MAM
Britannia paints a new picture with CEO Rakshit Hargave
MUMBAI: From paints to pastries, Rakshit Hargave is making a colourful career move. The outgoing CEO of Birla Opus Paints is set to take the helm at Britannia Industries as executive director and chief executive officer, beginning December 15, 2025.
The appointment marks one of the FMCG sector’s most talked-about leadership transitions this year. Britannia’s board approved Hargave’s induction as an additional whole-time director and CEO for a five-year term, subject to shareholder approval. He will report directly to managing director and chairman of Britannia Industries Varun Berry.
On the same day, Grasim Industries, the parent company of Birla Opus Paints, confirmed that Hargave had resigned from his role, effective December 5.
Grasim praised Hargave’s four-year stint, noting his instrumental role in transforming Birla Opus from blueprint to brand. Under his leadership, the company set up six integrated manufacturing facilities and built a robust distribution and supply chain network across India.
Hargave joined the Aditya Birla Group in 2021, leading Birla Opus through its ambitious entry into the competitive paints market. His move to Britannia now positions him at the centre of another storied Indian brand, one balancing legacy with innovation in an increasingly crowded FMCG landscape.
As Britannia eyes new categories and deeper market penetration, Hargave’s appointment signals a fresh layer of leadership ready to add both colour and consistency to the brand’s growth story.
MAM
Budweiser launches ‘Let It Pour’ platform for FIFA World Cup 2026
Campaign spans 40 plus markets with fan events, merchandise and global film.
MUMBAI: When the whistle blows, Budweiser wants the celebrations to flow just as freely. The beer brand has unveiled ‘Let It Pour’, its global football platform for the FIFA World Cup 2026, kicking off a four-year build-up with a campaign designed to turn fandom into a shared, full-throttle experience. Rolling out across more than 40 countries, including India, the initiative blends on-ground activations, merchandise and a star-led global film to capture the emotional surge of the sport’s biggest stage.
At the centre of the campaign are football heavyweights Erling Haaland and Jürgen Klopp, who front the messaging around passion, performance and collective celebration. For Haaland, set to make his FIFA World Cup debut in 2026, the platform mirrors the intensity of a moment he has long worked towards, while Klopp lends his signature energy to amplify the spirit of fans coming together.
The campaign’s global film leans into that shared emotion where matches spill beyond stadiums into homes, bars and city streets over the tournament’s 39-day run. Set to Joe Cocker’s Feelin’ Alright, it captures how football blurs boundaries, turning strangers into teammates and moments into memories.
Beyond storytelling, Budweiser is building a broader ecosystem around the campaign. The Bud Fan Store will offer exclusive tournament-inspired merchandise, from football kits to branded apparel, while Bud FC developed with Wink will host experiential fan events across select markets, recreating stadium-like energy in festival settings.
India forms a key part of this push. With football fandom on the rise, particularly among younger audiences, Budweiser 0.0 is positioned to anchor local activations, bringing fans closer to the global spectacle through community-led experiences.
The move reinforces Budweiser’s four-decade association with the FIFA World Cup, but also signals an evolution in approach. Instead of simply sponsoring the game, the brand is leaning into culture creating multiple touchpoints where fans can participate, not just watch.
In a tournament where every goal sparks a reaction, Budweiser is betting that the real win lies in how loudly and how collectively that reaction pours out.
