NEW DELHI, May 13, 2026: Tasty Nibbles, the consumer brand of HIC-ABF Special Foods  has announced Milind Soman as its brand ambassador while outlining the company’s plans  to accelerate pan-India growth, especially in the health-focused convenience food segment. The event marks a significant milestone in the brand’s growth journey as it sets its sights on  pan-India expansion, with a strategic focus on its flagship category – canned tuna.

“At Tasty Nibbles, we have always believed that the future of food lies at the intersection of  health, convenience, and trust. With Milind Soman coming on board, we are taking a  significant step towards making tuna a part of everyday Indian diets. India is still at a very  early stage in tuna consumption, and this presents a massive opportunity for us to introduce  a clean, high-quality protein option to millions of households,” said Cherian Kurian,  managing director, Tasty Nibbles at the company’s brand ambassador announcement event  in New Delhi. The event was also attended by Sunil P Krishnan, vice-president (sales) and  Manoj TP, senior manager – key accounts, along with distributors, key industry stakeholders and representatives from e-commerce, and quick-commerce platforms.

“Despite being a globally popular protein source, the per capita consumption of tuna in India  remains significantly low. With a population of over 1.4 billion, the category presents a  substantial opportunity for growth if effectively introduced and adopted”, Cherian said.

“I have always believed that good health starts with what we eat every day. Tuna is one of the  simplest and most effective sources of lean protein, and what I like about Tasty Nibbles is how  they make it accessible, convenient, and easy to include in daily meals. I’m excited to be part  of a journey that encourages people to make smarter, healthier food choices,” said Milind  Soman.

Known for his fitness-driven lifestyle and credibility in the health and wellness space, Milind Soman embodies the values that Tasty Nibbles aims to promote through its tuna range. Through this initiative, the brand aims to position tuna as more than just a source of protein.  Packed with high-quality protein, rich in Omega-3, and loaded with essential vitamins, tuna is  also carb-free, low in fat, and a convenient addition to the everyday diet of health-conscious  consumers. The brand also showcased the convenience of its canned tuna, highlighting it as  a cleaned, cooked, and ready-to-eat product with soft, thornless white meat, suitable for quick  and versatile usage across salads, sandwiches, rolls, and more.

With this announcement and campaign launch, Tasty Nibbles aims to redefine tuna  consumption in India, transforming it from a niche offering into a regular, accessible, and  healthy choice for modern lifestyles.

The post Tasty Nibbles appoints Milind Soman as brand  ambassador, plans accelerated pan-India expansion with focus on canned tuna  appeared first on India Communication Forum.

May 13, 2026, Mumbai, India: Goafest 2026 is set to welcome CEOs, CMOs and senior brand leaders from over 50 leading companies across sectors. The scale of participation further reinforces the festival’s position as one of India’s most significant gatherings for marketers, agencies, media professionals, creators and industry stakeholders.

Senior representatives from 50+ marketing companies like Acko Group, Adani, Aditya Birla Group, Ajio, Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), Bajaj Insurance, boAt, Britannia, Coca-Cola, Dabur, DS Group, Emami, Flipkart, Godrej, Google, HDFC, Haleon, Hindustan Unilever (HUL), IBM, ITC Limited, Kotak Mahindra Bank, PepsiCo, Lenovo, Levi’s, MagicBricks, Marico, Mondelez, Nestle, Nippon, Nykaa, OnePlus, Parle, Perfetti Van Melle India, Pernod Ricard, Swiggy, Taj Hotels, TVS, Vida, Yum! Brands, Zepto and several others are expected to be present at the festival.

The 2026 edition of Goafest hence makes way for deeper engagement, offering delegates the opportunity to interact directly with senior marketing decision-makers. This growing participation of brand leaders highlights Goafest’s importance as a platform for meaningful industry exchange.

Mohit Joshi, Co-Chair of the Goafest 2026 Organising Committee and CEO, Havas Media Network India, said, “The growing participation of marketing leaders reflects the increasing importance of collaboration across the industry. Bringing together leaders from over 50 organisations creates opportunities for impactful dialogue, new partnerships and shared learning that benefit the entire ecosystem.”

