MAM
Vyas Giannetti to revamp CAG Shield Cricket Tournament
MUMBAI: The Communication Arts Guild (CAG) Shield a cricket tournament of the Indian advertising and media industry will now be repackaged and revamped by Vyas Giannetti Creative Sports (VGCS).
The CAG Shield cricket tournament was started twenty years ago with a sole aim of bringing together the advertising and media fraternity through sports.
VGCS business head Anand Yalvigi says, “The main challenge we envisage now is to ensure the younger generation not only uphold the spirit of the tournament but carry on the traditions of the CAG Shield for generations to come, VGCS is all set to take the CAG Shield to the next level by making it the World Cup of advertising”.
The CAG Shield is a 45-day annual cricket tournament starting today 3 February 2007. The league matches will be held at select venues every Saturday in Mumbai. This will be followed by quarter-finals and semi-finals. The finals will be followed by a glittering prize distribution ceremony attended by the luminaries of the industry.
VGCS says that for many the CAG Shield is not just a tournament but a tradition in itself. It has become a platform to fulfill their secret desire of the cricketer inside them.
O&M executive chairman and national creative director Piyush Pandey says, “CAG Shield Cricket Tournament has over the years been a tremendous meeting ground for the advertising fraternity. Fortunately, it is the only tournament for advertising agencies and there is no complication of the industry being divided as in the award shows. It’s healthy, competitive and yet loads of fun. I have played it for years and have wonderful memories from many a good match”.
16 teams will participate in the tournament. They include O&M, Group M, Lowe, Percept Advertising and Ad factors.
Brands
Sun Pharma to acquire Organon in $11.75 billion deal at $14 per share
Acquisition to create $12.4 billion pharma giant with global scale and biosimilars push
MUMBAI: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Organon & Co. in an all-cash deal valued at $11.75 billion, marking one of the largest cross-border pharma acquisitions by an Indian firm.
Under the terms of the agreement, Organon shareholders will receive $14.00 per share in cash, with Sun Pharma set to acquire 100 per cent of the company’s outstanding shares. The transaction, approved by the boards of both companies, is expected to close in early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder consent.
The deal significantly expands Sun Pharma’s global footprint and strengthens its position across women’s health, biosimilars, and branded generics. The combined entity is projected to generate revenues of around $12.4 billion, placing it among the top 25 pharmaceutical companies globally.
Organon, which was spun off from Merck in 2021, brings a portfolio of over 70 products spanning women’s health and general medicines, with operations across more than 140 countries. Its established presence in key markets such as the US, Europe, and China complements Sun Pharma’s existing strengths and growth ambitions.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited executive chairman Dilip Shanghvi said, “This transaction represents a significant opportunity for Sun Pharma to build on its vision of reaching people and touching lives. Organon’s portfolio, capabilities and global reach are highly complementary to our own.”
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited managing director Kirti Ganorkar added, “This transaction is a logical next step in strengthening Sun Pharma’s global business. Together, we will become a partner of choice for acquiring and launching new products.”
From Organon’s side, Organon & Co. executive chair Carrie Cox noted, “This all-cash transaction offers compelling and immediate value to Organon stockholders, while positioning the business for continued growth under Sun Pharma.”
Strategically, the acquisition gives Sun Pharma entry into the global biosimilars space as a top 10 player and strengthens its innovative medicines portfolio, which is expected to contribute around 27 per cent of combined revenues. The deal is also expected to nearly double EBITDA and cash flow, supporting long-term deleveraging and investment capacity.
Sun Pharma plans to fund the acquisition through a mix of internal accruals and committed financing from global banks, while maintaining focus on disciplined integration and operational continuity post-merger.
If completed as planned, the deal signals a clear shift in India’s pharmaceutical ambitions, from scale at home to leadership on the global stage, with Sun Pharma positioning itself as a more diversified and innovation-led healthcare powerhouse.
