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Tag: Raymond

  • 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.
     

  • Ashok Namboodiri joins Revsportz as consulting editor to help supercharge global play

    Ashok Namboodiri joins Revsportz as consulting editor to help supercharge global play

    MUMBAI:  Ashok Namboodiri, who until recently led Zee’s international business, has joined Revsportz Global as consulting editor, the fast-growing sports media company confirmed today.

    The announcement was made by Boria Majumdar, founder &  editor in chief of Revsportz, who called Namboodiri “a very strong intellectual” and a long-time friend. 

    The two had kept in touch since Namboodiri’s tenure leading Zee’s international business from Dubai, and their recent meetings have sparked what Majumdar describes as a “smooth and natural” collaboration.

    Namboodiri’s resume reads like a media executive’s dream deck. From leading P&Ls at Zee Entertainment, Star India, and Raymond’s FMCG arm, to heading beverage verticals at Britannia and Tata PepsiCo JV NourishCo, he’s run the numbers and the narratives. Now, he steps into a more editorial and strategic role—ready to launch his own show, write regularly, and push Revsportz’s global game.

    “Over the next few weeks, you’ll hear a lot more from Ashok,” Majumdar teased, adding that the move signals ambitious international expansion for Revsportz.

    Namboodiri will contribute to the editorial voice, business direction and platform innovation at Revsportz—making it clear that the brand is playing to win, both on home turf and abroad.

    Revsportz just drew a powerful card in the media game. The duel for sports eyeballs is on.

  • Singhania as chairman & Kataria as MD get nod from Raymond Lifestyle shareholders

    Singhania as chairman & Kataria as MD get nod from Raymond Lifestyle shareholders

    MUMBAI: In the evening hours of 4 December Raymond Lifestyle – part of the Raymond group– informed the Bombay stock exchange that it had received the required majority from shareholders for the company’s  special resolutions placed before  them at its AGM. 

    Amongst the most important was the appointment of Gautam Hari Singhania as executive chairman. In the  SEBI regulatory filing by the company, it was revealed that 86.85 percent of the 4,17,57,480 votes cast were in favor of the resolution for Singhania’s appointment, while 13.15 percent were against it. Special resolutions, according  to corporate rules,  require 75 per cent or more favourable shareholder votes for them to be deemed to have been approved.

    The shareholders also approved the appointment of CEO Sunil Kataria as its managing director (MD). In Kataria’s case, 89.6631 per cent shareholders were in favor of his new appointment, while 10.3369 were against. 

    Another six special resolutions relating to the appointment of independent directors also sailed through, garnering the required majority from shareholders.
     
    Media reports had expressed concern when some investor groups had lobbied Raymond Lifestyle shareholders to vote against the special resolutions. 

    Raymond Lifestyle had been listed on the stock exchanges on 5 September after demerging and being carved out from Raymond, with Singhania continuing to lead both the entities.

    Later commenting on the development, a Raymond Lifestyle spokesperson said  its shareholders have demonstrated full confidence and voted for Gautam Hari Singhania as chairman and Sunil Kataria as the managing director. 

    “This development has reinforced the fact that the promoter is fully committed towards the organisation’s growth and creating shareholder value,” he  said.

  • Staqu announces its collaboration with Raymond

    Staqu announces its collaboration with Raymond

    Mumbai: Staqu, an AI implementation enabler, announced its collaboration with Raymond, a fashion and lifestyle industry. Together, they aim to revolutionise Raymond’s offline retail stores by integrating JARVIS into their existing CCTV systems, making them more intelligent and insightful. By leveraging Staqu’s cutting-edge JARVIS solution, Raymond will equip its extensive network of 1400 stores across India with advanced video analytics capabilities.

    Raymond has taken a significant leap forward by integrating JARVIS to enhance customer engagement and provide a seamless shopping experience. This cutting-edge technology analyzes customer purchasing patterns, conducts demographic analyses, counts unique visitors, monitors section-wise occupancy, identifies abandoned footfall, and offers counter assistance.

