Brands
“Sustainability and concern for the environment is at the core of our philosophy:” Gemini Edibles and Fats India’s P. Chandra Shekhara Reddy
Mumbai: In today’s health-conscious world, the choice of cooking oils plays a crucial role in our daily culinary decisions. As people become increasingly aware of the impact of their dietary choices on overall well-being, the selection of the right cooking oil is no longer just a matter of taste; it’s a matter of health. The quest for cooking oils that not only enhance the flavors of our dishes but also promote a healthier lifestyle is driving a significant shift in consumer preferences. This shift towards health-consciousness has led to the rise of cooking oils that offer not only delicious flavors but also essential nutrients and health benefits.
‘Freedom’ is the flagship brand of Gemini Edibles and Fats India Ltd. (GEF India). Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils is available as Freedom Refined Sunflower Oil, Freedom Physically Refined Rice Bran Oil and Freedom Mustard Oil, & Freedom Groundnut Oil.
Freedom Healthy Cooking oils promotes ‘guilt-free eating’ and its brand promise is captured by its tagline ‘Freedom to eat, Freedom to enjoy. It is a range of premium quality healthy edible oils available at a competitive price point.
Indiantelevision.com spoke to Gemini Edibles and Fats India Ltd Sr. vice president of sales and marketing P. Chandra Shekhara Reddy on the brand’s journey, its unique value propositions, and much more…
Reddy is 51 years old and has more than 30 years of cross-functional exposure in various edible oil organisations. He is a go-getter and brings a determined focus on revenue, relationship & repute through his leadership, adaptability & communication skills. He is both people & process driven with a sound understanding of business dynamics. His focus on aggressive brand building and sales team development has helped to create a vibrant workforce. He has been instrumental in setting up a robust and vast distribution network which has been crucial in positioning “Freedom” as the number two brand in the Sunflower Oil category in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha in a short span of two years. His clear understanding of the sector and command over marketing has helped GEF win credibility and trust with stakeholders and partners.
Edited Excerpts:
On Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils’ journey from its inception to becoming the leading brand in the sunflower oil category in India and the the key milestones along the way
The journey for Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils has been amazing. Freedom Refined Sunflower Oil the flagship brand of Gemini Edibles & Fats India Ltd, which was launched in 2010 is now the No. 1 selling brand of Sunflower Oil in India (Source Neilson IQ MAT March 2022), with operations in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, through selected channels in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.
This was achieved by working on a well-formulated strategy of building a good brand, delivering consistent product quality with attractive packaging, and building a robust distribution network that could help us reach the nook and corner of the states. It was a conscious decision to launch the brand ‘Freedom’ in selected geographies to ensure a better, focused, and optimal use of resources at hand.
To create awareness about Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils, we formulated a well-rounded marketing strategy around the core message of ‘Guilt Free Eating’ giving the customers ‘Freedom to Eat, Freedom to Enjoy.’ For directly reaching out to the target audience – we have initiated several on ground activities like ‘Best Chef Hyderabad’, ‘Freedom Cookery Show’, ‘Healthy Pakoda Party’ and sponsoring various other initiatives to encourage usage and gather acceptance for the brand. We have also partnered with leading properties on OTT and TV Channels like ‘Big Boss – Kannada’ etc. This helped garner a better share-of-voice and visibility for Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils. This helped us break the clutter of brands with 20+ years of legacy in the category.
We also introduced several customer and retailers outreach campaigns like Freedom Aarogya Rath Yatra, Freedom Cookery Shows in urban and rural markets to explain the customers about the benefits of using sunflower oil, and the other variants in our portfolio. With the basics in place, we launched several sales promotion offers like ‘Car Jar Offer’, My Freedom – My Gold Offer to encourage adoption of Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils.
We are also running a campaign ‘Freedom Retail Raja’ to expand the market penetration of Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils and enrol the channel partners on ‘Kirado’ app an innovative platform that helps us design special campaigns, communicate about upcoming new launches and schemes etc. This also provides a 2-way communication channel with retailers. Channel partners can also raise the concern with the organisation, which are assigned and attended as per the prescribed matrix. It is encouraging more retailers to sign up. This is enabling better trust, confidence and transparency with the channel partners and helping grow our market reach.
