MAM
Wunderman’s Rajat Sethi heads to Cannes as a judge
NEW DELHI: One more Indian will head to Cannes not to win more awards but to “judge” entries! Wunderman India CEO Rajat Sethi has been selected as one of the eminent panel of direct marketing experts from around the world to judge the Lions Direct entries at the 50th anniversary of the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival to be held at the Palais des Festival in Cannes, France from 15-21 June, 2003.
The Cannes Festival is the only get together for the global advertising community. Close to 10,000 key players from the whole industry congregate at the festival to view the best in International creativity.
After its successful launch in 2002, direct marketing is now fully integrated as part of the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. In 2002, more than 1000 entries from 283 agencies representing 35 countries were submitted to the first Lions Direct awards. The jury was made up of a select 26 top-flight direct marketing experts from 18 countries. Winning entries are awarded the highly coveted bronze, silver and gold Lions.
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HP launches Smart Champs learning game show with JioStar for students
Sanya Malhotra hosts quiz series blending fun, learning and prizes
NEW DELHI: HP India has teamed up with JioStar to launch HP Smart Champs, a new learning-based game show designed to make education engaging for school students across the country.
Hosted by Sanya Malhotra, the 10-episode series brings together students from Grades 5 to 9, who compete in teams through quiz and puzzle-based challenges that test knowledge, logic and teamwork. The show will begin streaming on JioHotstar from April 11 and will premiere on Nick on April 18, with weekend episodes airing at 7 PM.
Powered by HP Smart Tank printers, the format integrates print-based learning into the gameplay, using worksheets, clues and visual problem-solving tools to encourage hands-on participation. The idea is to move students beyond rote memorisation and towards more applied, curiosity-led learning.
The competition promises high stakes, with winners set to receive a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, while runners-up will take home Rs 5 lakh. Additional rewards include HP AI laptops, Smart Tank printers and accessories, while the winning school will be awarded an HP Smart Tech Lab.
Speaking about the initiative, HP India managing director Ipsita Dasgupta said, “At HP, we believe nurturing India’s youth is key to the country’s progress, and technology plays a foundational role in enabling this. With HP Smart Champs, we wanted to create something beyond traditional learning, a fun-filled platform where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking take centre stage.”
On the show’s reach, JioStar head entertainment sales Mahesh Shetty said, “HP Smart Champs reflects how children today learn through exploration and experience. With Nick and JioHotstar, we are creating a multi-screen approach that is both engaging and meaningful.”
Highlighting the role of print, HP India senior director print Satish Kumar said, “The show brings print-based learning to life in an engaging format, helping students develop deeper understanding through hands-on experiences.”
The journey to the finale began with participation from over 1,000 schools across 26 cities, narrowing down to 34 finalists who will compete in a studio showdown in Mumbai.
With its blend of entertainment, education and technology, HP Smart Champs is positioning itself as more than just a quiz show. It is a nationwide push to make learning interactive, accessible and, above all, a lot more fun.
