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Tag: Hindustan Unilever

  • Pranav Joshi promoted to business director at Wavemaker

    Pranav Joshi promoted to business director at Wavemaker

    MUMBAI:  Pranav Joshi, a seasoned media and marketing professional, has officially taken up the role of business director at Wavemaker. With over a decade of experience in the marketing and advertising sector, Joshi is poised to strengthen Wavemaker’s media strategies.

    Previously, Joshi served as associate business director at Wavemaker, where he led the Volini portfolio for Sun Pharmaceuticals and showcased his expertise in both traditional and digital media planning. He has demonstrated a strong work ethic and a strategic mindset, underpinned by an MBA in Marketing from Chetana’s Institute of Management & Research.

    Throughout his career, Joshi has held key positions at prominent firms such as Madison World and Mindshare, successfully managing campaigns for major brands including Godrej and Hindustan Unilever. His knack for utilising research data to inform strategic planning has earned him a reputation for driving significant business growth.

    Joshi’s appointment comes at a time of rapid evolution in the media landscape, and he is expected to leverage his skills to navigate emerging trends and foster innovation at Wavemaker

  • DMart announces key leadership appointments

    DMart announces key leadership appointments

    MUMBAI: Avenue Supermarts, the parent company of DMart, has announced significant leadership changes, including the appointment of Anshul Asawa as chief executive officer designate and senior managerial personnel, effective 15 March 2025. Asawa will succeed Ignatius Navil Noronha, the current managing director & CEO, when his term ends on 31 January 2026.

    Reports are that Navil chose not to renew his contract after 20 years of being at the helm of the company transforming it from a five store operation to 380 stores all over India. In the process, he   managed to accumulate  a 1.95 per cent stake in DMart, which is valued at around  Rs 5,000 crore, making him one of the richest professional CEOs in India. 

    Asawa will officially assume the role of MD & CEO on 1 February  2026, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.

    An alumnus of IIT Roorkee and IIM Lucknow, Asawa brings a wealth of experience from his 30-year career at Unilever, where he held leadership roles in India, Asia, and Europe. Most recently, he served as country head for Unilever Thailand and general manager for the home care business in greater Asia. Known for his consumer-centric approach and focus on digital transformation, Asawa has spearheaded innovations in sales, marketing, and distribution.

    Additionally, DMart has announced the following appointments and changes effective 11 January 2025:

    * Hitesh Shah has been named head of the pharma business and designated senior management personnel. Shah, who joined DMart in 2007, has over 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, and retail management, including a 13-year tenure at Hindustan Unilever.

    * Rajeev Chandrasekharan, previously general manager – DC, will now serve as head of the centre of excellence, overseeing process audits. With 23 years of experience in supply chain and operations, Chandrasekharan has been with DMart since 2015 and has also worked at Procter & Gamble, Gillette, and Toyota (Oman).

    * Ashutosh Dhar will transition to the role of head-loss prevention but will no longer be classified as senior management personnel due to a change in reporting structure.

    DMart, founded by Radhakishan Damani, operates 381 stores across India, offering a wide range of home and personal products at competitive prices. Headquartered in Mumbai, the company continues to expand with new locations planned across the country.

  • Honasa Consumer chief business officer Zarius Master puts in his papers

    Honasa Consumer chief business officer Zarius Master puts in his papers

    MUMBAI: It’s time for Zarius Master. to say goodbye. The chief business officer of D2C FMCG innovator  Honasa Consumer Ltd resigned from  the company on 2 January.  His resignation becomes effective 28 February 2025.

    Zairus, according to his linkedin profile, was responsible for lower funnel management to capture demand and translate to revenue; for  leading the evolution of an omni channel, multi brand organisation to drive profitable growth by gaining shares across categories in beauty and personal care and  for creation of a business plan through investment allocation choices across categories, brands, and channels to optimise for growth and profitability.

    Honasa co-founder & CEO Varun Alagh,  like Zarius, cut his teeth in FMCG with Hindustan Unilever and  this is what encouraged the latter to join him.

    Zarius joined the company in August 2021 from recruitment portal Shine.com where he worked for nearly eight years and rose to become its CEO. Prior to that he had stints in sales, marketing, and category leadership with some of the crème de la crème of corporations: Hindustan Unilever, Nokia, and Airtel.

