MAM
Pond’s launches ‘Sun Portraits’ campaign using UV-sensitive Rajasthani art
Skincare brand turns traditional Phad paintings into living reminders of sun damage in Phalodi, Rajasthan.
MUMBAI: Pond’s has painted a striking new picture of sun protection, one that literally fades before your eyes. The leading skincare brand has unveiled ‘Sun Portraits’, a powerful campaign set in Phalodi, Rajasthan, where summer temperatures regularly soar to 51°C. In collaboration with local Phad artists, Pond’s commissioned life-size portraits of women from the region, painted directly onto the walls of their own homes using UV-sensitive paint.
As the harsh desert sun beats down day after day, the portraits visibly deteriorate fading, blemishing, and discolouring in real time mirroring the damaging effects of prolonged UV exposure on human skin. The evolving artwork serves as a daily, tangible reminder that sun protection is not optional.
Rather than relying on statistics or conventional advertising, the campaign embeds its message into something deeply personal and cultural: the women’s homes, their art, and their everyday routines. This community-driven approach transforms awareness into lived experience.
Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) vice president for Skincare Pratik Ved said, “Sun Portraits is a reflection of our belief that true impact lies not in telling people what to do, but in helping them experience why it matters. By transforming an invisible risk into a visible and evolving piece of art within their own homes, we’ve made sun protection both personal and immediate.”
Ogilvy senior executive creative director & creative head for beauty & luxury (West) Tanuja Bhat added, “In heartland India, narratives are etched in culture, art and tradition. We decided to use that language to create Sun Portraits, an awareness campaign that brings out the sun’s impact on skin in a simple yet powerful way.”
The campaign arrives at a time when purpose-driven creativity is gaining ground in Indian advertising. By blending cultural relevance with a strong human insight, Pond’s has created more than just an ad, it has turned homes into living canvases that quietly urge women to protect their skin every single day.
In the scorching heat of Rajasthan, Pond’s has found a brilliant way to make an invisible enemy visible proving that sometimes the most effective skincare message isn’t spoken, but slowly painted by the sun itself.
MAM
Sameer Nair steps down as CEO of Applause Entertainment
Veteran media executive exits after a decade at the Aditya Birla Group-backed studio.
MUMBAI: After a decade of calling the shots, Sameer Nair is taking a bow from Applause Entertainment. The veteran industry leader and CEO of the prominent content studio is stepping down from his role, according to sources familiar with the development. This marks a significant leadership transition at one of India’s key players in the television and digital content space.
Applause Entertainment, part of the Aditya Birla Group, has built a strong reputation under Nair’s leadership for its high-quality adaptations of international formats and a slate of original series across OTT platforms. Nair, who joined the company a decade ago, was instrumental in shaping its growth and positioning it as a notable force in India’s evolving streaming landscape.
Prior to Applause, he held senior roles at major media organisations, including Star India, where he played a pivotal part in the launch of the iconic show Kaun Banega Crorepati in 2000. He also worked with Balaji Telefilms and NDTV Imagine.
It remains unclear who will succeed Nair or what his next professional move will be. Queries sent to Nair did not receive a response, and Applause Entertainment declined to comment on the matter.
His exit comes at a time when the Indian content ecosystem is undergoing rapid changes, with streaming platforms recalibrating investments, focusing on profitability, and adjusting content strategies amid shifting viewer preferences and increasing competition.
Industry insiders suggest the transition could signal a strategic reset for Applause as it navigates the next phase of growth.
In the fast-paced world of Indian entertainment, where hits can fade as quickly as they rise, Sameer Nair has enjoyed a remarkably steady and influential run. As he steps off the stage at Applause, the spotlight now turns to what comes next for both the executive and the studio he helped build.
