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Sunday, January 4, 2026

Brandma

Amul Girl – Marketing icon-turned-social media darling who has an opinion on everything

From commenting on the release of the latest films, including the Hollywood blockbuster Avatar, to Argentina winning the FIFA World Cup final, there is nowhere the Amul Girl doesn’t fit.

Inhalers to cough drops or soothing balm — Winter is here and it smells like Vicks VapoRub

From stuffy nose, chest congestion to scratchy throat, good ol' Vicks has been the go-to product for generations.

Camlin – a stationery stalwart that popularised art education in Indian schools

Camlin traces its origin to an Indian company that made ink in the 1930s. Today, the firm has a Japanese owner and continues to remain a dominant force in the stationery industry.

‘Pitaji ki patloon’ to ‘uncle ji ki kursi’ — Cadbury 5 Star hit the spot with Ramesh-Suresh duo

The iconic twosome became cult figures in the early 2010s for their quirky antics and became synonymous with the chocolate bar.

How marketing ‘comfort for the common man’ made Rupa standout in India’s innerwear market

The family-owned enterprise did not have a roaring start. But with solid marketing practices in place, Rupa climbed the ladder of success and went on to dominate the market.

Synonymous with ‘paani’, Italian-origin Bisleri made water a commodity in India

Acquired by Chauhan brothers for Rs 4 lakh in 1969, Bisleri has come a long way and is now an integral part of the Indian consumer culture.

Ash Ketchum has finally won a Pokémon League. But he has always been a winner

For young kids watching Pokémon, Ash was nothing less than a role model. He cried, threw tantrums, felt dejected and lost a lot. But he stood by his principles, no matter what.

Cartoon Network turns 30 and millennials are nostalgic, feeling older than ever

Launched in India on 1 May, 1995, Cartoon Network offered a bedrock for animated content to the cable TV watching generation, aka the millennials.

‘Femina’, ‘Meri Saheli’ or ‘Grihshobha’ — women’s magazines are the original ‘influencers’

These magazines often drew readers into the nitty-gritty of running a household, while also allowing women some much-needed downtime.

Nirodh – cheap condoms that led India’s family planning project but undone by lousy branding

Nirodh might not be a popular choice, but India’s first govt-owned condom brand has a zany history consisting of terrible branding and marketing blunders.

On Camera

Gel manicure is weakening your nails. Here’s how to care for them

One young patient came to me after years of non-stop gels; her nails were so fragile they peeled in layers.

Wall Street carries big expectations this year after best run since 2009

The concern is not that 2025’s rally was irrational, but that it may be difficult to repeat. Outlooks remain anchored to AI investment and growth without reigniting inflation.

Greece looking at TATA’s WhAP infantry combat vehicle for army procurement

If deal goes through, Greece will be 2nd foreign country to procure vehicle. Morocco was first; TATA Group has set up manufacturing unit there with minimum 30 percent indigenous content.

A year-end Mea Culpa in National Interest—The Army-Islam combo doesn’t kill democracy

Many of you might think I got something so wrong in National Interest pieces written this year. I might disagree! But some deserve a Mea Culpa. I’d deal with the most recent this week.