Brands
Budweiser brings ‘What’s Brewing’ to India
MUMBAI: Budweiser’s latest campaign ‘Always Brewing’ derives its genesis from the brand’s core principles of freedom, authenticity and ambition, and engages with today’s generation- who, like the brand, are infused with the drive of constant progress and perfection.
Kickstarting this campaign will be the launch of ‘What’s Brewing’, Budweiser’s global music property for the first time in India. This event will demonstrate how music and Budweiser are constantly brewing, showcasing three different music genre stages at a single venue, with simultaneous performances by 11 hot electronic musical acts of the country.
AB InBev, India South East Asia MD Kartikeya Sharma said, “Electronic music culture in India is very dynamic and millennials are extremely keen to explore newer music experiences. ‘Always Brewing’ is an attempt to strengthen our relationship with our target audience by introducing them to newer experiences in the evolving world of music.”
Budweiser is bringing the first-ever Indian edition of one of the leading global electronic music festival ‘Electric Daisy Carnival’ on 12-13 November 2016 at Buddh International Circuit in Noida. The Vegas-style festival will see mesmerizing performances from over 40 international and Indian artistes combined with a unique carnival like atmosphere.
Completing the on-ground experience would be ‘Budweiser Unknown’ – Budweiser’s interactive office outreach program that targets millennials in multiple cities of India. The programme will offer an innovative Virtual Reality (VR) introduction of Electric Daisy Carnival. The ‘Always Brewing’ campaign will also see an extensive on-ground promotion in key outlets and heavy promotion on digital platforms.
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.
