MAM
Arijit Ray moves to Dentsu Communications as CEO
MUMBAI: The Dentsu India Group has appointed Arijit Ray as CEO of Dentsu Communications. Ray‘s mandate will be to enhance and reinforce the agency‘s competencies and output including overall creative, strategy and services along with strengthening media synergies and driving growth.
Ray comes in from the DDBMudra Group where he was president DDBMudra West.
Dentsu India Group executive chairman Rohit Ohri said, “I am delighted to have Arijit join the leadership team at Dentsu India. Arijit‘s experience across diverse product categories and in traditional as well as new media is what will help us drive Dentsu‘s ambitious plans for India. I look forward to working closely with Arijit and Taira Kimura, COO, Dentsu Communications, to create a world-class integrated communications agency in India.”
Ray added, “Dentsu in India is the midst of a serious expansion agenda led by Rohit‘s vision of building a top-notch integrated communication network. The Group is well into the phase of building a quality talent and client base and this will only get more impetus in the endeavour to shape enduring client relationships, conceive and execute cutting edge communication mandates that are not only award worthy but more importantly worthy of recognition in the market, in the consumers mind resulting in enhanced desirability and image/ market shares.”
“What is also heartening in being a part of the Dentsu India team at this juncture, is the new benchmarks it is creating in the global context. Not many people are aware of Dentsu‘s leadership position in a large and important market like the US and the strides it has made in the digital space. I look forward to working closely with Rohit and support him in the aggressive plans he has for Dentsu in India.”
Ray has also worked with agencies like Alfred Allan Advertising, Triton Communications, Rediffusion DY&R, McCann Erickson, O&M Mumbai and Saatchi & Saatchi prior to joining DDB Mudra in 2008.
During the course of his career, he has worked with a diverse range of brands across sectors like Geep Batteries, Salora TV‘s and Fax Machines, Flurys Tea, Fanta, Kinley Soda, Excelcia Foods, Braun and Duracell.
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.
