iWorld
Namo-the new android smartphone
MUMBAI: Naredra Modi fans seem to be going all the way to promote him on every platform as well as take advantage of his popularity. The latest is a smartphone called Namo android smartphone that has been created by a group of people who claim to be ‘independent body of fans of Narendra Modi’, the chief minister of Gujarat.
Namo is the short form of the popular politician as well as an abbreviation of Next-generation Android Mobile Odyssey, the creator of this phone.
The Facebook page for this already has over 3000 likes as well as coverage across many print and online spaces. The handset features are mentioned as follows on the website: 1 GB RAM + 16 GB ROM, 2 GB RAM + 16 GB ROM, 2 GB RAM + 32 GB ROM, 2 GB RAM + 64 GB ROM, 1.5 Ghz MT6589 Turbo Chipset, 13 MP Camera, Corning Glass 2, Screen 5 inches.
The launch has already been carried out and the phone is expected to be released to the market soon. They are also looking at getting permission from Modi for using his signature for their ‘signature edition’ of the phones. The phones are said to be China made, which will be imported to India and branded with this name and then sold here at about Rs 15,000.
The reliability of such phones will surely be under question. However, fans on their Facebook page seem to be keen to buy one. Preloaded videos and applications about the popular chief minister will also be available in the phones.
iWorld
Uber spotlights Rs 25 bike rides with music led IPL campaign
Uber uses 15 second music films with Divine and Roll Rida to push Rs 25 rides
MUMBAI: In a season where ads usually swing for sixes with celebrity spectacle, Uber has chosen to play a clever single sharp, fast, and straight to the point. Uber has rolled out a distinctly stripped-down IPL campaign, putting its product Uber Bike rides starting at Rs 25 for up to 3 km front and centre, rather than leaning on big-budget storytelling. The campaign features hip-hop artist Divine in Mumbai and Roll Rida in southern markets, using music as the primary vehicle for recall.
IPL advertising has long been dominated by high-production narratives packed with cricketers and film stars. Uber’s approach flips that playbook. Instead of elaborate storytelling, the brand opts for 15-second music-led films quick, rhythmic bursts designed to mirror the pace of urban mobility itself.
The message is deliberately simple, affordable, fast rides that cut through city traffic. No layered plots, no extended build-up just a functional promise delivered with cultural flair.
In the Mumbai-led film, Divine zips through traffic on an Uber Bike, turning the Rs 25 price point into a hook with his signature wordplay around “pachisi”. The campaign cleverly reframes affordability as a moment of delight, the kind that leaves commuters with a “32-teeth smile” after beating traffic at minimal cost.
Meanwhile, Roll Rida’s version leans into southern sensibilities, blending Telugu and Tamil influences with high-energy visuals. Set to the beat of tape drums, the film celebrates how low-cost rides can unlock a more connected and vibrant city experience. Together, the films reflect a conscious push towards regional authenticity, rather than a one-size-fits-all national narrative.
The campaign also signals Uber’s sharper focus on India’s growing bike taxi segment. While the company offers multi-modal services spanning cars, autos, metro integrations and intercity travel, this push zeroes in on two-wheelers as a key growth lever in dense urban markets.
By anchoring the campaign around a Rs 25 entry price for short distances, Uber is targeting everyday commuters, particularly younger users navigating congested cities where speed and cost matter more than comfort.
With IPL advertising clutter at its peak, even the most straightforward message risks getting lost. Uber’s answer is to embed the proposition within culture using music, regional nuance and repeat-friendly short formats to drive recall. The creative team has also layered subtle visual cues including multiple references to “25” within frames encouraging repeat viewing and reinforcing the core message without over-explaining it.
The campaign reflects a broader shift in advertising priorities. As attention spans shrink and media environments get noisier, brands are increasingly favouring clarity over complexity and speed over scale.
Uber’s IPL play may not shout the loudest, but it lands where it matters in the everyday commute. Because sometimes, in a marketplace full of grand narratives, a Rs 25 ride is story enough.
