MAM
LinHealth is now ICC Lowe LinHealth
MUMBAI: Lowe Lintas & Partners‘ healthcare solutions agency LinHealth Communications will now operate in strategic partnership with ICC Lowe and has been rechristened ICC Lowe LinHealth, in India. ICC Lowe encompasses 13 agencies around the world and has a global presence within the IPG network of healthcare agencies.
ICC Lowe is a global healthcare communications organisation with multiple full-service offices in the US, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region and offers solutions to healthcare marketers such as Vertex, Biogen Idec, Astra Zeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi-Aventis and Gilead.
ICC Lowe integrates specialiced services in advertising/promotion, medical education, strategic planning, branding, digital solutions, mobile, sales training and consumer health marketing to build world-class brands and create positive outcomes that can transform the lives of healthcare consumers.
LinHealth president Dr Mehul Shukla said, “The aim is to bring into India all the latest and the most relevant technology and services in the healthcare communications space. And also to share with our global network, the skills and various Marcom models that have been developed, tested and perfected by LinHealth, here, in India.”
ICC Lowe president Paul O‘Neill said, “The addition of LinHealth represents a significant expansion for ICC Lowe beyond its considerable strength in the US and EU. The quality of the management team led by Dr Mehul Shukla and the superior reputation of LinHealth in India made the decision to enter this key market vastly easier. Their integrated business model and company values align ideally with ICC Lowe and we are tremendously excited to be working together.”
Lowe Lintas & Partners chief executive officer Joseph George said, “With access to ICC Lowe‘s tremendous experience and expertise in healthcare communications around the globe; ICC Lowe LinHealth will now be able to deliver truly expert solutions to the Indian Pharma and Medical market.”
MAM
BLR Airport Launches ‘Connections’ Service to Ease Transit Travel
New initiative targets smoother transfers as Bengaluru hub traffic rises 30 per cent.
MUMBAI: Missed connections may be a traveller’s nightmare but Bengaluru is trying to make them a thing of the past. Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has rolled out ‘Connections by BLR’, a new transfer programme designed to take the friction out of connecting journeys. Built around three pillars ease, efficiency and experience,the initiative aims to simplify what is often the most stressful leg of air travel.
The move comes as transfer traffic at BLR Airport climbs sharply, up more than 30 per cent year-on-year. Transfers currently account for around 15 per cent of total passenger traffic and are projected to touch 20 per cent by 2026, signalling a clear shift in how the airport is positioning itself within airline networks.
At its core, the programme focuses on making navigation intuitive and downtime more comfortable. Dedicated transfer desks have been set up across terminals, supported by colour-coded wayfinding blue and yellow signage designed for quick recognition. Inter-terminal movement is being streamlined through complimentary shuttle services with predictable wait times, while designated transfer zones aim to reduce passenger confusion.
Beyond logistics, the airport is leaning into experience. Travellers in transit now have access to a wider choice of lounges, curated retail and food and beverage options, as well as sleeping pods for short stays. For longer layovers, transit hotels in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 offer boutique in-terminal accommodation, an increasingly sought-after feature as global travel patterns evolve.
The timing is strategic. BLR Airport now connects to 114 passenger destinations 80 domestic and 34 international with key routes spanning Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune domestically, and Singapore, London Heathrow, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur internationally. Recent additions such as Hindon, Bidar and Silchar within India, alongside Dammam, Hanoi and Riyadh overseas, are further expanding its reach.
Infrastructure is also catching up with ambition. Developments including the West Cross Taxiway, Terminal 1 refurbishment and Terminal 2 expansion are laying the groundwork for higher capacity and smoother operations critical for any airport aiming to become a serious transfer hub.
Bangalore International Airport Limited chief operating officer Girish Nair framed the initiative as both a response to demand and a forward-looking play. He pointed to the growing depth of the airport’s network and the opportunity to build a more reliable transfer ecosystem that benefits both passengers and airline partners.
In an era where travel is as much about transitions as destinations, BLR Airport is betting that a seamless connection might just be the journey’s most important upgrade.
