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Tag: Abhishek Ganguly

  • Virat Kohli drops Puma for Agilitas

    Virat Kohli drops Puma for Agilitas

    MUMBAI: Indian cricket maestro and RCB long-timer  Virat Kohli switched teams. The 36 year old has pulled the plug on his eight-year partnership with Puma, and has reportedly put his best foot forward to back Agilitas Sports, an Indian athleisure startup. The star batter, currently in red-hot form in IPL 2025, is now not just the face of Agilitas but also an investor, signalling a bold move to champion homegrown brands.

    Agilitas was founded in 2023 by Abhishek Ganguly, Puma India’s former managing director. The brand has already made waves, securing long-term rights for Italian sportswear giant Lotto in India, Australia, and South Africa. Now, with Kohli on board, Agilitas is gearing up for a serious innings in the global sportswear arena.

    Kohli’s split from Puma marks the end of a landmark Rs 110 crore deal that revolutionised Indian sports marketing. The partnership saw him lead multiple campaigns and launch the popular One8 line, a crucial driver in Puma’s rise in the Indian market.

    Puma acknowledged the departure, thanking Kohli for an “outstanding journey filled with memorable campaigns and collaborations.” The brand vowed to continue investing in the next generation of athletes.

    Meanwhile, Kohli remains focused on both his new business venture and his cricketing form. The RCB stalwart has racked up 180 runs in his last five IPL innings and is set to face Rajasthan Royals on 13 April.

    Whether on the pitch or in the boardroom, Kohli continues to rewrite the game.

  • Shiba Bhutani makes a dash for Agilitas as brand director

    Shiba Bhutani makes a dash for Agilitas as brand director

    MUMBAI:  Shiba Bhutani has officially joined Agilitas as brand director, bringing over a decade of diverse marketing experience to the role. Agilitas  is a sportswear  brand promoted by former  Puma south east Asia boss Abhishek Ganguly and has the licence to make and sell Lotto shoes in India.

    Bhutani has a proven track record in sectors ranging from cheese and protein supplements to personal care and beverages.

    At Agilitas, a company committed to transforming the sports category, Bhutani will leverage her consumer-focused approach to drive product innovation and enhance brand engagement. The company emphasises robust manufacturing, advanced R&D, and interconnected retail strategies to deliver quality products that resonate with consumers.

    Previously, Bhutani held several key positions at AB InBev, including associate sirector of marketing for Budweiser, where she led successful campaigns and brand activations. Prior to that she managed the personal care creams brands for the Himalaya Drug Co.  She also had short brand management stints at Glanbia Performance and Ornua besides doing corporate sales for HDFC Life.

    Her educational credentials include a Level 1 certification from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, and a PGDM in marketing from the Goa Institute of Management.

    “Excited to score new life goals at my role as brand director.,” Bhutani enthusiastically exclaimed.
     

  • Agilitas Sports acquires India’s BIS-Licensed Mochiko shoes

    Agilitas Sports acquires India’s BIS-Licensed Mochiko shoes

    Mumbai: Agilitas Sports, innovation-led sportswear and Athleisure solutions platform, co-founded by Abhishek Ganguly, ex-MD, Puma (India & South-East Asia), has in a significant move, announced the acquisition of Mochiko Shoes Pvt Ltd, India’s largest sports footwear manufacturer for the domestic market.

    “This acquisition augments Agilitas’ value proposition, by strengthening our supply chain in the rapidly growing sports footwear market. Mochiko’s manufacturing capabilities, operational excellence and strategic partnerships with leading global giants position us to address the government’s clarion call to ‘Make in India’, and to cater to the rising aspirations of an economic superpower, with the largest youth population”, said Agilitas Sports CEO & co-founder Abhishek Ganguly.

    Established in 2008, by Virender Awal and a co-founding team of five members, Mochiko Shoes registered a revenue of Rs 642 crore in FY2023 and is estimated to grow by 30 per cent, year-on-year (Y-o-Y).

    Mochiko Shoes Pvt. Ltd. founder & CEO Virender Awal spoke about the acquisition, “Joining the Agilitas family propels our ambitions. We are now poised to enhance long-term investments, addressing the soaring demand in the Sports and Athleisure footwear sector. We envision multi-fold and multifaceted growth in our business over the next five-six years, adding jobs and livelihood.”

