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Tag: Marico

  • Madison Avenue moment as Havas closes in on Sam Balsara’s empire

    Madison Avenue moment as Havas closes in on Sam Balsara’s empire

    MUMBAI: The curtain is about to rise on one of Indian advertising’s most dramatic acts. After months of speculation, the Havas–Madison deal has now reached the signing stage, with top industry sources confirming that the Rs 700-crore acquisition for a 70 per cent stake is nearly sealed. For Sam Balsara, the man who has kept Madison fiercely independent for over three decades, this could be the turning point of a storied career.

    Industry insiders said that while it is “not right to discuss valuations at this stage,” both sides have agreed on the major terms. “The banker involved has finalised all formalities and the deal is on the verge of completion. Most likely, by early 2026 after regulatory approvals, it will be announced,” one veteran leader said.

    If the deal closes, it will peg Madison’s valuation close to Rs 1,000 crore, nearly double the Rs 500 crore price Balsara once discussed with WPP in 2015 though far short of the lofty numbers once floated.

    The move is no surprise given Havas’s acquisitive streak in India. Led globally by Yannick Bolloré, the network has snapped up five to six agencies in the past eight years and continues to see consolidation as its playbook for India. Bolloré had said earlier this year that cultural unification and strategic partnerships would remain core to Havas’s growth.

    Securing Madison, one of India’s last great independents, would not only give Havas scale but also cement its presence in a fiercely competitive market.

    For Madison, the timing is crucial. Over the past year, it has lost marquee clients including Godrej Consumer Products, McDonald’s, Atomberg, and Raymond, while Marico currently reviews its business. The losses have shaken confidence and intensified pressure on Balsara to secure a future-proof partner with technology, scale, and multinational backing.

    The agency has tried to respond. In August 2025, Madison brought back Ajit Varghese as partner and group CEO of Media and OOH with an equity stake marking his return after senior stints at JioHotstar and WPP. Earlier in the year, Vivek Das, ex-Google India and Southeast Asia executive, joined as chief marketing officer. Madison also completed its 100 per cent acquisition of Hiveminds, the performance marketing specialist it first invested in back in 2017.

    These moves underscored an effort to rebuild digital muscle and shore up bargaining power ahead of negotiations.

    For Balsara, long hailed as Indian advertising’s last independent mogul, the Havas deal may feel bittersweet. But it also signals realism: independence has limits in a world where scale, data, and global platforms dictate the pace.

    As one industry insider put it: “This is not just a deal, it’s an inevitability. Madison’s survival now depends on becoming part of something bigger.”

    If signed, the Havas–Madison marriage would go down as one of Indian advertising’s most significant consolidations marking the end of an era for independents and the dawn of a new one where even icons like Madison must reinvent themselves to stay in the game.

    Because in today’s ad world, survival isn’t about who shouts the loudest, it’s about who scales the fastest.
     

  • Marketing maestro plugs into EV future at Astro Motors

    Marketing maestro plugs into EV future at Astro Motors

    MUMBAI: Aniruddha Khandekar, a true grand fromage in the marketing consultancy world, has just revved up his career with a cracking new gig. He’s been tapped as the fresh-faced marketing director at Astro Motors IN, an emerging electric vehicle manufacturer looking to absolutely revolutionise the industry. He’s only been on the job since March 2025, but one expects he’s already hitting the ground running in Pune, Maharashtra.

    Astro Motors isn’t just another tin box on wheels; it’s a disruption-focused outfit intent on combining sheer innovation with a dollop of education to cut through the noise in India’s bewildering EV marketplace. Its advanced vehicle design, superior performance, and integrated management systems are built to meet the demands of everyone from your individual punter to the largest fleet operators. It sounds like the folks there are not just selling cars, they’re selling a vision – and a very British one at that.

    Khandekar brings a truly impressive pedigree to the role, having clocked up over 20 years in the cut-throat advertising and media trenches. The strategy consultant and fractional CMO, formerly of G-S-D Consulting, has been a marketing gun-for-hire, delivering impact for a stellar roster of clients. He’s previously steered the strategic ship for heavy hitters like Marico, Colgate Palmolive, Dell, and Lenovo during his VMLY&R days. Before that, his brainy insights bolstered giants such as Bajaj Auto, P&G, Oreo, Asian Paints, and Tata Sky during stints at Leo Burnett and Ogilvy. He’s consulted for everyone from EdTech startups like Accreda to Web3 MarTech platforms such as Cultos, even dabbling in market entry strategy for an electric commuter motorcycle – quite the pre-nup for his current role, one might say!

    With a track record of shaping consumer insights and crafting go-to-market strategies, Khandekar’s arrival promises to inject a serious jolt of marketing wizardry into Astro Motors. The EV space just got a bit more exciting, and rather stylishly so.

