MAM
Kyoorius launches website, speaker lineup for MELT:2015
MUMBAI: Kyoorius has launched readytomelt.com, a dedicated website for its upcoming festival, MELT: 2015. The site boasts a full lineup of speakers from all over the world, spanning a variety of events throughout the two days.
MELT 2015 is a two-day festival of creativity for the advertising, marketing, media, digital and emerging technologies, developed by Kyoorius in partnership with Zee, GroupM and D&AD. Each day offers a variety of formats, including conferences, installations, seminars and workshops, which will take place simultaneously at Nehru Centre and DOME @ NSCI, SVP Stadium in Mumbai.
The first day of MELT:2015 on 21 May will feature HT Osmosis, a creative conference curated for advertising and creative professionals. Speakers include The Future Laboratory founder Chris Sanderson, 72andSunny lead creative Dylan Berg, The Social Brand founder Huib van Bockel and Creative Social founder Daniele Fiandaca.
Zee Mindspace, a day-long conference on 22 May, has been developed specifically for marketing and media professionals. Speakers include Havas Media head of strategy and innovation Tom Goodwin, Mashable chief strategy officer Adam Ostrow, WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell and Twitter SE Asia/India/MENA managing director Parminder Singh.
A series of workshops and seminars will be conducted across the two days on topics such as mobile marketing, digital strategy, brand experiences, branded content, prototyping ideas, sonic branding, youth marketing, and photography, by the likes of D&AD, The Partners, FITCH, Getty Images, Mindshare, Metalworks, Kinetic, Happy Finish, and more.
‘Future Tense’ is another series of seminars focusing on emerging trends and innovations in technology, media and digital. Topics to be explored will include wearable technology, digital storytelling, augmented reality, big data and social media.
Kyoorius founder CEO Rajesh Kejriwal said, “MELT has been conceptualized to help advertising, media, digital and marketing professionals learn – through lectures, discussions, case studies and workshops – how to marry their inherent skills and talent with emerging technologies.”
“Most importantly, MELT recognises that each of us is different. We have different tastes, needs, wants and skills. As a consequence, all of us may not be interested in the same speaker or the same demo or the same workshop. MELT will see multiple sessions in progress at the same time. Hopefully, one will always find something that both informs and stimulates,” he added.
MAM
Shoppers Stop elevates Biju Kassim as GSS Beauty CEO
Move comes as GSS Beauty scales global brand partnerships in India.
MUMBAI: From store shelves to global shelves, the beauty game is getting a sharper makeover. Shoppers Stop has elevated Biju Kassim as managing director and chief executive officer of Global SS Beauty Brands Limited (GSSBB), signalling a stronger push into the premium beauty segment. The move builds on Kassim’s role in setting up GSSBB, a wholly owned subsidiary that has quickly positioned itself as a fast-growing distribution platform for global beauty brands in India. The unit has been central to Shoppers Stop’s ambition of expanding its footprint in the high-margin beauty and luxury categories.
Chairman Nirvik Singh noted that Kassim’s experience across the beauty ecosystem and his understanding of premium and luxury consumers would help steer the next phase of growth. The focus, he indicated, will be on sharpening the company’s beauty portfolio and scaling partnerships with international brands.
Kassim, for his part, steps into the role at a time when India’s premium beauty market is undergoing rapid evolution, driven by rising consumer aspirations and increased access to global labels. He highlighted that GSSBB will remain a key strategic pillar, with an emphasis on expanding brand partnerships, enhancing consumer experiences and driving growth across markets.
As global beauty brands continue to eye India as a high-growth destination, Shoppers Stop’s bet is clear: owning not just the shelf, but the entire beauty ecosystem behind it.
