e-commerce
Myntra locks up Pocketman as a part of Roadster’s BTL campaign
BENGALURU: As part of a unique below-the-line (BTL) marketing activity, ‘Pocketman’ Eric Monjon entered a makeshift man-cave – an air-conditioned metal enclosure with an attached toilet, a table, a bed at Bengaluru’s Orion Mall, for 48 hours.
This was a part of the campaign to mark the unveiling of Italian design studio Parabellum’s creation for Myntra’s private brand Roadster’s limited edition Pocketman Jeans in India.
The jeans has 13 pockets and Monjon loaded as much food and victuals and other odds and ends that he could carry in them to sustain himself over the next two days.
Monjon’s activities will be monitored on close circuit monitors and will be live-streamed on www.PocketmanLive.com and interaction with him will be possible on Twitter and Facebook, with highlights being shared on Roadster’s YouTube channel.
Over the two days, Monjon will be digging deep into his pockets to pull off acts such as starting a fire, cooking his food, making music and art and other life hacks, that one can use to brave challenging situations when out on a road trip. The pockets are built to handle rough use and come in useful sizes to accommodate cans, tools, gadgets and plenty more informs the company
Myntra fashion brands VP – marketing Manish Aggarwal said, “This was a fun collection to create! We wanted to make a point that all a man needs is the right pair of jeans. You have that pair, you are set for anything. Roadster is here to create new, lasting experiences for customer and this experiment is a live demonstration of our commitment.”
Monjon added, “These jeans are incredible – they are virtually a rucksack for me. As it is, I love going outdoors over the weekend and from now on I will be sure to take these along with me on my fishing trips. I love the functionality of these pockets because it reminds me of where the phrase ‘Baker’s Dozen’ came from. It is almost as if the designer was wary that 12 pockets might not be enough, so he put an extra one! My list of things to carry will be just one from now on – my Pocketman jeans.”
The limited edition Pocketman Jeans are versatile says Myntra, only two thousand of them have been made. Priced at Rs 3999, they come in four different shades, but Aggarwal told Indiantelevison.com that depending upon consumer response, Myntra could make more available. At present, the company’s promotion activities are limited to online and the event in Bengaluru, but, if required, Aggarwal said he would look at taking the act to other cities also.
Launched in December 2012, Roadster has been endorsed by Bollywood actors Kunal Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, and is retailed exclusively on the Myntra and Flipkart platforms.
e-commerce
American Express to acquire AI startup Hyper to boost automation
Deal targets expense management as AI reshapes corporate spending tools.
MUMBAI: From receipts to robots, the expense sheet is getting a brain upgrade as American Express moves to bring artificial intelligence into the heart of corporate spending. The company has announced plans to acquire Hyper, a relatively young but fast-rising startup founded in 2022 that builds AI-powered agents capable of organising expenses, generating reports, verifying compliance with budgets and policies, and nudging users with timely reminders. The deal, expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, underscores a growing shift among financial institutions to automate traditionally manual, time-heavy workflows.
Hyper counts Sam Altman among its backers, adding a layer of Silicon Valley credibility to the acquisition. While financial details remain undisclosed, the strategic intent is clear: deepen automation capabilities and sharpen American Express’s position in the competitive corporate spending ecosystem.
The two companies are not strangers. They previously collaborated in 2024 on a co-branded credit card product, suggesting that the acquisition is less a cold buy and more an extension of an existing relationship. With this move, American Express is effectively bringing that capability in-house, aiming to embed AI directly into its commercial services stack.
Chief executive Stephen Squeri had already signalled the direction of travel in a recent shareholder letter, describing AI as a “structural shift” in how businesses operate. The Hyper acquisition appears to be a direct response to that shift, particularly in expense management, where processes such as approvals, compliance checks and reporting remain ripe for automation.
Alongside the acquisition, the company is also expanding its product suite. A recently launched business credit card offers cashback and benefits at an annual fee of $295, with another card expected later this year moves that complement its broader push into commercial services.
Taken together, the strategy points to a future where managing expenses may require fewer spreadsheets and more algorithms. For American Express, the bet is simple, if businesses are rethinking how work gets done, the tools that power that work need to evolve just as quickly.