  • Lather rinse profit as Marico cleans up with Rs 1658 crore in FY25

    Lather rinse profit as Marico cleans up with Rs 1658 crore in FY25

    MUMBAI: When it comes to FMCG bigwigs, Marico isn’t just oiling the wheels, it’s flying on full throttle. Marico has closed FY25 with a consolidated net profit of Rs 1,658 crore, marking a 10 per cent rise over last year’s Rs 1,502 crore. The standalone numbers weren’t far behind either, with net profit at Rs 1,541 crore, reflecting a hefty 43 per cent jump from Rs 1,078 crore in FY24.

    Revenue from operations touched Rs 10,831 crore, up from Rs 9,653 crore a year earlier, while other income surged to Rs 208 crore from Rs 142 crore. That’s a total income of Rs 11,039 crore, served up with a generous side of operational efficiency.

    The Board, clearly in a generous mood, has recommended a final dividend of Rs 7 per share, bringing the total payout for the year to Rs 10.5 per equity share, including the interim Rs 3.5 disbursed in January.

    A major ingredient in this profitable recipe? Cost control. Despite global macro headwinds and raw material volatility, Marico kept total annual expenses at Rs 8,923 crore, managing margins smartly. Advertisement and promotion spends stood at Rs 1,128 crore, a modest increase from Rs 952 crore last year, showing the brand is still playing to win.

    Its international business, now contributing about 25 per cent to overall revenue, continues to ride strong tailwinds from Asia and Africa. On the domestic front, flagship brands like Parachute and Saffola, along with digital-first acquisitions like Just Herbs and Plix, helped widen the consumer base and deepen wallet share.

    The company also saw major movement on the investment and acquisition front completing the buyout of Apcos Naturals and increasing its stake in Satiya Nutraceuticals (Plix) to 51.38 per cent, transforming it into a majority-owned unit. Marico closed the year with Rs 321 crore in cash and equivalents, up from Rs 228 crore.

    Meanwhile, FMCG patriarch Harsh Mariwala, who turns 75 next year, will continue as a Non-Executive Director, with the board approving his continuation under SEBI’s age-related norms. Also onboard for the long haul is Dr K.R. Chandratre, appointed Secretarial Auditor for the next five years.

    With strong financials, smart acquisitions and a dividend that’s clearly keeping shareholders happy, Marico seems to have struck the perfect balance between tradition and transformation. In a market often running on fumes, this coconut oil kingpin is proving it’s still very much in its prime.

  • Unilever ropes in Noopur Bapna as media and digital marketing lead for ice-creams

    Unilever ropes in Noopur Bapna as media and digital marketing lead for ice-creams

    MUMBAI: Noopur Bapna has taken the plunge into the frosty world of frozen desserts, nabbing the coveted position of media and digital marketing lead for ice creams at Unilever India.

    Bapna’s career path has been anything but vanilla, having most recently served as group media manager at Marico Ltd where she spent nearly three years climbing the corporate ladder. Prior to this chilling new appointment, she honed her digital chops at GroupM, where she rose from senior director to partner during a two-and-a-half-year stint.

    Her CV boasts an impressive medley of media roles, with previous positions at The Social Street, where she spent nearly five years as media supervisor, and earlier gigs at the Times Group and DDB Mudra, where she cut her teeth on brands such as BPCL, Kuoni and World Gold Council.

    Bapna’s has  a well-stocked toolbox of skills to her new role, including media strategy, digital strategy and social media expertise—all essential ingredients in today’s marketing mix. 

    Unilever’s ice cream portfolio, which includes global heavyweights such as Magnum, Cornetto and Wall’s, will now benefit from Bapna’s digital savvy as the company continues to battle for supremacy in India’s increasingly competitive frozen treats market.

    The appointment comes at a time when digital marketing for consumables is heating up, even for products that need to stay below zero. With summer approaching in the subcontinent, the timing couldn’t be more delicious for both Bapna and Unilever.

  • Aprajit Kathuria bags top e-commerce role at Atomberg

    Aprajit Kathuria bags top e-commerce role at Atomberg

    MUMBAI: After five years of helping consumers slip into something more comfortable at Solethreads, Aprajit Kathuria has stepped into a new role as head of ecommerce at Atomberg Technologies.

    The marketing maven brings more than a dozen years of sales and marketing nous to the table, including his recent five-year stint as co-founder and chief marketing officer at the casual footwear brand, where he built the direct-to-consumer business from scratch.

    “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as head of ecommerce at Atomberg Technologies,” Kathuria announced on his LinkedIn profile.

    At Solethreads, Kathuria wore many hats—handling D2C business, performance marketing and expanding into retail with exclusive brand outlets. Under his watch, the company transformed from a bootstrapped venture to one backed by leading consumer VCs.

