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Time of India
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Happydent unveils sparkling storytelling highlighting the power of a smile
HighlightsHappydent, the chewing gum brand from Perfetti Van Melle India, has launched a new ad campaign titled 'Chamking Gum: Chamka Muskaan, Jagmag Jahaan', which emphasises the power of a radiant smile to inspire imagination and social responsibility. The campaign, conceptualised by McCann Worldgroup India, features creative leader Prasoon Joshi, who wrote the lyrics and provided the voice for the background song, enhancing the film's emotional and cultural resonance with modern audiences. Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director of Perfetti Van Melle India, highlighted the brand's commitment to cultural and emotional relevance, while Gunjan Khetan, Marketing Director, emphasized that the campaign reflects the spirit of imagination and purpose central to the brand's identity. Happydent , India's chewing gum brands from the house of Perfetti Van Melle India , has launched a new ad film that takes a playful yet purposeful turn. The new campaign ' Chamking Gum: Chamka Muskaan, Jagmag Jahaan ', rekindles the brand's legendary storytelling with a fresh, cinematic lens—celebrating the magic of a radiant smile and its power to inspire imagination, drawing viewers into a visually rich narrative world. Conceptualised by McCann Worldgroup India , the campaign is led by creative leader Prasoon Joshi , who has written the lyrics for the background song and lent his unique voice to it, set to the music of Bollywood's music maestro, Shantanu Moitra. The campaign is thoughtfully crafted to resonate with a new generation of consumers who value authenticity, playfulness, and purpose. At the heart of the film is a storyline revolving around a group of performers who, with the help of visual-red paint and bright smiles, highlight the improper conduct of needlessly littering their surroundings. It is an imaginative yet insightful reminder that small acts of brightness can spark larger societal change. Rooted in cultural insights and everyday behavior, the film blends relatability, warmth, and a subtle message to highlight how simple gestures can inspire collective responsibility. With rich, high-impact visuals, the campaign pays homage to Happydent's iconic legacy—including memorable classics like the Palace and Photographer ads while evolving its storytelling for today's world. Commenting on the launch, Nikhil Sharma, managing director, Perfetti Van Melle India, shared, 'At Perfetti Van Melle India, our goal has always been to build brands that resonate culturally and emotionally while delivering business impact. Happydent perfectly embodies this vision. ' Chamka Muskaan, Jagmag Jahaan ' reflects our strategic intent to stay relevant with modern consumers while staying true to the brand's core. Our enduring partnership with McCann Worldgroup continues to deliver creative excellence that is both distinctive and meaningful.' Gunjan Khetan, marketing director, Perfetti Van Melle India, added, 'Happydent has always believed in the power of imaginative storytelling—narratives that don't just entertain, but connect. This campaign celebrates the sparkling smile as a symbol of imagination, expression and meaning. ' Chamka Muskaan, Jagmag Jahaan ' isn't just a tagline—it's the spirit of the brand and the times we live in. As we engage with Gen Z and modern audiences, we're proud to create stories that reflect purpose and emotional resonance with visual brilliance.' Prasoon Joshi - chief creative officer and chief executive officer McCann Worldgroup India said, 'Writing for Happydent has always been close to my heart. But this project would not have been possible without the unwavering trust and collaborative spirit of the Perfetti team. Special acknowledgment goes to Nikhil and his belief in bold ideas. Along with Gunjan who gave us the creative freedom we needed to soar. They have kept the legacy of visionaries like Sameer Suneja who redefined Perfetti's advertising . The day I met Vinil for this project I knew he would be the right person to give life to this idea and script. He has an exceptional eye for craft and storytelling, and it shines through in every frame.' The new Happydent commercial is a film that isn't just another commercial—it's a reminder of what advertising can be when it dares to dream, laugh and feel, the company stated in a press release. Watch the video here:
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Radisson signs three-hotel deal in East India as part of expansion drive
