Brands
Yamaha Motor India names Hajime Aota as chairman from 2026
MUMBAI: Yamaha Motor India has appointed Hajime Aota as its new chairman, with the role taking effect from January 1, 2026. Aota steps into the position with a reputation as a long-term strategist and growth architect, bringing with him decades of experience across corporate planning, new ventures and global business development within the Yamaha ecosystem and beyond.
Currently serving as chief strategy officer at Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., Aota has played a key role in shaping the company’s future-facing agenda, spanning advanced technologies, venture investments and new business models. His career includes senior leadership roles in corporate planning and innovation at Yamaha, chairing Yamaha Motor Ventures in Silicon Valley, and board positions at technology-led firms such as Tier IV and River. Before Yamaha, he held multiple general management roles at Mitsui & Co. across Japan, the UK and global markets.
With this appointment, Yamaha Motor India signals a sharper focus on strategic depth, innovation and international alignment as it navigates an increasingly competitive and fast-evolving mobility landscape. Aota’s blend of financial acumen, venture experience and technology-led thinking positions him to guide the Indian business through its next phase of growth, with a steady hand and an eye firmly on the road ahead.
Brands
Lotus Herbals unveils HydroActivated sunscreen with high-impact campaign
Harnaaz Sandhu fronts digital push spotlighting breakthrough sun care tech
MUMBAI: Lotus Herbals has rolled out a high-decibel marketing campaign to introduce what it calls India’s first hydro-activated sunscreen, aiming to reshape how consumers think about sun protection.
At the centre of the launch is the Safe Sun HydroActivated Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA+++, a formulation built on a patent-pending Hydrosome Technology that activates on contact with moisture. Unlike conventional sunscreens that can weaken with sweat, this product is designed to do the opposite, boosting protection when the skin is exposed to water or perspiration.
The campaign is led by Harnaaz Sandhu and is being amplified across OTT platforms, social media and outdoor locations in key metro cities. The brand film takes a light, relatable approach to everyday sunscreen struggles such as uneven application and fading protection, while positioning the new product as a reliable, high-performance alternative for active lifestyles.
Beyond its core technology, the sunscreen features next-generation UV filters and Edelweiss Flower Extract, offering hydration alongside protection. The formula claims up to 10 hours of water resistance and even, all-round defence against sun exposure and tanning, targeting consumers who want both skincare and performance in one product.
Speaking about the launch, Lotus Herbals chairman and managing director Nitin Passi said, “We are excited to launch India’s first sunscreen with hydroactivated technology which is our most innovative product launch. This isn’t just a sunscreen; it’s a technological breakthrough that utilises a novel manufacturing process. We’ve created a product that stays invisible on the skin yet becomes a performance powerhouse when the user is most active.”
Sharing her experience, Lotus Herbals brand ambassador Harnaaz Sandhu said, “I am thrilled to be associated with Lotus Herbals Safe Sun for their new sun protection campaign. In my world, there is no room for shortcuts, and I need functional and reliable products that work as hard as I do. The hydroactivated sunscreen is a game-changer because it blends with my skin and protects me better when I’m pushing my limits.”
The campaign is being distributed across platforms including JioStar connected TV integrations and ZEE5, along with television placements such as Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in West Bengal. A large influencer push involving over a thousand creators, along with in-store branding and retail activations, is also part of the rollout.
With a blend of science-led positioning and mass-market storytelling, Lotus Herbals is betting on innovation to stand out in the crowded sun care segment, hoping its moisture-powered promise strikes the right chord with today’s always-on consumers.
