MAM
imd1 (I Am The 1), on-boards VVS Laxman as a Legend for cricket coaching offerings; also joins hands with India’s biggest photography training community DCP Expeditions
MUMBAI: Aidia Technovations’ co-curricular market place for Music, Art, Dance and Sports (MADS), imd1 (I Am The 1) has on-boarded VVS Laxman as a Legend for cricket coaching offerings.
VS Laxman is one of the most recognized and respected cricketer globally. He is known for his techniques, natural elegance and flair. He has played some of the most remarkable innings in cricketing history. Post-retirement, he has been associated with Indian Premier League (IPL) and is currently mentoring Sunrisers Hyderabad. He is also serving on the panel of commentators and analysts. Last November, he launched his much-awaited autobiography ‘281 and Beyond’ which was an immediate hit in the cricket fraternity.
Talking about his association with imd1, VVS Laxman said, “I am excited to start my unique journey with imd1. They are working on a disruptive idea for co-curricular learning using digital technology. It can take cricket learning and coaching to a different level. I look forward to impart my knowledge and experience through this association and make a big difference at grass root levels in every nook & corner of India and beyond.”
Commenting on the developments, Jigish Sonagara, founder of Aidia Technovations said, “We welcome VVS Laxman to team imd1. Our cricket coaching related offerings will have VVS (Very Very Special) touch now! With VVS’s endorsement of cricket curriculum, we will bring unique cricket coaching experience which is digitally driven with brick & mortar model.”
Aidia Technovations also joins hands with India’s biggest and fastest growing Photography training community DCP Expeditions (www.dcpexpeditions.com). DCP has a strong panel of experts comprising of most respected mentors and experts comprising of wildlife, travel, food, astro, fashion, macro/micro photographers to photo journalists, digital artists, digital imaging specialists, travelers, writers, divers, explorers, naturalists, conservationists and others. Some of the renowned photographers associated with DCP are Dr. Caesar Sengupta, Amit Rane, YuwarajGurjar, Mohan Thomas, Ashutosh Shinde, Sanak Roy Choudhury, Kiran Poonacha and many others. DCP regularly conducts photography workshops in more than 100 cities in India apart from photo tours, exhibitions and other initiatives. DCP and imd1 shall work on all aspects of photography, from creating courses, competitions / exhibitions to DCP experts offering standardized courses using imd1 digital platform.
On this occasion, Dr. Caesar Sengupta, founder & director of DCP Expeditions said, “Joining hands with imd1 is the best click for DCP and Indian photography world! Using imd1 digital platform, we will take photography learning to millions of budding photographers, right from amateur to professionals and students to homemakers. This path breaking idea will help disseminating best of the curated photography curriculum and knowledge across India”.
Jigish Sonagara added, “We are elated after joining hands with DCP. They are undisputed leaders in photography community with full bouquet of services, best of the mentors & experts and pan India presence. We will combine it with imd1 initiatives and digital technology offering real complete learning and experience.”
imd1 has already on-boarded celebrity photographer Dabboo Ratnani as a Legend for its photography course offerings and India’s fastest skater, Nikhilesh Tabhane as a Legend for its skating and related offerings earlier.
Aidia Technovations is Mumbai and Pune based start-up working on technology enabled innovations. Aidia is working on co-curricular marketplace for MADS (Music, Art, Dance and Sports) under “imd1” with various offerings. It will be a unique combination of brick & mortar and digital to use best of the both to connect all stakeholders with one of its kind technology and providing quality services in this vertical. As part of its initial plan to widen its reach, company has already launched its website www.imd1.co and android app imd1, covering achievers’ stories who can proudly say “I Am The 1” including that of Padma shri, Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award winners and others, market for MADS service providers, MADS specific social media etc.
Brands
Mother Dairy unveils 30 plus products for summer portfolio push
Ice creams, regional dairy and high-protein range drive 30 per cent growth plans
MUMBAI: If summer had a flavour, Mother Dairy is making sure it comes in at least 30. As temperatures climb, Mother Dairy is turning up the chill with an expansive product blitz, announcing a pipeline of over 30 new offerings across its value-added dairy portfolio. Rolled out in phases through the season, the line-up spans indulgence, health, convenience and regional tastes, an attempt to meet India’s increasingly diverse consumption patterns head-on.
Ice creams take centre stage, accounting for around 20 of the new launches. The brand is introducing formats such as a Two-in-One Matka and Tub, alongside a premium ‘Crafted’ range and flavours like Cream Cheese Pistachio Cone and Kulfi Cassata. There is also a clear nod to calorie-conscious consumers, with the debut of a ‘Go-Low’ range featuring variants such as Choco Almond, Shahi Mewa and Kesar Pista Tilla Kulfi.
Beyond indulgence, the company is sharpening its regional play. Products like Jamun Yoghurt and Bhuna Jeera Raita aim to tap into local flavour preferences, while Shrikhand offered in three variants targets western markets. For northern consumers, Meethi Dahi joins the mix, reinforcing a localisation strategy that goes beyond one-size-fits-all offerings.
Convenience is another key lever. Mother Dairy is expanding its UHT milk portfolio with Cow Milk and Standardised Milk in markets such as Jammu and Kashmir, catering to demand for longer shelf-life products without compromising accessibility.
On the nutrition front, the brand is doubling down on protein. Its ‘Pro’ range is being strengthened with Procurd and Propaneer high-protein curd and paneer variants positioning itself within the growing health-conscious segment while retaining its core taste proposition.
The scale of the rollout signals more than just seasonal experimentation. With expectations of over 30 per cent growth across key categories, the company is betting on innovation as a primary growth engine, supported by a mix of traditional and new-age distribution channels.
Marketing, too, is set to match the ambition. High-impact campaigns across ice creams and flavoured milk are in the pipeline, aimed particularly at younger consumers and designed to amplify summer consumption moments.
In a market where heat often dictates demand, Mother Dairy is not just responding to the season, it is trying to own it, one scoop, sip and spoonful at a time.
