In its ongoing competition with the United States for technical supremacy, China has presented a comprehensive strategy to increase its influence in AI governance, which includes the establishment of a global cooperation organisation.
China Proposes Global AI Oversight Body at WAIC 2025
During his speech at the inauguration of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai on 26 July, Chinese premier Li Qiang lamented that “bottlenecks” like the availability of computer chips were limiting AI advancement.
According to Li, there is still a lack of cohesion in the field of global AI governance. When it comes to things like institutional rules and regulatory ideas, there is a world of variation between countries.
He continued by saying that the international community should work together more closely to quickly establish a global framework for AI governance that can garner widespread support. The establishment of “a world AI cooperation organisation” would be aided by China, he declared.
Inside China’s 13-Point Plan for AI Regulation
Following Li’s speech, the foreign ministry released a thirteen-point plan for the international regulation of artificial intelligence. The plan included a safety governance framework, two new UN-sponsored AI conversation venues, and other measures.
The Chinese capital has been touting its “open” innovation and “share indigenous technologies” policies for the past few months. Large language models (LLMs) developed by two of China’s leading artificial intelligence (AI) companies, DeepSeek and Alibaba, are now open-source and accessible to programmers all around the globe.
Part of China’s strategy is to encourage more sharing of critical software and hardware, including semiconductors, and more cooperation on open-source technologies via new international platforms and developer communities. The United States is worried that China’s superior open-source LLMs would threaten Silicon Valley’s worldwide pricing and dominance because of the country’s cheap tech.
Global AI Power Play: Tensions With the U.S.
In light of Washington’s restrictions on shipments to China of sophisticated semiconductors and the machinery used to manufacture AI solutions, as well as its pressure on allies to follow suit, Li’s remarks demonstrate the severe technological rivalry between the two countries.
A Hangzhou-based company called DeepSeek released an LLM this year, which prompted some to question whether the United States could keep its technological advantage. This shows that China is still making progress.
According to Li, China is eager to share more of its answers with the world and add more of its wisdom to the governance of artificial intelligence on a global scale. He elaborated by saying that AI will power a new wave of economic expansion. He emphasised China’s desire to “make the achievements of AI development better benefit the world” by sharing technology with southern nations.
A Geopolitical Showdown Over AI Leadership
Over the course of the four-day artificial intelligence conference and exhibition, China’s foreign ministry extended invitations to high-ranking officials from over forty nations and international organisations. Compared to 2024, when the conference was mostly attended by Americans, this year’s WAIC has seen an increase in international attendees. Yoshua Bengio of Canada, Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton, and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt are among the speakers scheduled to appear.
China’s strategy follows the White House’s recent announcement of a plan to make the United States the AI industry leader. Accelerating innovation through reducing bureaucracy, constructing infrastructure, and maintaining US leadership in worldwide AI diplomacy and security were the primary goals.
Campbell Wilson is rewriting the book on leadership at 30,000 feet, from navigating budget airlines in Asia to spearheading one of aviation’s most ambitious turnarounds. When the Tata Group appointed Campbell Wilson as the CEO of Air India in 2022, the goal was to revitalize a national brand. A 26-year veteran of the aviation industry, Campbell Wilson has worked with both full and low-cost carriers.
Air India has undergone a massive transformation under its leadership, including a big merger of four airlines, a $70 billion aircraft deal of 470 jets, and a stylish new look. But who is this New Zealand-born leader leading Indian aviation? Let’s take off and explore the story of Campbell Wilson, the man helping Air India soar once again.
Campbell Wilson – Biography
Name
Campbell Wilson
Born
October 1971, Christchurch, New Zealand
Nationality
New Zealander
Current Role
MD & CEO, Air India
Previous Roles
CEO, Scoot (Singapore Airlines), SVP at SIA
Education
M.Com Business Administration, University of Canterbury
Campbell Wilson was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, in October 1971. Growing up in a country known more for sheep than skies, aviation wasn’t the most obvious path, but Wilson had big ambitions early on. He went on to earn a Master’s degree in Commerce from the University of Canterbury, where he developed a strong foundation in business, operations, and finance.
After rising through the ranks at Singapore Airlines, Campbell Wilson took on leadership roles across Canada, Hong Kong, and Japan, managing key international operations. His global experience and deep understanding of airline strategy eventually brought him back to Singapore in 2011, where he was entrusted with a bold new mission: to launch Scoot, SIA’s low-cost, long-haul carrier.
As the founding CEO of Scoot, Wilson built the airline from the ground up, leading it from a concept to a fully operational carrier serving major Asia-Pacific routes. He led Scoot until 2016, by which time it had firmly established itself as a rising star in the budget airline space.
Following that success, Wilson was promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Singapore Airlines. In this role, he oversaw everything from global sales and brand strategy to pricing, e-commerce, merchandising, and international offices. His tenure saw strong commercial performance and deeper digital transformation across SIA’s global network.
In April 2020, just as the world was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, Wilson returned to Scoot for a second term as CEO, helping the airline navigate one of the toughest crises in aviation history.
Campbell Wilson – Contribution to Air India
The merger of full-service carriers Air India and Vistara was officially completed on 12 November 2024, following the successful integration of low-cost carriers Air India Express and AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) on 1 October 2024.
With this consolidation, the Air India Group now operates a unified fleet of 300 aircraft, serving 55 domestic and 48 international destinations across 312 routes, with 8,300 flights per week and a workforce of over 30,000 employees.
Key Post-Merger Operations
Air India (Full-Service): Operates 5,600+ weekly flights, serving 90+ domestic and international destinations with a fleet of 208 aircraft.
Air India Express (Low-Cost): Operates 2,700 weekly flights, connecting 45+ domestic and international destinations with 90 aircraft.
Notably, the premium in-flight experience of Vistara will continue under the Air India brand. Customers can still identify Vistara aircraft by a special four-digit Air India flight number starting with “2”.
Air India is at the midpoint of its ambitious five-year transformation plan, Vihaan.AI, with a clear goal of capturing 30% of India’s domestic market while expanding its global footprint. In just 30 months, the airline has grown its fleet by 40%, reaching nearly 300 aircraft, and has placed firm orders for 570 more jets. Since September 2022, this rapid expansion has led to nearly double the number of weekly flights, marking a significant leap in operational scale.
Under the leadership of CEO Campbell Wilson, Air India has undergone a comprehensive transformation, revamping its brand, cabins, and crew experience. Here’s a detailed look at the key initiatives:
Brand and Visual Identity Overhaul
August 2023: Air India unveiled its new logo and livery, replacing the traditional Maharajah mascot with a chakra-inspired “Vista” symbol featuring deep red, aubergine, and gold tones
Though redesigned, the beloved Maharajah mascot remains part of the brand.
Cabin Upgrades: Comfort & Connectivity
A US$400 million interior retrofit of 43 wide-body aircraft (Boeing 777s/787s) was pledged by Tata, with upgrades including business and premium cabins, in-flight Wi-Fi, and enhanced in-flight entertainment.
