MAM
Suzuki launches Hayate campaign featuring Salman Khan
MUMBAI: Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), a subsidiary of two-wheeler manufacturer Suzuki Motor Corp, has launched the ad campaign for its recently launched mass segment motorcycle – the Hayate.
The campaign features the company‘s first brand ambassador Salman Khan. It has been ideated and executed by creative agency RK Swamy BBDO. The campaign is aided by the tagline ‘Suzuki Hayate, yun hi nahi chalate!‘ which translates to ‘Suzuki Hayate – there‘s always a reason to ride it.‘
The campaign is targeted towards the population in rural and semi-urban peripheries. It will use all mediums including television, cinema, radio, and print.
As part of the TVC, a police constable is shown informing his senior that a prisoner has run away. Khan enters the scene in a style reminiscent of his Dabanggg character (Chulbul Pandey) and says that he would use his new Hayate to catch the criminal and in the process highlights the benefits of the motorcycle. The campaign would be featured on general entertainment, movie, news, and regional language channels. The TVC will be also aired during Indian Idol Season 6, Salman Khan Movie Festival on UTV Movies and on Zee News.
SMIPL national head – marketing Anu Anamik said, “Hayate is a stylish, high performance, affordable, fuel efficient and easy to maintain motorcycle designed for daily commuters. Our brand ambassador Salman Khan is a passionate biker and a discerning brand endorser. This new association derives a strong connection between the Suzuki two-wheeler brand and the different segments that our expanding range of products is addressing. Salman Khan‘s national, cross-market, cross-segment appeal combines well with the Company‘s brand theme of Apna Way of Life.”
RK Swamy BBDO senior partner Sunil Kukreti added, “We wanted to play along Salman‘s well-embedded imagery to build an instant connect with the audience. We wanted all these attributes and brand imageries to be well communicated through this campaign featuring our brand ambassador, Salman Khan. His appeal cuts across segments and blends well with Suzuki‘s mass appeal, thereby connecting directly with our target audience.”
Brands
33 per cent of women believe the salary scale is rigged: Naukri report
Voices @ Work study finds rising calls for equal pay audits and lingering bias
MUMBAI: Progress may be visible in India’s workplaces, but many women still feel the need to tread carefully. A new report by Naukri reveals that one in two women hesitate to disclose marriage or maternity plans during job interviews, worried that such information could influence hiring decisions.
The findings come from the second edition of Naukri’s annual Voices @ Work International Women’s Day report, titled “What Women Professionals Want.” Drawing insights from more than 50,000 women across over 50 industries, the survey sheds light on evolving workplace aspirations alongside the biases that continue to hold women back.
One of the report’s most striking insights is the growing demand for equal pay audits. The share of women calling for regular pay parity checks has climbed to 27 per cent this year, up from 19 per cent a year ago. The demand now stands alongside menstrual leave as the most sought after workplace policy.
Interestingly, the call for pay transparency grows louder higher up the income ladder. Nearly half of women earning between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore annually say equal pay audits are a priority, suggesting that pay gaps become more visible as women move up the career ladder.
At the same time, confidence and ambition appear to be rising. About 83 per cent of women say they feel encouraged to pursue leadership roles, a significant jump from 66 per cent last year. Cities in southern India appear particularly supportive, with Hyderabad leading the way as 86 per cent of respondents there reported encouragement to step into leadership positions. The education sector recorded the highest sense of encouragement at 87 per cent.
Yet the report also highlights a growing trust deficit around pay equity. Nearly one in three women, or 33 per cent, say they do not believe men and women are paid equally at their workplace. That figure has risen from 25 per cent last year, pointing to widening perceptions of disparity as careers progress.
Bias in hiring and promotions continues to be the biggest hurdle. About 42 per cent of respondents say workplace bias is the main challenge for women from diverse backgrounds. The concern is consistent across major metros, with Chennai and Delhi NCR reporting similar levels.
Reluctance to discuss personal milestones during hiring processes is also widespread. While 34 per cent overall said they hesitate to share marriage or maternity plans in interviews, the anxiety increases with experience. Among professionals with 10 to 15 years of work experience, the figure rises to 40 per cent.
Info Edge group CMO Sumeet Singh, said the data reflects both progress and unfinished work. “Behind every data point in this report is a woman who is ambitious. The fact that 83 per cent feel encouraged to lead is something to celebrate. However, the fact that one in two still hide their marriage or maternity plans in interviews tells us the work is far from done. As India’s leading career platform, it felt not just important but necessary for us to shine a light on these gaps through the second edition of our report,” he said.
The report suggests that while ambition among women professionals is growing, structural changes around pay transparency, fair hiring and supportive policies will be key if workplaces hope to keep pace.
