Brands
Havells India ropes in Alia Bhatt as brand ambassador for Standard
MUMBAI: Standard, part of Havells India, has appointed Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt as its brand ambassador.
As part of this association, Bhatt will endorse products through an advertising campaign, which is slated to be launched by end of September 2015.
The ad campaign, comprising three TV commercials, has been conceptualised and executed by Mullen Lintas.
In keeping with the changing consumer preferences and enhancing brand appeal to younger consumers, Standard, a key player in the electrical products segment, unveiled its new identity earlier this year.
Havells India chairman and managing director Anil Rai Gupta said, “We are delighted to have Alia Bhatt as the brand ambassador for Standard brand. She truly represents the young energy of India, which will be the new positioning for the brand. We firmly believe in fulfilling the aspirations of modern day consumers who are confident, independent and do not want to settle for less. She aptly represents our brand’s ideology of style with substance and is a perfect blend of everything that the brand stands for.”
Bhatt added, “I love the positioning of ‘built for young energy’ since I can completely relate to this. I believe today’s youth symbolise confidence, trust and intelligence and deserve the best in class products. Brand Standard is making that possible by fulfilling the aspirations of today’s contemporary consumers with world class products and wonderful product range.”
Brands
Devyani International names Sandeep Anand, Robinder Singh in key roles
Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee businesses see leadership refresh from April
MUMBAI: Devyani International has strengthened its senior leadership bench with a fresh set of appointments across its key brands, Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee, signalling a sharper focus on growth and brand momentum.
The company has appointed Sandeep Anand as chief marketing officer and business head for Pizza Hut. His appointment, approved by the board via a circular resolution on April 3, follows a recommendation by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, as reported by CNBC-TV18. Anand will officially step into the role on April 6, 2026.
He takes over from Vijay Gogate, who currently serves as chief executive officer for Pizza Hut within the company’s operations. The move marks a strategic transition as the brand looks to sharpen its marketing and business playbook in a competitive quick service restaurant market.
Anand brings over two decades of experience across the food and FMCG sectors, with a strong track record in brand building and innovation. His career spans roles at major consumer-facing companies including Domino’s, Zydus Wellness, Zomato, GSK Consumer Healthcare, Reckitt and Ranbaxy, giving him a well-rounded perspective on both scale and agility.
Alongside this, Robinder Singh has been appointed business head for Costa Coffee and the company’s airport operations. He too will assume his new role on April 6, bringing more than 18 years of experience in operations, business expansion and customer experience transformation.
The twin appointments come at a time when Devyani International is doubling down on leadership depth to steer its portfolio through evolving consumer preferences and heightened competition. With fresh faces at the helm of two key verticals, the company appears set to brew up its next phase of growth with renewed energy.