Our promotion and digital strategy ensured we were connected to the end users and engaged with them for their inputs to help us retain the existing customers and grow the customer base. With the success of sunflower oil, Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils was able to garner share in the other variants launched for niche users based on regional preferences.
Key Milestones:
On the unique value propositions or product attributes that Freedom offers to set it apart from other brands in the market
Gemini Edibles & Fats India Ltd was started by professionals with deep understanding and strong relationships in the market. We launched ‘Freedom’ with a clear objective to make the best product offering, manufactured in the state-of-the-art manufacturing unit, ensuring consistency in quality, innovative packaging, and geographically focused launch to optimize the resources and transportation cost. The policy was always to deliver a good quality product using state-of-the-art infrastructure at a value-for-money price point.
The cooking oil market in India is highly competitive. Instead of spreading our limited resources over a vast geographical area, we also remained focused on the key markets of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Odisha, and other neighbouring states, that consume almost 70 per cent of sunflower oil sold in India. We also leveraged our understanding of market dynamics, market penetration, and optimising the resources at our disposal in these states and benefit from consumers’ trust and preference for our brand.
On consumer preference for cooking oils evolving over the years and Freedom adapting to these changing preferences and health-conscious trends
We have started an initiative ‘Freedom Oil Knowledge Series’ that disseminates information about the health benefits of edible oils. As a part of this series, we also conduct seminars using relevant influencers to bring the spotlight on specific myths about edible oils and get experts to discuss and dispel the myths. Most of the communication with our customers is also centered around the benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and using the right cooking oil for daily usage.
To educate customers, as a part of the ‘Freedom Oil Knowledge Series’ a campaign was introduced with famous nutritionist Dr. Matheen Asrar (PhD Nutritionist) advising people to follow a balanced diet, engage in regular exercise, and switch to a healthy cooking oil like Freedom Rice Bran Oil for everyday cooking. This campaign was very well received and has generated over one million views.
Moreover, besides communicating the health benefits of our product range to the customers, we also participate in several initiatives to promote healthy living and healthy eating. We have been associated with a flagship event ‘Freedom Hyderabad 10K Run’ for the last six years, which is a platform to engage with the health conscious, spread the right information about the use of edible oils, and gain their patronage.
On the quality control measures and certifications that Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils adheres to in order to ensure the highest quality products for consumers
Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils prioritises quality assurance by adhering to GMP system (Good Manufacturing Practice) and FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) guidelines. Our fully automated plants streamline the refining and bottling process, reducing human intervention. This ensures consistent quality batch after batch.
This comprehensive strategy, guided by cutting-edge automation, ensures that every SKU of Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils meets the highest benchmarks, offering consumers a reliable and wholesome choice for their culinary needs.
On Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils addressing concerns such as sustainability and environmental issues in its production and packaging processes
Sustainability and concern for the environment is at the core of our philosophy at GEF India. At the factory level, Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils stands out as the sole producer with zero liquid discharges in our plants. Unlike conventional setups where effluent treatment plants are below ground, our unique approach places them above ground, enabling early detection of seepage. Our plants are directly linked to the Pollution Control Board, ensuring emissions are closely monitored.
Moreover, our commitment extends to recyclable packaging. These dual efforts underscore our unwavering dedication to environmental responsibility, ensuring transparency, accountability, and sustainability in every aspect of our operations.
On the key factors contributing to the brand’s popularity, especially considering its diverse offerings, in the context of Freedom’s product range
We believe that ‘Freedom’ is recognised as a trusted and reliable brand by the customers.
We back each offering/ product with consistent and persistent communication, highlighting the USPs of each offering. We devise innovative and creative messaging using all available mediums for communicating with our customers to ensure the acceptance and growth of Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils.
