Digital
Vdo.ai lights up festive ads with formats that click, swipe and convert
MUMBAI: ‘Tis the season to click smarter and Vdo.ai is making sure brands do just that. As India’s festive fervour kicks off, the global adtech platform has unwrapped a brand-new suite of high-impact ad formats designed to cut through the Diwali din and deliver measurable marketing sparkle.
Timed to catch the big spending wave from now through the end of the year, the new solutions span Connected TV (CTV), online video, and mobile rich media. But these aren’t just pretty packages, they’re powered by some serious tech. Expect Remote-Based Integrations that let users shop using their TV remotes, Countdown-Based creatives to drive FOMO, and Dynamic Creative Optimisation that adjusts ads based on everything from AQI to your current location.
In short, it’s personalisation at scale and precision with performance.
“Our festive ad suite is engineered to go beyond just visibility,” said Vdo.ai co-founder and CEO Amitt Sharma. “Whether it’s hitting ~95 per cent video completion rates on CTV or outperforming click-through benchmarks across display and video, the aim is simple: help brands convert high-intent festive shoppers into loyal customers.”
For brands braving a landscape where attention spans are shorter and budgets tighter, these formats also bring engaging flair think Parallax scrolls, 3D Cube animations, Expandable Carousels, Motion Sensor-triggered ads, and even Trivia Quizzes. All powered by Gen AI, Weather APIs, Geo-Location and real-time data.
Vdo.ai co-founder and CTO Arjit Sachdeva added: “The festive season is a peak moment for consumer interaction. With our full-stack tech, brands can now connect with users at the perfect time with the perfect message and track it all.”
India’s ad spending traditionally spikes during the October–December festive stretch. According to industry estimates, digital advertising alone sees a 30–35 per cent increase during this period. Vdo.ai’s festive suite is built for brands looking to ride that surge and do more than just show up.
With global reach and local tech muscle, the company’s pitch is clear: Let others light diyas. You light up dashboards.
Digital
Maharashtra partners OpenAI, Sarvam AI to boost state’s tech ecosystem
State to set up dedicated AI department and roll out frontier technology policies
MUMBAI: Maharashtra is set to become a primary hub for artificial intelligence following the 2026–27 Budget announcement. chief minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed that the state has signed letters of intent with global giant OpenAI and national pioneer Sarvam AI to integrate advanced technology into the state’s economic and administrative framework.
The collaboration with OpenAI and Sarvam AI marks a shift towards adopting cutting-edge generative tools for governance. These partnerships, alongside MoUs with IIT Bombay and BharatGen, are designed to create a robust ecosystem for research and innovation. The move signals the state’s intent to bring together global technology leaders and domestic research institutions to accelerate the development and adoption of artificial intelligence across sectors.
Regarding the strategic intent of these alliances, chief minister Fadnavis stated, “With the objective of making the State’s Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence sector dynamic, letters of intent have been signed with globally and nationally reputed institutions like OpenAI and Sarvam AI to facilitate the Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence sector in the state.”
To manage these high-level partnerships and ensure effective implementation, the government is establishing an independent department of electronics, Information technology, and artificial intelligence. The new department will function with a dedicated commissionerate and specialised technical manpower, enabling faster decision-making, improved coordination, and stronger accountability in executing technology-driven initiatives.
The state also plans to introduce special policies aimed at strengthening its position in emerging technology sectors. These policies will focus on advancing Maharashtra as a global hub for frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, drones, autonomous vehicles, and deep technology.
According to the chief minister, “The state government plans to introduce special policies to develop Maharashtra as a world-class hub for frontier technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing, drones, autonomous vehicles and deep technology.”
Artificial intelligence is already being integrated into the state’s governance framework. A collaboration with Microsoft has led to the development of MahaCrimeOS AI, a platform that has reportedly reduced police investigation times by 80 per cent across 23 police stations in Nagpur. The initiative demonstrates how AI-driven tools can significantly enhance law enforcement efficiency and data analysis capabilities.
The government is also working toward building a fully digitised administrative ecosystem. Plans are underway to achieve complete digitisation of land transactions and implement electronic office systems across departments, paving the way for a paperless government. In addition, a pilot project will introduce AI-powered solutions in 75 selected villages to improve infrastructure, governance efficiency, and overall quality of life in rural areas.
To strengthen digital infrastructure and data protection, the state also intends to establish an advanced data centre in Nagpur. This facility will be designed to safeguard sensitive and sovereign information while supporting large-scale digital services and government platforms.
These initiatives form part of Maharashtra’s broader cyber security and digital transformation strategy aligned with the Viksit Maharashtra 2047 vision. By partnering with global and domestic technology leaders such as OpenAI and Sarvam AI, the state aims to build a secure, future-ready digital ecosystem that enhances citizen services, supports innovation, and strengthens India’s position in emerging technologies.
