Brands
Shaadi.com stirs up Lucknow with giant kadhai ad
MUMBAI: Who knew a humble kitchen kadhai could cook up such a storm? Shaadi.com’s latest outdoor campaign in Lucknow has done just that, turning a beloved North Indian superstition into a citywide spectacle.
Partnering with Moms, the outdoor specialist from Madison World, the matchmaking platform unveiled a giant kadhai installation that instantly caught eyes and sparked conversations both on the streets and online. The campaign draws from the cheeky local saying, “Kadhai se kha liye? Shaadi mein baarish pakki!,” a superstition as familiar as it is funny.
By turning that everyday phrase into a playful visual, the campaign struck a chord with audiences who couldn’t resist stopping for selfies, laughs, and a touch of nostalgia. It was a perfect recipe for virality, a mix of wit, warmth and cultural flair.
“With this campaign, we wanted to showcase Shaadi.com’s relatable, light-hearted side in a way that truly connects with regional culture,” said Moms chief executive officer Jayesh Yagnik. “The kadhai idea taps into a shared superstition and turns it into a moment of joy and connection.”
Shaadi.com brand manager – creative and social Johanna Israni added, “Some of the best ideas come from simple memories. Sneaking a bite from the kadhai is a universal moment, and we just blew it up, literally, to bring a smile to everyone’s face.”
Conceptualised by Shaadi.com’s in-house creative team and executed with Moms, the campaign was further amplified digitally by Pulpkey. The result? A light-hearted outdoor activation that served equal parts nostalgia and novelty, proving that in advertising, sometimes all it takes is a good story, a great laugh, and one oversized kadhai.
Brands
Himanshu Khanna joins CKA Birla Group as group chief marketing officer: report
Former Raymond lifestyle CMO to lead group-wide brand and marketing strategy
MUMBAI: According to a media report citing industry sources, senior marketing leader Himanshu Khanna has joined CKA Birla Group as group chief marketing officer.
Khanna moves from Raymond Limited, where he served as chief marketing officer for the lifestyle division since August 2021, overseeing the marketing transformation of the company’s nearly $1 billion lifestyle business. His tenure featured a sharper consumer focus, a digital-first operating model and large-scale retail and brand modernisation.
At Raymond, Khanna led brand strategy and growth across a broad portfolio including Raymond suiting and shirting, Park Avenue, ColorPlus, Parx, Ethnix by Raymond, ready-to-wear, Raymond Home and Raymond made-to-measure. His remit also covered retail marketing, digital marketing, consumer insights, visual merchandising and brand protection.
Before joining Raymond, Khanna was business head for the FMCG division at RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, with full P&L responsibility. During this period, he scaled the snack brand Too Yumm!, drove rapid revenue growth, led the integration of Apricot Foods following its acquisition and executed a business turnaround.
Khanna’s career spans over three decades across global consumer companies, with senior leadership roles at Beam Suntory, Wrigley, PepsiCo, Cadbury and Nestlé.
Widely regarded as a seasoned marketing operator, Khanna is a familiar presence at leading industry forums and is considered among the most in-demand marketing leaders in the country.
