Brands
Complan hits the right note with Zepto through iconic jingle comeback
MUMBAI: Who knew adding a nutrition drink to your online cart could spark a singalong? Zydus Wellness has brought back the legendary ‘I am a Complan Boy / Complan Girl’ jingle, turning it into a sonic surprise for Zepto users. Now, every time shoppers add Complan to their basket, they’re greeted with the nostalgic audio cue, blending childhood memory with modern-day quick commerce.
But this isn’t just a sentimental throwback. In today’s scroll-fast, tap-quick economy, brands have barely seconds to grab attention. By weaving its jingle into the very moment of purchase, Complan is making sure it’s not just another product on a crowded app shelf, it’s a tune you can’t shake off.
Zydus Wellness CEO & w holetime director Tarun Arora explained: “As digital habits evolve, brands must embed themselves in more intuitive ways. This is not just about reviving a jingle, but restoring identity and emotional connection in a transactional space. Complan has always stood for care and trust now we’re carrying that into Q-commerce with meaning that lasts beyond the tap.”
Globally, sonic branding has found success among digital-first brands, but Complan is among the first legacy nutritional drink powders in India to embed an audio cue directly into Q-commerce platforms. The strategy strengthens recall in environments where traditional ads are invisible.
Zepto chief brand and cultural officer Chandan Mendiratta called it a natural fit: “Every Complan order now becomes a moment of recognition, not just convenience. By embedding an iconic sonic signature, we’ve added a sensory layer to digital shopping making nourishment memorable.”
Early signals suggest the experiment is striking the right chord. In a retail space dominated by speed and efficiency, Complan’s nostalgic notes could well prove its most powerful differentiator, ensuring the brand owns not just the shelf, but the soundtrack of shopping.
Brands
Nestlé weighs trimming ice cream footprint and Froneri stak
Swiss giant reviews options including stake cut in €15bn JV as it eyes higher-margin focus post-Unilever split.
MUMBAI: Nestlé is melting down its ice cream ambitions or at least scooping back a few spoonfuls amid a strategic review that could see it slim its stake in blockbuster joint venture Froneri. According to a Bloomberg report published 18 February 2026, the Swiss food and beverage powerhouse is mulling a reduced presence in the global ice cream segment. Options on the table include trimming its holding in Froneri, the joint venture with private equity firm PAI Partners that houses crowd-pleasers like Häagen-Dazs, Mövenpick, and Rowntree’s or even shifting some of Nestlé’s remaining wholly owned ice cream operations into the JV.
Discussions remain fluid, with no final decisions locked in and no guarantee of any transaction materialising. One scenario has PAI Partners boosting its ownership if Nestlé pulls back, while another could see the Swiss group offloading a portion of its stake to an existing investor like the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA).
Froneri itself got a hefty valuation boost in October (likely 2025), when Goldman Sachs and ADIA poured in fresh capital, pegging the business at around €15 billion (about $17.69 billion). The move turned heads in the sector, especially as Unilever spun off its ice cream arm last year into the now-independent Magnum Ice Cream Company freeing both giants to chase sunnier, higher-margin pastures.
Nestlé’s rethink, reportedly overseen by new CEO Philipp Navratil as he sifts through the company’s vast portfolio, mirrors broader industry trends: consumer giants are sharpening focus on core strengths amid shifting tastes and profitability pressures. Ice cream might be delicious, but it’s not always the creamiest part of the balance sheet.
Whether this ends in a stake sale, JV expansion, or just more pondering, the frozen dessert world could soon see another ownership shake-up. For now, Nestlé isn’t screaming “last orders” but it’s definitely checking the freezer temperature.
