MAM
Audible launches new sleep collection ahead of World Sleep Day
Mumbai: Audible, a leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, announced the launch of a new collection of podcast series in time for World Sleep Day. An annual event dedicated to emphasising the significance of sleep for overall health and well-being, World Sleep Day aims to address critical issues related to sleep, including medicine, education, social aspects and more.
The three Sleep Sound series are part of a new, curated Audible sleep collection, offering dedicated meditations, all-night soundscapes, ASMR and bedtime stories, designed to ease listeners into sleep. The collection includes the following:
. An enchanting bedtime story read by Pallavi Sharda: Australian actor and dancer of Indian origin, Pallavi Sharda narrates the tale of Princess Aubergine, a South Asian Sleeping Beauty fairytale, taking listeners on a magical journey towards slumber.
. Dreamy poetry read by Natalie Imbruglia: Inspired by the rugged Australian landscape, Natalie Imbruglia, an Australian singer-songwriter and actress, lends her voice to the series through a selection of verses from celebrated poet Dorothea Mackellar, creating a rich and immersive experience that leads listeners on a path to sleep.
. Water-based meditations performed by Cody Simpson: An Australian singer and actor, Cody Simpson, in his series, gently guides listeners to the land of nod with calming visualisations and enchanting soundscapes inspired by the serene beauty of water.
“Sleep is such an important part of our lives, especially in our society where hyper-productivity seems to be constantly rewarded,” said Audible Sleep Sound narrator Pallavi Sharda. “I really enjoyed my recording of a Sleeping Beauty tale with Audible, and hope it goes some way to helping listeners feel their nervous systems relax during their night time routine, and to feel more rested and rejuvenated when they wake up.”
“Good quality sleep is the most important gift we can give ourselves. Like a lot of artists, my most creative time can be late at night when everyone else is sleeping, so I can find it hard to get back into the routine of going to bed at a reasonable hour,” said Audible Sleep Sound narrator, Natalie Imbruglia. “Recording Dorothea Mackellar’s poetry was truly a magical experience. I was moved to tears while recording ‘My Country’, which made me fall in love with my homeland all over again.”
“I’ve changed, grown and evolved in many ways over the past few years, especially with the approach I take with my health and wellbeing as I set my sights on the Olympics,” said Audible Sleep Sound narrator, Cody Simpson. “As a training athlete, it’s so important to get plenty of quality sleep in order to recover effectively. I’ve enjoyed recording my guided sleep meditations with Audible and hope it will help others relax and unwind when they hit the pillow.”
Commenting on this launch, Audible, APAC VP and head of regional content Karen Appathurai Wiggins said, “In today’s fast-paced world, prioritising sleep is paramount for maintaining our overall well-being. Our 2023 wrap data also highlights that well-being and self-development top the charts when it comes to the most listened-to genres among Indians. This is why we are pleased to introduce our new sleep collection, further expanding our catalog to offer our members new ways to attain a good night’s rest. We wish them all sweet dreams!”
Audible’s Sleep Sound collection is available only on Audible.
MAM
VML India lands two finalist spots at Cairns Hatchlings 2026
The Mumbai agency is back in Australia with two teams, a UN brief and 24 hours to impress
MUMBAI: VML India is heading to Australia again. The Mumbai-based creative agency has secured two finalist spots at the Cairns Hatchlings 2026 competition, one in the Audio category and one in Design, making it the only Indian agency to have reached the finals in both editions of the contest since its launch in 2025.
Four people will make the trip. Senior copywriter Shilpi Dey and senior art director Raj Thakkar will compete in Audio. Art directors Shabbir and Shruti Negi will go head-to-head with the world’s best in Design. The finals take place at the Cairns Convention Centre from 13th May, culminating in an awards ceremony on 15th May.
The work that got them there is worth examining. For the Audio category, Dey and Thakkar tackled a brief for LIVE LIKE MMAD with a campaign called Inner Voice, Interrupted. Using spatial audio techniques, the campaign recreates the overwhelming self-doubt that descends after a long workday, physically panning negative thoughts left and right before cutting the noise entirely to reveal a confident inner voice. Strategically targeted at commuters via Spotify during evening rush hours, the campaign reframes the hours after work as an opportunity for personal growth and charitable action.
For the Design category, Shabbir and Negi worked on a brief for Canteen’s Bandanna Day, a campaign highlighting how cancer pushes teenagers out of their own defining moments. Using a pixelated design language to create stark contrast between a blurred world of isolation and a focused world of connection, the campaign, titled The Flipside of Cancer, shows teenagers fading into the background of birthdays, skateparks and school proms. As a Canteen bandanna appears, the blur flips and the teenager snaps back into sharp focus.
Kalpesh Patankar, group chief creative officer of VML India, made no attempt to disguise his satisfaction. “We are immensely proud to see our teams consistently excel on the Cairns Hatchlings platform since its inception,” he said. “They have masterfully tackled challenging briefs across diverse categories, demonstrating both layered storytelling and a unique creative approach. This exceptional teamwork is truly inspiring.”
Dey and Thakkar, returning to the finals after last year’s run, were candid about the demands of the audio medium. “It’s one of the most demanding mediums, where we only have a few seconds to capture a listener’s world with sound alone, so absolute clarity is essential,” they said. “The true measure of creative work is its ability to create positive change, and our audio submission was made to help those who need it most while encouraging people to silence the inner voices that hold them back.”
Shabbir and Negi, competing in Design for the first time, described the experience as “a completely different beast.” “We see it as an opportunity to showcase our expertise, raise the bar, and challenge ourselves in new ways, while also learning from creative minds from across the globe,” they said.
In Australia, the four finalists will face a live 24-hour brief from the United Nations before presenting in a live pitch session. Twenty-four hours, one brief, one shot. VML India has been here before. It knows exactly what is at stake.
