Brands
Love meets lunges: Puma, Bumble and Hyrox launch singles event
Valentine’s Day workout-meets-dating format for India’s sporty singles
BENGALURU: This Valentine’s Day, love may begin with lunges. Sports brand Puma India has teamed up with dating app Bumble and global fitness race Hyrox to launch a new singles-only fitness event that blends sweat, sport and socialising into one lively format.
The one-day experience will be held on 14 February at Phoenix Marketcity in Bengaluru, bringing together singles aged 21 to 35 for a beginner-friendly Hyrox challenge, followed by a social mixer. The idea is simple: work out first, warm up the conversation later.
Participants will take on a specially designed mini Hyrox course featuring short runs and functional workout stations. The format is meant to be accessible, inclusive and fun, even for those who are new to structured fitness events. The venue will double up as a social playground, where post-workout chats are as important as the finish line.
The collaboration builds on the Puma and Bumble partnership in India that began in 2024, which has focused on creating community-led sporting experiences. By bringing Hyrox into the mix, the brands aim to tap into a growing culture of fitness-driven social connections among young Indians.
For Puma India, the initiative fits neatly into its playbook of using sport as a cultural connector. The brand says Hyrox participation in India has been growing rapidly, with event entries doubling from one race to the next.
Bumble’s internal research also points to a shift in dating habits. Nearly half of singles in India now look for fitness or wellness activities as part of their dating lives, and most say sporty first dates feel more natural and less pressured.
Puma India head of marketing Shreya Sachdev, said the event builds on the brand’s approach of creating culture-led platforms through sport. She added that the collaboration is designed to bring fun, fitness and “matching wavelengths” together in one space.
Bumble chief marketing officer Neela Pal, said people are increasingly looking for real-life connections built around shared interests, with fitness offering easy common ground. She noted that the partnership aims to help singles meet in a way that feels natural, confident and pressure-free.
Hyrox India country head Deepak Raj, said the sport’s appeal lies in its strong sense of community. He added that shared effort often proves to be the best ice-breaker, and the beginner-friendly format is meant to open the doors to a wider audience.
Puma is the official apparel and footwear partner for Hyrox races worldwide, and the two have been working together to grow the sport in India. Since 2024, Puma and Bumble have also hosted several running and fitness-led community events designed to spark social connections beyond the screen.
If this Valentine’s Day experiment works, the path to romance in India may increasingly begin on a running track rather than a dinner table.
Brands
3SS names Felix Walter chief growth officer for Automotive
Walter to drive in-car entertainment growth and global partnerships
STUTTGART: 3 Screen Solutions (3SS), the software company bringing content to every screen from homes to cars, has appointed Felix Walter as chief growth officer, automotive. In this newly created role, Walter will steer 3SS’ global growth in the automotive sector.
Walter will focus on expanding 3SS’ automotive business, boosting customer acquisition among OEMs and service providers, and leading go-to-market, revenue, and business development strategies across marketing, sales, product, and customer success.
Central to his plans is 3Ready Automotive, 3SS’ in-car media platform that offers OEMs a flexible way to engage users and monetise content. Walter will oversee its ongoing growth, welcoming new content partners and expanding 3SS’ network of strategic alliances. The platform gained attention with the launch of the 3Ready Content Bundle at CES 2026.
This appointment follows recent successes including the launch of Škoda Play, the carmaker’s infotainment hub delivering curated video content such as news, themed clips, how-to videos, and branded material. Services like this are transforming waiting and charging time into engaging experiences, opening fresh revenue opportunities for OEMs.
3SS CEO Kai-Christian Borchers said, “Felix’ appointment signals our bold ambition in automotive. Since joining in 2023, he has driven rapid growth and success in this space, and we’re delighted to empower him to take the business even further.”
Walter added, “I’m thrilled to take on this role at a moment when in-car entertainment is taking centre stage. OEMs are waking up to the value of enriching their vehicles’ user experience. 3SS’ experience with smart TV and major entertainment platforms worldwide positions us perfectly to help carmakers create content-rich, personalised experiences that grow revenue over the long term.”
With Walter at the helm, 3SS looks set to accelerate the commercial possibilities of the software-defined vehicle, turning everyday journeys into entertainment opportunities.
