MAM
Columbia Tristar gears for ‘Jungle Book II’ promo blitz
MUMBAI: Columbia Tristar Films, distributors for Buena Vista International in India, are gearing for a Rs 30 million promotional blitzkrieg prior to the release of Disney’s Jungle Book Part II that’s scheduled for a May-end release in the country.
Beginning 1 May, Columbia Tristar will, with the confidence born of a successful multimediaSpiderman promotion in India, launch Jungle Book mania across major metros. A tie-up with Cadbury’s will ensure brand visibility at retail level, while merchandising, including books, mugs etc will also be launched in the coming month. According to Columbia Tristar Films of India MD Uday Singh, the campaign will involve TVCs, a publishing tie up that will include colouring books and games as also a tie up with NIIT for a summer course with the Jungle Book theme.
The sequel to the evergreen Jungle Book movie promises to be as successful a venture in India as the original. Dubbed in Hindi, the movie is to be released in over 25 prints across the country. Known personalities like Jaaved Jaffrey have lent their voices to the dubbed version. Film star Amitabh Bachchan was supposed to do the voice of Baloo the bear, but backed out of the venture later, says Singh.
According to Columbia Tristar marketing manager Divya Pathak, there’s more by way of tie-ups and promotions in store for the film. There are tie-ups with Pantaloons, contests and a mini Jungle Bookrelated series on Cartoon Network in the coming month. Housing colonies across major metros (1,500 in all) will get a taste of what to expect from the sequel in door-to-door visits, says Pathak.
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.