    Today, Mochiko Shoes is a manufacturing partner to leading international brands, such as Adidas, Puma, New Balance, Skechers, Reebok, Asics, Crocs, Decathlon, Clarks, US Polo, among others.

    With fully integrated, end-to-end manufacturing capabilities, Mochiko is the first sports footwear manufacturer in India to receive a BIS licence, and is fully compliant with the soon-to-be-implemented Quality Control Orders (QCOs), by the Government of India. Additionally, all its units are ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certified.

    The company has manufacturing units located in Dehradun and Rishikesh (Uttarakhand) as well as in the National Capital Region (NCR), of Noida. Mochiko employs nearly 10,000 individuals, across the length and breadth of its operations.

    The founding team of Agilitas Sports comprises Abhishek Ganguly, the former Managing Director of PUMA India and South East Asia, Atul Bajaj, the former executive director of sales and operations of PUMA India, and Amit Prabhu, former executive director and chief financial officer of PUMA India.

  • Puma India appoints Prabhdeep Bedi as director & head of D2C e-commerce

    Puma India appoints Prabhdeep Bedi as director & head of D2C e-commerce

    Mumbai: German sportswear brand Puma on Monday announced the appointment of Prabhdeep Bedi as director and head of the retailer’s direct-to-consumer e-commerce operations in India.

    Bedi will be responsible to accelerate the brands’ digital transformation journey and lead the D2C eCommerce business and the entire value chain of operations, cataloguing, technology, account management, and customer experience. Prabhdeep will report to Puma India and Southeast Asia, managing director Abhishek Ganguly, the brand said in a statement.

    Commenting on the appointment, Ganguly said, “Prabhdeep brings a strong track record of driving growth-oriented strategies. I am confident that Prabhdeep, with his knowledge and understanding of the e-commerce space coupled with his effective leadership style, will significantly contribute to our growth. His digital-first approach towards business will further help build the next phase of PUMA’s eCommerce journey in India. We are thrilled to welcome Prabhdeep to the PUMA family.”

    Bedi comes with 13 years of rich and diverse experience in various domains like education technology, FMCG, and consulting. In his previous role, he was associated with Toppr Technologies as a chief operating officer for five years. His past stints also include brands like McKinsey & Company, Procter and Gamble India. He holds an MBA from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, and an undergraduate degree from IIT Bombay.

    Speaking about his new role, Bedi said, “It’s commendable to see how PUMA has strengthened its foothold in the Indian market in such a short span. The rate at which e-commerce is growing in the country is unimaginable and I am really looking forward to driving strategic innovation initiatives for the brand, keeping in mind the heightened digital awareness of the new-age consumers of today. I am absolutely thrilled to join the team at such an exciting phase in the company’s growth trajectory.”

  • Puma India signs Washington Sundar & Devdutt Padikkal

    Puma India signs Washington Sundar & Devdutt Padikkal

    MUMBAI: Global sports brand Puma has signed a long-term partnership deal with two up and coming players, Washington Sundar and Devdutt Padikkal. The duo joins Puma’s impressive roster of cricketers that include Indian captain Virat Kohli, wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul, women’s national cricketer Sushma Verma and legends like Yuvraj Singh.

    Considered the future of Indian cricket, Sundar and Padikkal have been punching above their weights in major cricketing tournaments. Sundar’s all-round performance in Australia helped the Indian cricket team clinch a historic away test series win and Padikkal emerged as a ‘find of the season’ with his stellar performance for Royal Challengers Bangalore in his debut Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Sundar, a game changer and Devdutt, a consistent run-getter in the domestic circuit perfectly embody Puma’s ‘Forever Faster’ spirit.

    Puma India and southeast Asia managing director Abhishek Ganguly said, “Washington and Devdutt have displayed remarkable resilience and grit on field that’s led to their meteoric rise as athletes. We have always believed in supporting not just established players, but also talent with immense future potential. We will continue to partner with young athletes, also at the grassroots to give back to India’s sporting ecosystem.”

    Washington Sundar said, “Feels great to be associated with a brand like Puma which has some of the world’s greatest athletes in their roster. Watching skipper Virat Kohli and KL Rahul closely has given me a deeper insight into the brand. Puma adds a lot of credibility to an athlete’s journey and I’m excited to work with the brand in India.”

    Devdutt Padikkal added, “A partnership with a global sports brand like Puma is really a big motivation for young athletes like me. I’m looking forward to a long-term association with the brand.”