Radisson Hotel Group is expanding its footprint in East India with the signing of three new hotels in Deoghar, Puri and Ranchi. This deal forms a significant part of the group's broader India growth strategy, bringing a combined total of 400 rooms across the three locations. The three hotels — Radisson Blu Hotel in Deoghar, Radisson RED Puri , and Radisson Resort & Spa in Ranchi — are each designed to tap into distinct regional opportunities. The group said the properties are aimed at meeting local demands while also delivering experiences aligned with global hospitality standards. In Deoghar, Jharkhand, Radisson Blu Hotel will be the city's first internationally branded upper-upscale property. Deoghar is known for both spiritual and medical tourism, and it is increasingly becoming a popular venue for large weddings and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) events. The hotel will be located near the Deoghar Airport and AIIMS, offering views of the Tapovan and Trikuta Hills. It aims to serve pilgrims, wellness travellers and event planners. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Lắp đặt dễ dàng: Khám phá gạch cao su mới - không cần keo, không lộn xộn! Gạch | Quảng cáo tìm kiếm Tìm Ngay Undo In Odisha, Puri will see the launch of the group's first core-branded hotel in the state under the Radisson RED brand. Located along New Marine Drive Road near Puri Beach, the hotel will feature RED's distinctive design, as well as curated food, beverage and wellness offerings. It is positioned to cater to both modern leisure travellers and spiritual tourists. The hotel is expected to attract significant footfall during key events like the annual Ratha Yatra at the Shree Jagannath Temple . Its proximity to Bhubaneswar also makes it a potential venue for destination weddings. The Ranchi property will come up along the Ranchi–Jamshedpur highway and will be branded as Radisson Resort & Spa. Surrounded by greenery, the resort is being designed to serve as a premium venue for MICE events, weddings and leisure travel. Ranchi is an administrative and economic hub, and this hotel will become the group's fifth property in Jharkhand and second in the capital city. Live Events You Might Also Like: Radisson Hotel Group had five new openings in H12025 'With the growing momentum of spiritual, cultural, and medical tourism in India, Radisson Hotel Group is focused on staying ahead of the curve by offering world-class luxury and upscale hospitality across cities. With over 13 (five operational, eight in pipeline) properties in East India, this three-hotel signing deal is a strong testament to our commitment to expanding in high-potential markets across the country," Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director and COO, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said. "With strategic locations and tailored brand offerings, these hotels will further reinforce our presence in East India while delivering an exceptional experience to the guests,' he added. The Deoghar property will offer region-specific food and beverage concepts along with large meetings and events spaces, targeting weddings and corporate events. As the first international upper-upscale brand in the area, it is expected to strengthen Radisson's brand equity and visibility in the region. Radisson RED Puri will feature 105 rooms and combine lifestyle-focused design with functional spaces. The hotel will be divided into two sections — a beachfront area with low-rise rooms, a swimming pool and one F&B outlet, and a block-structured section with additional rooms, a rooftop bar overlooking the ocean, meeting areas and wellness facilities. The group claims this will be Puri's first upscale lifestyle hotel, with a format distinct from existing and upcoming branded developments. The Ranchi resort will be spread across eight acres and feature 175 rooms, along with extensive meeting and banquet facilities. The company said this would address a growing need for high-end resort-style accommodation in the area, especially for weddings and social MICE events. Davashish Srivastava, Senior Director, Development South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said, 'This signing reflects our continued focus on unlocking value in high-potential micro-markets that are witnessing strong demand across spiritual, leisure and business travel segments. Deoghar, Puri and Ranchi each present a distinct opportunity — from being deeply rooted in religious & leisure tourism circuits to evolving into emerging economic and wellness hubs.' Sanjay Kumar Sharda, director of Sharda Devcon Private Limited, which is partnering with Radisson on the projects, said that partnering with Radisson Hotel Group aligned with their vision to bring high-quality hospitality experiences to emerging destinations. He added that, with Radisson's operational excellence and strong brand equity, they were confident the collaboration would elevate the hospitality landscape in Jharkhand and Odisha while offering travellers world-class comfort rooted in the local context.