    Commenting on the partnership, Staqu co-founder and CEO Atul Rai said, “We believe in innovating and utilizing our technological prowess in AI and Deep Tech to improve the shopping journey of customers. We are proud to partner with Raymond, a brand synonymous with quality and innovation. Our AI platform, JARVIS, is designed to enhance the customer experience, and we are confident it will provide immense value to Raymond’s drive overall business growth with this collaboration, we hope to set a new benchmark in the retail industry.”

    He further added, “The e-commerce market has long provided businesses with customer insights that offline stores lacked. However, with JARVIS, offline stores can now collect and analyze customer data to make informed decisions. JARVIS provides real-time customer insights, allowing businesses to optimize stores and store-oriented marketing campaigns.”

    Key benefits of Jarvis AI video analytics at Raymond stores

    . Analysis of total footfall.

    . Analyzes customer demographics.

    . Linking footfall with sales for analysis of conversion rates.

    .  Analyzing peak store times to offer insights into the effectiveness of promotions and layouts.

    . Provide aggregate store-level data for measuring performance.

    . Analyze store occupancy by section to understand performance in different areas.

    .  Ensures safety compliance

    . Identifies customers leaving without purchasing

    .  Sends alerts for store opening and closing times.

    .  Enhances customer service quality with real-time insights and alerts

    Raymond CTO Ravi Hudda expressed his enthusiasm, “Our association with Staqu to deploy JARVIS has elevated our retail experience manifold and set a new benchmark for leveraging AI in the fashion industry. With this platform, we are not only embracing the power of AI but also ushering in a new era of customer experiences across our vast network of stores.”

    Jarvis boasts advanced video analytics, enabling Raymond to analyze demographics, customer journeys, and conversion rates in real-time, turning data into actionable insights.

    The platform’s plug-and-play nature makes it convenient to integrate into existing CCTV camera installations. Raymond’s stores across the country have onboarded JARVIS using an in-house technique that utilizes Private IP rather than RTSP from Public IP. The Jarvis dashboard provides insights at both the individual store level and aggregate levels.

    Jarvis ensures safety and data analytics through seamless technology. Its plug-and-play capability only requires a stable internet connection. JARVIS analyzes video data coming from CCTV, offering comprehensive insights. Staqu sets itself apart by combining video management software and video analytics into a single platform, enhancing efficiency beyond other solutions. Unlike other market players that only facilitate post-event analysis or day-by-day reporting, Staqu ensures a continuous flow of communication and enhanced safety.

  • The Raymond Shop partners with Aparshakti Khurrana

    The Raymond Shop partners with Aparshakti Khurrana

    Mumbai: The Raymond Shop partners with renowned B-town celebrity couple, Aparshakti Khurrana and Aakriti Ahuja exemplifying a shared commitment to style, elegance, and sartorial excellence. This partnership highlights Raymond’s men’s wardrobe offering as a preferred destination for people who know their style. The Raymond Shop has 1000 plus outposts across 600 towns and cities in India, spreading across the length and breadth of the country.

    Aparshakti and Aakriti love The Raymond Shop’s wide range of men’s fashion and the unparalleled shopping experience it provides to all its customers alike. The premium fashion destination also caters to a diverse brand offering such as Raymond Fine Fabrics, Raymond Ready to Wear, Park Avenue, Parx, and Colorplus; each brand offering a seamless experience to all its customers.

    Raymond has been around for 99 years and is known for its excellence in designs offering the best in menswear fashion. Whether you need an outfit in casual, semi-formal, formal, or Indian wear, Raymond has got you covered from fine fabrics tailored into custom suits to ready-to-wear formal and casual wear. The custom tailoring services ensure every fabric is meticulously crafted to give you a perfectly fitted ensemble.

    Aparshakti Khurrana and Aakriti Ahuja partnering up with The Raymond Shop exhibit their affinity for the brand’s classic style and commitment to quality. Their love for classy and elegant fashion aligns perfectly with what Raymond as a premium menswear brand truly stands for.

