MAM
Ferrero India, Discovery Channel launch Kinder Joy’s ‘Natoons’ collection
Mumbai: The confectionery brand of Ferrero, Kinder Joy (manufacturers of sweet-packaged products) has announced its portfolio expansion in India with the launch of Kinder Joy ‘Natoons’ emphasising the purpose of ‘Learning about Animals’ for kids.
With an aim to strengthen its purpose, Kinder Joy has joined hands with Discovery Channel, a brand with a strong commitment to conservation and protection of wildlife. The collection will showcase life-like toy figures of animals such as moorish idol, whale, killer whale, tortoise, macaw yellow, macaw blue, toucan, turtle, porcupine, armadillo, seal, and basilisk.
Backed by an integrated marketing approach & bespoke content from Discovery’s vast library of content, the partnership will be promoted through multiple touchpoints across both partners’ platforms that immerse consumers in the world of animals. Discovery branded Kinder Joy ‘Natoons’ will be available in India and supported by a consumer engagement program that will highlight the promotion’s key values. To ensure consumer participation, contests will also be hosted to deliver a compelling and an enriching experience to kids.
Additionally, ‘Natoons’ will also be a part of the phygital experience through the AR feature on the free-for-all ‘Applaydu’ app, developed by Kinder. Specifically, designed Natoons POS (point of sale) material will be visible at retail outlets to create awareness and drive penetration. The Applaydu app QR code on the POS material will additionally assist in driving digital integration, allowing shoppers to bring the toys to life in store and generate excitement at the point of purchase.
Speaking on the occasion, Ferrero regional marketing manager Indian subcontinent – Kinder Brands Amedeo Aragona said, “Playtime is vital to children’s growth and development, and we understand that children learn through play. The new ‘Natoons’ range is another step in nurturing their imagination & creativity and is designed to deliver learning opportunities through fun, engaging content. We truly believe that the ‘Applaydu’ app’s augmented reality feature will bring the Natoons collection to life and further enhance the learning experience.”
Sharing his thoughts on the association, Warner Bros. Discovery SVP – international consumer products Ian Woods said, “We are thrilled to partner with Kinder Joy to provide families across India with an exciting collaboration spanning across multiple touchpoints. Working closely with our local marketing & content production teams we are thrilled to be bringing new experiences to our audiences that not only enlighten but also leave them inspired to learn more. Our partnership with Ferrero really allows kids to learn more about their local wildlife and make them aware of the world around them.”
Kinder Joy ‘Natoons’ has been introduced pan India and is priced at Rs 45. It will be available across all leading retail outlets, including modern trade and traditional stores pan India. Along with this, consumers will be able to buy the product on e-commerce platforms.
With Kinder Joy ‘Natoons,’ the company is taking a step forward towards strengthening its presence in the Indian market, which is driven by the trust and love of consumers for Kinder products. Kinder Joy ‘Natoons’ is manufactured at the State-of-the-Art factory situated at Baramati, Pune.
Brands
33 per cent of women believe the salary scale is rigged: Naukri report
Voices @ Work study finds rising calls for equal pay audits and lingering bias
MUMBAI: Progress may be visible in India’s workplaces, but many women still feel the need to tread carefully. A new report by Naukri reveals that one in two women hesitate to disclose marriage or maternity plans during job interviews, worried that such information could influence hiring decisions.
The findings come from the second edition of Naukri’s annual Voices @ Work International Women’s Day report, titled “What Women Professionals Want.” Drawing insights from more than 50,000 women across over 50 industries, the survey sheds light on evolving workplace aspirations alongside the biases that continue to hold women back.
One of the report’s most striking insights is the growing demand for equal pay audits. The share of women calling for regular pay parity checks has climbed to 27 per cent this year, up from 19 per cent a year ago. The demand now stands alongside menstrual leave as the most sought after workplace policy.
Interestingly, the call for pay transparency grows louder higher up the income ladder. Nearly half of women earning between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore annually say equal pay audits are a priority, suggesting that pay gaps become more visible as women move up the career ladder.
At the same time, confidence and ambition appear to be rising. About 83 per cent of women say they feel encouraged to pursue leadership roles, a significant jump from 66 per cent last year. Cities in southern India appear particularly supportive, with Hyderabad leading the way as 86 per cent of respondents there reported encouragement to step into leadership positions. The education sector recorded the highest sense of encouragement at 87 per cent.
Yet the report also highlights a growing trust deficit around pay equity. Nearly one in three women, or 33 per cent, say they do not believe men and women are paid equally at their workplace. That figure has risen from 25 per cent last year, pointing to widening perceptions of disparity as careers progress.
Bias in hiring and promotions continues to be the biggest hurdle. About 42 per cent of respondents say workplace bias is the main challenge for women from diverse backgrounds. The concern is consistent across major metros, with Chennai and Delhi NCR reporting similar levels.
Reluctance to discuss personal milestones during hiring processes is also widespread. While 34 per cent overall said they hesitate to share marriage or maternity plans in interviews, the anxiety increases with experience. Among professionals with 10 to 15 years of work experience, the figure rises to 40 per cent.
Info Edge group CMO Sumeet Singh, said the data reflects both progress and unfinished work. “Behind every data point in this report is a woman who is ambitious. The fact that 83 per cent feel encouraged to lead is something to celebrate. However, the fact that one in two still hide their marriage or maternity plans in interviews tells us the work is far from done. As India’s leading career platform, it felt not just important but necessary for us to shine a light on these gaps through the second edition of our report,” he said.
The report suggests that while ambition among women professionals is growing, structural changes around pay transparency, fair hiring and supportive policies will be key if workplaces hope to keep pace.