Skift
20-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Inside Radisson's 'Welcome India' Program, Expansion Plans, and Marketing Strategy
Radisson now has 200 properties in its India portfolio and is optimistic about having 500 operating hotels in the next 5-7 years. But a strong marketing strategy is amiss as it relies on word of mouth and loyalty. The Radisson Hotel Group is working on a program that aims to prepare its properties across the world for Indian travelers. The program, called Welcome India, is currently in the works, Nikhil Sharma, managing director and chief operating officer for South Asia at Radisson Hotel Group told Skift. 'We want our hotels globally to be ready for Indians because Indian travelers have their nuances like vegetarian food or multi-generational travelers,' he said. He added that India is among a handful of countries that have multi-generational travelers, with all of them having different needs. 'Indian travelers traveling with families want rooms next to each other, for example. These are very small quirks and nuances.' This is also true for destination Indian weddings, he said, where some hotels might not understand or have knowledge of the rituals that are a part of the ceremony. He shared that the company is currently working on the blueprint. 'We will probably launch it in 2026 or 2027,' he said, adding that it will first be implemented in nearby countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore, before expanding to Europe and Americas. 'The whole point is to make a playbook and ensure that Indians feel as at home in a Radisson anywhere in the world as they do in India.' 200 Hotels in India Radisson's portfolio in India has expanded to 200 operational and developing properties. The chain has been present in the country for 26 years. According to Sharma, Indians relate to Radisson as an Indian brand. 'As an international brand, we are very local and nationalistic in our approach. We continue to grow because more than 50% of our portfolio is in smaller cities.' He said that over the next 5-7 years, India could go from 185,000 branded hotel rooms to 1 million operating rooms. 'I truly believe that during this time, Radisson could easily reach 500 operating hotels,' he said. According to Sharma, smaller cities and spiritual destinations are the drivers of growth in the country. 'If we want India to develop, the growth has to be beyond the top 10 cities. That is where we have been focused. We opened hotels in locations such as Karjat and Yavatmal which did not have tourists coming in,' he said. While India has a large number of unbranded hotels, he said many are using a soft brand approach in which independent hotels collaborate with larger hospitality chains for sales and operational support while retaining their own unique name and identity. For example, Radisson has two soft brands - Radisson Individuals and Radisson Individual Retreats. According to Sharma, unbranded hotels are also not always able to get a Radisson brand because they do not meet the requirements due to lack of resources. 'In the future, you will see more unbranded hotels transitioning into branded ones in the midscale, upscale, and upper-upscale segments,' he added. Competition Intense, Marketing Missing Competition is intensifying in India as the brands present in India are increasing their inventory and more brands are entering. He said that Radisson is counting on word of mouth and loyalty to help distinguish itself among an increasingly discerning customer base. 'Loyalty is a core part of our system. We have 2.2 million Indians enrolled in our Radisson Rewards program, and last year, we saw almost 15% of them re-booking with us within a 3 to 6-month period. So repeat bookings are a huge pull.' To further attract Indian audiences, Radisson is upping its experience. Radisson is one of the sponsors for Bangalore football club. 'We want to be associated with more youthful upcoming sports,' he said. The company has also launched a new program called Literary Escapes for travelers who like to read. 'We intend to have book reading clubs in some of our hotels and partner with authors to continue the culture of book reading,' he explained. Initiatives like these will be brand differentiators to some extent, Sharma shared. It is also promoting its 'Art of Weddings' program designed to help couples plan and customize their weddings at Radisson properties as Indian weddings become more extravagant. 'It is not that we weren't having weddings in Radisson, but we were not showcasing it.'
