MAM
Aamir Khan gets animated in latest Coca-Cola campaign
MUMBAI: Ringing in the festive season, Coca-Cola India has unveiled the latest in its series of communication for brand Coca-Cola that builds on the global ‘open happiness‘ platform. The latest communication features Bollywood actor and brand ambassador Aamir Khan in an animated avatar racing on his motorbike in the virtual world of videogames.
The communication takes the thought of ‘open happiness‘ forward by inviting people to take a break from their lives and welcome small moments of joy and happiness with people around them and a bottle of Coca-Cola for company. Leveraging the passion of video gaming amongst the youth, the communication uses the racing videogame as a device to connect with them. The film contrasts the fun of gaming with the more abiding joy of sharing a bottle of Coca-Cola with friends. The film also showcases how simple joy of sharing Coca-Cola entices one away from the virtual to the real world of affection and friendship. Commenting on the new communication and his look, Aamir Khan says, “It is a very interesting concept as for the first time my features have been replicated as an animated character through special effects. I think the robotic animated look has really come out well in the film and I hope that my fans will like me in this new animated avatar.” The strategic communication for ‘Coca-Cola open happiness‘ in India has been conceptualised by McCann Erickson executive chairman – regional creative director Asia Pacific Prasoon Joshi and McCann Erickson creative chief Delhi Ashish Chakravarty. The film has been directed by Abhijit Choudhary of Black Magic Motion Pictures. Coca-Cola India director-marketing Kashmira Chadha, “The creative idea behind the latest ‘open happiness‘ communication is to bring forward the thought of enjoying a bottle of Coca-Cola while taking a pause from the virtual life that the youth today engages in. The latest communication shows how simple joy of sharing life‘s smallest pleasures with a bottle of Coca-Cola lures one away from the virtual to the real world of love and friendship. I am confident that consumers will find the communication quite appealing.” The latest communication showcases two young girls searching for their friend (Aamir) who is so engaged in playing video game that he has virtually become a part of the game as an animated character. However, as the girls put ice in a glass, open a bottle and pour Coca-Cola into the glass, Aamir starts to lose his focus from his game and is tempted to come out in real life. The film ends when another animated character who was Aamir‘s rival in the game also steps into the real world to enjoy Coca-Cola as the girls open another bottle of Coca-Cola. Says Prasoon Joshi, “The thought in this commercial was that technology connects us, it makes our life easier and full of fun. At the same time, technology completely absorbs some people to the extent of alienating them away from other humans and life around us. So the commercial revolves around the thought that Coca-Cola urges you to come back to life, come back to friends, come back to your own people.”
MAM
BLS International launches #VisaReady campaign to guide applicants
Initiative targets visa myths, delays and rejections with practical guidance
MUMBAI: Visa woes may soon meet their match because paperwork, it seems, is finally getting a user manual. BLS International has rolled out a new awareness drive, #VisaReadyWithBLSInternational, aimed at simplifying the often confusing visa application process and reducing delays caused by misinformation and incomplete documentation. The campaign, led across social media platforms, zeroes in on a long-standing pain point for travellers: lack of clarity around procedures, timelines and requirements. By offering step-by-step guidance, documentation checklists and clear Dos and Don’ts, the initiative attempts to turn what is typically a stressful process into a more predictable one.
At its core, the campaign also seeks to bust common myths that frequently derail applications issues that often lead to avoidable rejections or last-minute complications. The idea is to equip applicants with practical, actionable insights so they can plan better and submit stronger applications within expected timelines.
The push will not remain limited to digital channels. BLS International plans to extend the initiative across its Visa Application Centres globally, reinforcing awareness at key touchpoints where applicants engage with the process.
BLS International joint managing director Shikhar Aggarwal framed the campaign as more than a communication exercise, emphasising the company’s attempt to embed guidance and preparedness into every stage of the applicant journey.
Operating in over 70 countries and working with more than 46 client governments including embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions, the company has built a sizeable footprint in visa and consular services. With this campaign, it is now leaning into education as much as execution, signalling that in the world of visas, clarity might just be the new currency.
