Brands
Heat Check as TechnoSport Outsmarts Hyderabad Sun with UPF50+ Push
MUMBAI: Hyderabad may swear by sunscreen, but TechnoSport just gave the sun a run for its money. To mark the opening of its biggest exclusive brand outlet at Sarath City Capital Mall, the athleisure brand rolled out a cheeky, heat-beating activation titled Stronger than Your Sunscreen, built squarely on the reality that in the city’s scorching 40–45°C weather, performance wear often needs superhero powers.
What followed was part marketing, part social experiment, and fully sun-proofed theatre.
As the centrepiece of the launch, TechnoSport installed a vending machine that dispensed free UPF50+ T-shirts, a playful yet pointed showcase of its sun-protection tech. What could have been a simple giveaway turned into a bona fide spectacle, with the installation drawing curious shoppers, gym-goers, and passers-by who wanted to test whether a T-shirt could really go toe-to-toe with Hyderabad’s brutal UV blaze.
The stunt sparked instant buzz, drove sizeable opening-day footfall and gave the new store the kind of opening-day headlines brands dream about.
TechnoSport head of marketing Patralika Agrawal said the city was the ideal setting for such a sun-savvy idea. “Hyderabad’s climate and lifestyle made this the perfect market for an activation centred on sun protection and performance wear,” she said. “The response reinforced the value of purpose-led marketing delivered with the right blend of creativity and cultural relevance.”
Her point was more than proven. The UPF50+ T-shirts which block 98 per cent of harmful UV rays didn’t just protect customers; they reframed TechnoSport’s technical innovation as something delightfully tangible.
True to its digital-first ethos, TechnoSport fused physical activation with online momentum. The vending machine became highly shareable social content, helping the brand extend conversations beyond the mall floor and straight into Hyderabad’s fitness and youth communities. The chatter fed into steady post-launch walk-ins, deepening awareness of the brand’s sun-ready gear.
By blending cultural insight, climate relevance and a wink at everyday consumer struggles, TechnoSport turned a store launch into a climate-conscious moment. The brand not only introduced Hyderabad to its largest outlet yet, but also cemented itself as a player that understands what performance really means in a city where the sun often steals the spotlight.
With creativity this sharp and T-shirts this sun-proof TechnoSport may have set a new standard for store launches that leave both shoppers and sceptics a little more protected.
Brands
Rohini Laya Venkateswaran named executive director at Gillette India
P&G veteran with two decades of experience steps into leadership role
NEW DELHI: Rohini Laya Venkateswaran has been appointed executive director at Gillette India Pvt. Ltd., bringing with her more than two decades of experience across sales, strategy and brand leadership within the consumer goods sector. In her new role, she will help steer the company’s strategic direction and growth while strengthening its footprint in the grooming and personal care category.
Venkateswaran joins the board after a long career at Procter & Gamble, where she spent nearly 21 years shaping sales strategy, building brands and driving market expansion across India and international markets.
Most recently, she served as chief sales officer for India at P&G. Prior to that, she was vice president and country manager for east gulf markets, overseeing operations in Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar while also guiding sales strategy across the Gulf region, including the UAE.
Earlier in her career, she led sales strategy and planning for India while serving as marketing leader for brands such as Olay and Old Spice. During this stint, she focused on reshaping go-to-market channels and building awareness through digital, social and influencer-led campaigns to drive growth.
Her journey at P&G also included roles such as director sales strategy and planning leader India, associate director modern retail and ecommerce, regional manager for Delhi and Rajasthan, and several key account and trade marketing roles across the country. She also spent time in the United States working on the P&G Walmart international team, collaborating on global retail initiatives.
Venkateswaran holds an MBA in marketing from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from RV College of Engineering.
With her mix of sales acumen, brand-building experience and global exposure, Venkateswaran’s appointment signals a sharpened focus on growth and market leadership for Gillette India.