Designer Cabin Crew Uniforms
Starting late 2023 and culminating in January 2025, Manish Malhotra’s new uniform line was rolled out for cabin crew, as well as cockpit, ground, and security staff.
Campbell Wilson – Challenges Faced
While Campbell Wilson brings a proven track record and bold vision, the Air India cockpit is far from turbulence-free. Taking charge of the national carrier meant inheriting a long list of legacy issues and the weight of public expectations.
Tackling Debt and Streamlining Operations: One of Wilson’s most immediate challenges is addressing Air India’s massive net debt, reportedly close to INR 61,000 crore at the time of Tata’s takeover. A large part of this debt comes from aircraft leases, operational inefficiencies, and years of underinvestment in tech and service.
Beyond the books, there’s the complex task of modernising the airline’s aging fleet, rationalising unprofitable routes, and standardising service quality across domestic and international segments.
The Multi-Airline Puzzle: Perhaps the biggest challenge Wilson is expected to solve is what Tata Sons has called the “complex puzzle” of operating multiple airlines under one roof.
Merging AirAsia India with Air India Express
Seamlessly integrating Vistara, a joint venture with Singapore Airlines, into Air India’s full-service arm.
Creating a two-brand strategy: Air India (full-service) and Air India Express (low-cost) without losing customer trust or brand value
Campbell Wilson – Air India’s Green Commitment
Air India is deeply committed to reducing its environmental footprint while continuing to connect people and places worldwide. On the occasion of World Environment Day, CEO & MD Campbell Wilson reaffirmed the airline’s dedication to sustainability, highlighting how it is being integrated into every aspect of the business.
From inducting 570 new-generation, fuel-efficient aircraft to optimizing flight routes for lower emissions, Air India is actively modernizing operations with a green focus. The airline is also exploring the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and promoting a circular economy by recycling and reusing resources wherever possible.
In his message, Campbell emphasized that addressing climate change requires a collective effort. He encouraged all Air India employees to contribute meaningfully to the airline’s journey towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and to build a cleaner, greener future together.
Campbell Wilson is a New Zealand-born aviation executive appointed as the MD & CEO of Air India in 2022 by the Tata Group.
What is Campbell Wilson’s educational background?
Campbell Wilson holds a Master of Commerce (M.Com) in Business Administration with First-Class Honours from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.
What was Campbell Wilson’s role before joining Air India?
Before Air India, Campbell Wilson was the CEO of Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, and also served as Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at SIA.
Social media has now made it possible for a person to become an internet sensation overnight. And no story is as trending and as viral as that of Dolly Chaiwala. What began as a humble tea stall in Nagpur, Dolly became India’s latest trendsetter thanks to his unique style and charismatic serving techniques.
This chaiwala has given the common Indian chai a twist by transforming his online reputation into a brand, ‘Dolly ki Tapri’, with over 1,600 franchise applications from all across India. Investors are now lining up to join him in becoming the next major tea seller in India.
The Humble Story of a Street Vendor who Jumped Into Stardom
Dolly Chaiwala became famous across the streets of Nagpur not only for his tea but also for his performances while selling the tea. His eccentric serving style, offbeat attire and trademark eyewear gathered him a large fan following across social media channels.
But what helped him reach stardom was when Bill Gates was seen enjoying a cup of tea from his stall. This moment catapulted him from a small-town seller to a household name. His internet stardom grew to such heights that he has now created a franchise option called ‘Dolly Ki Tapri’ to bring his charismatic image to the streets and shopping malls across India.
What are the USPs of Dolly’s Franchise?
USPs of Dolly’s Franchise
Sunil Patel a.k.a. Dolly Chaiwala recently announced the launch of his franchise on his Instagram page, calling it a ‘business opportunity for passionate individuals’. His brand will be expanding exponentially, but what are its USPs?
Viral Personal Branding: Dolly Chaiwala’s brand is not like your conventional tea chains, as it has the patronage of millions of followers online. The middle class in India looks up to him because he is young and has showcased that if you work hard enough, then you can reach your goal.
Highly cost-effective Entry: The concept that lucrative franchises are for large investors is wrong, as Dolly Chaiwala offers models starting from as low as INR 4.5lakhs.
Multi-Level structure: Dolly Ki Tapri is highly versatile and can be catered to fit into cities of different sizes, from small carts to high-end cafes.
Organic marketing: The level of followers of the brand is an added bonus for new franchise owners, as customers would flock to post selfies to promote the outlet organically.
Quicker ROI: As chai and Dolly’s brand is already popular across India, it will be easier for franchise owners to get a foothold in the market over conventional tea stalls in India.
For Indians, chai is a way of life, not just a beverage. And with Dolly’s theatrics, every cup becomes an adventure.
What Are the Different Investment Options and Franchise Models?
Franchise Models
Dolly Chaiwala franchise offers a major draw for potential backers with a large range of investment plans:
Tapri Cart Model: Priced within INR 4- 5 lakhs, it is perfect for colleges, local markets, and roadside sites. It offers maximum visibility and minimal danger of losing investment.
Kiosk/Outlet Model: For those who want better foot traffic, such as shopping malls and tech parks. The price range is INR 10 – INR 20 lakhs.
Flagship store or cafe: This is the high-end option with investment up to INR 30-40 lakhs with merchandise, well-selected furnishing, and food pairing menus perfect for a high-end tea cafe.
With a three-tiered option, Dolly ki Tapri has one of the most accessible franchise options in India.
So, Is Dolly Chaiwala a Smart Investment Option for Investors in India?
Brands such as Chai Point, Chaayos, and MBA Chaiwala are some of India’s biggest chai names, but compared to them, Dolly Chaiwala offers something unique.
An abundant market demand: India drinks over one billion cups of chai every day. Because of this expansive market, it is perfect for a franchise with emotional connections and celebrity branding.
Greater ROI: This is one of the low-investment, high-return franchise options in India with a cost as low as INR 4.5 lakhs.
Scalability: The model can be adapted in any region, such as college towns, tourist hotspots, IT parks, and highway rest stops.
What should Dolly Chaiwala Franchise investors consider?
The buzz created by Dolly Chaiwala is genuine, but investors need to understand the following:
Dependency on personal branding: To stay relevant long-term, the franchise will need to expand beyond just Dolly’s personal image.
Quality: The business depends on the right selection of location, staff cleanliness, and customer service.
Licenses: You need to have all the right local licenses from GST, FSSAI, and the city hall.
Can Dolly Ki Tapri last?
Even armed with all this information, investors are still left with the question: Will this franchise model endure beyond Dolly’s fame?
Experts think that if managed with discipline, the franchise can last. With personality-led brands, there is a paradox of authenticity – how can you scale personal charisma? The answer is based on standardized quality and preserving the essence of the face of the brand without allowing it to become a caricature.
