Brands
Devotees relished ‘Chappan Bowls’ of Sunfeast YiPPee! at Puri Rath Yatra
Mumbai: ITC Sunfeast YiPPee! an instant noodles and pasta brand delighted devotees with 56 recipes of YiPPee! noodles at Puri Rath Yatra, with YiPPee! Chappan Bowls. To set the festive mood and elevate the overall experience, the brand has also set up a fully functional Beach Cafe at the heart of Puri beach.
Every year during the nine-day Puri Rath Yatra festival, the city comes alive with devotees gathering to see the grand procession of Lord Jagannath. A spirit of celebration sweeps the entire state as people prepare for the yatra with devotion and excitement. Yippee! has been an integral part of this iconic event for the past few years, actively supporting and enriching the culinary experience of the countless devotees.
Drawing inspiration from the traditional Chappan Bhog concept, YiPPee! introduced 56 noodle recipes, showcasing the brand’s versatility and creativity. This innovative approach aimed to capture devotees’ attention by demonstrating the many delightful ways YiPPee! noodles can be enjoyed. Adding to the excitement, Odisha’s very own MasterChef, Smrutisree Singh and Abinas Nayak, graced the inaugural event on July 8th. They each prepared a special dish—Smrutisree’s Spicy Sizzler and Abinas’ Noodle Rostti with Masala Topping — using YiPPee! noodles, enticing the crowd. The YiPPee! Bowl-inspired café, amped up the experience, as friends and families could engage in additional fun activities at the café or relax by the beach while savouring their favourite YiPPee!.
Speaking on the occasion, ITC Ltd vice president & head of marketing, snacks, noodles & pasta, ITC foods Suresh Chand said “Puri Rath Yatra is a revered religious tradition in Odisha, attracting devotees from far and wide. Drawing inspiration from the traditional Chappan Bhog, YiPPee! curated 56 varieties, each representing a unique way to enjoy YiPPee! noodles. The YiPPee! Bowl Café at Puri Beach was an exciting way to connect with our audience, offering them an engaging activity that showcases the joy and versatility of our brand.”
Brands
Lululemon picks former Nike executive to be its next chief
Heidi O’Neill, who helped grow Nike into a $45 billion giant, will take the top job in September
CANADA: Lululemon has found its next chief executive, and she comes with serious credentials. The athleisure giant named Heidi O’Neill as its new CEO on Wednesday, ending a search that has left the company running on interim leadership since earlier this year. O’Neill will take charge on September 8, 2026, based out of Vancouver, and will join the board on the same day.
O’Neill brings more than three decades of experience across performance apparel, footwear and sport. The bulk of that time was spent at Nike, where she was a central figure in one of corporate sport’s great growth stories, helping take the company from a $9 billion business to a $45 billion global powerhouse. She oversaw product pipelines, brand strategy and consumer connections, and played a significant role in shaping how Nike spoke to athletes around the world. Earlier in her career, she worked in marketing for the Dockers brand at Levi Strauss. She also brings boardroom experience from Spotify Technology, Hyatt Hotels and Lithia and Driveway.
The board was unequivocal in its enthusiasm. “We selected Heidi because of the breadth of her experience, her demonstrated success delivering breakthrough ideas and initiatives at scale, and her ability to be a knowledgeable change and growth agent,” said Marti Morfitt, executive chair of Lululemon’s board.
O’Neill, for her part, was bullish. “Lululemon is an iconic brand with something rare: genuine guest love, a product ethos rooted in innovation, and a global platform still in the early stages of its potential,” she said. “My job will be to accelerate product breakthroughs, deepen the brand’s cultural relevance, and unlock growth in markets around the world.”
Until she arrives, Meghan Frank and André Maestrini will continue as interim co-CEOs, before returning to their previous senior leadership roles once O’Neill steps in.
Lululemon is betting that a Nike veteran who helped build one of the world’s most powerful sports brands can do something similar for an athleisure label that has genuine love from its customers but is still chasing its full global potential. O’Neill has done it before at scale. The question now is whether she can do it again.
