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Hyderabad, May 20 :  We are pleased to welcome Rahul Pandey who joins us as Vice President  Sales & Distribution of Heritage Foods Ltd., effective 18th May 2026. He will lead the role of Vice President & Head of Sales  Fresh and Ambient Categories, would be based at our Corporate Office, and shall report directly to the COO, Mr. J. Samba Murthy.

With over 24 years of extensive experience in sales leadership across the Foods, Beverages, and Home Care sectors, Rahul brings a wealth of expertise in driving large-scale sales operations and business growth. His last role was as Head  Sales & Distribution of the Foods Division at Dabur India Ltd., where he led end-to-end sales and distribution strategy for one of India’s leading FMCG companies.

Over the course of his career, Rahul has held key leadership positions with reputed organisations including Mondelez India Foods Pvt. Ltd., Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd., and ITC Ltd., contributing significantly to sales transformation and revenue growth across diverse product categories and markets.

He brings deep expertise in sales strategy, route-to-market  transformation, distributor network expansion, category management, S&OP, customer engagement, and large-scale sales execution. He is widely recognised for his strong people leadership and his ability to drive business growth through technology-enabled sales systems and channel excellence.

In his role as Vice President – Sales & Distribution at Heritage Foods Ltd., Rahul will drive initiatives that strengthen our go-to-market capabilities and accelerate growth across our Fresh and Ambient Categories. His leadership will be a significant asset to our growth trajectory and reinforce our industry-leading position.

Rahul is an alumnus of IIM Calcutta, where he completed the Executive Management Program in Sales & Marketing. He also holds an MBA in Marketing from the Institute of Management Studies, MDS University, Ajmer.

May 20, 2026 – Kardome achieves a major consumer electronics footprint with LG TVs powered by Kardome’s Spatial Hearing AI for human-like voice localization and isolation. 

Elevating the Home Entertainment Experience

Kardome’s Spatial Hearing AI technology is now commercially deployed in LG’s flagship OLED TV series, completing its pivotal transition from development to mass-market production. This deployment represents a significant leap in voice user interface (voice UI) performance, enabling LG’s OLED TVs to locate and focus on individual speech with human-like accuracy, even in high-background noise environments typical of modern living rooms.

By utilizing Kardome’s proprietary Spatial Hearing AI technology, LG can now provide its customers with:

• Unmatched Voice Isolation: The “No-Mute” Experience: Kardome’s technology locates and isolates individual voices in real-world settings, distinguishing the user’s voice from background noise, such as a vacuum cleaner, multiple people speaking at once, or even the TV’s own playback. For the customer, this means they no longer have to reach for the remote to mute the TV or shout over other people talking just to change a setting.
• Human-Like Spatial Awareness: Unlike traditional VUI, Spatial Hearing AI enables the TV to “hear” like a human by identifying the speaker’s location and focusing on their specific voice. This allows for natural, seamless interaction regardless of the number of people in the room or the complexity of the acoustic environment.

Global Reach and Expansion

The Kardome-powered LG OLED TVs are now available globally, with a projected target of millions of units for 2026, ensuring that customers worldwide can experience the next generation of voice-enabled interaction.

While the current TV integration focuses on Spatial Hearing AI technology for TVs, both companies continue to explore further expansion into smart appliances, audio products, and the automotive sector.

Leadership Perspectives 

“Kardome’s Spatial Hearing AI has proven itself in real-world consumer environments, and we are proud to bring this capability to our OLED TV customers worldwide. The deployment reaffirms LG’s commitment to delivering intuitive, intelligent user experiences through cutting-edge technology partnerships.” — Jungho Kwak, Head of MS SW Platform Development Division, LG Electronics

“Reaching commercial deployment with LG at this scale is a defining moment for Kardome and for the voice AI category. Our Spatial Hearing AI technology is now in the hands of millions of consumers globally, and this is just the beginning. We are excited to continue expanding the scope of our collaboration with LG and to bring Spatial Hearing AI to even more product categories.” — Dani Cherkassky, CEO, Kardome

Amsterdam, May 20: PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays and complementary solutions, is excited to announce the latest key addition to its ever strengthening team in North America, with the appointment of Nicole Rutherford as new Event Marketing Specialist.

