MAM
Hero Cycles rides into the future with Wieden+Kennedy
Mumbai: Hero Cycles brand, has enjoyed a long legacy of being a household name when it comes to cycling. While leading the charge in the ever-changing landscape of the cycling world, the brand wants to bring a new-age perspective to the cycling culture in the country. And to embark on this journey of transformation, Wieden+Kennedy has been brought on board.
This collaboration emerged without a pitch, underlining the organic synergy between both sides.
Wieden+Kennedy’s mandate is to steer the brand into a new era, bringing a fresh, contemporary perspective to the entire brand portfolio of the company.
The alliance is set to blend Hero’s rich legacy and product strength with Wieden+Kennedy’s prowess in strategic reinvention and provocative thinking.
Wieden+Kennedy India president Ayesha Ghosh said: “When a storied brand like Hero Cycles is revitalised with the energy that Aditya Munjal and his team have brought in with their ambitious plans, it can only mean that the future looks rosy for the brand. Wieden+Kennedy has been known to infuse the spirit of the times into legacy brands. That’s our single point agenda on this one.”
Hero Cycles CEO Aditya Munjal said: “As we embark on a journey to transform not just ourselves but also how consumers see cycling in India, it is imperative to have an equally committed partner onboard. With Wieden+Kennedy’s unique approach and experience, I believe Hero Cycles will bring about an impactful change in its interactions with consumers, and we are very excited to start this ride with them.”
Brands
ZEEL transfers syndication business, invests Rs 505 crore in IP push
Restructuring, stake buy and FCCB moves signal sharper content strategy
MUMBAI: In the content economy, owning the story is half the battle monetising it is the real game, and Zee Entertainment Enterprises is doubling down on both. The company has approved the transfer of its syndication and content licensing business to its wholly owned subsidiary ZI-IPR Enterprises, alongside an investment of Rs 505 crore aimed at strengthening its play in content intellectual property (IP) acquisition, management and monetisation. The move, effective April 1, 2026, will see the business transferred on a slump sale basis at book value, including all associated assets, liabilities and commercial rights effectively consolidating IP operations under a more focused structure.
At its core, the restructuring signals a strategic shift. As content consumption increasingly fragments across digital and global platforms, the value of IP lies not just in creation but in how efficiently it can be distributed, repackaged and monetised across markets. By housing its syndication engine within ZI-IPR Enterprises, ZEEL appears to be building a more agile and scalable ecosystem, one that can better extract value from its vast content library while adapting to evolving distribution models.
But the company’s ambitions are not limited to restructuring. ZEEL has also approved an investment of up to Rs 20.09 crore in Culture of Real Experiences (CORE), acquiring a 51 per cent stake in the entity. The move expands its footprint into the broader creative and experiential space, suggesting a push beyond traditional broadcasting into areas where content, culture and immersive experiences intersect.
At the same time, ZEEL has moved to tidy up its financials, approving the redemption of $23.9 million in outstanding foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs) and cancelling an unused $215.1 million commitment. The twin steps are expected to ease pressure on its treasury, freeing up capital and improving financial flexibility as the company invests more aggressively in its IP strategy.
Taken together, the decisions reflect a company in recalibration mode streamlining legacy structures, sharpening its focus on content ownership, and exploring new avenues for growth. In a market where the lines between television, streaming and experiential entertainment are increasingly blurred, ZEEL’s latest moves suggest it is not just creating content, but building a system to make that content travel further and pay better.
