Brands
Britannia forays into the Metaverse with the launch of ‘Britannia Coffeeverse’
Mumbai: On International Coffee Day, Britannia, one of India’s most loved food & beverage brands, ventured into the metaverse with the grand launch of ‘Britannia Coffeeverse’. This innovative digital odyssey, crafted by the creative team at Schbang, is set to redefine the virtual reality consumption experience by seamlessly integrating Britannia’s premium products, including Britannia Biscafe, Britannia Treat Croissant, Britannia Winkin’ Cow, Britannia Fudge It Brownie, and Britannia Good Day Chunkies.
https://www.spatial.io/s/Britannia-Coffeeverse-63e10da4cc8e021a06a1b7fe?share=4864226070088212081
As a brand, Britannia actively explores unique & engaging ways to connect with the younger generation. Today’s youth is attracted to phygital experiences, and that is one of the key reasons behind Britannia’s entry into the Metaverse. The Britannia Coffeeverse aims to provide the youth with a fresh and engaging experience, thereby encouraging their active participation in this digital realm.
Britannia Coffeeverse extends a warm invitation to coffee enthusiasts and adventurers to embark on a thrilling journey that spans five virtual coffee realms, all from the comfort of their screens. From the enchanting cafes of Italy to the bustling streets of New York, the aromatic landscapes of Vietnam, and the timeless traditions of Turkey, alongside an exploration of the captivating BiscafeLand, this metaverse adventure promises a sensory symphony like no other.
The Britannia Coffee Run – A Virtual Reality Treasure Hunt
As a part of the launch, Britannia presents the Britannia Coffee Run, an innovative virtual reality treasure hunt where participants decode clues to unearth hidden Britannia treasures within virtual landscapes inspired by four distinct coffee cultures. The art of solving challenges and unveiling hidden surprises allows participants exclusive rewards and hampers in the real world, elevating their engagement and excitement. But the excitement doesn’t end there – the first 1000 participants stand a chance to win fantastic vouchers, adding an extra layer of thrill to this exhilarating experience. Participants indulge in a delightful fusion of Britannia’s products that complement the coffee experience, creating an unforgettable coffee journey.
The Britannia Coffeeverse Experience
Participants are seamlessly transported into the heart of Britannia Coffeeverse with a single click. Upon arrival, they are invited to select their avatars, which lead them to the Coffeeverse Lounge, where they are greeted warmly by Rob, their guide and guardian throughout this extraordinary adventure. Participants follow a trail of intriguing clues on their journey through the diverse coffee worlds, each holding surprises of its own. As they successfully complete the coffee run, participants are redirected to a dedicated landing page. After providing their basic user details, they unlock their hard-earned rewards, intensifying the satisfaction of this exceptional voyage.
Britannia Industries Limited chief marketing officer Amit Doshi said, “Coffee as a beverage has been enjoying a growing fascination, especially amongst the youth nowadays. They love to consume ‘Phygital’ experiences, be it hanging out in cafes or dwelling in digital experiences on their personal devices. At Britannia, we are glad to offer our consumers across the country, a plethora of coffee accompaniments ranging from the Treat Croissant to Fudge It Brownie, Good Day Chunkies, Biscafe, a coffee based cracker to the thick Winkin’ Cow Cold Coffee. We wanted to extend these delectable treats in the form of a premium digital café experience for these coffee, virtual reality enthusiasts. This insight led us to launching the Britannia Coffeeverse, a global coffee adventure that enhances the experience of five premium products from our portfolio, in turn, creating a truly indulgent and unforgettable journey for today’s consumers. I’m thrilled to witness the convergence of technology, taste, and tradition in this metaverse adventure.”
He added, “Britannia is at the forefront of innovation, constantly pushing boundaries to create unforgettable experiences for our customers. Britannia Coffeeverse is a testament to our commitment to offering more than just products; it’s about delivering immersive and unique adventures that resonate with our audience’s passion for coffee and snacking exploration. This International Coffee Day, we look forward to sharing this thrilling experience with everyone as we continue to redefine the way the world savours coffee.”
Schbang founder and MD Harshil Karia said, “It all started with the Britannia team and Schbang connecting the dots around how many products Britannia actually has that deliver a café like experience – the number pleasantly surprised us. We then thought about how we can create a unique experience that unites lovers of coffee – this Coffeeverse seemed like the right fit. And the experience is a wonderful one that we’d love for everyone to try. Right from the CGI ads to the already rave reviews we’re getting from gamers, we’re really happy with the output and Schbang is proud to be at the forefront of this exciting journey with Britannia.” I’d really like to especially thank ArtMeTech- our partners in the build out of this Coffeeverse.”
Brands
YES Bank hands the keys to SBI veteran Vinay Tonse as it bets on a new era
Former SBI managing director appointed as YES Bank’s new MD and CEO
MUMBAI: YES Bank is done rebuilding. Now it wants to grow. The private sector lender has appointed Vinay Muralidhar Tonse as managing director and chief executive officer-designate, with RBI approval secured and a start date of April 6, 2026 confirmed. The three-year term signals the bank’s intent to shift gears from crisis recovery to full-throttle expansion.
Tonse, 60, is no stranger to scale. Most recently managing director at State Bank of India, he oversaw a retail book of roughly $800bn in deposits and advances, one of the largest in the country. Before that, he ran SBI Mutual Fund from August 2020 to December 2022, a stint that saw assets under management surge from Rs 4.32 lakh crore to Rs 7.32 lakh crore across market cycles. Add stints in Singapore and four years leading SBI’s overseas operations in Osaka, and the incoming chief arrives with a genuinely global CV.
His academic grounding is equally solid: a commerce degree from St Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bengaluru, and a master’s in commerce from Bangalore University.
The appointment follows an extensive search and evaluation process by the bank’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee. NRC chairperson Nandita Gurjar said the committee unanimously backed Tonse, citing his leadership track record, governance credentials and ability to drive the bank’s next phase of transformation.
Non-executive chairman Rama Subramaniam Gandhi was unequivocal. “I am certain that Vinay Tonse, with his vast experience as a senior banker, will propel YES Bank to its next phase of growth,” Gandhi said, adding that the bank remains focused on strengthening its retail and corporate banking franchises and expanding its branch network.
Rajeev Kannan, non-executive director and senior executive at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, the bank’s largest shareholder, said Tonse’s experience across retail, corporate banking, global markets and asset management positioned him well to lead the lender. SMBC said it looks forward to working with Tonse and the board as YES Bank pursues its ambition of becoming a top-tier private sector lender anchored in strong governance and sustainable growth.
Tonse succeeds Prashant Kumar, who took the helm in March 2020 when YES Bank was in freefall following a severe financial crisis, and spent six years painstakingly stabilising the institution, rebuilding governance and restoring operational scale. Gandhi was generous: “The bank remains indebted to Prashant Kumar, who is responsible for much of what a strong financial powerhouse YES Bank is today.”
Tonse, for his part, struck a purposeful note. “Together with the board and my colleagues, I remain deeply committed to creating long-term value for all our stakeholders,” he said, pledging to build on Kumar’s foundation guided by his personal motto: Make A Difference.
Beyond the balance sheet, Tonse played cricket at college and club level and represented Karnataka in archery at the national championships — sports he credits with teaching him teamwork, situational leadership, discipline and focus. In quieter moments, he reaches for retro Kannada music, classic Hindi songs, and the crooning of Engelbert Humperdinck, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar.
YES Bank has its steady-handed rebuilder in Kumar to thank for survival. Now it has a scale-obsessed growth banker at the wheel. The next chapter starts April 6.