 An accomplished business owner, leader, and marketing professional of over 10 years, multi talented Nicole brings a tidal wave of knowledge, experience, and entrepreneurial flair to PPDS’ thriving North America team with an influential role in the company’s local and international growth ambitions.

 Based in Hudson, Florida, and reporting to Director of North America Marketing, Megan Lipinczyk, Nicole has enjoyed a broad and accomplished career. Beginning as a teacher, she transitioned into B2B marketing in 2021, specialising in project management, stakeholder communications, event execution, and more.

 With a proud track record in delivering growth to local and international organisations, Nicole is also the co owner of a successful family fishing business, utilising her professional marketing skills – through digital and physical means – to drive awareness and support the growth of a successful tackle shop and charter business.

 Buoyed by success / hooked on technology

Kicking off several key business announcements ahead of InfoComm 2026 (June 13-19), in her role as Event Marketing Specialist Nicole will support PPDS’ day to day marketing efforts with a strong focus on events, partner engagement, and sales enablement.

 These responsibilities will incorporate coordinating logistics for trade shows and regional events, managing marketing assets, supporting digital and social content, and working with both national and regional partners to help drive brand awareness and engagement.

 InfoComm 2026

Hitting the ground running, among Nicole’s first duties include supporting and planning PPDS’ exhibition activities (including stand design and logistics) at InfoComm. Nicole will be present on Philips Booth C9000 throughout the show, with her diary now open for meetings. Please drop by and say hello.

 Discussing her new role, Nicole explained it was PPDS’ history of innovation and reputation for quality that attracted her to the role, describing it as the “perfect course” for the next stage of her career.

 Nicole commented: “I am delighted to have become part of the PPDS family and to join the incredibly talented team on the next stage of the company’s growth journey.”

 “While I’m new to the AV industry in a formal sense, I bring extensive hands on experience with technology and events that translates well to professional AV marketing. Much of my career has been centred around leading initiatives, guiding teams through change, coordinating large scale educational events, developing digital and social content, and translating technical information into clear, audience focused messaging. It feels like all my experience and everything I’ve learnt to date has been leading to this point.”

 Megan Lipinczyk, Director of North America Marketing at PPDS, said: “Since walking through the door, Nicole has demonstrated a highly organized, proactive, and detail driven approach to marketing execution, with core strengths in event planning, cross functional communication, and attention to detail.

 Bruce Wyrwitzke, Senior Director North America at PPDS, added: “As we grow and evolve as a business, so do our approaches to our communications and the way we present ourselves to the market. It’s not about bringing in the person with the most experience in AV; it’s about adding the best talent for our needs. Nicole’s background and extensive interchangeable skills made her the ideal candidate for this important role and have shone through ever since. On behalf of the team, I welcome Nicole to the company and wish her every success.”

Chandigarh, May 20: As temperatures rise and days get longer, there’s no better way to unwind than with a refreshing, café–style coffee—right at home. Whether it’s a chilled iced latte on a warm afternoon or a smooth, indulgent evening brew, Tata Coffee Gold’s premium, pure freeze-dried range brings together rich taste and irresistible aroma in five delightful flavours. Crafted for both hot and cold coffee creations, each variant transforms your everyday cup into a cool, summer-ready indulgence.

1. Original – The Classic Café Experience

For purists, the original variant delivers a rich, full-bodied taste with a heavenly aroma—thanks to its freeze-dried technology that locks in flavour perfectly for your everyday latte or cappuccino fix. 

