MAM
Dentsu is APAC agency partner for spirits label William Grant & Sons
MUMBAI: Dentsu has been appointed as agency partner for William Grant & Sons, an independent, family-owned Scottish company that distils Scotch whiskeys Glenfiddich and The Balvenie, as well as other spirits like Hendrick's Gin.
The appointment is the result of an APAC business consolidation which concluded at the end of 2020 and will be managed out of Singapore, the network stated.
Dentsu is expected to drive omnichannel marketing for William Grant & Sons, focusing on strategic pillars of connections planning, digital acceleration and driving media effectiveness and efficiency across APAC.
William Grant & Sons global head of communication strategy & planning Susie O'Donoghue said the company was impressed with Dentsu's "well-rounded thinking, demonstration of planning capability, as well as expertise in driving omnichannel thinking". It also helped that Dentsu has experience working with alcohol and spirits clients, she added.
“We have been working with William Grant & Sons globally and are delighted to have managed to expand this partnership within Asia Pacific," said Dentsu CEO of media for APAC Prerna Mehrotra. She contends that by understanding the consumer’s digital-first world, Dentsu can "unlock new growth opportunities" throughout the consumer journey.
MAM
Shoppers Stop elevates Biju Kassim as GSS Beauty CEO
Move comes as GSS Beauty scales global brand partnerships in India.
MUMBAI: From store shelves to global shelves, the beauty game is getting a sharper makeover. Shoppers Stop has elevated Biju Kassim as managing director and chief executive officer of Global SS Beauty Brands Limited (GSSBB), signalling a stronger push into the premium beauty segment. The move builds on Kassim’s role in setting up GSSBB, a wholly owned subsidiary that has quickly positioned itself as a fast-growing distribution platform for global beauty brands in India. The unit has been central to Shoppers Stop’s ambition of expanding its footprint in the high-margin beauty and luxury categories.
Chairman Nirvik Singh noted that Kassim’s experience across the beauty ecosystem and his understanding of premium and luxury consumers would help steer the next phase of growth. The focus, he indicated, will be on sharpening the company’s beauty portfolio and scaling partnerships with international brands.
Kassim, for his part, steps into the role at a time when India’s premium beauty market is undergoing rapid evolution, driven by rising consumer aspirations and increased access to global labels. He highlighted that GSSBB will remain a key strategic pillar, with an emphasis on expanding brand partnerships, enhancing consumer experiences and driving growth across markets.
As global beauty brands continue to eye India as a high-growth destination, Shoppers Stop’s bet is clear: owning not just the shelf, but the entire beauty ecosystem behind it.
