The Modi government is planning a whole host of changes and introduction at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and Prasad Bharati if they end up at the front of the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections. The return of the original ‘orange’ Doordarshan logo is just the start, reported News18. 

As per News18, DD India will be worked upon to turn it into a global brand with bureaus in 15 countries. Prasar Bharati’s SHABD portal will become a global news agency by onboarding over 1000 media entities which will include foreign outlets. 

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/doordarshan-news-revamps-its-logo-29564.htm">Read More: Doordarshan News revamps its logo</a>

Furthermore, an AI Hub is being planned in the MIB and a Bharat NAMAN portal will be launched which will provide access to archival material and media access to common citizens. 

There are also talks about launching a ‘Global Media and Entertainment Summit’ to tackle fake news by explaining the existing PIB Fact Check Unit. Additionally, the The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) could see the introduction of a masters course.

This is part of the plan that has been drawn up as directed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ‘Modi 3.0’.

Modi 3.0's plans for Doordarshan and Prasar Bharati; Return to saffron logo just the start

As per News18, DD India will be worked upon to turn it into a global brand with bureaus in 15 countries.

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Shweta Jain joins Leela Group as chief marketing and sales officer

Shweta Jain joins The Leela Group as the chief marketing and sales officer

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Shweta Jain has joined hospitality major The Leela Group as chief marketing and sales officer. Jain was the chief business development officer: Luxury Reserve and Craft – India and South Asia at Diageo. 

Jain who is also a member Board of Directors, Nao Spirits and Beverages Private Ltd, was with Diageo for over six years working across teams. Prior to Diageo, she was the head of marketing at William Grant & Sons. Jain has also worked in companies like ShopsClues, Pernod Ricard India, Ogilvy, McCann Worldgroup, Gillette India, Rediffusion DY&R.

Headquartered in Mumbai, the Leela brand today, is owned by a Brookfield Asset Management-sponsored private real estate fund and operates twelve award-winning properties in major cities and leisure destinations across India. These include the flagship hotel in the capital city of New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Udaipur, Jaipur, Gurugram, East Delhi, Mumbai, Gandhinagar and Kovalam and Ashtamudi in Kerala. 

The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts was voted the World’s Best Hotel Brand twice in a row by Travel + Leisure, USA, World’s Best Awards Survey, 2020 and 2021. In 2023, the brand was once again featured in the top 3 World’s Best Hotel Brands. The brand has a marketing alliance with US-based Preferred Hotels & Resorts and is a member of the Global Hotel Alliance.


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Online sales of innerwear rose by over 80 percent during FY 2024 as compared to FY 2023, as per data analysed by e-commerce enablement SaaS platform Unicommerce. This shows the growing significance of online channels for innerwear sales. The data is based on the information analysed by Unicommerce relating to the innerwear brands utilising the Unicommerce platform.

The range of products bought online includes lingerie sets, bras, panties, sleepwear, swimwear and loungewear. Other categories that have clicked higher during this period include women's sportswear, activewear and shapewear.

Unicommerce data shows buyers from more than 340 cities utilising online channels for their innerwear purchase. In addition to tier - 1 cities and metropolitans like Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Bangalore, e-commerce order volumes across tier - 2 and  tier- 3 cities rise exponentially by over 75% and 80% respectively. These include cities like Jaipur, Lucknow, Rohtak, Surat, Patna, Nagpur, and Ranchi among many others. The wider adoption of online channels indicates greater comfort for consumers across smaller towns towards making their innerwear purchases online.

Unicommerce counts leading innerwear brands like VIP Clothing, Lux Industries, Monte Carlo, PepeJeans and Bummer among others as its clients. It powers their online sales through its various solutions including multi-channel order management, warehouse & inventory management and seller-management for marketplaces.

Underscoring the growing importance of online channels, Kanishk Pathare, D2C Head at VIP Clothing Limited added, “We have witnessed a prominent shift in consumer interest from conventional, off-the-shelf buying to an online-first shopping approach. As our technology partner, Unicommerce’s platform provides the operational support to manage orders through these channels efficiently and ensures greater strength of our e-commerce supply chain”.