In terms of operations, the venture is more the responsibility of the franchisee rather than the brand owner. This means rapid expansion, but it depends on variability in execution. But, can Dolly Chaiwala become India’s MrBeast Burgers or will it fizzle out like a meme? This will depend on the franchisee’s ability to recreate the overall experience, but currently, his theatrics of chai is the hottest ticket in India’s startup circuit.
Dolly Chaiwala, also known as Sunil Patel, is a tea vendor from Nagpur who rose to internet fame due to his unique serving style, eccentric dressing, and charismatic personality.
What is the Dolly Ki Tapri franchise?
Dolly Ki Tapri is a tea franchise launched by Dolly Chaiwala, offering street-style chai experiences with a twist of entertainment and branding.
How much does it cost to start a Dolly Chaiwala franchise?
The franchise investment starts at just INR 4.5 lakhs, making it one of the most affordable branded tea franchises in India. Models vary in size and cost:
Tapri Cart: INR 4–5 lakhs
Kiosk/Outlet: INR 10–20 lakhs
Flagship Cafe: INR 30–40 lakhs
Is Dolly Ki Tapri a profitable franchise model?
Yes, the low investment and high visibility of the brand make it a potentially profitable venture, especially in areas with high foot traffic like colleges, malls, and IT hubs.
According to reports, 25 over-the-top (OTT) platforms and websites—including ALTT, ULLU, Big Shots App, Desiflix, and Boomex—have been blocked by the Centre for allegedly containing pornographic, indecent, and vulgar content.
OTT Crackdown: What Happened
According to a Storyboard18 report, under the Information Technology Act of 2000 and the IT Rules of 2021, the government ordered intermediaries to ban or remove access to illegal content. Internet service providers (ISPs) are required by the July 23, 2025, ruling to prohibit 25 OTT platforms and websites that were discovered to be in violation of these regulations.
Full List of Banned OTT Platforms
Navarasa Lite, Gulab App, Kangan App, Bull App, Jalva App, Wow Entertainment, Look Entertainment, Hitprime, Feneo, ShowX, Sol Talkies, Adda TV, HotX VIP, Hulchul App, MoodX, NeonX VIP, Fugi, Mojflix, and Triflicks are among the other OTT platforms that have been banned due to repeated legal violations.
Laws and Sections Violated
These platforms allegedly broke the following laws, according to MIB: Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986; Sections 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000; and Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Government’s Legal Grounds and Action
ISPs have been instructed by the government to prevent the general people in India from accessing these websites. In order to help ISPs ensure complete compliance, the government has also informed the Department of Telecommunications’ Director (DS-II). The government’s ongoing attempts to control online content and uphold legal norms in the digital sphere are reflected in this action. The government has also emphasised that intermediaries will lose their legal immunity under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, if they do not immediately prevent access to or remove illegal content after being notified by the government.
It also made reference to Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules, 2021, which prohibits intermediaries from hosting or publishing content that is illegal, especially content that has an impact on India’s foreign relations, sovereignty, security, public order, or morality or that might amount to defamation, contempt of court, or incitement to crime.
What This Means for India’s OTT Ecosystem?
The move coincides with calls by the government to strengthen the laws now governing social media and over-the-top (OTT) platforms in the nation. Following several warnings, the Centre prohibited 18 OTT platforms last year for releasing pornographic, indecent, and vulgar content, including Uncut Adda, Dreams Films, and Prime Play. The Centre is reportedly exploring new rules to reduce pornographic content on the internet, according to a story from a few months ago.
During a Supreme Court hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by journalist and former Information Commissioner Uday Mahurkar, who expressed worries over the unfettered spread of offensive content on OTT and social media platforms, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta made the statement.
The government at the time stressed the need for more stringent regulation without imposing total control, emphasising that internet platforms have an obligation to respect social norms. After deeming the matter grave, the Supreme Court sent letters to prominent platforms, including Apple, Netflix, Amazon Prime, AltBalaji, Ullu, Google, and Meta.
Imagine an instant conversion of any script into a natural human voiceover. Today, not only do these AI voice tools make it seem possible, but they also do so with great ease. Using modern advanced text-to-speech technology, the smart AI tools can read clearly, warmly, and emotionally aloud whatever you type here. In the end, it can sound just like a real person’s voice. Be it creating a video or audiobooks or even adding a live touch to an online course, leveraging AI voices has made everything quick, affordable, and, most importantly, enjoyable. Choose the exact tone, pace, and accent that really fits you.
Creators, publishers, and developers seeking context-aware, professional-grade AI speech, voice cloning, and dubbing across multiple languages.
ElevenLabs – Best AI Tools for Voiceovers
From artificial intelligence studies and practice, Eleven Labs ranks at the highest tier of creating natural-sounding voiceovers. It has the most advanced AI that converts text to speech that is clear, expressive, and very human-like. It supports upward of 30 different languages and thousands of voices. You can get all your script turned into audio in seconds or even clone a voice to create your character. Voice cloning, real-time dubbing and translation, and a voice marketplace where you can share or sell your voice are some of its coolest features. The pitch, tone, and speed can also be altered to get the exact sound you want. There is a simple API also for the developers.
Pros
Advanced voice cloning and customization
Wide multilingual and accent support.
Marketplace for monetizing created custom voice profiles.
Cons
Additional costs for advanced features
Public plan restricts usage and denies them commercial rights.
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Starter
$5/month
Creator
$11/month
Pro
$99/month
Murf AI
WEBSITE
www.murf.ai
Rating
4.3
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
E‑learning creators, marketers, and teams needing high‑quality TTS, voice customization, and simple voice‑over workflows.
Murf AI – Best AI Tools for Voiceovers
Murf AI is a cutting-edge voice-over platform for creators, businesses, and educators and provides access to over 200 lifelike voices in more than 20 languages. With its intuitive interface and fine-tuning controls for pitch, speed, emphasis, pronunciation, and intonation, users can generate natural-sounding, emotionally expressive audio in no time. The latest advances, such as Murf Speech Gen 2, allow for even greater customization, enabling users to fine-tune nuances such as pace, pitch, and style for any given project. Seamless integration for Canva, Google Slides, and video sync make Murf an excellent candidate for the production of e-learning, marketing, podcasts, and social media content with fast turnaround and high production value.
Pros
Highly natural, fully customizable voices
Easy integration into Canva, Google Slides
Fast output generation
Cons
inconsistent or robotic for some voices
Generated Audio download only possible on paid plans
Creators and teams needing voice cloning, multilingual TTS, emotional nuance, and integrated video editing.
Lovo AI – Best AI Tools for Voiceovers
Lovo AI empowers you to generate voice synthesis with a human touch. With the power of 500+ voices across 100+ languages, any script would be ready as clear audio in seconds-a thing for ads, audiobooks, training, or videos. Select from 30 different emotions, set the pitch and pauses, or even clone your voice. You can also add music and sound effects and synchronize audio to your video-all on a user-friendly platform. Lovo saves you hours of editing time and allows anybody, whether a solo creator or working collaboratively as part of a larger team, to create results at a professional standard.
