Brands
Franklin Templeton flags off Kanyakumari to Kashmir investor drive
MUMBAI: Franklin Templeton India on Tuesday launched Change the Soch – Kanyakumari to Kashmir Drive, a nationwide investor awareness campaign aimed at boosting financial literacy, with a sharp focus on women. Marking the fund house’s 30 years in India, the 30-day initiative will span more than 4,000 km, covering 21 cities from Kanyakumari to Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, through a series of on-ground education sessions and community engagements designed to demystify mutual fund investing.
The drive will be led by Franklin Templeton India president Avinash Satwalekar, who will travel across towns and villages, stopping every alternate day to conduct investor workshops for women from diverse backgrounds. The programme will engage participants ranging from farmers and self-help groups to students, teachers, entrepreneurs, salaried professionals and defence personnel, with an emphasis on progressing from savings to long-term investments.
Speaking at the launch, Satwalekar said financial literacy among women remains uneven, particularly in tier 2 and tier 3 regions. He noted that empowering women with financial knowledge can strengthen household resilience, enable community-level growth and support India’s broader push towards inclusive development. The initiative, he added, aligns with the country’s ambition of achieving Viksit Bharat status by 2047 by expanding access to financial tools and confidence at the grassroots.
Brands
Lotus Herbals unveils HydroActivated sunscreen with high-impact campaign
Harnaaz Sandhu fronts digital push spotlighting breakthrough sun care tech
MUMBAI: Lotus Herbals has rolled out a high-decibel marketing campaign to introduce what it calls India’s first hydro-activated sunscreen, aiming to reshape how consumers think about sun protection.
At the centre of the launch is the Safe Sun HydroActivated Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA+++, a formulation built on a patent-pending Hydrosome Technology that activates on contact with moisture. Unlike conventional sunscreens that can weaken with sweat, this product is designed to do the opposite, boosting protection when the skin is exposed to water or perspiration.
The campaign is led by Harnaaz Sandhu and is being amplified across OTT platforms, social media and outdoor locations in key metro cities. The brand film takes a light, relatable approach to everyday sunscreen struggles such as uneven application and fading protection, while positioning the new product as a reliable, high-performance alternative for active lifestyles.
Beyond its core technology, the sunscreen features next-generation UV filters and Edelweiss Flower Extract, offering hydration alongside protection. The formula claims up to 10 hours of water resistance and even, all-round defence against sun exposure and tanning, targeting consumers who want both skincare and performance in one product.
Speaking about the launch, Lotus Herbals chairman and managing director Nitin Passi said, “We are excited to launch India’s first sunscreen with hydroactivated technology which is our most innovative product launch. This isn’t just a sunscreen; it’s a technological breakthrough that utilises a novel manufacturing process. We’ve created a product that stays invisible on the skin yet becomes a performance powerhouse when the user is most active.”
Sharing her experience, Lotus Herbals brand ambassador Harnaaz Sandhu said, “I am thrilled to be associated with Lotus Herbals Safe Sun for their new sun protection campaign. In my world, there is no room for shortcuts, and I need functional and reliable products that work as hard as I do. The hydroactivated sunscreen is a game-changer because it blends with my skin and protects me better when I’m pushing my limits.”
The campaign is being distributed across platforms including JioStar connected TV integrations and ZEE5, along with television placements such as Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in West Bengal. A large influencer push involving over a thousand creators, along with in-store branding and retail activations, is also part of the rollout.
With a blend of science-led positioning and mass-market storytelling, Lotus Herbals is betting on innovation to stand out in the crowded sun care segment, hoping its moisture-powered promise strikes the right chord with today’s always-on consumers.