    Sundar and Devdutt are currently part of the Kohli-led IPL team, Royal Challengers Bangalore in the ongoing IPL 2021.   

  • Puma India elevates Shreya Sachdev as head of marketing & strategic Initiatives

    Puma India elevates Shreya Sachdev as head of marketing & strategic Initiatives

    NEW DELHI – Global sports brand Puma has elevated Shreya Sachdev as the head of marketing & strategic Initiatives. In addition to her current role of heading strategic initiatives, she will now be responsible for leading creative, brand marketing, and managing brand personalities. Shreya will continue to report to general manager Puma India, and Southeast Asia general manager Abhishek Ganguly and will be a part of the company’s leadership team.

    Commenting on the appointment, Ganguly said, “Puma’s brand differentiation in the Indian market stems from our unconventional approach to marketing. We have always believed in telling the right stories, with the right content, and in the most compelling manner to build consumer connect. Shreya’s analytical skills coupled with her penchant for creativity will further help build local relevance for our marketing excellence in the years to come.” 

    Sachdev joined Puma in 2019 to lead strategic initiatives. Her rich and diverse experience saw her successfully lead numerous key projects. Prior to joining Puma, Shreya worked as a consultant with McKinsey & Company. She holds an MBA in marketing from IIM Lucknow and an undergraduate degree in Literature from Lady Shri Ram College.

    Talking about her new role, Sachdev said, “Even before joining the team, I was enthralled by the success of Puma brand in the Indian market. For me, having an opportunity to connect the brand and consumers is very empowering. Puma is known for creating unique and impactful brand campaigns with a focus on consumer engagement. I am looking forward to working with some of the best minds to further build our marketing excellence in India.”

  • Puma expands experiential retail concept in India

    Puma expands experiential retail concept in India

    NEW DELHI: Global sportswear brand PUMA today announced the launch of its entirely remodeled stores at Banjara Hills, Hyderabad and Pacific Mall, New Delhi. Spread over 4200 sq ft and 3800 sq ft, respectively, it seamlessly combines technology, sports and experiential retail under one roof. This also marks the launch of the brand’s first PUMA SELECT shop-in-shops in India to range exclusive global designer collaborations. 

    PUMA India and southeast Asia general manager Abhishek Ganguly said, “In line with our efforts to continue to enhance customer experience, we are thrilled to launch two completely redesigned stores in India. With health, fitness and sports becoming a priority for many, we believe Sportswear is poised to grow significantly in the future. Our stores will continue to be a key touchpoint – offering a more interactive and personalised experience. Remodeling key PUMA outlets only reinforces our commitment to engage and serve our customers better. All our stores will prioritise safety of every visitor and team members. We will strictly follow established guidelines in this regard in our daily operations.”

    The stores feature digitally connected offerings, personalisation zones and futuristic product range. Incorporating experiential elements from the PUMA flagship store at 100 Ft Road in Bengaluru, key highlights include:

    PUMA x YOU: The customisation studio allows consumers to customise and personalise PUMA footwear, apparel and accessories using embroidery and print. The on-demand personalisation offers over 100 quirky and fun design options to choose from.  

    PUMA SELECT shop-in-shop: Fusing performance with culture and fashion, this premium product line will feature the brand’s latest global collaborations with streetwear labels and designers like The Hundreds, RHUDE and Charlotte Olympia among others. 

    Updated retail concept: The design is captivating with clean lines and a very modern look and feel. Taking the consumer on an intuitive shopping journey, the elevated layout and display like illuminated footwear walls focus on the products to ensure they demand attention, stand out and resonate with the consumer. 

    Interactive retail experience: Consumers can now access all PUMA products at the touch of a button. The interactive screen allows them to virtually scan through the entire PUMA range and not limit their selection to styles or colors available at the store. Thus, allowing them to place an order directly from the warehouse and have it shipped to their home. 

    Hygiene and safety are brand’s biggest priority. All PUMA stores have implemented the required protocols to ensure enhanced hygiene measures and social distancing norms are followed. Some of these measures include:

    A cap on the maximum number of consumers inside the store at any given point  

    Contactless payments and billing

    Hourly sanitization of store fixtures including cash desk, trial rooms, door knobs and hangers 

    Contactless temperature screening at the store entrance 

    Making masks mandatory

    Sanitizing hands at the entrance and at all touchpoints across the store 

    Demarcated areas/ layouts that allow for social distancing within the store

  • Virat Kohli forays into kids category with PUMA one8

    Virat Kohli forays into kids category with PUMA one8

    MUMBAI: India’s leading athlete Virat Kohli launches his first collection for kids with global sportswear brand PUMA. Catering to a new generation of fitness enthusiasts, PUMA one8 Kids introduces athleisure wear for boys between the age of 4 – 14 years.

