Bangalore/Mumbai, India – 20 February 2025 – Acerpure India, a division of the global Acer Group, has introduced the Acerpure Chef 2-in-1 Flip Air Fryer, a sleek and versatile kitchen appliance designed for healthier and more convenient cooking. This all-in-one device seamlessly integrates air frying, grilling, and hot pot functions, making it a must-have for modern kitchens.

Available in elegant matte black and matte white, the air fryer not only enhances kitchen aesthetics but also delivers top-tier performance. Equipped with 360° Turboheat Air Fry Technology, it ensures even cooking with up to 80% less oil than traditional methods (based on lab testing, the Acerpure Chef 2-in-1 Flip Air Fryer reduces oil by 80% compared to traditional deep fryers when cooking frozen fries). With a 5.5L air fryer capacity and a 2.5L cooking pot, it caters to various culinary needs. The intuitive LED touch panel provides precise temperature control, ranging from 80°C to 200°C for air frying and 80°C to 220°C for the cooking pot, making it perfect for frying, grilling, baking, and sautéing.

The Acerpure Chef 2-in-1 Flip Air Fryer is crafted for seamless meal preparation, featuring five intelligent cooking modes that streamline the process. Designed for versatility, it caters to bachelors, married couples, and individuals on a diet by making soups, sautéing, and grilling effortless. The innovative flip mechanism enhances usability and prevents residue accumulation, ensuring hassle-free maintenance, while its durability is proven through over 3,000 flip tests. The borosilicate glass air fryer basket minimizes food odors, maintaining a fresh kitchen atmosphere. Certified by Germany’s LFGB and the U.S. FDA for food safety, the appliance meets the highest quality benchmarks. Thoughtfully equipped with an exclusive cooking pot lid, silicone clip, and anti-scald gloves, its user-friendly design supports effortless cleaning and adaptable cooking, making it perfect for everything from quick bites to elaborate meals.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Vasudeva G, Director of Acerpure India, said, “At Acerpure, we are redefining home appliances with innovation, quality, and smart technology at the core of everything we do. As a new-age brand, we are thrilled by the overwhelming response from Indian consumers to our growing portfolio, including TVs, water purifiers, air purifiers, air circulator fans, hair dryers, and stylers. In just eight months, we have expanded into six product categories, a testament to our commitment to delivering cutting-edge, user-friendly solutions. The Acerpure Chef 2-in-1 Flip Air Fryer is another step in this journey, designed to make cooking healthier, easier, and more versatile. We aim to bring thoughtful innovations that enhance everyday living, making homes cleaner, safer, and happier.”

India, February 20, 2025: The pressure for B2B marketers is intensifying as nearly half of them in India have to justify marketing spend to C-suite executives on a monthly basis, according to new research from , the world’s largest professional network and leading B2B advertising platform. With the length of B2B buying cycles getting longer, the majority (89%) of B2B marketers say it’s getting harder to measure long-term impact of a campaign.

LinkedIn’s new ‘B2B ROI Impact’ research, which surveyed over 1,000 B2B marketers in the US, UK, France, and India, highlights the ongoing pressures that marketers face to demonstrate the impact of their work on company revenue. 84% of B2B CMOs in the country say that proving campaign return-on-investment (ROI) has become more important in the past two years.

Research shows that there are three key barriers B2B marketers face when demonstrating ROI – lack of standardised industry benchmarks and metrics, particularly for B2B campaigns (42%); difficulty in accurately attributing conversions to specific campaigns (39%), integration issues between different data platforms (39%); and lack of organisational alignment on metrics between sales and marketing (38%).

Sachin Sharma, Director, LinkedIn Marketing Solutions, Indi, says, “As proving ROI remains the core priority for Indian B2B marketers in 2025, their relationship with senior leaders will be in sharper focus. With 9 in 10 already using AI tools to improve campaign returns and measure ROI better, B2B marketers must work with leaders to prioritise ‘value metrics over volume metrics’. To do this, they must adopt the right AI tools that can help measure a campaign’s impact with greater precision – resulting in real business outcomes.”

Majority of B2B marketers say value metrics are stronger indicators of campaign success Although research finds that volume metrics, like Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), Cost per Engagement (CPE), and Return on Ad Spend (RoAS) are some of the most frequently requested metrics from senior leadership, B2B marketers know that mindsets need to shift. Despite data showing that 46% of senior leaders in India are focused on RoAS, B2B marketers consider value metrics, like Marketing Qualified Leads (MQLs) and Sales Qualified Leads (SQLs), as stronger indicators of campaign success.

