MAM
Aditi Chada joins Mondelēz International as India communications lead
Former Prime Video executive tasked with brand and reputation strategy
MUMBAI: Mondelēz International has appointed Aditi Chada as lead—communications, India, strengthening its leadership bench as the packaged-foods group sharpens its brand and stakeholder narrative in a crowded consumer market.
Chada confirmed the move in a LinkedIn post, marking her return to Mondelēz after a five-year stint at Prime Video. She will be responsible for driving corporate and brand communications across the Indian market.
At Prime Video, Chada joined in 2021 as PR manager, India, and played a central role in shaping the platform’s visibility and positioning amid intensifying competition in the streaming space. Her exit comes as platforms recalibrate marketing and communications strategies under tighter spending discipline.
Chada brings a blend of media and consumer-goods experience, having previously worked with Viacom18, Marico, Mondelēz International and Vaishnavi Corporate Communications.
Industry executives view the appointment as a signal that Mondelēz is investing in communications firepower to support brand equity, regulatory engagement and long-term growth in India’s fast-moving consumer goods market.
Brands
Nykaa eyes majority stake in Deepika Padukone’s 82°E brand
Deal could help scale premium label as Nykaa sharpens its beauty play
MUMBAI: Nykaa is in advanced discussions to acquire a majority stake in 82°E, the premium skincare label founded by Deepika Padukone, according to media reports.
The proposed deal signals Nykaa’s intent to deepen its House of Nykaa portfolio while giving 82°E the scale it has struggled to achieve independently. Padukone is expected to retain a minority stake if the transaction goes through.
For Nykaa, the play is both strategic and timely. With a customer base of over 42 million, the company is betting on its strong distribution, logistics, and repeat purchase ecosystem to revive the brand’s momentum. The two sides already share a working relationship, with Padukone serving as Nykaa’s global brand ambassador since September 2025.
Launched in late 2022, 82°E entered the market with a premium positioning but has faced headwinds. The brand reported revenue of Rs 14.7 crore in FY25, down 30 per cent year on year, alongside losses of Rs 12.26 crore. Industry observers have pointed to steep pricing, a somewhat diffused brand identity, and intense competition from digital-first labels as key challenges.
The potential acquisition also reflects a broader shift in India’s beauty and lifestyle space, where celebrity-led brands are increasingly partnering with larger corporates to unlock scale. Alia Bhatt’s Ed-a-Mamma, for instance, sold a majority stake to Reliance Retail, while Katrina Kaif’s Kay Beauty has emerged as a standout success within Nykaa’s portfolio, clocking Rs 132.4 crore in FY25 revenue.
Nykaa itself has been on a strong growth trajectory. Its parent, FSN E-Commerce Ventures, reported a 156 per cent jump in net profit to Rs 68 crore in the December 2025 quarter, with revenue reaching Rs 2,873 crore.
Nykaa has been steadily building its portfolio through acquisitions such as Dot & Key, Earth Rhythm and Nudge Wellness, signalling a clear push to own and scale homegrown brands.
If the 82°E deal materialises, it could mark a fresh chapter for the label, blending celebrity appeal with corporate muscle. For Nykaa, it is another calculated step in staying ahead in an increasingly crowded beauty aisle.
