MAM
Online ad industry to touch $50 bn this year: Don Epperson
MUMBAI: The chairman and Global CEO of Havas Digital, Don Epperson, has said that online advertising was one of the fastest growing mediums in India.
According to him, the online advertising industry was estimated to touch $50 billion by the end of this year in the US alone while other markets too were poised for a similar growth.
Epperson was in Hyderabad recently for the launch of Centre of Excellence (CoE) that would provide marketing and digital services for clients worldwide by his company that is a diversified advertising and online marketing solutions provider. The Centre, headed by Ravi Kabra, would employ about 20 people for now.
The CEO was of the view that India has emerged as an important business destination for multinational corporations and many Indian companies are going global, requiring expertise to address this space.
Referring to the growth of online advertising, Epperson said that the largest categories of advertisers were Internet players, real-estate firms and financial services companies. Online gaming and sports are two other major categories.
Among the top six global advertising and marketing solutions provider, Havas Digital has clients such as Air France, Vodafone, Emirates, Peugeot, Cap Gemini and works with Google, Yahoo and MSN for online advertising-related business.
The company plans to launch a mobile-based services arm in India soon.
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.
