MAM
McDonald’s serves up DVD rentals in the US
MUMBAI: Burger chain giant McDonald’s is eyeing the DVD rental market in the US. As part of their entry into the home entertainment market, the company has kicked off its DVD rental campaign, starting with 100 of its Denver area outlets.
Each store is being winged with a kiosk that can store up to 300 discs and some 30-40 current-release DVD titles.
Observers note that the penetration plans of McDonald’s into a space dominated by rental chains Blockbuster and Hollywood Video and mass-market retailers like Best Buy and Wal-Mart could shake up the balance of movie retail power.
There seems to be a clear advantage for McDonald’s in this new venture as the company has 30,000 outlets that serve a whopping 47 million people daily across the globe, while competitor Blockbuster has an inferior 8,900 stores only.
McDonald’s Ventures managing director Mats Lederhausen is quoted as saying, “Satisfying new demands delivered at the speed and value of McDonald’s is a fantastic way to leverage what McDonald’s does best.”
Brands
KKR sixes to power EV charger rollout under VIDA campaign
Cricket meets clean mobility as big hits spark India’s charging growth
NEW DELHI: VIDA, the electric mobility arm of Hero MotoCorp, has teamed up with Kolkata Knight Riders to launch a campaign that turns cricketing flair into real-world impact.
Titled ‘6 for 6’, the initiative promises to install a 6kW fast EV charger for every six hit by KKR during the ongoing Indian Premier League season. The idea is simple but powerful, as each big hit on the field contributes directly to expanding India’s fast-charging infrastructure.
The campaign builds on VIDA’s growing network, which already spans over 5,300 fast-charging points across more than 430 cities. With EV adoption gaining pace, the brand is using cricket’s mass appeal to accelerate both awareness and infrastructure growth.
Explaining the thinking behind the move, Hero MotoCorp emerging mobility business unit chief business officer Kausalya Nandakumar said, “Cricket has an incredible ability to unite and inspire millions across the country. With the ‘6 for 6’ campaign, we are turning every big hit on the field into a step towards a cleaner and a more accessible mobility future.”
She added that VIDA’s expanding fast-charging network and removable battery technology are designed to make EV ownership more convenient and practical for everyday users.
From the franchise’s side, the campaign is also about giving on-field moments a larger purpose. Kolkata Knight Riders chief executive officer Venky Mysore said, “The ‘6 for 6’ campaign exemplifies the potential of sport as a platform for meaningful, real-world impact. By linking every six to the expansion of EV charging infrastructure, this partnership transforms fan excitement into tangible progress.”
As part of the rollout, VIDA has introduced co-branded charging stations in KKR’s signature colours, with a flagship installation unveiled alongside team players. The chargers are designed for quick top-ups, powering VIDA scooters from zero to 80 percent in about an hour, while also being positioned along key highways to support longer journeys.
The initiative also taps into VIDA’s removable battery system, which allows users to charge using standard household plug points, adding flexibility to the charging ecosystem.
By blending the thrill of cricket with the urgency of clean mobility, VIDA and KKR have found a neat way to make every six count twice, once on the scoreboard and again on India’s road to an electric future.
