Brands
McDonald’s India launches multi-millet bun with Chef Sanjeev Kapoor
Mumbai: McDonald’s India (West & South), operated by Westlife Foodworld has introduced its first multi-millet bun in collaboration with CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) during national nutrition week. McDonald’s also partnered with Chef Sanjeev Kapoor to highlight the brand’s focus on nutritious menu options.
The multi-millet bun, made with Bajra, Ragi, Jowar, Proso, and Kodo, allows customers to enjoy their favorite burgers like McAloo Tikki and McSpicy Paneer with added nutritional value. These millets, sourced from states across India, reinforce McDonald’s commitment to local and sustainable sourcing.
The launch is supported by a brand film, conceptualised by DDB Mudra, featuring Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, an advocate of millet-based cuisine. The film features Chef Sanjeev Kapoor surprising customers by suggesting improvements to their burgers. He introduces the multi-millet bun, highlighting its benefits and the collaboration with CSIR-CFTRI, supported by the ministry of science and technology. Kapoor’s advocacy for millets further strengthens the campaign’s message of healthier eating.
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor said, “I am excited to be a part of this unique and thoughtful initiative by McDonald’s India to launch the Multi-Millet Bun. As someone who has been passionate about promoting the goodness of millets, I was captivated to see McDonald’s India embarked on a journey to provide more nutritional and mindful eating choices to its customers.”
McDonald’s India (W&S) CMO Arvind R.P. said, “The introduction of the Multi-Millet Bun, developed in collaboration with the esteemed CSIR-CFTRI, is a testament to our constant endeavour towards offering mindful choices through various menu innovations. We are also pleased to extend our collaboration with Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, whose trusted culinary expertise and unwavering advocacy for millets in India make him the perfect fit to endorse our new Multi-Millet Bun. This strategic combination of traditional superfoods with modern food sciences results in a delicious and nutritious addition to our customers’ favourite burgers. We believe that our fans will relish and appreciate this innovative menu item.”
DDB Mudra Group group creative directors Gagandeep Bindra and Rahul Arcot said, “Millet buns is one of McDonald’s tastiest and most nutritious addition to an ever-growing menu packed with goodness. But something about Millet Buns doesn’t scream excitement for Gen-Z. Because most of them don’t even realize that they’ve been devouring Millets in various forms for years. Thanks to a certain Mr. Kapoor, who besides being one of India’s most trusted culinary voices, also runs an entire channel dedicated to creating wholesome Millet Cuisines with MilletKhazana. We believe he’s the perfect spokesperson for our latest offering, connecting with our audience across India in his inimitable style.”
The new multi-millet bun offers essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber while maintaining McDonald’s signature taste and quality. Customers can now enjoy these nutritious buns at McDonald’s outlets in West and South India, through Drive-Thru, or via the McDelivery App.
Brands
Faber-Castell India appoints Sunaina Haldar as director – marketing
With stints at Tata, SleepyCat and ADF Foods under her belt, Haldar is primed to redraw Faber-Castell’s brand story
MUMBAI: Faber-Castell India has poached Sunaina Haldar from ADF Foods, appointing her director – marketing as the German stationery brand looks to muscle up in a category that is rapidly reinventing itself around creativity and self-expression.
Haldar hit the ground running. “My first couple of weeks have been incredibly energising, understanding consumers, visiting markets, engaging with retailers and immersing myself into the world of Faber-Castell Group,” she said.
She arrives with considerable firepower. At ADF Foods, Haldar ran marketing across India and international markets for a portfolio spanning Ashoka, Aeroplane, Camel and ADF Soul. Before that, she was vice-president – marketing at direct-to-consumer mattress brand SleepyCat, where she helmed brand, content and performance marketing. Her résumé also includes a stint leading marketing, new product development and CRM for Tata SmartFoodz at Tata Consumer Products, no small proving ground.
Between corporate roles, Haldar also operated as a fractional CMO for early-stage startups, building marketing strategy and operational structures from scratch, a signal that she knows how to move fast with limited resources.
With 18 years straddling FMCG, D2C and the startup world, Haldar now takes the reins at a brand that has long owned the classroom but is clearly hungry for the living room. In a stationery market where the pencil has become a lifestyle statement, Faber-Castell has picked someone who knows exactly how to sell that story.
