers and reinforce Badam Milk's position as a trusted and preferred choice of refreshment. Curd, with its premium consistency and home-like quality, offers significant growth potential in this moderately penetrated category. Its thick, creamy texture and no water separation—qualities highly valued by APT consumers—position it as an authentic and trusted choice for households. Paneer is another critical growth area, where we are addressing consumer challenges, particularly the lack of awareness about how to cook with Paneer. To empower consumers, we have introduced innovative 200g single-use packaging that retains softness during cooking and features QR-coded recipes by Chef Teja. His culinary expertise adds value by guiding consumers to explore versatile and easy-to-make Paneer dishes. As the second-largest Paneer player in APT, we see significant growth potential in this low-penetrated category in South Indian households. By combining data-driven consumer insights with an omnichannel approach, we aim to expand our physical footprint while building a robust ecosystem that ensures Godrej Jersey remains the trusted choice for quality dairy products across South India. 3. Badam Milk, a key hero product under the 3x3 Strategy, is set to become a ₹100 crore brand. What strategies will you deploy to achieve this and enhance its market appeal? Badam Milk, a cornerstone of our 3x3 Strategy, is pivotal to our growth in APT. To achieve the ₹100 crore milestone, we are leveraging the rapid growth of the taste-nutrition balanced milk-based beverages and the evolving consumer preferences. The Indian milk beverage market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 21.8% from CY 2023 to 2032, with South India contributing 30%, driven by rising health consciousness, disposable incomes, and demand for ready-to-drink (RTD) milk-based beverages. These trends align with Godrej Jersey Badam Milk's positioning as a healthier alternative to aerated drinks. Our high-impact campaign featuring Rana Daggubati amplifies this narrative, enhancing reach and reinforcing Badam Milk's appeal. Alongside, we are strengthening our multi-channel presence across general trade, modern trade, e-commerce, and quick commerce while deploying promotions, in-store activations, and sampling to encourage trials and repeat purchases. Looking ahead, we aim to meet evolving health-conscious preferences by exploring innovative pack sizes and formats, including no-sugar, low-sugar, high-protein, and nut-infused variants, while building newer platforms. This growth strategy underscores our commitment to staying ahead of market trends while solidifying Godrej Jersey's leadership in the ready-to-drink milk beverages category across South India. 4. What role will marketing investments, including celebrity endorsements, play in strengthening Godrej Jersey's brand presence in its focus markets? Marketing investments, including celebrity endorsements, play a pivotal role in strengthening Godrej Jersey's brand presence and driving deeper connections with our consumers in focus markets like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Our collaboration with Rana Daggubati is a key driver of this strategy. His credibility and influence, particularly within the South Indian film industry and Telugu-speaking audiences, make him an ideal ambassador for Godrej Jersey Badam Milk. By aligning him with the core messaging of Badam Milk as the perfect refreshment for today's hectic lifestyles, we aim to enhance brand recall, trustworthiness, and consumer engagement. For the paneer category, we've partnered with Vismai Food and Chef Teja, trusted culinary influencers with strong resonance among our target audience. Research reveals that 8 out of 10 consumers recognise Vismai Food as a reliable source for culinary inspiration. Leveraging this trust, we are addressing a key consumer insight: many Hyderabad-based consumers are unfamiliar with how to cook with paneer. To bridge this gap, we are launching a digital cookbook, featuring paneer recipes curated by Chef Teja and Vismai Food, making cooking easy and accessible for all. These marketing initiatives are designed to deepen consumer awareness and engagement, boost brand loyalty, and strengthen our regional leadership, which is already supported by APT, contributing nearly 60% of our revenue. Together, these efforts will drive market share growth and category expansion, cementing Godrej Jersey's position as a trusted choice in these crucial markets. 5. Being one of the key players in South India, what is your perspective on the overall A&M landscape in the region? South India's advertising and marketing (A&M) landscape is evolving rapidly, with a strong shift towards language-first strategies and culturally resonant content. Recent studies show that 90% of Indian consumers prefer brands that communicate in their local language*, highlighting the power of vernacular messaging in building trust and engagement. This trend has driven a 2x increase in engagement rates for hyper-local advertising, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. * Cities like Hyderabad and Bangalore are emerging as key hubs for performance and influencer marketing. The influencer marketing sector in India is projected to grow at a CAGR of 18%, reaching ₹3,375 crore by 2026, with regional influencers playing a vital role in connecting brands to local audiences.* At Godrej Jersey, we embrace these trends by rooting our marketing strategies in regional insights. From leveraging vernacular content to collaborating with local influencers, we create authentic connections that resonate deeply with South Indian consumers. Our campaigns reflect the traditions, values, and aspirations of the region, enhancing brand recall and driving stronger consumer engagement. The future of A&M in South India is undeniably regional in flavour, digital in execution, and emotional in impact. Brands that align their strategies with these trends are well-positioned to lead in this dynamic market, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this transformation. *According to exchange4media reports. Disclaimer: This article has been produced on behalf of Godrej Industries Limited by Times Internet's Spotlight team.
