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Category: MAM

  • Ishaan Khatter suits up as the next big face in Boss global campaign

    Ishaan Khatter suits up as the next big face in Boss global campaign

    MUMBAI: Behold the new Boss move Indian star Ishaan Khatter has officially joined the cast of Hugo Boss’ Fall/Winter 2025 campaign, Be the Next, putting a bold spin on the brand’s iconic “be your own boss” platform.

    Khatter, who recently dazzled at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival with his Hollywood breakout Homebound, is now fronting the campaign as one of its global faces, alongside English actor (and future DC superhero) Aaron Pierre, K-pop megastar S.Coups of Seventeen, tennis ace Taylor Fritz, and fashion’s fastest-rising model, Amelia Gray. Together, the eclectic line-up embodies the campaign’s mantra of ambition, individuality, and rewriting the rulebook.

    The campaign film charts Khatter’s symbolic walk through a tunnel towards a radiant light mirroring his own artistic journey from Mumbai’s indie films to the global stage. Styled in rich textures and sleek tonal layers from the Boss FW25 collection, he embodies the modern Boss: risk-taker, rule-breaker, and legacy-maker.

    Speaking about his new role, Khatter said:“It’s about staying true to yourself, pushing boundaries, and constantly striving to grow. For me, it’s not just about success but about the journey and the stories we create along the way.”

    With its global cast, the campaign will hit the streets (and screens) through a 360-degree blitz billboards lighting up major world cities, high-traffic outdoor spots, and a digital push across platforms. The collection itself will roll out in Boss stores worldwide, online at boss.com, and through wholesale partners.

    For Khatter, hailed as Bollywood’s “It Boy” gone international, this campaign cements his place not just as a rising actor but as a global style force. For Boss, it’s another step in reframing power dressing for a generation that’s hungry to own its narrative.

  • Apparel Group snaps up LVMH marketing veteran for India push

    Apparel Group snaps up LVMH marketing veteran for India push

    MUMBAI: Apparel group has hired Aditi Chakravarty from luxury giant LVMH to spearhead marketing for its sprawling Indian retail empire, signalling ambitious plans to deepen its penetration in the subcontinent’s booming consumer market.

    Chakravarty, who joins as head of marketing, brings formidable credentials from her stint at Moët Hennessy, where she orchestrated the rise of India from sixth to third place globally for the luxury spirits portfolio between 2021 and 2024. Her precision-crafted campaigns for premium whisky brands Glenmorangie and Ardbeg achieved “outsized share of voice” in India’s heavily regulated alcohol market.

    The appointment positions her to oversee marketing for 14 international brands including Aldo, Charles & Keith, Bath & Body Works, Victoria’s Secret and R&B across Apparel Group’s 250-plus Indian stores and digital platforms.

    Her career trajectory reads like a masterclass in modern marketing warfare. At Unilever, she delivered €1.2m in cost savings whilst driving global growth for Lifebuoy, the world’s largest skin-cleansing brand. She then pioneered Hindustan Unilever’s first online-only premium skincare brand, Aviance, scaling it to Rs 50 crore in India’s nascent e-commerce landscape.

    The marketing maven’s most impressive feat came at OmniActive Health Technologies, where she led nutritional supplements brand Setu from zero to a Rs 100 crore direct-to-consumer roadmap, delivering eight-fold growth in six months through what she describes as “earned-owned media mix, funnel optimisation, and lifecycle automation”.

    Her 15-year career spans blue-chip corporations including PepsiCo, where she cut her teeth in innovation and procurement for brands like Kurkure and Baked Lays, and a spell at DCM Shriram managing key accounts across India’s rural retail chain Hariyali Kisan Bazar.

    The hire reflects Apparel group’s determination to leverage India’s consumer boom, as international fashion and beauty brands increasingly view the market as essential to global growth strategies. With her track record of translating “market insights into integrated communication plans that grow brand love, share, and value,”  Chakravarty appears well-equipped for the challenge.

