Brands
Cannes Lions 2016: Rediffusion Y&R and PHD India grab metals for Media Lions
MUMBAI: Out of six shortlisted entries from India, Rediffusion Y&R Mumbai bagged a Silver Lion and PHD India Mumbai won a Bronze Lion.
Rediffusion Y&R won the Silver Lion for Tata Motors’ ‘Dipper Condoms’ campaign under the Public Health & Safety sub-category. The innovative campaign was to create awareness of use of condoms and prevention of AIDS among truck drivers. Using the colloquial nuances popular amongst the truck drivers, the agency helped the brand create the campaign.
In India, most trucks have the phrase ‘Use Dipper At Night’ written behind urging fellow drivers to use “Dip headlights at night.” Taking a queue from it, Rediffusion Y&R created a condom brand and named it ‘DIPPER’. It was then packaged inspired truck art that the truck drivers would immediately relate to.
This is the second award the campaign has grabbed this year at Cannes Lions. Earlier Rediffusion Y&R India had picked up a single Bronze for its entry ‘Dipper Condoms’ in the Health & Wellness Lions category.
“The campaign is a result of over two years of hard work on the program for Tata Motors. Given that it is different from putting up a TVC, the success of the program brings us joy and validates the work that went into shaping it. The awards are an icing on that cake,” informed a delighted Rediffusion Y&R India president Dhunji S Wadia.
Apart from this, Hindustan Unilever’s campaign for Active Wheel Detergent – ‘Lo Kar Lo Baat’ – also grabbed a Bronze in the media category created by PHD India (Mumbai) for its use of mobile.
Brands
Ather Energy doubles service network to 500 centres nationwide
EV maker scales support alongside growth to keep riders on the road
MUMBAI: Ather Energy is quietly building more than just scooters. It is building the backbone to keep them running.
The electric two-wheeler maker has expanded its service network to 500 authorised centres across India, nearly doubling its footprint in a year from 277. The move mirrors its growing retail presence and signals a clear focus on one often overlooked part of EV ownership, what happens after the purchase.
From the outset, Ather has prioritised service support in every city it enters, aiming to make ownership as smooth as the ride itself. Its Gold Service Centres bring in upgraded customer lounges, modern equipment and processes designed to make servicing more transparent and reliable.
Speed, too, is part of the pitch. Through its ExpressCare initiative, riders can get periodic maintenance done in about an hour, now available across 82 centres, turning what used to be a chore into a quick pit stop.
Ather Energy chief business officer Ravneet Singh Phokela said, “Crossing 500 service centres is an important milestone as we scale across the country. Reliable after-sales support is central to the ownership experience, and our focus remains on consistent service quality and accessibility.”
The expansion comes as demand grows for models like the Ather 450 and the Rizta, which have helped the company reach a broader set of riders across metros and emerging cities alike.
Alongside servicing, Ather continues to power up infrastructure through the Ather Grid, now one of the largest fast-charging networks for two-wheelers, with over 4,300 charging points.
With plans to scale further and deepen its presence, Ather’s approach is clear. Selling the scooter may start the journey, but keeping it running smoothly is what sustains it.
