MAM
Hogarth India appoints new VP to drive regional growth
Mumbai: Hogarth India, part of WPP and a global leader in creative production, announces key leadership appointments with Madhurika Banerjee and Ishita Hora joining the senior leadership team. These strategic hires aim to bolster Hogarth’s creative and production capabilities across India, reflecting the company’s commitment to regional growth.
Madhurika Banerjee steps in as vice president, North, bringing over 15 years of experience in building high-performing teams and delivering award-winning campaigns across sectors including FMCG, consumer durables, auto, BFSI, real estate, and media & entertainment. Previously, as Schbang, brand solutions, vice president, she played a pivotal role in establishing the Delhi operations and worked with high-profile clients like Tata Beverages and JnJ Pharma. “I’m excited to take up this role to explore new avenues and create transformative experiences for our brands. Hogarth is on a strong growth trajectory, and I look forward to creating strong brands and transforming their content experience journey,” said Banerjee.
Ishita Hora joins Hogarth as vice president, West, bringing with her 13 years of expertise in integrated marketing, account management, and consumer research. Her ability to build strong client relationships has been instrumental in driving business growth for leading brands such as Coca-Cola, Caratlane, and Haier. Before joining Hogarth, Ishita was at Ogilvy, as client servicing director, where she led key client engagements and strategic initiatives. “Hogarth is a place where creativity, innovation, and production come together seamlessly, and I’m excited to dive in and make the most of it. I’m looking forward to working with an incredibly talented and driven team that pushes boundaries like second nature. Looking forward to this next phase of growth and all the exciting things ahead,” she said.
Hogarth India, CEO, Karthik Nagarajan commented on the appointments, saying, “Our commitment to clients is to deliver the best content experience for their audiences in a medium-agnostic way. The world of content and production today is more dynamic than any other part of the marketing engine, and so client leaders also need to be change managers. Madhurika and Ishita are exceptional, dynamic leaders who can lead change at our as well as our clients’ end.”
With Madhurika based in Gurgaon and Ishita in Mumbai, Hogarth India continues to focus on leadership excellence, striving for superior content experiences and client satisfaction.
Brands
Nykaa eyes majority stake in Deepika Padukone’s 82°E brand
Deal could help scale premium label as Nykaa sharpens its beauty play
MUMBAI: Nykaa is in advanced discussions to acquire a majority stake in 82°E, the premium skincare label founded by Deepika Padukone, according to media reports.
The proposed deal signals Nykaa’s intent to deepen its House of Nykaa portfolio while giving 82°E the scale it has struggled to achieve independently. Padukone is expected to retain a minority stake if the transaction goes through.
For Nykaa, the play is both strategic and timely. With a customer base of over 42 million, the company is betting on its strong distribution, logistics, and repeat purchase ecosystem to revive the brand’s momentum. The two sides already share a working relationship, with Padukone serving as Nykaa’s global brand ambassador since September 2025.
Launched in late 2022, 82°E entered the market with a premium positioning but has faced headwinds. The brand reported revenue of Rs 14.7 crore in FY25, down 30 per cent year on year, alongside losses of Rs 12.26 crore. Industry observers have pointed to steep pricing, a somewhat diffused brand identity, and intense competition from digital-first labels as key challenges.
The potential acquisition also reflects a broader shift in India’s beauty and lifestyle space, where celebrity-led brands are increasingly partnering with larger corporates to unlock scale. Alia Bhatt’s Ed-a-Mamma, for instance, sold a majority stake to Reliance Retail, while Katrina Kaif’s Kay Beauty has emerged as a standout success within Nykaa’s portfolio, clocking Rs 132.4 crore in FY25 revenue.
Nykaa itself has been on a strong growth trajectory. Its parent, FSN E-Commerce Ventures, reported a 156 per cent jump in net profit to Rs 68 crore in the December 2025 quarter, with revenue reaching Rs 2,873 crore.
Nykaa has been steadily building its portfolio through acquisitions such as Dot & Key, Earth Rhythm and Nudge Wellness, signalling a clear push to own and scale homegrown brands.
If the 82°E deal materialises, it could mark a fresh chapter for the label, blending celebrity appeal with corporate muscle. For Nykaa, it is another calculated step in staying ahead in an increasingly crowded beauty aisle.