New-age innerwear brand Bummer is an online-first D2C company which focuses on India’s huge millennial and GenZ audience. “We have been a pure play online platform offering a myriad of options for the digitally savvy youth through our website as well as multiple marketplaces. Online channels continue to witness the growing interest of online shoppers for our products. With Unicommerce’s technology solutions, our post-purchase operations are automated for smoother order processing further enhancing our inventory visibility across channels," said Irfan Mansuri, Head of Operations at Ballr Apparels Pvt. Ltd. (Bummer).

Innerwear is about increasing users' comfort by offering them a wide selection of design, fit, fabric, size, etc, which leads to a large number of SKUs. The category has further expanded due to the increasing popularity of new products like period panties, intimatewear and maternity innerwear. Unicommerce’s technology solutions manage a large number of SKUs to meet varied user demand. Unicommerce provides a sector and size agnostic platform to meet the different industry requirements with its comprehensive offerings for end-to-end management of e-commerce and retail operations.

Commenting on the growing demand for online shopping across the innerwear segment, Kapil Makhija, MD & CEO of Unicommerce said, “Online shopping is adding newer pathways for e-commerce segments like innerwear, leading brands to tap connect more effectively with their target audience. As a technology platform, we are committed to supporting brands, retailers and marketplaces by enhancing the efficiency of their post-purchase operations.”

With a growing Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) as of the quarter ending September 2023, Unicommerce has achieved a 750 million+ Annual Transaction run-rate, serving over 3500 customers, managing 8000+ warehouses, and processing orders from 1900+ stores through its platform.

Online sales of innerwear grows by over 80 percent in FY24: Unicommerce

Apparel Group, a global fashion and lifestyle conglomerate, has partnered with Myntra to expand the presence of Victoria's Secret in India. 

Through this strategic partnership, Victoria's Secret will bolster their presence on Myntra. 


Victoria’s Secret will cover segments like lingerie, lounge wear, personal care products, bags and wallets. 


Commenting on the partnership with Myntra, Tushar Ved, president of Apparel Group India, added “Partnerships are key to unlocking new opportunities and achieving greater success. By joining forces with Myntra, we can leverage their expertise in e-commerce and digital marketing to enhance our virtual presence in India and offer customers an unparalleled shopping experience.”


Speaking on the partnership, Venu Nair, CXO - strategic partnerships & omnichannel, Myntra, said, "We are thrilled to onboard Victoria's Secret onto our platform. This collaboration not only signifies a strategic step in expanding our brand portfolio but also highlights the synergistic alliance between Myntra and the Apparel Group. By leveraging Myntra's robust e-commerce ecosystem and digital marketing prowess, coupled with Apparel Group's commitment to global fashion, we are poised to redefine the Indian fashion landscape. This association not only strengthens our foothold in the market but also reinforces our dedication to offering our customers an unparalleled shopping experience. Together, we are committed to bringing forth a diverse array of high-quality, innovative fashion choices, ensuring that every individual can express themselves authentically through their style.”


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Apparel Group partners with Myntra to expand Victoria's Secret's presence in India

Mankind Pharma has launched a nationwide campaign on the occasion of World Hypertension Day called 'Limit White India'. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the dangers of excessive salt and sugar consumption which with other factors like sedentary lifestyle and obesity can be a major risk factor for hypertension.

Studies have shown that 1 in 4 adults in India suffer from hypertension and 101 million people in India which is about 11.4% of the country's population, are living with diabetes. Diabetes and hypertension are often referred together as "partners in crime" due to their closely linked impact on global health. It is common knowledge that these conditions not only coexist but exacerbate each other, creating a compounded risk of severe health issues such as cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and kidney failure.  The 'Limit White India' campaign focuses on educating Indians to limit their intake of 'whites' like salt and sugar. The campaign emphasises the need for gradual lifestyle changes to improve cardiovascular health. With the goal of driving a three-year awareness program, Mankind Pharma aims to partner with healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the management of hypertension and diabetics across the country. 

