MAM
IdeateLabs appoints Divya Ajitkumar as business head
MUMBAI: IdeateLabs, one of India’s largest independent full-service digital-first creative agencies has roped in Divya Ajitkumar as Business Head. She will be based out of the Mumbai office and will be reporting to the Director, Vrutika Dawda.
Divya has over a decade of experience in the digital space, having worked in highly organized and evolved markets with exposure to cutting edge technology and access to top tier publishers and clients in geos like NYC and London. Her roles involved collaborating across cross-functional teams like display, performance, search, affiliate and social and her core expertise lies in setting-up processes and solving complex business problems.
Prior to joining IdeateLabs, she has worked with companies like, WeWork, O&M, iProspect and Starcom MediaVest managing brands like Coca-Cola, Samsung, Avon, Honda and RIM amongst others. Her new responsibilities at IdeateLabs involve building new business as well as growing existing ones, planning, strategizing, managing campaigns, growing P&L, and managing stakeholders.
IdeateLabs director Vrutika Dawda said, “Divya brings a lot of experience coupled with fresh ideas to the table. Her business values and ideals fit right into the culture and DNA of IdeateLabs. Divya will be playing a crucial role in multiplying businesses and strengthening relationships with existing and new clients along with the stakeholders. We look forward to having her on board, to aggregate and enhance the business.”
Commenting on her new role, Ajitkumar commented, “At IdeateLabs I have found a role that is both challenging and interesting. Given the tremendous pressure to succeed in the Indian market, the only way to survive is to stand heads and shoulders over the rest. Where the differentiation between agencies is starting to blur, IdeateLabs has decided not to add to the chorus by being another commodity focused agency. Rather we are investing in products and IPs that drive value for clients through actionable results. Clients today have become just as digitally savvy as the agency. We are at the crux of a defining shift in the marketplace where we are seeing a lot of clients question the value of an agency. What they seek is a partner, a guide, an extension of themselves. Capitalizing on key moments to drive their agenda is critical. Through digital, your opportunity is immense to demonstrate value addition by creating different business models that can help amplify their ROI.”
IdeateLabs, one of India’s largest independent full-service digital-first creative agencies . It is a fired-up group of professionals from the creative, tech and marketing worlds. While its clientele exceeds 75 well-known Indian and International names, its portfolio spans across varied business verticals. Its clientele includes renowned brands like Hiranandani Communities, Brand Factory, Future Group, HDFC Bank, Magma Finance, Hafele, Kalpataru, Fullerton India, Franklin Templeton Mutual Funds to name a few. IdeateLabs specializes in taking brand challenges and turning them into opportunities that deliver tangible and valuable results. IdeateLabs has its headquarters in Mumbai and satellite offices in Singapore and Dubai.
MAM
Raymond Lifestyle appoints Kalpana Singh as CMO
20-year HUL veteran to lead marketing and brand growth from 5 March 2026.
MUMBAI: Raymond Lifestyle just stitched a marketing masterstroke because when your profits are feeling the pinch, you bring in someone who knows how to make brands irresistible. Raymond Lifestyle Limited has appointed Kalpana Singh as chief marketing officer (CMO), effective 5 March 2026. She will report to the CEO and join the senior management team, leading marketing strategy, brand development and customer engagement across the company’s fashion and lifestyle portfolio.
Singh brings 20 years of experience in brand building, consumer insights and category strategy, largely from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL). Most recently she served as marketing director at HUL, driving integrated campaigns to strengthen brand positioning and customer engagement. Her earlier roles at HUL included Personal Care Business Group Director for the Middle East, Turkey and North Africa region, and Brand Development Director for the Middle East, North Africa, Russia and Turkey. She holds a Master of Arts in Sociology from Jawaharlal Nehru University.
The appointment arrives as Raymond Lifestyle navigates a challenging quarter. Consolidated net profit fell 33 per cent year-on-year to Rs 42.86 crore in Q3 FY26 (from Rs 64 crore in Q3 FY25) and dropped 44 per cent sequentially from Rs 75 crore in Q2 FY26. The company cited headwinds in its international business, particularly garmenting and B2B exports, due to higher US tariffs causing deferred orders and margin pressure.
The company is focusing on brand repositioning, innovation in marketing and deeper consumer connections to support growth in India’s fashion and lifestyle market.
In an industry where every thread counts, Raymond Lifestyle isn’t just adding a CMO, it’s weaving fresh vision into the fabric, hoping the right marketing stitch turns the tide one campaign at a time.
