MAM
Mindshare’s mind-boggling might
MUMBAI: The purple bandanas and shirts took over the stage as the company continues its purple patch.
Mindshare was, yet again, named as the ‘Best Media Agency of the Year‘ at the 13th edition of the Emvies. The agency scored the highest points of 165 (five more than last year) and added three golds, nine silvers and six bronzes to its kitty.
Between the hooting and dancing, leader (South Asia) Ravi Rao proudly said, “What can I share about the win; it‘s thanks to the young talent. We are glad to win for the sixth time, but of course, it was a close run. We have to tighten our belts if we want to break the jinx of the seven year itch.”
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The Young Emvie of the Year went to Mindshare‘s Farah Siddiqui who was sitting with her fingers crossed and praying hard to win the award. She won it for her work on Close Up, Pepsodent, Domex and CIF.
Mindshare won two golds for its ‘5.2 years of digital content viewed in just six months!‘ campaign for Axe Deodorant in the Best Media Innovation – Digital (social media) category. The ‘Cholchhe Na Aar Cholbe Na!‘ (Can‘t Happen, Won‘t Happen Anymore!) for ABP Ananda in the Best Integrated Campaign – Media/ Media Property category fetched the agency its third gold.
The silver awards were received from its campaigns for Godrej Appliances Range (Best Media Strategy – Consumer Durables), ABP Ananda (Best Media Strategy – Media/ Media Property), Closeup Toothpaste (Best Media Innovation – Radio), Horlicks (Best Media Innovation – Out of Home), Lay‘s (Best Media Innovation – Sponsorship), Closeup Toothpaste and Axe Deodorant (Best Media Innovation – Branded Content), Lifebouy Handwash (Best Media Innovation – Print (dailies) and Idea (Best Media Campaign – Services).
The agency‘s six bronze metals came from campaigns for Clear Anti Dandruff Shampoo (Best Media Strategy – Consumer Products), American Express (Best Media Strategy – Services), Lifebuoy Handwash (Best Media Innovation – Cinema), Horlicks (Best Media Innovation – Ambient Media) and Surf Excel and Clinic Plus (Best Ongoing Media Campaign).
We hope that the agency breaks the jinx and continues with its winning streak.
MAM
Cipla appoints Achin Gupta as MD and global CEO
Veteran pharma leader with 20-plus years takes charge from 1 April 2026, succeeding current MD.
MUMBAI: Cipla’s next chapter just got a seasoned prescription because when it comes to leading a pharma giant, Achin Gupta knows exactly which dose delivers results. The Mumbai-based drugmaker announced on 23 February 2026 that Achin Gupta, currently global chief operating officer, will step up as managing director and global chief executive officer from 1 April 2026. He succeeds the outgoing leadership team and will steer Cipla’s worldwide operations, market expansion, operational efficiency, and innovation pipeline across its broad portfolio of generics, specialty drugs, and consumer healthcare treatments.
Gupta brings more than 20 years of pharmaceutical industry experience to the corner office. Before rejoining Cipla, he spent over eight years at Glenmark Pharmaceuticals in senior roles, having also worked there earlier between 2004 and 2012. His career path also includes key stints at Abbott Laboratories and management consulting firm A.T. Kearney, giving him a well-rounded view of global pharma strategy, operations, and growth.
In his current COO role, Gupta has already been deeply involved in streamlining Cipla’s supply chain, boosting manufacturing agility, and driving digital transformation moves that positioned the company strongly amid post-pandemic supply challenges and rising competition. As MD and Global CEO, he’ll now have full accountability for executing Cipla’s long-term vision, from deepening presence in key markets like the US, Europe, and emerging regions to accelerating R&D in complex generics and biosimilars.
The appointment comes at a pivotal time for Cipla, as the industry navigates pricing pressures, regulatory shifts, and the push for affordable innovation in chronic therapies. Gupta’s track record of scaling operations and delivering consistent performance makes him a logical internal choice to keep the momentum going.
For a company that’s long been a household name in affordable medicines, this leadership handoff is less about a big shake-up and more about steady continuity with fresh energy ensuring the next dose of growth is as effective as the last.
