MAM
Havas partners with Wellcom Worldwide to launch Havas Studios
New Delhi: Leading advertising and communication group Havas has partnered with global creative production agency Wellcom Worldwide to launch Havas Studios – a new, integrated global production business.
According to the group, Havas Studios’ capabilities will span film, audio, print, photographic and digital content production, encompassing content origination talent and a wide range of post-production facilities. It will also have dedicated teams supporting the integrated delivery of retail and e-Commerce platform-ready content.
The partnership agreement will see employees from both businesses transferred into the new entity, which will be headquartered in London. It will be led by Havas UK chief operating officer Paul Ward, who takes on the new title of global CEO, Havas Studios. He will be supported by an executive committee comprising both Havas and Wellcom senior executives, the agency announced on Thursday.
“Building better brand experiences means rethinking how content is managed. Now that digital is fully integrated into everything we do, it is content’s turn to become an organic part of our approach. By partnering with Wellcom we are now able to provide our clients with the best production capabilities in the industry,” said Havas Group, CEO, Yannick Bolloré.
A micro-network of integrated content studios will be created, first in London, New York, Chicago, and Kuala Lumpur, followed by further studios across Europe, Australia, China, India, Latin America, and the West Coast of the US.
According to Havas Creative, CEO, Chris Hirst, the new, global micro-network of studios, will offer clients an innovative, technology-first solution they genuinely can’t find anywhere else. “We know that it’s no longer enough to just make better ads – all clients, from the smallest to the biggest global brands now need smarter, more agile, more bespoke, and more cost-effective solutions,” he added.
Wayne Sidwell, Global CEO at Wellcom Worldwide said, “It’s an incredibly enviable model and I’m very excited to see the business continue to develop over the next few years.”
Brands
Magnum Ice Cream Netherlands takes control of Kwality Wall’s India from Unilever
61.9 per cent stake transfer reshapes ownership as Unilever exits promoter role
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited has entered a new chapter, with The Magnum Ice Cream Company HoldCo 1 Netherlands B.V. acquiring a controlling 61.9 per cent stake from a clutch of Unilever PLC-led entities, marking a significant shift in ownership.
The transaction, completed on March 30, 2026, follows a share purchase agreement signed in June 2025. The incoming promoter picked up over 145 crore equity shares, effectively taking control of the company and being formally classified as its new promoter under regulatory norms.
As part of the deal, the outgoing promoter group, including Unilever Group Limited and its affiliated entities, has fully exited its shareholding in the company. They have now been reclassified from promoter to public shareholders, closing a long-standing association with the ice cream business in India.
The board of Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited took note of the ownership change and approved a series of leadership updates alongside it. Ritesh Tiwari stepped down as director, while Abhijit Bhattacharya was appointed as chairperson and additional non-executive director. Tahir Toloy Tanridagli also joined the board as an additional non-executive director.
The reshuffle signals a broader strategic reset as the Magnum-led entity looks to steer the brand’s next phase of growth in India. The transition has been carried out in line with regulatory requirements, including disclosures tied to the open offer and reclassification norms under market regulations.
With Unilever stepping back and Magnum stepping in, Kwality Wall’s India is effectively getting a fresh scoop of leadership and direction. The coming months will reveal how the new promoter plans to scale the brand in one of the world’s most competitive ice cream markets.
