Brands
Ranveer Singh joins Crossbond as brand ambassador for India push
Engineered wood brand taps star power to boost reach and design appeal
MUMBAI: Crossbond has signed Ranveer Singh as its brand ambassador, marking a key step in its efforts to expand visibility and strengthen its presence across the Indian market.
The engineered wood and decorative panel brand plans to roll out an integrated campaign featuring the actor, with a mix of print and visual media set to go live from early April. The campaign will spotlight its flagship products, including HDMR Max and Boiltough, with a focus on durability and reliability.
Backed by the Metro Group, Crossbond has built a portfolio spanning MDF, HDMR and particle boards, along with laminates, acrylic panels and flooring solutions. These products cater to a wide range of applications, from furniture manufacturing to interior design and architectural projects.
The company is positioning this association as more than just a celebrity endorsement. By bringing Singh on board, it aims to connect more deeply with architects, interior professionals, dealers and end consumers, while reinforcing its image as a modern, design-forward brand.
Speaking about the partnership, Ranveer Singh said he was drawn to the brand’s focus on strength and finish. “I’m excited to partner with Crossbond, a brand that stands for strength, reliability and modern design. Whether it’s furniture, interiors or modern spaces, strength and finish matter. That’s what Crossbond is all about.”
Crossbond managing director Ram Agarwal said, “This partnership with Ranveer Singh marks a proud milestone in Crossbond’s journey. His energy and individuality align strongly with our evolving brand vision. As we expand our presence across India, this collaboration reflects our commitment to inspiring a new era of design, craftsmanship and innovation.”
With new campaigns in the pipeline, the brand is betting on a blend of product strength and star appeal to stand out in a competitive category. If all goes to plan, Crossbond’s next phase of growth could be as bold and high-energy as its new ambassador.
Brands
AI becomes key tool for Indian travellers, Agoda report finds
68 per cent plan to use AI for trips as 33 per cent already rely on it.
MUMBAI: Holiday planning is getting a software upgrade less “Where should we go?” and more “What does the algorithm say?” Indian travellers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to map their journeys, with new data from Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report suggesting that AI is fast becoming central to how trips are imagined, planned and booked.
While 33 per cent of respondents said they already use AI tools for travel planning, a far larger 68 per cent indicated they are likely to rely on it for their next trip pointing to a sharp acceleration in adoption in a market already comfortable with digital-first travel.
What travellers want from AI, however, goes well beyond basic search. The report shows 38 per cent are looking for recommendations on local attractions and activities, while 37 per cent expect personalised itineraries. Destination discovery remains a key use case at 29 per cent, with dining suggestions (23 per cent) and budget management (22 per cent) also emerging as practical applications.
The shift reflects a broader change in expectations AI is no longer a novelty but a planning companion expected to work across every stage of the journey, from inspiration to execution.
Trust levels appear to be keeping pace. Nearly 88 per cent of respondents said they either trust or feel neutral about AI-generated recommendations, including 53 per cent who expressed clear confidence. This builds on earlier trends, with Agoda’s 2025 survey showing nine in ten Indian travellers already using apps to book travel suggesting AI adoption is more evolution than disruption.
The company has been testing this appetite through initiatives such as its 2025 AI-powered Vacation Planner campaign, which generated customised itineraries and visuals based on user inputs, delivered with a layer of celebrity-led engagement.
For platforms like Agoda, which aggregates more than 6 million properties, over 130,000 flight routes and 300,000 travel activities, AI offers a way to navigate scale without overwhelming users turning abundance into relevance.
As AI continues to embed itself into everyday decision-making, India is emerging as a market where travel planning is not just going digital, but decisively intelligent.
