MAM
Times OOH chief gets billboard industry throne
MUMBAI:The billboards plastering India’s chaotic streets have found their new overlord. Narayanaswami Shekhar, chief executive of Times OOH, has been crowned chairman of the Indian Outdoor Advertising Association, handing the Times Group executive sway over an industry grappling with digital revolution and regulatory squeeze. Earlier the vice-chairman, he takes over from Jagran Engage COO Pawan Bansal.
Shekhar’s ascent to the top of IOAA puts him at the helm of a lobby group that corrals more than 80 per cent of India’s leading outdoor media barons and boasts 220-plus members scattered from Mumbai’s traffic-choked arteries to Bangalore’s tech corridors. The association’s bread and butter involves fending off municipal crackdowns whilst championing the interests of companies that transform India’s urban jungle into a kaleidoscope of consumer messaging.
The appointment comes as India’s outdoor advertising sector—worth billions of rupees—faces an existential reckoning. Digital screens are rapidly displacing static hoardings, whilst smartphone ubiquity threatens the traditional model of ambushing commuters with roadside pitches. Meanwhile, courts and municipal authorities have launched periodic crusades against “visual pollution,” threatening the very billboards that fund the industry.
Shekhar’s new perch positions him as the industry’s chief evangelist at a pivotal moment. His Times OOH stable operates across India’s major cities, where the company’s digital displays compete for eyeballs against everything from Hindi film posters to political propaganda. The challenge now is ensuring outdoor advertising remains relevant in an increasingly screen-saturated landscape.
For the Times group, Shekhar’s industry chairmanship represents a strategic coup. The media conglomerate can now influence regulations and standards that directly impact its outdoor advertising arm, whilst positioning itself as the sector’s thought leader.
The association’s core mission—protecting and promoting outdoor advertising interests—takes on fresh urgency as Indian cities grapple with beautification drives that often view billboards as urban blight rather than legitimate business infrastructure.
MAM
Kalyan Jewellers launches Nimah Collection campaign
New temple-inspired jewellery range stars Sreeleela and Kalyani Priyadarshan.
MUMBAI: Kalyan Jewellers has given temple jewellery a cinematic glow-up and this time, it’s sparkling with star power and storytelling. The leading jewellery brand has unveiled a new campaign for its Nimah Collection, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Priyadarshan and featuring brand ambassadors Sreeleela and Kalyani Priyadarshan. Built around the powerful idea of “A Legacy You Wear”, the campaign presents a cinematic celebration of India’s rich temple jewellery traditions, positioning them as timeless expressions of identity, strength, and artistry.
The film brings mythology and classical performance together in a fresh narrative. Sreeleela’s character embodies strength and discipline, moving from archery to classical dance, with bold temple jewellery accentuating her power. In contrast, Kalyani Priyadarshan’s portrayal explores introspection and creativity through music and writing, highlighted by finer detailing and understated elegance. Together, the two personas showcase the Nimah collection as heritage jewellery that remains relevant across generations.
The Nimah range draws inspiration from South Indian temple jewellery and features intricate Nakashi (hand-carved) work. It includes statement bridal necklaces and haarams, temple-inspired chokers, earrings, jhumkas, rings, and chains perfect for both bridal and festive occasions.
Every piece in the collection comes with Kalyan Jewellers’ trusted 4-Level Assurance Certificate, guaranteeing purity, free lifetime maintenance, and transparent buy-back policies.
The campaign is now live across digital platforms, and the Nimah collection is available at Kalyan Jewellers showrooms nationwide.
In a market often crowded with glitter, Kalyan Jewellers has chosen to shine through meaningful storytelling. With “A Legacy You Wear,” the brand reminds us that the most beautiful jewellery doesn’t just adorn, it carries stories, culture, and timeless elegance forward.