"Hypertension is a silent killer, and Mankind Pharma is committed to tackling it head-on through the 'Limit White India' campaign." said Dr Sanjay Koul, Chief Marketing Officer, Mankind Pharma Ltd. "Excessive salt and sugar are significant contributors to uncontrolled blood pressure levels and blood sugar levels. Studies have shown Indians on average consume five times the WHO recommended quantity of sugar annually. By raising awareness and promoting lifestyle modifications, we aim to empower people to make informed choices for their well-being."

 As part of the campaign, Mankind Pharma will engage cardiologists, endocrinologists, diabetologists, general practitioners, and the public through educational initiatives. These include conducting journal clubs, distributing 'Cardiac Cognizance' newsletters, radio awareness programs with doctors, and blood pressure screening camps nationwide.

Mankind Pharma launches campaign on the occasion of World Hypertension Day

Amidst the ongoing water crisis in Bangalore and BWSSB’s mandate for aerators to be installed across all commercial establishments, Swiggy Instamart has partnered with Earth Fokus, a company offering water-saving solutions, to deliver water aerators to consumers in the city within 10 minutes.

As several areas in Bangalore continue grapple with the water crisis, the demand for water aerators, crucial for water conservation, has surged. In the last week, Swiggy Instamart has seen an 1400% increase in the searches for aerators on its platform compared to a month ago. These aerators are easy to install and have an instant impact resulting in a reduction of water consumption by more than 70% of water from kitchen taps and up to 50% from showers. With this, a family of four can save more than 50,000 litres of water annually. 

According to the BWSSB, water aerators and flow restrictors can lower water usage by around 60%-85%. This has prompted a proactive response from citizens and organisations alike, with a notable uptick in installing aerators across water bodies in the city. 

Swiggy Instamart has stocked three major types of aerators - Kitchen, Bath/Basin Tap, and water flow restrictors for overhead showers. The quick commerce platform plans to procure over 5000 aerators for Bangalore to meet the growing demand.

 To have quick access to this water-conserving practice, Swiggy Instamart will expand it to Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi-NCR, and Hyderabad. The platform is running discounts of up to 40% off on aerators to urge the installation of water aerators in a maximum number of households in the city

Swiggy Instamart to deliver aerators in 10 minutes amid ongoing water crisis in Bangalore

boAt, a brand in the consumer electronics market, has announced a collaboration with some of the filmmakers – Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar, Kabir Khan, and Guneet Monga. This collaboration marks the launch of boAt's latest innovation, Airdopes 800, a product powered by Dolby Audio.

Each filmmaker will contribute a distinctive narrative, sharing their personal encounters with the Airdopes 800 and how it enhances their creative process, stated the company.


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“We are thrilled to partner with these incredible filmmakers for the launch of the Airdopes 800,” said Aman Gupta, co-founder and CMO at boAt. “Their expertise in storytelling impeccably complements the Airdopes 800's ability to transport listeners into the heart of the action. We believe this collaboration will resonate deeply with movie lovers and audiophiles alike.”


boAt and the filmmakers will collaborate on content that explores the intersection of film and audio.


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boAt partners with Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar, Kabir Khan & Guneet Monga for Airdopes 800 launch campaign

CEAT announced a significant shift in its communication identity and strategy. This transformation seeks to resonate with the changing lifestyles and preferences of the contemporary consumers who are increasingly embracing travel, exploration, and adventure.

The new strategy positions CEAT as the ideal companion for exploration. This approach aligns with the shift being witnessed towards all-terrain vehicles and high-performance off-road bikes, as well as the growing interest in travel and discovery. 

As part of the newly launched campaign, CEAT has leveraged its decade long association with TATA IPL Strategic Timeout to deliver its brand message. The CEAT Strategic Timeout board has been transformed in line with the new positioning and will continue to remain so throughout this TATA IPL season. The board colours changed from the traditional blue to integrate the campaign colours along with an interactive QR code that sparked curiosity inviting consumers to scan the code and unlock the next step.