    An  economic arts graduate, Zarius completed his diploma in marketing and topped that with an MBA in marketing from IIM, Lucknow.

    Honasa which counts MamaEarth, The Derma Co, BBlunt, Dr Sheth’s, Aqualogica, Staze9to9 and the Bblunt Salons in its brand portfolio was founded in 2016 by Ghazal and Varun Alagh. It reported revenues of Rs 462 crores in Q2 FY 2025 while the half year 2025 revenues were at Rs 1016 crore. It reported a loss of Rs 19 crore in the quarter and a profit of Rs 22 crore for the half year. 

  • TAM AdEx: FMCG ad volumes shift as print & TV decline, digital & radio grow in H1 2024

    TAM AdEx: FMCG ad volumes shift as print & TV decline, digital & radio grow in H1 2024

    Mumbai: The latest TAM AdEx report for January-June 2024 shows a six per cent decline in print ad space for the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector compared to the same period last year. January held the highest share of print ad space at 20 per cent, with March following closely at 18 per cent.

    Toilet soaps topped the print ad space with a 10 per cent share, while digestives held onto their leading position from the previous year. Spices, OTC products, vitamins, and health supplements also contributed notably to the ad space, highlighting FMCG’s focus on daily essentials and health-related items.

    Hindustan Unilever commanded an 18 per cent share of FMCG ad volumes in print, followed by SBS Biotech and GCMMF(Amul). New additions to the top advertiser list included Munimjee & Sons, Mankind Pharma, and Vicco Laboratories. Leading brands in the period were Dr. Ortho Oil, Pet Saffa Range, and Roop Mantra Ayur Face Cream, with the top 10 brands collectively contributing 16 per cent of the overall print ad space.

    The North Zone led regional ad distribution, capturing 38 per cent of the total FMCG print ad space, with the West, South, and East zones following. Delhi and Mumbai ranked as top cities for FMCG print ads, alongside regional leaders Kolkata and Bangalore. Sales promotions made up 22 per cent of ad space, with volume promotions holding 35 per cent and discount promotions at 29 per cent.

  • Hindustan Unilever Q2 FY2025 sees 4 per cent decline in PAT amid competitive pressures

    Hindustan Unilever Q2 FY2025 sees 4 per cent decline in PAT amid competitive pressures

    Mumbai: Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), one of India’s largest fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, faced a mixed financial performance for the quarter ending September 2024 (Q2 FY2025). While the company managed to maintain a stable revenue flow, posting a modest 2 per cent year-on-year growth, its profit after tax (PAT) took a hit, declining by 4 per cent compared to the same quarter last year. This marked a challenging period for the consumer giant as rising input costs and sluggish consumer demand weighed down its profitability.

    The financial results released on 23 October 2024, indicate that HUL’s revenue from operations stood at Rs 15,319 crores, up from Rs 15,027 crores in Q2 FY2024. However, the company’s Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) margins saw a slight contraction. EBITDA for the quarter came in at Rs 3,647 crores, marking an 80 basis points (bps) decline to 23.8 per cent from 24.6 per cent in the same period last year.

    A key highlight from the results was the dip in PAT to Rs 2,612 crores, down from Rs 2,717 crores in Q2 FY2024, representing a 4 per cent decline. This drop was driven by multiple factors, including escalating material costs and competitive pricing pressures in key segments like personal care and home care. Additionally, the company faced an exceptional restructuring charge of Rs 16 crores during the quarter, further compressing net earnings.

    HUL’s executive director and company secretary, Dev Bajpai, commented on the results, stating: “While we continue to deliver on our commitment to revenue growth, profitability challenges are real. We are focused on operational efficiencies and agile strategies to navigate the cost pressures.”

    The company’s Home Care division reported a sales increase to Rs 5,737 crores, while Beauty & Wellbeing achieved sales of Rs 3,323 crores. Yet, Personal Care and Foods & Refreshment segments faced marginal declines, with Personal Care revenue dropping to Rs 2,412 crores.

    In a bid to reward shareholders, HUL declared an interim dividend of Rs 19 per equity share and a special dividend of Rs 10 per share for FY2025, totalling Rs 29 per equity share. The record date for the dividend is set for 6 November 2024, with the dividend payout scheduled for 21 November 2024. Despite the decline in PAT, HUL’s strong cash flow allowed it to maintain its dividend policy, signalling confidence in its long-term growth strategy.

    The FMCG giant remains cautiously optimistic about the future. The company continues to emphasise innovation, digital transformation, and a consumer-centric approach to fuel long-term growth. Commenting on the company’s outlook, MD & CEO Rohit Jawa said: “Our investments in innovation and sustainability are non-negotiable as we focus on both protecting margins and driving top-line growth in the challenging macroeconomic environment.”

    Looking forward, HUL’s ability to manage costs and drive sales growth in a competitive market will be crucial. With consumer preferences shifting and economic pressures persisting, the company must stay agile and innovate to regain momentum in the upcoming quarters.
     

  • Vim launches its new Nazaare campaign

    Vim launches its new Nazaare campaign

    Mumbai: Vim, a brand by Hindustan Unilever (HUL), has long been the most trusted dishwashing brand in Indian households. Hindustan Unilever’s pioneering home and hygiene brand has introduced a fun and quirky indie music video titled ‘Nazaare’ in collaboration with Ritviz, bringing a fresh spin on the otherwise mundane task of dishwashing. Dishwashing, often seen as a necessary but dull part of daily routine, gets a playful makeover with Ritviz’s upbeat tunes, demonstrating how music can turn even the most mundane everyday moments into something fun.

    The video begins with Ritviz facing a creative block as he tries to bring a tune together to meet his deadline. His dilemma is deepened because his parents also proceed to go out, albeit leaving him with the thought of “finding joy in small things”. As he thinks about it, he goes into the kitchen where an idea strikes him in the middle of his dishwashing routine! He’s quick to capture this moment on his Vim Beats sound band which he later turns into an entire dishwashing song. What’s really interesting is how his neighbours, who are all left to do chores just like Ritviz is, also get up and have fun doing the dishes to this song that is playing out of Ritviz’s home!

    Commenting on the launch, Hindustan Unilever Ltd head of home and hygiene Ashwini Rao said, “This campaign puts a brilliant spin on a consumer insight a lot of us can relate to – Chores at the sink is something everyone puts off for as long as possible but end up being irritated with loads of vessels remaining at the sink. Vim has for the last 30 years helped make this chore easier with world-class products and communication with the belief that everyone can do dishwashing. Ritviz has now come in to elevate the experience even more by creating this tune that quite literally turns dishwashing into a dance party, sparking joy and creativity in kitchen sinks everywhere – you’ll definitely find yourself playing this on repeat as you do your dishes!”

    On his experience with making this song, an Indian pop artist  Ritviz commented “Collaborating with VIM on this music video was a truly unique and exciting experience. It was a challenge to create music inspired by everyday tasks like dishwashing, but I think the result is something truly special. I hope this song inspires people to find joy in even the most mundane activities and to see the beauty in everyday life.”

    To boost the campaign further, Vim is teaming up with over 200 influencers, including celebrities like Amyra Dastur, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Karan Singh Grover who will recreate and repost fun moments from their daily chore routine on Instagram. Their posts will showcase the enjoyable side of dishwashing, encouraging families to join the trend. As the festive season approaches, the campaign offers a fresh take on everyday chores, reminding everyone that these tasks can be a time for bonding and fun. The track is available on all major music platforms, including Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, JioSaavn, YT Music, Hungama as well as on the brand’s official Instagram and YouTube channels. 

  • Kedar Lele departs HUL after two decades

    Kedar Lele departs HUL after two decades

    Mumbai: After two decades with Hindustan Unilever, Kedar Lele has moved on from the company, where he most recently served as executive director, head of sales and customer development, South Asia. The announcement was made through a LinkedIn post.

    He initially joined the FMCG giant in April 2004 and returned in November 2010. During his time at HUL, Kedar Lele held multiple leadership positions.

    Lele is a highly experienced business leader, with over 20 years of expertise spanning advertising, internet companies, FMCG marketing, sales and customer development, and general management.

    An alumnus of the Indian School of Business, Lele has also had professional stints with companies like Kimberly Clark Lever, Mudra Communications, and Monster.com, among others.

  • Rohit Jawa CEO & MD of HUL to chair distinguished IAA IndIAA Awards jury

    Rohit Jawa CEO & MD of HUL to chair distinguished IAA IndIAA Awards jury

    Mumbai: Rohit Jawa the chief executive officer and managing director of Hindustan Unilever will chair the distinguished jury panel to select the winners at the IndIAA awards for creative excellence, organized by the India Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA).

    The other jury members are

      . Charulata Ravikumar, managing director, Accenture

      . Geetika Mehta, managing director, Nivea

     . M R Jyothy, managing director, Jyothy Laboratories Ltd.

      . Abhinandan Lodha, chairman, Lodha Ventures

     .  Cecil de Santa Maria, chief operating officer, ORRA

     .  Mohit Malhotra, chief executive officer, Dabur India Limited

      . Pulkit Trivedi, managing director – India, Snap Inc

    IAA president Avinash Pandey said, “Any award is only as good as the jury that judges them. We are privileged to have such an elite group on our jury panel. It speaks volumes for the heights the IndIAA awards have scaled.

    Avinash Pandey
    Adds Abhishek Karnani, chairman IndIAA awards, “These awards are unique. You cannot enter your work on your own. A group of senior editors in the marcom trade media who are viewing advertising every day, need to shortlist your creative work. And this shortlist will be placed before our elite jury.

    Abhishek Karnani

    All co-creators of the winning work will be felicitated at the grand IndIAA Awards Nite which will be held on the 22nd. August 2024.

  • Under 25 Summit 2024 wraps up with resounding success, enthusiasm and inspiration

    Under 25 Summit 2024 wraps up with resounding success, enthusiasm and inspiration

    Mumbai: The historic Jayamahal Palace in Bangalore witnessed the ninth edition of the much-anticipated Under 25 Summit 2024, further solidifying its status as the world’s leading youth festival. This extraordinary event brought together a diverse assembly of students, creators, performers, and thought leaders, celebrating the limitless potential of the youth.

    The first day of the summit, on 9 March, lived up to its stellar reputation with a star-studded lineup of speakers and performers. Renowned personalities such as Vikrant Massey, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Babil Khan, Nikhil Kamath, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Tanmay Bhat, and Kenny Sebastian graced the stage, captivating the audience with their insights and experiences. The day also witnessed stellar musical performances by Brodha V, No Treble, and Shubham Roy.

    The second day, on 10 March, continued the excitement with engaging activities, discussions, and memorable performances. Eminent personalities like Saba Azad, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Niharika NM, and Ankush Bahuguna, presided over various talks at the event. The day concluded with an electrifying drone show and a captivating performance by Ritviz.

    Collective Artists Network founder and Group CEO Vijay Subramaniam expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “At the Under 25 Summit 2024, the energy was electric. Ideas exchanged, opinions voiced, and electrifying performances showcased the vibrant spirit of today’s youth. With each passing year, the summit grows more impactful, drawing a larger crowd and sparking greater anticipation. This event embodies the active participation, creativity, and enthusiasm of our youth, paving the way for a promising future driven by their energy and ideas.”

    Under 25 Universe CEO and co-founder Anto Philip highlighted, “We gave it our all and wore our heart on our sleeves as we built this year’s summit. It was truly homecoming in more ways than one, coming back to Jayamahal Palace felt special and none of this would have been possible without our student crew and the lovely team that worked tirelessly to make sure no one left the festival ground without a smile.”

    Under 25 Universe co-founder Shreyans Jain added, “Having witnessed the high level of gusto and engagement among participants fills me with immense pride. This energy is a testament to the passion shared by us as organizers as well as the enthusiastic attendees towards the goals of the summit.”

    Actor Vikrant Massey shared, “Kya mahaul hai! The Under 25 Summit is an event like nothing I’ve seen for youth. The fact that it is also put together by students is a heartening testimony to those whose hands the future of the country lies in.”

    Actor Babil Khan emphasized, “It is important to understand why Under 25 Summit is important for our youth; it is because as we try to find our way through the burden of excessive information and external validation, our yearning for the expression of our individuality is drastically increasing. Under 25 Summit allows us to step out of those boxes and be involved in an energy that motivates us to create, to innovate, to inspire and to be inspired. To let our guards down and finally FEEL! I am honored to have been a small part of this beautiful and essential venture.”

    Hindustan Unilever general manager Kwality Wall’s Maya Ganapathy commented, “This partnership is truly a unique IP and I am thrilled that we have associated with an event that engages with the student community at such a large scale. Cornetto’s connection with the GenZs is deep and rooted in popular trends and culture that define them! The Under25 summit is a truly immersive event for the Gen Zs, conceptualized and curated by the GenZs themselves! That is why its a pleasure for Cornetto to share this stage with them while keeping things cool and OG, just the way they like it!”

