Brands
ASSOCHAM & Videocon pledge GST summit across 200 towns
MUMBAI: In a view to generate awareness and educate retail partners around GST implications, ASSOCHAM and the leading Consumer Electronics and Home Appliances Company, Videocon, organized the first-of-its-kind GST Summit for traders. The daylong ASSOCHAM Videocon GST Summit for traders witnessed deep discussions around GST, addressing retailers’ queries, and offering them a clearer understanding of the GST concept.
The seminar was inaugurated by the chief guest Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State for Finance, Ministry of Finance. The Seminar was also addressed by R. N Dhoot, Member of Parliament and Manish Sharma, President, CEAMA.
Being the most pro-active Chamber of Commerce, ASSOCHAM has taken a step towards imparting knowledge on immediate as well as far reaching impact of GST on the businesses through the ASSOCHAM Videocon GST Summit. Emerging as the fountainhead of Knowledge for Indian industry, ASSOCHAM has always worked towards creating a conducive environment for India business to compete globally.
Congratulating on organising the GST Summit and taking it to over 200 districts, Meghwal said, “GST will be beneficial in promoting level playing field and giving an overall boost to supply. In the context of traders, GST will bring down logistics costs massively and bring us at par with the developed nations. It will also simplify filling returns. With India’s biggest tax reforms of the 21st century, the country will be known for its leadership, and the year 2017 will be marked for bringing wholesome economic betterment. While there is an opportunity there is also a need to generate awareness and such seminars are the need of the hour. As a representative of the Government, I promise that businesses will be simplified including the MSMEs. With GST, India will rise up to paying taxes than evasion.”
Dhoot said, “Announcement of GST in the country has been a revolutionary step. Not only will it lead to lower tax burden on several commodities, but will also bring ease of doing businesses in the country. I congratulate ASSOCHAM and Videocon to take this initiative and address retailer queries related to implementation of GST.”
Sandeep Jajodia, President ASSOCHAM, said, “It’s a nationwide observation that in general, the trade (mostly MSMEs) are not in line with knowledge with GST. Therefore, ASSOCHAM & Videocon have embarked upon the process of training and awareness of GST in a big way, which will be of paramount importance in the smooth roll-out of GST. As the contours of GST law are more or less known, the purpose of such programs is to sensitize the trade across India to make them aware of the salient features of GST.”
C. M Singh, COO Videocon, said, “We plan to hold more than 200 of such seminars to raise GST awareness across the country. Videocon has always taken initiatives to ensure industry growth and welfare. Through these GST Summits, Videocon will try to ensure that all queries of consumer electronic traders with regards to GST implementation are resolved and they are GST ready. Videocon is happy to contribute in its small way in the smooth implementation of GST.”
Brands
Samay Raina’s Still Alive sparks brand rush as comeback goes viral
With 44 million views in five days, marketers seize the cultural moment
MUMBAI: After nearly a year out of the spotlight following the India’s Got Latent controversy, Samay Raina has staged a high-impact return with his comedy special Still Alive, and both audiences and brands are taking notice.
Released on April 7, the special has garnered 44 million views and over 3.4 million likes on YouTube within just five days, underlining the creator’s strong recall and loyal fan base. More than just a comeback, the set sees Raina address the controversy directly, weaving personal setbacks into humour that feels raw, self-aware and unmistakably on-brand.
What has amplified the moment further is the speed at which marketers have responded. Within hours of the special gaining traction, brands began rolling out meme-led creatives riffing on the “still alive” theme and Raina’s name, turning the comeback into a full-blown real-time marketing opportunity.
Across platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn, companies including Airtel, OpenAI, Chayos, YesMadam, Unibic, Parle 20-20, GeeksforGeeks, Biggies Burger, Magicpin and Duolingo joined the conversation, each adding their own spin through wordplay, humour and product-led messaging.
Here are some of the brand creatives circulating online:
