MAM
Lachlan Murdoch, Sorrell head record seminar schedule at Cannes Lions
MUMBAI: This year’s International Advertising Festival, Cannes Lions 2005, which kicked off on 19 June has lined up an unprecedented 36 seminar and presentations. Some of the most influential creatives, clients and media owners will take part in the programmes. The festival will conclude on 25 June.
One of the most awaited seminars is the Cannes Debate, to be held in the Debussy theatre on Friday, 24 June on the topic Building A Better Mousetrap, states an official release.
Lachlan Murdoch, Media Person Of The Year and deputy chief operating officer of News Corporation, Sir Martin Sorrell, CEO of WPP, Howard Draft, chairman and CEO of Draft and Chuck Porter, chairman of Crispin, Porter + Bogusky will tackle the issue of how to get messages across in a multi-platform, consumer-controlled world.
Murdoch will draw on his success in New York’s tough newspaper market. He told Lions Daily: “Attracting new advertisers like American Express to the New York Post proves that the environment and demographic reach are right.”
Sir Martin will explain his theory of a two-speed advertising world: “You’ve got relatively low rates of growth in the US and western Europe, and very high rates of growth in places like Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and eastern Europe.”
The speaking schedule began on 19 June with a session from FEDMA and resumed on 20 June morning with Remember Me, hosted by MPG, examining the impact of digital media on a crowded landscape, a theme followed up by OgilvyOne’s Verge, a showcase of digital solutions.
The afternoon saw an examination of Orange’s use of cinema advertising, Bob Greenberg, chairman, CEO and chief creative officer of R/GA (New York) on new models for agencies, and Grey Global on the ticklish issue of tobacco marketing. Pre-viewing his contribution, Greenberg told Lions Daily: Bob Greenberg: “The digital domain is more accountable and that is making agencies nervous.”
21 June kicks off with Proximity’s session on mobile marketing, followed by a ZenithOptimedia analysis of China, while the afternoon includes Cliff Francis and Bernard Glock on the Saatch & Saatchi/Procter & Gamble partnership.
The 22 June highlights: Keith Reinhard, chairman, DDB Worldwide, Andy Berlin, chairman and CEO, Red cell and June Blocklin, vice-chairman, Young & Rubicam Brands run a slide rule over the financial dimensions of creativity and a highlight is the high-powered panel assembled by MSN looking at the new rules governing clients and agencies, the official release adds.
Reflecting the new Lions awards, the Radio Advertising Bureau hosts a session on The Hidden Power Of the Human Voice on 23 June and in the afternoon Creativity looks at design case histories.
Brands
Magnum Ice Cream Netherlands takes control of Kwality Wall’s India from Unilever
61.9 per cent stake transfer reshapes ownership as Unilever exits promoter role
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited has entered a new chapter, with The Magnum Ice Cream Company HoldCo 1 Netherlands B.V. acquiring a controlling 61.9 per cent stake from a clutch of Unilever PLC-led entities, marking a significant shift in ownership.
The transaction, completed on March 30, 2026, follows a share purchase agreement signed in June 2025. The incoming promoter picked up over 145 crore equity shares, effectively taking control of the company and being formally classified as its new promoter under regulatory norms.
As part of the deal, the outgoing promoter group, including Unilever Group Limited and its affiliated entities, has fully exited its shareholding in the company. They have now been reclassified from promoter to public shareholders, closing a long-standing association with the ice cream business in India.
The board of Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited took note of the ownership change and approved a series of leadership updates alongside it. Ritesh Tiwari stepped down as director, while Abhijit Bhattacharya was appointed as chairperson and additional non-executive director. Tahir Toloy Tanridagli also joined the board as an additional non-executive director.
The reshuffle signals a broader strategic reset as the Magnum-led entity looks to steer the brand’s next phase of growth in India. The transition has been carried out in line with regulatory requirements, including disclosures tied to the open offer and reclassification norms under market regulations.
With Unilever stepping back and Magnum stepping in, Kwality Wall’s India is effectively getting a fresh scoop of leadership and direction. The coming months will reveal how the new promoter plans to scale the brand in one of the world’s most competitive ice cream markets.