    Her personal motto—”Work hard. Speak the truth. Get your hands dirty”—suggests Apparel Group has found someone unafraid of the gritty realities of retail warfare in one of the world’s most competitive consumer markets.

  • Oneindia cashes in with Anand Sreenivasan as monetisation head

    Oneindia cashes in with Anand Sreenivasan as monetisation head

    MUMBAI: Oneindia is betting big on fresh leadership to fuel its next growth spurt. The digital news platform has roped in Anand Sreenivasan as its national head of monetisation and special projects, tasking him with steering revenue growth and bolstering advertiser partnerships across the country. For Sreenivasan, the mandate is expansive: drive sales strategy, client engagement, and revenue delivery across Oneindia’s bouquet of offerings, including digital, video, branded content, and strategic solutions. He will also be responsible for nurturing regional sales teams and connecting brands to millions of users in multiple Indian languages through campaigns that are not only data-driven but culturally resonant.

    The timing is crucial. India’s digital story is increasingly being written in vernacular tongues, and Oneindia already a strong player in multilingual media, is positioning itself to lead that charge. With over 20 years of experience, Sreenivasan brings the kind of firepower the company needs to capitalise on this moment.

    He most recently served as national head of branded content at Republic World until 2022, after stints at Quint Digital, AETN Media, and 9X Media.

    Explaining the move Oneindia CEO Ravanan N said: “In my first conversation with Anand Sreenivasan, I saw a leader who not only understands the market but also sees where it’s headed. His track record in building revenue engines and forging deep client relationships makes him invaluable as we strengthen our leadership in the multilingual digital space.”

    Sreenivasan himself is bullish on the challenge: “India’s digital growth story is being written in multiple languages, and Oneindia is at the forefront of that transformation. My goal is to unlock the full commercial potential of our reach and deliver campaigns that don’t just advertise, but truly resonate with audiences across every region and culture.”

    With 1,000-plus advertisers already on its roster and a growing user base across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, and more, Oneindia is looking to Sreenivasan’s vision and experience to cash in on the multilingual boom and deepen its footprint in the country’s diverse digital landscape.
     

  • BBH beefs up brainpower with new EVPs and creative leadership boosts

    BBH beefs up brainpower with new EVPs and creative leadership boosts

    MUMBAI: BBH India is turning up the creative volume and the leadership dial. The Publicis Groupe agency has strengthened its senior bench with the appointment of Delon Mascarenhas and Mitushi Sharma as executive vice presidents, while also elevating Ashwin Palkar and Nisheeth Srivastava to senior executive creative directors.

    The shake-up comes as BBH India enjoys a hot streak: fresh business wins, deeper partnerships, and international recognition, including a Bronze Lion at Cannes Lions 2025 for its cheeky “Bassi Vs Garnier Men’s Facewash” campaign. It also bagged the No. 3 spot in India on the MMA Smarties Business Impact Index 2024 underlining its momentum.

    Mascarenhas, who re-joins BBH, brings more than 25 years of experience spanning brand strategy, content, and digital marketing. His career highlights include senior stints at DDB Mudra Group, Edelman India, Havas Life, and Tring, working with marquee brands like McDonald’s, HUL, Red Bull, Meesho, Dream11, and Abbott.

    Sharma comes in with over 23 years of advertising chops, most recently at FCB Interface, and a portfolio covering categories from FMCG to pharma. She has shaped strategies for global and Indian heavyweights including Nivea, Whirlpool, Mahindra, Torrent Pharma, and has played a pivotal role in managing Unilever brands such as Lakme, Domex, and Ayush.

    Ashwin Palkar and Nisheeth Srivastava’s elevation signals BBH’s push for creative firepower and talent development. Both will continue reporting to chief creative officer Parikshit Bhattacharya.