Pros
voice repository of over 100 languages.
Voice cloning or custom branding
An intuitive audio editor
Cons
Higher tiers for premium features
Customer support can be slow.
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Basic
$10/user/month
Pro
$48/user/month
Pro+
$149/user/month
PlayHT
WEBSITE
play.ht
Rating
4.6
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Content creators, educators, and developers seeking realistic AI voice‑overs, voice cloning, and multilingual support with API integration.
PlayHT – Best AI Tools for Voiceovers
PlayHT allows you to easily create audios that sound vibrant and natural by typing text. With over 900 voices sounding more like lifelike voices in over 100 languages, you can make any conceivable audio. From podcasts to audiobooks, to eLearning courses or videos, PlayHT will allow you to materialize sound that matches the message. Silently remove accidental and background noise from records, and make voices similar or clone, manipulate pitch and speed, put in special pronunciations, and lastly, create those organic conversations with multiple voices. Smooth user interface translates voiceover production into an easy and interesting task. The intuitive user dashboard couples with a really fast audio processing engine and the most flexible options.
Pros
Easily adjust for pitch, mention rate, emphasis, and pauses.
Very rapid, high-quality audio outputs in many formats.
A versatile API for seamless integration.
Cons
First time users may find it confusing
Cancellation and refund terms are constricted
Pricing
PlayHT offers custom pricing; contact them for a quote.
Students and professionals wanting high-quality TTS from articles, PDFs, and ebooks—especially for productivity and accessibility.
Speechify – Best AI Tools for Voiceovers
Speechify, you can get any text and, in a few ticks of a clock, convert it into audio that will sound smooth and human. You can customize each of the more than 1,000 voices in over 60 languages with pitch, tone, speed, or emotion. Want to have some fun? Using either celebrity-inspired voices or cloning your own, you can get something really cool.Paper-to-speech? It’s much more. It reads from images using OCR, and can even render in real time, while giving you full control over any word’s pronunciation. And with handy Chrome and mobile extensions, you can create voiceovers no matter where you are.
Pros
Fully custom pitch, speed, emotion, and style
Live dubbing and cross-platform functionality
Cloud stream and collaborative use
Cons
The free plan is limited to basic voices
Some voices on the free tier sound robotic
Pricing
offers custom pricing; contact them for a quote.
Synthesys
WEBSITE
www.synthesys.io
Rating
4.3
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Creators, educators, marketers wanting realistic AI voiceovers and avatar-led videos in 140+ languages, with customizable voices and branding.
Synthesys – Best AI Tools for Voiceovers
Synthesys, the next-gen platform with more than 700 realistic voices across 140+ languages, and their voice cloning and custom avatars, provide studio-quality results without ever stepping into a studio. Fine-tune pitch, speed, and emotion. Combine multiple speakers, sync voices with avatars or visuals, and export in crisp HD or 4K—all from an intuitive, cloud-based dashboard. Synthesys frees content production from the cost and complexities that usually come with it. Intended for creators, marketers, educators, and businesses, whether for training modules, video advertisements, podcasts, or global content, it easily puts together polished and professional media with the click of a button.
Pros
library of over 700 realistic AI voices
Advanced cloning with over 10 avatars
Multi-voice and video translation support.
Cons
Commercial use and custom avatars are more of a premium price.
Learning curve for advanced features.
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Personal
$29/month
Creator
$59/month
Business Unlimited
$99/month
Resemble AI
WEBSITE
resemble.ai
Rating
4.4
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Creators and businesses needing realistic voice cloning, emotion control, multilingual localization, and voice-over automation.
Resemble AI – Best AI Tools for Voiceovers
Resemble AI helps you change your text into natural, conversational text in minutes. With a small sample of a voice, you can copy any voice to make automatic GT-quality audio in over 150 languages. Fantastic for videos, podcasts, games, accessibility, and business content. The pitch, speed, emotion, and timing can be tuned up slightly. Be it real-time text-to-speech or speech-to-speech, the platform gives perfect control to the user. It provides multilanguage localization plus pinpoint-editing features to inject the correct voice mix into any project. Resemble has this edge: integrated deepfake detection, audio watermarking, and clean and pleasant user interface. Developers can insert it in secure APIs, with flexible collaboration and user management.
Pros
Deepfake-proof
Real-time TTS voice conversion advanced with editing tools.
Seamless integration of API along with SDK
Cons
Technical knowledge is required for custom integration and tuning.
The first-time implementation setup and onboarding can be a little complex for some.
eLearning developers, content creators, and enterprises needing studio‑quality AI voiceover with team collaboration and brand voice consistency.
WellSaid Labs – Best AI Tools for Voiceovers
WellSaid Labs provides strikingly realistic and human-sounding AI voiceovers, ideal for use in e-learning, marketing, corporate training, and content production. The platform hosts over 50 professional voice avatars, detailed controls for pronunciation and speech, dynamic synthesis, and collaboration tools by teams. With security and robustness to enterprise standards (SOC2, GDPR), WellSaid is built with enterprise considerations in mind. The simple interface enables rapid editing and voice adjustment (pitch, speed, pausing) and supports different export formats (MP3, WAV, OGG). Advanced API access permits seamless integration into applications and workflows for content. WellSaid is trusted by Fortune 500 companies to establish an on-brand voice that can be scaled up quickly.
Pros
Nature and clear voice quality
GDPR compliant
Seamless integration with Adobe, Canva, etc.
Cons
Restricted to English
More expensive than many competitors
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Creator
$55/month/user
Business
$160/month/user
Enterprise
Custom Pricing
Descript
WEBSITE
www.descript.com
Rating
4.5
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Podcasters, solo creators, and teams needing AI-enhanced editing via text-based transcript editing, studio-level voice cleanup, and Overdub voice synthesis.
Descript – Best AI Tools for Voiceovers
Descript is just the best audio-video editor, combined with AI technology to bring that edge. Voiceover, text-based editing, cloning voices (Overdub), plus a library of stock AI voices for pretty much every kind of narration- this is what Descript is offering to creators. Users can record or auto-generate that uniquely distinct, natural, real-sounding speech, sync voice to video, remove filler words, and tack on Studio Sound for crystal clarity in minutes. Regarded as the finest laptop app for anyone who wishes to edit audio and video just as they would text-for instance, instantly correcting errors and enhancing them with AI features such as noise reduction, captioning, and even greenscreen effects.
Pros
User-friendly interface
Multilingual support
Automatic filler word removal
Cons
Not suited for large/complex files
Voices might lack emotional nuances
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Hobbyist
$24/person/month
Creator
$35/person/month
Business
$65/person/month
Altered
WEBSITE
altered.ai
Rating
3.8
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Professionals and media creators needing advanced real‑time voice morphing, voice cloning, accent modification, AI voice cleaning, and post‑production voice editing.
