MAM
Jaideep Juneja takes charge as JioStar VP- strategy, insight & marketing
MUMBAI: JioStar has appointed Jaideep Singh Juneja as vice president for strategy, insights and marketing, a move that signals the network’s bid to sharpen its game across both television and OTT. Confirming the update on his LinkedIn, Juneja said he was delighted to begin the new chapter.
Based in Hyderabad, he now leads the full spectrum of strategy, consumer insights and marketing across JioStar’s TV and digital businesses. The role builds on his earlier stint as head of marketing and strategy for Star Maa and JioHotstar Telugu where he delivered record ratings, standout show launches and introduced data led frameworks that strengthened content and marketing decisions across South India.
Before that, Juneja headed content strategy for JioStar’s Telugu TV channels during a period of transition following the Disney Star merger. His career spans a rich mix of media, OTT, e-commerce and fintech, with leadership roles at Rupeek, Flipkart and Viu. At Viu, he shaped growth across India, Southeast Asia and the Middle East and was recognised with the President’s Award for his contributions.
Juneja’s journey also includes steering consumer insights for multiple categories, scaling marketing teams across regions and leading strategy in high growth markets like Myanmar and Malaysia. Earlier in his career he worked with Nielsen where he managed key digital clients including Google and Amazon.
With his blend of consumer intuition and strategic muscle, JioStar will be hoping Juneja’s arrival sparks the next wave of audience growth and content resonance across its platforms.
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.
