Brands
Join 5Star’s Nothing University to become future-ready by acing the art of ‘Doing Nothing’
Mumbai: Cadbury 5Star, India’s beloved chocolate brand, has always stood out as an advocate for taking time in our fast-paced lives to Do Nothing. Currently, as technology continues to evolve, a lot of work in future will be done by AI. With a lighter and fun take on this trend, the brand is adding a spin to how people will have more time to chill in their office because of which the art of ‘Do Nothing’ will become an essential skill. Therefore, to help people become future-ready and set themselves apart in the corporate setting, Cadbury 5Star has taken an unconventional route to navigate the trend by introducing the Nothing University, where those who sign up can learn the art of “Doing Nothing” and get a certification. As long-time champions of ‘Doing Nothing’, the brand has declared that we should welcome AI instead of fearing it.
Speaking about this unique approach on Cadbury 5Star’s long-standing brand identity, Mondelez India VP- marketing Nitin Saini said, “Cadbury 5Star’s Do Nothing ideology has stood as a proud and humorous counter to the modern culture of living life on-the-go. Currently, the advent of AI is taking the industry by storm and making everyday job easier thus, leaving more room for people to ‘Do Nothing’, and as the cultivators of this ethos we want to help people ace it. The introduction of Nothing University is a cheeky take on this concept and our attempt to help everyone upskill in ‘Doing Nothing’. This will not only elevate the brand’s purpose but also establish an unforgettable and fun experience for the consumers of today.”
Ogilvy India chief creative officer Sukesh Nayak added “With AI dominating the news almost every day, there is a lot of debate and speculation about the impact it will have on every industry. In its signature irreverent style, Cadbury 5 Star has taken a crazy dig at it by celebrating the prospect that when AI does most of our work, we’ll get a lot of time to chill and do nothing. We have conceived and crafted the Nothing University and developed an entire curriculum around doing nothing efficiently in the future workplace, complete with interactive video lectures and a diploma.”
Wavemaker India chief client officer & office head, West, North & East Shekhar Banerjee said “In the era of AI, 5Star’s Nothing University is revolutionizing norms with a witty curriculum on ‘Doing Nothing.’. In collaboration with top comedians, influencers, and brand partnerships, we aim to amplify the delight of ‘Do Nothing’, with a counterculture narrative. From enrolment to graduation, our media campaign is brimming with playful essence, embarking on a journey into the art of doing nothing, reshaping skill development with a touch of humour across multiple media touchpoints”
The innovative campaign was launched with a humorous and relatable digital film envisioning a future where while AI does its job, humans can embrace the art of doing nothing.
People can participate and experience this one-of-a-kind course online through the microsite 5staruniversity.com which hosts interactive video sessions. Once registered, people can take courses in modules taught by corporate employees turned comedians Atul Khatri and Rahul Subramanian, equipping people to become future-ready and focus on the exciting possibility of AI making people’s jobs easier and leaving more room to enjoy Doing Nothing in the midst of getting ready for an AI-powered future workspace. At the end of the course, students will also get a certification as a fun take on the completion of this activation. That’s not all! Cadbury 5Star will also set up a physical campus for a short duration for people to experience the course on-ground through workshops, practice labs, research facilities for researching techniques in Doing Nothing while also being able to join the completion ceremony and collect their certificates.
Brands
YES Bank hands the keys to SBI veteran Vinay Tonse as it bets on a new era
Former SBI managing director appointed as YES Bank’s new MD and CEO
MUMBAI: YES Bank is done rebuilding. Now it wants to grow. The private sector lender has appointed Vinay Muralidhar Tonse as managing director and chief executive officer-designate, with RBI approval secured and a start date of April 6, 2026 confirmed. The three-year term signals the bank’s intent to shift gears from crisis recovery to full-throttle expansion.
Tonse, 60, is no stranger to scale. Most recently managing director at State Bank of India, he oversaw a retail book of roughly $800bn in deposits and advances, one of the largest in the country. Before that, he ran SBI Mutual Fund from August 2020 to December 2022, a stint that saw assets under management surge from Rs 4.32 lakh crore to Rs 7.32 lakh crore across market cycles. Add stints in Singapore and four years leading SBI’s overseas operations in Osaka, and the incoming chief arrives with a genuinely global CV.
His academic grounding is equally solid: a commerce degree from St Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bengaluru, and a master’s in commerce from Bangalore University.
The appointment follows an extensive search and evaluation process by the bank’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee. NRC chairperson Nandita Gurjar said the committee unanimously backed Tonse, citing his leadership track record, governance credentials and ability to drive the bank’s next phase of transformation.
Non-executive chairman Rama Subramaniam Gandhi was unequivocal. “I am certain that Vinay Tonse, with his vast experience as a senior banker, will propel YES Bank to its next phase of growth,” Gandhi said, adding that the bank remains focused on strengthening its retail and corporate banking franchises and expanding its branch network.
Rajeev Kannan, non-executive director and senior executive at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, the bank’s largest shareholder, said Tonse’s experience across retail, corporate banking, global markets and asset management positioned him well to lead the lender. SMBC said it looks forward to working with Tonse and the board as YES Bank pursues its ambition of becoming a top-tier private sector lender anchored in strong governance and sustainable growth.
Tonse succeeds Prashant Kumar, who took the helm in March 2020 when YES Bank was in freefall following a severe financial crisis, and spent six years painstakingly stabilising the institution, rebuilding governance and restoring operational scale. Gandhi was generous: “The bank remains indebted to Prashant Kumar, who is responsible for much of what a strong financial powerhouse YES Bank is today.”
Tonse, for his part, struck a purposeful note. “Together with the board and my colleagues, I remain deeply committed to creating long-term value for all our stakeholders,” he said, pledging to build on Kumar’s foundation guided by his personal motto: Make A Difference.
Beyond the balance sheet, Tonse played cricket at college and club level and represented Karnataka in archery at the national championships — sports he credits with teaching him teamwork, situational leadership, discipline and focus. In quieter moments, he reaches for retro Kannada music, classic Hindi songs, and the crooning of Engelbert Humperdinck, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar.
YES Bank has its steady-handed rebuilder in Kumar to thank for survival. Now it has a scale-obsessed growth banker at the wheel. The next chapter starts April 6.
