MAM
Dentsu Creative India elevates Benny Augustine to COO
Mumbai: Dentsu Creative India has elevated Benny Augustine to the role of chief operating officer (COO). He will report directly to Dentsu Creative India CEO Amit Wadhwa.
As per the mandate, Benny will oversee the operations of Dentsu Creative in India. His objective will be to build various frameworks, platforms, and business processes that promote efficiency and effectiveness for clients using ‘modern creativity.’ Furthermore, he will aim to foster the company culture by leading internal initiatives and implementing training programmes to help develop talent.
It is pertinent to note here that in his new role, Benny will also closely work with Dentsu Creative’s global operations community led by global COO, Andrea Terrassa.
Benny has been with the network for over a decade, where he was a part of the senior management team at Dentsu Webchutney as chief financial officer (CFO). He played a key role in establishing the agency as one of the top and largest digital creative agencies in India.
Amit Wadhwa commented, “While we move into this new era of a strong brand like Dentsu Creative in India, it is important to have someone to spearhead the operational transformation who understands people as well as the business. To be honest, I don’t think I could have asked for a better person than Benny to do this.”
Speaking of his new role, Augustine said, “I am super thrilled to take up this new assignment. It would be both challenging and exciting to be the COO of one of the most creative networks globally. I am thankful to Amit and Dentsu’s senior management for considering me for this critical role.”
At the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity 2022, Dentsu Creative India was declared the ‘Agency of the Year.’
In completing a hat-trick for the agency, Dentsu also lifted a Titanium for the country for its “Unfiltered History Tour (UHT)” Campaign in addition to bagging three Grand Prix—another first, two Gold Lions and three Silver Lions—making “UHT” the most awarded work not only from India but globally.
Brands
Funskool India crosses US$40 million turnover in FY 2025-26
Toy manufacturer posts steady growth despite global headwinds.
MUMBAI: Funskool India has played its cards well turning challenges into steady growth while keeping the fun alive in the toy business. The country’s leading toy manufacturer has reported a turnover of $40 million in FY 2025-26, demonstrating resilience in a difficult global environment. The company recorded an average growth of 14 per cent over the past two years, with exports growing at a healthy 19% year-on-year.
While domestic business grew at a modest single-digit pace, Funskool saw encouraging traction in key categories such as Fundough (dough) and Handycrafts (arts & crafts).
Funskool India Ltd. CEO K.A. Shabir said, “We successfully navigated the challenges posed by US tariffs last year and continued to grow both our export and domestic businesses. Given the ongoing geopolitical situation in West Asia, we are currently working with a moderate growth outlook of 12–15 per cent, with plans to revisit our targets after Q1 once the situation stabilises.”
He highlighted strengthened partnerships with global companies including Spin Master (Canada), Moose Toys (Australia), Melissa & Doug (USA), Asmodee (France), Learning Resources (USA), and Buffalo Games (USA). The expansion of the company’s Goa plant is progressing and is expected to be completed by the end of the current financial year.
Looking ahead, Funskool expects a significant shift in domestic growth momentum for FY 2026-27, driven by new categories such as friction vehicles under the brand “BlazeTrix”, remote-control cars under “VoltRush”, and the addition of popular licences like Paw Patrol.
In an industry where playtime never stops, Funskool has shown that even in turbulent times, a smart strategy and strong partnerships can keep the business ticking along nicely. As it gears up for the next financial year, the company appears well-positioned to build on its solid foundation and bring even more joy to children worldwide.
