MAM
Hoopr hits a global note with key leadership move
MUMBAI: Hoopr is turning up the global volume. India’s leading music licensing platform has announced the appointment of Deborah Smith as its head of international licensing & sync, signalling a bold new chapter in its global growth symphony.
Based in the UK, Smith will lead Hoopr’s international expansion, forging partnerships with global labels, boosting cross-border sync deals, and amplifying Hoopr’s 22,000 plus track catalogue of Hindi cinema, Indie, and regional music for worldwide audiences.
With marquee collaborations already in place with Yash Raj Films Music, Merchant Records, and others, Hoopr has redefined how brands and creators can legally and easily license trending Indian music. The company’s partnership with IPRS further ensures transparency and fair artist remuneration, making Hoopr a trusted bridge between creators, labels, and brands.
“Hoopr sits at the intersection of creativity and technology,” said Smith. “I’ve worked in the Indian market for years and have seen its vibrant musical pulse up close. My mission is to take that sound to new global stages.”
Hoopr co-founder and CEO Gaurav Dagaonkar called Smith’s appointment “a defining moment,” adding that her experience in publishing and sync will help the company accelerate its international ambitions and unlock new revenue streams for artists.
With over a decade of experience in the global music industry, including leadership roles at Horus Music and Anara Publishing, Smith has worked with brands like Apple, UEFA, Netflix, and Asian Paints, while championing India’s independent artists on the world stage.
For Hoopr, this move isn’t just business, it’s a beat that connects cultures. With Smith at the helm, the platform is ready to take Indian music from local playlists to global charts.
MAM
Tops unleashes ‘Foodies Ka Choice’ campaign with Kareena Kapoor
New TVC spotlights bold flavours for modern food lovers, launched 18 February 2026 as AWL-backed push.
MUMBAI: Tops is dishing out a campaign so flavour-packed it could make even the pickiest eater say, “That’s the one!” GD Foods Mfg. (I) Pvt. Ltd., the force behind the Tops brand of sauces, pickles, and condiments, now backed by AWL Agri Business Ltd. unveiled its latest television commercial on 18 February 2026 as the kick-off to the ‘Foodies Ka Choice’ campaign. Starring brand ambassador Kareena Kapoor, the TVC dives into everyday foodie moments that hit home for home cooks, snackers, and flavour chasers who refuse to skimp on taste.
The spot builds on the insight that real food enthusiasts put flavour first no compromises, just bold, authentic hits across cooking and snacking. It positions Tops as the everyday sidekick for everything from quick bites to creative kitchen experiments, sharpening its appeal among younger, urban households where food doubles as comfort, creativity, and self-expression.
AWL Agri Business Ltd. COO of the sauces and condiments business Arvind Kumar Sharma said, “Tops has always enjoyed a strong presence in Indian kitchens. With this campaign, we are elevating that connection emotionally, positioning it as an enabler of evolving food habits. Our diverse portfolio caters to everyday-cooking as well as indulgent snacking. Kareena Kapoor’s presence amplifies this narrative by embodying confidence, modernity and the spirit of today’s foodies.”
Kareena Kapoor herself chimed in, “I am a complete foodie at heart! And if there’s one thing food lovers agree on, it’s that taste comes first. What I love about Tops is that it celebrates people who truly care about taste. ‘Foodies Ka Choice’ isn’t just a campaign, it’s a reminder that when it comes to flavour, we shouldn’t settle for anything less than the best.”
This marks one of the first big marketing moves since AWL Agri Business stepped in as strategic partner for GD Foods, blending AWL’s distribution muscle and scale with Tops’ long-standing rep for innovation and trust. The brand’s lineup pickles, tomato ketchup, culinary sauces, speciality sauces, and instant mixes gets a fresh spotlight to boost salience across segments.
A full 360-degree rollout follows, TV, cinema, digital, social media, OTT, radio, and digital audio to blanket urban and emerging markets. Whether you’re whipping up dinner or raiding the fridge at midnight, this campaign’s betting you’ll reach for Tops when taste is non-negotiable. In a world of bland options, it’s serving up a reminder, good food deserves the best backup.
