MAM
Disney, Mumbai Indians in licensing pact
MUMBAI: Mukesh Ambani-owned IPL franchise Mumbai Indians has inked a licensing deal with The Walt Disney Company India to launch co-branded merchandise products targeted at under-14 kids segment.
The co-branded merchandise will be sold in around 5,000 Reliance retail outlets and will be also be promoted through the digital medium.
The two partners see a brand fit. Mumbai Indians have India’s favourite cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar at its helm who has huge following among kids particularly under-14. Mickey Mouse, Disney’s famous cartoon property, is also a popular character among kids..
With this association, the merchandise revenue of Mumbai Indians is expected to climb in comparison to last year’s revenue of Rs 50-60 million, according to Mumbai Indians co-owner Nita Ambani.
Ambani further said that her vision for Mumbai Indians was to make it a strong and satisfactory brand that is financially independent without the support of RIL. She also said that the franchise will break even in the long run.
Walt Disney India MD Ronnie Screwvala is delighted with this alliance. “Disney being the most acclaimed brand internationally has only bonded with brands that are commercially feasible in its nature,” he said.
He also feels that this coalition of Mumbai Indians and Walt Disney will expedite the aggrandizing of brand equity for both .
The former entrepreneur cum CEO of UTV also mentioned that the under 14 segment has high potential and will keep burgeoning in the next few years. He pegs the licensing market for kids in 4-14 age group at Rs 14 billion.
Brands
Shekhar Swarup named CEO of Globus Spirits
Longtime insider steps up to lead next growth phase of liquor major
NEW DELHI: Sometimes the next chief executive is already in the room. At Globus Spirits, that person is Shekhar Swarup.
The company has named Swarup as its chief executive officer, elevating a long-time insider who has spent nearly two decades helping shape the liquor maker’s operations and growth strategy.
Swarup has been with the company for over 17 years and most recently served as joint managing director, a role he has held since 2017. During this period, he worked closely on expanding Globus Spirits’ manufacturing footprint and strengthening its consumer brands portfolio.
Before that, he served as executive director from 2011 to 2017 and earlier held an executive role at the company between 2008 and 2011.
Headquartered in New Delhi, Globus Spirits operates across the alcohol value chain, manufacturing and marketing Indian Made Indian Liquor and Indian Made Foreign Liquor while also producing bulk alcohol and offering contract bottling services to other liquor companies.
The company is one of the country’s largest manufacturers of Grain Neutral Spirit, with installed capacities of about 500 kilolitres per day across four states. It also bottles around 1.5 million nine-litre cases every month, with nearly 80 per cent coming from its own brands.
Outside the company, Swarup is the founder of India Craft Spirits Co and serves as vice president of the All India Distillers’ Association.
An alumnus of the University of Bradford, where he studied Business and Management, Swarup also completed the Owner President Management programme at Harvard Business School between 2022 and 2024.
With his elevation, the company is signalling continuity at the top, placing a seasoned hand on the wheel as it looks to build on its presence in India’s competitive spirits market.
