MAM
Fabindia joins Indian Navy’s ‘G20 THINQ’ Quiz as official lifestyle partner
Mumbai: Fabindia, India’s leading lifestyle brand known for its commitment to traditional Indian craftsmanship and contemporary design, in collaboration with the Indian Navy, contributed to bringing together intellect, knowledge, and strategic thinking as the official lifestyle partner for The Indian Navy Quiz, “G20 THINQ.” The national finals were held in Mumbai at The Gateway of India on 18 November, 2023 and the international finals were held on 23 November at India Gate, New Delhi.
In New Delhi, for the International Finals, participants from all 24 countries were dressed in jackets made with Tussar Gicha, a wild silk which is also referred to as Tushar, Tussore, Tasar, Tussur, or Tusser in different regions across India. Contestant’s attire also consisted of white silk blended kurtas made with regenerated cellulose fabric, white churidars or tapered pants and handmade leather jutties.
For the national finals in Mumbai, participants from across 16 schools were dressed in immaculately crafted Ikat designs that carried the combined traditions and skills passed down to artisans through generations. In keeping with this theme, Fabindia offered specially curated gift hampers for the winners, combining Fabindia’s signature style with the spirit of G20 THINQ. This collaboration aligned seamlessly with Fabindia’s ethos of showcasing the diverse, vibrant, and sustainably conscious tapestry of India’s traditions.
G20 THINQ was an engaging and intellectually stimulating quiz, and Fabindia is honoured to be a part of this event. The partnership reflected the brand’s ongoing commitment to fostering a deep appreciation for India’s rich cultural heritage and its contribution towards global knowledge.
Fabindia would sincerely like to thank The Indian Navy and NWWA president, Mrs Kala Hari Kumar, for giving us this opportunity to contribute towards making THINQ a successful event.
About Fabindia Ltd.
Fabindia Ltd. was founded in 1960, with its first retail store in New Delhi. Bringing forth craftsmanship with contemporary designs, Fabindia carries a 63-year legacy of celebrating India’s rich heritage, spanning over 357 stores across 127 cities within the country and 13 international outlets across 7 countries.
The offering includes a variety of Indian and Western wear for men, women, and children. Over the years, jewellery, bags and footwear, home furnishings, furniture, gifts, organic food and personal care products have been introduced to the range.
An amalgamation of aesthetics and affordability, the brand is a celebration of India and its crafts, and is one of the country’s largest private platforms for products made from traditional techniques, skills and hand-based processes. Fabindia connects thousands of craft-based rural producers to urban markets, creating employment for artisans and preserving the country’s traditional handicrafts.
AD Agencies
Omnicom posts $6.2 bn Q1 revenue, EBITDA margin rises to 14.8 per cent
AI push and cost synergies lift margins in first full quarter post-merger
NEW YORK: Omnicom has reported a robust first quarter following its acquisition of Interpublic Group, signalling early gains from integration, cost efficiencies and a sharper focus on AI-led services.
The results mark the first full quarter with Interpublic’s operations included, offering a clearer view of how the combined entity is shaping up. Revenue from core operations stood at $5.6 billion, up $345 million year on year on a combined basis, while organic growth came in at 3.9 per cent. Adjusted EBITDA margin rose sharply by 240 basis points to 14.8 per cent, reflecting early synergy benefits.
“We’ve seen momentum and cohesive growth across the organisation,” said Omnicom chief executive officer John Wren. “Our results demonstrate the benefits of realigning our portfolio and moving decisively on integration.”
A key part of that realignment involves shedding underperforming assets. Omnicom has identified businesses worth roughly $3.2 billion in annual revenue for disposal, with about $1 billion already exited in the first quarter. The company expects to complete most of the remaining divestments over the coming quarters, sharpening its focus on higher-growth, higher-margin operations.
On the bottom line, adjusted earnings per share rose 11.8 per cent to $1.90, underlining the financial impact of cost discipline and integration. The company is targeting $900 million in cost synergies by 2026, rising to $1.5 billion by mid-2028.
“We are realising significant cost reduction synergies while continuing to invest for growth,” said Omnicom chief financial officer Philip Angelastro.
Beyond the numbers, the strategic pivot is becoming clearer. Omnicom has restructured its business around “core operations”, stripping out assets earmarked for sale to highlight the segments driving future growth. More than half of its revenue now comes from integrated media, which includes data, commerce, CRM and content automation, areas that are growing faster than traditional advertising.
Indeed, integrated media led growth in the quarter with high single-digit gains, while PR and experiential businesses delivered mid-single-digit growth. Healthcare posted modest gains, while traditional advertising lagged, reflecting a broader industry shift towards performance-driven and tech-enabled marketing.
Central to this transformation is Omni, the company’s AI-powered marketing and sales platform. Rolled out across the organisation during the quarter, the system connects data, talent and services while enabling AI-driven workflows.
The platform is already delivering tangible results, improving media performance, speeding up campaign execution and enhancing measurement capabilities. Integration with partners such as Adobe and Amazon is further expanding its reach.
“We’ve put the latest agentic AI tools in the hands of all our employees,” said Wren, highlighting the company’s push towards automation and data-led decision-making.
The shift is also reshaping client relationships. Omnicom reported new business wins with major brands including IBM, GSK and John Deere, while expanding engagements with existing clients such as Unilever and Exxon. Increasingly, clients are opting for consolidated partnerships, relying on a single provider for end-to-end marketing and sales services.
“There’s a clear trend of clients choosing one partner to manage most of their needs,” said John Wren. “Our integrated model makes that easier.”
Geographically, the US remains the largest market, contributing 61 per cent of revenue, followed by Europe and the UK at 21 per cent. Growth was strongest in the US, with other regions posting modest gains.
The balance sheet remains solid despite increased debt following the acquisition. Long-term debt stood at $10.2 billion at the end of the quarter, while liquidity was supported by $4.3 billion in cash and a $3.5 billion revolving credit facility. The company is also returning capital to shareholders, repurchasing $2.8 billion worth of shares in Q1 as part of a planned $5 billion buyback programme.
Looking ahead, Omnicom remains optimistic but cautious. While the company expects double-digit EPS growth for the year, it acknowledged ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, particularly in the Middle East, though the region accounts for less than 2.5 per cent of revenue.
The integration of Interpublic is still in its early stages, but the initial signs point to a business that is not just bigger, but structurally different. With AI at its core, a streamlined portfolio and a growing tilt towards integrated services, Omnicom is betting that scale, simplicity and smart technology will keep it ahead in an increasingly complex marketing landscape.
If the first quarter is anything to go by, that bet is already starting to pay off.
