Brands
Mars hits it out of the park with its first-ever premier league of beauty
MUMBAI: Mars Cosmetics, just bowled over the internet with the Mars Premier League (MPL) — a vibrant collision of cricket frenzy and cosmetic flair. Channeling the pulse of IPL season, MPL wasn’t just a beauty contest — it was a high-stakes face-off blending bat, blush and bold looks in equal measure.
Staying true to its mantra of ‘Makeup for Everyone’, Mars handed over its City Paradise Eyeshadow Palettes to makeup mavens across India, challenging them to capture the spirit of eight IPL cities in jaw-dropping beauty looks. Think stadium roar meets spotlight shimmer.
Mars Cosmetics director and business administrator, Rishabh Sethia said, “We’re always looking at opportunities to pair beauty with moments in culture that truly resonate with our fans. The IPL is a sporting event, of course, but it’s also a celebration of passion, community, and high-level energy. We brought that same energy into the world of makeup with the Mars Premier League. It was not competition; it was a moment for creativity, for self-expression, and for everything glamorous.”
Conducted in four electrifying rounds — the first three online and open to all — the MPL ignited an avalanche of fan votes, reels, and cosmetic creativity. The grand finale saw India’s top beauty creators converge offline, judged by a panel that included Aditi Dubey, Vandana Sehgal, and MPL mentor Anupreet Bakshi.
And it was Delhi’s own Anupreet who walked away with the Rs 1,00,000 cash prize, a red-carpet pass to the Bollywood Hungama Style Icon Awards, and a coveted meet-and-greet with actor Varun Dhawan — all while stealing hearts (and likes) with her fierce, city-inspired artistry.
The finale was a content creator’s dreamscape, featuring interactive hubs like a DIY “Mirror, Mirror” booth and a buzzing nail art lounge — designed to spark influencer creativity and spread the MPL glam gospel across social media.
While Mars remains tight-lipped about whether MPL will return next year, this debut season has already rewritten the rules of beauty marketing — where mascara meets match fever, and fandom finds its fiercest winged eyeliner.
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.