Altered – Best AI Tools for Voiceovers
Altered, the creative AI voiceover bridge between voice transformation and professional narration for high-end video, gaming, podcasts, and commercials.With more than 100 ultra-realistic voices and 50+ languages, advanced voice modulation options that include a spectrum of change to gender, age, and accent, or a high-quality clone of a voice for branding or anonymity,An intuitive interface allows pitch, tone, pace, and emotion controls to a granular level, supporting batch processing and real-time instant conversion.API, desktop app, and DAW plugins from Altered integrate easily into the creative workflow; custom licensing and secure enterprise features attract studios and teams in search of scalable custom voice solutions and seamless integration into post-production.
Pros
Flexible for gaming and dubbing
Bulk voice cloning
Data Privacy compliant
Cons
Voice morphing cost extra
Learning curve for advanced features
Pricing
Altered offers custom pricing; contact them for a quote.
Conclusion
Voiceover tools powered by AI are a revolutionary coup for creators and businesses alike, for those who wish to influence or engage with an audience. From story narration and education to entertainment and marketing for the brand, AI makes audio generation so easy that one does not even require a studio or technical skill. Just by typing the script and clicking a few buttons, dozens of voices and languages can be app-ed, with the right emotions to bring out any project flavor. The final icing on the cake is that it helps bring a professional touch to the layman. While saving time and money, it opens fresh avenues for creativity.
Yes. Most listed tools support dozens to 100+ languages.
Can I legally use cloned voices for commercial projects?
Only if you have the explicit rights/consent to the voice you clone. Some plans restrict commercial rights—always check the license terms of your plan.
Can AI voices fully replace human voice actors?
Not entirely. While quality is impressive, emotion, nuance, and brand storytelling can still benefit from human talent.
Losing a young cousin to breast cancer was a turning point for Geetha Manjunath, one that fueled her entrepreneurial drive to find a solution. Today, her conviction is clear: ‘Nobody should die from breast cancer’, if only detection comes early enough.
Dr. Geetha Manjunath is the Founder, CEO, and Chief Technology Officer of NIRAMAI Health Analytix, which has developed a groundbreaking AI technology for detecting early-stage breast cancer without the use of radiation. She holds a Ph.D. in nanotechnology from IISc and a management education degree from Kellogg Chicago. She has over 25 years of experience in IT innovation.
Over the past few years, she has proposed and led several AI projects at Xerox Research and Hewlett-Packard India. She was the Lab Director for Data Analytics at Xerox India before starting NIRAMAI. She is the founder, CEO, and CTO of NIRAMAI Health Analytix, a company that has developed a groundbreaking AI technology for early-stage breast cancer detection that does not require radiation.
How a Personal Loss Sparked a Revolution in Breast Cancer Detection?
Dr. Geetha Manjunath is an experienced computer scientist with a PhD and years of experience at major tech companies like Xerox. But her real mission? Making early breast cancer detection accessible to all. That’s why she started Niramai, a Bengaluru-based startup, in 2016.
However, her career took a deeply personal turn after tragedy struck. Two of her close relatives, aged just 42 and 38, were diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer and lost their lives within six months.
Witnessing the emotional, social, and financial toll of the disease compelled her to search for a better way to detect cancer early.
“I knew there had to be a better way,” Dr. Manjunath recalls. Her quest led her to combine artificial intelligence with thermal imaging to create a groundbreaking solution.
This is the true power of AI, not just “artificial intelligence,” but “augmented implementation” that can save lives.
A New Era in Breast Cancer Screening: The Promise of Niramai’s Thermalytix
Niramai is changing how (and where) women can get screened. Instead of X-rays, compression plates, and large hospital infrastructure, the company’s Thermalytix technology blends high-resolution thermal imaging with AI/ML algorithms to look for suspicious heat patterns that may indicate abnormal cell growth.
The result: a private, painless, radiation-free screening that can travel to the patient.
Thermalytix is an advanced computer-aided diagnostic platform driven by proprietary AI and machine learning algorithms. Using a high-resolution thermal sensor, it captures minute temperature variations across the chest. These thermal patterns are then securely analyzed on the cloud to identify irregularities that may signal early-stage breast cancer.
Manjunath is actively exploring new applications of her AI-powered thermal imaging platform, aiming to extend its capabilities beyond breast cancer detection to whole-body health screenings, fever detection, and the diagnosis of other diseases and abnormalities.
Walk-in Privacy Booth: The woman enters a screened area; no one touches or views her directly.
Cooling Period (10 mins): She sits in an air-conditioned room (or in front of a cooler) to allow natural heat gradients to stabilize.
Thermal Capture: A contactless thermal sensor, positioned ~3 feet away, captures images in ~5 standard postures to map the full chest region.
AI Analysis: Thermalytix software analyses temperature variations and vascular patterns associated with abnormal metabolic activity.
Fast Results: A preliminary report is typically ready in about 10 minutes; the whole visit often wraps up in 15 minutes.
“Nobody sees or touches the person. There’s no radiation, no pain,” says Dr. Geetha Manjunath.
Why Is It Different from Mammography?
No X-Rays: Eliminates radiation exposure and the infrastructure needed for shielded radiology rooms.
Repeatable: Since it’s non-ionizing, it can be done more frequently, making it useful for monitoring higher-risk women or community screening programs.
Portable Setup: Can be deployed in health camps, clinics, or smaller hospitals, significantly widening reach.
A Powerful Companion to Clinical Breast Exams
Thermalytix isn’t meant to replace clinical judgment; it can augment self-exam and clinical breast exam (CBE) by adding an imaging-plus-AI layer that helps flag areas that warrant follow-up.
According to Manjunath, some growths can exist before a palpable lump forms, and early thermal signatures may help surface risks sooner. She has cited Niramai’s ability to pick up lesions in the 3–4 mm range under certain conditions, though confirmatory diagnostic workups remain essential.
Accessibility & Cost Vision
Manjunath has spoken about driving the price of a community screening toward INR 100 per scan, dramatically below the INR 2,500 (or more) that many women pay for a mammogram in urban diagnostic centers (actual prices vary by city and facility). Because the system is portable and can be operated by trained health workers (with remote expert review), it lowers both infrastructure and staffing barriers.
She’s also noted that the hardware costs are a fraction (1/10th–1/15th) of a full mammography unit, helping smaller hospitals and screening programs bring breast checks closer to where women live.
Geetha has earned numerous national and international accolades for her groundbreaking innovations and entrepreneurial achievements. She is a recipient of the CSI Gold Medal and the BIRAC WinER Award 2018, and was featured on the Forbes List of Top 20 Self-Made Women in 2020.
Moreover, she was honored with the Accenture Vahini Innovator of the Year Award by The Economic Times and named Women Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 by BioSpectrum India. Beyond these recognitions, Geetha holds 22 granted U.S. patents, with several more awaiting approval.