    Commenting on the appointments BBH India MD and COO Himanshu Saxena said: “With Delon and Mitushi, we’re doubling down on our belief in creativity that delivers full-funnel marketing effectiveness. This leadership is built to take us into the next growth phase.”

    For Mascarenhas, it’s a homecoming: “I’m excited to re-join BBH India at this pivotal moment. With a strong team and bold vision, the opportunity to shape brands in today’s evolving landscape is immense.”

    Sharma echoed the sentiment: “BBH has always stood out for blending cultural insight, creativity, and strategy. With technology changing consumer mindsets, I look forward to pushing boundaries and fuelling exponential growth.”

    With 2025 already stacked with wins, fresh leadership firepower could ensure BBH India continues to punch above its weight in the global creative ring.
     

  • Game for exports Winzo, SEPC join hands to power Made in India gaming

    Game for exports Winzo, SEPC join hands to power Made in India gaming

    MUMBAI: India’s gaming industry just scored a big power-up. The Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) and Winzo, the country’s largest social gaming platform, have inked a three-year MoU to catapult “Made in India” games onto the global stage.

    With India already accounting for 20 per cent of the world’s gaming user base and 15.1 per cent of all global app downloads, the partnership is designed to strengthen India’s claim on the 300 billion dollars global gaming market. The sector, which attracted USD 3 billion in FDI over the last five years, is home to 1,888 gaming startups and is projected to grow from 3.7 billion dollars in 2024 to USD 9.1 billion dollars by 2029, clocking a 19.6 per cent CAGR.

    As part of the tie-up, Winzo will showcase Indian developers and their IP at Gamescom, Germany, this month Europe’s largest gaming expo before taking them to other global events. The initiative aims to connect Indian talent with publishers, investors, and industry leaders, opening fresh avenues for international collaboration.

    The MoU also promises to address persistent ecosystem hurdles like startup incubation, funding, monetisation, and talent development, while scaling Winzo’s Bharat Tech Triumph programme, which has previously spotlighted Indian developers at GDC, Gamescom LATAM, and Startup Mahakumbh.

    A cornerstone of the alliance is Winzo’s Global Centre of Excellence (GCoE), set up with DPIIT, to champion Indian gaming IP worldwide. The focus: protecting IP, attracting more FDI, and building a skilling pipeline for developers, influencers, innovators, and students fuelling India’s creator economy and new-age jobs.

    “This initiative will have a profound impact on game developers, empowering them with new opportunities and a global platform,” said SEPC Chairman Karan Rathore. Winzo co-founder Saumya Singh Rathore added, “The socio-economic potential of online gaming can create multifold opportunities for skilling, jobs, and IP exports, supporting India’s journey to a 5 trillion dollars economy.”

    With prime minister Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision as backdrop, this first-of-its-kind national-level collaboration seeks nothing less than securing India’s rightful 20 per cent share of the global gaming industry matching its user strength with export muscle.
     

  • Swiss army knife brand lands Unilever pro as marketing chief

    Swiss army knife brand lands Unilever pro as marketing chief

    MUMBAI: Victorinox India has recruited Avirup Mukhopadhyay as its head of marketing, hiring  the seasoned marketer from wellness brand True Elements where he spent over three years. The appointment signals the Swiss army knife maker’s intent to sharpen its marketing edge in the competitive Indian consumer market.

    Mukhopadhyay joins Victorinox this month after a stellar run at True Elements, where he rose from category lead to assistant vice-president of marketing. During his tenure at the Mumbai-based health food company, he orchestrated brand strategy across multiple geographies, managed profit-and-loss responsibilities, and crafted go-to-market strategies for both traditional and alternative channels.

    His most visible achievement at True Elements was the Black Pack Anthem campaign featuring cricket star Rohit Sharma, which positioned the brand around its “100 per cent real, nothing artificial” promise. The campaign exemplified his knack for marrying celebrity endorsements with authentic brand messaging.

