MAM
Cannes Lions Day 2: A Gold for Dentsu Creative, Byju’s & DDB Mudra win 2 Silvers
Mumbai: The Indian contingent carried forward its winning act into Day two, clinching three more Lions- a Gold and two Silvers, taking its metal tally to 10. Vice Media’s ‘The Unfiltered History Tour’ created by Dentsu Webchutney (now Dentsu Creative) added one more feather to its cap by winning a Gold Lion in the Digital Craft category under the Personalised Storytelling & Experience subcategory.
DDB Mudra picked up a Silver for ‘A Silent Frown’ – a book on the untold story of Charlie Chaplin – created for the Charlie Chaplin Foundation in the Industry Craft category under the Print & Publishing subcategory.
The second silver came for BYJUS in the Entertainment Lions category under the Talent: Film, Series & Audio subcategory for its ‘Master Ji’ campaign created in-house by the brand and produced by Dora Digs Mumbai.
Cannes Lions announced its second day of winners in the Industry Craft Lions, Digital Craft Lions, Film Craft Lions, Design Lions, Entertainment Lions, Entertainment Lions For Music and Entertainment Lions for Sport categories in a live awards show in Cannes, France.
Furthermore, India’s shortlist tally increased to 57 with 20 additional shortlists across Brand Experience & Activation (10), Creative Business Transformation (1), Creative Commerce (4), Mobile (4), and Creative Effectiveness (1).
Reacting to the Gold win, Dentsu Creative CEO India Amit Wadhwa said, “It has been a fantabulous Day 2 at Cannes Lions. After an exciting start with a Grand Prix, 1 Silver, and 2 Bronze, we are ecstatic to add a Gold to our kitty. This is indeed a mesmerising experience. A big, big thank you to all our ex and present teammates for making this happen. It has indeed been a breathtaking miracle. Also, my deepest gratitude to everyone who has held their faith in our teams and work. Thank you!”
Dentsu Creative group chief creative officer India Ajay Gahlaut added, “After the Grand Prix yesterday, the Gold today comes as yet another validation of the quality of the Unfiltered History Tour campaign. Winning against fantastic campaigns from around the world is a great feeling. While we are extremely grateful for the recognition that our campaign has received so far at the Cannes Lions, we are hungry for more!”
Byju’s vice president –Brand and Creative Strategy Vineet Singh said on the win, “It’s a proud milestone for us at BYJU’S. The ‘Master Ji’ campaign is a testament to BYJU’S belief in creating and driving meaningful messaging to connect with its audience. We are extremely grateful for everyone who supported us in achieving this dream run and kudos to our brilliant in-house team for ideating and executing the film so beautifully.”
Sharing his thoughts, DDB Mudra Group chief creative officer Rahul Mathew said, “A Silent Frown is a tribute to the man who regaled us all with his craft. And to be awarded for the craft of the book is quite poetic.”
Brands
Jubilant Foodworks to end Dunkin’ franchise in India
Pizza chain operator will not renew agreement when it expires at end of 2026.
MUMBAI: When the doughnuts stop turning and the coffee goes cold, even a global giant like Dunkin’ can find the Indian market a tough brew to crack. Jubilant Foodworks has decided not to renew its franchise agreement with Dunkin’ when the pact expires on 31 December 2026, according to a Reuters report. The operator, best known for running Domino’s outlets in India, said it would evaluate options for its existing Dunkin’ stores, including a potential sale or transfer of franchise rights, in consultation with the US-based brand.
The decision follows years of underperformance in a market where local tastes and intense competition have made it difficult for international coffee-and-doughnut formats to gain traction. Jubilant, which has increasingly focused on its core pizza business and newer bets like Popeyes, indicated that the exit would not materially affect its financial or operational position.
Dunkin’ accounted for just 0.61 per cent of Jubilant’s revenue in the fiscal year ending 2025 and recorded a loss of approximately Rs 191 million, according to a regulatory filing. The company operated 27 outlets as of December 2025, having shuttered seven stores over the preceding year.
The retreat comes even as Jubilant’s broader business shows signs of momentum. The company reported a 65 per cent rise in quarterly profit for the October to December period, reaching Rs 70.9 crore, up from Rs 42.91 crore a year earlier.
For Jubilant, the exit reflects a sharpening strategic focus. For Dunkin’, it marks another setback in a market that has proven resistant to imported café concepts without significant localisation.
In the cut-throat world of Indian quick-service restaurants, sometimes the sweetest deals are the ones you quietly walk away from leaving more room for the brands that truly rise to the occasion.
