MAM
DDB Mudra & WARC launch India’s first strategy evening
MUMBAI: Advertising is all about creativity, but strategy is what keeps it on course. In an industry first, DDB Mudra Group has partnered with WARC to host Portfolio Evening: Strategy Edition in Mumbai on 26 November 2025, offering young strategists a chance to shine.
Open to professionals with zero to five years of experience, the event invites participants to present their work in 20-minute sessions before a jury of India’s leading strategy experts. Registrations are open until 15 November, and applicants must submit two pieces of work from their portfolio or developed in response to briefs, demonstrating their ability to spot consumer insights, define problems, and craft strategic recommendations.
The evening promises direct feedback from some of the country’s most respected strategic minds, including Sideways Consulting former CSO Aditi Patwardhan; Leo CEO – South Asia Amitesh Rao; TBWA India CSO Anirban Mozumdar; and DDB Mudra Group president and managing partner – growth and strategy Menaka Menon, among others.
The winner will receive exclusive access to WARC’s coveted thought leadership series, Creative Impact Unpacked from Cannes, taking the learning beyond the competition. The evening will also mark the launch of WARC’s Future of Strategy 2025 report in India for the first time. The report maps the evolving role of strategic planning in an AI-driven, rapidly fragmenting media landscape, offering key insights shaping global agency practices.
This inaugural event aims to nurture the next generation of strategy talent, connecting them with industry leaders while showcasing how sharp thinking can transform ideas into impactful campaigns. With creativity in the spotlight and strategy taking centre stage, this is one evening Mumbai’s advertising world will not want to miss.
Brands
Safex Group appoints Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer
Former Standard Chartered executive to steer finance
NEW DELHI: Safex Chemicals has appointed Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer, strengthening its leadership team as the company prepares for the next phase of expansion in specialty chemicals and global agrochemicals.
In her new role, Malhotra will lead the group’s financial strategy, capital architecture and governance framework as Safex scales operations across multiple verticals including branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing.
A chartered accountant and graduate of Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, Malhotra brings more than two decades of experience in business finance, strategic planning, corporate banking and client management.
Before joining Safex, she served as executive director, financial markets at Standard Chartered, where she led teams across India and Sri Lanka and worked closely with large corporates, global subsidiaries and commercial banking clients. Her expertise includes capital structuring, treasury operations, risk management and financial markets led financing solutions.
Safex Group promoter director and joint managing director Piyush Jindal, said the appointment comes at a pivotal time for the company. “Safex stands at an inflection point as we build an integrated platform across branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing. Richa’s experience across global financial institutions will strengthen our financial discipline and help unlock value across the group,” he said.
Malhotra said she was looking forward to contributing to the company’s next chapter of growth. “Safex has built a strong reputation over 35 years with its focus on integrity, innovation and agricultural insight. I am excited to be part of the organisation as it expands its footprint in India and global markets,” she said.
The appointment comes as Safex continues to strengthen its financial foundations and scale operations internationally, positioning itself for future growth milestones.
