MAM
MindShare promotes Amin Lakhani to head Fulcrum
MUMBAI: Here is another media professional who is getting more regional responsibility. And that gent is Amin Lakhani whom Mindshare has elevated to Leader – Team Unilever south Asia.
In his new role Amin Lakhani will be heading Fulcrum, a unit of Mindshare that manages the media planning & buying for the Unilever business in South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. He will be replacing Anupriya Acharya who is moving on from the organisation.
Amin has around 15 years experience which includes a stint as a product manager with an Indian pharmaceutical company and in media agencies. During his time with GroupM India, Amin has handled various roles starting with Maxus as the training head for west region, moving on to GroupM as west trading head and then on to Mindshare where he played the architect of The Exchange function in 2008, finally leading up and becoming the trading lead for Unilever business.
Announcing the appointment, Mindshare leader south Asia Ravi Rao said, “Amin was our unanimous choice and we know he will turn a new chapter in Mindshare Fulcrum by raising media excellence in strategic planning and world class execution backed up with award winning innovations for Unilever. We wish Anupriya all the best and thank her for a short but great stint at Mindshare Fulcrum.”
Commenting on his new role Lakhani said, “It is an exciting opportunity especially in challenging times. Mindshare Fulcrum has been a centre of excellence. I am looking forward to building on our strong base and continuing to provide delight to India‘s most esteemed client, Unilever.
Speaking to indiantelevision.com Anupriya Acharya said, “I leave as new challenges beckon me! But I have thoroughly enjoyed leading Team Unilever south Asia for Mindshare, especially through the challenging review year of 2012. The significant progress made in strategic initiatives, content, experiential, awards won and many other best practices has been truly rewarding for me both personally and professionally. Both the client and my larger organisation have been very supportive. I leave with rich experience and happy memories of steering this massive ship and will miss my rock-star team! I wish all of them all the very best.”
Brands
Perfetti Van Melle names BWO as Chupa Chups licensing partner in India
Partnership expands iconic confectionery brand into lifestyle categories
MUMBAI: Perfetti Van Melle has appointed Black White Orange Brands Pvt. Ltd. as the official licensing agent for its iconic Chupa Chups in India, marking a push to extend the brand beyond sweets into lifestyle categories.
Under the agreement, Black White Orange will develop and manage the licensing programme across segments such as apparel, accessories, home goods, personal care and back-to-school products. The move signals a broader strategy to tap into India’s growing appetite for brand-led consumer products.
Known for its colourful identity and instantly recognisable logo created by Salvador DalÃ, Chupa Chups has evolved into a global pop-culture icon. The India licensing programme aims to translate that playful appeal into products tailored for local consumers.
Perfetti Van Melle area licensing manager Anna Amat said the partnership would help unlock opportunities beyond confectionery, adding that the company sees strong potential for the brand’s expansion in India.
Black White Orange Brands Pvt. Ltd. co-founder and COO Mitali Desai noted that the focus will be on building a visually distinctive and design-led licensing portfolio that reflects the brand’s playful identity.
With India’s retail landscape evolving rapidly, the partnership is expected to drive collaborations with manufacturers and retailers across fashion, lifestyle and gifting segments. Product rollouts are likely to begin in phases through key distribution channels.
As global brands look to deepen their footprint in India, Chupa Chups’ move from candy counters to lifestyle shelves could add a fresh pop of colour to the market.
