Moves and Wins: Week of 16 June

NDTV India appoints Rohit Vishwakarma as managing editor

NDTV India has appointed Rohit Vishwakarma as its new managing editor. Vishwakarma brings over two decades of experience across media brands including Star News, Aaj Tak, India TV, NDTV 24x7, TV9, and Editorji. He launched RTV News Network in 2023, where he oversaw editorial operations and introduced app-based features such as multilingual video content, personalised playlists, and interactive tools for viewers. Some of his notable programmes include Wah Cricket, Fund Ka Funda, Third Degree, and Uncensored, besides his extensive reporting during key elections and crises, including the lumpy skin disease outbreak of 2022. Vishwakarma has also led newsrooms across Hindi, English, Marathi, and Telugu languages, including taking TV9 Marathi to the No 1 spot—making him the first non-Marathi editor to do so.

Fixderma unveils refreshed brand identity

Fixderma has unveiled a refreshed brand identity to mark Acne Awareness Month. The updated visual identity, including a redesigned logo, reflects the brand’s focus on normalising conversations around acne and building awareness about its treatment. In line with this, Fixderma has launched a campaign #WeFixYourSkin, which includes influencer-led digital storytelling, expert-backed advice, and real user experiences. The campaign aims to educate consumers on the causes, treatment, and emotional toll of acne, while encouraging them to seek credible, dermatologically tested solutions. At the centre of the campaign is Fixderma’s Salyzap range, formulated with salicylic acid, niacinamide, and other actives. The range targets various stages of acne—from prevention and active breakouts to post-acne marks—without compromising the skin barrier. With acne-related issues on the rise across age groups, Fixderma’s campaign promotes long-term skin health over cosmetic coverage. Established in 2010, Fixderma serves dermatologists and consumers across over 40 countries. The brand recently opened its first flagship store in Gurugram and is prescribed by over 15,000 dermatologists in India. 

Team Pumpkin names Vinod Khandelwal as CGO for product, e-commerce

Team Pumpkin has appointed Vinod Khandelwal as chief growth officer for product and e-commerce. Khandelwal has over 17 years of experience in product development, e-commerce, and sourcing. He previously held leadership roles at Springwel Mattresses and Nilkamal, where he was instrumental in launching and scaling direct-to-consumer brands and managing multi-channel growth. His expertise includes product strategy, vendor management, customer experience, and budgeting. At Team Pumpkin, he will focus on enhancing client brands by integrating strategy, product innovation, and digital-offline experiences. His appointment reflects the agency’s aim to strengthen its leadership team amid growing demand for omnichannel brand engagement. Team Pumpkin works across digital strategy, storytelling, influencer marketing, and technology. Khandelwal’s addition is expected to deepen the agency’s capabilities in product-led brand building and growth. The move is part of a broader effort by Team Pumpkin to remain at the forefront of digital innovation and deliver measurable business outcomes for its clients.

WPP’s EssenceMediacom wins Nilkamal brief

WPP Media has won the media mandate for Nilkamal Limited, with EssenceMediacom managing both digital and offline strategy. The engagement includes media planning, digital buying, and execution across platforms. EssenceMediacom will lead strategy, campaign development, and implementation for the account. The mandate focuses on leveraging audience analytics and martech tools, including AI-driven segmentation and programmatic buying. Nilkamal’s marketing will be shaped using precision targeting and full-funnel strategies aimed at increasing reach and engagement. EssenceMediacom will explore content formats such as interactive storytelling and immersive brand experiences. The campaign aims to enhance Nilkamal’s presence among new-age consumers and drive measurable business outcomes. Nilkamal manufactures moulded plastic furniture and has diversified into verticals such as mattresses and modular furniture. Its brands include Nilkamal Sleep, Nilkamal Edge, and Nilkamal Homes.

Enrission backs Pico Xpress logistics expansion

Enrission India Capital has invested in the pre-series A round of Pico Xpress, a logistics company operating in India’s quick commerce sector. Pico Xpress provides essential deliveries in time frames ranging from 5 to 120 minutes. It currently operates in over eight cities. Founded by Aniruddha Gangopadhyay and Kamal Syal, Pico Xpress focuses on scaling a logistics infrastructure to serve the fast-growing quick commerce market in India, estimated to be worth $4 billion. The investment is aimed at strengthening the company’s operational footprint and enhancing its technology stack, including automation and routing systems. The funding will enable Pico Xpress to develop its delivery network and improve turnaround time and service reliability. The company is also working to build strategic partnerships with FMCG and retail brands to expand nationwide reach. The capital infusion from Enrission India Capital is intended to support the company’s roadmap for building a delivery backbone that can meet the evolving demands of instant commerce in India.