    The Raymond Shop is like a symbol of excellence in men’s fashion, a one-stop fashion destination for a full wardrobe dressing solution. It’s all about premium, personalised services, timeless designs, and exceptional craftsmanship that stand as a beacon of perfection. By partnering with The Raymond Shop, Aparshakti, and Aakriti are strengthening the ties that appreciate and value both great quality and timeless attire.

     

     

  • Siti Networks CFO Vikram Singh Panwar resigns

    Siti Networks CFO Vikram Singh Panwar resigns

    MUMBAI: Even as all eyes have been focused on the drama at Zee Entertainment Enterprises, there’s been some developments at the troubled Subhash Chandra-owned Siti Networks too. Chief financial officer Vikram Singh Panwar put in his resignation a couple of days ago. The company filed a notice to this effect with the Bombay stock exchange on 9 August 2023. Panwar will continue with Siti Networks until the end of his notice period.

    Panwar had joined the company as CFO as recently as 15 April 2023. A chartered accountant with more than 18 years of experience, Panwar has been part of the digital and structural transformation journey of various companies in telecom, IT, apparel and textile, chemicals and consulting. Among the firms which he has worked with include:  HFCL, HCL Tech, PwC India, Raymond and PI Industries.

  • In association with DDB Mudra Group, Ethnix by Raymond announces its latest campaign

    In association with DDB Mudra Group, Ethnix by Raymond announces its latest campaign

    Mumbai: In partnership with DDB Mudra Group, Raymond Ltd. has launched an exclusive campaign for Ethnix, showcasing the latest collection to celebrate the joy of shopping together with family and friends. This campaign celebrates the grandeur and glamour of Indian festive fashion.

    With the wedding season upon us, Ethnix by Raymond is set to offer the best ethnic wear fashion, such as sherwanis, kurtas, bundis, and jackets, to shoppers. Raymond is in the process of launching more than 90+ ethnicwear stores across India for families to shop together, coordinate outfits, and complement each other’s looks.

    The brand has adopted an integrated approach to bring alive an idea, integrating fashion with togetherness and inclusivity. The campaign comprises a megafilm for theatre release, print, outdoor, and digital advertising.

    Elaborating on the campaign, Raymond CMO Himanshu Khanna says, “Weddings and festivities have always been occasions to unite families. The preparations start well in advance, usually with extensive and intensive shopping trips. The vibe of these festivities can only be cherished when families shop together. The idea of this campaign is to reinforce the fact that Indians are all about celebrating every happy occasion with family, be it a festival, wedding, or shopping spree.”

    DDB Mudra Group’s national integration head Gaurav Magotra said, “Shopping online is a convenience. But shopping at an exclusive store is an experience. We wanted to celebrate the magic of getting ready for a big occasion on a bigger map. The baaraat could, in fact, begin at an Ethnix by Raymond store!”

    The Ethnix by Raymond advertisement will be screened across movie halls in cities where the brand has a physical presence through stores. The campaign will also have a significant digital presence. Shot entirely in an Ethnix by Raymond store, the film invites families to participate, feel the emotions, and have fun while shopping.

  • ISA global CEO conference 2022 focuses on VUCA 2.0

    ISA global CEO conference 2022 focuses on VUCA 2.0

    Mumbai: The Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA) is organising the third edition of The ISA Global CEO Conference on ‘VUCA 2.0: Transforming Organisations and Brands.’ The conference is scheduled for 22 August 2022 at ITC Grand Central, Parel, Mumbai.

    VUCA 2.0 is characterised by incredibly high volatility, tremendous uncertainty, huge complexity, and unfathomable ambiguity.

    This conference will focus on addressing the issues faced by organisations and brands with inputs from experts featuring a galaxy of global and Indian CEOs.

    Some of the distinguished keynote speakers include: Unilever PLC chief people & transformation officer and Hindustan Unilever (Live Virtual) chairman Nitin Paranjpe; World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) president and Mastercard (Live Virtual)-healthcare division’s chief marketing & communications officer and president Raja Rajamannar; and Procter & Gamble Company chief operating officer Shailesh Jejurikar. Their keynote speeches will be related to different aspects of the conference theme.

