Latest News
Zomato Withdraws Offensive Outdoor Ad
Zomato, one of India’s largest restaurant discovery and food delivery platform, faced a lot of heat this week due to an outdoor advertisement. Zomato is known for its quirky and witty puns based on pop culture such as “Acche din are finally here,” “Bol Baby Bol, Malai Tikka Roll,” “Mera pizza ghar aaya o Ram ji,” and “Oonchi hai building? Lift teri band hai?” However, this time around, the food tech startup seems to have crossed a line.
The recently published advertisement depicted the letters BC., and MC., (mac and cheese and butter chicken) written against a bright red background. But, the letters are also known as short expletives in the Hindi language. The advertisement went viral on social media with people calling the advertisement cheap, sexist and crass while some found it extremely hilarious.
When you hire a delhi guy as Creative head . 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/onDLkSj5qt
— anu sehgal (@anusehgal) November 29, 2017
Shame on you @ZomatoIN ! Absolutely shameful what you’ve attempted to do. Your investors should be sickened by your behaviour! @smritiirani : this is outrageous. @ascionline pic.twitter.com/pSChhHSrxo
— SUHEL SETH (@suhelseth) November 30, 2017
The marketing head of Zomato Pramod Rao apologized for the banner and is now working on removing it from the streets. The ad was deployed in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata, among other cities. Zomato’s co founder Pankaj Chaddah also tweeted an apology mentioning it was never their intention to offend people.
Hey, while we didn’t mean to, we can see why it can be offensive to people, and we apologize for it.
We will take this ad down with immediate effect. cc @AksharPathak @prao24— Pankaj Chaddah (@pankajchaddah) November 30, 2017
Zomato’s Creative Director Akshar Pathak also tweeted saying the company was already looking for ways to replace the creative.
I’ve already started working on the replacement creative. pic.twitter.com/DkTSlbeUiJ
— Akshar (@AksharPathak) November 30, 2017
Sure, and I’ve already started looking for your replacement. 🙂
— Pankaj Chaddah (@pankajchaddah) November 30, 2017
This is not the first time the company faced backlash over advertisements. In 2015, Zomato boasted about an increase in late night orders after conducting an advertisement campaign on obscene websites. While the strategy seemed to work, the company had to pull the plug on the campaign and issue a public apology.
Latest News
Healthy Snacking Is Emerging as India’s Next Consumer Growth Story
The healthy snacking category in India is no longer a niche trend it is steadily becoming a mainstream consumer movement. The latest funding momentum around brands like Phab highlights how investors are increasingly backing companies that sit at the intersection of health, convenience, and modern lifestyles. As urban consumers become more conscious of ingredients, nutrition, and long-term wellness, demand is shifting away from traditional packaged snacks toward products that promise both taste and better nutritional value.
What makes this market particularly attractive is its ability to create recurring consumer habits. Unlike many direct-to-consumer categories that rely heavily on one-time purchases, healthy snacks naturally fit into daily routines. This opens opportunities for brands to build stronger customer loyalty while expanding into adjacent categories such as protein-rich foods, functional beverages, and wellness-focused products. The competition is no longer about selling snacks it is about owning a larger share of the consumer’s health journey.
Looking ahead, the biggest winners may not be the brands with the widest product portfolios, but those that can balance nutrition, affordability, and taste at scale. As health-conscious consumption expands beyond metro cities, India’s better-for-you food segment could evolve into one of the country’s most significant consumer categories. The growing flow of capital into this space signals that investors are betting on a long-term behavioral shift rather than a short-lived food trend.
Latest News
Why Capital Is Flowing Toward Bharat-Focused Fintechs Again
India’s fintech sector is entering a new phase of growth, and the spotlight is increasingly shifting toward underserved consumers in smaller cities and towns. The recent funding secured by WeRize reflects growing investor confidence in platforms that are expanding access to financial products such as credit, insurance, and other services for customers who have traditionally remained outside the reach of formal financial institutions. As digital adoption deepens across the country, fintech companies are finding significant opportunities beyond metro markets.
What makes this trend notable is the industry’s transition from simply enabling digital payments to building broader financial ecosystems. Rather than focusing on a single service, fintech firms are expanding their product portfolios to meet multiple customer needs under one platform. This approach not only strengthens customer relationships but also creates more sustainable business models by increasing engagement and lifetime value.
The larger implication is that India’s next fintech growth story may be driven by financial inclusion rather than convenience alone. Investors are increasingly backing companies that combine technology, data-driven underwriting, and localized distribution to serve emerging consumer segments. As competition intensifies, the ability to build trust, offer relevant products, and address the financial needs of Bharat could become a key differentiator for the next generation of fintech leaders.
Latest News
OpenAI’s Trusted Contact Feature Signals a New Direction in AI Safety
OpenAI’s introduction of trusted contact safeguards for potential self-harm cases reflects a major evolution in AI responsibility.
Beyond Moderation
AI safety is shifting from simply blocking harmful content to actively supporting user wellbeing through:
- early risk detection
- human-centered intervention
- stronger emotional safety frameworks
This positions AI as more than an information tool—it becomes part of broader digital support systems.
Key Industry Impact
Trusted contact models could influence future safety standards across:
- AI assistants
- mental health platforms
- social media
- digital health services
The Bigger Challenge
While promising, success depends on balancing:
- privacy
- consent
- ethical intervention
- user trust
Final Take
This move signals that the future of AI safety may rely not just on preventing harmful responses, but on building more responsible, human-connected support systems.