2. Vanilla – Smooth & Comforting Indulgence

Add a touch of sweetness to your mornings with the Vanilla variant. Its smooth, mellow notes make it ideal for creamy lattes or iced coffees that feel like a warm hug in a cup.

3. Hazelnut – Nutty Café–Style Upgrade

For those who love a gourmet twist, Hazelnut brings a rich, nutty aroma that instantly elevates your coffee. Think café–style mochas and indulgent mid-day pick-me-ups—right at home. 

4. Brownie – Dessert in a Cup

Craving something indulgent? The Brownie variant transforms your coffee into a decadent treat—perfect for evening cravings or pairing with desserts for a café-like experience. 

5. Tiramisu – A Sophisticated Treat

Inspired by the classic Italian dessert, the Tiramisu variant blends coffee with creamy, cocoa-like notes—making every sip feel indulgent, layered, and luxurious.

With Tata Coffee Gold, your kitchen becomes your favourite café—one flavour at a time.

Kochi, May 19 : Muthoot Finance Ltd., India’s largest gold loan NBFC, has been ranked as the No. 1 Most Trusted Brand in the Financial Services category in TRA Research’s Brand Trust Report 2026, marking its 10th consecutive year of achieving this distinction.

The TRA Brand Trust Report is one of India’s most comprehensive syndicated studies on consumer trust, evaluating brands across sectors based on a robust framework that combines both rational and emotional drivers of trust, ultimately influencing buying intent.

This continued recognition reflects Muthoot Finance’s strong legacy of trust, customer-first approach, and consistent focus on delivering reliable, transparent, and accessible financial solutions to millions of customers across India. As India’s largest gold loan NBFC, the company has built deep-rooted relationships across urban and rural markets, supported by its extensive consolidated branch network of over 7,500 branches and presence across 29 states and union territories, reinforcing its position as a dependable and widely accessible financial partner. The company now serves over 2.5 lakh customers every day across India, reflecting its deep reach and strong trust among households.

Commenting on the achievement, Alexander George Muthoot, Joint Managing Director, Muthoot Finance, said,

 “Being recognised as India’s most trusted financial services brand for the 10th consecutive year is a matter of immense pride and responsibility for us. This milestone is a reflection of the unwavering trust our customers have placed in us across generations, and it inspires us to continue raising the bar in everything we do. At Muthoot Finance, trust is not just a value, but the foundation of our business. We have consistently focused on delivering transparent, customer-centric financial solutions while embracing innovation to meet evolving customer needs. As we move forward, we remain committed to strengthening this trust, expanding access to credit, and empowering individuals and businesses across India to achieve their financial goals.”

As a pioneer in formalising the gold loan segment in India, Muthoot Finance has played a pivotal role in transforming gold loans from an informal borrowing option into a structured, transparent, and widely accepted financial product. This recognition further reinforces how gold loans are increasingly being perceived as a smart, reliable, and trustworthy credit solution, particularly for households seeking quick and secure access to funds.

Muthoot Finance has also been certified as a Great Place to Work for five consecutive years by the Great Place to Work Institute, reflecting its sustained focus on employee wellbeing, a culture of trust, and a supportive, people-first work environment. The company was also recently recognised among the Top 50 India’s Best Workplaces™ in BFSI 2026 by Great Place to Work.

Muthoot Finance, which recently completed 15 years since its IPO, is also the first listed company from Kerala to cross a market capitalisation of ₹1 lakh crore and is a constituent of the NIFTY Next 50. The company is also classified as an Upper Layer NBFC. In addition, Muthoot Finance has undertaken extensive initiatives in CSR, and ISR, investing approximately ₹500 crore since 2014 and impacting over 5 million lives across India.

Muthoot Finance’s sustained leadership in the TRA Brand Trust rankings underscores its ability to build long-term relationships with customers by combining trust with service excellence and innovation. The recognition also highlights the company’s continued efforts in strengthening its brand equity while adapting to changing customer expectations and market dynamics.