    In addition to this, the half-day conference will also feature a panel discussion by distinguished Indian CEOs giving an Indian perspective on the conference theme. The half-day event is also expected to have senior management from marketing, media, and creative agencies and leaders who are driving a transformational change agenda in their businesses in attendance.

    Speaking about the idea behind this year’s theme, Raymond Lifestyle CEO and ISA chairman Sunil Kataria said, “Change is going to be our only constant and the landscape we work in is shifting continuously. Every change sows the seeds for a greater transformation, provided we are able to navigate through it as compared to being overwhelmed by it . With the best minds in the industry coming together for this conference, we hope to find some answers and return richer with valuable insights.”

  • Raymond appoints Atul Singh as EVP, to lead the Group

    Raymond appoints Atul Singh as EVP, to lead the Group

    MUMBAI: Textile, apparel, retail & real estate conglomerate, Raymond has announced the appointment of Atul Singh to lead the Group. As Raymond is gearing to mark its centenary year in 2025, the company is on a transformation journey by strengthening its leadership by bringing diverse experience on board, it said in a statement.

    The nomination and remuneration committee of Raymond has recommended Singh’s appointment as executive vice-chairman to the Board of Raymond Ltd subject to and post securing necessary regulatory clearances.

    Singh comes with diversified experience of over 35 years of leading multi-billion dollar businesses across several geographies globally. Singh worked at Coca-Cola for about two decades in several senior leadership positions and concluded his journey there as chairman of Asia Pacific and spearheaded businesses across 25 countries. 

    Before joining Coca-Cola, Singh worked at Colgate-Palmolive for 10 years where he held several leadership positions globally. His last stint at Colgate-Palmolive was country manager, Nigeria.

    Commenting on the appointment, Raymond chairman & managing director Gautam Hari Singhania said, “I have always believed in the philosophy of demarcating ownership and management that brings in global expertise & good governance. Raymond is at an inflection point and has embarked upon the journey to be a future-ready organisation to achieve profitable growth and value unlocking. As we are headed to complete 100 years of our existence, strong leadership for the organisation will propel us to scale up our businesses both in domestic and global markets. With his impeccable track record, I am confident that Atul will lend his expertise for Raymond to sustain and grow in each of the businesses we operate.”

    In his new role, Singh said “Raymond is one of the most reputed home-grown brands from India and has enormous growth potential. It is very exciting to be part of the transformation journey and lead the organisation to its centenary year. I look forward to contribute and chart out a growth path for the organisation and shareholder value creation.”

  • Raymond onboards Sunil Kataria as CEO of lifestyle business

    Raymond onboards Sunil Kataria as CEO of lifestyle business

    Mumbai: Raymond on Wednesday announced the onboarding of Sunil Kataria as CEO of lifestyle business.  This new appointment comes at a critical juncture in Raymond’s journey as the fashion apparel space sees numerous international labels entering the Indian market, the company said.

    In his new role, Kataria will be responsible for steering the next phase of growth by driving the digital agenda and strengthening the brand’s presence in domestic and international markets.

    “At Raymond, we believe in having industry’s finest talent that resonates with our vision to create a ‘future ready’ organisation,” said Raymond Ltd chairman and managing director Gautam Hari Singhania. “During the last few years, we have been making stronger strides and creating brands and retail experiences for our loyal and new-age consumers. I would like to welcome Sunil to the Raymond family and believe that he would be instrumental in accelerating growth for the business in India and international markets.”

    The lifestyle business is the flagship vertical of Raymond Group which includes branded textiles, garmenting, shirting, retail and apparel business including brands such as – Raymond, Raymond Ready-to-Wear, Raymond Made to Measure, Park Avenue, ColorPlus, Parx and Ethnix by Raymond.

    During his earlier stint as the CEO of Godrej Consumer Products Ltd, Kataria managed the business operations of India and South East Asia. He spearheaded the transformation of the business – driving performance and best in class financial results and building a great workplace. With a rich experience spanning over three decades, he has worked with eminent names such as Marico and Idea Cellular. Currently, he also serves as the chairman of The Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA).