MAM
WPP increases India investments
MUMBAI: Global media network WPP has announced increased investment in its business in India, in line with its long-term growth objectives in this important market.
As part of this, GroupM, the world’s leading media investment group, will move to full ownership of the mobile marketing agency Madhouse, from its current 50 per cent interest. Madhouse has offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore and its clients include some of India’s leading brands.
Mobile marketing and media consumption is exploding with the growing access to devices, driven by lower cost of devices and data plans. This acquisition will provide GroupM clients enhanced access to innovative mobile solutions, ad products and targeting technology.
In addition, WPP companies Sudler, Wunderman and Y&R, which now operate as joint venture agencies with Rediffusion, will be developed as wholly-owned agencies, with WPP selling its stakes in the current Rediffusion joint ventures. There will be no change to Wunderman’s existing India businesses.
WPP India country manager CVL Srinivas says, “India is a key growth region for us and we have a well-defined roadmap and vision for what we would like to achieve here. WPP is home to some of the best marketing talent in this country and our plan is to steer our agencies to stay ahead of the curve – in terms of both market and client needs, by providing the best-in-class offerings.”
WPP in India will continue to cater to the market’s growing demand for integrated and innovative marketing solutions, through strengthening its presence in the areas of data, technology, content and creativity.
MAM
Bewakoof founder Prabhkiran Singh steps down after 14 years
CEO who built youth fashion brand from Mumbai room in 2011 to Rs 100 crore plus revenue exits end of March 2026.
MUMBAI: Bewakoof’s original designer is hanging up his entrepreneurial hoodie because after 14 years of stitching a brand from scratch, even the boldest founders need a well-earned breather. Prabhkiran Singh, co-founder and CEO of direct-to-consumer fashion label Bewakoof, announced on 24 February 2026 via LinkedIn that he will step down by the end of March to focus on health, family, and personal goals. He will stay on through the transition to ensure a smooth handover.
Singh launched the brand in 2011 at age 21 in a small Mumbai room alongside a fellow engineer, with no prior business experience, no venture capital, and a youth-focused apparel idea that he admits looked “almost foolish” at the time. Operating on shoestring resources often handling deliveries and customer queries themselves, the duo grew Bewakoof into one of India’s early breakout D2C fashion players. The company now ships over 20,000 products daily, crossed Rs 100 crore in revenue, and commands a social media community exceeding 6 million followers.
“Bewakoof has been my baby since I was 21 years old,” Singh wrote. “Bewakoof raised me while I was raising it.” He credited the journey with teaching him resilience, leadership, and the grit to push through tough stretches.
The brand, now backed by TMRW (a digital-first venture under Aditya Birla Group), has a strengthened leadership team in place. Singh called it his “firstborn” and said the “14-year-old ‘child’ we raised is now all grown up and ready to soar on its own.” He plans to cheer from the sidelines and share untold stories from the company’s early days in coming weeks.
His exit arrives as India’s D2C space enters a consolidation phase, with legacy conglomerates snapping up digital brands and founders after a decade of high-octane growth increasingly reassessing long-term roles. For a label built on bold prints and youthful energy, Singh’s departure isn’t an end, it’s the quiet close of one chapter so the next can print even brighter.
