MAM
Hyundai Motor India introduces Hyundai Soirée
Mumbai: Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) proudly announces the launch of Hyundai Soirée, an exclusive customer engagement initiative tailored especially for customers of the all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 5. Crafted to celebrate the remarkable success of Hyundai’s flagship EV model – IONIQ 5, the plush event aimed to foster a community of like-minded individuals who are united by a shared passion for innovation, style, and excellence.
Hyundai Soirée sat to immerse customers in a meticulously fashioned engagement experience to cater to the sophisticated IONIQ 5 clientele. The premiered event of Hyundai Soirée at Mumbai on 10 May 2024 entailed a gala evening featuring an exclusively curated dinner by renowned Indian chef Vicky Ratnani, captivating engagement activities, and a meet and greet with celebrated fashion designers Falguni and Shane Peacock and Hyundai senior management.
To further elevate the experience, HMIL will host four more Hyundai Soirée events across key cities, including Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai, throughout the year. These events aim not only to serve its premium IONIQ 5 customers better but also exemplify the company’s dedication to spreading joy and happiness amongst its customers across India.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Hyundai Motor India Ltd AVP & vertical head Virat Khullar said, “Hyundai Soirée embodies a blend of elegance and indulgence, crafting unforgettable experiences to our valued IONIQ 5 customers. It reflects our dedication to fostering a community of individuals who share a vision of sophistication and aspiration, leading the charge towards a sustainable future. Through Hyundai Soirée, we endeavour to connect deeply with our customers, enriching their ownership journey. At the event, participants delved into the essence of IONIQ 5, exploring its cutting-edge features and technology. They shared insights on its remarkable range, alleviating any concerns about range anxiety. Additionally, we showcased the new IONIQ 5 at the event and it received overwhelming praise. These invaluable insights guide us in refining our offerings, ensuring an unparalleled experience for our sophisticated IONIQ 5 customers.”
Expressing their enthusiasm on attending the premier event, celebrated designers Falguni and Shane Peacock, said, “It was a pleasure to be a part of the premier event of Hyundai Soirée. We had a great time interacting with IONIQ 5 customers and exploring the all-electric SUV, the Hyundai IONIQ 5. Our association with Hyundai is special as we share a common vision towards sustainable tomorrow and we look forward to having a long-term partnership with the brand through our fashion and integrations alike.”
Hyundai Soirée is deeply rooted in Hyundai’s global vision of ‘Progress for Humanity,’ which propels HMIL to constantly push boundaries and explore new territories in pursuit of delivering exceptional driving mobility experiences. With over 27 years of operations in India, HMIL has continuously redefined mobility, enriching the lives of customers through its products, services, and solutions driven by cutting-edge technology.
Since its launch in India in January 2023, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 has captivated the market with its technological marvels, redefining the electric vehicle industry. Boasting unparalleled design, technology, performance, and features, the IONIQ 5 has garnered overwhelming praise from both customers and critics alike, with over 1500 units sold in India to date.
Staying true to its commitment to enhancing customer experiences, HMIL is dedicated to developing a holistic EV ecosystem in India. As the sole OEM with the largest ultra-fast EV charging network in India, HMI is committed to expanding the EV charging infrastructure to 485 stations by 2030. Additionally, the company has announced its plans to introduce five new EVs by 2030, with the launch of its first mass EV in 2025.
Hyundai Soirée represents a significant milestone in its journey towards redefining customer engagement and satisfaction. As the Company continues to innovate and evolve, HMIL remains dedicated to delivering unparalleled experiences that exceed expectations and enrich the lives of its valued customers.
AD Agencies
Abhay Duggal joins JioStar as director of Hindi GEC ad sales
The streaming giant brings in a seasoned revenue hand as the battle for Hindi television advertising heats up
MUMBAI: Abhay Duggal has a new desk, and JioStar has a new weapon. The media and entertainment veteran has joined JioStar as director of entertainment ad sales for Hindi general entertainment channels, adding 17 years of hard-won revenue experience to one of India’s most powerful broadcasting operations.
Duggal is no stranger to big portfolios or bruising markets. Before joining JioStar, he spent a brief stint at Republic World as deputy general manager and north regional head for ad sales. Before that, he put in three years at Enterr10 Television, where he ran the north region for Dangal TV and Dangal 2, two of India’s leading free-to-air Hindi channels. The north alone accounted for more than 50 per cent of total channel revenue on his watch, a number that tends to get attention in any sales meeting.
His longest stint was at Zee Entertainment Enterprises, where he spent over six years rising to associate director of sales. There he commanded the Hindi movies cluster across seven channels, owned more than half of north India’s revenue across flagship properties including Zee TV and &TV, and closed marquee sponsorships across the Indian Premier League, Zee Rishtey Awards and Dance India Dance. He also handled monetisation for the English movies and entertainment cluster and the global news channel WION, a portfolio that would stretch most sales teams twice his size.
Earlier in his career Duggal closed what was then a Rs 3 crore single deal at Reliance Broadcast Network, one of the largest in Indian radio at the time, before that he helped launch and monetise JAINHITS, India’s first HITS-based cable and satellite platform.
His edge, by his own account, lies in marrying data and instinct: translating audience trends, inventory signals and client demands into long-term partnerships built on cost-per-rating-point discipline rather than short-term deal chasing. In a media landscape being reshaped by streaming, fragmented attention and AI-driven advertising, that kind of rigour is increasingly rare and increasingly valuable.
JioStar, which blends the scale of Reliance’s Jio platform with the content firepower of Star, is doubling down on its advertising business at precisely the moment the Hindi GEC market is getting more competitive. Bringing in someone who has spent nearly two decades doing exactly this, across some of India’s most watched channels, is a pointed statement of intent. Duggal has spent his career turning audiences into revenue. JioStar is clearly betting he can do it again, and bigger.
