MAM
Kunal Jeswani moves to Singapore as group CEO at Ogilvy Singapore & Malaysia
Mumbai: After 17 years with Ogilvy India, Kunal Jeswani will be moving to Singapore as Ogilvy Singapore & Malaysia’s group chief executive, the agency said on Friday. It further announced that VR Rajesh will be elevated as Ogilvy India group president, effective 1 June.
Having led the India business for the last seven years, Jeswani will be with Ogilvy India for the next two months to manage the country leadership transition.
On his new role, Jeswani said, “Ogilvy India is easily one of the best agencies in the world and it has been an absolute privilege to spend the last 17 years in the company of giants who I love, respect and have grown with. As I move to a different market and a different Ogilvy experience – Ogilvy India is bigger, better and more vibrant than it has ever been. I am sure that under VR’s leadership, our client relationships will thrive, and our work will shine even brighter.”
As group president, VR Rajesh will lead the integrated Ogilvy India P&L across all its offices and will be responsible for the acceleration of all its core capabilities in India – advertising, brand and content, experience, health, PR & influence and Ogilvy Consulting.
VR Rajesh joined Ogilvy in 2004 and has grown from strength to strength in the organisation. A powerful growth driver, an influential client partner and a passionate creative partner, he has led Ogilvy Mumbai & Kolkata since 2018, growing the business consistently year after year, the agency said in a statement.
“Over the last seven years, Kunal has shaped a people-centric culture and laid foundations for Ogilvy’s digital transformation. It’s a privilege to take the baton from him and continue the journey,” commented VR Rajesh. “The next couple of years will see us accelerate new-age digital competencies and strengthen our content offering by being more regional and local. It’s going to be an exciting ride in creating a comprehensive Ogilvy offering for our clients. I am sure it won’t be difficult when one has a family of giants.”
“I am delighted that after a stellar performance at Ogilvy India, Kunal is moving to head Ogilvy Singapore & Malaysia. This important responsibility will add international exposure to Kunal’s rich experience across the many aspects of the communications business. VR Rajesh, who takes on the baton from Kunal, is an Ogilvy stalwart and I am confident he will take Ogilvy India and our clients to greater heights. On behalf of the Ogilvy India Board, I welcome VR to this new responsibility,” stated Ogilvy chairman – global creative Piyush Pandey.
Brands
Eternal pumps Rs 450 crore into Blinkit as quick commerce race heats up
Fresh funds fuel Blinkit’s expansion as rivals Zepto and Instamart scale up
MUMBAI: Eternal has infused Rs 450 crore, into its quick commerce subsidiary Blinkit, marking its first capital injection into the company in 2026. The funding comes as competition in India’s fast-growing quick commerce market continues to intensify.
According to media reports, the capital infusion was approved by the board through a rights issue, with 2,799 equity shares allotted at an issue price of Rs 16,07,161 per share. The funds are expected to support Blinkit’s expansion, operational expenses and working capital needs as it scales operations across more cities.
The latest investment follows significant funding support from Eternal in 2025. The company invested Rs 500 crore in January, Rs 1,500 crore in February and Rs 600 crore in November, taking the total infusion last year to Rs 2,600 crore. The continued funding highlights Eternal’s focus on strengthening its quick commerce business.
Blinkit’s operations have grown rapidly alongside these investments. In the December quarter of FY25, the company reported revenue of Rs 1,399 crore, up from Rs 644 crore in the same period a year earlier. Gross order value also rose to Rs 7,798 crore during the quarter, reflecting strong demand for rapid delivery services.
However, profitability remains under pressure as the company continues to expand. Blinkit reported an adjusted ebitda loss of Rs 103 crore in the quarter, compared with a loss of Rs 8 crore in the previous quarter.
The funding comes at a time when competition in the quick commerce segment is increasing. Rival startup Zepto raised $450 million in October last year, while Swiggy raised around Rs 10,000 crore in December to strengthen investments in its quick commerce arm Instamart.
Earlier this year, Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa was elevated to group CEO of Eternal, succeeding Deepinder Goyal, reflecting the growing strategic importance of the quick commerce business within the company.