“Goafest has always stood for one idea: “the entire industry as one force.” Having 50+ leading brands join us alongside agencies, media companies and our trade bodies is a powerful testament to that. When clients, creators and custodians of the industry choose to come together at one place, it reaffirms the responsibility we all share – and the trust the industry places in Goafest to be that common ground”, said, Jaideep Gandhi, Vice President, AAAI and Chairman of the Goafest 2026 Organising Committee.

Goafest 2026 is committed to bringing the industry together through conversations, networking and shared experiences designed to support collaboration and future growth.

The post Goafest 2026 Brings India’s Leading Marketing CXOs under One Roof appeared first on India Communication Forum.

In April, Godrej Industries Group unveiled its refreshed brand identity, including a new identifier and a unifying purpose statement – ‘Crafting tomorrow since 1897’. The group, which has a 129-year legacy, also announced an ambitious target of reaching Rs 5 lakh crore market cap by 2031.

Pirojsha Godrej, chairperson-designate of the Godrej Industries Group, told a press conference on the occasion: “We believe reputation should be earned through performance.”

The Group said the new purpose and brand identity align its identity, strategy and ambition for its next phase of growth and business evolution.

The April 22 announcement came nearly two years after the conglomerate reached a family settlement and split into two entities, namely Godrej Industries Group and Godrej Enterprises Group.

Alongside the new unifying purpose for the Group whose portfolio spans consumer products, real estate, financial services, agriculture, and chemicals, the Godrej Industries Group also unveiled its new brand identity, introducing a new visual language, bespoke typography (GI Sans), a proprietary sonic identity, and a signature fragrance. The company said the new brand identity is aimed at creating a cohesive, multi-sensory expression across digital, physical and experiential touchpoints.

The refreshed brand identity has been crafted by DISCO, the in-house design team.

Tanya Dubash, Executive Director and Chief Brand Officer, Godrej Industries Group, said, “This refreshed brand identity reflects both who we are and where we are going. It reinforces the strength of the Godrej brand while creating a more contemporary and unified expression of our ambitions for tomorrow. It enables each of our businesses to connect more powerfully to a shared purpose while remaining true to their distinct roles.”

New identifier triggers ‘identical’ debate

While the Group unveiled its ambitions for the future, its rebranding also triggered a copyright debate after the new visual identity was found to be almost a copy of an independent Australian creative agency, Guerrilla.

The new ‘GI logo’ was also compared with other existing logos, like from iD Fresh and Interdiscount, and became a topic of debate on the social media.

The company was then forced to issue a clarification which addressed two key questions being asked: whether the new ‘GI’ identifier has replaced the legacy Godrej signature logo, and whether the design was nearly identical to several global corporate marks.

The Group said the widely-recognised Godrej signature logo remains intact and will continue to be the only logo used across all consumer-facing products and services.

“The Godrej signature continues to remain our logo and its usage on all our consumer-facing products and services remains entirely unchanged,” it clarified.

The company added that the ‘GI’ identifier is not a logo to be used at the consumer end but a group identifier to be used at the corporate level, representing the Godrej Industries Group. Its intended professional stakeholder audiences include investors, media, and talent.

The company asserted that the GI identifier would be used alongside the legacy Godrej signature logo or the company name.

It may be noted that the post the 2024 restructuring, the two business groups continue to function under the Godrej name and signature logo. This was cited among the reasons to come up with a new corporate identifier for the Godrej Industries Group.

How Godrej responded to criticism

As regards the ‘GI’ identifier being identical to other corporate logos, the fact which drew criticism from social media users and brand professionals, the company defended its new identity and said such similarities were common in minimalist, geometric brand designs.

“A half circle, rectangle and circle combination appears across dozens of identities in multiple countries and sectors,” the company said, adding the identifier was finalised from several options after an extensive design process that included intellectual property and legal diligence.

The finalised ‘GI’ identifier was selected as it sat well alongside the Godrej signature logo without visually competing with it, the company indicated.

“Having confirmed both the originality of the work and that our brand identity system is clearly distinct from any other brand, we concluded that there is no ethical or legal impediment to the use of the GI identifier,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.

While the Godrej Industries Group has emphatically defended its new corporate identifier and indicated full conviction to use it, it remains to be seen whether the new logo leads to second redesign and legal challenges.

The post Godrej’s ‘new identity’ gets entangled in ‘copy’ debate; company says similarities common in minimalist, geometric designs appeared first on India Communication Forum.

Jessica Apellaniz is Wieden+Kennedy México’s first Chief Creative Officer, brought in to help build the agency—and its point of view—from the ground up when the office opened in México City in 2023. She oversees all creative work across the office, partnering with brands like Nike, Ford, Uber, and AB InBev to make ideas that show up in culture.

Before W+K, Jessica was CCO for Latin America at Ogilvy, where she led teams across the region and helped deliver award-winning work for clients including Coca-Cola, KFC, Mondelez, Mazda, American Express, Nestlé, and more. Her leadership contributed to Cannes Lions, D&AD, and One Show wins, as well as to Ogilvy Latin America being named Regional Network of the Year in 2022.

Jessica’s path into creativity started behind the scenes as a producer, including a stint at MTV LATAM, before she moved into copywriting and never looked back. As one of the few women leading creative at a regional level in Latin America—and a mother of two—she’s focused on building teams that reflect the real world and pushing the industry toward a more balanced, inclusive future.

The post Jessica Apellaniz Appointed as Jury Chair for the ABBY Awards 2026 Powered by The One Club | The One Show appeared first on India Communication Forum.

Mumbai, 11th May 2026: Storytellers 101 Communications has announced the appointment of Akshat Jain as Managing Director, strengthening the agency’s leadership team as it enters its next phase of growth and expansion.

Akshat brings with him close to two decades of experience in strategic communications, reputation management and media relations across the automotive, corporate, FMCG and consumer sectors. Over the years, he has worked with leading brands including Tata Motors, Yamaha, Jaguar Land Rover, Jeep, FIAT, Kinetic Green, Simple Energy, Castrol and Greaves Cotton, among others.

Prior to joining Storytellers 101, Akshat served as Vice President at Weber Shandwick India, where he led key mobility and corporate mandates over an eight-and-a-half-year tenure with the agency. During this period, he played an instrumental role in shaping integrated communication strategies, leadership positioning, product launches, crisis communication and reputation management initiatives for some of India’s most recognised brands. Before Weber Shandwick, he worked with Perfect Relations and Allied Blenders & Distillers, building expertise across corporate communications, crisis management and media engagement.

At Storytellers 101, Akshat will focus on strengthening the agency’s communications capabilities, scaling integrated mandates, mentoring teams and driving growth across emerging and high-impact sectors.

Commenting on the appointment, Leon De Souza, Founder & CEO, Storytellers 101 Communications, said, “Storytellers 101 has grown steadily over the past 12 years, and bringing Akshat on board is an important step in strengthening our senior leadership team. His experience will further add depth to the agency as we continue to grow. We are excited to have him with us, and this is also part of a larger plan to bring in more senior industry talent in the near future. “

Devendra Singh, COO, Storytellers 101 Communications, added, “Akshat has built strong knowledge of the communications ecosystem across sectors over the years, and we are happy to have him on board. As we look at expanding into new verticals, his experience will be key in further strengthening our communications capabilities and ensuring we continue to build on the strong foundation we have created.”

Speaking on his new role, Akshat Jain, Managing Director, Storytellers 101 Communications, said, “What excited me most about Storytellers 101 is its entrepreneurial energy, creative mindset and strong focus on impactful storytelling. The communications landscape today demands authenticity, agility and culturally relevant narratives, and that is something the agency strongly believes in. I look forward to working closely with Leon and the team to build meaningful communication strategies, nurture talent and create impactful stories that drive both brand reputation and business growth.”

