MAM
Nick partners Big Bazar for Spongebob SquarePants merchandise
MUMBAI: Viacom18‘s kids entertainment channel Nick and Future Group‘s retail chain Big Bazar have collaborated to launch the Spongebob SquarePants – Back to School range of products for children.
The range was launched by Mandira Bedi. The collection is available across 156 Big Bazar outlets in the country.
The range includes colour pencils, crayons, erasers, sharpeners, sketch pens, pencil pouches, oil pastels, compass boxes, coin bank and combi packs. The product range, priced between Rs 25 – 149, is designed keeping in mind the latest trends and styles that are popular amongst kids.
Nick India has licensed the category to B Vishal Corporation to distribute the products across all Big Bazaar stores. The new range is being promoted through various media including Facebook and the Nick India website.
Viacom18 Media senior VP consumer products Sandeep Dahiya said, “We are excited to be associated with India‘s biggest retail chain, Big Bazaar, for ‘SpongeBob SquarePants‘ Back to School Range. SpongeBob SquarePants is one of the most loved Nicktoons across the globe and this new range is sure to excite millions of his young fans in the Indian market.”
Big Bazaar – Future Group joint CEO Sanjeev Agarwal added, “Backed by strong network of 156 Big Bazaar in more than 90 cities, easy accessibility at the right price and smart below the line set up, we are confident that ‘SpongeBob SquarePants – Back to School‘ range will become a nationwide trend.”
Apart from this range of products, the association shall also include efforts like on-ground activities, digital activations, in-store promotion with high impact point of sale material based on the lines of play, fun, frolic and buying.
MAM
Kartik Vishwanathan returns to WPP Media as VP – investments
14-year Mindshare veteran takes special assignment role from February 2026.
MUMBAI: Kartik Vishwanathan has made a sharp return on investment rejoining WPP Media, the very organisation that shaped a big chunk of his professional journey. The seasoned media executive has been appointed vice president for investments (Special Assignment) at WPP Media, effective February 2026. He will contribute to both regional and global priorities in this strategic mandate.
With over 14 years and 7 months at Mindshare, Vishwanathan brings deep expertise across investment strategy, strategic initiatives, and integration. His most recent role was Head of Investment Strategy – Mindshare China (Dec 2019–Oct 2023) in Shanghai, following his stint as Head – Strategic Initiatives and Integration – Mindshare India (Jun 2018–Nov 2019). Earlier, he served as Principal Partner at The Exchange in Mumbai (Jan 2016–Jun 2018).
Before Mindshare, he held short-term roles as Process Manager – Pricing Analytics at eClerx and Project Manager at Fractal Analytics in Mumbai.
Vishwanathan holds an Executive Programme in Business Management from Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (May 2007–Apr 2008) and a Post Graduate Certification in Advertising and Public Relations from MICA (2011–2012).
His return to WPP comes at a time when the media investment landscape is evolving rapidly, with brands demanding sharper, more integrated strategies across platforms. For someone who cut his teeth at the agency group years ago, this homecoming feels less like a new chapter and more like picking up a well-worn, high-return playbook.
