Brands
Zepto ties the knot with Britannia for a shaadi that wasn’t real
MUMBAI: Who says you need a bride and groom to have a big fat Indian wedding? Zepto just proved otherwise with its Great Indian Fake Shaadi, a no-nuptials bash that turned Chattarpur’s Ira Luxe into the wildest wedding that never was. In partnership with Britannia, the event saw 300 plus guests, top creators and brand partners show up for a night where nothing was real, but everything was reel.
Britannia, the title sponsor, quite literally led the baraat kicking off the evening with the Britannia Pure Magic Baraat and a flash mob to Bingo!’s viral Tedhe Medhe Bhojpuri anthem. The result? A spectacle that felt like a cross between a shaadi, a music video, and a meme come to life.
Shaadi.com joined the fun with a digital roast by founder Anupam Mittal, taking a hilariously self-aware dig at India’s dating scene, while Manforce Epic Condoms added some cheeky sparkle with a vibrating bed installation that had guests blushing and grinning in equal measure.
The celebration was co-powered by a who’s who of brands Nivea, Haldiram’s, Bingo Tedhe Medhe, Manforce Epic Condoms, Shaadi.com, Close-Up, ITC Fabelle, and Minimalist making it less of a wedding and more of a brand baaraat. Rebound – Detox Shot, Hershey’s, Sugar, and Wildstone joined in as supporting partners, ensuring the party stayed powered through the night.
The creative chaos was choreographed by Meragi, a real wedding planning startup that turned Zepto’s tongue-in-cheek concept into a content goldmine. With sangeet performances, spoof rituals, and brand-led installations, the venue became a playground for creators with over 100 influencers flooding social feeds in real time.
“The fake shaadi trend isn’t just a meme anymore, it’s a cultural moment,” said Zepto chief brand officer Chandan Mendiratta. “We wanted to kick off the wedding season by owning that moment and turning it into something bigger. The fake shaadi reflects how Gen Z celebrates with irony, energy and endless content.”
For Britannia general manager for marketing Siddharth Gupta the evening was a perfect fit for their indulgent new range. “The Great Indian Fake Shaadi was such a fun and unexpected way to start the wedding season. It was full of laughter, energy, and indulgence, much like Britannia Pure Magic. Guests experienced our new choco creations that turn every bite into an irresistible delight.”
At the end of the night, there were no pheras, no tears, and definitely no bidaai but there was plenty of laughter, content and chaos. Zepto’s Fake Shaadi wasn’t just a stunt; it was a sly mirror to how India’s wedding season has gone from ceremonial to cinematic. Because who needs “I do” when you’ve got “I post”?
Brands
KPMG names Gary Wingrove as global chairman and CEO from October
Record Gmada bids signal rising demand as Rs 1,000 crore bet reshapes Tricity skyline
MUMBAI: KPMG has chosen continuity with a forward tilt. The firm has announced that Gary Wingrove will take over as global chairman and CEO of KPMG International, beginning a four year term from 1 October 2026. Currently serving as global chief operating officer, Wingrove steps into the top role after being nominated by the global board and elected by the global council.
A KPMG veteran with over 25 years at the firm, Wingrove has been closely involved in shaping its recent trajectory. As global COO, he has helped drive the firm’s Collective Strategy, focusing on operational integration, global investments and the steady expansion of the KPMG Delivery Network. He has also been at the forefront of KPMG’s digital push, including the rollout of AI enabled solutions across its global operations.
Before his global role, Wingrove served as CEO of KPMG Australia for nearly a decade, where he led a period of strong growth, almost doubling revenue, profitability and headcount while steering a cultural reset.
He succeeds Bill Thomas, who has led KPMG since 2017 and will work alongside Wingrove over the next six months to ensure a smooth transition.
Thomas leaves behind a firm that looks markedly different from when he took charge. Under his leadership, KPMG’s global revenues have risen by 55 per cent, and its workforce has expanded to more than 276,000 people. He also unified the network of member firms under the Collective Strategy, aligning priorities and strengthening governance.
His tenure saw heavy investment in technology and partnerships, with alliances spanning Microsoft, Google Cloud, SAP, Oracle and ServiceNow. These collaborations, along with platforms like KPMG Clara, have helped the firm scale its AI-led offerings and sharpen its competitive edge.
Beyond growth, Thomas also pushed improvements in audit quality and sustainability. Initiatives such as a multiyear global sustainability strategy and the Our Impact Plan have aimed to embed long term thinking into the firm’s operations and client services.
For Wingrove, the brief is clear but evolving. He has signalled a focus on agility, deep expertise and technology driven solutions as clients navigate an increasingly complex business landscape. He also emphasised KPMG’s identity as a people first organisation, supported by technology and unified through its global network.
The timing of the leadership change comes as KPMG continues to grow, reporting a 5.1 per cent rise in global revenue in FY25, with gains across tax and legal, audit and advisory services. Growth was recorded across all regions, despite a challenging macro environment.
As Wingrove prepares to take charge, the firm appears set on a familiar path with a sharper digital edge. Same playbook, perhaps, but with a renewed focus on speed, scale and smarter solutions.
