MAM
iProspect report finds marketers prioritising trust in 2019
MUMBAI: Global business performance agency iProspect has released its fourth annual whitepaper titled 2019 Future Focus: Searching for Trust.
The report predicts that those businesses grounded in credibility, relevance, and reliability across all their marketing channels will see trust at the very foundation for their success in the digital economy.
iProspect interviewed more than 300 global marketers and leaders across a broad spectrum of brands, including FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies, and used real-time responses to outline key insights and priorities necessary for businesses to thrive in our fast moving, high expectation digital economy. The report also includes exclusive interviews with global leaders from businesses such as The New York Times Company, IBM, Microsoft, Hilton, The Economist, Rachel Zoe, Inc., and AccorHotels.
Feedback shows that trust is at the forefront globally with 88 per cent of marketers making trust in their brand a priority in 2019. Marketers see gaining consumer trust as vital to business growth with 76 per cent stating that trust is important to keep consumers buying their brand. Digital will play a clear role in this with 34 per cent stating that voice search is their priority emerging marketing channel in 2019, and a further 60 per cent believing that the rise of AI will increase consumer trust as it allows for more relevant and personal experiences.
iProspect global president Ruth Stubbs said, “As businesses continue to transform in the digital economy, successful brands will be differentiated through their ability to establish unique relationships with their most valuable customers, ensuring time is well spent and value is equitably exchanged. As technology further blurs the line between information and value exchange, consumer trust is paramount.”
iProspect India CEO Rubeena Singh added, “In our latest edition of iProspect’s Future Focus, we examine how commerce is influenced by consumer experience and the ramification of personalisation. In our view, brands that focus on credibility, relevance, and reliability will be successful in establishing trust with consumers. Trust, we believe, is the foundation for successful brands in the digital economy.”
MAM
HUL appoints Pavan Bedi as CMO for Foods business
Veteran marketer with 22-plus years at Unilever takes charge of foods portfolio in Mumbai.
MUMBAI: HUL’s foods division just got a seasoned flavour boost because when it comes to seasoning success, Pavan Bedi knows exactly how to stir the pot. Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has elevated long-time leader Pavan Bedi to chief marketing officer for its Foods business, the company confirmed on 23 February 2026. Bedi, who has spent over 22 years with the FMCG giant, shared the news himself on LinkedIn, writing: “I’m delighted to share that I will be stepping into a new role as CMO Foods, HUL”.
Before this Mumbai-based appointment, Bedi served as global brand vice president for more than four years. His career is dotted with high-impact global roles: he was global brand director for Pond’s (based in Singapore), driving innovation across South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, led the high-profile rebranding of Fair & Lovely to Glow & Lovely as global brand director; and spent six years shaping Lifebuoy’s “Purpose agenda” and “Social Mission”, forging public-private partnerships with the United Nations and other platforms.
Now overseeing HUL’s sprawling foods lineup from staples to snacks and everything in between Bedi steps into one of the company’s most dynamic verticals at a time when consumer tastes are evolving fast. His track record blending global scale, brand transformation, and purpose-led marketing makes him a natural fit for steering strategic growth and creative campaigns in the category.
In his LinkedIn post, Bedi underscored his enduring commitment to Unilever’s vision, framing the move as another chapter in a career built on long-term impact rather than quick wins.
For an organisation that thrives on trusted, household names, Bedi’s elevation is less a surprise and more a reminder, the best recipes for growth often come from ingredients that have been simmering for over two decades. Whether it’s rebranding icons or building purpose at scale, he’s now tasked with making sure HUL’s foods business stays as appetising tomorrow as it is today.
