Brands
Samir Ahluwalia, pinkshastra.com in race for Superbrand Award; entries close on 11 Nov
MUMBAI: The Superbrand’s SuperStartUps Awards has met with an overwhelming response. The organisers are having to close entries early on 11 November.
“The response we got was phenomenal, but most of the entries till now are from later-stage startups” said Shivjeet Kullar, Council Leader “We’re looking for the younger ones, the different ones, the brave ones, the ones who may have launched only a few years back but feel they can take on the world.” To this he adds “since the entry is free anyway, there’s only a fee when they win, it becomes an investment – to be recognized by the world!”
For over 20 years, Superbrands has been the definitive honour for top brands across the world. From Australia to Argentina, Germany to Ghana and UAE to USA in over 50 countries over the globe, Superbrands has been the ‘Oscar’ of the business world.
The SuperStartUp Council in India, led by legendary brand-builder turned online entrepreneur, Shivjeet Kullar, who has over 100 national and international awards to his credit, also features Make My Trip founder Deep Kalra, Sanjiv Bikchandani – the poster boy of the Internet world, Lightbox founder turned VC Sid Talwar, Prahalad Kakkar – India’s top Ad Film Maker, and Weber Shandwick CEO Valerie Pinto.
Samir Ahluwalia ex-CEO – Content Zee Media, who has just launched his start-up, says ‘we might not be the biggest start up, but we believe in our idea and our site, so we are entering and since these awards will be judged by the public we have as much a chance to win as anyone else.’ Adding to this thought, Shubho Sengupta, noted Internet evangelist and founder pinkshastra.com says ‘quite frankly it’s an investment. You only pay any fees if you win, and if you do – you immediately stand out from everyone else looking for recognition and investors!’
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Brands
KITKAT India teams up with One Piece for anime-led campaign push
On-pack characters and digital film tap into India’s fast-growing anime wave
MUMBAI: KITKAT India has joined forces with the globally popular anime One Piece, rolling out a new campaign that brings fan-favourite characters onto its packaging in a bid to connect with India’s rapidly expanding anime audience.
The collaboration sees iconic characters from the series featured on KITKAT packs, adding a playful twist to the brand’s long-standing “take a break” proposition. By blending pop culture with confectionery, the campaign aims to make everyday breaks feel a little more adventurous.
The launch is anchored by a digital-first film released across YouTube and Meta platforms, supported by a broader push spanning outdoor media and interactive social content. The multi-platform rollout reflects a clear attempt to meet younger audiences where they already spend their time.
Nestlé India head confectionery business Gopichandar Jagatheesan said, “Anime is a rapidly growing genre in India, and we are excited to collaborate with one of the most popular shows, One Piece. Having championed breaks for decades, KITKAT now takes them to the next level, making every break more epic with the world of One Piece.”
The move comes at a time when anime is shifting from niche interest to mainstream entertainment in India, with brands increasingly tapping into its cultural currency to stay relevant with younger consumers.
By pairing a globally loved anime with an equally recognisable chocolate brand, KITKAT’s latest outing signals a simple idea with strong appeal. In a crowded market, even a small break can turn into a big moment when it comes with a side of fandom.
