MAM
Brooke Bond India’s transgender band sizzles Cannes stage
MUMBAI: After bringing glory to India by winning the Cannes Grand Prix Glass Lion at one of the world’s most prestigious advertising and creativity awards, India’s first transgender band, the Brooke Bond Red Label 6-Pack Band set the stage ablaze, with their live concert at Cannes this evening. Performing for an international audience encompassing some of the biggest names in entertainment, media and advertising in the world, this is the first time the 6-Pack Band has taken their act on the international arena.
After the success of their debut album, and winning the Glass Lion Grand Prix at Cannes last year, the band truly stands for the message of Change. The band was invited to the festival to share their success story and the journey that brought them all fame and glory.
Focusing on the message of inclusivity, the Brooke Bond red Label 6-Pack band has become a household name and a global example of addressing prejudice and bringing in change in society and this initiative through music has helped break these social barriers.
Speaking about the event, Brooke Bond Red Label spokesperson and Hindustan Unilever category head – Tea Shiva Krishnamurthy said, “It is a wonderful feeling to see the Brooke Bond Red Label 6 Pack band getting acknowledgement and accolades at the Oscars of advertising. It feels great to know that through our association with the campaign, we have been able to spread our message of inclusiveness, encourage people to become more accepting, break barriers and bond over a cup of tea.”
The campaign is also a ‘best-in-class’ example of Unilever’s Unstereotype initiative in action. Unstereotype, launched last year at the 2016 Cannes Lion Festival of Creativity, aims to advance advertising away from stereotypical portrayals of gender; delivering fresh campaigns that are more relevant to today’s consumer. The Brooke Bond Real Label 6-pack Band was formed in response to the insight that deep-rooted stereotypes hold us back from forming new relationships.
Hindustan Unilever head media south Asia Gauravjeet Singh said, “We are grateful to the committee at the Festival of Creativity, Cannes to recognize the Brooke Bond Red Label 6-Pack Band. The journey of the band has been challenging as they have fought social barriers throughout their lives without losing hope. The strength of these 6 individuals is truly inspiring and today we see them perform on a global platform.”
Mindshare CEO – south Asia Prasanth Kumar said, “The journey for all involved has been a bold one and it had challenges, excitement and passion. At the centre of this journey has been an incredible team of talented individuals from Unilever, Mindshare and YRF, Music boutique who executed this out-of-the-box idea and added scale to the social message. Watching them perform at the Cannes Glass Lion ceremony was truly delightful, and another milestone in our continuing journey to breaking barriers.”
Expressing his delight, Fulcrum, Mindshare south Asia leader Amin Lakhani said, “It is indeed a proud moment for India as our work is showcased at Cannes – the mecca of creativity. We are grateful to the Festival of Creativity, Cannes and to the Mindshare global leadership to recognize the Brooke Bond Red Label 6 Pack band, and invite them to perform for a global audience. This is a testimony and belief in our work that began almost two years ago at the HUL Content Day in June 2015. The band faced a lot of challenges throughout their journey, which now culminates to the Cannes stage. Their inspiring performance today is symbolic to their determination and ‘make it happen’ spirit. Truly a collaborative effort between Unilever, Mindshare, Yash Raj Films & Music boutique- who have partnered in this magnificent journey.”
Brooke Bond Red Label 6-Pack Band Producer and Head of Y-Films Ashish Patil said, “We have always known that music can change the world because it can change people. We are super thrilled that our little band,India’s 1st Transgender band, the Booke Bond Red Label 6-Pack Band is on such a massive platform at the prestigious Cannes festival. Here’s hoping we can take this important message of love and equality out to as many people in the world as possible. Full power to them!”
The Brooke Bond Red Label 6-Pack Band was an iconic campaign that sang a song of inclusion and acceptance in mainstream media. Using the universal language of music, and engaging the entertainment industry in this endeavor, the campaign took a quantum leap not just transgenders but for anyone who has ever been ostracised.