Arnab Banerjee, MD & CEO of CEAT Limited, commented on the strategic evolution, saying, “CEAT’s transformation underscores our dedication to staying in tune with the aspirations of our consumers. Our new brand communication emphasizes our support for the explorer mindset of discovering hidden gems which are accessible during their travels. This move represents our ongoing commitment to exceeding consumer expectations and delivering high-quality products that inspire confidence in every journey, whether on road or off road.”

Lakshmi Narayanan B, CMO of CEAT Limited, elaborated on the campaign’s direction: “Our new approach incorporates partnerships with prominent travel influencers to showcase the versatility and durability of our tyres in various unexplored yet accessible locales. This series of two-part campaigns is not just a visual treat, but also ignites intrigue and curiosity among our consumers through the novel interactive QR element embedded in the ads. Our high-performance products have been crafted for the curious enabling their passion for adventure and discovery.”

The campaign features captivating visuals and influencer-led storytelling, highlighting CEAT’s products in challenging environments. The first advertisement which is live on TV and social media features Brinda Sharma, a prominent travel influencer.
 


CEAT unveils transformed TATA IPL strategic timeout board aligning with new campaign

Hetarth Patel, who led WebEngage as vice president - MEA and managing director - UAE, has been elevated to the position of vice president - growth markets (MEA, Americas, APAC).

Patel began his career at Idea Cellular and went on to work across Comverse, Telenity, Flytxt and Oracle.

As the director - strategy and sales development, strategic accounts ECEMEA at Oracle, Patel headed strategy and sales development for strategic accounts across Eastern and Central Europe, CIS, Russia, Middle East and Africa with a focus on customer experience (CX) portfolio across industries. 

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WebEngage elevates Hetarth Patel to vice president - growth markets (MEA, Americas, APAC)

Following the resounding success of its Bengaluru and Pune edition, Moneycontrol and CNBC-TV18’s AI Alliance is set to host its next chapter, themed ‘AI: Shaping the Future of NCR’ on May 17, 2024, at The Oberoi, Gurgaon. The summit promises to highlight the transformative potential of AI across various industries and its pivotal role in shaping the future of the National Capital Region (NCR).

 
Known for its diverse array of IT/BPM firms, multinational corporations, and a thriving startup ecosystem, NCR has been a key contributor to India's prominence in the technology sector. With its inherent advantages, tech talent and potential in AI innovation, NCR was a natural choice for the AI alliance.

 
The AI Alliance in NCR will serve as a platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators, fostering collaboration and charting a path for NCR's AI-driven future.

 
The event will be graced by distinguished speakers such as S Krishnan (Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology), Abhishek Singh (Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology), Rajan Anandan (Managing Director, Peak XV Partners) Kunal Bahl (Co-Founder, Snapdeal and Titan Capital), Rafee Tarafdar (CTO, Infosys), Prateek Maheshwari (co-founder PhysicsWallah) Varun Alagh (co-founder and CEO, Honasa Consumer) Mayank Kumar (Co-founder & MD, upGrad), Pratham Mittal (Founder, Masters’ Union) and Ruchi Kalra (Co-Founder, OfBusiness and Oxyzo).

 
The event will also have top executives from Nandan Nilekani's people+ai to take the audience through why India can emerge as the AI use case capital of the world.

 
Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights as the discussions touch upon themes ranging from India’s AI mission, AI regulation and policy, impact of AI on the IT sector, building population scale AI, its implications on education, to the essentials of building a thriving AI startup ecosystem in the region. The audience will also get a chance to interact with founders, policymakers, and thought leaders, and explore networking opportunities and potential collaborations.

 
Chandra R Srikanth, deputy executive editor, Moneycontrol said, "With the NCR city chapter of AI Alliance, we are deepening our commitment towards fostering and building an AI community in India and shining a light on its impact across sectors. Just as our Pune edition highlighted the city's vibrant auto, Saas and deep tech ecosystem, this event will delve into NCR's tech DNA and the opportunities it can leverage in the AI era. It will serve as a platform to boost collaboration and innovation."
 