Secret Sauce Communications wins PR mandate for Bindu Fizz

Secret Sauce Communications has been appointed PR and corporate reputation partner for Bindu Fizz Jeera Masala, a beverage brand owned by SG Corporates. The appointment supports House of Bindu’s plan to expand its flagship product, a cumin-flavoured drink, across India. SG Corporates aims to position the drink among Gen Z and young millennial consumers. The mandate involves national public relations, brand positioning, and campaign execution strategies. The initiative also supports the company’s shift toward offering ethnic beverages with broad youth appeal. Bindu Fizz Jeera Masala combines traditional flavours with modern marketing. SG Corporates, originally launched with an automobile parts shop in 1987, later expanded into finance, water packaging, and now a diverse range of food and beverage products. House of Bindu has a network of over 1,500 distributors, 2,00,000 retail outlets, and more than 20 warehouses across seven states. Secret Sauce Communications has clients in FMCG, healthcare, beauty, infrastructure, and other sectors. Its role will be to drive thought leadership, consumer engagement, and national visibility for the Bindu Fizz brand.

PRandit gets PR duties for Strrot

PRandit has secured the strategic communications mandate for Strrot, a luxury interiors and design brand headquartered in Gurugram. The engagement includes media strategy, editorial curation, and brand storytelling. Strrot offers a curated collection of rare furniture and decor, featuring works from international design houses including Seletti (Italy), Driade (Italy), Lotus Arts de Vivre (Thailand), and Ebano (Spain). Its flagship store is located in New Delhi. The brand is based on a philosophy of ‘living with art’ and includes a bespoke home collection tailored for Indian interiors. It brings limited-edition design items made with materials such as semi-precious stones, sterling silver, and scarab wings. As part of this engagement, Strrot will unveil the Ebano sculpture collection, marking a new phase in its India journey. The PR strategy includes positioning the brand at the intersection of global artistry and Indian sensibilities. PRandit will manage media outreach and serve as a communications partner in Strrot’s upcoming showcases and campaigns.

Mukund Acharya joins SPNI as CTO

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has appointed Mukund Acharya as its Chief Technology Officer. He will lead the Enterprise Technology Group, Sony LIV Technology, and Broadcast Operations and Network Engineering. Acharya will oversee SPNI’s digital transformation agenda and align technology operations with business growth plans across linear and digital platforms. He has more than 29 years of experience, including roles at Yahoo, InMobi, and JioStar (formerly Disney+ Hotstar), where he led the integration of Hotstar with JioCinema and large-scale live event streaming. He will report to the company’s Managing Director and CEO and collaborate closely with Sony LIV to support platform innovation. SPNI operates 28 channels in India, spanning entertainment, sports, movies, and children’s programming. It also manages the Sony LIV OTT platform and original content production through Studio NEXT. The network reaches over 700 million viewers in India and is available in more than 150 countries. SPNI is part of Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, Japan. The company is in its 30th year of operations and has been recognised for its workplace culture and inclusion practices.

Prohed wins the fifth Khoya Mithai brief

Digital marketing agency Prohed has secured the digital mandate for Khoya Mithai for the fifth consecutive year. The agency will manage the brand’s performance marketing and search engine optimisation (SEO) efforts. Khoya Mithai is a luxury sweets brand offering artisanal Indian mithai. The partnership has contributed to the brand’s growth in visibility, sales, and market presence since 2021. The marketing strategy involves targeted campaigns, audience segmentation, and continuous performance tracking. Prohed’s approach has helped Khoya expand its digital footprint and scale operations across new markets, according to a company press release. The brand has introduced a range of traditional and contemporary sweets and curated offerings designed for modern and nostalgic consumers. The renewed engagement will focus on boosting brand awareness and customer acquisition through paid media and SEO campaigns. The aim is to sustain and grow Khoya’s position in India’s competitive luxury food space.