    Encouraging children to lead an active lifestyle, the collection has been developed keeping in mind the needs of the younger generation. Designed by Virat himself, the collection includes a range of sneakers, tees, shorts, active pants and accessories like backpack and beanie. It demonstrates his bold and dynamic personality with colours and silhouettes reflective of his personal style.

    On the launch of the collection Virat Kohli said, “Sport holds a very important place in my life. It has helped me become who I am today. I urge every parent to encourage their children to play more and remain physically fit. It’s fun, relieves stress and helps them stay healthy. The launch of the kid’s collection is my way of calling out to our future generations because feeling fit and looking active is a simple step towards leading a more active lifestyle.”

    “Virat is a great inspiration and role model for children. Ever since we launched the PUMA one8 collection, we had many kids come to our stores eager to buy merchandise designed by him. We are thrilled to extend our range to all his young fans,” said PUMA India MD Abhishek Ganguly. “Kids is a key category for PUMA. With this launch, we look to further build this segment and enhance the collection for our younger consumers,” he added.

  • Virat Kohli launches One8 brand for athleisure wear

    Virat Kohli launches One8 brand for athleisure wear

    MUMBAI: Cricketer Virat Kohli has unveiled his own brand One8 – a collection of athleisure wear in collaboration with PUMA, which will provide design, product, retail and communication channels for the brand. The launch of his brand is backed by the movement Come Out and Play, which aims to bring about a groundswell invoking Indians to adopt an active lifestyle, where playing is an integral part.

    The name of the collection, One8, is derived from Virat’s jersey number, 18 – a number that is special to him and which he holds in high regard. The One8 logo is unique, quirky and stylish – reflective of Virat’s persona. While the One8 line currently comprises only athleisure apparel, others like performance apparel, footwear and accessories will be introduced in the upcoming season.

    Virat Kohli says, “The One8 range is very close to my heart. It is my way of calling out to Indians to Come Out and Play, because feeling fit and looking active is a simple first step towards leading a more active lifestyle. The collection is very versatile and is a mix of fashion and functionality. I have been deeply invested in the design and ideation behind the products, with PUMA designers even browsing through my wardrobe for inspiration! Partnering with PUMA to create One8 is also great because the brand is such a fit with my personality and will ensure that One8 is constantly evolving.”

    PUMA India managing director Abhishek Ganguly adds, “The One8 collection is the perfect blend of style and sport– for every person looking to easily transition from work to play. It reflects Virat’s effortless style, while staying true to his philosophy of an active lifestyle. We are excited to collaborate with him to launch his new brand, and drive this movement with him. Through this collaboration, PUMA will continue to create opportunities to inspire Indians to adopt fitness and sports in everyday life.”

    Virat’s exclusive One8 collection is available at PUMA stores across the country and on in.puma.com. One8 will also be available on Myntra later in November 2017.

  • Kohli is Puma’s face, for Rs 110 crore

    MUMBAI: The global sportswear brand has announced the signing of Indian cricket captain and sports icon Virat Kohli as their global brand ambassador. Virat, who is among the best ever Indian cricketers, joins the the brand’s growing portfolio of world renowned athletes. The partnership between Virat and Puma is a landmark eight years long association, which will see them work towards transforming the sports and fitness ecosystem in India.

    According to media reports, Kohli has signed the deal for Rs 110 crore.

    As part of this exclusive association Virat will work closely with Puma in developing a line which will include cricket, fitness and Sports Style. The merchandise will include footwear, apparel and accessories. The collection will carve a niche for itself with Virat’s signature style amalgamated with his fashion sensibilities targeted to the Indian youth. This range would be launched in the autumn winter season this year.

    Puma India MD Abhishek Ganguly said, “Virat has been credited with reshaping the role of a sportsman today; emphasizing the importance of fitness across all sports thus endorsing the ethos of the brand.”

    Kohli said, “I am impressed by the way Puma has gained popularity and market leadership in India in a very short period of time.”