MAM
A47.in raises undisclosed funding by strategic investor Aditya Pittie
Mumbai: Just over 2 years old, the D2C brand A47.in, has raised funding of an undisclosed amount from Aditya Pittie. The company will utilize the capital for ramping up, expanding into new categories, collaborations, physical retail & marketing. The investment marks a significant milestone for A47, positioning it for accelerated growth and outreach. A47 celebrates India & its remarkable achievements and institutions through official merchandise.
Owned by India’s leading brand licensing and IP management company, Black White Orange, A47.in was bootstrapped for the initial 2.5 years after having launched with ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) on August 15th, 2021. The company then also collaborated with the different units of the Indian Armed Forces like The Indian Infantry, LCA Tejas, Flying Instructors School, and more recently with the aerial action film ‘Fighter’ to pay a tribute to our heroes in the skies.
A47 founder & CEO Bhavik Vora said, “A47 is more than just a brand for us; it is a passion that celebrates the essence of India. Aditya believed in our vision & his support will empower us to reach new heights and continue our mission to build the biggest India-centric pop culture brand. I also feel that with the current positive sentiment and a growing sense of pride in national identity, A47 stands at the forefront of fostering love for India’s own.”
Pittie said, “For me personally, investing in A47 goes beyond just finances… it’s a strategic partnership to champion India’s story through innovative & beautifully designed merchandise. The contagious passion of the A47 team resonates deeply with my own, as we collaborate to create experiences celebrating India’s heritage, fostering pride and connecting with our audience. I am sure we are on the path of building something amazing.”
AD Agencies
WPP appoints Hephzibah Pathak CEO of WPP Creative India
Ogilvy India chair takes charge of unified creative model in key market
NEW DELHI: WPP has appointed Hephzibah Pathak as chief executive officer of WPP Creative India, putting a local leader at the helm of its newly created creative operating model in one of its most important growth markets.
The move brings clarity to how WPP’s global restructuring will play out in India, weeks after the group unveiled WPP Creative as part of its Elevate28 strategy. The unit sits alongside WPP Media, WPP Production and WPP Enterprise Solutions, and is designed to simplify what the company previously described as an overly complex structure.
Pathak, who continues as executive chairperson of Ogilvy India, will represent all agencies under the WPP Creative umbrella in India. Her role centres on driving integration across brands, expanding capabilities and ensuring clients can tap into the network’s full talent pool without friction.
WPP said Pathak will work closely with agency brand CEOs to “enhance integration, expand capabilities, and ensure seamless client access”, while maintaining the distinct identities of its agencies.
The portfolio under WPP Creative includes leading networks such as VML, Landor, AKQA and Grey, along with Burson and its affiliated firms. Leaders across these agencies will now report into Pathak, even as each brand continues to operate independently within a unified system.
The appointment also formalises a dual-track strategy in India, preserving agency identities while accelerating collaboration. Pathak is expected to work closely with media leadership to align creative and media capabilities, reflecting growing client demand for integrated, multi-market solutions.
WPP Creative global CEO Jon Cook has described the unit as “not an agency” but an operating system that helps creative, design and PR brands work together more effectively. The group has been clear that it is not merging or phasing out legacy agency brands, instead aiming to reduce complexity on the client side.
Pathak brings nearly three decades of experience within the network, having joined in 1997 and held roles ranging from Mumbai office head to chief client officer. She made history in 2024 as the first woman to lead Ogilvy India in its 95-year presence in the country.
Her expanded mandate positions India at the centre of WPP’s Asia-Pacific strategy, with a focus on strengthening brand presence, deepening client relationships and unlocking growth in a fast-evolving market.
The appointment signals WPP’s intent to move beyond the traditional holding company model towards a more integrated, AI-enabled structure. With Pathak now steering WPP Creative India, the group appears set to test whether simpler structures can indeed deliver sharper creative outcomes.