Warner Bros partners with Indian studios for adaptations

Warner Bros Pictures, Bhanushali Studios Limited (BSL), and JOAT Films have formed a five-film partnership to develop Indian adaptations of Warner Bros titles. The venture will blend Indian cultural elements with the original emotional narratives, and Warner Bros Pictures will handle global distribution. BSL, led by Vinod Bhanushali, has recent success with the web original film Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai (Just one person is enough), which won five 2023 Filmfare OTT Awards. JOAT Films, under Jack Nguyen, contributes three decades of Asian production expertise. Development of the first adaptation is underway, with creative teams and production timelines to be announced.

Shubhranshu Singh joins Effie LIONS board

Shubhranshu Singh, chief marketing officer of Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, has joined the inaugural board of directors of the Effie LIONS Foundation, a non-profit based in New York. The foundation was formed following Informa plc’s acquisition of Effie Worldwide. It aims to support the global marketing industry by fostering talent from underrepresented communities. As a board member, Singh will contribute to shaping the foundation’s programmes, particularly focusing on the needs of India and South Asia. He will also serve on two board committees and participate in biannual meetings held in January and during the Cannes Lions Festival in June. Board members hold full authority in guiding the foundation’s strategic direction and ensuring its financial integrity. The board comprises leaders from brands, media, non-profit organisations, and academia, to address future talent needs in marketing.

Confiance wins PR mandate for Specta

Confiance Communications has secured the public relations mandate for Specta Quartz Surfaces, a Jaipur-based brand specialising in engineered quartz. The agency will lead Specta’s communications strategy to position it as a culture-forward home surfaces brand rooted in Indian design sensibilities. The agency will deliver a long-term roadmap involving storytelling, thought leadership, media visibility, and innovation showcases to enhance the brand's presence among architects, interior designers, and homeowners in urban India.  Confiance will focus on integrating cultural and seasonal narratives, promoting Specta’s design language in editorials, launching pop-culture-inspired campaigns, and amplifying the brand’s sustainability and Make in India initiatives. These include an emphasis on local production, non-toxic materials, low-waste manufacturing, and social impact goals. Confiance Communications is known for its work with startups, venture capital firms, and listed companies such as ProcMart, TIL Limited, and Just Herbs. It has supported the media presence of over 100 organisations and helped craft more than 10,000 brand stories, according to a company press release. Specta Quartz Surfaces leverages Italy's Breton technology to produce quartz.

ARE appoints senior leaders for India

Asia Research & Engagement (ARE) has expanded its India team with two senior appointments. Shishir Soti has joined as director, of global operations and partnerships, and Arun Kumar as strategic advisor – power markets and technology innovation. Soti brings 25 years of experience in banking and environmental organisations, having held roles at Standard Chartered, ICICI Bank, the Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation and the Environmental Defense Fund. He will integrate India into ARE’s regional programmes on financed emissions, sustainable food systems and transition financing, and lead stakeholder engagement and fundraising strategy. Kumar arrives with over 25 years in power markets, technology and strategy, having led teams at PTC India, HSBC Securities, KPMG, and Crisil, where he was ranked among India’s top energy analysts. He will advise on regulatory trends, market innovation, and grid decarbonisation. Both the leaders will collaborate with Rituj Sahu, director – protein transition (India), who has led ARE’s food systems, climate finance and impact stewardship work since 2022. Through their combined expertise, they will focus on three core areas—energy transition and financed emissions engagement, sustainable agriculture systems pertaining primarily to protein transition, and capital mobilisation linking global finance with local sustainability goals. Founded in Singapore in 2013, ARE endeavours to align capital markets, corporate strategy, and policy to drive sustainability outcomes across Asia’s key economies including China, India, and Japan.

Human Global wins HRD Antwerp creative mandate

Mumbai-based agency Human Global has secured the creative mandate for HRD Antwerp, Europe’s largest diamond grading company. The mandate covers a launch campaign, social media design and film production. Founded in 2023, Human Global specialises in branding, design, and communications. The agency will craft brand communication for HRD Antwerp, leveraging its five-decade legacy in diamond and jewellery grading, education, and retailer services. Human Global’s duties include producing a series of personalised films, designing social media assets, and developing the launch campaign. HRD Antwerp, established in Antwerp’s diamond trade since the 1400s, provides grading, education and retail services worldwide.