With this appointment, Storytellers 101 aims to further strengthen its presence across sectors while continuing to tell stories that create impact through its work.

The post Storytellers 101 Communications Appoints Akshat Jain as Managing Director appeared first on India Communication Forum.

The campaign #RoleReversal is currently live across social and digital platforms in addition to Q-commerce integrations.

The post ZOFF Foods Launches #RoleReversal This Mother’s Day  appeared first on India Communication Forum.

Gilit Saporta, VP, Fraud Lab at DoubleVerify

CTV fraud risk is being supercharged by AI and rising across markets, according to DoubleVerify’s latest Global Insights report on Streaming TV

New Delhi, May 8, 26: DoubleVerify (“DV”) (NYSE: DV), the leading software platform to verify media quality, optimize ad performance and prove campaign outcomes, today released its 2026 Global Insights report, Must-CTV: Streaming’s Shift from Promise to Performance. The insights are based on proprietary DV measurement data spanning billions of impressions from DV-protected campaigns and controlled tests where protection controls were not applied. The report also includes surveys of more than 2,000 marketers and 22,000 consumers in over 20 global markets.

A core finding from the research shows how AI is fueling more sophisticated fraud, with connected TV (CTV) schemes accelerating worldwide. DV detected 140% more CTV fraud schemes and variants in Q1 2026 compared with Q1 2025, underscoring how fraudsters are using advanced tools to scale and create more complex operations.

“CTV is attracting premium spend and bad actors right along with it,” said Gilit Saporta, VP, Fraud Lab at DoubleVerify . “Our research shows fraudsters are quick to exploit inefficiencies in the ecosystem, using AI and limited transparency to siphon value from advertisers, with tactics that vary by market. Brands need to get ahead of it by eliminating low-quality impressions and focusing investment on inventory with a real chance to perform.”

Additional findings from DV’s report demonstrate how rapidly fraud is scaling across CTV:
• Persistent bot activity: DV uncovered 50+ distinct CTV bot attacks and variants in 2025 alone.
• Explosive growth in fraudulent apps: DV identified 10x more fraudulent CTV apps in 2025 vs. 2024.
• Significant financial impact: In unprotected campaigns, even at conservative estimates, fraud can cost advertisers approximately $1.8 million per billion CTV impressions served. With trillions of CTV impressions served each year, these losses add up quickly.

Notably, CTV fraud is not uniform across markets. Bot fraud uses software to imitate real users, while data center fraud comes from centralized servers generating high volumes of non-human traffic. In North America, bot fraud made up 82% of violations, while data center traffic dominated in APAC (98%), EMEA (66%) and LATAM (91%). The regional variation signals that fraudsters are adapting tactics by market, reinforcing the need for tailored approaches.

DV’s research also challenges a common assumption in the market: that buying CTV inventory through direct deals or private marketplaces (PMPs) inherently reduces fraud. DV found bot activity in multiple direct CTV buys from major global advertisers. In one consumer healthcare campaign, 34% of impressions went to bots, compared with 25% in a major CPG campaign—both in direct deals.

“There’s a perception that direct deals in CTV are fraud-free, but that’s not the case as fraud always finds a way,” Saporta added. “It can exist anywhere inventory is bought and sold. Without independent verification and proactive protections, advertisers risk paying premium prices for impressions that deliver no real value.”

DV’s analysis shows a clear divide between protected (with verification controls) and unprotected environments. In DV-protected CTV campaigns, fraud rates were less than 1%, compared with nearly 9% in unprotected campaigns. As fraud grows more sophisticated, effective protection is not optional, but foundational to performance.

Additionally, DV found that fewer than one-quarter (21%) of advertisers measure CTV performance using invalid traffic (IVT) or fraud detection as a KPI. While fraud prevention is not a direct measure of performance, it plays a critical role in enabling it. Fraudulent impressions have no chance to drive outcomes, and exposure to low-quality inventory limits campaign effectiveness. By identifying and avoiding invalid traffic, advertisers can shift investment toward high-quality impressions with real potential to perform—strengthening both media efficiency and overall campaign results.

