MAM
Impresario launches ‘Social’ in Bengaluru
BENGALURU: Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality (Impresario) has launched the first of the three ‘Social’ cafes for 2014 in Bengaluru. The company has also planned for a 22 April launch in New Delhi and a 17 May launch in Mumbai.
Impresario says that its core strength is in understanding the changing dining out habits of new young India and delivering quality dining-out experiences tailored to delight their guests. The chain has 36 outlets under popular brands such as Mocha – Coffees & Conversations, Smoke House Deli, The Tasting Room, Stone Water Grill and Le Kebabiere.
Depending upon the success of the three ‘Social’ outlets, Impresario plans to open about 20 ‘Social’ cafes over the next three years. Targeting the youth (aged between 18 and 35 years), with brand ‘Social’, the company plans to have a one-on-one connect using technology and the internet with its clients. For some of its other brands such as Mocha, the company uses radio for mass media communications. The company believes that it is strong in the use of technology as the main tool, or as a supplement for other mediums such as radio and social media.
Impresario CEO and managing director Riyaaz Amlani revealed to indiantelevision.com, “We spend around 2.5 per cent of revenue towards brand building and communications. Our topline is around Rs75 crore (Rs750 million). A lot of our activities are BTL and event associated. We have our own creative teams, and media buying, where required, is in-house.”
“People have been coming in to use our cafes to work from, hold meetings, make presentations. All we did was build a space that caters to that need, a productive space driven by a radical 9-6 creative community, a space for doers and makers to work and network, said Amlani.
“Social is a path-breaking urban hangout that’s designed to take you offline while still keeping you connected; a place where networking can happen. Social is a collaborative workspace, a hub for artists, designers, and innovators. Social has everything an office has; a boardroom, wall-space and wall-to-wall uber high-speed WiFi. The café has an app that lets you order and review food, check out the restaurant’s playlist (to like and recommend music) and even check in on what the other guests in the space are up to, to allow room for collaboration and interaction between tables,” added Amlani further while speaking about the new chain.
Brands
6 in 10 face bias, 58 per cent delay care: India’s LGBTQIA+ health crisis
Study highlights bias in care and unsafe spaces shaping everyday choices
MUMBAI: A significant number of LGBTQIA+ women in India are putting off essential healthcare, with 58 per cent reporting delays or avoidance due to discrimination, according to a new study. The figure is the highest among five countries surveyed, pointing to deep-rooted systemic challenges.
The research, conducted by Kantar in partnership with DIVA Charitable Trust and The Curve Foundation, draws insights from over 3,200 LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary individuals globally. Released around Lesbian Visibility Week, the findings highlight how bias continues to shape access to care.
In India, 60 per cent of respondents said they had faced discrimination in healthcare settings, often feeling dismissed or not taken seriously by providers. This has led many to delay seeking treatment, underscoring how trust deficits in the system directly impact health decisions.
The study also reflects broader social realities. Instances of verbal or physical abuse were commonly reported across platforms such as social media, public transport and social venues, reinforcing a persistent sense of insecurity in everyday life.
At the same time, expectations from brands are evolving. In India, 78 per cent of respondents believe companies should actively contribute to advancing diversity and inclusion, signalling a growing demand for corporate accountability.
Kantar India HR head Mridul Shekhar said, “LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people remain underrepresented and overlooked. Their experiences are shaped by uneven access to care and systems not designed with them in mind. When people are invisible in data, they become invisible in decision-making.”
DIVA Charitable Trust executive director Lady Phyll added, “When people delay healthcare because they fear discrimination, we are no longer talking about symbolic inclusion. These are life decisions driven by the need to feel safe.”
The findings underline a stark reality. While awareness around inclusion is growing, bridging the gap between intent and lived experience remains an urgent priority.