On Freedom leveraging digital platforms and e-commerce to reach a wider audience and enhance the brand’s online presence
India is rapidly going digital. In today’s world, where India is rapidly embracing mobile technology and using it more and more to stay connected, digital marketing is crucial to stay connected and engage continuously with the audience. We have a vibrant digital and social media presence in order to reach and interact with the target audience. We are using social media marketing, tactical influencer marketing, and digital advertising as new marketing channels. Besides advertising and digital public relations campaigns, we are actively exploring and leveraging the traffic flow on Google Apps, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms with OTT (Over the Top) Platforms such as Zee5 and Hotstar.
On the long-term goals and aspirations for Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils in terms of market expansion, innovation, or social responsibility
We are presently fully operational in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Karnataka, and Chhattisgarh. We are actively working on plans to launch our operations in full state of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Kerala besides moving up East.
We will continue to innovate in our processes and product packaging based on customer feedback. We have recently introduced a 10-litre multi-use jar of Freedom Refined Sunflower oil. It has been specially designed keeping in mind the requirements of the modern-day consumer and a growing trend of using environment-friendly products that can be reused.
We’re planning to introduce “Deepa Prajwalam Oil,” a unique addition to our range. This oil is specially designed for traditional lamp usage, adding a new dimension to our offerings.
Brands
Dolce & Gabbana names former Gucci chief as co-CEO amid debt crunch
Stefano Cantino, fresh from a brief and bumpy stint at Gucci, joins the Italian fashion house as co-chief executive as it scrambles to refinance debt and reinvent itself
MILAN: Dolce & Gabbana has wasted little time filling its leadership ranks. The Italian luxury house has appointed Stefano Cantino as co-chief executive with immediate effect, pairing him with Alfonso Dolce as the company pushes into a broader lifestyle business beyond its fashion roots and races to get its finances in order.
The timing is no coincidence. The closely held company has been squeezed by a prolonged downturn in the luxury sector, a slump worsened by uncertainty linked to the war in Iran. The pressure has hurt earnings and made it harder to service debt. Lenders are now seeking up to €150m ($175.3m) in fresh capital as part of a broader refinancing plan covering €450m in debt. To raise the funds, the company is weighing the sale of real estate assets and the renewal of licences.
Against that backdrop, the management shake-up is as much about survival as strategy. Co-founder Stefano Gabbana, 63, stepped down from his management role in December last year, a move the company described on April 10th as “part of a natural evolution of its organisational structure and governance” that would have “no impact” on his creative activities. Alfonso Dolce, brother of co-founder and designer Domenico Dolce, has since held the roles of both chairman and chief executive. He called Cantino’s arrival “a new phase of growth and development.” Gabbana, meanwhile, is said to be exploring options for his roughly 40 per cent stake in the business as debt negotiations with creditors gather pace.
Cantino arrives with a curriculum vitae that reads like a tour of the top addresses in luxury. A political science graduate of the Università degli Studi di Torino, class of 1987, he spent more than two decades at Prada, beginning as marketing director in 1998 before rising through communications, external relations and business development roles. He then crossed to Louis Vuitton in Paris, where he served as senior vice-president of communication and events for nearly six years. In 2024 he joined Gucci as deputy chief executive, stepping up to the top job in January 2025, a tenure that lasted just nine months before Francesca Bellettini took over in September.
His arrival also fills the void left by Fedele Usai, managing director since 2023, who departed in March to become chief marketing officer at Kering.
Founded in the mid-1980s by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, the house became one of the world’s most recognisable fashion brands on the back of its sun-drenched Mediterranean aesthetic. Although the two founders separated more than two decades ago, they remained business partners, jointly controlling 80 per cent of the company through a holding entity. The remaining shares are held by Domenico, Alfonso and their sister Dorotea. The company reported revenue of around €2bn for the financial year ending March 31st 2025.
Cantino called it an honour to join a brand that represents Italian excellence globally, the sort of thing incoming executives invariably say. With €450m in debt to refinance and a luxury slowdown still biting, he will need to do considerably more than say the right things.