DV launched DV Authentic Streaming TV™ in January, combining verification and optimization to deliver granular pre-bid discovery, AI-powered activation and unified measurement across streaming TV and CTV. The solution helps brands avoid low-quality impressions; focus spend on high-performing, contextually relevant inventory and drive measurable outcomes.

The post Global Study: Fueled by AI, CTV Fraud Schemes Surge 140% Globally appeared first on India Communication Forum.

~ The sports and wellness IP expands its footprint with a high-energy, inclusive line-up for 2026~

May 6, 2026; Mumbai, India: Jointly organised by The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club (TAC), Goafest returns with the second edition of ‘Advertising Plays’. A dedicated sports and wellness IP, Advertising Plays will bring together professionals from advertising, media, and marketing in a fun, informal, and engaging environment.

Energising morning sessions, including Yoga and Zumba will promote well-being, balance, and mindful networking for all delegates. Complementing these are a range of indoor and immersive experiences such as Foosball, Air Hockey, VR Cricket, and Panja (arm wrestling), all designed to drive engagement and participation. Together, these activities will blend physical sport, recreation, and interactive experiences, ensuring there is something for everyone.

The initiative also brings in a strong competitive spirit, with tournament winners receiving awards and on-ground recognition for their achievements. A live leaderboard integrated within the Goafest app will track points across all activities in real time, adding to the excitement and engagement. At the culmination of the festival, the agency with the highest cumulative score will be awarded the coveted ‘Sportiest Agency’ title, celebrating both performance and team participation.

“Advertising Plays is a reminder that while we compete fiercely in boardrooms and pitches, we are also part of one vibrant, closely-knit industry. Bringing it back for its second season, we wanted to create a space where that spirit of camaraderie can truly come alive, on the field, in moments of celebration, and through shared experiences that go beyond work. It’s not just about sport; it’s about agencies coming together, letting guards down, and rediscovering the joy of collaboration through healthy competition”, added Mohit Joshi, Co-Chair of the Goafest 2026 Organising Committee and Chief Executive Officer of Havas Media Network India.

On bringing Advertising Plays back for its second season, Jaideep Gandhi, Vice President, Advertising Agencies Association of India and Chairman of the Goafest 2026 Organising Committee, said, “Advertising Plays reflects what Goafest truly stands for- a balance of work and play. The response to its debut showed us how much the industry values coming together beyond business, to connect, celebrate and recharge. As we bring it back this year, we look forward to seeing the community come together once again to inspire, celebrate and play, and we’re delighted to have Mediakart on board as the ‘Powered By’ sponsor for Advertising Plays, in association with Republic TV.”

Open to all registered Goafest delegates, Advertising Plays has been designed with inclusivity at its core. The platform promotes gender-neutral participation and aims at creating opportunities for informal networking in relaxed settings, encouraging cross-agency interactions, and enabling stronger industry relationships through shared experiences.

Set to take place on May 20, 21 and 22, 2026, at Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon, the second edition of Advertising Plays will further strengthen Goafest’s commitment to delivering a more holistic and engaging festival experience.

The post Goafest Returns with Second Edition of ‘Advertising Plays’  appeared first on India Communication Forum.

1 May 2026 – On this International Workers’ Day, we pause to recognize and celebrate the unwavering dedication, resilience, and contributions of workers across the globe. From those who build our cities and power our industries to those who drive innovation and sustain our economies, every worker plays an indispensable role in shaping our shared future.

In a rapidly evolving world, the value of labour goes far beyond economic metrics—it is a reflection of human dignity, perseverance, and hope. Today is not only a day of appreciation but also a reminder of our collective responsibility to ensure fair opportunities, safe working conditions, and respect for every individual contributing to society.

As Editor-in-Chief of the World Media Organization, I stand in solidarity with workers everywhere. Let us continue to amplify their voices, uphold their rights, and work towards a more inclusive and equitable world where every effort is acknowledged and every worker is empowered.

The post International Workers’ Day Message by Gautam Karve, Editor-in-Chief, World Media Organization appeared first on India Communication Forum.

