MAM
RK Swamy BBDO Interactive wins Mercedes-Benz’s digital mandate
MUMBAI: RK Swamy BBDO Interactive has won the mandate for the digital and social media business of Mercedes-Benz.
The incumbent on this account is GroupM‘s MEC: Interaction. Active in the digital space for the last two years, Mercedes-Benz India plans to intensify its activities during the course of this year.
Mercedes-Benz director sales marketing Debashis Mitra said, “We were looking for a partner with in-depth understanding of the luxury automotive space and has the ability to steer the brand online engaging with our target group in a meaningful manner. RK Swamy BBDO Interactive strategically fit the bill as they understand our brand by virtue of handling our creative business. They have a young and passionate team and our expectations from them are high.”
RK Swamy BBDO Interactive senior partner Neeraj Sangani said, “Brands need to have a vision and a purpose in the online space. We are glad that the Mercedes-Benz team and we think alike. There is a lot of ‘noise’ around the medium but brands that will listen and engage will win in the long run. We have clearly articulated a plan to achieve our objectives.”
RK Swamy BBDO Interactive offers digital solutions including web design, iMedia planning and buying, social media, mobile and ipad pps.
Brands
HP launches Smart Champs learning game show with JioStar for students
Sanya Malhotra hosts quiz series blending fun, learning and prizes
NEW DELHI: HP India has teamed up with JioStar to launch HP Smart Champs, a new learning-based game show designed to make education engaging for school students across the country.
Hosted by Sanya Malhotra, the 10-episode series brings together students from Grades 5 to 9, who compete in teams through quiz and puzzle-based challenges that test knowledge, logic and teamwork. The show will begin streaming on JioHotstar from April 11 and will premiere on Nick on April 18, with weekend episodes airing at 7 PM.
Powered by HP Smart Tank printers, the format integrates print-based learning into the gameplay, using worksheets, clues and visual problem-solving tools to encourage hands-on participation. The idea is to move students beyond rote memorisation and towards more applied, curiosity-led learning.
The competition promises high stakes, with winners set to receive a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, while runners-up will take home Rs 5 lakh. Additional rewards include HP AI laptops, Smart Tank printers and accessories, while the winning school will be awarded an HP Smart Tech Lab.
Speaking about the initiative, HP India managing director Ipsita Dasgupta said, “At HP, we believe nurturing India’s youth is key to the country’s progress, and technology plays a foundational role in enabling this. With HP Smart Champs, we wanted to create something beyond traditional learning, a fun-filled platform where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking take centre stage.”
On the show’s reach, JioStar head entertainment sales Mahesh Shetty said, “HP Smart Champs reflects how children today learn through exploration and experience. With Nick and JioHotstar, we are creating a multi-screen approach that is both engaging and meaningful.”
Highlighting the role of print, HP India senior director print Satish Kumar said, “The show brings print-based learning to life in an engaging format, helping students develop deeper understanding through hands-on experiences.”
The journey to the finale began with participation from over 1,000 schools across 26 cities, narrowing down to 34 finalists who will compete in a studio showdown in Mumbai.
With its blend of entertainment, education and technology, HP Smart Champs is positioning itself as more than just a quiz show. It is a nationwide push to make learning interactive, accessible and, above all, a lot more fun.
