UpFront
-
HUL's sale of Annapurna and Captain Cook indicates the challenges of commodity branding in India
If commodity brands are to be housed in a large corporate entity with other bigger businesses, there is a need to ensure that the division managing commodity branding is run differently
-
Who is Ajay Banga, the US candidate to lead the World Bank?
The president of the World Bank is typically American, while the leader of the International Monetary Fund is customarily European. As growing emerging market countries are challenging the unwritten arrangement, Banga's nomination—the first Indian-born candidate—is making headlines
-
Weekly Shorts: 7 steps for marketers to get influencer mapping right
What's buzzing in influencer marketing and the creator ecosystem? What's the next big thing coming down the line? Catch the big trends and hot topics in our weekly shorts
-
Raja Rajamannar asked ChatGPT to summarize the AI chapter from his book Quantum Marketing. Here's the result
"You can find its output — with minimal human edits — below," says author of bestselling book and global CMO of Mastercard
-
Cracking the code for high growth, low inflation
Policymakers gave growth a chance at the cost of inflation, but now they are struggling to put the genie back in the bottle, even as growth remains elusive. Can rate hikes do the job?
-
Mind The GAAP: How loss-making companies adjust numbers to show they are profitable
Several new-age companies—listed as well as privately held—resort to accounting acrobatics to make their earnings appear more palatable. Though 'adjusted' and non-GAAP metrics can't be questioned legally, pro-forma earnings tend to put the entities on a morally sticky wicket
-
IDBI Bank divestment: Strong optics and no hidden surprises lure potential buyers
A healthy deposit franchise, wide reach, profitability and near complete provision for bad loans make the bank's case stronger as the government aims to complete the process in FY24. But synergising work cultures, strengthening technology and finding the right price are issues that need to be tackled
-
Bookstrapping: Ganesh Natarajan and Ejaz Ghani offer a collection of essays to simplify India's post-independence journey
The simplicity and foundational nature of the arguments in the book are akin to your grandmother reminding you of truths too inconvenient to implement. Bookstrapping rating: 3.5 stars
-
Simply Speaking: Why brands need to be woke by design
Great brands are a force for positive social change. They design their businesses and products to address social issues. This brand-as-business approach to bettering the world is a profound leap forward in supporting the case for capitalism as a practical way to a better world
-
How small and mid-sized Indian ad agencies find their mojo, and grow
Independent creative shops stay away from pitches if they do not get paid for the time and effort they put into developing strategies and creatives
-
MC Stan: The latest celebrity brand to emerge from Bigg Boss 16
The rapper is the latest to benefit from a Bigg Boss boost with partnership deals and endorsements pouring in just 48 hours after winning the reality show. His talent management agency has received over 20 offers from brands