Looking ahead into the next year, B2B marketers say that understanding buyer intent – a buyer’s likelihood to purchase – will be the biggest challenge in proving campaign effectiveness, signaling the criticality in effectively measuring qualified leads. As a result, over half (53%) of B2B marketers are pivoting to a buyer group marketing strategy to influence purchase decisions and drive conversions, and focusing on Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) in reporting.

96% of B2B marketers believe AI will have a positive impact on measurement. As the buying group continues to evolve and B2B marketers find it harder to reach the right decision-makers and prove campaign effectiveness, more than 9 in 10 B2B marketers in India believe AI will have a positive impact on measurement over the next five years.

And, 94% of B2B marketers also agree that they are seeing improved ROI when using AI to build and optimize campaigns. Research shows they are using AI to enhance audience segmentation and targeting (65%), drive predictive analytics for better lead scoring (61%), personalize content at scale (57%), and optimize ad spend and creative content in real time (55%).

When looking to the future, B2B marketers believe that over the next five years, AI will prove to be the most valuable in measuring ad effectiveness (62%); content creation and personalisation (60%); and predictive analytics (53%)

February 19, 2025 – JBI Aerospace and VIK-COMPOSITE GmbH, Germany have announced a strategic alliance to strengthen the Indian composite industry, with a sharp focus on Aerospace, Space, and Defence applications.

Jayanthi Bhagatha, Founder and CEO of JBI Aerospace, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “VIK-COMPOSITE is committed to delivering tailored solutions that address complex challenges. Their emphasis on innovation, quality, and customer-centric solutions makes them an ideal partner. This collaboration will leverage joint efforts in manufacturing, material processing, and market strategies to advance the industry.”

Victoria Ruppel, Executive Director of VIK-COMPOSITE GmbH, Germany echoed this sentiment: “We are pleased to join forces with JBI Aerospace, a trusted and valuable partner in India’s Aerospace, Aviation, Wind Energy, Space, and Defence sectors. Their deep understanding of end-user requirements, combined with their market expertise, aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver high-quality composite manufacturing solutions.”

As part of its expansion strategy, JBI Aerospace is set to establish a state-of-the-art facility in India, aimed at reducing costs, shortening lead times, and addressing specific customer needs. This initiative will not only fortify support for the local composite industry but also enhance indigenous manufacturing capabilities through innovation and collaboration.

NOIDA, India, Feb 19, 2025—HCLFoundation, which drives the corporate social responsibility agenda of global technology company HCLTech in India, and the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) announced a partnership to support indigenous crafts and tribal artisans in India.

HCLFoundation will train artisans approximately 4,500 artisans and promote their products on its My E-Haat platform, which will connect them directly with customers.

“TRIFED has over three decades of experience in marketing indigenous products. By collaborating with HCLFoundation, we aim to further improve the livelihood opportunities for tribal artisans,” said Shri Sandeep Pahalwan, General Manager (I/c), Marketing, TRIFED.

“This partnership with TRIFED is another example of our commitment to fostering long-term, sustainable change in communities. By empowering tribal artisans with the skills, resources, and market access they need, we are contributing to the preservation of India’s rich cultural heritage,” said Dr. Nidhi Pundhir, Sr. Vice President, Global CSR at HCLTech & Director, HCLFoundation.

Sun Neo’s popular show Ishq Jabariya is all set to welcome a new face. Actor Aditya Syal landed his first television role, making his TV debut with Ishq Jabariya on Sun Neo as Vyom the son of Devi Sahay, portrayed by Dipshikkha Nagpal, bringing a fresh twist to the story. Aditya, a dedicated theatre actor, recently shared how he landed the role and his excitement about being part of the show.

Talking about how he bagged the role, Aditya shared, “I had been looking for work in television for a long time. Originally, I was a theater actor. When you do theater, the next step is to look for opportunities in other mediums. I was given multiple auditions, but I had no real connections in the television industry. One day, I got a call from my friend. He told me about Sun Neo’s show Ishq Jabariya and asked if I would like to audition. I immediately said yes. They gave me a script and a brief about my character. They needed the audition immediately, and these days, self-tests have become common. Earlier, before the lockdown, we used to go directly to production houses for auditions, but now we have to record and send them ourselves.”

