The easy-to-navigate newsletter features stories that have been specially curated by the combined efforts of our team of print and digital journalists.

Today we bring you an interaction with Alex Leikikh, Global CEO of Mullen Lowe Group. Leikikh is one of the first senior advertising executives to visit India in the post-pandemic era. Speaking on a variety of topics ranging from qualities agencies should retain in the age of Web 3.0 to threats to creativity and innovation as data drives mechanical execution, Leikikh appeals to a world that increasingly concerned about environmental sustainability. Not to pollute the internet with the excessive use of performance marketing is his passionate plea.

Our other big draw this week is “a tight slap,” not in the literal sense, but as a means of “expression” and how that “statement” is at the heart of many conversations in popular culture.

Among other connotations, the story also connects to an Indian aspect, where we grew up with the term “a tight smack”, from schools to TV commercials, the phrase immediately evokes a parent or teacher dominating a child, hoping see better behavior.

The story takes the perspective of creative chefs, who believe the line’s lasting legacy is because it is so simple, yet straightforward. Even though slapping as a word is used to communicate not a physical blow, it is still a warning of an assault where the reason might be justified, but not the act.

The newsletter also brings a conversation with Cyrus Oshidar, former SVP, creative and content at MTV Networks. He was the person behind the channel’s series of comedy shorts titled “One Tight Slap” which aired two decades ago.

Another major development that is featured is the order from the Competition Commission of India to investigate food delivery companies Zomato and Swiggy. Aggregators have been accused of violating platform neutrality by prioritizing exclusive contractors.

This isn’t the first time these platforms have come under scrutiny. It’s up to them now to be clear and present the facts to maintain the trust of their users, both the restaurant and the end customer who eats the food, because the misuse of consumer data, the charging of exorbitant commissions and the offer of massive discounts are some of the claims made by the National Restaurant Association of India.

Performance marketing is polluting the internet: Global CEO of MullenLowe


Alex Leikikh, Global CEO of MullenLowe Group, is a man who won’t dodge a question, even if you catch him on the move. In an impromptu interview with Prasad Sangameshwaran, on the sidelines of the Brands to Stands launch, written by MullenLowe Group’s Chief Strategy Officer APAC, S Subramanyeswar, the global CEO spoke on a variety of topics ranging from his outspoken opinions on the performance marketing to what agencies need to keep as the world becomes obsessed with Web 3.0. Read more

Creative heads on why Indians relate to the simple and direct message of ‘a tight smack’


Of all the harrowing events facing the world – wars, inflation, pandemic – it was a slap in the face that took center stage, dominating conversation and news. Will Smith slammed comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars for making a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s alopecia, and the moment reportedly spawned a million memes. Read more

Digital

How technology is making chatbot responses more human

TikTok owner ByteDance ‘scraped’ content from Instagram, Snapchat

Elon Musk asks users about the “Edit” button on Twitter, Meta CTO intervenes

Meta removes 23.6 million bad content in India on FB, Instagram

Cricket on Twitter is now all about interacting with players, fans and brands

Bollycoin Targets Salman Khan Fans With Chulbul Pandey NFT Collection

US anti-trust bill seeks to tame Big Tech, India must learn

Trademarks

The CCI will probe Zomato and Swiggy on neutrality

Henkel will continue its activities in Russia for the time being

Supreme Court asks Delhi HC bench to hear Amazon plea

TCPL towards consolidation, simplification; to reduce the number of entities to 23

Gupshup acquires conversational AI platform Active.Ai

Marketing

Cyrus Oshidar: The Hand Behind MTV’s “One Tight Slap” Humor

Thai airline’s April Fool’s Day tweet prompts royal insult complaint to police

KL Rahul becomes XYXX brand ambassador

IPL 2022: Gigabyte becomes associate sponsor of Lucknow Super Giants

Meesho rebrands Farmiso as a Superstore, to integrate with the main application

On the carpet

Samsung’s Gaurav Soni Joins Domino’s as Head of Media

Vijesh Vijayan joins Siply as VP – Brand Marketing

Prakash Nair Elevated to President and Office Manager at Ogilvy Gurugram

Media

Prasar Bharati writes to BARC India asking for action against 9 Zee Media news channels

Cineline India re-enters the film exhibition business with the MovieMax brand

Research

Augmented Reality Is Changing India’s GenZ Shopping Behavior: Snapchat Report

creative lens

Nestlé Resource Diabetic asks people to make small lifestyle changes

PayU tells startups and SMEs the ‘time is right’ to grow

Parryware says you can be you in your bathroom in new campaign