Featuring Dushara Vijayan and Aditi Balan in the lead, along with Abbas in a pivotal role, the seven-episode fictional series offers a riveting look into a deep-rooted scam that plagues the world of competitive entrance exams 

 From creative producers Pushkar and Gayatri, under the banner of Wallwatcher Films, Exam is written and directed by National Award-winner A. Sarkunam 

Exam will stream exclusively on Prime Video on May 15 in India and over 240 countries and territories worldwide in Tamil, with dubs in Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada, and subtitles in 15 languages, including English

Trailer Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MDZCOZzChM

CHENNAI, India—April 30, 2026—Prime Video, India’s most-loved entertainment destination, today unveiled the official trailer of its upcoming Tamil Original series, Exam, at an immersive event in Chennai. Set against the rural backdrop of the fictional town of Thykara, the seven-episode suspense drama comes from creative producers Pushkar and Gayatri under the banner of Wallwatcher Films and is written and directed by National Award-winner A. Sarkunam. Starring Dushara Vijayan and Aditi Balan in the lead, along with Abbas in a pivotal role, Exam will be available to stream from May 15 exclusively on Prime Video in India and over 240 countries and territories worldwide in Tamil, with dubs in Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada, and subtitles in 15 languages, including English.

Packed with edge-of-your-seat thrills, the trailer offers a glimpse into this compelling story of ambition and survival, set in the competitive world of entrance exams and the deplorable scam that plagues it. At the center of the storm is Jhansi (Dushara Vijayan), on a relentless quest to expose this web of deceit hiding in plain sight with the help of her mentor Jayachandran (Abbas), while DSP Maramalli (Aditi Balan) is determined to foil their plans. As they race against time, the tension builds along with the danger, only for them to realize that the conspiracy is far more powerful and far-reaching than they had anticipated.

Writer-director of the series, A. Sarkunam, said, “The story of Exam will resonate with audiences across languages, geographies, and social strata. It promises to grip viewers from the very beginning through to the climax, as the narrative unfolds alongside Jhansi and Maramalli, exploring the twists and turns in their lives when their worlds collide. Exam goes beyond the scam in the world of competitive exams; it delves deeper into the ambition, pressure, and consequences that come with the choices we make as individuals. Working with Pushkar, Gayatri, and Prime Video has been an absolute privilege, and I can’t wait for audiences worldwide to watch the series when it launches on May 15.”

Dushara Vijayan, who plays Jhansi, shared, “Getting into the skin of Jhansi’s character was one of the most demanding yet rewarding experiences of my career. She is fierce, courageous, and fighting for something that goes far beyond herself, refusing to be powerless in a world that has given her every reason to give up. The trailer is only a glimpse into the impossible choices she must make and the extraordinary lengths she is willing to go to make them count, which I am sure the audience will appreciate and enjoy watching when it launches on Prime Video on May 15.”

Essaying the character of DSP Maramalli, Aditi Balan added, “Exam is a hard-hitting suspense drama set in the world of competitive exams that really makes you pause and think. Working with Sarkunam sir has been an incredible experience; he brings such depth to his characters, and they truly take on a life of their own. Playing DSP Maramalli was both challenging and exciting for me—she’s layered, real, and deeply human. As she faces the consequences of her choices, she must find a way to cope with both inner conflict and external pressures. I’m truly glad to be part of this special series, and I can’t wait for audiences across the world to experience it when it streams on Prime Video.”

Making his return to mainstream Tamil entertainment, Abbas added, “What really stood out to me about Exam is its layered storytelling and the kind of twists and turns that keep you constantly guessing. My character’s motivation and influence on Jhansi’s journey add a whole new dimension to the story, something I think audiences will find deeply compelling. Being part of a project helmed by Sarkunam and backed by Pushkar and Gayatri’s vision has truly been an honor.”

The post Prime Video Drops a Captivating Trailer for Tamil Original Series Exam—A High-Stakes Suspense Drama from Pushkar and Gayatri’s Wallwatcher Films appeared first on India Communication Forum.