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Nepal's Department of Food Technology and Quality Control has banned the import, consumption and sale of two Indian spice brands Everest and MDH as it starts testing for levels of ethylene oxide. Reportedly, the country banned these two spice brands after the news about high levels of ethylene oxide traces in the products.


"Everest and MDH brand spices which are being imported in Nepal have been banned from import. This comes after the news about traces of harmful chemicals in the spices, ban on import was imposed a week earlier and we also have banned the sales of it in the market," Mohan Krishna Maharjan, spokesperson of Nepal's Department of Food Technology and Quality Control told ANI.


"Tests are underway for the chemicals in the spices of these two particular brands. The ban will remain in place until the final report comes up. Hong Kong and Singapore already have banned it, this move comes following their move," Maharjan added in a telephone conversation with ANI.


Indian Government sources told ANI that the use of EtO is allowed in different countries from 0.73 percent to up to 7 percent.


Government sources said a standard should be devised for the use of EtO by different countries. Also, the spices banned in these countries are less than one percent of India's total spice exports. Meanwhile, the Spice Board of India has taken steps to ensure the safety and quality of Indian spice exports to these regions.


The board has implemented the recommendations of the Techno-Scientific Committee, which conducted the root cause analysis, inspected processing facilities, and collected samples for testing in accredited labs. The Spice Board of India also organised a stakeholder consultation involving over 130 exporters and associations, such as the All India Spices Exporters Forum and the Indian Spice and Foodstuff Exporters' Association. The board has also issued the guidelines for the EtO treatment to all exporters. The spice board has taken these steps to prevent EtO contamination in spices exported from India.


In April, the Hong Kong food safety watchdog banned four spice products of Indian brands MDH and Everest after they found they contained cancer-causing chemicals, ethylene oxide.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/fssai-orders-nationwide-spice-testing-after-ethylene-oxide-concerns-in-popular-brands-30677.htm">FSSAI orders nationwide spice testing after Ethylene Oxide concerns in popular brands</a>

Ipsos, a market research company, announced the acquisition of Crownit. This company provides a mobile and online panel and data collection platform. 


Crownit's mobile-first strategy empowers Ipsos to digitise a large part of its offline research capabilities. This approach enhances digital sample representativeness, resulting in faster, high-quality data collection and improved efficiency.


Ben Page, chief executive officer of Ipsos, commented: “This acquisition marks a significant step in expanding Ipsos India's data collection capabilities, by shifting from traditional offline methods to a more agile and efficient online approach, and by improving data quality and security. It supports our growth in India, enabling us to reach a wider audience and to gather more robust insights for our clients.” 


Sameer Grover, CEO of Crownit, added, "Joining the Ipsos family is an important milestone for our company. We are excited to leverage our mobile-first platform and expertise to enhance Ipsos' data collection capabilities and support their vision of the future of market research in India. We are excited to serve our clients with combined strengths of Ipsos and Crownit.” 


“Speaking on the acquisition of Crownit, a leading online market research and mobile-first platform, Amit Adarkar, CEO, Ipsos India said, “Crownit’s mobile-first capability and panel ecosystem will significantly up Ipsos’ ability to offer a high quality and representative online/ mobile access. Despite its size and maturity, Indian market research industry has not been able to drive online / mobile data collection so far. Ipsos’ acquisition of Crownit will be a game changing development for the industry. We will be able to offer our clients increased agility, as well as cutting edge innovations in data collection methodologies. This would indeed be transformational.”


This acquisition will provide clients with access to a more diverse and representative pool of respondents.


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Ipsos acquires market research platform Crownit

Sports brand PUMA India is the official kit sponsor of leading sports body Athletics Federation of India (AFI), ushering in a new era of high performance for the country’s athletes. In a historic multi-year deal, PUMA will now supply high quality performance kits and travel gear to every single athlete under AFI and representing India in track & field, jumps, throws, cross country running and marathons at both domestic and international tournaments.


