MAM
Grapes appoints Priyank Narain as executive creative director
Mumbai: Integrated marketing agency Grapes has appointed Priyank Narain as its new executive creative director. He will be based out of the agency’s Delhi office and will report to the agency’s chief operating officer and strategy head Shradha Agarwal.
In this role, Narain will look after the agency’s creative responsibility across all brands, nationally, the company said in a statement.
He will supervise creative teams at the company and will oversee creative, copy and design strategies. He will be responsible for driving the next phase of growth for the clients, it added.
“We are excited to welcome Priyank to the Grapes family as we look to accelerate our business and deliver ground-breaking work for our clients. He has rich creative experience on a varied section of brands and categories. His unique creative approach in designing digital experience is a perfect fit for our company. I am extremely delighted to have him on board,” Grapes COO and strategy head Shradha Agarwal said.
Previously, Narain was associated with McCann Worldgroup as a senior creative director for more than two and a half years, where he was managing some of the biggest brands. He possesses more than 18 years of advertising experience and has worked with leading agencies like Cheil India, Havas, Lowe Lintas, Grey Group, and Contract Advertising, having begun his career with Leo Burnett.
“It’s wonderful to be onboard with Grapes, an integrated agency with a great vision and several interesting brands. I look forward to creating some disruptive work that drives brands and businesses forward,” stated Priyank Narain.
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.