Most business owners treat their working capital limit like a safety net. It sits there, attached to their current account, ready to be drawn on whenever cash gets tight. And for routine operations, that arrangement works fine. But there are specific situations where a lump-sum loan disbursed quickly into your account is the smarter financial move. Knowing when to pick one over the other can save you real money and keep your business from getting stuck.
The Fundamental Difference People Overlook
A working capital limit, often structured as an overdraft or a revolving credit facility, gives you access to funds up to a pre-approved ceiling. You draw what you need, pay interest on what you use, and replenish it as receivables come in. It is designed for short-term, recurring needs like paying suppliers or covering payroll gaps.
A term loan disbursed quickly, on the other hand, drops a fixed amount into your account. You repay it in instalments over a set period, with a clear end date. The interest rate is typically fixed or at least predictable. These two products solve different problems, and treating them as interchangeable is where businesses get into trouble.
When Speed and Certainty Matter More Than Flexibility
Here’s a scenario that plays out constantly. A retailer gets an opportunity to buy inventory at a steep discount, but the supplier wants full payment within 48 hours. The retailer’s working capital limit is already partially drawn. The available balance might cover part of the order, but not all of it. Requesting a limit enhancement takes days, sometimes weeks, because the bank reassesses your financials.
An instant business loan solves this cleanly. You apply, get approval quickly, and the full amount lands in your account. You buy the inventory, sell it at full margin, and repay the loan over the next few months. The cost of interest on that loan is far less than the profit you would have lost by passing on the deal.
This pattern repeats across industries. A logistics company needs to repair a critical vehicle immediately. A restaurant has to replace kitchen equipment before the weekend rush. A manufacturer lands a large order but needs raw materials upfront. In each case, the need is urgent, specific, and finite. A revolving facility wasn’t built for these moments.
The Hidden Cost of Over-Relying on Working Capital Limits
There’s a psychological trap with revolving credit. Because it’s always available, business owners tend to lean on it for everything, including expenses that really should be financed separately. When you use your overdraft to fund a one-time capital purchase, you reduce the buffer available for daily operations. Then, when a genuine cash flow gap appears the following week, you’re scrambling.
Worse, many working capital limits come with annual renewal. If your financials have dipped, the bank can reduce your limit or decline renewal altogether. If you’ve been using the facility for purposes it wasn’t designed for, your utilisation patterns can actually work against you during the review.
A distinct term loan keeps your working capital limit clean. Your revolving facility handles day-to-day operations. Your loan handles the one-off expense. This separation makes your balance sheet easier to read and your banking relationship easier to manage.
Interest Rate Math That Favours Term Loans
Working capital limits often carry floating interest rates pegged to the bank’s benchmark. The rate adjusts, and over time, especially when monetary policy tightens, your cost of borrowing can creep up without you noticing because you’re only looking at the small daily interest debit.
A fixed-rate term loan gives you certainty. You know exactly what each instalment will be, which makes cash flow forecasting more accurate. For a specific expense with a known amount and a defined payback period, this predictability matters. You can map the repayment against the revenue that expense is expected to generate.
A working capital loan structured as a revolving facility makes sense when your borrowing needs fluctuate week to week. But when you know exactly how much you need and roughly how long it will take to pay back, a term product is almost always cheaper in total interest cost. The discipline of fixed repayments also prevents the slow balance creep that plagues overdraft users.
When Your Facility Is Maxed and Opportunity Knocks
Perhaps the most compelling case is the simplest one. Your existing limit is fully utilised. Business is good, money is coming in, but right now the account is stretched. A new opportunity appears. You can either let it pass or find additional funding fast.
Waiting for a limit increase is not a strategy when timing matters. Applying for a separate short-term loan, getting approval the same day or the next, and funding the opportunity directly is a concrete action with a measurable return. You are not adding long-term debt to your balance sheet. You are financing a specific transaction that pays for itself.
The smartest business owners don’t treat all credit as the same. They match the product to the need. Revolving facilities handle rhythm. Term loans handle moments. Getting that distinction right is one of the quieter advantages a well-run business holds over its competitors.
