Brands
A plan for the crease as Complan ropes in cricket’s youngest centurion
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fronts new ‘Thoda Plan, Thoda Complan’ campaign
MUMBAI: Big innings are rarely accidental, they are planned. That idea sits at the heart of a new move by Zydus Wellness, which has appointed teenage cricket sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as the brand ambassador for its nutritional drink Complan. The appointment coincides with the launch of Complan’s new national campaign, Thoda Plan, Thoda Complan, aimed at sharpening the brand’s relevance in India’s fast-evolving children’s nutrition space. The campaign leans into a simple but powerful belief that big dreams are built on everyday discipline, steady planning, and the right nutritional support at home.
Sooryavanshi’s story mirrors that thinking closely. From long hours at the nets to competing against older players, his rise as India’s youngest centurion has been shaped by structured routines, sustained effort and consistent maternal support. The campaign positions this journey as proof that ambition is rarely overnight, it is prepared for, day by day.
Complan, which is clinically proven to support up to two times faster growth, is formulated with milk proteins and thirty four vital nutrients. The drink is designed to support not just physical growth but also memory, concentration and immunity, reflecting the growing parental focus on balanced physical and cognitive development.
Commenting on the association, Zydus Wellness chief executive officer Tarun Arora said the partnership reflects the brand’s long-standing philosophy. He noted that as expectations around children’s nutrition evolve, Complan is focused on credible, science-backed solutions that emphasise preparation, discipline and sustainable development values embodied by Sooryavanshi’s journey.
Over the years, Complan has steadily repositioned itself from being seen purely as a growth drink to a more holistic nutrition partner. Its messaging has expanded to include readiness, focus and long-term development, aligning with how modern parents view success beyond height charts alone.
For Sooryavanshi, the association is personal. He described Complan as a constant companion from local practice grounds to the national stage, crediting daily planning, his mother’s support and the right nutrition for helping him stay sharp and competitive. The campaign’s central phrase, he said, captures the rhythm of everyday preparation that fuels big ambitions.
The campaign will roll out through an integrated mix led by a television commercial inspired by Sooryavanshi’s real-life journey. The film traces his formative years of discipline and self-belief, with his mother and Complan shown as steady presences throughout. Digital films, influencer collaborations and wider consumer engagement initiatives are also planned.
With Thoda Plan, Thoda Complan, the brand signals its next phase positioning itself as a science-led ally for families navigating the growing ambitions, pressures and possibilities shaping today’s childhoods.
Brands
Mars appoints Manish Syag as managing director for pet nutrition in India
FMCG veteran takes charge as managing director amid booming $2 billion market opportunity
DELHI: Mars Incorporated has elevated Manish Syag to managing director of its pet nutrition business in India, betting on two decades of FMCG expertise to capture a market poised for explosive growth.
Syag, who brings senior leadership experience from Hindustan Unilever and GSK Consumer Healthcare, joined Mars in 2024 as chief sales officer. He succeeds Salil Murthy, who has been promoted to global vice-president of enterprise transformation at Mars Pet Nutrition and will be based at the company’s London headquarters.
The appointment comes as India’s pet care market stands at what Syag calls “a defining moment”. The sector is projected to double to $7 billion in sales by 2028, up from $3.5 billion last year, according to Redseer Strategy Consultants. The number of pets in Indian households rose to 32 million in 2024 from 26 million in 2019.
“India is at a defining moment for the pet food market, which is expected to grow into a $2 billion category in a decade, evolving much as mainstream FMCG did in its early growth years, driven by access, awareness and trust,” Syag said.
Mars, which makes Pedigree, Whiskas and Sheba pet food brands, has been in India since 2002 and set up its first manufacturing facility five years later. The parent company’s other brands in chocolate and snacks include M&M’s, Snickers, Pringles and Cheez-It.
Large players in India’s pet care space include Mars, Nestlé, Heads Up For Tails and Drools. Reliance entered the category late last year, signalling growing corporate interest in a market that’s barely scratched the surface. With India’s rising pet ownership and premiumisation trends, the battle for bowls is only just beginning.
