MAM
IVM Podcasts launches ‘Smartphone Nation’
Mumbai: IVM Podcasts, a leading podcast network, is launching its first-ever documentary-style podcast called, ‘Smartphone Nation’ in partnership with Omidyar Network India, an investment firm focused on impact. The 26-episode series dives deep into the heart of India’s digital revolution, shining a spotlight on the ‘Next Half Billion’ (NHB) – the 500 million first-time internet users who have come online via their smartphones between 2018 and 2022. Smartphone Nation’ premieres on 15 September 2023, on the IVM Podcast Network.
Hosted by the dynamic duo of Utsav Mamoria, a market researcher and seasoned podcaster, and Niveditha Prakasam, a well-known comedian and writer, ‘Smartphone Nation’ features the voices of consumers, especially the NHB, entrepreneurs and investors. Available in English, Hindi and Tamil, Smartphone Nation paints a vivid picture of how pioneering startups are innovating for the Next Half Billion, and how this substantial population segment is reshaping India’s socio-economic landscape.
From education and healthcare to insurance and transport, the podcast explores game-changing initiatives that cater to the specific needs of these new internet users, providing them with an opportunity for social and economic mobility and to improve their lives.
IVM Podcasts- Pratilipi head Amit Doshi commented “’Smartphone Nation’ is not just about technology; it’s a celebration of human stories that are reshaping the contours of our nation. Through our partnership with Omidyar Network India, we’re giving voice to the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of entrepreneurs and first-time internet users, fostering a deeper understanding of India’s digital journey. It’s about bridging the gap between technology and human experiences, highlighting not just the digital revolution, but also the human spirit that propels it. As we delve into the narratives of the ‘next half billion’ and the startups driving this transformative wave, we hope to inspire, educate, and empower audiences across the country.”
Omidyar Network India director, marketing & communications Rohan Vyavaharkar said, “The Next Half Billion represent the bottom 60 per cent of India’s income distribution, but they also represent the hustle and ambition of India. Smartphone Nation is an opportunity to underline just how their lives are undergoing transformation due to technology. The show also brings out how the NHB is helping entrepreneurs understand better use of tech to build solutions specifically for them. We hope the show helps listeners appreciate just how much change is afoot on ground while also encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity in innovating for the Next Half Billion.”
From the bustling urban centers to the heart of rural India, Smartphone Nation invites audiences to tune into this chronicle of a nation that is in the midst of a digital transformation. The podcast will be available on IVM Podcasts’ YouTube channel and all leading audio streaming platforms.
Brands
Faber-Castell India appoints Sunaina Haldar as director – marketing
With stints at Tata, SleepyCat and ADF Foods under her belt, Haldar is primed to redraw Faber-Castell’s brand story
MUMBAI: Faber-Castell India has poached Sunaina Haldar from ADF Foods, appointing her director – marketing as the German stationery brand looks to muscle up in a category that is rapidly reinventing itself around creativity and self-expression.
Haldar hit the ground running. “My first couple of weeks have been incredibly energising, understanding consumers, visiting markets, engaging with retailers and immersing myself into the world of Faber-Castell Group,” she said.
She arrives with considerable firepower. At ADF Foods, Haldar ran marketing across India and international markets for a portfolio spanning Ashoka, Aeroplane, Camel and ADF Soul. Before that, she was vice-president – marketing at direct-to-consumer mattress brand SleepyCat, where she helmed brand, content and performance marketing. Her résumé also includes a stint leading marketing, new product development and CRM for Tata SmartFoodz at Tata Consumer Products, no small proving ground.
Between corporate roles, Haldar also operated as a fractional CMO for early-stage startups, building marketing strategy and operational structures from scratch, a signal that she knows how to move fast with limited resources.
With 18 years straddling FMCG, D2C and the startup world, Haldar now takes the reins at a brand that has long owned the classroom but is clearly hungry for the living room. In a stationery market where the pencil has become a lifestyle statement, Faber-Castell has picked someone who knows exactly how to sell that story.