    With multiple successful editions under its belt, the summit stands as one of India’s most triumphant edutainment IPs, having welcomed over 100,000 students! With top-tier curation, the Summit brings together different fields through inspiring speaker sessions, talent discovery opportunities, enriching workshops, engaging panel discussions, and interactive experience zones, promising a great experience for all attendees.

    Sponsored by Cornetto, Gujarat Tourism, Zero1, Mytnra Fwd, Acer, Korean Ramen Noodles, KFC, Coca Cola, Third Wave Coffee, and others, the two-day summit, held on March 9th and 10th, delivered an immersive experience featuring a rich tapestry of activities. This event encapsulates the essence of active participation, creativity, and enthusiasm among the youth, shaping a promising future for tomorrow’s India.

  • TAM AdEx: Reflections of 2023 for advertising in movies genre

    TAM AdEx: Reflections of 2023 for advertising in movies genre

    Mumbai: TAM AdEx India has released a report on television medium – reflections of 2023 for advertising in movies genre.

    Trends in ad volumes of movie genre: 27 per cent rise in 2023 as compared to 2019. In 2023, there was a four per cent increase in advertising volumes compared to 2022. Advertising volumes in the second quarter of 2023 were five per cent higher than those in the fourth quarter of the same year.

    In 2024, the movies channel genre secured the second-highest share of advertising volumes among various channel genres.

    Hindi movies maintained their dominance in terms of ad volumes, holding a share of over 40 per cent in both 2023 and 2022. The top four sub-genres maintained their positions from 2022 to 2023. In 2023, the top five sub-genres collectively accounted for 77 per cent of the advertising share.

    The count of categories, advertisers and brands consistently increased over the period, but, it was seen highest during Q’4 of 2023.

    During 2023, the top four sectors retained their respective positions compared to 2022. The combined contribution of the top 10 sectors accounted for 93 per cent of the advertising volumes in 2023. Among top 10 sectors, the BFSI sector was the sole newcomer in 2023 compared to 2022.

    Toilet soaps retained its first position with nine per cent share of ad volumes in 2023 compared to 2022. Washing powders/liquids ascended to second position with four per cent share of ad volumes compared to its third position in 2022. Together, the top 10 categories covered 38 per cent share of ad volumes in 2023. In 2023, biscuits was the only new entrant with three per cent share of ad volumes over 2022.

    During 2023, toilet soaps saw the highest increase in ad secondages as compared to 2022, followed by washing powders/liquids with 54 per cent and 15 per cent ad volumes growth respectively. In terms of growth percentage among the top 10 categories, air fresheners topped with the highest growth of three times.

    Top 10 advertisers contributed 57 per cent share of movies genre’s ad volumes. HUL was the leading advertiser with 22 per cent share of ad volumes in 2023. Along with HUL, Reckitt Benckiser (India) and P&G retained their respective positions in 2023 over 2022. Nestle India was a new entrant and secured the 10th position in 2023 compared to its 11th position in 2022.

    In the movie genre, Devdarshan Dhoop Industries stood out as the primary exclusive advertiser among the 35 plus advertisers prominently featured in the 2023.

    The top 10 brands contributed 11 per cent share of movies ad volumes. Compared to 2022, Dettol Toilet Soaps retained its first position in 2023.

    Sandoor Sandal and Turmeric, Lifebouy Toilet Soap and Colgate Dental Cream were new entrants during 2023 over 2022. Out of the top 10 brands present in 2023, four of them belonged to Reckitt Benckiser (India) and four belonged to Hindustan Unilever.

    470 plus advertisers & 1.4K plus brands exclusively advertised in movie genre during 2023 as compared to 2022. Piramal Capital & Housing Finance and Lux Jasmine & Vitamin C+E were the top exclusive advertisers and brands respectively during 2023 as compared to 2022.

    Prime time was the most preferred time band on movie genre followed by afternoon and morning time bands. Primetime, afternoon & morning time bands together added more than 70 per cent share of ad volumes.

    In both 2023 and 2022, ads lasting for 20-40 seconds dominated the advertising landscape of the movie genre on TV, accounting for over half of the total ad volumes. Following closely, commercials lasting less than 20 seconds emerged as the second most favored choice for advertising on movie channels in both years.