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Business Standard
18-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Perfetti Van Melle India aims for Rs 4,000 crore revenue in FY26
After closing FY25 at Rs 3,500 crore, the confectionery maker expects FY26 to be stronger, driven by improved demand, distribution depth and product mix shifts Sharleen Dsouza Mumbai Listen to This Article After closing FY25 at Rs 3,500 crore, Perfetti Van Melle India expects to close FY26 at Rs 4,000 crore on the back of double-digit growth, as the company anticipates improved demand compared to the previous financial year. 'Last year (FY25) was tough for us and for the whole industry. We had a couple of great years in 2022 and 2023 and we still haven't seen the kind of consumer demand of those two years come back,' Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director, Perfetti Van Melle India, told Business Standard. He explained that there are other growth levers the confectionery maker
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Chains line up for signing more properties in Jawai
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Jawai, located in the Pali district of Rajasthan about 650 kilometers from Delhi, and made famous for its leopard sightings and luxury safari camps by the uber rich, is drawing interest from budget and luxury chains two weeks ago, Lemon Tree Hotels signed a boutique property in Jawai that will come up next year, and will comprise 17 villas with their own private pools or jacuzzis, said Vilas Pawar, CEO of the managed and franchised business at the chain. Earlier this month, Radisson Hotel Group launched the Aaramgah Jawai Resort & Spa, with 22 premium rooms and 10 luxury villas. Nikhil Sharma, MD and COO, South Asia at Radisson Hotel Group said at the time of the launch that Jawai offers an 'unparalleled' blend of rich heritage, cultural authenticity, and pristine wilderness, allowing travelers to explore Rajasthan's 'true essence' beyond the traditional tourist region has gained significant popularity due to its proximity to major tourist destinations such as Udaipur, which is approximately 150 kms away, and Jodhpur, around 170 kms away. Known for its opportunities to spot wild leopards and its distinctive landscape, located on the Jawai river that flows out of the Aravalli Hills, the destination gained attention when several Bollywood celebrities headed there for vacations. The Postcard Jawai Leopard Reserve is under construction and is scheduled to open in January 2026, said Kapil Chopra, founder and CEO, The Postcard Hotel. It is being built in partnership with the Heda family office and the architectural planning is by master architect Ravi Gupta who has previously worked on both The Oberoi Rajvilas and The Oberoi Sukhvilas, said Jain, founder of Mayfair Consultants said he has secured mandates for two luxury properties that are in the early stages of development, and are aimed at international brands. 'Each property spans over 10 acres of land and will feature 14 luxury villas,' he region has gained recognition as one of the world's 'most unique' wildlife destinations, said Jaisal Singh, owner of SUJÁN Jawai, a Relais & Châteaux member property. As per its website, a 'minimum three nights stay' required at the property at the end of this year will set you back by Rs 612,000 excluding taxes and fees. Relais & Châteaux is an association and affiliation of individually owned and operated luxury hotels and Michelin starred restaurants across the world. "While we at SUJÁN have consistently maintained globally benchmarked standards, we believe it is not about tourism alone," said Singh. "It is about making a tangible positive impact, and tourism that benefits the environment, the sensitivities of wildlife as well as the communities, and to that end, I am sure that the government of Rajasthan will take all steps required to ensure that there are no violations or unplanned development that harms the beauty and coexistence that exists in Jawai," he other operational, branded properties in the region include Jawai Zinc Journey by The Fern, ITC Hotels' Welcomheritage Cheetahgarh Resort & Spa, Clarks Safari Jawai Bandh Resort, and Brij Pola, Jawai. ITC Hotels MD Anil Chadha said the chain continues to evaluate opportunities and is open to considering additional new hotels under its brands in total inventory of branded rooms in the Jawai region is pegged at approximately 150 rooms with an additional 60-80 rooms likely to get added with the new from Mayfair Consultants said the average room rate in the region fluctuates between Rs 15,000- Rs 22,000 during the lean season and rises to around Rs 45,000- Rs 60,000 during the peak season that lasts from October end till the end of per media reports, Rajasthan witnessed a record 23 crore domestic tourists and nearly 21 lakh foreign tourists in 2024. Domestic tourist arrivals in Rajasthan surged by 28% while foreign visitors increased by 21% in 2024.