    His CV boasts impressive stints at consumer goods heavyweights Hindustan Unilever Ltd and Marico, where he helped establish digital-first brands and scale up e-commerce operations. At HUL, he reportedly grew monthly sales on Amazon by over 10 times in just one year.

    The computer science graduate’s career kicked off at Cavinkare, where he doubled monthly turnover within three months and achieved 90 per cent sales growth in his region.

    His academic credentials include an MBA in marketing from Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, where he participated in various marketing competitions and managed to squeeze in time for lawn tennis, singing and creative writing.

    With his knack for growing online sales and building brands from the ground up, Atomberg will be hoping Kathuria can generate some electric results in his new role.

  • Ad Standards take centre stage as India hosts Global Summit

    Ad Standards take centre stage as India hosts Global Summit

    MUMBAI: India is set to become the epicentre of global advertising conversations as the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) gears up to host the ICAS Global Summit ICAS Global Dialogues 2025 from 17 to 19 March 2025, in Mumbai. This marks a historic first, with the prestigious event being held outside Europe and the US, signalling India’s increasing influence in shaping global advertising self-regulation.

    The by-invite-only summit will convene self-regulatory leaders from 16 countries, alongside global advertising associations, regulators, and top Indian industry players. With AI and emerging technologies rapidly reshaping the industry, the summit aims to foster discussions on ethical, progressive, and consumer-first advertising practices.

    The summit will feature a series of thought-provoking sessions addressing key industry shifts. It will kick off with the ICAS Global Self-Regulation Awards (March 17), celebrating the most innovative and impactful advertising self-regulation initiatives worldwide. This will be followed by the ICAS Think Tank & Panel Discussion, where ASCI, alongside Hindustan Unilever, Marico, Cipla Health, and Kenvue, will shape the future of global advertising standards. On March 18, the session ‘Tomorrow’s Regulation Today’ will explore emerging consumer vulnerabilities and the evolving role of advertising regulations in tackling them. The final day, March 19, will see ASCI Academy’s Global Adda, unveiling two major research studies, ‘Manifest: Masculinities Beyond the Mask’, a deep dive into male representation in media, and ‘AdNext: The AI Edition’, which explores AI’s transformative impact on advertising.  

    With over 250 attendees expected, including industry leaders, regulators, and marketing professionals, the event promises insightful discussions, knowledge-sharing, and future-focused advertising strategies.

    ASCI CEO & secretary general Manisha Kapoor said, “Hosting the ICAS Global Summit in India is a proud milestone for ASCI and the Indian advertising industry. We look forward to collaborating with global experts and gaining insights that will help us navigate new complexities while strengthening consumer trust.”

    ASCI chairman Partha Sinha added, “The timing of this summit is crucial as AI and other technologies rapidly reshape advertising. Bringing global perspectives together will help us collectively design forward-looking approaches that balance innovation with responsibility.”

    The summit will host a star-studded lineup of speakers, bringing together influential voices from across industries. Key speakers include Abhishek Singh, additional secretary, MeitY; Devdutt Pattanaik, renowned mythologist and author; Michael Todd, global director at Google, and Guy Parker, president of ICAS. Adding to the distinguished roster are Mary K Engle, EVP-policy at BBB National Programs, USA; Mohan Jayaraman, partner at Bain & Company; Ruchira Jaitly, CMO of Diageo India and Paromita Vohra, acclaimed filmmaker and writer. Their collective expertise promises to drive meaningful discussions on the future of advertising and self-regulation.  

    Supported by Diageo India, Hindustan Unilever, Google, United Breweries, Makemytrip, Games24x7, Khaitan & Co., and Lexplosion, the ICAS Global Summit 2025 is poised to drive progressive, ethical, and future-ready advertising practices with India leading the charge.

  • Bata laces up for growth with Amit Aggarwal as CFO & whole-time director

    Bata laces up for growth with Amit Aggarwal as CFO & whole-time director

    MUMBAI: Bata India is tightening its financial game with the appointment of Amit Aggarwal as its Whole-Time director and chief financial officer. Armed with over two decades of experience in financial management, business strategy, and digital transformation, Aggarwal brings a wealth of expertise from leadership stints at Sugar Cosmetics, Marico, Nestlé India, and PwC.

    A chartered accountant with an advanced management certification from IIM Kolkata, Aggarwal has built a career on driving profitability, risk mitigation, and governance. His tenure as CFO at Sugar Cosmetics saw him navigating a fast-growing D2C brand, while his time at Marico and Nestlé honed his skills in financial strategy and process optimisation.

    Bata India, a household name in footwear, is expected to benefit from Aggarwal’s deep understanding of consumer-driven businesses. With a focus on accelerating growth, enhancing financial efficiencies, and leveraging digital innovation, his leadership marks a significant step in the company’s strategic evolution.