Zyod and Fan Mania launch licensed merchandise venture

Apparel manufacturer Zyod has partnered with licensing company Fan Mania to introduce premium licensed merchandise in India. Under the agreement, Zyod will handle production and distribution across its Indian network, while Fan Mania will manage licensing, design approvals, and brand liaison. The collaboration will bring products from gaming franchises, animation series and film IPs—including PlayStation, Peanuts, Hasbro, Sanrio and Warner Brothers—to Indian retailers. The partnership will combine Zyod’s manufacturing capabilities and retail network with Fan Mania’s global IP access. The duo aims to meet the rising consumer demand for pop culture merchandise by delivering collections that reflect current trends and cultural relevance. Founded in 2023, Zyod offers a catalogue of 10,000 monthly styles with rapid turnaround and flexible minimum order quantities. Fan Mania, with offices in Dubai, Dammam, Istanbul and Mumbai, holds licences for global brands across apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty and home.

Bizzcom Solutions launches operations in the USA

PR and communications agency Bizzcom Solutions has expanded into the United States by launching its business operations in New Jersey and New York. The agency will offer PR, media relations, digital communication, brand storytelling, thought leadership campaigns and crisis management across education, hospitality, IT, healthcare, wealth management, fashion and wellness sectors. The expansion aims to connect US brands with strong narratives and open fresh avenues for Indian businesses seeking international visibility. Founded in India, Bizzcom Solutions specialises in reputation management, corporate branding, event promotion, and influencer collaborations.

GMR Rugby League partners with HSBC for Season 1

The inaugural GMR Rugby Premier League has announced HSBC India as its ‘Powered By’ partner for Season 1. Organised by Rugby India and GMR Sports, the league kicks off in Mumbai on 15 June and concludes on 29 June at the Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex. GMR serves as the league’s title partner. The tournament, which is the world’s first franchise-based Rugby Sevens competition, will feature 34 matches. Thirty marquee international players from countries including New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Fiji, and the UK will compete alongside 18 other international players from Canada, Hong Kong, and Germany. Thirty Indian players will also take part. Rugby India, the national governing body, was established in 1998 and is recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. GMR Sports, which owns cricket, kabaddi, kho-kho, and rugby franchises, is expanding its global portfolio with this league.

iCubesWire wins digital marketing mandate from Central Park

Luxury real estate developer Central Park has appointed iCubesWire as its digital transformation partner following a multi-agency pitch. The appointment includes social media management, performance marketing, digital listening, search, and media planning responsibilities. iCubesWire will also handle Central Park’s creative strategy and online reputation. The agency is expected to drive brand engagement through immersive digital experiences aligned with the real estate firm’s positioning in the NCR market.

Canara HSBC onboards Jasprit Bumrah and Sanjana Ganesan as brand ambassadors

Canara HSBC Life Insurance has appointed Indian cricketer Jasprit Bumrah and sports presenter Sanjana Ganesan as brand ambassadors. According to the insurer, both Bumrah and Ganesan reflect shared values of reliability and commitment. Bumrah is known for consistent performance under pressure in international cricket. Ganesan, recognised for her work in sports broadcasting, brings a trusted public presence. The brand plans to roll out integrated campaigns anchored in the new partnership to connect with a range of audiences, including digital-first consumers, families, and emerging affluent segments. Founded in 2007, Canara HSBC Life Insurance is a bancassurance-led life insurance company backed by Canara Bank, HSBC Insurance (Asia Pacific), and Punjab National Bank. Its products span life, health, term, retirement, and group insurance, distributed through partner banks, digital platforms, and direct sales. The company filed a draft red herring prospectus in April 2025 with the SEBI for a proposed IPO.

Som Distilleries awards PR mandate to Image Stereo

Som Distilleries & Breweries Ltd has appointed Image Stereo as its public relations and brand communications agency following a multi-agency pitch. The Delhi-based agency will lead national and regional PR strategy, brand positioning, and product promotions for Som’s expansion in the Indian market. The partnership includes managing visibility for upcoming initiatives such as new product launches, factory setups, and a revamped portfolio across beer and IMFL (Indian-made foreign liquor) categories. The strategy will include PR, influencer collaborations, LinkedIn campaigns, and event management to enhance consumer, trade and investor engagement. The appointment follows Som’s recent announcement of an 18.8% rise in consolidated net profit for Q4 FY2025, driven by volume growth in the IMFL segment. The company is currently expanding its product offerings and opening a greenfield manufacturing facility in Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh. The plant is expected to create 700–800 jobs and support local supply chains. Som’s product portfolio includes beer, spirits and ready-to-drink beverages under brands such as Hunter, Black Fort, Milestone, and Woodpecker. Image Stereo, founded in April 2024, offers integrated communication services across industries. It has its offices in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.