‘Coco’: Tata Play introduces AI-powered puppy mascot

Tata Play has introduced Coco, an AI-assisted puppy mascot set to represent the brand across all consumer touchpoints. Developed in collaboration with Ogilvy and Aesthetic Intelligence Labs, Coco is among the first mascots in the Indian entertainment industry built using a generative AI-led creative workflow, spanning character design, narrative development, and campaign production.

Coco will appear across television and digital platforms, the Tata Play Mobile App, and customer communication touchpoints. The campaign also marks a significant leap in how character-based storytelling can be generated with scale through AI-augmented systems.

While Coco was originally designed through traditional techniques, his production was powered by a hybrid pipeline of 15+ AI tools that combined handcrafted animation with generative AI tools, motion models, and custom visual logic engines. To address challenges like inconsistent textures and expressions, the team built a dedicated visual dataset of over 8,000 frames, enabling AI to replicate Coco’s emotional and physical range with precision.

Tata Play has strategically used AI to enhance speed, consistency, and scalability, delivering a campaign that combines the richness of traditional animation and precision of modern AI. Through short-format films developed entirely using generative AI, the campaign introduces a fresh, humanised tone to product features, platform benefits, and service messaging.

Speaking about the campaign, Krishnendu Dasgupta, Head – Marketing Communications, Tata Play, said, “At Tata Play, innovation is always guided by one principle, to make the customer experience simpler, more intuitive and impactful. Our use of generative AI at this scale underscores our commitment to leveraging technology in ways that are not just efficient, but also creatively distinct. As consumer attention shifts across platforms and formats, our storytelling must evolve too. Coco is a step in that direction, designed to make Tata Play more relatable, memorable, and seamlessly present across every touchpoint. It reflects our belief that great technology must always make things simpler for the end consumer.”

Coco serves not just as a mascot, but as a consistent, emotionally engaging brand asset designed to evolve with changing media behaviour. It also demonstrates how methodical use of AI can unlock scalable, high-impact storytelling without losing authenticity.

Speaking about conceiving Coco’s stories, Sukesh Nayak, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy, said “The idea was to create an identity for Tata Play that is universally loved and instantly relatable. Coco was unanimously voted the perfect fit. Coco embodies the brand’s essence of being reliable, friendly, and always there when you need it. Through 20-second short and sweet stories, we have created moments of joy that showcase the features of the brand in a natural and engaging manner.”

"As technology continues to reshape the world of creative communication, Tata Play's collaboration with us to bring Coco to life is a testament to the exciting potential of AI-driven storytelling. At Aesthetic Intelligence Lab, our focus is on blending artistry with cutting-edge technology, and Coco embodies this perfect fusion. By leveraging generative AI and a custom-trained visual dataset, we were able to push the boundaries of design fidelity and emotional resonance, ensuring that Coco not only captivates but also connects with audiences at a deeper level. This initiative demonstrates how technology can be fused with traditional mediums to create compelling, scalable narratives that remain authentic and emotionally engaging, revolutionizing the way brands communicate with their audiences," said Carol Goyal, Executive Director, Aesthetic Intelligence Lab.