  • FILA 2025 honours leaders, sparks dialogue on India’s business future

    FILA 2025 honours leaders, sparks dialogue on India’s business future

    MUMBAI: Leadership, vision, and resilience take centre stage as Forbes India Leadership Awards (FILA) 2025 gears up for its grand 14th edition on 28 February 2025. With a power-packed lineup of industry trailblazers, economic thinkers, and visionary entrepreneurs, the event promises insights, inspiration, and accolades for those shaping India’s business landscape.

    The journey to this prestigious evening began in December 2024, when a distinguished jury—chaired by Marico’s founder and chairman Harsh Mariwala—began the task of identifying the best in leadership, innovation, and impact. The panel featured financial and business heavyweights such as Federal Bank MD & CEO KVS Manian, Bain Capital’s India chairman Amit Chandra, and Boat Lifestyle’s chairman Vivek Gambhir, among others.

    This year’s FILA 2025 will not only honour leaders but also spark dynamic discussions on India’s evolving business landscape. Key highlights include a panel discussion on India’s Growth Story in a Volatile Environment, featuring KVS Manian, Rajesh Jejurikar, and Madan Sabnavis, exploring economic resilience and future opportunities. Tata Power CEO Praveer Sinha will take the stage for a fireside chat on India’s energy transition, shedding light on the sector’s transformation.

    Adding a touch of glamour and business acumen, movie actor and entrepreneur Katrina Kaif will share insights on ‘Going Beyond Endorsements—Building Your Brand,’ offering a glimpse into her journey from actor to business leader.  

    Supported by partners including Federal Bank, Kia, Rajasthan Tourism, and Reliance Industries, FILA 2025 is set to honour leaders who not only drive business success but also shape India’s future.

  • Pooja Sahgal appointed global CMO at International Gemological Institute

    Pooja Sahgal appointed global CMO at International Gemological Institute

    MUMBAI: Pooja Sahgal has been appointed global chief marketing officer at the International Gemological Institute (IGI).

    Sahgal joins from Godrej Consumer Products, where she served as vice president and head of category direction since August 2023. She previously held CMO positions at Raymond Consumer Care (2021-2023) and Kaya Limited (2019-2021).

    Her career includes senior roles at L’Oréal as general manager for Maybelline New York India, and nearly seven years at Kellogg across UK and Indian operations. Earlier positions include stints at Marico, Unilever, JWT and Lowe and Partners.

    Sahgal holds an MBA in Marketing from Sydenham Institute and a Bachelor of Commerce from H.R. College.
    Known for her expertise in brand development, digital marketing and ecommerce, colleagues highlight her collaborative leadership style and cross-functional capabilities in the consumer products sector.

  • Marico launches Saffola Cuppa Oats, revolutionising quick & nutritious snacking

    Marico launches Saffola Cuppa Oats, revolutionising quick & nutritious snacking

    MUMBAI: Marico, one of India’s leading FMCG giants, has shaken up the oats category with its latest innovation—Saffola Cuppa Oats. Designed for today’s fast-paced consumers, this ‘masaledaar’ yet nutritious snack delivers bold flavours with zero time waste.

    Ready in just four minutes with boiling hot water, Saffola Cuppa Oats comes in two irresistible flavours—Magic Masala and Spicy Mexicana. The recipe combines oats, millets, and crunchy multigrain bites, offering not only a satisfying crunch but also high fibre and protein content.

    True to Saffola’s ‘No Nasties’ promise, the product is made with no maida, artificial flavours, colours, preservatives, or palm oil, ensuring a better-for-you snack without compromising on taste.

    Whether it’s a rushed morning, an afternoon slump, or a midnight craving, Saffola Cuppa Oats provides the perfect balance of taste, nutrition, and convenience. Designed for working professionals, young adults, and students, this mess-free solution fits seamlessly into busy schedules.

    Currently available across leading retail stores and quick-commerce platforms, Saffola Cuppa Oats is the go-to snack for the modern consumer who craves bold flavours and quick, nutritious fixes.

    Introducing the product, Marico Ltd business head – foods business Nilanjan Roy Choudhury shared insights on the launch, “At Marico, we are committed to continuous innovation that meets the evolving health needs of our consumers. We recognised that modern consumers crave a snack that delivers flavour and nutrition without compromising on the chores of their busy life. To bridge this gap, we curated Saffola Cuppa Oats, a category-redefining easy-cook oats offering a quick, tasty, and nutritious mess-free snack that fuels their ambitions and effortlessly fits into their dynamic lifestyles. This unique product represents a fusion of modern convenience and wholegrain goodness, designed for today’s fast-moving world.”

    With Marico’s legacy of innovation and Saffola’s commitment to better-for-you products, Cuppa Oats is poised to become a game-changer in the instant snack category.