Geeta Manjunath’s Plan for Niramai: What’s Coming Next?
Niramai’s thermal-AI platform was never meant to stop breast cancer. The same non-invasive, radiation-free, portable technology that helps detect early breast lesions can, in principle, be tuned to flag other abnormal heat signatures in the body, opening doors to broader cancer screening, infection detection, and treatment monitoring.
Tackling Neglected Tropical Diseases: The River Blindness Project
Niramai participated in a research initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation exploring whether thermal imaging could help in the fight against river blindness (onchocerciasis), a parasitic disease transmitted by the bite of infected blackflies. The parasite can create nodules under the skin, trigger intense itching, and, if untreated, lead to severe, sometimes blinding, eye disease.
At the time of the interview, Niramai had completed Phase 1 of the research and was seeking approval to begin Phase 2 field testing and data collection in Ghana. Traditional detection methods require taking a skin snip and examining it under a microscope, which is painful, invasive, and hard to scale.
Dr. Geetha Manjunath believes thermal imaging could offer a non-invasive way to detect parasite activity beneath the skin and even track how well drug regimens are working over time. “If we want to develop new drugs and see if they work, scraping skin isn’t ideal. Can we monitor responses non-invasively? That’s the goal,” she explains.
Conclusion
Dr. Geetha Manjunath’s journey from a computer scientist to a healthcare innovator is truly inspiring. In addition to transforming how breast cancer is detected, she has democratized access to life-saving screenings for women who would otherwise be overlooked by conventional healthcare systems with Thermalytix.
Looking ahead, Geetha’s vision extends beyond breast cancer to a future where AI-powered thermal imaging becomes a universal tool for early disease detection, from neglected tropical diseases to whole-body health monitoring.
Dr. Geetha Manjunath is the Founder, CEO, and CTO of NIRAMAI Health Analytix, a Bengaluru-based startup that uses AI and thermal imaging to detect breast cancer early, without radiation.
What is Niramai?
Niramai (Non-Invasive Risk Assessment with Machine Intelligence) is a startup that developed Thermalytix, a contactless, radiation-free, and private breast cancer screening technology.
Where can Niramai screenings be conducted?
Niramai screenings are designed to be mobile and accessible. They can be conducted in:
Hospitals and diagnostic centers
Health camps and remote clinics
Walk-in privacy booths, where women are not touched or viewed directly
From Ammunic Systems raising $1.1 million to advance India’s defence-tech capabilities to Yali Capital closing its INR 893 crore maiden fund to fuel deeptech innovation, the day saw notable movements across venture capital and strategic sectors. On the business front, Swiggy reshuffled its board post-IPO, the government cracked down on OTT platforms, and Elevation Capital continued exiting its stake in Ixigo. Here’s your quick roundup of the top funding deals and key business news in India for 25th July 2025.
Invest in early‑ and late‑stage deeptech startups (semiconductors, AI, robotics, genomics, aerospace)
Ammunic Systems Secures $1.1 Million in Seed Round
Defence-tech startup Ammunic Systems has raised $1.1 million in a seed round led by India Accelerator and Finvolve. The Bengaluru-based company develops advanced electronic fuzes, warhead systems and integrated munitions. The funding will go towards scaling production, expanding its R&D efforts and building a larger technical team. This investment aligns with India’s growing push for indigenous defence innovation.
Yali Capital Closes INR 893 Crore Deeptech Fund
Venture capital firm Yali Capital has announced the final close of its debut deeptech fund at INR 893 crore, surpassing its initial target. Backers include Infosys, Qualcomm Ventures, Tata AIG, and government-linked funds like the DPIIT Fund of Funds and Self-Reliant India Fund. The fund aims to invest across early and late-stage companies in semiconductors, AI, robotics, genomics, and aerospace. Yali has already made five investments and plans to support 8–10 deeptech startups in its first cycle.
Key News Highlights for 25 July 2025
Ohm Mobility (Ohm Daily) Shuts Down Operations
EV‑financing and leasing startup Ohm Mobility, later rebranded as Ohm Daily, has announced that it is winding down operations after five years of attempts to build a scalable business model. Co‑founder and CEO Nikhil Nair confirmed on LinkedIn that despite multiple pivots—including data‑driven financial products for gig workers—the startup failed to gain sufficient traction. Ohm had raised approximately INR 5 crore from investors such as Antler India, Blume Ventures, Catalyst Fund, and angel backers.
In its most recent board restructuring, Swiggy has seen the resignation of Sumer Juneja (SoftBank nominee) and Anand Daniel (Accel nominee) as nominee directors, effective 25 July 2025. They have been replaced by Faraz Khalid, CEO of UAE‑based e‑commerce firm Noon, joining as an independent non‑executive director for a five‑year term, pending shareholder approval. This move is part of a governance transition following Swiggy’s public listing.
Government Bans 25 OTT Platforms, Including Ullu and ALTT for Explicit Content
The Indian government, via the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, has ordered ISPs to block 25 OTT platforms—including Ullu, ALTT (ALTBalaji), Desiflix, Big Shots, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, and Gulab App—for allegedly streaming “obscene”, “vulgar” or pornographic content. Content flagged includes prolonged nudity and sexual visuals with minimal storyline, in breach of provisions under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and IT Rules, 2021. The ban follows earlier interventions by self‑regulatory bodies and child rights groups.
Elevation Capital Sells INR 226 Crore Stake in Ixigo Parent (Le Travenues)
Elevation Capital (formerly Saif Partners India) has divested 1.01 crore shares, worth approximately INR 226 crore in Le Travenues Technology Ltd, the parent company of Ixigo, reducing its stake from 9.04% to 6.45%. This marks the third such exit in recent months, following previous offloads worth INR 97.4 crore in June and INR 38.3 crore in May. The latest transactions were reportedly acquired by Schroder International Selection Fund, which now holds close to 5% of the company. The total exit proceeds now exceed INR 361 crore.
Ohm Mobility, a firm that provides EV financing and leasing, is now closing its doors, joining a growing list of startup closures. Despite many turning points along the way, the five-year-old startup was unable to scale, according to cofounder and CEO Nikhil Nair.
Why Ohm Mobility Shut Down: Inside the Struggles of a Promising EV Fintech
In a LinkedIn post, Nair stated that although the company was unable to develop a sustainable and scalable strategy, it gained firsthand knowledge of what works, what doesn’t, and why. After failing at a few business models, the company now has a thorough understanding of them.
Nair created Ohm Mobility in 2020 to help EV fleet operators, manufacturers, and battery companies access finance by connecting them with banks and other financial institutions. In 2022, Nikhil Saigal, a former executive of Onfido, a provider of IT solutions, became the second cofounder and CBO of the firm.
Ohm Mobility’s Journey
The firm made it simpler for financial institutions to grant them loans by using data (IoT data) from EVs to comprehend and lower the financing risks. Notable investors include Antler India, Blume Ventures, and Catalyst Fund. A few angel investors helped Ohm Mobility raise about INR 5 Cr during its existence.
