MAM
Cannes: India wins lone silver in Film, ends with 17 metals
MUMBAI: India ended its winning run at Cannes with a tally of 17 metals, the last one coming from Ogilvy in the form of a silver Lion in the Film category.
The end show paled in comparison with last year’s kitty of 25 metals and 23 metals in 2008, prompting criticism that agencies in India need to improve their creative craft.
The solitary silver out of the five shortlisted entries was produced by Ogilvy & Mather Mumbai for its Bell Bajao campaigns – Software Engineer and Bus Driver against domestic violence for Breakthrough Trust. The campaigns were based on true stories of people who joined the movement against domestic violence.
Fevicol Moustache (Moochhwali campaign) for Pidilite Industries (Ogilvy Mumbai) and LMN campaigns titled Tummy and Water Hose (Creativeland Asia) were the other final shortlists from India.
The Grand Prix winner in Film turned out to be a classic television commercial that broke the barriers between mediums. The ‘man your man could smell like’ campaign for Old Spice was “a game changer for the brand.”
Brands
Devyani International names Sandeep Anand, Robinder Singh in key roles
Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee businesses see leadership refresh from April
MUMBAI: Devyani International has strengthened its senior leadership bench with a fresh set of appointments across its key brands, Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee, signalling a sharper focus on growth and brand momentum.
The company has appointed Sandeep Anand as chief marketing officer and business head for Pizza Hut. His appointment, approved by the board via a circular resolution on April 3, follows a recommendation by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, as reported by CNBC-TV18. Anand will officially step into the role on April 6, 2026.
He takes over from Vijay Gogate, who currently serves as chief executive officer for Pizza Hut within the company’s operations. The move marks a strategic transition as the brand looks to sharpen its marketing and business playbook in a competitive quick service restaurant market.
Anand brings over two decades of experience across the food and FMCG sectors, with a strong track record in brand building and innovation. His career spans roles at major consumer-facing companies including Domino’s, Zydus Wellness, Zomato, GSK Consumer Healthcare, Reckitt and Ranbaxy, giving him a well-rounded perspective on both scale and agility.
Alongside this, Robinder Singh has been appointed business head for Costa Coffee and the company’s airport operations. He too will assume his new role on April 6, bringing more than 18 years of experience in operations, business expansion and customer experience transformation.
The twin appointments come at a time when Devyani International is doubling down on leadership depth to steer its portfolio through evolving consumer preferences and heightened competition. With fresh faces at the helm of two key verticals, the company appears set to brew up its next phase of growth with renewed energy.
