Brands
Jonty Rhodes joins Vig-Gunjal’s Upurfit as investor and brand face, dives into India’s fitness startup race
MUMBAI: It’s not every day that one of cricket’s most agile fielders jumps into the startup arena—feet first. But Jonty Rhodes, the South African dynamo whose name is etched in every highlight reel from the ’90s, has added a fresh title to his career scorecard: strategic investor and brand ambassador for Upurfit, a rising Indian sports and fitness brand.
Based in Mumbai and launched in 2023, Upurfit is angling for a slice of India’s booming sports wellness market, projected to touch $40 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 19 per cent, according to a joint Deloitte-Google report. With its range of performance, recovery, and hygiene-focused products, the brand promises clean ingredients and results that speak to the everyday athlete.
What drew Rhodes to the brand wasn’t the glitter of celebrity endorsement. “What struck me about Upurfit was the clarity of its mission. When Vikram and Munish first approached me, it wasn’t about signing up a celebrity endorsement. Their focus was on product relevance, clean ingredients, and true performance. My family and I tried the products ourselves, and that’s when I knew I wanted to be part of this journey. I’m excited to support Upurfit not just as a face, but as a strategic investor committed to building value”, he said.
For co-founders Munish Vig and Vikram Gunjal, the association is more than a high-profile endorsement. It’s a hands-on alliance.
“For us, Jonty isn’t just a cricketing icon. He represents resilience, commitment, and performance. He’s the ideal mentor and gospeller for a brand like ours that is built for the athlete in every Indian. His belief in our products and now in our mission is a huge validation of what we’re building”, said Gunjal.
Vig added, “The turning point for us was Jonty’s feedback. He shared detailed insights on what athletes and fitness enthusiasts truly need, and his perspective has already shaped our upcoming product roadmap. His involvement goes far beyond brand value. It’s product leadership and strategic insight in action”.
Upurfit is now doubling down on building products that combine science, simplicity, and performance. With a cricketing legend on board and a homegrown ethos at heart, the brand seems primed to take a firm stance in India’s increasingly health-conscious ecosystem.
Brands
Samsung India elevates Aditya Babbar to lead mobile business
Exec takes charge of MX sales and marketing after Raju Pullan’s exit
NEW DELHI: Samsung India has elevated Aditya Babbar to lead its mobile phone business, following the exit of Raju Antony Pullan.
Babbar, who previously served as vice president within the mobile division, has been appointed head of sales and marketing for the MX (mobile experience) business, effective May 1. In his new role, he will oversee the company’s sales and marketing operations for smartphones and related categories in India, reporting to the executive vice president of the MX business.
A long-time Samsung executive, Babbar brings over a decade of experience within the organisation, having held multiple leadership roles across product, marketing and category management. Most recently, he led product marketing and e-commerce for the mobile division, following earlier stints as head of product and marketing and senior director roles.
His career within Samsung Electronics and its India operations has also included responsibilities for flagship devices, tablets and wearables, giving him a broad view of the company’s premium and mass-market portfolio.
Babbar succeeds Pullan, who stepped down from the role, marking a leadership transition at a time when India remains a key battleground for global smartphone makers.
The appointment signals continuity within Samsung’s leadership bench, with an internal candidate stepping up to steer one of its most critical business units in a highly competitive market.
