MAM
Hershey India appoints new supply chain director
MUMBAI: Global confectionery and snacking company, Hershey, has appointed Partha Gangopadhyay as the new director for supply chain in India.
Partha Gangopadhyay takes over from Gunasekaran, who retires this year. Partha brings with him a rich experience of more than 24 years in all areas of manufacturing and supply chain such as production, quality assurance, maintenance, plant projects, R&D projects and multiple franchisee operations. He joins Hershey from Mondelez India Foods Private Ltd where he worked as associate director for integrated supply chain operations, central India cluster.
Hershey India managing director Herjit Bhalla says, “I am delighted to welcome Partha to Hershey India. Partha brings with him a vast experience and keen insights on market dynamics and customer orientation. As we look to expand our presence across India and grow our portfolio in the country, I am sure that Partha will give us a strategic advantage in our supply chain management.”
Commenting on his new role, Gangopadhyay mentions, “It gives me immense pride in taking up this new responsibility at a time when Hershey India is expanding its portfolio in the Indian FMCG industry. I look forward to making a fruitful contribution towards the efficiency, productivity, quality and progress of the company.”
The company has more than 80 brands around the world that drive more than $7.5 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Hershey’s Kisses, Jolly Rancher, and Ice Breakers. Building on its core business, Hershey is expanding its portfolio to include a broader range of delicious snacks.
MAM
Star Sports under fire for ‘cringe’ India–SA Super 8 promo
Broadcaster accused of arrogance and disrespect as fans slam Super 8 promotion
AHMEDABAD: Star Sports is facing a wave of criticism after its latest promotional campaign for the India–South Africa T20 World Cup Super 8 match triggered a fierce social media backlash, quickly dubbed “Cupcakegate”.
The advertisement, released this week, hinges on a cupcake metaphor that many viewers have condemned as patronising and disrespectful. In the clip, an Indian supporter mockingly offers a pink cupcake to a South African fan, a visual jibe widely interpreted as portraying the Proteas as a soft, easily beaten opponent.
The backlash has been swift across platforms such as X and Reddit, with fans and commentators accusing the broadcaster of tone-deaf bravado at a crucial stage of the tournament. The criticism is sharpened by the context: both India and South Africa arrive in the Super 8s unbeaten, undermining any suggestion of a one-sided contest.
Online, the cupcake symbol has been read as carrying multiple barbs. Some users argue it alludes to South African president Cyril Ramaphosa’s domestic nickname, while others see it as recycling the long-running “chokers” trope associated with South Africa in ICC tournaments. The casting choice has also drawn scrutiny, with viewers noting the physical disparity between the actors playing the two fans, which critics described as a cheap attempt to belittle the opposition.
Even Indian supporters have joined the pile-on. Many warned that such chest-thumping marketing risks “jinxing” the team, pointing to past tournaments where aggressive campaigns preceded unexpected defeats.
Star Sports is no stranger to rivalry-led advertising, having struck gold with its earlier “Mauka Mauka” series. But analysts say the cupcake campaign misreads a fanbase that has grown less tolerant of overtly mocking narratives and more attuned to sporting parity and respect.
India and South Africa meet on Sunday, 22 February, at the 132,000-seat Narendra Modi Stadium. With South Africa securing their Super 8 berth through a commanding win over the UAE, the fixture is widely billed as a heavyweight clash, not the walkover the ad appears to suggest.
