The Morning Brief

Dr. Victoria Goodyear, an Associate Professor in Physical Activity, Sports & Health at the University of Birmingham, sheds light on the intricate relationship between smartphones and adolescent mental health. She discusses her research on phone policies in schools, revealing that bans don’t necessarily improve well-being. Emphasizing digital education, she calls for age-appropriate tech design and collaboration among schools, tech companies, and policymakers to support healthier development for youths in a digital era. Victoria's insights challenge conventional approaches, advocating for a nuanced understanding of technology's role.

Bishajit Dhar, a trade policy expert and Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, delves into the recent wave of tariffs announced by President Trump. He discusses the chaotic impact on global markets, particularly for India's auto, textiles, and electronics sectors. Dhar critiques the strategic use of tariffs and examines how India can navigate these challenges amid competitive pressures from countries like China and Vietnam. He emphasizes the need for India to bolster domestic industries and adapt its trade strategies during this turbulent time.

Pankhuri Harikrishnan, Founder & Director of Fetch Consulting, dives into the evolving landscape of the influencer economy. The discussion highlights a recent shift where brands are exercising caution and reevaluating their partnerships with influencers. Pankhuri explains the impact of recent controversies on content creators and the need for diversification to adapt to market changes. She also touches on the fluctuating income of creators and the shift from mega to micro influencers, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in this new environment.

Explore the dramatic fall of Gensol Engineering and BluSmart Mobility, as financial mismanagement and liquidity crises spiral out of control. Discover how their intertwined fates raise questions about business models in India's EV sector. Will BluSmart survive the fallout of its heavy reliance on Gensol? Plus, hear about Uber's potential interest in acquiring Gensol's vehicles and the challenges electric cab services face, from maintenance to charging infrastructure. The future of clean energy startups hangs in the balance.

Saloni Shukla, an accomplished banking analyst from ET, dives into the escalating crisis at IndusInd Bank. She unpacks alarming accounting discrepancies threatening massive losses, and the resulting regulatory investigations. Discussions on governance failures and leadership turmoil reveal the bank's precarious position. Who's accountable? Can trust be restored? Saloni also highlights the strategic shifts the bank must undertake to regain stability amidst scrutiny and market uncertainties.

David Ricks, Global CEO of Eli Lilly, shares insights on tackling chronic diseases in India with the launch of Manjaro for obesity and diabetes. He discusses the delicate balance of pricing strategies that ensure accessibility while remaining profitable. Ricks also emphasizes the power of strategic partnerships in enhancing healthcare, from local businesses to tech innovations. He sheds light on the transformative role of biotechnology in health solutions and the challenges posed by political and regulatory landscapes within the pharmaceutical industry.

Akshay Jatia, President and CEO of Westlife Foodworld, shares his journey with McDonald's in India, a brand that has thrived since 1996. He discusses how McDonald's is adapting its menu to local tastes while focusing on tier II and III cities for growth. Jatia highlights the evolution of the QSR market, driven by digital engagement and changing consumer preferences. He also delves into the competitive landscape and the unique position of McCafe, emphasizing the blend of Indian flavors with global offerings.

Teena Thacker, ET's pharma expert, joins a senior official from AIIMS, India’s largest hospital, to discuss alarming staff shortages impacting patient care. They reveal over 2,500 vacancies amidst rising demand, urging the health ministry for improved recruitment and compensation. The conversation also highlights delays in AIIMS' master plan due to bureaucratic hurdles and budget constraints, shedding light on the urgent need for reforms in India's healthcare system to tackle mismanagement and underutilization of resources.

What is common to Amitabh Bachchan, Arijit Singh, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff? They have all acquired legal approvals to protect their personality rights? That is to protect their voices, body scans, any other kind of likeness or personality trait from AI misuse, and read AI cloning for commercial use. A-list celebrities in India are incorporating clauses in their legal contracts with film producers to protect themselves from the harmful impact of synthetic media. Are these enough in a space with scant rules and awareness? Host Anirban Chowdhury talks to Sameer Nair, Managing Director at Applause Entertainment, Priyanka Sinha, Co-Founder & Partner at A&P Partners and creative consultant Amit A Vermaa.Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Corner Office Conversation with Maersk’s Keith Svendsen and Chris Cook, Tata, Airtel’s DTH merger: Will 2 Negatives make a Positive?, Tesla Tug-of-War: Maha, AP woo Elon Musk, and more! You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: Twitter and Linkedin Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on ET Play, The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX has partnered with Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio to bring Starlink’s satellite communication services to India. This landmark collaboration between a global space-tech pioneer and India’s telecom giants could redefine connectivity, bridging gaps in areas with limited land-based infrastructure and bringing mobile connectivity to the 400 million people who are unconnected or under connected. But what led to this partnership between companies that were bickering over spectrum allocation weeks back? What makes this low-earth orbit satellite technology so revolutionary, and how might it transform India’s telecom sector? And will this tie up, which clearly has larger geopolitical implications, hasten regulatory nods for satcom in India? Host Anirban Chowdhury along with ET’s telecom expert Kalyan Parbat decodes it all. Tune in. Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Corner Office Conversation with Maersk’s Keith Svendsen and Chris Cook, Tata, Airtel’s DTH merger: Will 2 Negatives make a Positive?, Tesla Tug-of-War: Maha, AP woo Elon Musk, and more! You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: Twitter and Linkedin Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on ET Play, The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.