    The 15-year marketing veteran brings impressive credentials from blue-chip companies. He spent nearly three years at Unilever, where he cut his teeth on the iconic Kissan brand, developing everything from penetration packs priced at Rs 15 to comprehensive brand-building strategies. His Unilever stint included roles spanning brand management, trade marketing for modern retail, and territory sales across Kolkata.

    Between his Unilever chapters, Mukhopadhyay had a brief but notable six-month tenure at Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, where he was tasked with building the Rebalanz energy drink brand across key Indian markets. The “27 per cent less sugar” positioning he developed demonstrated his ability to navigate the increasingly health-conscious consumer landscape.

    His career began in financial services at Bajaj Allianz before pivoting to FMCG, with early roles at HCL Infosystems. A summer internship at Unilever during his MBA studies proved fortuitous, eventually opening doors to his full-time role at the Anglo-Dutch giant.

    For Victorinox, known globally for its multi-tool expertise but still building brand awareness in India’s crowded lifestyle market, Mukhopadhyay’s track record of scaling brands across price points and channels could prove invaluable. His experience spans everything from mass-market detergents to premium wellness products—precisely the range needed to navigate India’s bifurcated consumer market.

    The appointment reflects a broader trend of heritage European brands investing heavily in Indian marketing talent as they seek to crack the subcontinent’s complex consumer preferences.

  • EGF levels up comms game with Gaurav Shangari as policy outreach lead

    EGF levels up comms game with Gaurav Shangari as policy outreach lead

    MUMBAI: In India’s fast-evolving gaming arena, the E-Gaming Federation (EGF) has just played a power move appointing Gaurav Shangari as its new director of policy Communication & Outreach. A seasoned communications strategist with over 15 years’ experience, Shangari steps into the role to spearhead EGF’s policy messaging, media relations, and ecosystem outreach at a time when the online skill gaming industry is battling regulatory headwinds while chasing explosive growth.

    Previously a Avian We group business director at Shangari led ESG, sustainability, and policy communication for big names like Pepsico India, Wadhwani Foundation, Godrej Enterprises group, and The Convergence Foundation.

    “With Gaurav, we’re strengthening our ability to shape a forward-looking narrative for gaming and engage more deeply with policymakers, media, and civil society,” said EGF CEO Anuraag Saxena. “His track record in driving impactful campaigns will be pivotal in advancing our mission of integrity and innovation in gaming.”

    For Shangari, this is more than a corporate posting, it’s personal. “This is a landmark era for India’s gaming landscape,” he said. “As both a gamer and a communications practitioner, I look forward to shaping gaming’s role as a driver of India’s digital economy, powered by creativity and skill.”

    Backed by Shangari’s storytelling playbook, EGF is doubling down on its quest to create a safe, trusted, and well-regulated online gaming ecosystem. And if the industry is gearing up for its next big leap, the Federation clearly wants the narrative to sound as sharp as the gameplay.
     

  • Flam turns up the volume with 80dB for its mixed reality storytelling

    Flam turns up the volume with 80dB for its mixed reality storytelling

    MUMBAI: When reality isn’t enough, Flam makes it mixed and now, it has found the perfect partner to shout it out loud. 80dB Communications, an integrated reputation management advisory, has bagged the communications mandate for Flam, the AI-powered mixed reality publishing platform that lets brands deliver immersive, app-free 3D experiences. The tie-up will see 80dB craft and drive Flam’s communications strategy, amplifying visibility, shaping corporate reputation, and championing its category-defining innovation in immersive advertising.

    “Mixed reality is rewriting the rules of brand engagement, and with 80dB on board, we’ll ensure our story resonates globally,” said Flam CMO Karthik K Raman noting the platform’s ambition to scale its immersive storytelling to more global brands. Flam head of marketing Nidhi Kohli Nandode added that the collaboration comes at a time when brands are increasingly seeking meaningful audience connections through new-age formats.