Ohm Mobility’s Pivot to Daily Earners: A Last Attempt at Survival
According to the cofounder’s statement regarding business pivots, Ohm Mobility recently changed its name to Ohm Daily in order to concentrate on offering financial products for daily earners, especially gig workers and professionals in the mobility industry (such as auto drivers).
Since its founding, Ohm Mobility has not submitted its financial statements to MCA for any fiscal year. It’s noteworthy that this is not the only modern IT company to close this year. A lacklustre response from the market led media houses to report in June that Altigreen, a three-wheeler EV manufacturer, was on the verge of closing its doors owing to a lack of finance.
In addition, BluSmart and Log9 also had turbulent declines in recent months. Due to their inability to scale and lack of investor interest, two early-stage firms, rapid commerce venture Blip and AI startup subtl.ai, have both recently ceased operations.
Wider Pattern: Are Indian EV Startups Running Out of Charge?
The auto industry in India is confronted with a transitional challenge: how to construct the future without halting the present. The majority of established manufacturers still operate ICE and EV programs concurrently, frequently sharing resources for engineering, validation, and procurement. It is now anticipated that these overlapping structures, which were intended for gradual development, will bring about revolutionary upheaval.
An extremely disjointed execution chain is the end outcome. According to Vector’s research, more than 60% of Tier-1s are involved in over ten programs at the same time, spanning several OEMs, with no insight into volume projections or design maturity.
McDonald’s – the largest fast-food chain on the planet. Founded in 1940, in San Bernardino, California, by two brothers, Richard and Maurice McDonald, the company has revolutionized the food industry with its quick and affordable meals. From a humble beginning as a small drive-in restaurant, McDonald’s has grown to become a global powerhouse with over 39,000 restaurants operating in more than 119 countries.
Over the years, McDonald’s has accomplished remarkable milestones that have made it a household name. In 1955, it introduced the first-ever franchise model, which allowed other entrepreneurs to own and operate their own McDonald’s restaurants. This move accelerated the expansion of the company, and by 1965, there were over 700 McDonald’s restaurants worldwide. Today, McDonald’s serves over 69 million customers daily and generates a whopping $100 billion in sales each year, making it one of the most profitable companies in the world.
With a market share of over 17%, McDonald’s dominates the fast-food industry, leaving its competitors in the dust. McDonald’s owes its success to its ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences, continually innovate and expand its menu, and make strategic investments in marketing. McDonald’s iconic branding, catchy slogans, and memorable advertising campaigns have helped it maintain its position as a market leader for decades.
McDonald’s has come a long way. It has established itself as an industry leader and continues to dominate the fast-food market. Its marketing strategies have been crucial to its success, and its commitment to sustainability and social responsibility has helped it maintain a positive image in the eyes of the public. McDonald’s is more than just a fast-food chain; it’s a cultural icon and a global phenomenon.
McDonald’s has a diverse target audience, ranging from children and families to young adults and seniors. The company’s marketing strategies are designed to appeal to a wide range of demographic, geographic, and psychographic factors.
McDonald’s targets a broad age range of customers, from children as young as two years old to seniors over the age of 60. The company’s Happy Meals, with their colorful packaging and toy promotions, are specifically designed to attract young children. The company offers value meals and combo deals that are affordable for families on a budget.
McDonald’s Happy Meal
McDonald’s has a global presence and operates in more than 119 countries. The company tailors its menu and marketing campaigns to meet the local tastes and preferences of each region. For example, McDonald’s in India serves a range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options to cater to the country’s diverse population.
McDonald’s India Menu
McDonald’s targets customers who are looking for convenience, speed, and affordability. The company’s fast-food model is designed to cater to customers who are on the go and looking for a quick meal. McDonald’s also offers free Wi-Fi and comfortable seating, making it an attractive option for customers who are looking for a place to relax and socialize.
McDonald’s – Marketing Mix
McDonald’s, where the company’s marketing mix is as iconic as its golden arches. McDonald’s is known for its innovative marketing strategies, which have helped it become the largest fast-food chain in the world. Let’s take a closer look at the four elements of McDonald’s marketing mix.
McDonald’s Marketing Mix
Product
McDonald’s is known for its classic fast-food menu items, such as the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, and Chicken McNuggets. The company has expanded its menu over the years to include healthier options like salads, wraps, and fruit smoothies. McDonald’s also offers seasonal items and limited-time promotions to keep customers engaged and interested in its menu.
McDonald’s Salad and Smoothies
Price
McDonald’s is known for its value pricing strategy, offering affordable meal options that are accessible to a wide range of customers. The company’s menu includes value meals and combo deals that bundle items together at a discounted price. McDonald’s also offers coupons and promotions to further incentivize customers to visit its restaurants.
Place
McDonald’s operates over 39,000 restaurants worldwide, making it one of the most accessible fast-food chains in the world. The company’s restaurants are strategically located in high-traffic areas, such as malls, airports, and busy intersections. McDonald’s also offers delivery and drive-thru options, making it even more convenient for customers to access its menu.
Promotion
McDonald’s is known for its iconic advertising campaigns, catchy slogans, and memorable branding. The company’s advertising campaigns target a wide range of customers, from families with children to young adults on the go. McDonald’s also leverages social media and influencer marketing to engage with customers and keep its brand relevant.
McDonald’s marketing mix is a key component of its success in the fast-food industry. The company’s innovative product offerings, value pricing strategy, strategic placement of restaurants, and memorable advertising campaigns have all contributed to its dominance in the market. McDonald’s continues to evolve its marketing mix to meet the changing tastes and preferences of its customers, ensuring that it remains the go-to destination for fast, affordable meals.
McDonald’s is known for its innovative and memorable marketing campaigns that have captured the attention of customers around the world. One of its most famous campaigns is the “I’m Lovin’ It” slogan, which was launched in 2003 and has become synonymous with the brand.
McDonald’s Tagline
Another iconic campaign was the “Big Mac Chant” commercial, which featured a group of people chanting the ingredients of the popular burger. The campaign was a huge success and helped to reinforce the popularity of the Big Mac.
McDonald’s Big Mac Chant
In 2015, McDonald’s launched the “All Day Breakfast” campaign, which allowed customers to order breakfast items all day long. The campaign was a response to changing consumer habits and helped to boost sales and attract new customers.
McDonald’s All Day Breakfast
More recently, McDonald’s has launched a series of creative campaigns on social media, including the “Travis Scott Meal” promotion, which featured a special meal deal in collaboration with the popular rapper. The campaign was a huge success, with customers lining up at McDonald’s restaurants across the country to try the meal.
McDonald’s marketing campaigns have been a key component of its success in the fast-food industry. From iconic slogans to innovative promotions, the company continues to push the boundaries of marketing to engage with customers and build its brand.
