MAM
‘HT’ launches with a bang in Mumbai
MUMBAI: The Hindustan Times (HT) may not have created enough hype before launch of its Mumbai edition like rival DNA is doing through heavy marketing, but it has made its impact felt on the first day itself with an investigative story that allegedly exposed links between the underworld and the film industry.
It set the news agenda for the day. News channels followed up the `Salman Tapes’ story and ran it throughout the day.
“The publicity that this story has given us is better than taking 300 hoardings for three months in Mumbai,” HT resident editor, Mumbai, Avirook Sen tells Indiantelevision.com. Sen was taking a less than subtle jab at DNA, a joint venture between Dainik Bhaskar and Subhash Chandra of Zee Telefilms, which has splashed the city with hoardings ahead of its launch in Mumbai on 30 July.
HT claims the newspaper sold out in a matter of hours. “We have clearly raised the bar where editorial content and packaging is concerned, giving Mumbai the kind of newspaper that the city has been waiting for. We have also proved, in an environment where advertising seems to rule, that content is king,” says an official release from the company.
Already present in 10 cities with a circulation of 1.2 million, HT will face its toughest battle in Mumbai, the traditional fort of The Times of India. DNA is claiming that it has got a subscriber base of three lakh, ahead of launch.
The battle may have just begun. But HT has shown that it can’t be pushed out. It did what newspapers are meant to do: sound the bugle of war with the right kind of news.
Brands
Emami names Dhruv Aggarwal as chief growth officer
Former Bain partner steps in as FMCG firm sharpens growth playbook
MUMBAI: Emami Limited has appointed Dhruv Aggarwal as its chief growth officer, effective 25 March 2026, following the resignation of Giriraj Bagri.
Aggarwal joins the FMCG major from Bain & Company, where he most recently served as partner. With over two decades of experience across consulting and strategy, he brings a global perspective shaped by work across India, the US, the UK and Germany.
During his tenure at Bain, Aggarwal advised consumer, retail and media companies on large-scale transformations, business turnarounds and growth strategies. He was also closely involved with India’s startup ecosystem, guiding early-stage ventures on scaling and digital expansion, while supporting private equity and venture capital firms on investment decisions.
His earlier stints include a brief role at Barclays Capital and operational experience at Jindal Power, giving him a mix of financial and industry exposure.
Academically, Aggarwal holds an MBA from Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and has also been associated with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a PhD candidate and teaching assistant.
The appointment comes at a time when Emami Limited is looking to sharpen its growth strategy in a competitive consumer market. With a seasoned strategist now at the helm of growth, the company appears set to double down on transformation and expansion in the months ahead.