PUMA will equip over 400 athletes with competitive edge, ensuring that every milli-second is maximised to its fullest advantage.


As a global sports brand, PUMA is invested in 17 federations such as Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association, Cuban Athletics Federation, Brazilian Athletics Confederation, Athletics New Zealand and Portuguese Athletics Federation, to name a few. PUMA’s partnership with AFI is set to intensify the sports brand’s commitment to amplify sports culture in India and serve as a catalyst for the development, growth and success of the country’s accomplished and next generation of athletes.


Arne Freundt, chief executive officer, PUMA SE, said, “More than 75 years ago, PUMA’s founder Rudolf Dassler had the vision to develop products for athletes that would give them the speed, the agility and the nimbleness of a puma. We are excited that we can now bring this spirit to the Athletics Federation of India. India is one of the most dynamic markets and we hope that by achieving success with the Athletics Federation of India, we can together inspire the next generation of athletes.”


Karthik Balagopalan, managing director, PUMA India said, “At PUMA, we strongly believe in serving the athletes and helping them realise their full potential with our world class leading products. We are thrilled to partner with the Athletics Federation of India and help our athletes perform at the highest levels in various sporting disciplines across the globe. Together with Athletics Federation of India, we will accelerate this transformative journey in Indian athletics.”


“Our association with PUMA represents a significant milestone for India’s athletes. With their high-quality gear, we are not only enhancing the performance of athletes but also creating a culture of excellence within the country’s sporting community. We are confident that this partnership will propel Indian athletics to new heights on the global stage,” said Adille Sumariwalla, President, Athletics Federation of India.


With this, several international icons such as Neeraj Chopra (javelin throw), Kishore Kumar Jena (javelin throw), Parul Chaudhary (steeplechase), Murali Sreeshankar (long jump), Jyothi Yarraji (hurdle), Priyanka Goswami (race walk) and Jeswin Aldrin (long jump) will be seen sporting PUMA’s gear across sporting events. Kitting under this partnership does not include Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.


Commenting on the partnership, javelin throw champion Neeraj Chopra said, “As an athlete training for 12 years, I know the importance of high-quality gear for high-level practice. With Athletics Federation of India teaming up with global sports brand PUMA, Indian athletes across all levels will now have access to training gear of international excellence, assisting us to express our best in our game now. This partnership signals the bright future of Indian sport.”


Kishore Kumar Jena, Asian Games silver medalist, added, “PUMA and Athletics Federation of India teaming up to invest in athletes is a big milestone for the Indian sporting scene. I am extremely excited to see how this partnership will transform our game at tournaments worldwide and help us turn our dreams into reality.”


Subha Venkatesan, 4x400 m relay runner and Paris 2024 qualified, commented, “I am extremely happy to see the collective commitment of Athletics Federation of India and PUMA towards nurturing the next generation of sporting talent and fostering a culture of success in the country. I am confident that this partnership will bring out the best in me and help me achieve my goals this year.”


The association between PUMA and AFI is facilitated by IOS Sports & Entertainment. In response to the partnership Neerav Tomar, MD, IOS Sports & Entertainment, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, ”This partnership marks a significant moment for Indian athletes. By facilitating this deal between AFI and PUMA, we are not only equipping our athletes with top-notch gear but also highlighting our collective commitment to nurturing sporting talent and fostering a culture of success. Together, we are laying the foundation for a brighter future for Indian sports.”


Over the years, PUMA has forged partnerships with diverse sporting teams, encompassing global and Indian football giants such as Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Mumbai City FC, and Bengaluru FC, as well as IPL teams, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals. The brand also boasts a star-studded line-up of brand ambassadors featuring batting icon Virat Kohli, champion sprinter Usain Bolt, football star Neymar Jr, celebrated boxer MC Mary Kom, and cricketers Harmanpreet Kaur and Mohammed Shami.


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