The Ishq Jabariya actor further added, “So, I quickly set up my audition. I asked my mom to act as my tripod stand and my sister to read the opposite lines for me. Sweetly, they both helped me out and with their support, I managed to record a good audition. Luckily, the production team liked my audition. I think my curly-haired look also worked in my favor. But more than anything, I always try to give my best in every audition, and fortunately, I cracked it. I am really happy and excited about this opportunity.”

Ishq Jabariya, airing at 10:00 PM on Sun Neo, is a captivating love story about Gulki, a determined young woman with dreams bigger than life itself. Featuring a talented cast including Kamya Panjabi, Dipshikkha Nagppal, Siddhi Sharma, and Lakshay Khurana, the show promises to deliver a perfect blend of emotion and drama.

February, 2025: Silky, smooth, straight hair is a dream for many, but it often feels achievable only through salon treatments or heating tools. TRESemmé, a leading Hair Care innovation brand, has proudly introduced a groundbreaking range of products designed to give you Silky, Straight hair without heat or harsh chemicals. Yes, you heard it right!

This latest addition to TRESemmé’s collection introduces a simple 4-step hair regime.

1. Step 1 begins with a rich, creamy ampoule (pre-wash) designed to enhance hair alignment and deliver straight hair (from root to tip).
2. Step 2 includes a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo that tackles frizz and dryness,
3. Step 3 a nourishing mask that deeply hydrates, refines rough edges, and leaves hair smoother and shinier.
4. Step 4 An innovative finishing serum that provides instant smoothness for a polished look.

Together, these products deliver smooth, perfectly aligned, straight hair with salon quality, allowing you to enjoy this sleek look for up to 100 hours. Inspired by the transformative silk press trend, this range delivers professional-grade sleekness, straight and shiny hair directly to your home, making it effortless to achieve a polished, straight-hair look with the luxurious finish of salon-treated hair.

Speaking about the launch, Sairam Subramanian, Vice President, Hair Care, Unilever said, “At TRESemmé, we are always focused on delivering cutting-edge innovations to our consumers in the comfort of their homes. The Silk Press Range embodies this dedication. Formulated with Amino Press [20] technology, it provides an ‘at home’ hair regime to achieve professional-grade sleek, straight & smooth hair. This range is ideal for those looking for sleek straight hair with no heat & minimum effort, taking everyday hair care to a new professional standard”

The Silk Press Range: Break-through Science, Trend-Inspired, Category first Premium Salon-Style treatment

The TRESemmé Silk Press Range is formulated with Amino Press [20] technology that works from within. This amino press technology restores uniformity by pressing amino proteins into the hair shaft from root to tip. This process smoothens deeply from the inside and refines alignment by mending hair cuticles for visibly straighter hair. With consistent use, the range offers progressive benefits, ensuring your hair becomes smoother, shinier, and more manageable over time. Each product in the range, the pre-wash, shampoo, mask, and serum, works together to create a radiant, & sleek finish. Inspired by the belief that straight hair signifies great hair, this collection makes sleek, silky locks more attainable than ever, offering professional-quality results for every beauty enthusiast. These products are available on Nykaa, Myntra, Amazon, Tira, Purplle, Blinkit and other leading e-retailers.

By – Ramesh Jude Thomas, Founder & Director of Equitor Value Advisory

Three decades ago, valuing a business was straightforward. Around 80% of its worth could be found on the balance sheet, primarily in tangible assets. Back then, creating capacity—whether through technology or infrastructure—was a significant competitive advantage. Limited access to resources or capital meant competitors couldn’t easily replicate this capacity, making it both an asset and a barrier to entry. These tangible assets dominated the balance sheet, leaving just 20% as what we called goodwill—a balancing figure in the books.

Today, this equation has flipped entirely. When assessing a company’s value now, only a small fraction is reflected in its balance sheet. Instead, the balance sheet has become more of a historical record, capturing what once was. The true value of a business lies in its intangible assets—namely, its brand and intellectual property (IP). These assets play a pivotal role in forecasting and determining a company’s future value.

Across industries and economies worldwide, the majority of value now resides in intangible assets. This is an undeniable reality. Yet, balance sheets—the cornerstone of quarterly board meetings—fail to account for 80% of a company’s true value. This gap exists because traditional accounting systems have not evolved to recognize the growing importance of intangible assets.

Leading companies, however, have recognized the shift. They understand that building a sustainable, valuable future means prioritizing and leveraging these intangible assets. But this realization raises an important question: What are the biggest challenges businesses face in recognizing and utilizing these assets effectively?

The first hurdle lies in accounting and reporting systems. These systems fail to capture intangible assets in measurable, material terms. When these assets are not reported, they remain invisible, starting at the board level and filtering throughout the organization. Without recognition, there is no accountability for managing these assets.

