Brands
HYBE India, Samsung India team up to launch nationwide talent auditions
Partnership aims to discover and support next generation of female performers
MUMBAI: HYBE India has partnered with Samsung India to roll out a nationwide talent audition programme aimed at discovering and nurturing the next generation of female performers in India.
The initiative combines HYBE’s global entertainment expertise with Samsung’s technology ecosystem, offering aspiring artists a platform to showcase their skills and build a pathway into the music and performance industry.
At the core of the collaboration is a multi-city audition drive, supported both online and on-ground. Specially designed Galaxy Audition Studios will be set up across 10 cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Hyderabad, within Samsung’s retail spaces. These hubs are intended to give participants a hands-on environment to rehearse, record, and refine their performances.
HYBE India chief operating officer Dahae Lee said the partnership is rooted in a shared goal of supporting young women’s aspirations, adding that the company is committed to guiding talent “from the initial audition stages to the moment of their debut.”
Echoing the sentiment, Samsung India vice president, MX business Aditya Babbar said the initiative is about enabling young women to “be seen and heard on a global stage,” while creating meaningful opportunities through technology.
Participants will be able to use Samsung Galaxy devices to create and submit audition content, from recording vocals to shooting performance videos, making the process more accessible and integrated with everyday tools.
The programme is also being amplified through Samsung’s ‘Show them how it’s done #withGalaxy’ campaign, positioning the initiative as both a talent search and a broader cultural push around self-expression and creativity.
As India’s creator economy continues to expand, the partnership signals a growing convergence between entertainment and technology players. By combining infrastructure, reach, and storytelling, HYBE India and Samsung are betting on a new wave of performers ready to step into the spotlight.
Brands
Beardo unveils new film for Godfather fragrance
Danish Pandor leads cinematic campaign spotlighting power and comeback narrative.
MUMBAI: Power doesn’t always shout sometimes, it just walks back in and takes its seat. Beardo has rolled out a new campaign film for its flagship Godfather fragrance, bringing a cinematic lens to one of its most recognisable products. The film stars Danish Pandor, fresh off his portrayal of Uzair Baloch, and leans into a narrative built on quiet authority, tension, and a long-anticipated return.
Set in an abandoned den with an unclaimed throne, the film unfolds through whispers and restrained drama, culminating in a reveal that favours presence over proclamation. The storytelling mirrors the positioning of the Godfather fragrance itself, an enduring bestseller in the men’s grooming category, known for its bold, woody-spicy profile and appeal across age groups.
Rather than opting for a traditional feature-led approach, the brand leans into mood and mythology. Pandor’s performance anchors the film’s central idea of an anti-hero reclaiming control, aligning with the fragrance’s identity as a symbol of dominance and self-assured masculinity.
Conceptualised by Beardo’s in-house team, the campaign has been released across Instagram and Youtube, reflecting a broader shift towards content that blurs the line between advertising and entertainment particularly for digital-first audiences.
The fragrance itself blends mint, lemon, geranium, vetiver, and musk, designed to be long-lasting and versatile. But the campaign makes it clear: this isn’t just about scent notes, it’s about signalling presence.
In a category crowded with claims, Beardo’s latest play doesn’t try to be louder. It simply leans into the idea that the real ‘OG’ doesn’t announce itself, it’s felt.