McDonald’s Marketing Strategies
McDonald’s is a giant in the fast-food industry, with a presence in over 100 countries and serving millions of customers each day. One of the reasons for its success is its innovative and effective marketing strategies. From iconic advertising campaigns to localized menu offerings, McDonald’s marketing strategies are designed to appeal to a wide range of customers and build its brand. Here are the top marketing strategies of McDonald’s:
Iconic Slogans
McDonald’s is known for its memorable advertising slogans, such as “I’m Lovin’ It” and “You Deserve a Break Today”. These slogans have become synonymous with the brand and help to reinforce its messaging.
70’s Ads: McDonald’s You Deserve A Break Today 1971
Strategic Partnerships
McDonald’s has collaborated with a range of brands and celebrities over the years, including Coca-Cola, Disney, and Justin Timberlake. These partnerships help to create buzz around the brand and attract new customers.
McDonald’s Coca-Cola Promotion (2014)
Creative Social Media Campaigns
McDonald’s leverages social media to engage with customers and promote its menu items. The company has launched creative campaigns on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, such as the #ShamrockShakeSZN promotion.
Menu Innovation
McDonald’s constantly updates its menu with new items and seasonal promotions. This helps to keep customers engaged and interested in the brand.
Value Pricing
McDonald’s is known for its value pricing strategy, offering affordable meal options that are accessible to a wide range of customers. The company’s menu includes value meals and combo deals that bundle items together at a discounted price.
Healthier Options
McDonald’s has responded to changing consumer preferences by offering healthier menu options like salads, wraps, and fruit smoothies. This helps to attract health-conscious customers who may have previously avoided fast food.
Localized Marketing
McDonald’s tailors its marketing campaigns to meet the local tastes and preferences of each region. For example, McDonald’s in India serves a range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options to cater to the country’s diverse population.
Mobile Ordering & Delivery
McDonald’s has embraced technology by offering mobile ordering and delivery options. This helps to make its menu even more accessible to customers and provides a more convenient experience.
Promotional Tactics and Advertising Campaigns
Promotional activities help people recognize a brand and keep them coming back. McDonald’s does this well by using both old and new ways to advertise. It shares its messages through TV ads, radio, and online platforms. This mix helps McDonald’s reach more people and get many different types of customers interested in its offers.
Sponsorships
McDonald’s sponsors a range of events and sports teams, including the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup. These sponsorships help to increase the visibility of the brand and create positive associations with sports and healthy living.
Mcdonald’s Coca-cola Glass Olympics
Community Engagement
McDonald’s engages with local communities by supporting charity events and participating in local initiatives. This helps to build goodwill and create positive associations with the brand.
Consistent Branding
McDonald’s has maintained a consistent visual identity and brand messaging over the years. This helps to reinforce the brand in the minds of customers and creates a sense of familiarity and trust.
McDonald’s has committed to environmental sustainability, with initiatives like reducing packaging waste and sourcing sustainable ingredients. This helps to appeal to customers who are concerned about the impact of fast food on the environment.
McDonald’s marketing strategies have played a key role in its continued success in the fast-food industry. Its commitment to community engagement and environmental sustainability also helps to create a positive image for the brand.
These marketing strategies have been instrumental in building the brand and attracting a wide range of customers. The company’s innovative approach to advertising, strategic partnerships, and localized menu offerings has set the standard for the fast-food industry.
So, whether you’re a marketer looking to build a successful brand or a start-up trying to make a mark in the industry, take a page from McDonald’s marketing playbook. With the right mix of creativity, innovation, and strategic thinking, you too can achieve success and make a lasting impact in your industry.
FAQs
What is McDonald’s target market?
McDonald’s has a diverse target customer base, from children as young as two years old to seniors over the age of 60.
What are the two iconic slogans of McDonald’s?
McDonald’s is known for its memorable advertising slogans, such as “I’m Lovin’ It” and “You Deserve a Break Today”. These slogans have become synonymous with the brand and help to reinforce its messaging.
What are a few top marketing strategies of McDonald’s that helped it to become the largest fast-food chain?
Here are the top marketing strategies of McDonald’s:
Iconic Slogans
Strategic Partnerships
Creative Social Media Campaigns
Menu Innovation
Value Pricing
Healthier Options
Localized Marketing
Mobile Ordering & Delivery
Sponsorships
Community Engagement
Consistent Branding
Environmental Sustainability
McDonald’s happy meal marketing strategy?
McDonald’s Happy Meal marketing strategy focuses on attracting children through fun packaging, collectible toys, and partnerships with popular movies or characters, while appealing to parents with affordable pricing and balanced meal options.
What are McDonald’s strategies for success?
McDonald’s strategies for success include consistent quality, affordable pricing, global presence, localized menus, strong branding, efficient service, and innovation in technology and delivery.
The Competition Commission of India’s (CCI) antitrust verdict against Google over its Play Store policy was partially supported by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal’s (NCLAT) March ruling, which Google has challenged in the Supreme Court. “We have appealed the NCLAT’s recent ruling regarding the order from the CCI.
“We’re still dedicated to helping the Indian app market expand for developers and users alike,” a Google representative told Moneycontrol. The NCLAT’s March ruling maintained a number of the CCI’s order’s main conclusions, although it lowered Google’s fine from INR 936.44 crore to INR 216.69 crore.
Background: CCI’s Investigation Into Play Store Billing
CCI opened an investigation into Google in November 2020 in response to complaints about the company’s requirement that in-app purchases and paid apps use the Play Store payment system. Developers were compelled by this scheme to pay a commission, typically 15–30%, and use Google’s own payment mechanism. Google was found guilty of abusing its Play Store dominance.
Key Findings of CCI and NCLAT
The watchdog also ordered the company to modify its app payment system and issued a cease-and-desist injunction in addition to the monetary penalty. The NCLAT confirmed CCI’s conclusion in its March 2025 ruling that Google forced app developers to adopt the Google Play Billing System (GPBS) for in-app purchases and paid app sales, thereby imposing unfair and discriminatory conditions on them.
It also concurred with CCI’s finding that Google promoted its own payment app, Google Pay, over other UPI-based digital payment apps by abusing its control over the Android and Play Store ecosystems.
Implications for Developers and Digital Payments
In a March 2025 ruling, the appellate tribunal overturned the watchdog’s rulings limiting innovation and denying market access. It highlighted Google billing services having less than 1% of the UPI market share and the lack of proof of restrictions on technical advancement as justifications for rescinding the specific instruction.
Remarkably, the NCLAT subsequently allegedly reversed a number of “ex-ante” (preventive) directives that the CCI had given Google, claiming that the order went beyond the CCI’s authority under the existing regulatory structure.
Two months later, on May 1, the NCLAT reinstituted two directives that mandate Google to reveal its data rules and refrain from using its billing data to gain an unfair competitive edge. Dissatisfied with the appellate tribunal’s partial relief and the clarification’s subsequent setback, Google has now petitioned the SC to contest the order and wants a favourable ruling.
