MAM
Aditya Birla Group squeezes Joe & The Juice into Indian market
Strategic tie-up with Joe & The Juice brings Danish cool and healthy brews to India.
MUMBAI: India’s hospitality scene is about to get a healthy shot of adrenaline, and for once, the “daily grind” sounds like a very good thing. Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality (ABNAH) has officially shaken hands with the Danish cult-favourite Joe & The Juice, marking the conglomerate’s first serious foray into the scalable, fast-casual food sector. It’s a move that suggests the Group is thirsty for more than just industrial dominance; they’re eyeing the premium lifestyle cup, and it’s looking decidedly green.
Founded in Copenhagen in 2002, Joe & The Juice has spent two decades fermenting a global empire, boasting over 480 locations spanning Europe, the US, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Known for its high-octane atmosphere and health-conscious menu, the brand is as much about the “vibe” as it is about the vitamins.
The first Indian flagship store is slated to pop its cork in the second half of 2026.
ABNAH isn’t exactly a newcomer to the table. This partnership adds a fresh layer to a portfolio that already features heavy hitters like:
- International Stars: Yauatcha, Hakkasan, and Nara Thai.
- Home-grown Hits: Cincin, Ode, Waarsa, and Supa San.
ABNAH founder Aryaman Vikram Birla noted that India is currently at a “consumption inflection point.” With rising discretionary spending and a growing appetite for “premiumisation,” the Group is betting big that Joe & The Juice’s mix of health and convenience will hit the sweet spot for aspiring Indian consumers.
For Joe & The Juice, this isn’t just another pin on the map. Joe & The Juice CEO Thomas Noroxe described the move as their “first true strategic entry in Asia,” citing India’s rapidly evolving preference for wellness-focused offerings. With Ambit Capital advising the deal, the partnership aims to leverage the Aditya Birla Group’s massive operational muscle to scale the brand across the country.
While the Group continues to expand into everything from jewellery to paints, this latest venture proves that when it comes to the business of taste, they’re ready to serve up something refreshing.
MAM
Lego brings Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappé, Vinicius together
Campaign clocks 314 million views ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 buzz.
MUMBAI: Four legends, one frame and not a single tackle in sight. Lego has pulled off a crossover few thought possible, uniting Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior in a single campaign ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 only this time, they’re building dreams brick by brick.
Titled “Everyone wants a piece”, the campaign features the quartet assembling a Lego version of the World Cup trophy, before placing miniature versions of themselves atop it, a playful nod to football’s ultimate prize. Shared widely across social media, the ad carries a pointed disclaimer: it is not AI-generated, a subtle but telling signal in an era where even reality is often questioned.
The numbers tell their own story. The campaign has already crossed 314 million views on Instagram across the players’ accounts, with fans hailing it as a rare, almost nostalgic moment particularly for the reunion of Messi and Ronaldo, whose last shared campaign ahead of the 2022 World Cup became one of the platform’s most-liked posts.
Beyond the film, Lego is extending the play with exclusive, player-themed sets tied to each of the four stars, part of a broader football-led programme designed to ride the global momentum building towards 2026. The idea, as echoed by the players themselves, leans into the parallels between football and play experimentation, creativity, failure, and triumph.
Messi described the sets as a way to bring on-pitch moments into an imaginative, hands-on world, while Ronaldo called the transformation into a Lego figure a rare honour, blending sport with storytelling. Vinícius, meanwhile, struck a more personal note, recalling childhood moments of building with Lego and framing creativity as a universal language that transcends borders.
The timing is no accident. With the 2026 World Cup set to run from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico, and featuring an expanded 48-team format, global anticipation is already building. Argentina, led by Messi, will enter as defending champions, adding another layer of intrigue.
For Lego, the campaign does more than celebrate football, it taps into its mythology. Because when icons become figurines and rivalries turn into play, the beautiful game finds a new kind of pitch. one built, quite literally, by hand.
