Brands
Zomato and PayTM feature in Interbrands’ ‘Breakthrough Brands’ report
MUMBAI: A unique business model that is driven by innovation and technology is the trademark key to success among the emerging businesses in the world. Under tough competition, it is no longer enough to have hard working product or service. Smart brand building is the need of the hour. Keeping that in mind, Interbrand in partnership with Facebook, Ready Set Rocket and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), has released its ‘Breakthrough Brands’ report that examines strong emerging brands.
Of the 200 brands nominated, 60 ended up being featured in the Interbrand Breakthrough Brands report, although the list does not rank the brands.
India- founded Zomato has been featured in the Food and Beverage category along with Deliveroo from UK, Blue Apron from US and do dem from Brazil. Zomato’s mission is to facilitate better dining experiences for food seekers all over the world. Founded in 2008, this brand’s food discovery platform is now a part of India’s biggest personal assistant app, HelpChat, which will be able to anticipate users’ food-related desires. Zomato also offers online ordering and table reservations, as well as tools that allow restaurants to manage demands, thus creating better food experiences for both its users and one million restaurants partners worldwide.
Also, PayTM has been featured in the prestigious ‘Growing global’ category. This category celebrates the brands that have created a unique, differentiated approach which is global from day one. Breaking ground fast and too big to ignore, these brands are poised, or already on the path, to creating a significant global footprint. PayTM’s growing mission to create a one-stop, mobile shop has caused it to flourish in the population-dense country of India, where online platforms serve a growing need to get things done, quicker and more conveniently. Launched in 2010, PayTM began as mobile charging and bill payment service and has since become a full mobile commerce platform, with 20 million registered users and growing. It’s poised to break through in other Asian markets, where the one-stop-shop proposition is becoming increasingly popular. The brand has featured in the category along with Xiaomi from China, WeChat from China and DJI Global from Hong Kong.
“In this ‘Age of You’ brands are being used by people to design better experiences in their day to day lives. That is what necessitates the conventional brands themselves to move at the Speed of Life. The Breakthrough Brands are born into the new cognitive era and are unencumbered. They can therefore create bespoke experiences per people’s needs and desire with a clear purpose to provide solutions through a sustainable business model. The task thus is not so much technology-out as much as it is solution focused. Then on, all the regular tools of running a good business need to be put in place – a scalable resource plan with internal clarity, responsiveness and governance models; external differentiation to ward –off imitability and consistency while the scale up. The stronger the solution and its focus, the better would be the earned media and buzz that are the decisive promotional vehicles for today’s breakthrough brands,” said Interbrand India MD Ashish Mishra in parting.
Brands
Saugata Mukherjee exits SonyLIV after three-year run
Streaming veteran signs off after shaping originals at SonyLIV
MUMBAI: According to media reports, Saugata Mukherjee has moved on from his role as EVP and head of content at SonyLIV, drawing the curtain on a three-year stint at the streaming platform where he helped sharpen its originals slate and creative ambition.
Mukherjee, who took charge in September 2022, oversaw content strategy, commissioning and development at a time when India’s OTT space was locked in fierce competition. His brief was clear: build distinctive stories, back bold talent and keep SonyLIV in the conversation.
This was not his first innings with the platform. He previously served as svp and head of original content at SonyLIV between 2020 and 2021, steering premium commissions and working closely with film and television talent in Mumbai and beyond.
Between his two SonyLIV chapters, he had a short but notable stint as head of content, india for HBO Max at Warner Bros. Discovery, as the global streamer explored its India strategy.
Before that, he played a pivotal role at Disney+ Hotstar, then simply Hotstar, where as SVP and editor of hotstar specials he led the creative and development mandate for original digital content.
His journey through Indian media also includes senior leadership roles at Star TV Network, where he served as senior vice president and editor, content studio, and earlier as vice president, content, commissioning and incubating new shows for the network.
Earlier in publishing, he was publisher and editor in chief at Pan Macmillan, and managing editor and rights director at HarperCollins Publishers. He also held roles as senior consultant at niit ltd, acquisitions editor at Rupa Publications India pvt. ltd., and copy editor at HarperCollins Publishers.
From copy editor to content chief, Mukherjee’s career spans books, broadcast and streaming. His next chapter is yet to be announced.
