MAM
Gas-O-Fast signs on Saurabh Shukla and Biswanath Basu
MUMBAI: Mankind Pharma’s Gas-O-Fast, known for its natural antacids, is focused on establishing a stronger presence across the nation. They recently got Saurabh Shukla and Biswanath Basu on board as brand ambassadors for their new campaign. Saurabh Shukla is a well-known face at a Pan-India level whereas Biswanath Basu is particularly popular in the eastern states. Both these celebrities will help tap into new markets, bringing certain credibility on deck for the brand to take advantage of.
Keeping in mind both the actor’s forte – a brilliant comic timing – the new campaign is designed in a fun and quirky way. The humour being evoked in the film stems from something close to the product world – heartburn – coming alive in both, its literal and metaphorical sense.
Commenting on the campaign, Mankind Pharma DGM Joy Chatterjee said, “It was time for us to broaden our market base by establishing our presence across the country. This venture demanded fresh pieces of communication with acclaimed celebrities for higher brand recall. Thus, Saurabh Shukla and Biswanath Basu became a fitting choice for us.”
The campaign was conceptualized and executed by ADK Fortune, a WPP agency. managing partner Subroto Pradhan added, “It was important to play on the discomfort of heartburn. We thought in a category which mostly rides on the problem-solution approach, a tinge of humour that brings out the ‘jalan’ as an emotion could do the trick. And who could better deliver that than Saurabh and Biswanath.”
Brands
HP launches Smart Champs learning game show with JioStar for students
Sanya Malhotra hosts quiz series blending fun, learning and prizes
NEW DELHI: HP India has teamed up with JioStar to launch HP Smart Champs, a new learning-based game show designed to make education engaging for school students across the country.
Hosted by Sanya Malhotra, the 10-episode series brings together students from Grades 5 to 9, who compete in teams through quiz and puzzle-based challenges that test knowledge, logic and teamwork. The show will begin streaming on JioHotstar from April 11 and will premiere on Nick on April 18, with weekend episodes airing at 7 PM.
Powered by HP Smart Tank printers, the format integrates print-based learning into the gameplay, using worksheets, clues and visual problem-solving tools to encourage hands-on participation. The idea is to move students beyond rote memorisation and towards more applied, curiosity-led learning.
The competition promises high stakes, with winners set to receive a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, while runners-up will take home Rs 5 lakh. Additional rewards include HP AI laptops, Smart Tank printers and accessories, while the winning school will be awarded an HP Smart Tech Lab.
Speaking about the initiative, HP India managing director Ipsita Dasgupta said, “At HP, we believe nurturing India’s youth is key to the country’s progress, and technology plays a foundational role in enabling this. With HP Smart Champs, we wanted to create something beyond traditional learning, a fun-filled platform where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking take centre stage.”
On the show’s reach, JioStar head entertainment sales Mahesh Shetty said, “HP Smart Champs reflects how children today learn through exploration and experience. With Nick and JioHotstar, we are creating a multi-screen approach that is both engaging and meaningful.”
Highlighting the role of print, HP India senior director print Satish Kumar said, “The show brings print-based learning to life in an engaging format, helping students develop deeper understanding through hands-on experiences.”
The journey to the finale began with participation from over 1,000 schools across 26 cities, narrowing down to 34 finalists who will compete in a studio showdown in Mumbai.
With its blend of entertainment, education and technology, HP Smart Champs is positioning itself as more than just a quiz show. It is a nationwide push to make learning interactive, accessible and, above all, a lot more fun.
