MAM
Airtel partners with Google to offer search services on Airtel Mobile
MUMBAI: Bharti Airtel and Google announced a strategic partnership that is expected to set new grounds in mobile search and help redefine the mobile internet in India. As part of the agreement, Airtel will bring Google search to the Airtel Live mobile WAP portal. Google will also incorporate advertising through its Mobile Ads product on the Airtel Live mobile portal.
The Google search engine on Airtel Live mobile portal will enable Airtel users to use the Google search engine to easily access content. Google will power searches on Airtel Live in two areas – on net (rich content on Airtel Live) and off net (Internet on Mobile). Airtel Live has over 50,000 exclusive pieces of content including information like news, stock ticker and sports scores and downloadable content like games, music, video clips and wall papers. Also, for customers who access the Internet through their mobile phone, Airtel will bring to them the power of Google in a format that makes mobile surfing an enjoyable experience.
Google will also incorporate Mobile Ads, which are text advertisements based on search terms that are displayed alongside search results on the Airtel Live mobile portal. This will enable advertisers to reach targeted users with their products and services on a cost-per-click basis. This new business model is a first for both consumers and businesses in India.
“In India, mobile is fast outgrowing the growth of PCs. Mobile users outnumber PC users in India by a factor of six. The first computing experience for the majority of Indians in the next few years will be on a mobile phone. Airtel is delighted to partner with Google, a company that literally reinvented the Internet, to bring its cutting edge technology to our customers.” Said Manoj Kohli, President, Bharti Airtel Ltd. “By offering Google services to our customers, Airtel strengthens its commitment to innovation. With this service, World Wide Web has literally converged into the handheld device enabling anytime, anywhere access to information and entertainment for Airtel customers,” he added.
Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, Vice President, Asia Pacific and Latin America Operations, Google said, “Today, India is one of the fastest growing mobile markets in the world. We are very pleased to partner with Airtel, a company that has played a key role in leading India‘s explosive mobile growth, to bring Google services to the millions of mobile users in India. By providing immediate access to Google, Airtel is creating a compelling experience for its users, who will now be able to quickly and easily find information that‘s important to them.”
MAM
BLS International launches #VisaReady campaign to guide applicants
Initiative targets visa myths, delays and rejections with practical guidance
MUMBAI: Visa woes may soon meet their match because paperwork, it seems, is finally getting a user manual. BLS International has rolled out a new awareness drive, #VisaReadyWithBLSInternational, aimed at simplifying the often confusing visa application process and reducing delays caused by misinformation and incomplete documentation. The campaign, led across social media platforms, zeroes in on a long-standing pain point for travellers: lack of clarity around procedures, timelines and requirements. By offering step-by-step guidance, documentation checklists and clear Dos and Don’ts, the initiative attempts to turn what is typically a stressful process into a more predictable one.
At its core, the campaign also seeks to bust common myths that frequently derail applications issues that often lead to avoidable rejections or last-minute complications. The idea is to equip applicants with practical, actionable insights so they can plan better and submit stronger applications within expected timelines.
The push will not remain limited to digital channels. BLS International plans to extend the initiative across its Visa Application Centres globally, reinforcing awareness at key touchpoints where applicants engage with the process.
BLS International joint managing director Shikhar Aggarwal framed the campaign as more than a communication exercise, emphasising the company’s attempt to embed guidance and preparedness into every stage of the applicant journey.
Operating in over 70 countries and working with more than 46 client governments including embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions, the company has built a sizeable footprint in visa and consular services. With this campaign, it is now leaning into education as much as execution, signalling that in the world of visas, clarity might just be the new currency.