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Duke softball season draws to a close against Georgia in Durham Regional finale
Duke softball season draws to a close against Georgia in Durham Regional finale The Duke Blue Devils softball program reached the Women's College World Series for the first time in school history last summer, but head coach Marissa Young's quest for a second appearance will need to wait until at least 2026. The Blue Devils needed to beat the Georgia Bulldogs twice in a row on Sunday to advance through the double-elimination bracket of the Durham Regional, but Duke could only win the first matchup before the visiting SEC program prevailed in the winner-take-all finale. Just one day after an 8-2 loss at the hands of the Bulldogs put Duke on the wrong side of the bracket, the Blue Devils sent a message in the first half of the eventual double-header. The hosting team rattled through the order in the sixth to the tune of five hits and two walks, and four different batters brought a run around to build a 7-1 lead before the Bulldogs could register a third out. Duke added an insurance run in the top of the seventh courtesy of a sacrifice fly from KK Mathis, but it proved unnecessary in the 8-1 drubbing. Suddenly, with the first box of the afternoon checked, the home team looked like the favorite once again. With the Blue Devils back in their usual home spot at the bottom of the frame in the follow-up, senior slugger Ana Gold got the better of Georgia pitcher Randi Roelling out of the gates. The fourth-year shortstop blasted the 11th pitch of the game off her own face on the scoreboard over left-center field, dropping her bat and pumping her fists before the two-run shot even reached its apex. Just 24 hours after the Blue Devils faced the dire prospects of three consecutive victories to avoid elimination, they held a two-run lead in the regional finale. Now, all the Duke defense needed to do was hold on for six more innings. It held on for five. Junior star Cassidy Curd, last season's postseason hero against Missouri in the Columbia Super Regional, worked the Bulldogs comfortably for the next few frames. She gave up a walk in the second and a lone single in the third, retiring the side in just four batters each time, before running into her first semblance of trouble in the top of the fourth. The Bulldogs put two runners in scoring position after a walk and a single, moving the tying run within 120 feet of home plate, but Curd fired a third strike past Georgia shortstop Emily Digby before tempting catcher Marisa Miller into a harmless infield fly to end the frame. Curd dipped into choppy waters again in the bottom of the fifth, putting a runner on second with just one out, but second baseman Jada Baker saved the inning with a diving grab that she effortlessly turned into a double play. Duke could only play with fire for so long, however, especially with an offense that mustered just two hits over the final six innings of regulation. The Bulldogs scored a run in the sixth and another in the seventh, and if not for a late highlight from Duke centerfielder D'Auna Jennings, they might have won in regulation. Georgia second baseman Tyler Ellison launched what appeared to be a go-ahead sacrifice fly into the outfield, but Jennings set her feet underneath it and rifled a one-skip throw to beat pinch runner Mollie Mitchell to the plate and keep the game tied 2-2. In Saturday's elimination battle against Coastal Carolina, the Blue Devils put multiple runs on the board in the eighth inning to survive a nail-biter. On Sunday, they ended up on the other end of the rally. After 5.2 scoreless innings to open the game, Curd's postseason heroics abandoned her at the worst time. Georgia left fielder Jaydyn Goodwin sent the first pitch of the eighth inning over the fence to give the Bulldogs a 3-2 lead, and after right fielder Sarah Gordon followed that with a single into the outfield, the Blue Devils pulled Curd from the circle in favor of All-ACC nominee Dani Drogemuller. Even Duke's most dominant pitcher of the season couldn't rebalance the inning, however, as another single and a fielding error loaded the bases before a hit batter and a sacrifice fly dug the Blue Devils into a three-run hole. Roelling, as she had since the game's first inning, remained a buzzsaw for the Blue Devils. Even with their backs against the wall, they could only put a single runner on base, and Duke's season drew to a close with the 5-2 loss. Young and the Blue Devils finished the 2024 season with a 41-18 record, winning 20 of their last 26 games despite the two late losses to the Bulldogs. Georgia will face the Florida Gators in the Gainesville Super Regional.
