Brands
French Bloom races ahead as Formula 1’s first alcohol-free fizz partner
MUMBAI: Formula 1 has uncorked a new kind of partnership, naming French Bloom its first official non-alcoholic sparkling wine partner. The collaboration brings bubbles without the buzz to Grand Prix weekends, offering an inclusive and elevated way to toast every lap, podium and party.
From the 2025 season, French Bloom’s award-winning cuvées will be served across Paddock clubs, the F1 Garage and hospitality spaces, marking a milestone in the sport’s partnership with LVMH. The maison, co-founded by Maggie Frerejean-Taittinger and model Constance Jablonski, is the first alcohol-free brand backed by Moët Hennessy, which acquired a minority stake last year.
“Our sparkling cuvées unite centuries of French winemaking savoir-faire with cutting-edge innovation,” said Frerejean-Taittinger. “This partnership celebrates intention, sophistication and the future of how we raise a glass.”
With Netflix’s Drive to Survive fuelling global fandom and a surge of younger, more diverse audiences, the move reflects changing tastes. Millennials, gen z and female fans are driving demand for luxury choices that balance indulgence with moderation. French Bloom, crafted from organic Chardonnay and refined through an innovative dealcoholisation process, answers that call with style.
Formula 1’s chief commercial officer, Emily Prazer, added, “The addition of French Bloom brings variety to our hospitality portfolio and ensures every guest experiences true luxury at our races.”
Beyond bubbles, the tie-up carries a green note. French Bloom’s commitment to organic ingredients and reduced production impact dovetails with F1’s net zero carbon by 2030 goal.
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.