    From virtual product launches to interactive campaigns, Flam’s AI Twins–powered experiences are already reimagining how audiences interact with brands. Now, with 80dB’s expertise in startup storytelling and tech communications, the company aims to take these innovations mainstream.

    80dB co-founder & joint MD Kiran Ray Chaudhury summed it up: “Flam is democratising mixed reality for brands at scale. Our goal is to elevate their visibility, shape the conversation, and accelerate adoption of this powerful medium.”

    With immersive ads moving from buzzword to business, Flam and 80dB seem ready to turn up the heat and the decibels in brand storytelling.

     

  • Mindshare veteran Sonal Jadhav moves to lead Havas Media’s western operations

    Mindshare veteran Sonal Jadhav moves to lead Havas Media’s western operations

    MUMBAI: Sonal Jadhav has traded her corner office at Mindshare for the top job at Havas Media Network India, where she will serve as managing partner and west lead. The appointment marks a significant coup for Havas, which has poached one of the industry’s most seasoned media hands.

    Jadhav spent three years and seven months as principal partner at Mindshare, the GroupM-owned agency, before making the switch this month. Her departure represents a notable loss for Mindshare, where she had deep roots stretching back over a decade.

    The Mumbai-based executive brings formidable credentials to her new role. She cut her teeth during a marathon 10-year stint at Mindshare, rising through the ranks from client lead to senior cluster lead. In her most recent role there, she managed a portfolio of blue-chip accounts including Kellogg’s, ICICI, Rio Tinto and Onida, with full profit-and-loss responsibility.

    Her earlier Mindshare tenure was particularly notable for her stewardship of the Hindustan Unilever skincare portfolio, where she crafted media strategies for the conglomerate’s beauty brands from 2006 to 2013. The assignment cemented her reputation as a strategic thinker with a knack for marrying brand-building with performance metrics.

    Between her two Mindshare chapters, adhav spent four years as general manager at Wavemaker, another GroupM stable-mate, focusing on FMCG clients and honing her expertise across traditional and digital media channels.

    Her career began in print advertising, with early roles at Hindustan Times and Indian Express, where she learned the fundamentals of media sales and revenue optimisation.

    The appointment signals Havas Media’s ambitions to strengthen its presence in India’s fiercely competitive media landscape, where agencies are battling for a larger share of the country’s advertising spend. Ms Jadhav’s deep FMCG experience and client relationships make her a natural fit for a market where consumer goods companies remain among the biggest advertisers.

    At 15-plus years in the business, she represents the kind of seasoned leadership that agencies increasingly prize as they navigate the complexities of digital transformation and attribution-based media buying.

  • Big Fm turns up the volume with 9 new stations, now India’s No.1 network

    Big Fm turns up the volume with 9 new stations, now India’s No.1 network

    MUMBAI: Radio just got a little louder and a lot bigger. Big Fm, which has long been a household name for music and entertainment, has officially tuned itself into the country’s largest single-brand radio network with a whopping 67 stations. The milestone comes with the addition of nine new stations across Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, set to go live in the next 6–9 months.

    This expansion amplifies BIG’s dominance in the Hindi heartland, taking its tally to 34 stations across Northern and Central India, where it already enjoys market leadership and hyperlocal clout.

    Sapphire Media Limited chairman Sahil Mangla said the achievement is both a win and a weight: “Becoming India’s largest radio network is an achievement, but also a responsibility. With Big Live and Big Ooh already launched, we’re looking forward to shaping the future of audio entertainment with original content, tech and AI integration.”

    Echoing the sentiment, CEO Sunil Kumaran noted that Big’s philosophy of “Dhun Badal Ke Toh Dekho” continues to guide its growth. “With new stations, we’re not just expanding coverage but also building stronger teams, creating content that clicks with diverse communities, and opening fresh opportunities for advertisers,” he said.

    With radio listenership still strong across India’s metros and smaller towns, Big Fm’s expansion ensures it doesn’t just play the hits, it stays in tune with the cultural pulse of the nation.