Consider the widely used metric “return on capital employed.” The denominator in this calculation is based solely on tangible assets from the balance sheet. But why aren’t brand and IP included? If they were added to the equation, the metric would provide a far more accurate picture of returns. Currently, 80% of the assets driving profits are excluded from the calculation, making the numbers look disproportionately favorable. This disconnect means that much of the profit-driving numerator comes directly from intangible assets, yet it is divided only by tangible capital.

So, what’s the solution? Businesses must take proactive steps, going beyond standard compliance requirements. First, they need to scientifically value their intangible assets. Second, they should report these assets transparently, just as they do with tangible assets. Third, organizations must hold managers accountable for optimizing and integrating these assets into strategic decision-making.

By embracing this approach, companies can transform how they measure return on capital. The metrics won’t just look different; they’ll finally reflect the real value that resides within the business. Recognizing and leveraging intangible assets isn’t just an accounting adjustment—it’s a strategic imperative for businesses that want to thrive in today’s economy.

Bengaluru, India, Feb. 19, 2025 —Today, Cisco, the worldwide leader in networking and security, and Rockwell Automation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand their strategic partnership and launch the ‘Digital Skills for Industry’ program. Addressing the growing skills gap in India’s manufacturing sector, the program aims to empower the next generation of workers with essential digital skills, combining IT and OT curriculums in the areas of cybersecurity, networking, IoT, data science, AI, programming and automation technologies. To meet the evolving demands of the industry, the program aims to improve digital literacy in the industry, attract new talent, enhance workforce productivity, help accelerate career growth and bridge the global digital divide.

With a vision of exporting goods worth USD 1 trillion by 2030, India is well on its way to cementing itself as a major manufacturing hub. However, a shortage of skilled workers poses a significant barrier to progress. In fact, according to a Team Lease report, by FY 2027-28 the electronics manufacturing industry is expected to generate 12 million jobs, yet a staggering skills gap of 10 million trained professionals persists. Bridging this skills gap is critical to ensure that India’s manufacturing industry remains globally competitive, efficient, and future-ready.

To address this gap, organizations are intensifying their investments in operational technology while prioritizing workforce upskilling. In July 2024, Cisco and Rockwell Automation signed an MOU pledging to close the digital skills gap in manufacturing across the Asia-Pacific region through social impact programs which include the Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad). In India, NetAcad has already trained more than 2.2 million students through collaborations with educational institutions and industry partners. With courses in emerging technologies such as networking, programming, and cybersecurity, NetAcad is equipping the workforce with the skills needed to succeed in the jobs of the future.

“As we navigate the digital-first era, we’re witnessing a significant shift where industries without the right skilled talent risk falling behind. This transformation, driven by AI and emerging technologies, is especially critical for the manufacturing sector,” said Daisy Chittilapilly, President, of Cisco India & SAARC “We are excited to partner with Rockwell Automation to build a future-ready, skilled workforce that can bring to life new possibilities of digital technologies, paving the way for a smarter and globally competitive manufacturing landscape.”

“India’s manufacturing sector is poised to be a key engine of the nation’s economic transformation. Amidst rapid technological advancements, the need for workforce upskilling and reskilling has never been more urgent. Rockwell Automation’s 9th annual State of Smart Manufacturing report identifies ‘change management’ as the top workforce challenge for 2024, highlighting the crucial role of human capital in the adoption of smart manufacturing technologies,” said Dilip Sawhney, Managing Director, Rockwell Automation India

Recognizing the growing need for a skilled workforce in automation technologies, Rockwell Automation offers solutions to help both customers upskill workers and academic institutions to train students in industry-relevant skills. These training solutions can be deployed with Rockwell Automation support through a blend of virtual or instructor-led courses to help enterprises mitigate workforce challenges and prepare for the future of smart manufacturing. These courses, spread across a variety of fundamental and product-specific automation technology topics, deliver a training solution that can be implemented directly on the plant floor, in classrooms, or through virtual sessions.

“While companies are committed to maintaining and even expanding their workforce in this era of automation, simply hiring isn’t enough. A strategic investment in robust upskilling and reskilling programs is essential. These programs must empower workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to leverage emerging technologies effectively. By cultivating a dynamic talent ecosystem equipped for the future of manufacturing, we can realize India’s national vision: establishing the country as a global manufacturing powerhouse, competitive on the world stage,” added Dilip Sawhney.