MAM
Cheil Worldwide gets Diana Cawley to head global retail
MUMBAI: Seoul-based global advertising group Cheil Worldwide has appointed Diana Cawley as head of global retail.
The company has been pushing hard to further develop retail businesses which gives it an integrated shape and allows it to create work that goes beyond traditional advertising. The appointment is part of a global growth strategy by Cheil Worldwide.
Cawley, who was managing director of Leo Burnett Group‘s brand activation shop Arc London, will report to Cheil Worldwide COO Michael Kim.
Her responsibility is to strengthen Cheil‘s retail capability across the global network through shopper insights and creative thinking.
Cawley has been in the advertising industry for 26 years, during which time she has worked with clients including: Bosch, Coca Cola, Chrysler Jeep, Halifax, P&G, McDonald‘s, Samsung and Tesco.
Her last stint was with Arc London as managing director.
Cheil Worldwide COO Michael Kim said, “Having Diana on board demonstrates our commitment to further focus on retail and shopper marketing, key areas to for an integrated agency. I am confident that Diana‘s experience and expertise will bring a valuable perspective to Cheil and ultimately, to our clients.”
Cawley added, “Cheil Worldwide stands out as shopper and digital experts and is in a unique position to understand and influence the shopper journeys that affect a brand‘s business success. This is a fantastic opportunity and I look forward to continue shaping and evolving Cheil‘s integrated offering.”
Prior to joining Arc London, she was at Triangle Group London (acquired by Publicis Groupe in 2001), for 16 years, which included a six-year stint as managing director of retail agency, Storm.
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.
