MAM
L&K Saatchi & Saatchi strengthens planning team
NEW DELHI: L&K Saatchi & Saatchi India has strengthened its core planning team across its offices in India. To begin with, the agency has roped in Anuraag Shrivastav as vice president – planning, North. He will be based out of New Delhi and report to Snehasis Bose, Executive director, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi India.
As VP, his mandate would be to contribute significantly to brand strategy, build strong relationships with clients, and also to manage and lead the internal strategy team while also playing an active role in the deployment of strategic plans.
Apart from Shrivastav, the agency has also appointed Shalaka Pradhan as brand strategy director. She will be based out of Bangalore and will also report to Snehasis Bose.
Anuraag joins L&K Saatchi & Saatchi from FCB Ulka where he was senior brand planning director. He has also been with Enormous Brands and J Walter Thompson in the past and has worked on brands like Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Horlicks, Domino’s, Vistara, National Geographic, OLX, Motorola, Dish TV, Quaker, Aquafina, Hero, among others.
Pradhan joins L&K Saatchi & Saatchi from Publicis India where she was brand director – strategy. Prior to Publicis, she has also had enriching stints at Creativeland Asia, FCB Ulka, Cogito Consulting and Grey India. Some of the brands that she has been actively involved in include Nivea, Zee Café, Zee Marathi, Lakmé, Havmor, etc.
Snehasis Bose said: “Truth is I have been trying to work with Anuraag since 2015! His experience and freshness + understanding of culture and brands + can-do attitude = the strategic-superpowers our clients need and want!! Am really happy that our stars finally aligned!!!”
As for Pradhan joining in, he added, “Shalaka with her consistent curiosity, her asking of ‘what if?’ is a great fit with the spirit that drives the L&K Saatchi & Saatchi strategic approach. Combined with her solid experience, I believe she will bring the just-right fillip to the Planning team and our clients.”
Shrivastav said: “L&K Saatchi & Saatchi offers an interesting and wide range of brands that push you to adapt and think in different ways. It also supports a culture that encourages breaking norms and questioning the limits of possibility… where you are not constrained by the conventions of what has worked in the past.”
On his plans for the agency, Srivastav added: “The energy of the place is amazing and there’s a constant push to break out and do new things. The culture is collaborative and I look forward to partnering the teams in creating good work.”
Adding her views, Pradhan said: “Having been a part of the Publicis Groupe in the past, I am excited to come back as a part of the L&K Saatchi & Saatchi team. Over here, there’s a pulsating drive to put out the best work every day. The vibe here is upbeat and I’m looking forward to creating good work and working with some great clients here.”
Both the appointments play a crucial role in L&K Saatchi & Saatchi stepping up its offerings to its clients and also beefing up its leadership teams in key markets like the North & East, which contribute significantly to the agency’s overall growth. Srivastav joins in the North alongside Atin Wahal, who recently was appointed as EVP & head of north and east markets for L&K Saatchi & Saatchi India.
Brands
Malaika Arora launches Maejoy accessories brand with Myntra partnership
New label debuts with 250 plus handbags and lab grown diamond jewellery.
MUMBAI: When style meets sparkle, a new brand is ready to take centre stage. Actor and entrepreneur Malaika Arora has launched a lifestyle accessories label called Maejoy, developed in collaboration with Exceed Entertainment and Myntra Jabong India Private Limited (MJIPL), the B2B wholesale arm of Myntra. The brand enters the market with a debut collection of more than 250 styles spanning handbags and lab grown diamond jewellery, two categories that continue to define everyday personal style for modern consumers.
The handbag lineup includes crossbody bags, structured shoulder bags, bucket bags, totes, backpacks, clutches and workwear inspired designs. The pieces are crafted using materials such as synthetic leather, raffia, braids, satin, rhinestones and metallic finishes.
Alongside the bags, Maejoy has introduced a jewellery range featuring lab grown diamond rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets and tennis bracelets. The pieces are set in 925 sterling silver bases with gold, silver and rose gold tones, and include diamonds certified by IGI and GCI.
Positioned as a premium yet accessible accessories label, Maejoy is built around the philosophy “The Joy of Being Me”, aiming to blend aspirational fashion with everyday usability. The brand’s positioning centres on three pillars: authenticity, empowerment and accessibility.
Arora described the venture as a natural extension of her long association with fashion and personal style.
“Maejoy is a labour of love. Throughout my career, whether on screen, in business or through personal style, I have always believed fashion should feel empowering yet effortless. The Joy of Being Me celebrates individuality while making global fashion trends more accessible,” she said.
MJIPL, CXO and head of house of brands Suman Saha said the brand brings together Arora’s style perspective with a strong opportunity in the accessible premium accessories segment.
“Maejoy combines Malaika Arora’s distinctive style sensibility with fashion forward designs that we believe will resonate strongly with consumers looking for elevated yet wearable accessories,” he said.
Exceed Entertainment CEO Afsar Zaidi added that building celebrity led brands requires balancing authenticity with market viability.
“Malaika commands respect both as a fashion icon and a businesswoman. Bringing her creative vision together with Myntra’s brand building expertise creates a strong foundation for Maejoy,” he said.
The collection is available exclusively on Myntra through its website and mobile app, making the brand accessible to millions of shoppers across India as it steps into the competitive lifestyle accessories space.
