MAM
Axis mutual funds does a scientific experiment for ELSS
MUMBAI: In an era of dime a dozen social experiments which do the rounds on social media, The Womb, as part of an investor education initiative for Axis Mutual Funds conducted a scientific experiment to prove how ELSS, unlike other tax saving options, is not just helpful in saving tax but a great way to way to create wealth. The experiment captured on video has been released digitally on 4 January.
Axis Mutual Fund vice president of marketing communication and digital marketing Rohan Padhye says, “January to March period are typically the tax season during which everyone hankers around to save tax. We felt it’s important to educate consumers that they should not just think about saving tax, but invest for wealth creation too, through ELSS. ELSS has become all the more relevant today given the low-interest rates offered by traditional tax savings options. The endeavour was to inform consumers about this functional aspect in a simple and entertaining way. I have to say, we at Axis MF were pleasantly surprised when we first heard the idea of a Science Experiment. We thought we were hearing it wrong but it is the bizarreness that made us confident about the campaign.”
On how did he get to the idea of a scientific experiment ,The Womb creative partner Suyash Khabya says, “The root for the idea came from the medium itself. It was not a TVC; it was a digital media campaign, so we had to think accordingly. Social media is stuffed with boring, staged and uninspiring social experiments. In fact, it’s become a format and the novelty has waned. So we just took a spin on it.”
The Womb founding partner Kawal Shoor mentions, “There are 2 audiences for this campaign. The first is the traditional ELSS target – the corporate salaried individual. For her, during the tax season ELSS is one of the options to invest in order to save tax. So we had to make ELSS top-of-mind. The second is the young trader/shopkeeper/service professional who, due to GST , etc., has just come into the tax bracket. The pinch of paying high taxes from the ‘khoon-paseene ki kamaai’ for them is very real. We had to, through our work, tackle that sentiment too. Hence the ‘science experiment’ on an emotional issue.”
MAM
Edelman elevates Siddharth Panicker to head of Mumbai office
Financial services veteran steps up after nearly 15 years at the firm
MUMBAI: Edelman has elevated Siddharth Panicker to head of its Mumbai office, promoting a long-serving leader who has spent nearly 15 years building the firm’s financial services franchise in India.
Panicker has held a series of senior roles at Edelman, including associate vice president, head – financial services, and VP & head – financial services. In these positions, he led the development of the firm’s financial services practice, advising C-suite clients across investment banking, private equity, NBFCs, fintech, disputes, litigation and life insurance.
The promotion reflects his track record in corporate and financial communications, strategic counsel and leadership, as Mumbai remains a central hub for India’s financial and professional services sectors.
Earlier in his career, Panicker gained industry exposure through internships at Nalco Water, part of Ecolab, and MSL India.
His elevation underlines Edelman’s focus on leadership continuity and deep sector expertise as clients navigate increasingly complex regulatory, reputational and market environments.
