Brands
L’Oréal Professionnel brings Indian Hairdressing Awards
Mumbai: L’Oréal Professionnel, the professional hair tech brand, is set to introduce the iconic Indian Hairdressing Awards in an all-new format of a reality series streaming exclusively on JioCinema. Since 2014, The Indian Hairdressing Awards celebrate the art and skill of professional hairstyling. The competition recognises and rewards hairstylists across the country. This year’s edition was announced in August 2023 and received over 100K entries for its theme “Meta-morphosis” which represents real transformation.
From the thousands of hairdressers that participated in the competition, 89 regional finalists were chosen to compete on technical skills. They were judged by an eminent jury comprising of international hair artists and beauty media representatives.
The top 12 hairstylists will now compete in a mega-augmented L’Oréal Professionnel salon. Judging their art and technique will be an illustrious panel featuring the renowned filmmaker – Karan Johar, Min Kim, the L’Oréal Professionnel global colour ambassador, – and an exciting line-up of Bollywood celebrities.
The 12 hair pros will go through three challenges testing their skill and creativity to do real transformations through hair color, haircut and styling. hairstylists will have to achieve the ultimate freedom of self-expression and propose bold, elevated and out-of-the-box looks. These challenges will be scored by both judges and consumers. They will then compete in front of a live audience at the Grand Finale, which will also be streamed on JioCinema. The competition winners will not only win the consumers’ hearts but also a trip to Paris and an opportunity to enhance skills in Le Visionnaire, the prestigious L’Oréal academy in Paris.
Speaking on the launch of India’s only hairstyling reality series, L’Oréal Professionnel, India general manager Mathilde Barthélemy-Vigier said, “L’Oréal Professionnel has taken giant strides into the future. Consumer and hairstylist centricity are our key drivers to elevate the professional hair industry in India. In the last two decades, the country’s professional hair salon landscape has evolved at a supersonic pace. The skill of Indian hairstylists is now at par with global hair artists’ and with the 2024 edition of The Indian Hairdressing Awards, we wish to celebrate their infinite talent and potential.”
Speaking on the partnership with L’Oréal Professionnel, Viacom18 Media’s head of network sales Mahesh Shetty said, “At Viacom18, we have always worked towards developing and building IPs and formats that are sustainable, relevant and one that deepens consumer connect. L’Oréal Professionnel is the undisputed leader in the professional hair care and styling category and The Indian Hairdressing Awards re-affirms them as thought leaders in this space. As digital partners, we are confident of providing this unique property with its deserving reach through JioCinema, thereby elevating the IP to newer heights.”
Brands
IndiGo names William Walsh CEO
Former IATA chief to take charge in August after Elbers exit, Bhatia steers interim
India’s biggest airline has moved fast and gone global. InterGlobe Aviation, which operates IndiGo, has tapped aviation heavyweight William Walsh as chief executive officer, subject to regulatory approvals, marking a sharp pivot as the carrier eyes its next burst of expansion.
Walsh, currently director general at the International Air Transport Association, will step down on July 31, 2026, and is expected to take charge by August 3. The appointment comes barely three weeks after Pieter Elbers exited the corner office, with Rahul Bhatia holding the fort in the interim.
The choice signals intent. Walsh brings decades of cockpit-to-boardroom experience, having led British Airways and later International Airlines Group, the parent of Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling. His tenure across carriers has been defined by hard resets, restructurings and cross-border consolidation—skills IndiGo may need as competition intensifies and scale becomes decisive.
Vikram Singh Mehta, chairman and non-executive independent director of IndiGo, said Walsh’s experience in managing large-scale airline operations and navigating complex market dynamics makes him well-suited to lead IndiGo in an increasingly competitive global aviation environment, adding that the appointment marks a new chapter as the airline scales in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
Rahul Bhatia said Walsh’s global perspective, operational expertise and customer-focused approach would be critical as IndiGo enters its next phase of expansion.
Walsh, widely regarded as one of the industry’s most influential figures, will oversee overall management and strategic direction, with a mandate spanning operational performance, network expansion, commercial strategy and customer experience. He is expected to work closely with the board and leadership team to sharpen IndiGo’s growth trajectory.
Walsh said IndiGo has a strong foundation and is well-positioned to capitalise on the evolving aviation landscape, adding that he looks forward to fostering a culture of excellence, innovation and sustainable value creation across the organisation.
A new captain, a bigger runway—and a market that rewards scale. IndiGo is lining up for its next take-off.
